Picking up i30N Fastback at 1000
Discussion
To set the scene...........
I had a job where I could walk to work for a few years, so lost all my no claims. Needed something to get it back up again when I got a new job where I had to drive so bought an ex-demo Fiesta Ecoboost 100 Titanium X in March 2015 thinking it would do for a bit.
I actually really liked it and ended up keeping it until now. It has brilliant handling and that little 3 pot engine has a great note when you're giving it some beans.
But, I've been getting itchy feet and wanted to get back into something a bit sportier.
So, after much tyre kicking, video watching and review reading I've ended up with this:
All the vinyl has been taken off. It's a bit too 'look at me' IMHO. One of many things that appeals to me about the i30N is it isn't too 'in your face'.
So, why am I getting this one? It's six months old, an ex-demo with 2500 miles on it. I've watched it for the last fortnight and the local dealer had just reduced it a touch so I thought I'd take it for a drive last Saturday.
I've had quick cars in the past, and my wife has a 2012 Leon Cupra R so I thought that would be a good reference point.
I took it for a long drive. About 45 minutes and 30 miles and mix of as many roads I could. Twisties, dual carriageways, 20mph zone, etc, etc and as I reached the end I thought 'Yep, I'm buying this'.
Very, very impressive. The only negative I found was a dashboard buzz on the very roughest bit of local dual carriageway but not enough to be bothered about.
What did I like about it? Everything! It really is a car for all seasons. The gearbox, the handling, N mode (of course), the seats, the way it looks, etc, etc.
I'll post some more pictures up later. I was like a kid on Xmas Day this morning, up early as I couldn't get back to sleep.
I had a job where I could walk to work for a few years, so lost all my no claims. Needed something to get it back up again when I got a new job where I had to drive so bought an ex-demo Fiesta Ecoboost 100 Titanium X in March 2015 thinking it would do for a bit.
I actually really liked it and ended up keeping it until now. It has brilliant handling and that little 3 pot engine has a great note when you're giving it some beans.
But, I've been getting itchy feet and wanted to get back into something a bit sportier.
So, after much tyre kicking, video watching and review reading I've ended up with this:
All the vinyl has been taken off. It's a bit too 'look at me' IMHO. One of many things that appeals to me about the i30N is it isn't too 'in your face'.
So, why am I getting this one? It's six months old, an ex-demo with 2500 miles on it. I've watched it for the last fortnight and the local dealer had just reduced it a touch so I thought I'd take it for a drive last Saturday.
I've had quick cars in the past, and my wife has a 2012 Leon Cupra R so I thought that would be a good reference point.
I took it for a long drive. About 45 minutes and 30 miles and mix of as many roads I could. Twisties, dual carriageways, 20mph zone, etc, etc and as I reached the end I thought 'Yep, I'm buying this'.
Very, very impressive. The only negative I found was a dashboard buzz on the very roughest bit of local dual carriageway but not enough to be bothered about.
What did I like about it? Everything! It really is a car for all seasons. The gearbox, the handling, N mode (of course), the seats, the way it looks, etc, etc.
I'll post some more pictures up later. I was like a kid on Xmas Day this morning, up early as I couldn't get back to sleep.
Looking at the 2 photos above I'd struggle to choose, the hatch and the fastback both look great.
In terms of the graphics I'd have been tempted to keep them personally but I do get that they are maybe a little "look at me"
Are these manual or auto ?
Edit: had some fun with the online configurator, looks like they only come as a manual, even more want now
In terms of the graphics I'd have been tempted to keep them personally but I do get that they are maybe a little "look at me"
Are these manual or auto ?
Edit: had some fun with the online configurator, looks like they only come as a manual, even more want now
Edited by Roboticarm on Saturday 26th October 10:58
Well, I couldn't have picked a worse day to pick it up! I should have bought an ark.
However, a decent test of it's wet weather grip I suppose.
The only car I can directly compare it with is my wife's 2012 Cupra R. I think the big difference with the 130N is the different modes it has.
In normal it is very, very easy to drive. It still has a lovely exhaust note, and will go if you boot it, but it the Cupra feels quick all the time probably because it has one mode and that's it.
When you flick it into N it really tranforms the car, but the weather has been so crap today I've not bothered.
Other things. I think the wheels will be very easy to kerb unfortunately, so I need to watch for that. And I really like the Fastback shape. They left the white N stickers on the side skirts which pleased me as they cost a ridiculous amount and I quite like them.
Early days then but so far I am very, very pleased with it. I'll post some pictures when the weather improves but it will be a bit grubby.
However, a decent test of it's wet weather grip I suppose.
The only car I can directly compare it with is my wife's 2012 Cupra R. I think the big difference with the 130N is the different modes it has.
In normal it is very, very easy to drive. It still has a lovely exhaust note, and will go if you boot it, but it the Cupra feels quick all the time probably because it has one mode and that's it.
When you flick it into N it really tranforms the car, but the weather has been so crap today I've not bothered.
Other things. I think the wheels will be very easy to kerb unfortunately, so I need to watch for that. And I really like the Fastback shape. They left the white N stickers on the side skirts which pleased me as they cost a ridiculous amount and I quite like them.
Early days then but so far I am very, very pleased with it. I'll post some pictures when the weather improves but it will be a bit grubby.
MikeGoodwin said:
I think I'd have one as a hot hatch over the megane, golf etc. Really like what they have done with it. Hats off to Hyundai for producing ithey have a limited slip diff don't they is it electronic? Does it work well?
I haven't really given thrashed it due to the weather being terrible both times I've driven it but it is very composed when you drive it pretty hard.Best thing is to take one out. My badge snob mates went 'urrrgh Hyundai' when I told them what I was getting, but more fool them. At the price point for an ex-demo it seems a massive bargain IMHO.
MikeGoodwin said:
I think I'd have one as a hot hatch over the megane, golf etc. Really like what they have done with it. Hats off to Hyundai for producing ithey have a limited slip diff don't they is it electronic? Does it work well?
Yeah it has an electronically controlled mechanical LSD.
MB140 said:
Nice looking car.
I’d be looking at some Alloygaters in as close a colour as possible so almost invisible. I had them on my m135i and unless you actively looked you wouldn’t notice them in just everyday walking around.
Enjoy
Christ no - don't go anywhere near the wheels with crap like that, too many horror stories of them coming off and doing a damn good job of taking the paint off the side of the car with it, and they can also promote wheel corrosion.I’d be looking at some Alloygaters in as close a colour as possible so almost invisible. I had them on my m135i and unless you actively looked you wouldn’t notice them in just everyday walking around.
Enjoy
Buy tyres which have decent rim protection, they'll do effectively the same job
IanJ9375 said:
MB140 said:
Nice looking car.
I’d be looking at some Alloygaters in as close a colour as possible so almost invisible. I had them on my m135i and unless you actively looked you wouldn’t notice them in just everyday walking around.
Enjoy
Christ no - don't go anywhere near the wheels with crap like that, too many horror stories of them coming off and doing a damn good job of taking the paint off the side of the car with it, and they can also promote wheel corrosion.I’d be looking at some Alloygaters in as close a colour as possible so almost invisible. I had them on my m135i and unless you actively looked you wouldn’t notice them in just everyday walking around.
Enjoy
Buy tyres which have decent rim protection, they'll do effectively the same job
MB140 said:
I can only comment on my own experience. I have had them fitted for nearly 4 years. No issues. Tyres changed about 6 months ago and no issues with paint corrosion. At least not on the rim edge. Around the wheel nuts yeas but this seems common on the latest BMW as the paint is so thin.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=23&t=1648658On BMW diamond cut you might as well just accept you'll need to refurb them rather than Gators tbh - unless you can wangle them under warranty of course
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