130i, will I be waiting forever?

[Mr Whippy]

We have an F30 3er for the main family car, so ‘my’ car is more just a fun cheaper car that can also do backup or occasional toddler work.

I think LE were high spec so all had front isofix == front airbag deactivation, so a decent front facing seat for toddler would make life easy, then swap to back, or wifey in back, if needed for a full trip out.

I think I could cope with a 3dr on that basis/usage need.


The main task now is just finding one close ish to try/buy.

[Mr Tidy]

There was a facelift in about March 2007, so the ISOFIX may have been added then.

My September 07 123d had front and rear ISOFIX, plus front airbag deactivation - and the LEs were pretty much run-out models!

Good luck with the search anyway.

[Mr Whippy]

Yeah the LE are a nice spec... just no heated seats unless specified maybe.

The Leeds/Harrogate area seems thin on interesting cars, everything is always so far away, or ropey looking stuff in Bradford/Manchester area.

[aeropilot]

Mr Whippy said:

Yeah the LE are a nice spec... just no heated seats unless specified maybe.

Couldn't be specified, there was no options on the LE, all were fixed spec.

[Mr Whippy]

Ah ok that makes life even easier then haha!

Pvogue’s LE above looks pretty stunning.

Apart from those M3 CSL style splitters, it looks like all BMWP parts on a standard car.



Would anyone here buy a car without seeing it?
I really can’t be arsed driving to Southampton, but there is one there:

https://www.babybmw.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=58&a...

If you were to pay for say an RAC/AA check and/or one of those buying services to check it, and assuming no obvious issues, get it delivered.

Given all LE are the same, and assuming it has a solid history/receipts (can check all online, phone, via email etc), and I’m not gonna have issues with spending a few quid to make it nice, I can’t really go too far wrong?


Just testing one to check I like it, on a decent run out.


Has anyone here had an E85 and an E81/87 and can compare the experience?

My R32 isn’t really what I wanted, something more like my Z4, but in a hatchback...
Does the 1er share a similar DNA?

[Mr Tidy]

Mr Whippy said:

Has anyone here had an E85 and an E81/87 and can compare the experience?

My R32 isn’t really what I wanted, something more like my Z4, but in a hatchback...
Does the 1er share a similar DNA?

Well almost!

I had a 123d SE "Dynamic" for over 6 years, then sold it 4 years ago and have had an E86 3.0Si since then.

Because my 1er was the "Dynamic" it had the M-Sport seats and suspension, but not the 18" wheels.

Even as a diesel it was more refined, quieter and smoother riding. It handled pretty well, but felt totally different - mainly because you aren't sat as low as in the Z4, or as near to the back wheels!

But at least you would have the same N52 3 litre engine in a 130i, but probably a bit quieter (3 litre Z4s had a Sound Generator) whereas I don't think 130is did. Performance should be pretty close too.

However I'd be surprised if a 130i felt that similar to an E85, although probably closer to it than an R32.

Sorry I can't be more helpful, but I never got to drive a 130i sadly.

[Mike335i]

Having driven a Z4C Si and a 2006 116i, and having owned an Mk5 Golf for a while, the 1 series feels a little closer to the Z4 as you do sit further back than in a Golf. The looks might not be to everyone's taste, but it shows that there is a lot of car in front of you with the long bonnet stretching out ahead and a small cabin behind. RWD helps in that regard too.

[bodhi]

If you're happy with a 3 door it might be worth taking a look at the 125i Coupé as well - it's pretty much a 130i with a different map (which can be changed) and slightly smaller front brakes.

[aeropilot]

bodhi said:

If you're happy with a 3 door it might be worth taking a look at the 125i Coupé as well - it's pretty much a 130i with a different map (which can be changed) and slightly smaller front brakes.

And a bigger boot......especially if it has the split/fold rear seat option (can't remember if that was standard or not on the 125i?) and a stiffer shell so handles a bit better.....and newer too.

[Mr Tidy]

aeropilot said:

And a bigger boot......especially if it has the split/fold rear seat option (can't remember if that was standard or not on the 125i?) and a stiffer shell so handles a bit better.....and newer too.

I'm pretty sure the 125is all had the split/fold rear seats, but something makes me think they only had 2 rear seats.

[Mr Whippy]

Mr Tidy said:

Mr Whippy said:

Has anyone here had an E85 and an E81/87 and can compare the experience?

My R32 isn’t really what I wanted, something more like my Z4, but in a hatchback...
Does the 1er share a similar DNA?

Well almost!

I had a 123d SE "Dynamic" for over 6 years, then sold it 4 years ago and have had an E86 3.0Si since then.

Because my 1er was the "Dynamic" it had the M-Sport seats and suspension, but not the 18" wheels.

Even as a diesel it was more refined, quieter and smoother riding. It handled pretty well, but felt totally different - mainly because you aren't sat as low as in the Z4, or as near to the back wheels!

But at least you would have the same N52 3 litre engine in a 130i, but probably a bit quieter (3 litre Z4s had a Sound Generator) whereas I don't think 130is did. Performance should be pretty close too.

However I'd be surprised if a 130i felt that similar to an E85, although probably closer to it than an R32.

Sorry I can't be more helpful, but I never got to drive a 130i sadly.

It’s weird because the Z4 NVH was spot on really.
It was never racey or grating, just informative and enjoyable.

I’ve seen some non UK market N52 used a sound generator on the 1er, so a retrofit could be possible... just the bulkhead issue... I’m sure a hole can be made :-)


What I liked in the Z4 that the Golf gets wrong is:

Driveline rigidity: Awd and transverse engine have just made the entire driveline lashy, laggy and rubbery and numb.
Rwd with long mounted engine = win on response and crisp driving.

Engine tech: Even the m54b30 in my Z4 was more cultured than the vr6 3.2.
More economy, nearly as much power, and mapped a shed load better out of the box, and that’s the m54... the n52 is on another planet across the board I’d guess?
I’d forgive the R32 engine more if at least it was mapped well but you really do find you use no throttle or full throttle a lot... very little seems to happen in between.
It also feels like it has lag mapped in to make crap drivers not pay for mistakes (fast lifts or wot applications)


I’ll really have to try a 130i but if it’s even half way back to a Z4 I’ll be winning!

[Mr Tidy]

Mr Whippy said:

It’s weird because the Z4 NVH was spot on really.
It was never racey or grating, just informative and enjoyable.

I’ve seen some non UK market N52 used a sound generator on the 1er, so a retrofit could be possible... just the bulkhead issue... I’m sure a hole can be made :-)


What I liked in the Z4 that the Golf gets wrong is:

Driveline rigidity: Awd and transverse engine have just made the entire driveline lashy, laggy and rubbery and numb.
Rwd with long mounted engine = win on response and crisp driving.

Engine tech: Even the m54b30 in my Z4 was more cultured than the vr6 3.2.
More economy, nearly as much power, and mapped a shed load better out of the box, and that’s the m54... the n52 is on another planet across the board I’d guess?
I’d forgive the R32 engine more if at least it was mapped well but you really do find you use no throttle or full throttle a lot... very little seems to happen in between.
It also feels like it has lag mapped in to make crap drivers not pay for mistakes (fast lifts or wot applications)

I’ll really have to try a 130i but if it’s even half way back to a Z4 I’ll be winning!

Well given what you have said, I had a 325ti Compact as a daily for 3 years (so M54 engine) and replaced it with an E91 325i (N52 engine) in March. My Compact felt much more entertaining than my Touring does, but when I get the revs up the Touring feels quicker - even if it is engineered to be quiet and refined!

But it's nothing like my E86.

I also really need to try a 130i!

[aeropilot]

Mr Tidy said:

aeropilot said:

And a bigger boot......especially if it has the split/fold rear seat option (can't remember if that was standard or not on the 125i?) and a stiffer shell so handles a bit better.....and newer too.

I'm pretty sure the 125is all had the split/fold rear seats, but something makes me think they only had 2 rear seats.

Yes, correct, effectively only 2 rear seats.

[ADogg]

Mr Whippy said:

I was sat in that exact car 2 days ago.

I went to have a serious recce of a 3dr and check boot size, access to rear seats, rear seat space with driver seat set for me, etc.

I’m not keen on the red in the skin. The shape is already challenging, and it was more challenging in red.


And yeah, automatic, I really can’t live with another auto in the household haha.
I can’t really cope with the lameness of an auto for ‘driving’


Had it been titanium silver and manual I’d have it in a heartbeat.


On leccy seats.
MOT man moves them.
Service might move them.
Wife won’t drive it unless it can be easily set to her position == miles from mine.
Move them to clean under them.
Finer position settings.
Easy to try new settings then move back to known good.

If you’ve lived with them they’re impossible to live without.

And imo, BMW manual seats are pretty poor.
Your average Peugeot has better manual seat controls, finer smoother controls and easier to reset if moved, tweak positions etc.

That said even my R32 seats are ste manual ones too.
Germans are crap at manual seats

I too had a look over the red one but only briefly, as I went there for the black 130i, which is now sat outside my house!

I was told I could get one provided it was a 5 door, whoops.

I've got a 4 year old and dogs, and to be honest it's plenty big enough - my nipper prefers to sit in the front anyway, and we only really use it with him in to drop him to school etc.

[Mr Whippy]

I was in the area with time to burn so went to see the black one but it’d gone.

I can’t even remember the spec.

I need something local to pop up to go test/buy.

[ADogg]

Mr Whippy said:

I was in the area with time to burn so went to see the black one but it’d gone.

I can’t even remember the spec.

I need something local to pop up to go test/buy.

My plan was to go take a look at it and take it for a spin as it was on the higher end of the price range of those available and the closest to me (Scarborough!), but ended up thinking it’s the one!

Xenons, black heated leather (not electric!), 50k, good service history, weird adaptive lights, cruise control, and I’m not sure what else to be honest - I’ll do the vin decode one day.

[Mr Tidy]

ADogg said:

My plan was to go take a look at it and take it for a spin as it was on the higher end of the price range of those available and the closest to me (Scarborough!), but ended up thinking it’s the one!

Xenons, black heated leather (not electric!), 50k, good service history, weird adaptive lights, cruise control, and I’m not sure what else to be honest - I’ll do the vin decode one day.

Lovely - I hope you are enjoying it.

[aeropilot]

ADogg said:

weird adaptive lights

Very rare option to see on a 130i.....nice though, I had them on my 135i, and thought they were brilliant

[Mr Whippy]

Yeah lack of leccy seats will put me off but in hindsight maybe it shouldn’t have haha.
Only now do I realise they were a rare option on 4dr especially.

I still want them though haha!

[aeropilot]

Mr Whippy said:

Yeah lack of leccy seats will put me off but in hindsight maybe it shouldn’t have haha.
Only now do I realise they were a rare option on 4dr especially.

I still want them though haha!

I understand the want............

However, the leccy seats are fine in a 3dr or the coupe as long as you don't need to access the rear seats too often as it gets a little frustrating waiting for the motors to move the seat etc., to gain access to the rear, and then wait for them to return while you stand there holding the button.......fine if its not peeing down with rain
Given this is probably not compatible with your situation.........you may end up moving the leccy seats down your wants list.