E87 1 Series....peak modern BMW?

[Chestrockwell]

I had to deliver a car today and take back the customers px

116i ES auto, bog standard. Gearbox was lumpy, engine was lumpy and very slow. The car actually broke down, coolant bellowing out white foam and smoke, it was f*cked.

However, 15 minutes of my drive was windy roads, I found a type of satisfaction in driving a car I haven't felt before. I just sold my M240i manual which I favoured as the best car I have ever owned following a M4 and a FK8 Civic Type R.

The steering was weighty but also light, the suspension was firm but comfortable, it just moved so nicely, even after it broke down I was annoyed I didn't get to experience more of it.

I sold my car as insurance and fuel costs priced me out of it but now I find myself on the classifieds looking at manual 130i's, there are 9 on autotrader and all look like dogs with mis matched tyres and rust.

I don't care much for power anymore but I have no faith in 4 cyl BMW's and they only make the 130i. I guess there's the 125i coupe

You know what, I don't need another thirsty expensive to insure BMW

Let's consider this thread a discussion on the best handling modern-ish BMW that you can pick up for a couple grand

[Heathwood]

I couldn’t honestly call an e87 peak BMW, however I do think mid noughties may be a bit of a sweet spot for BMW and quite a few other brands, due to a combination of relative simplicity, reliability, connectivity and modernity (is that even I word?!).

[Chestrockwell]

Heathwood said:

I couldn’t honestly call an e87 peak BMW, however I do think mid noughties may be a bit of a sweet spot for BMW and quite a few other brands, due to a combination of relative simplicity, reliability, connectivity and modernity (is that even I word?!).

Hmm what would you say is, I have owned multiple E46's and the steering was too heavy, overly thick steering wheel's and didn't feel as light as the 1 series i drove today.

I've owned and driven multiple F series BMW and the steering is a massive weak spot

[Court_S]

My wife had a 116i ES a while ago which was dog slow, not that economical and cost quite a lot in VED but it had a certain charm and I really, really liked it. Whilst not fast, it was actually quite nice to drive.

I traded my M140i in for a 130i which I much preferred; it was just a much nicer car to drive albeit it came with Birds B1 suspension and I added M3 LCA’s, camber plates etc. It was obviously lots slower than the M140i but much, much more fun.

My wife had an E88 125i that I loved too. A friend had a 125i coupe that he loved too and looks back at with fondness, so I’d say there is something about that era 1 series.

Doubt rule out the 125i coupe; better looking, weirdly better rear leg room and it’s a 130i with a rubbish throttle map. A simple remap will take it to 130i power, add bigger brake carriers and discs and you’ve got the same stopping power too.

[Court_S]

Chestrockwell said:

Hmm what would you say is, I have owned multiple E46's and the steering was too heavy, overly thick steering wheel's and didn't feel as light as the 1 series i drove today.

I've owned and driven multiple F series BMW and the steering is a massive weak spot

BMW’s EPAS has got worse with each iteration. My 130i was a facelift car so had EPAS rather than HPAS which was a trade off I was willing to make for the interior improvements. I never had an issue with the EPAS in my 130i, my wife’s 125i or my current Z4. All were better than the set up in my M140i. The steering in the G20 courtesy car I had a while back was worse again.

[danb79]

Chestrockwell said:

I had to deliver a car today and take back the customers px

116i ES auto, bog standard. Gearbox was lumpy, engine was lumpy and very slow. The car actually broke down, coolant bellowing out white foam and smoke, it was f*cked.

However, 15 minutes of my drive was windy roads, I found a type of satisfaction in driving a car I haven't felt before. I just sold my M240i manual which I favoured as the best car I have ever owned following a M4 and a FK8 Civic Type R.

The steering was weighty but also light, the suspension was firm but comfortable, it just moved so nicely, even after it broke down I was annoyed I didn't get to experience more of it.

I sold my car as insurance and fuel costs priced me out of it but now I find myself on the classifieds looking at manual 130i's, there are 9 on autotrader and all look like dogs with mis matched tyres and rust.

I don't care much for power anymore but I have no faith in 4 cyl BMW's and they only make the 130i. I guess there's the 125i coupe

You know what, I don't need another thirsty expensive to insure BMW

Let's consider this thread a discussion on the best handling modern-ish BMW that you can pick up for a couple grand

E81 / E87 I'd say are superb cars now; more so if you get the 130i straight 6 N52 like Sam had and I have now... Yes I'm biased; my very first ever manual BMW too... But it's a fantastic car and I've made it much better with the recent work I've had done to it

If you keep your eyes peeled they will come up; check Car & Classic and BabyBMW forums too...

Pic drop

[Heathwood]

Looking great Dan. You’re inspiring me to give my 130i a good polish and wax over the bank holiday weekend

[danb79]

Heathwood said:

Looking great Dan. You’re inspiring me to give my 130i a good polish and wax over the bank holiday weekend

Do it; and then leave it all week like I have and now it's slightly orange

[danb79]

Court_S said:

Chestrockwell said:

Hmm what would you say is, I have owned multiple E46's and the steering was too heavy, overly thick steering wheel's and didn't feel as light as the 1 series i drove today.

I've owned and driven multiple F series BMW and the steering is a massive weak spot

BMW’s EPAS has got worse with each iteration. My 130i was a facelift car so had EPAS rather than HPAS which was a trade off I was willing to make for the interior improvements. I never had an issue with the EPAS in my 130i, my wife’s 125i or my current Z4. All were better than the set up in my M140i. The steering in the G20 courtesy car I had a while back was worse again.

Having never had EPAS before TBH I find it to be very good; maybe with the suspension rebuild it hides its flaws, but overall it gives me good feedback from the road and I never feel like it's limp or similar

Hoping to get up to the Lakes next week for a days drive; the weather looks to hold out, so it'll be a good opportunity

[Mr Tidy]

I've found 2000s BMWs ideal, so I'm on numbers 7 and 8 now!

My E87 123d was a great car with the twin-turbo diesel, but N47 engines began to suffer cam-chain failures so I sold it before it happened.

Replaced it with a Z4 3.0Si Coupe that is probably the best N52 engine application.

Then I got an E46 325ti Compact as a daily that was also great and got replaced with an E90 330i, but I keep wishing I had paid a bit more to get a 130i.

I've definitely preferred the steering feel in the ones with HPAS, although the EPAS in my 123d was much better than in my Z4. That might be because the Z4 was the first BMW to have EPAS though.

[Court_S]

danb79 said:

Having never had EPAS before TBH I find it to be very good; maybe with the suspension rebuild it hides its flaws, but overall it gives me good feedback from the road and I never feel like it's limp or similar

Hoping to get up to the Lakes next week for a days drive; the weather looks to hold out, so it'll be a good opportunity

I think the early EPAS is actually fine, especially compared to the very latest cars. My E92 was and our current E91 are both HPAS, it’s fine. I don’t think it’s the holy grail people on the 130i owners group make it out to be, especially not at the expense of the nicer interior.

[swanny71]

Court_S said:

danb79 said:

Having never had EPAS before TBH I find it to be very good; maybe with the suspension rebuild it hides its flaws, but overall it gives me good feedback from the road and I never feel like it's limp or similar

Hoping to get up to the Lakes next week for a days drive; the weather looks to hold out, so it'll be a good opportunity

I think the early EPAS is actually fine, especially compared to the very latest cars. My E92 was and our current E91 are both HPAS, it’s fine. I don’t think it’s the holy grail people on the 130i owners group make it out to be, especially not at the expense of the nicer interior.

Agree the 130i EPAS is absolutely fine for normal, non-driving god people.

Mine replaced an E90 M3 and for 8 years I ran it alongside a few different weekend toys (TVR, 1M, Exige V6) and yes it felt a bit different compared to those hydraulic systems but never ‘bad’.

Current M135i (2014) EPAS is a bit lifeless in comparison.

Still miss my little 130i more than any other car I’ve owned.

[Court_S]

swanny71 said:

Still miss my little 130i more than any other car I’ve owned.

That’s how I feel about mine too….I should have moved my wife’s 125i on and kept the 130i, looking back mine really was a very good car. Oh well.

[I-am-the-reverend]

Chestrockwell said:

I had to deliver a car today and take back the customers px

116i ES auto, bog standard. Gearbox was lumpy, engine was lumpy and very slow. The car actually broke down, coolant bellowing out white foam and smoke, it was f*cked.

However, 15 minutes of my drive was windy roads, I found a type of satisfaction in driving a car I haven't felt before. I just sold my M240i manual which I favoured as the best car I have ever owned following a M4 and a FK8 Civic Type R.

The steering was weighty but also light, the suspension was firm but comfortable, it just moved so nicely, even after it broke down I was annoyed I didn't get to experience more of it.

I sold my car as insurance and fuel costs priced me out of it but now I find myself on the classifieds looking at manual 130i's, there are 9 on autotrader and all look like dogs with mis matched tyres and rust.

I don't care much for power anymore but I have no faith in 4 cyl BMW's and they only make the 130i. I guess there's the 125i coupe

You know what, I don't need another thirsty expensive to insure BMW

Let's consider this thread a discussion on the best handling modern-ish BMW that you can pick up for a couple grand

I borrowed one of those turds (116i) for a weekend when it was new. 2005.

Horrible, horrible thing. It wouldn't pull a greased stick out of a dog's arse, the ride was just atrocious, no rear legroom, heavy steering, a bit understeery. The recently discontinued Mark 1 Focus was a superior vehicle in every way. So was the old E36 as it happens.

No, this was not peak BMW.

Having said that, the 120d was far more acceptable but it beats me why BMW had to give it such a poor ride. For me it ruined the car.

Edited by I-am-the-reverend on Sunday 4th May 14:55

[rottenegg]

Heathwood said:

I couldn’t honestly call an e87 peak BMW, however I do think mid noughties may be a bit of a sweet spot for BMW and quite a few other brands, due to a combination of relative simplicity, reliability, connectivity and modernity (is that even I word?!).

Agreed.

Sweet spot for me is the F3x/F80 platform as it benefits from the recent tech, rust resistance, nice looks, easy upgrades etc......but isn't new enough for all the current nanny state BS, or being bashed with BMW's new uglification stick. I don't think that is a word, but I'll use it. Modernity is though.

I have no issues at all with BMW's EPAS. It's a whole different experience when the car has been given proper suspension and geometry.