130i owners, what was your next car?
Discussion
aeropilot said:
DJMC said:
Do you mean comfort seat? The comfort seat we tried before buying an F48 X1 is a horrible non-adjustable short-squabbed thing.
That's not a BMW Comfort seat....
As gizlaroc says, they are wonderful 18 way leccy memory seats, and are only an extra cost option on the 5/6/7 Series (and X5/X6/X7)
Edited by smashy on Wednesday 26th February 22:36
I had a '57' plate, silver, 3 door 130i for about 4 years and absolutely loved it. My mileage increased and I needed a bit more space. I made the mistake of trying to be sensible with a Skoda Yeti, but after a year I chopped it in for a '56' plate auto e91 330i. Inside, they are very similar, but with the auto, it is a lot more relaxing to drive and in sport it does go well enough, but misses the zing of the manual 130 due to the box and extra weight and size etc. Had that 4 years now.
Although it hasn't dated looks wise because it is black, I do dislike black paint and wouldn't have another one in that colour, but other than that, it's been faultless over the past 4 years. Still only on 77k.
Do miss a sports car and would have happily added a z4 coupe or m coupe, but my wife has a newer z4 so that wasn't allowed, so back in September I bought a TVR Chimaera as my weekend fun car. Means when the time to replace the 330 comes, although I will always stick to petrol, I don't necessarily need to hunt out a performance petrol estate.
Although it hasn't dated looks wise because it is black, I do dislike black paint and wouldn't have another one in that colour, but other than that, it's been faultless over the past 4 years. Still only on 77k.
Do miss a sports car and would have happily added a z4 coupe or m coupe, but my wife has a newer z4 so that wasn't allowed, so back in September I bought a TVR Chimaera as my weekend fun car. Means when the time to replace the 330 comes, although I will always stick to petrol, I don't necessarily need to hunt out a performance petrol estate.
sagarich said:
I would love an e91 330i, that would really suit my requirements at the moment... But can't find them anywhere.
I had the same problem last year, and ended up buying an E90 330i with the split/fold rear seat option! If that might work for you then definitely send me a message.
cerb4.5lee said:
As others have said the natural step up would be a E9x M3. I genuinely never realised how questionable the reliability was with them though when I had mine. I still think that they are worth a look though if the M235i disappointed you.
The problem with the rod bearing issue is that it all depends how the previous owners have treated them. Now they are getting on a bit it's impossible to tell so many people are swapping them as a preventative measure. It's not cheap (£1400) but there's not a huge amount you can really do. I bought mine from BMW so it's still under warranty. I figured it would be easier to sell on with the balance of the warranty if I didn't like it and was probably better than showing them a receipt for rod bearings. Now I've decided I won't be selling it I need to decide whether to extend the warranty or get them done. I know it's probably pointless as mine was a 1 owner car and all signs point to it being very well looked after.
The other issues like throttle actuators don't worry me at all - if they go they are easy enough to fix and relatively cost effective as long as you refurb rather than replace.
survivalist said:
The problem with the rod bearing issue is that it all depends how the previous owners have treated them. Now they are getting on a bit it's impossible to tell so many people are swapping them as a preventative measure. It's not cheap (£1400) but there's not a huge amount you can really do.
I recently bought a Z4MC with the S54 engine that can also have rod bearing issues, and is due an Inspection 2. My BMW Indy recommended getting an oil analysis done as it should identify the presence of any metal from worn bearings, so I'll get that done too.
Mr Tidy said:
survivalist said:
The problem with the rod bearing issue is that it all depends how the previous owners have treated them. Now they are getting on a bit it's impossible to tell so many people are swapping them as a preventative measure. It's not cheap (£1400) but there's not a huge amount you can really do.
I recently bought a Z4MC with the S54 engine that can also have rod bearing issues, and is due an Inspection 2. My BMW Indy recommended getting an oil analysis done as it should identify the presence of any metal from worn bearings, so I'll get that done too.
survivalist said:
E92 M3 for me. We have a 335i Touring as a family car, but this feel way more special. Part of me thinks I should have found an E90 as extra pair of doors would be convenient sometimes.
That said we did a weeks holiday in Cornwall and it wasn't too much of a pain with the addition of a roof box for the pushchair and muddy stuff. My 5 year old is no issue as he can climb in and do up his own seatbelt. My 2 year old is still a bit of a pain to get in, but that should only be an issue for a year or so.
These are a massive bargain at the moment and you'd find a nice one for 18k.
Brilliant, love to see cars like this being properly used!That said we did a weeks holiday in Cornwall and it wasn't too much of a pain with the addition of a roof box for the pushchair and muddy stuff. My 5 year old is no issue as he can climb in and do up his own seatbelt. My 2 year old is still a bit of a pain to get in, but that should only be an issue for a year or so.
These are a massive bargain at the moment and you'd find a nice one for 18k.
I went from 130i to a 1.6 Civic diesel, so i guess i should hand in my PH membership 
My car history up to the 130i was full of BMW 6s:
E36 328i auto (a long time ago)
M135i manual (on a cheap lease deal)
The M135i was a hard act to follow though, so i went through these trying to find something that lived up to it:
E91 325d auto - great but dull
E92 325i manual (3.0 N53) - better but a bit slow
E91 330d manual - a disaster of nackered injectors and diesel smoke, then i reversed it into a post and sold it off cheap.
Then finally arrived at the 130i. I ran that for 2 yrs. Bought for £5250 at 45k miles in 2017. Sold for £4800 at 65k miles in 2019.
The reasons for changing it were:
It was an SE spec. I missed cruise control. My commute is 80 miles each way twice a week.
I missed DAB radio
I found the SE seats uncomfortable after a while
MPG and tank range. 31mpg avg and about 300 miles on a tank, so couldn't quite do 2x commutes on a tank
The civic was twice the cost of the 130i to buy (£10k vs £5k), but it's a 2015 car vs 2006 car. Free tax vs £325. And 65-70mpg vs 30mpg. Plus it's got cruise, DAB, bluetooth streaming, etc. It will obv depreciate, but it's still saving me £150/month over the 130i.
That said, i can't help but look at M135i/M140i. An well equipped auto is top of the list.
Going to wait another year and look to change out of the civic next march. Hopefully M140i prices will have dropped to the £15k mark by then.
My car history up to the 130i was full of BMW 6s:
E36 328i auto (a long time ago)
M135i manual (on a cheap lease deal)
The M135i was a hard act to follow though, so i went through these trying to find something that lived up to it:
E91 325d auto - great but dull
E92 325i manual (3.0 N53) - better but a bit slow
E91 330d manual - a disaster of nackered injectors and diesel smoke, then i reversed it into a post and sold it off cheap.
Then finally arrived at the 130i. I ran that for 2 yrs. Bought for £5250 at 45k miles in 2017. Sold for £4800 at 65k miles in 2019.
The reasons for changing it were:
It was an SE spec. I missed cruise control. My commute is 80 miles each way twice a week.
I missed DAB radio
I found the SE seats uncomfortable after a while
MPG and tank range. 31mpg avg and about 300 miles on a tank, so couldn't quite do 2x commutes on a tank
The civic was twice the cost of the 130i to buy (£10k vs £5k), but it's a 2015 car vs 2006 car. Free tax vs £325. And 65-70mpg vs 30mpg. Plus it's got cruise, DAB, bluetooth streaming, etc. It will obv depreciate, but it's still saving me £150/month over the 130i.
That said, i can't help but look at M135i/M140i. An well equipped auto is top of the list.
Going to wait another year and look to change out of the civic next march. Hopefully M140i prices will have dropped to the £15k mark by then.
Edited by PTF on Monday 2nd March 08:21
I had my 130i for 4.5 years and sold it 6 years ago. Still miss it although I know some of that is rose tinted glasses, but nothing it was getting old and high mileage, plus I'd just had a my first child and the 1 series was a squeeze so it had to go.
I replaced it with a e90 335i manual. I actually quite liked that car too. But it didn't sound as good as the 130i and didn't have it's razor sharp throttle response. But in all other respects it was better. Bigger, more refined, much better ride, slightly faster, mid range turbo torque and more toys.
But I missed the feel of a small car being dominated by that big engine.
I suppose anything newer is going to feel less raw and not as exciting as it.
If you're considering a 5 series then the rare 550i are amazing value, 2013 cars are well under 20k. 4.4 V8 with over 400bhp.
I recently considered a Volvo V60 Polestar, supposed to be an old school but exciting drive. The old fashioned auto box and £550 road tax put me off. Not sure if they've dipped below 20k either as they seem to hold their value well.
I replaced it with a e90 335i manual. I actually quite liked that car too. But it didn't sound as good as the 130i and didn't have it's razor sharp throttle response. But in all other respects it was better. Bigger, more refined, much better ride, slightly faster, mid range turbo torque and more toys.
But I missed the feel of a small car being dominated by that big engine.
I suppose anything newer is going to feel less raw and not as exciting as it.
If you're considering a 5 series then the rare 550i are amazing value, 2013 cars are well under 20k. 4.4 V8 with over 400bhp.
I recently considered a Volvo V60 Polestar, supposed to be an old school but exciting drive. The old fashioned auto box and £550 road tax put me off. Not sure if they've dipped below 20k either as they seem to hold their value well.
Its really interesting to read this as I have spent the last 6 months trawling Auto Trader, on a daily basis, for 330i's. You simply cannot get hold of a decent 330i. There are a few decent examples but rare as rocking horse s
t and most of them are auto's. Most 3 series for sale are 325's, or high mileage, or ruined leather. I stuck with it and ended up looking at 335i's, finding decent examples at around 10 - 13k. Then I found out that you need to have the 1 plate onwards to avoid crippling tax, there are some good examples but all with cream or beige leather.
In the end, my search went full circle and back to where it started last year, and I picked up my M240i Cabrio on Friday. I can't say I am disappointed as ultimately it was what I wanted. I have just depleted my savings in the process. But I aim to keep it for good, and will do low miles, so it should be happy story providing the car doesn't have any mechanicals. Would still have loved a 330i, but, its done.
t and most of them are auto's. Most 3 series for sale are 325's, or high mileage, or ruined leather. I stuck with it and ended up looking at 335i's, finding decent examples at around 10 - 13k. Then I found out that you need to have the 1 plate onwards to avoid crippling tax, there are some good examples but all with cream or beige leather.In the end, my search went full circle and back to where it started last year, and I picked up my M240i Cabrio on Friday. I can't say I am disappointed as ultimately it was what I wanted. I have just depleted my savings in the process. But I aim to keep it for good, and will do low miles, so it should be happy story providing the car doesn't have any mechanicals. Would still have loved a 330i, but, its done.
Dizeee said:
Its really interesting to read this as I have spent the last 6 months trawling Auto Trader, on a daily basis, for 330i's. You simply cannot get hold of a decent 330i. There are a few decent examples but rare as rocking horse st and most of them are auto's. Most 3 series for sale are 325's, or high mileage, or ruined leather. I stuck with it and ended up looking at 335i's, finding decent examples at around 10 - 13k. Then I found out that you need to have the 1 plate onwards to avoid crippling tax, there are some good examples but all with cream or beige leather.
In the end, my search went full circle and back to where it started last year, and I picked up my M240i Cabrio on Friday. I can't say I am disappointed as ultimately it was what I wanted. I have just depleted my savings in the process. But I aim to keep it for good, and will do low miles, so it should be happy story providing the car doesn't have any mechanicals. Would still have loved a 330i, but, its done.
Congrats on the M240 The B58 engine is a masterpiece I'm sure you will fall in love with it once you start using it regularly.. Ps if you want more power / noise try to get a BMW MPPSK power and performance kit it makes things very tasty and keeps your warranty as its a BMW part..... turns the cars personality from naughty to a hooligan at the flick of the sport buttont and most of them are auto's. Most 3 series for sale are 325's, or high mileage, or ruined leather. I stuck with it and ended up looking at 335i's, finding decent examples at around 10 - 13k. Then I found out that you need to have the 1 plate onwards to avoid crippling tax, there are some good examples but all with cream or beige leather.In the end, my search went full circle and back to where it started last year, and I picked up my M240i Cabrio on Friday. I can't say I am disappointed as ultimately it was what I wanted. I have just depleted my savings in the process. But I aim to keep it for good, and will do low miles, so it should be happy story providing the car doesn't have any mechanicals. Would still have loved a 330i, but, its done.
Dizeee said:
Its really interesting to read this as I have spent the last 6 months trawling Auto Trader, on a daily basis, for 330i's. You simply cannot get hold of a decent 330i. There are a few decent examples but rare as rocking horse st and most of them are auto's. Most 3 series for sale are 325's, or high mileage, or ruined leather. I stuck with it and ended up looking at 335i's, finding decent examples at around 10 - 13k. Then I found out that you need to have the 1 plate onwards to avoid crippling tax, there are some good examples but all with cream or beige leather.
In the end, my search went full circle and back to where it started last year, and I picked up my M240i Cabrio on Friday. I can't say I am disappointed as ultimately it was what I wanted. I have just depleted my savings in the process. But I aim to keep it for good, and will do low miles, so it should be happy story providing the car doesn't have any mechanicals. Would still have loved a 330i, but, its done.
I gave up on waiting for a manual 330i in the spec I wanted so I opted for an auto instead(a big mistake but I did keep it for 4 years so it couldn't have been that bad! t and most of them are auto's. Most 3 series for sale are 325's, or high mileage, or ruined leather. I stuck with it and ended up looking at 335i's, finding decent examples at around 10 - 13k. Then I found out that you need to have the 1 plate onwards to avoid crippling tax, there are some good examples but all with cream or beige leather.In the end, my search went full circle and back to where it started last year, and I picked up my M240i Cabrio on Friday. I can't say I am disappointed as ultimately it was what I wanted. I have just depleted my savings in the process. But I aim to keep it for good, and will do low miles, so it should be happy story providing the car doesn't have any mechanicals. Would still have loved a 330i, but, its done.
). Congratulations on the M240i Cabrio.
I'm a big fan of them and I love the idea of being able to take all of the family out with the roof down. Enjoy it.
Cheers all. I am luckily a key worker so am able to use it on the odd occasion I fancy coming into town and not bothering with the train. It is cracking, U had one for a day in 2018 so got to know it very well. I never really looked back. When I had it, prices were still hovering around 30k. As it turns out this was a 1 private owner car, and intend to cherish it! Mineral Grey, Black Dakota and the ZF8 box.
Yes, congratulations on getting your M240i.
When I was looking for something a bit more exciting than my E91 325i last year I had alerts on Auto Trader for manual 130is and 330is, and my 330i appeared first so I jumped on it!
The only replacement I'd consider would be a 130i, although M135i prices are getting lower.
When I was looking for something a bit more exciting than my E91 325i last year I had alerts on Auto Trader for manual 130is and 330is, and my 330i appeared first so I jumped on it!
The only replacement I'd consider would be a 130i, although M135i prices are getting lower.
Dizeee said:
Cheers all. I am luckily a key worker so am able to use it on the odd occasion I fancy coming into town and not bothering with the train. It is cracking, U had one for a day in 2018 so got to know it very well. I never really looked back. When I had it, prices were still hovering around 30k. As it turns out this was a 1 private owner car, and intend to cherish it! Mineral Grey, Black Dakota and the ZF8 box.
Hey Dizeee, long time no see! M240i is a cracking car with a superb engine and gearbox.
We ran two as tour cars for 30k miles each and they were amazing.
I've also got a B58 in my family bus! You won't be disappointed.
Cheers Pete and Hi! Yes, I was lucky in that I have had a fair bit of experience in one so I knew that if I was going to jump on the car bandwagon again it had to be something special enough ( for me anyway ). I am used to the ZF boxes from years of driving the work 530's so all in all its familiar but far more capable.
I hope to be at a meet or something soon once Covid passes.
I hope to be at a meet or something soon once Covid passes.
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff