Return to fun BMW's - 130I LE M Sport
Discussion
Although my feet are firmly in the Japanese camp, I do occasionally stray to the German side. I've had a few BM's over the years, mainly 7's and 5's, and a couple of M5s and 2 328 track cars.
The brief was I wanted a fun car that was special enough to not want me to daily it, and also be able to take a track day or 2 and be a reliable back road blaster. I'd looked at 135's but everything I read about reliability scared me (I DO NOT want another S600 experience) Yes I know theres lots of cars out there with no issues but my luck dictates I'd blow up 0.5 miles after buying it lol.
So a friend recommended the 130, NA engine, manual, 260+hp, sounds perfect. So I bought one.
130i Limited Edition 7MS, apparently 1 of 160. Carbon Schwartz, lemon seats, upgraded pro audio, M Sport aero, suspension, steering wheel. Etc etc, its an exhaustive list lol. 116k with full history
The brief was I wanted a fun car that was special enough to not want me to daily it, and also be able to take a track day or 2 and be a reliable back road blaster. I'd looked at 135's but everything I read about reliability scared me (I DO NOT want another S600 experience) Yes I know theres lots of cars out there with no issues but my luck dictates I'd blow up 0.5 miles after buying it lol.
So a friend recommended the 130, NA engine, manual, 260+hp, sounds perfect. So I bought one.
130i Limited Edition 7MS, apparently 1 of 160. Carbon Schwartz, lemon seats, upgraded pro audio, M Sport aero, suspension, steering wheel. Etc etc, its an exhaustive list lol. 116k with full history
First annoyance, no screen wash. Who the hell put the tank there??! Anyway a couple of quid later for a new pump, sorted
I still do have a couple of things to do - Literally the next day the glove box decided not to open, and the bonnet cable crapped itself, oh well, no big deal.
But the biggest annoyance is the wet headlights and cloudy foglights, any tips on how to fix them?
I still do have a couple of things to do - Literally the next day the glove box decided not to open, and the bonnet cable crapped itself, oh well, no big deal.
But the biggest annoyance is the wet headlights and cloudy foglights, any tips on how to fix them?
swampy442 said:
Finally, any recommendations on preventative maintenance? Seen talk of DISA valves and back box valves, other than that they seem very reliable.
I just look forward to some better weather so I can enjoy driving it!
The electric water pumps can fail without warning, so may be worth considering if it hasn't already been done....?I just look forward to some better weather so I can enjoy driving it!
Had to do the washer bottle on my last car, total PITA but it's cleverly tucked away. Pumps were fine but all gummed up with the residuals of cheap windscreen wash products, once picked clean and rinsed with boiling water it all worked fine when replaced. Ever since then I've used (recommended) Sonax NanoPro Xteme which can be had off Amazon for cheap, never freezes and has good cleaning power.
RE: lights, I've been looking at the Meguiar's 2-step headlight restoring kit, several guides on YouTube make it look easy with a good finish achievable.
One way you can check the valves are operating is using live OBD gadgets or a diagnostics setup to monitor if they are activating or not. I think on Carly it shows as 100% indicating closed and 50% indicaing open if you mash the throttle.
Looks a great car though, I miss a bit of lemon leather which I had in my old car. If anything I would dechrome the trim around the windows but other than that, would happily own this!
RE: lights, I've been looking at the Meguiar's 2-step headlight restoring kit, several guides on YouTube make it look easy with a good finish achievable.
swampy442 said:
Finally, any recommendations on preventative maintenance? Seen talk of DISA valves and back box valves, other than that they seem very reliable.
I just look forward to some better weather so I can enjoy driving it!
I've not long picked up my second N52 BMW and have carried out a handful of jobs on it, the valve cover gaskets wasn't too difficult a job (just time-consuming). Oil filter housing and cooler gaskets can also e addressed if you have any leaks. The first DISA valve isn't difficult to get to, remove the airbox, maf, hose, throttle body and you have access to it... requires removing cabin filter panel and stuff too. The second DISA is on the other side of the intake and difficult to get to without removing the intake itself.I just look forward to some better weather so I can enjoy driving it!
One way you can check the valves are operating is using live OBD gadgets or a diagnostics setup to monitor if they are activating or not. I think on Carly it shows as 100% indicating closed and 50% indicaing open if you mash the throttle.
Looks a great car though, I miss a bit of lemon leather which I had in my old car. If anything I would dechrome the trim around the windows but other than that, would happily own this!
HotHatchFan said:
The electric water pumps can fail without warning, so may be worth considering if it hasn't already been done....?
I have read that, not fully checked the service history but it works fine, there was an error code stored for 'water pump no communication' so maybe it has. Ill have to do a physical once I locate itCourt_S said:
Looks like a nice example.
I’m a big fan of the lemon leather (had it on my old 330).
I’m currently looking at / weighing up one of these after missing out on a normal 130. Values are all over the shop.
How’s the iDrive?
Distracting haha, its responsive enough and seems to work ok.I’m a big fan of the lemon leather (had it on my old 330).
I’m currently looking at / weighing up one of these after missing out on a normal 130. Values are all over the shop.
How’s the iDrive?
The nav is next to useless as its 2007 vintage so I only really use it for radio and aux input, but you can set that up for the wheel buttons.
beambeam1 said:
I've not long picked up my second N52 BMW and have carried out a handful of jobs on it, the valve cover gaskets wasn't too difficult a job (just time-consuming). Oil filter housing and cooler gaskets can also e addressed if you have any leaks. The first DISA valve isn't difficult to get to, remove the airbox, maf, hose, throttle body and you have access to it... requires removing cabin filter panel and stuff too. The second DISA is on the other side of the intake and difficult to get to without removing the intake itself.
One way you can check the valves are operating is using live OBD gadgets or a diagnostics setup to monitor if they are activating or not. I think on Carly it shows as 100% indicating closed and 50% indicaing open if you mash the throttle.
Looks a great car though, I miss a bit of lemon leather which I had in my old car. If anything I would dechrome the trim around the windows but other than that, would happily own this!
The rear screen pump works but doesn't squirt so I'll look at that, cheers. One way you can check the valves are operating is using live OBD gadgets or a diagnostics setup to monitor if they are activating or not. I think on Carly it shows as 100% indicating closed and 50% indicaing open if you mash the throttle.
Looks a great car though, I miss a bit of lemon leather which I had in my old car. If anything I would dechrome the trim around the windows but other than that, would happily own this!
The engine is remarkably oil free, Ive done about 200 miles in it so far and it remains so but Ill keep an eye on it. Cheers for the valve tip, the car drives fine so I dont suspect anything but its worth a check.
The chrome was part of the LE pack I think so I plan on leaving it, I quite like it as it breaks up the dark colour, and thanks
cerb4.5lee said:
I've always liked these as a package and yours is a lovely colour combination. 
The N52 is a silky-smooth peach of an engine I reckon(had it in a E90 330i).
Enjoy it.
Thankyou The N52 is a silky-smooth peach of an engine I reckon(had it in a E90 330i).
Enjoy it.
Its seems lovely, plenty of urge, sounds great, I look forward to getting to know it better!swampy442 said:
The rear screen pump works but doesn't squirt so I'll look at that, cheers.
Not sure where the battery is located in a 1 series but make sure no squirt does not = the above. The hose had separated and every time I used the rear washer most of it trickled down into the battery compartment at rear driver side.
Lovely car OP.
I had a couple of Z4 Coupes with the same N52 engine in the past so when I was looking for a daily in 2018 I wanted a 130i, but couldn't find any for sensible money so I bought a 330i, also with the same engine.
It's a great engine that revs freely and easily up to the 7,000 rpm red-line - I think peak power is at 6,600 so it's worth going there from time to time!
This is my 4th N52 engined car and I've had water pumps die on 2 but so far not the other 2. The main issue is they just stop so the car overheats in about a mile, and new genuine Pierburg pumps cost around £250. Some people replace them as a preventative measure but I just keep my recovery cover up to date!
How long they last is just a matter of luck - or not. My first Z4 had one die after 10 years and 60K but my 2nd was 12 years old and on 90K when I sold it with the original. My 325i needed a new one after 12 years and 135K, but it may have been it's 2nd.
So far as your headlights go if there is condensation inside them I think sometimes the seals on the access panels for changing bulbs can be a problem - and as someone else said there are kits you can buy for polishing the lenses.
The Lemon leather is lovely - my 325i had it and it looked so much nicer than the beige I have in my 330i.
Anyway enjoy the toys - I think the LE had just about every option fitted as standard.
I had a couple of Z4 Coupes with the same N52 engine in the past so when I was looking for a daily in 2018 I wanted a 130i, but couldn't find any for sensible money so I bought a 330i, also with the same engine.
It's a great engine that revs freely and easily up to the 7,000 rpm red-line - I think peak power is at 6,600 so it's worth going there from time to time!
This is my 4th N52 engined car and I've had water pumps die on 2 but so far not the other 2. The main issue is they just stop so the car overheats in about a mile, and new genuine Pierburg pumps cost around £250. Some people replace them as a preventative measure but I just keep my recovery cover up to date!
How long they last is just a matter of luck - or not. My first Z4 had one die after 10 years and 60K but my 2nd was 12 years old and on 90K when I sold it with the original. My 325i needed a new one after 12 years and 135K, but it may have been it's 2nd.
So far as your headlights go if there is condensation inside them I think sometimes the seals on the access panels for changing bulbs can be a problem - and as someone else said there are kits you can buy for polishing the lenses.
The Lemon leather is lovely - my 325i had it and it looked so much nicer than the beige I have in my 330i.
Anyway enjoy the toys - I think the LE had just about every option fitted as standard.
I have the coupe version 125i N52 engine (remapped from the de-tuned std spec) in carbon black but with black leather
Superb little engine 3.0 24V with both grunt and fizz
My only advice is not to sign up to BabyBMW forum - they are a bad influence (Only kidding great little forum - lots of good info)
Superb little engine 3.0 24V with both grunt and fizz
My only advice is not to sign up to BabyBMW forum - they are a bad influence (Only kidding great little forum - lots of good info)
B'stard Child said:
I have the coupe version 125i N52 engine (remapped from the de-tuned std spec) in carbon black but with black leather
Superb little engine 3.0 24V with both grunt and fizz
My only advice is not to sign up to BabyBMW forum - they are a bad influence (Only kidding great little forum - lots of good info)
Superb little engine 3.0 24V with both grunt and fizz
My only advice is not to sign up to BabyBMW forum - they are a bad influence (Only kidding great little forum - lots of good info)
With a 130 they’ll have you doing camber pin mods, fitting M3 LCA’s, Bilstein B12 kit in no time!
swampy442 said:
Distracting haha, its responsive enough and seems to work ok.
The nav is next to useless as its 2007 vintage so I only really use it for radio and aux input, but you can set that up for the wheel buttons.
Guessed itv would be. The nav is next to useless as its 2007 vintage so I only really use it for radio and aux input, but you can set that up for the wheel buttons.
Hoping to chat to this bloke about the LE today.
Is it my imagination or are values of 6-cyl manual 1-ers firming up? I was browsing the Autotrader over the weekend and noticed there were only a few 125i for sale and were asking strong money for them.
They are certainly a genre of car (6 cyl, NA, manual) that is extinct in the new car world.
They are certainly a genre of car (6 cyl, NA, manual) that is extinct in the new car world.
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