130i........doesn't feel as fast as it should?
Discussion
hi all
I was thinking about a 130i as my next "fun car"
stats look spot on 265 bhp, RWD, small car etc but I test drove a couple and they just don't feel very fast!?
I am comparing to my old Subaru wrx which was similar weight and had about similar power but felt a huge amount faster. I also drove my friends 135i which is meant to have 310 bhp but feels like it has Wayyyyy more than an extra 45bhp! (the 135i is amazing just out of my budget!)
sounded good just didnt' feel like a fast car!
Am I going mad or do these come in a little under 265 on power?
I might look at a 123d with a remap now as I dont' know if the 130i will be worth it in terms of excitement to cost ratio!
Cheers Paul
I was thinking about a 130i as my next "fun car"
stats look spot on 265 bhp, RWD, small car etc but I test drove a couple and they just don't feel very fast!?
I am comparing to my old Subaru wrx which was similar weight and had about similar power but felt a huge amount faster. I also drove my friends 135i which is meant to have 310 bhp but feels like it has Wayyyyy more than an extra 45bhp! (the 135i is amazing just out of my budget!)
sounded good just didnt' feel like a fast car!
Am I going mad or do these come in a little under 265 on power?
I might look at a 123d with a remap now as I dont' know if the 130i will be worth it in terms of excitement to cost ratio!
Cheers Paul
Terminator X said:
Not turbo so it won't "feel" as quick however it should pick up below 3-4k revs better than a turbo car just not as manic above that. I owned one for a few years and it felt plenty quick enough to me.
TX.
You do realise that the M135i has peak torque at around 1500rpm and flatlines all the way 5krpm.TX.
For a N/A 6pot they are pretty quick.
Dannbodge said:
You do realise that the M135i has peak torque at around 1500rpm and flatlines all the way 5krpm.
For a N/A 6pot they are pretty quick.
The 135i has an incredible engine which seems to do it all ! For a N/A 6pot they are pretty quick.
Maybe I was expecting too much from be 130i! Steering seems nice but ride is harsh but I imagi be this is sorted by non run flat tyres.
Does it have to be run on super or do people use normal petrol ?
I used to run a 130i and now have an N54 powered 135i.
To be honest I don't think the 135i feels that much quicker. It's torquier for sure but the price you pay is inferior throttle response and it lacks that rush for the redline feeling you get with the N/A engine.
My 130i was remapped to around 280 so maybe that helped but even before the remap it felt quick enough.
It's a cracking car the 130i and with a few easy mods (m3 bits mainly) to the suspension can be made even better.
Another plus for the 130 is that it's less concerning reliability wise. in almost 100K of driving by myself and my freind who bought it from me the only thing that ever went wrong was the DSC pump. The engine was 100% reliable.
To be honest I don't think the 135i feels that much quicker. It's torquier for sure but the price you pay is inferior throttle response and it lacks that rush for the redline feeling you get with the N/A engine.
My 130i was remapped to around 280 so maybe that helped but even before the remap it felt quick enough.
It's a cracking car the 130i and with a few easy mods (m3 bits mainly) to the suspension can be made even better.
Another plus for the 130 is that it's less concerning reliability wise. in almost 100K of driving by myself and my freind who bought it from me the only thing that ever went wrong was the DSC pump. The engine was 100% reliable.
rm163603 said:
I used to run a 130i and now have an N54 powered 135i.
To be honest I don't think the 135i feels that much quicker. It's torquier for sure but the price you pay is inferior throttle response and it lacks that rush for the redline feeling you get with the N/A engine.
My 130i was remapped to around 280 so maybe that helped but even before the remap it felt quick enough.
It's a cracking car the 130i and with a few easy mods (m3 bits mainly) to the suspension can be made even better.
Another plus for the 130 is that it's less concerning reliability wise. in almost 100K of driving by myself and my freind who bought it from me the only thing that ever went wrong was the DSC pump. The engine was 100% reliable.
yeah the reliability of that engine does appeal, one of the reasons I was looking at it! To be honest I don't think the 135i feels that much quicker. It's torquier for sure but the price you pay is inferior throttle response and it lacks that rush for the redline feeling you get with the N/A engine.
My 130i was remapped to around 280 so maybe that helped but even before the remap it felt quick enough.
It's a cracking car the 130i and with a few easy mods (m3 bits mainly) to the suspension can be made even better.
Another plus for the 130 is that it's less concerning reliability wise. in almost 100K of driving by myself and my freind who bought it from me the only thing that ever went wrong was the DSC pump. The engine was 100% reliable.
does sound good to!
Maybe I just need to go out in one being driven a little harder!!
Cheers Paul
paul n said:
yeah the reliability of that engine does appeal, one of the reasons I was looking at it!
does sound good to!
Maybe I just need to go out in one being driven a little harder!!
Cheers Paul
They sound great especially with the performance exhaust.does sound good to!
Maybe I just need to go out in one being driven a little harder!!
Cheers Paul
The 135i feels slightly quicker but more sensible somehow. If you want something that's fun then I'd 100% recommend the 130
As i say I had mine remapped by evolve, it definitely made a difference although I did have to run it on super after that.
As above, engine needs 5k+ to really sing although sounds good all through the rev range. Going up and down the gears keeping it in the sweet spot is not for everyone.
Bought the cheapest 130i in germany as a stop gap DD some years ago and its still hanging around. Definitely got under my skin despite the suspension. One day maybe BMW will get spring/dampers right.
Bought the cheapest 130i in germany as a stop gap DD some years ago and its still hanging around. Definitely got under my skin despite the suspension. One day maybe BMW will get spring/dampers right.
paul n said:
Yes I was thinking of a performance exhaust and the birds suspension if I did get one ! Maybe even the LSD if I am really keen! The 135i rides seems a lot better so they improving a little !
The M135i rides so much better. The E82 135i like mine is a bit better than the 130 I think largely because the shell is a bit stiffer. It's still not brilliant though.
I had the birds springs with standard dampers on mine and it rode better than stock. I still wouldn't say it rode well though.
I also had the quaife LSD. Definitely worth having and not just to prevent wheel spin... it makes the car drive out of corners much more nicely.
The 135i i've got now is completely standard though mainly because I have the BMW insured warranty for fear of turbo / fuel pump woes.
Try the 123D, had one myself (E82 Auto M Sport) and it's a great car. There's a real linear surge from the twin turbo set up and revs quite well for a diesel too.
Ecotune Stage 1 takes it to 250bhp and Stage 2 with DPF delete to roughly 280bhp with no difference to economy. Other tuners such as BW Chiptune will give you similar results.
Ecotune Stage 1 takes it to 250bhp and Stage 2 with DPF delete to roughly 280bhp with no difference to economy. Other tuners such as BW Chiptune will give you similar results.
Edited by Joratk on Tuesday 13th June 17:14
Glad it wasn't just me thinking the ride was really bad as standard!
The way M135i prices are going it won't be long before they come into my rice range so maybe the 130i as a stop gap and see how it goes!
123d at 280bhp sounds good!
but the straight 6 noise is probably worth the extra cash!
P
The way M135i prices are going it won't be long before they come into my rice range so maybe the 130i as a stop gap and see how it goes!
123d at 280bhp sounds good!
but the straight 6 noise is probably worth the extra cash!
P
I had a 123d for 4 years before buying the aforementioned 130i from rm163603. To start with the 130i felt a bit lethargic at low revs even compared to the stock 123d due to comparative lack of torque in the bottom half of the rev range, but driven properly using the revs it's a LOT quicker and as good as the 123d is for a diesel, the 130i is so much more charismatic and fun to drive fast. The 130i is also by far the most reliable engine in the range (or at least amongst the quicker models), getting a 123d gives you the infamous N47 cam chain failure to worry about and if you get a 135i it's HPFP and turbos that are common failures.
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