130i........doesn't feel as fast as it should?

130i........doesn't feel as fast as it should?

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LocoBlade

7,621 posts

255 months

Thursday 15th June 2017
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GusWilliams said:
It's going great mate - we got a peach there. Through its service and tyres we have a couple of guys up here keeping tabs on it with regards to us selling it. But no plans to sell it right now - we love it.

On the downside - it's got me back into small quick cars (I used to have quite a few back in the day), so now looking to move my "family/band" Audi to a T5 and then get myself an M140i (which I would fancy mod'ing as well). See what you did !!!!!! ;-)
Great news, glad it's doing you well and you're enjoying it. I found the S4 that replaced the 130 a bit artificial and almost too competent at normal speeds so that went a few months ago and I've now got an M240i. As good as the 130i was, the 240 is another league ahead in both performance and handling so I'm sure you wouldn't be disappointed with a 140!

Earthdweller

13,432 posts

125 months

Thursday 15th June 2017
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I think it's a lovely engine and in due course will become a classic example of what BMW do/did best

A straight six .. esp mated to a manual transmission

I have this engine in my Z4 and I love the way it goes and sounds

Sure it can feel slow compared to a modern turbo diesel .. but that is just a feeling .. driven correctly it is properly quick and very usable and not at insane speeds

It also sounds lovely too when it revs out to the redline

cerb4.5lee

30,189 posts

179 months

Thursday 15th June 2017
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Earthdweller said:
It also sounds lovely too when it revs out to the redline
I'm probably in the minority but I don't think the noise the N52 makes is all that good, I appreciate it's smoothness and it's willingness to rev big time but for noise I've always preferred a V6 engine to Bmw's muted straight sixes.


GusWilliams

11 posts

91 months

Friday 16th June 2017
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LocoBlade said:
Great news, glad it's doing you well and you're enjoying it. I found the S4 that replaced the 130 a bit artificial and almost too competent at normal speeds so that went a few months ago and I've now got an M240i. As good as the 130i was, the 240 is another league ahead in both performance and handling so I'm sure you wouldn't be disappointed with a 140!
Yes I got taken out in a 140 a little while ago - he had a manual (and a JB4 on it). The performance was incredible (even with the jb4 off) - but it was a bit squirmy at the rear even just going straight on changing gear (wasn't a great day) ....... so perhaps some changes in that area could benefit I think (but certainly none needed in the bhp department). I would go for the manual too (as it wouldn't be my daily drive - else it would make sense to get the auto).

I know what you mean about Audi's (I've had a few now). Driving the 130 kind of reminded me that while Audi's are great cars all-round - they are a little soul-less on the driving front ...... hence why I'm changing.

I need to sort out the T5 first though ..... keep the family happy ;-)



rm163603

656 posts

247 months

Friday 16th June 2017
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GusWilliams said:
LocoBlade said:
Great news, glad it's doing you well and you're enjoying it. I found the S4 that replaced the 130 a bit artificial and almost too competent at normal speeds so that went a few months ago and I've now got an M240i. As good as the 130i was, the 240 is another league ahead in both performance and handling so I'm sure you wouldn't be disappointed with a 140!
Yes I got taken out in a 140 a little while ago - he had a manual (and a JB4 on it). The performance was incredible (even with the jb4 off) - but it was a bit squirmy at the rear even just going straight on changing gear (wasn't a great day) ....... so perhaps some changes in that area could benefit I think (but certainly none needed in the bhp department). I would go for the manual too (as it wouldn't be my daily drive - else it would make sense to get the auto).

I know what you mean about Audi's (I've had a few now). Driving the 130 kind of reminded me that while Audi's are great cars all-round - they are a little soul-less on the driving front ...... hence why I'm changing.

I need to sort out the T5 first though ..... keep the family happy ;-)
I know what you mean by squirmy!

I had an M135i and had a Clarkson moment in the wet. mounted a traffic island burst both tyres on the offside, bent the front shock, buggered the wheel bearing and wrecked the wheels. Turns out the super sports are not great in the wet when well worn.

Thankfully it was a lease car!


moffat

1,020 posts

224 months

Friday 16th June 2017
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Wait and get an N54 135i Coupe... JB+ it to unleash 350-360bhp for peanuts and then install a BMW M Performance Exhaust. If it's a manual install the Short Shift Kit (SSK).

Made my 135i epic.

Earthdweller

13,432 posts

125 months

Saturday 17th June 2017
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cerb4.5lee said:
Earthdweller said:
It also sounds lovely too when it revs out to the redline
I'm probably in the minority but I don't think the noise the N52 makes is all that good, I appreciate it's smoothness and it's willingness to rev big time but for noise I've always preferred a V6 engine to Bmw's muted straight sixes.
Haha yes I take your point completely

My wife has a 320d .., against that it sounds amazing

My next door neighbour has an R8 V10 which shakes the house when he starts it .. lovely sound and I can still hear it for ages (it seems) as he drives off in it !

I have a love of the sound TVR's make too !

Unfortunately I couldn't afford either ..

I'll stand by my comments that it sounds lovely for what it is 😊

selym

9,539 posts

170 months

Saturday 17th June 2017
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It is muted for a reason; these cars are meant to be quiet. Nothing a little exhaust work wouldn't remedy though.

cerb4.5lee

30,189 posts

179 months

Saturday 17th June 2017
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Earthdweller said:
cerb4.5lee said:
Earthdweller said:
It also sounds lovely too when it revs out to the redline
I'm probably in the minority but I don't think the noise the N52 makes is all that good, I appreciate it's smoothness and it's willingness to rev big time but for noise I've always preferred a V6 engine to Bmw's muted straight sixes.
Haha yes I take your point completely

My wife has a 320d .., against that it sounds amazing
When put like that I do agree that it sounds nice thumbup and when I had my 520d all I ever wanted to do was smash it's engine to bits with a hammer!! hehe

cerb4.5lee

30,189 posts

179 months

Saturday 17th June 2017
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selym said:
It is muted for a reason; these cars are meant to be quiet. Nothing a little exhaust work wouldn't remedy though.
I think that's why I have never rated the noise of any of the petrol Bmw's I've had(M cars included), because they're meant to be quiet luxury cruisers and be as quiet as possible which to me is a shame in some ways.

selym

9,539 posts

170 months

Saturday 17th June 2017
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cerb4.5lee said:
I think that's why I have never rated the noise of any of the petrol Bmw's I've had(M cars included), because they're meant to be quiet luxury cruisers and be as quiet as possible which to me is a shame in some ways.
Agreed. The 130i is right in the spot between 6 pot rasper and luxury (ish) cruiser and it can't make its mind up!

Mr Tidy

22,065 posts

126 months

Saturday 17th June 2017
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selym said:
Agreed. The 130i is right in the spot between 6 pot rasper and luxury (ish) cruiser and it can't make its mind up!
Sounds familiar - my 325ti is just like that!

My Z4 Coupe sounds much better, but isn't trying to be a "luxury cruiser". laugh

cerb4.5lee

30,189 posts

179 months

Saturday 17th June 2017
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Mr Tidy said:
selym said:
Agreed. The 130i is right in the spot between 6 pot rasper and luxury (ish) cruiser and it can't make its mind up!
Sounds familiar - my 325ti is just like that!

My Z4 Coupe sounds much better, but isn't trying to be a "luxury cruiser". laugh
When I had my Z4M I wasn't expecting a luxury cruiser, yet sadly it fell into the same Bmw trap for me of being muted in terms of sound, and the first thing I wanted to do was change the exhaust or air box to make it more vocal.

Bmw are experts at quietness for some reason, and it baffles me in many ways because they have made some cracking engines over the years, yet they choose to strangle the noise they make.

Shaoxter

4,048 posts

123 months

Sunday 18th June 2017
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cerb4.5lee said:
When I had my Z4M I wasn't expecting a luxury cruiser, yet sadly it fell into the same Bmw trap for me of being muted in terms of sound, and the first thing I wanted to do was change the exhaust or air box to make it more vocal.

Bmw are experts at quietness for some reason, and it baffles me in many ways because they have made some cracking engines over the years, yet they choose to strangle the noise they make.
Mainstream manufacturers won't make obnoxious exhausts, 95% of people buying the cars won't want them. Anyway BMW do make M performance exhausts these days for a better noise.

Mr Tidy

22,065 posts

126 months

Sunday 18th June 2017
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cerb4.5lee said:
When I had my Z4M I wasn't expecting a luxury cruiser, yet sadly it fell into the same Bmw trap for me of being muted in terms of sound, and the first thing I wanted to do was change the exhaust or air box to make it more vocal.

Bmw are experts at quietness for some reason, and it baffles me in many ways because they have made some cracking engines over the years, yet they choose to strangle the noise they make.
I think it may be more because they hadn't worked out how to meet EU noise limits and provide something aurally stimulating at the same time, but as time has gone by manufacturers have worked out how to "cheat" the regs - VAG diesel anyone? laugh

Out of interest, did you change your Z4M exhaust or airbox? And if so, what did you fit?

selym

9,539 posts

170 months

Sunday 18th June 2017
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Shaoxter said:
Mainstream manufacturers won't make obnoxious exhausts, 95% of people buying the cars won't want them. Anyway BMW do make M performance exhausts these days for a better noise.
Even the BMW PERFORMANCE exhausts aren't enough. All the muffling is dealt with further down the system. I have one and it sounds good but I had to do the golf tee mod as a start, and there is still more needed to release the note that is hiding in there!

cerb4.5lee

30,189 posts

179 months

Sunday 18th June 2017
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Mr Tidy said:
Out of interest, did you change your Z4M exhaust or airbox? And if so, what did you fit?
I decided to swap it for a E92 M3 because after the disappointment of the straight six noise I thought I needed another V8, although the M3 was exactly the same noise wise being very muted and apologetic...nothing like I expected a V8 to be.

So I just decided after that to accept that bmw's are just luxury cruisers and I accept them for what they are now, I did hear a M2 whilst on foot the other day and I thought it sounded great with lots of pops and bangs, yet I imagine from inside the car it's quiet and usual bmw.

Ahbefive

11,657 posts

171 months

Sunday 18th June 2017
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130i probably doesnt feel as quick as a turbo ebmngine as all the fizz is at the top of the rev range. Also they are will feel a bit flat compared to a WRX anyway as they aren"t fast.

VerySideways

10,237 posts

271 months

Sunday 18th June 2017
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cerb4.5lee said:
I decided to swap it for a E92 M3 because after the disappointment of the straight six noise I thought I needed another V8, although the M3 was exactly the same noise wise being very muted and apologetic...nothing like I expected a V8 to be.

So I just decided after that to accept that bmw's are just luxury cruisers and I accept them for what they are now, I did hear a M2 whilst on foot the other day and I thought it sounded great with lots of pops and bangs, yet I imagine from inside the car it's quiet and usual bmw.
BMW offer an "M Performance exhaust" for the M2 which sounds great.
Having said that, it's very easy to make the E92 M3 sound superb for minimal outlay...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFpwlKiB9wM

selym

9,539 posts

170 months

Sunday 18th June 2017
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Ahbefive said:
130i probably doesnt feel as quick as a turbo ebmngine as all the fizz is at the top of the rev range. Also they are will feel a bit flat compared to a WRX anyway as they aren"t fast.
I don't agree about the WRX. I've had both and power delivery makes it 'feel' faster but once moving and when the 4wd effect is gone, I'd say the 130i is probably quicker. The WRX is quite gutless after 60mph yet the 130i keeps delivering the power.
I know, I know, I would say that but I really liked the WRX, but it needed another 70-80bhp, which I gave it.