BMW 130i or Focus ST3 (Both 2006)
Discussion
Hey all!
I have the money for my new car. Woop!!!
My two top choices are the BMW 130i and the Focus ST3. There are two in my price range that I am looking at.
They are both 2006 models, the ST has 50,000 miles and the BMW has 60,000. The BMW recently had a major service.
Obviously I understand that the BMW is a RWD, has a higher BHP and is nicer, but I like the sporty look of the Focus, I know it has a good sound system etc.
Can anyone shed some light on some opinions on which one would be preferable to them and why?
I have some trivial questions that I want to ask too.
What's the quality of the soundsystem like on the 130i?
How is the 130i on track compared to the ST?
Which one should pull faster off the line, on a rolling start?
I've never driven either, and while I'm looking out for local dealers to have one in stock so far they haven't, so I'm going in kind of blind. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
I have the money for my new car. Woop!!!
My two top choices are the BMW 130i and the Focus ST3. There are two in my price range that I am looking at.
They are both 2006 models, the ST has 50,000 miles and the BMW has 60,000. The BMW recently had a major service.
Obviously I understand that the BMW is a RWD, has a higher BHP and is nicer, but I like the sporty look of the Focus, I know it has a good sound system etc.
Can anyone shed some light on some opinions on which one would be preferable to them and why?
I have some trivial questions that I want to ask too.
What's the quality of the soundsystem like on the 130i?
How is the 130i on track compared to the ST?
Which one should pull faster off the line, on a rolling start?
I've never driven either, and while I'm looking out for local dealers to have one in stock so far they haven't, so I'm going in kind of blind. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Edited by PhilUK on Friday 8th November 10:26
Turbo versus N/A... which would you prefer? As stock the 130 is quicker, but more tuning potential for the ST.
I had a 130 for 12 months, absolutley loved it. Friend had a Focus for a while. He also enjoyed it, sounded excellent, sold it because he was fed up of low 20's mpg. I was getting 27mpg average in the BMW, and got 32mpg average on a 2000 mile road trip around Europe and back.
I had a 130 for 12 months, absolutley loved it. Friend had a Focus for a while. He also enjoyed it, sounded excellent, sold it because he was fed up of low 20's mpg. I was getting 27mpg average in the BMW, and got 32mpg average on a 2000 mile road trip around Europe and back.
Focus for me
(I would say that as I own one)
Ive never had any issues at all with my 2007 one in the 4.5 years ive had it. Only costs have been the usual servicing & tyres. No more expensive to service than a normal Focus, once a year or 12500 miles. Insurance is reasonable too.
(I would say that as I own one)
Ive never had any issues at all with my 2007 one in the 4.5 years ive had it. Only costs have been the usual servicing & tyres. No more expensive to service than a normal Focus, once a year or 12500 miles. Insurance is reasonable too.
Edited by thebigmacmoomin on Friday 8th November 11:39
I'd go for the BMW myself.
Both have lovely engines, although I'd give the nod to the BMW, normally aspirated 6-pot is hard to beat for response and noise, although the Focus makes a lovely noise as well and has lots of torque, the BMW will need to be revved harder, but as standard will be slightly quicker if you do. I prefer NA engines though, so thats where my preference lies.
Neither car is a looker, but the 1-series in 3-door form doesn't look bad and the Focus looks quite chavvy.
If the 1-series is anything like other BMWs, it will have a nicer interior and driving position than the Ford.
The 1-series will be more economical.
Finally the 1-series is RWD, which swings it for me. I also think the 130 will be more of a future classic, as the Focus is too common and the halo model is the RS. I imagine the BMW will handle better than the nose heavy, slightly wallowy focus.
Both have lovely engines, although I'd give the nod to the BMW, normally aspirated 6-pot is hard to beat for response and noise, although the Focus makes a lovely noise as well and has lots of torque, the BMW will need to be revved harder, but as standard will be slightly quicker if you do. I prefer NA engines though, so thats where my preference lies.
Neither car is a looker, but the 1-series in 3-door form doesn't look bad and the Focus looks quite chavvy.
If the 1-series is anything like other BMWs, it will have a nicer interior and driving position than the Ford.
The 1-series will be more economical.
Finally the 1-series is RWD, which swings it for me. I also think the 130 will be more of a future classic, as the Focus is too common and the halo model is the RS. I imagine the BMW will handle better than the nose heavy, slightly wallowy focus.
Servicing and parts will generally be a little more expensive on the BMW.
The Focus however isn't that cheap a car to maintain even despite its relatively humble background, they weren't built to be loved by garages.
Overall the BMW will feel like a much more quality item and will take miles better IMHO. It's also got a really nice straight six, compared to a blown inline 4.
BMW every time for me.
The Focus however isn't that cheap a car to maintain even despite its relatively humble background, they weren't built to be loved by garages.
Overall the BMW will feel like a much more quality item and will take miles better IMHO. It's also got a really nice straight six, compared to a blown inline 4.
BMW every time for me.
Overall I wouldn't think there's much difference in running costs.
using a good indie will reduce costs, parts maybe more for Beemer but offset bu better mpg.
Looks are subjective.
The Beemer will be the better car on track IMO due to the better balance.
But more tuning otential in the Focus.
Drive both and I'm sure you will have your answer.
using a good indie will reduce costs, parts maybe more for Beemer but offset bu better mpg.
Looks are subjective.
The Beemer will be the better car on track IMO due to the better balance.
But more tuning otential in the Focus.
Drive both and I'm sure you will have your answer.
It may be advisable to take out a BMW warranty, although the 130i engine (N52?) is pretty bulletproof. The warranty is about £600 a yr if a remember rightly. I bought a BMW AUC so mine was covered but i know most people do take it out for piece of mind.
Servicing costs aren't too bad at all if you find a decent indie.
I for one like the look of the 130i... 3 door though, 5 door seems to mess up the proportions a little. I had the LE and the interior was a fab place to be.
Servicing costs aren't too bad at all if you find a decent indie.
I for one like the look of the 130i... 3 door though, 5 door seems to mess up the proportions a little. I had the LE and the interior was a fab place to be.
Thanks for the replies.
The BMW is the 5 door. I can't stretch to the 2007, it's just out of my price range. I don't mind, I still think the 2006 looks nice, MPG is not a problem, I just want the nicer drive and the faster car.
The BMW is half leather interior.
I'm leaning towards the BMW for looks, (as in it's not as loud as the ST) but the ST appeals to the kid in me, it seems a bit outrageous.
So based on what is said here, the BMW is the nicer drive and the faster car? With better MPG?
Is that about right?
The BMW is the 5 door. I can't stretch to the 2007, it's just out of my price range. I don't mind, I still think the 2006 looks nice, MPG is not a problem, I just want the nicer drive and the faster car.
The BMW is half leather interior.
I'm leaning towards the BMW for looks, (as in it's not as loud as the ST) but the ST appeals to the kid in me, it seems a bit outrageous.
So based on what is said here, the BMW is the nicer drive and the faster car? With better MPG?
Is that about right?
Th official BMW / Mondial warranty can be much cheaper than £600 depending on the level of cover / exces / emergency required. You can customise the package online and do simulations simply by entering a reg number. I would assume that Driveline with £100 excess and no emergency would be like £300.
BMW now offers an oil service for £179 inc micro-filter which is decent value to keep the stamps going. Due every 2 years if mileage not too high. Brake fluid every 2 years of course. Air filter every 3 oil services, DIY in 5 minutes and £15/£20. Plugs are the big one, every 3 oil services and £150, they need to be the BMW ones for some reason that I don't understand.
Tyres are surprisingly cheap, full set of Goodyear F1 for £500 fitted.
Brake discs and pads cheap as chips using OE Textar.
BMW now offers an oil service for £179 inc micro-filter which is decent value to keep the stamps going. Due every 2 years if mileage not too high. Brake fluid every 2 years of course. Air filter every 3 oil services, DIY in 5 minutes and £15/£20. Plugs are the big one, every 3 oil services and £150, they need to be the BMW ones for some reason that I don't understand.
Tyres are surprisingly cheap, full set of Goodyear F1 for £500 fitted.
Brake discs and pads cheap as chips using OE Textar.
Yea I'm aware of them, but until I get used to the car the RWD may be lost on me. I won't be taking it on track for a while as I've used cars mainly as A-B and motorbikes for track, so I'm just starting to look into it.
But I'm aware that once I do start to get used to it that it will be beneficial.
But I'm aware that once I do start to get used to it that it will be beneficial.
BMW all day long.
Nicer interior
Nicer looking
Better MPG
Better sound
RWD
Better residuals (not many 130's sold compared to ST's)
arguably better image
(Some of the above is IMO etc but I think it'd be hard to argue otherwise)
However, rear seats don't have much legroom, nor does the boot. So depends what you want in that respect.
Nicer interior
Nicer looking
Better MPG
Better sound
RWD
Better residuals (not many 130's sold compared to ST's)
arguably better image
(Some of the above is IMO etc but I think it'd be hard to argue otherwise)
However, rear seats don't have much legroom, nor does the boot. So depends what you want in that respect.
BMW out of those two. The engine is much better (one of the great standard production engines in fact), it has miles better weight distribution, rear drive, it's quieter, more comfortable due to a more adjustable seating position - I could go on. The Focus probably has more interior space and will feel a more lively and vibrant steer (good FWD setups usually do - they don't have the inherent weight balance to fall back on), as well as being less ugly, but the BMW's talents run much deeper. Do test drive both though, as whilst most people would plump for the BMW, I could understand someone preferring the Focus.
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