My 1st 'Baby BMW' - 2007 E81 130i LE

[MDMA .]

danb79 said:

MDMA . said:

That looks very nice. Not from Peterborough was it? Was looking at these recently as a “Clubsport” type build. Company called Oakwood had one in virtually the same spec.

Hi pal - thanks; it's not a bad motor

From a lad in Basingstoke; it was a fair old round trip yesterday, didn't help that the M40 was closed, so had to do M4, some B country roads, M5 and M6 via Brum

Having checked again, the Oakwood one had chrome window surrounds. Just noticed yours are black so can't be the same one (unless you've de-chromed it already)! These are still fetching good money for the right car though.

This was the "Clubsport" one that got me interested. KW's, Pole Positions, Quaife and CAE shifter and Performance BBK.

[W00DY]

Very nice. I do love the LEs, such an appealing spec. Sits well on the Eibachs

Are you sticking with the dark window trim? i always thought the chrome/polished was a classy look.

[danb79]

MDMA . said:

danb79 said:

MDMA . said:

That looks very nice. Not from Peterborough was it? Was looking at these recently as a “Clubsport” type build. Company called Oakwood had one in virtually the same spec.

Hi pal - thanks; it's not a bad motor

From a lad in Basingstoke; it was a fair old round trip yesterday, didn't help that the M40 was closed, so had to do M4, some B country roads, M5 and M6 via Brum

Having checked again, the Oakwood one had chrome window surrounds. Just noticed yours are black so can't be the same one (unless you've de-chromed it already)! These are still fetching good money for the right car though.

This was the "Clubsport" one that got me interested. KW's, Pole Positions, Quaife and CAE shifter and Performance BBK.

The previous owner de-chromed it with OEM parts off a donor car; which is good in a sense, as they're easier to maintain. But I do like the OEM chrome trims on the LE

I'm reinstating the OEM chrome grilles when they land with me from BMW Germany; not keen on the OEM M Performance black ones. I'm sure they'll sell easy enough

[danb79]

W00DY said:

Very nice. I do love the LEs, such an appealing spec. Sits well on the Eibachs

Are you sticking with the dark window trim? i always thought the chrome/polished was a classy look.

As above; agree, would have preferred the OEM Chrome trim.. May look to see if I can find a set at some point

[Court_S]

M.F.D said:

Watching with interest, we managed to pick up an LE in good condition as a track car base last week. Was blown away how good it was on the drive home.

Intakes seem mental expensive when considering the cost of the car, I think I'll be doing a DIY effort.

The Performance stuff sells for crazy money these days, literally more than it was brand new.

Mate of mine bought a really cheap 125i cab that came with the exhaust. Jammy git.

[Court_S]

danb79 said:

W00DY said:

Very nice. I do love the LEs, such an appealing spec. Sits well on the Eibachs

Are you sticking with the dark window trim? i always thought the chrome/polished was a classy look.

As above; agree, would have preferred the OEM Chrome trim.. May look to see if I can find a set at some point

The LE items were a brushed effect rather than the traditional chrome so finding a set could be a pain in the arse.

I really miss mine….kind of wish now that I’d sold the cab for a touring so I could have kept it. It was a brilliant, fun little car and mine was super well sorted with the silly intake, Birds B1 dampers, M3 arms etc. This is making me have a lot of sellers remorse a few years on!

[UnderSteerD]

I'm a bit disappointed you didn't go full OCD on an old Honda, but I've always liked these and I'm interested to see how you get on with it.

[danb79]

UnderSteerD said:

I'm a bit disappointed you didn't go full OCD on an old Honda, but I've always liked these and I'm interested to see how you get on with it.

Yeah; after sitting in a few EP3s and FN2s, they just weren't for me... Felt more of a backwards step TBH

I know they'd have been well looked after by my pals at Grinspeed

But a 130i with that lovely N52 straight 6 is hard to beat IMO

[danb79]

Court_S said:

danb79 said:

W00DY said:

Very nice. I do love the LEs, such an appealing spec. Sits well on the Eibachs

Are you sticking with the dark window trim? i always thought the chrome/polished was a classy look.

As above; agree, would have preferred the OEM Chrome trim.. May look to see if I can find a set at some point

The LE items were a brushed effect rather than the traditional chrome so finding a set could be a pain in the arse.

I really miss mine….kind of wish now that I’d sold the cab for a touring so I could have kept it. It was a brilliant, fun little car and mine was super well sorted with the silly intake, Birds B1 dampers, M3 arms etc. This is making me have a lot of sellers remorse a few years on!

Do it

[911Spanker]

Are there sensibly priced mods available? I want some exhaust and induction noise if possible.

They are a super agile thing but think there is more to come - that club sport spec car looks great.

[UnderSteerD]

danb79 said:

Yeah; after sitting in a few EP3s and FN2s, they just weren't for me... Felt more of a backwards step TBH

I know they'd have been well looked after by my pals at Grinspeed

But a 130i with that lovely N52 straight 6 is hard to beat IMO

Yeah, I can understand that.

I've never owned a modern BMW, but I've often been tempted and can certainly see the appeal.

I've followed numerous threads on here where people have put together really competent cars without spending a fortune, and you seem to have a picked a great base to start from with this one!

[danb79]

UnderSteerD said:

Yeah, I can understand that.

I've never owned a modern BMW, but I've often been tempted and can certainly see the appeal.

I've followed numerous threads on here where people have put together really competent cars without spending a fortune, and you seem to have a picked a great base to start from with this one!

The F31s the youngest BMW I've owned and that's a 2015

I do prefer the older BMWs as they just feel so much better put together

Another reason why I took a shine to the E81 as it's small, manual with a great engine; ideal for a weekend toy whilst the wife racks up the miles on the F31, doing what it's designed to do!

[danb79]

So far...

- Michelin tyres ordered via Camskill - gone for Michelin CrossClime 2s in 225/40 and 235/40 18" flavour; £60 cashback already claimed
- OEM BMW front & rear pads ordered via resellers on eBay; Textar front & rear discs ordered too
- OEM BMW velour mats and chrome kidney grilles ordered via Cotswolds BMW coming via BMW Germany
- New Bosch wipers all round ordered via Amazon
- Mahle cabin filters ordered via eBay
- Brand new OEM BMW leather gear knob ordered via Cotswolds BMW (via their eBay page as there was 15% off); and new/excellent condition steering wheel ordered as well via an eBay parts breaker

Been a busy boy

[Court_S]

911Spanker said:

Are there sensibly priced mods available? I want some exhaust and induction noise if possible.

They are a super agile thing but think there is more to come - that club sport spec car looks great.

The 135i back box used to be a pretty cheap mod (managed to find one for mine) but they’re now expensive as people hunt for them in lieu of the Performance exhaust. The N55 135i back box does sound good though if you can find one.

I have an Armadpeed intake on my wife’s 330i which sounds pretty damn good.

[bodhi]

danb79 said:

So far...

- Michelin tyres ordered via Camskill - gone for Michelin CrossClime 2s in 225/40 and 235/40 18" flavour; £60 cashback already claimed
- OEM BMW front & rear pads ordered via resellers on eBay; Textar front & rear discs ordered too
- OEM BMW velour mats and chrome kidney grilles ordered via Cotswolds BMW coming via BMW Germany
- New Bosch wipers all round ordered via Amazon
- Mahle cabin filters ordered via eBay
- Brand new OEM BMW leather gear knob ordered via Cotswolds BMW (via their eBay page as there was 15% off); and new/excellent condition steering wheel ordered as well via an eBay parts breaker

Been a busy boy

Interesting on the gearknob as after 177k mine is looking well past it's best - did you look at the ZHP one or are you keeping it standard?

[danb79]

bodhi said:

Interesting on the gearknob as after 177k mine is looking well past it's best - did you look at the ZHP one or are you keeping it standard?

I've just realised I'd ordered the wrong gear knob. My fault for not looking on Realoem properly.

I've asked to cancel that order and have gone with an aftermarket one for now:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/274932885397?mkcid=16&a...

Looks like the OEM BMW one is scarily expensive

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/194194836828?mkcid=16&a...

Even with my 15% off its £150...

Ill see what the copy one is like and report back

[Mr Tidy]

Lovely looking car there. I really like the Carbon Black/Lemon leather combo.

And the N52 engine is a gem. I've had 2 in Z4s and 2 in 3 Series, currently a 2005 330i because I was too mean to buy a 130i.

I fitted a ZHP to my Z4s and it was much better than the OE gearknob. BMW Part Number is B25.11.7.896.886 if anyone wants one, but best to buy from a dealer as there loads of fake ones for sale that aren't weighted which is the whole point!

[danb79]

Mr Tidy said:

Lovely looking car there. I really like the Carbon Black/Lemon leather combo.

And the N52 engine is a gem. I've had 2 in Z4s and 2 in 3 Series, currently a 2005 330i because I was too mean to buy a 130i.

I fitted a ZHP to my Z4s and it was much better than the OE gearknob. BMW Part Number is B25.11.7.896.886 if anyone wants one, but best to buy from a dealer as there loads of fake ones for sale that aren't weighted which is the whole point!

That looks like the one I accidentally ordered. Not sure it'll fit the E81 though as that's got more of a square fitting where it attaches to the leather boot

I've just ordered an OEM used one from Quarry Motors on ebay for £40. Looks very clean. A good scrub and a touch of black leather dye and it'll look as new I think

[cerb4.5lee]

Nice one Dan, and that is a great choice of motor for sure.

I've always liked these loads, and the big engine/small car combo really hits the spot I reckon.

Enjoy it.

[Mr Tidy]

danb79 said:

That looks like the one I accidentally ordered. Not sure it'll fit the E81 though as that's got more of a square fitting where it attaches to the leather boot

I've just ordered an OEM used one from Quarry Motors on ebay for £40. Looks very clean. A good scrub and a touch of black leather dye and it'll look as new I think

I just looked at a photo of my 123d and see what you mean about the square fitting.

If you have ordered the ZHP and can't get a refund a free advert on z4forum should get you most of your money back - ZHPs are a very popular mod on there.