Calling all 130i owners...
Discussion
VerySideways said:
Nah, doesn't matter what colour the interior is, the dogs never touch the upholstery, there's always blankets and seat covers and things. Besides i always find black leather a bit warm in summer, so if i do get black i'll have to get a smoke tint on the glass. Other option i like is the grey leather.
Pete - may be worth a quick look at www.babybmw.net - they have a lot of nice pics and info on options, trim, colours etc etc. Might give you a few ideas...
gavmobile said:
Speaking of dogs I've got some kind cover for mine which protects the entire rear area (backs of front seats, side panels, everything...) from mucky paws. Only it's never been used as I don't have a dog! Actually it's just taking up space in the garage, so if you want it make me an offer.
Gav - your profile doesn't allow PM. Can you e-mail me through my profile please? Cheers.For what its worth, here's my opinion of the 130 having owned one for two years.
Good Points: The engine is fantastic and I think the economy is great for such a big engine too. I get 28mpg average, and this has only dropped to 24mpg if I do predominantly town driving. On a long run it'll do over 30mpg easy. I did 22000 miles on my first set of NCT's - and this included a fair bit of sideways roundaboutery! It is keen to oversteer, and makes for muchos funos on damp tarmac. Understeer is never an issue at sensible speeds, and oversteer is readily available should you wish to “play”. Switch out stage 1 traction control by one press of the DTC button, and you can get the tail moving, look like a driving hero, and still have the security of the electronic safety net should things get a bit out of hand. Hold the DTC button down for 2 seconds and you can completely disable traction control. In the current wintry conditions, that means huge, lurid slides, and endless cornering options. The interior is - I think - one of the best in the BMW range. Stylish, driver focused, well built and intimate. I love the way you sit really low in the car, the seats are fantastic and the gearshift has a wonderful snickety quality. Mine isn't notchy at all. I also think you get a lot with the M-Sport version that make it a nice car to live with e.g., sports seats, trip computer, auto-dimming rear view mirror, multi-function steering wheel, auto lights etc etc.
Servicing is pretty cheap (£130 for the first service)
Bad Points: In terms of niggles, I've had the squeaky window seals (had them + window rails all replaced under warranty and this has sorted it). Also had rattly drivers side air vent, and a loose, rattly hinge in the folding seats at the back - all sorted by excellent Sytner High Wycombe.
In terms of how it drives, the car doesn't reveal its hooligan side until you really take it by the scruff of the neck, wind the windows down - savour the exhaust noise and straight six wail, rev it right to the redline, be positive with the steering and brakes etc. -if you do this, you'll find a car that always reveals something new to you on every drive. Its a car you can really bond with over time. It’s a smooth engine when you want it to be and an animalistic one when you’re on a charge.
Of course, as others have mentioned, it has a firm ride, but compared to a lot of hot hatches (e.g., MINI Cooper S, Honda Civic Type R), the ride is pretty luxurious! You will notice the sheer weight of the run-flats though when you go over a pothole. They drop like lead weights into potholes!
Overall - The engine is one of the greats, the chassis is set up for fun, and uniquely in the hot-hatch class, the power is driving the correct wheels – making it in my view, the undisputed drivers hot hatch of choice.
Hope that helps!
Dave
Good Points: The engine is fantastic and I think the economy is great for such a big engine too. I get 28mpg average, and this has only dropped to 24mpg if I do predominantly town driving. On a long run it'll do over 30mpg easy. I did 22000 miles on my first set of NCT's - and this included a fair bit of sideways roundaboutery! It is keen to oversteer, and makes for muchos funos on damp tarmac. Understeer is never an issue at sensible speeds, and oversteer is readily available should you wish to “play”. Switch out stage 1 traction control by one press of the DTC button, and you can get the tail moving, look like a driving hero, and still have the security of the electronic safety net should things get a bit out of hand. Hold the DTC button down for 2 seconds and you can completely disable traction control. In the current wintry conditions, that means huge, lurid slides, and endless cornering options. The interior is - I think - one of the best in the BMW range. Stylish, driver focused, well built and intimate. I love the way you sit really low in the car, the seats are fantastic and the gearshift has a wonderful snickety quality. Mine isn't notchy at all. I also think you get a lot with the M-Sport version that make it a nice car to live with e.g., sports seats, trip computer, auto-dimming rear view mirror, multi-function steering wheel, auto lights etc etc.
Servicing is pretty cheap (£130 for the first service)
Bad Points: In terms of niggles, I've had the squeaky window seals (had them + window rails all replaced under warranty and this has sorted it). Also had rattly drivers side air vent, and a loose, rattly hinge in the folding seats at the back - all sorted by excellent Sytner High Wycombe.
In terms of how it drives, the car doesn't reveal its hooligan side until you really take it by the scruff of the neck, wind the windows down - savour the exhaust noise and straight six wail, rev it right to the redline, be positive with the steering and brakes etc. -if you do this, you'll find a car that always reveals something new to you on every drive. Its a car you can really bond with over time. It’s a smooth engine when you want it to be and an animalistic one when you’re on a charge.
Of course, as others have mentioned, it has a firm ride, but compared to a lot of hot hatches (e.g., MINI Cooper S, Honda Civic Type R), the ride is pretty luxurious! You will notice the sheer weight of the run-flats though when you go over a pothole. They drop like lead weights into potholes!
Overall - The engine is one of the greats, the chassis is set up for fun, and uniquely in the hot-hatch class, the power is driving the correct wheels – making it in my view, the undisputed drivers hot hatch of choice.
Hope that helps!
Dave
Edited by daveknott5 on Monday 11th February 10:07
I'd concur with all the comments so far. I've had a 130i for coming up to 2 years and 16k miles and it's been a fantastic, fun, everyday car. 29.7 average mpg on the computer, and the only costs have been £90 for a front fog light, and £250 for a pair of new rear boots a few thousand miles ago. It has the 5 year service and maintenance pack, which probably hasn't paid for itself yet (£1600), but will as the car gets older - at one clutch and set of disks and pads would make it economical depending how long you intend to keep the car. If I was buying one new, I'd just spend the £500 on 3 years servicing and ignore the maintenance option.
I bought a 6 month old ex demo, and saved a fortune on the list price. Mine's a December 2005 "55" in Le Mans blue with just about every desirable option (and quite a few pointless ones - electric dimming exterior mirrors, anyone?). Having just run it through the configurator, new it would cost just under 34k including the service and maintenance pack. Given I'm considering p-ex'ing it for a 335d Tourer, someone is going to get an absolute bargin!
Pete
I bought a 6 month old ex demo, and saved a fortune on the list price. Mine's a December 2005 "55" in Le Mans blue with just about every desirable option (and quite a few pointless ones - electric dimming exterior mirrors, anyone?). Having just run it through the configurator, new it would cost just under 34k including the service and maintenance pack. Given I'm considering p-ex'ing it for a 335d Tourer, someone is going to get an absolute bargin!
Pete
Just put a deposit down on this: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/291953.htm
VerySideways said:
Picked up my 130i from IMC (http://www.imc-bmw.com/) earlier today. Car was serviced, valeted, and i was kept abreast the whole time from putting a deposit down to collection.
Big thumbs up for the car, and for David @ IMC.
Well done Pete good to hear it ! Let us know how you get on once you've had a chance to put a few miles on it. Big thumbs up for the car, and for David @ IMC.
Hmm, where to start?
Well, having done a few hundred miles in a few days, these are my initial impressions:
1. Steering is fantastic, as are seats and dashboard and general driving environment, and that exhaust is perfect. Quiet but still interesting with windows closed, raucous but smooth with windows open.
2. Grip is good, but actual level of grip is not THAT high with NCT5 runflats so the car is caught out more than you might expect by uneven surfaces, but it's extremely controllable and enormous fun. I would imagine grip will increase dramatically should i choose to ditch the runflats. Shows how brilliantly stiff and adjustable the chassis is though.
3. Very easy to get sideways at junctions and roundabouts, wet or dry, even without LSD (which, for road use, i don't think it needs).
4. It's subtle. Nobody notices you. At all. Brilliant!
5. It's not a pretty car by any stretch of the imagination, but it's absolutely phenomenal from the inside so who cares? And the outside isn't as bad as some people say...
6. The fuel tank is too small. But the engine stretches out a remarkable number of miles from that meagre tank.
7. The combination of equipment, drivetrain, size, and performance/economy is unbeatable as a second hand purchase. Makes the R32 seem SO dull to drive, though that car is less aesthetically provocative.
It makes me want to take the long way home every day, i think that's the highest compliment i can pay it.
VS.
Well, having done a few hundred miles in a few days, these are my initial impressions:
1. Steering is fantastic, as are seats and dashboard and general driving environment, and that exhaust is perfect. Quiet but still interesting with windows closed, raucous but smooth with windows open.
2. Grip is good, but actual level of grip is not THAT high with NCT5 runflats so the car is caught out more than you might expect by uneven surfaces, but it's extremely controllable and enormous fun. I would imagine grip will increase dramatically should i choose to ditch the runflats. Shows how brilliantly stiff and adjustable the chassis is though.
3. Very easy to get sideways at junctions and roundabouts, wet or dry, even without LSD (which, for road use, i don't think it needs).
4. It's subtle. Nobody notices you. At all. Brilliant!
5. It's not a pretty car by any stretch of the imagination, but it's absolutely phenomenal from the inside so who cares? And the outside isn't as bad as some people say...
6. The fuel tank is too small. But the engine stretches out a remarkable number of miles from that meagre tank.
7. The combination of equipment, drivetrain, size, and performance/economy is unbeatable as a second hand purchase. Makes the R32 seem SO dull to drive, though that car is less aesthetically provocative.
It makes me want to take the long way home every day, i think that's the highest compliment i can pay it.
VS.
Glad you're enjoying it.
Steps to make it the best driving hatch:
Ditch runflats and fit Goodyear Eagle F1 Assymetric or Michelin Pilot Sport 2
Koni FSD shocks with Eibach Pro-Kit Springs.
Eibach Anti-Roll Bars.
£1500 ish for all that lot.
It will be a devestating B road car (as it'll then have beautiful balance with compliance for all the bumps and ruts) and to top it off ride comfort will be far superior.
Steps to make it the best driving hatch:
Ditch runflats and fit Goodyear Eagle F1 Assymetric or Michelin Pilot Sport 2
Koni FSD shocks with Eibach Pro-Kit Springs.
Eibach Anti-Roll Bars.
£1500 ish for all that lot.
It will be a devestating B road car (as it'll then have beautiful balance with compliance for all the bumps and ruts) and to top it off ride comfort will be far superior.
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