130i M-Sport

[zabba]

I'm thinking about changing to a 130 M-sport 3dr. My current car is a 2004 Civic Type-r, now sat in a bodyshop following getting hit from behind by a girl not paying any attention to the road

I've had it for over 2 years and it's been a great car, but now looking for something slightly more grown up, as quick (preferably quicker) and reasonably practical. The idea of a 6 cylinder straight six with 265bhp and rear wheel drive really appeals, and i even like the look of them. Plus drivethedeal are offering them at £21,700 plus options it seems almost good value.

Would be interested to hear from people who've driven them, how you've found the drive on a variety of roads, b-road blasts/motorways/track days? Also what are the running costs like? Do BMW offer 5 year packages on servicing like Mini do? Do they run on runflats?

Thanks in advance

David

[Welshbeef]

5 year service & 5 year maintence packages yes they do - its on every model. Though the great deal of £150 for 5 years is no more but its still reasonable.

Provided you will not cover more than 60k in 5 years then go for the full maintence - its transferrable too a no brainer IMHO.

[arryb]

Not owned one but driven one - awesome performance!!

[m12_nathan]

I drove one and thought it good fun, quick enough for most driving, not sure if it feels as focused as the type R though (though my only experience is with an integra and an accord, not the civic).

[zabba]

Welshbeef said:

5 year service & 5 year maintence packages yes they do - its on every model. Though the great deal of £150 for 5 years is no more but its still reasonable.

Provided you will not cover more than 60k in 5 years then go for the full maintence - its transferrable too a no brainer IMHO.

How much does the package now cost then?

[honest_delboy]

Am i right in saying the new 130i (3 door) is an effiency dynamic car and come with electric steering, brake force recycling and that thing where it switches the engine off at the traffic lights ?

But older 130i's (55 plate 5 doors) don't have this ?

[gavmobile]

I've got a 2 year old 55 plate and I'm still really enjoying it. It replaced a MINI Cooper S and compared to that it has got softer edges (even more so with a CTR I imagine).

I replaced the runflats with P-Zeros it doesn't crash around as much anymore. M-Sport seats are great too

Best bit of course is the engine. Can't fault it - performance, noise, economy, nothing touches it for the money.

I don't have the service pack but it's first (two year) service cost £250.

My only criticism is of myself for not getting one with more toys. Mines got leather but nothing else and I sometimes miss the xenons, cruise and nav that I had in the MINI. So much so, that I've been eyeing up a 130i LE!

[gavmobile]

honest_delboy said:

Am i right in saying the new 130i (3 door) is an effiency dynamic car and come with electric steering, brake force recycling and that thing where it switches the engine off at the traffic lights ?

But older 130i's (55 plate 5 doors) don't have this ?

I don't think the new versions of the 130 have all of the Efficient Dynamics bits.

I think it may have brake force recycling as the quoted mpg is now up to 34mpg from 31mpg but it doesn't have the stop start button. Not sure about the electric steering but I've got a feeling that it does without this too

[dibbly_dobbler]

zabba said:

I'm thinking about changing to a 130 M-sport 3dr. My current car is a 2004 Civic Type-r, now sat in a bodyshop following getting hit from behind by a girl not paying any attention to the road

I've had it for over 2 years and it's been a great car, but now looking for something slightly more grown up, as quick (preferably quicker) and reasonably practical. The idea of a 6 cylinder straight six with 265bhp and rear wheel drive really appeals, and i even like the look of them. Plus drivethedeal are offering them at £21,700 plus options it seems almost good value.

Would be interested to hear from people who've driven them, how you've found the drive on a variety of roads, b-road blasts/motorways/track days? Also what are the running costs like? Do BMW offer 5 year packages on servicing like Mini do? Do they run on runflats?

Thanks in advance

David

Hi David.

I'm running a 130i se at the moment and I must say I love it. It has been very reliable, cheap to run and service and is a hoot to drive. It can also do the boring stuff like motorways etc no problem.

I believe the 2008 model has slightly better damping so the ride is improved - ie the dreaded RFTs are not such an issue. It's probably similar to your CTR in terms of comfort.

Not sure about the servicing pack but they are not that expensive or frequent anyway so I wouldn't worry too much about that.

Go for it - you wont be sorry

[zabba]

Thanks for all the info, hopefully I'll get a test drive at the weekend.

[Robatr0n]

I ran one for a week and can honestly say I loved it!

It was great for motorway criusing, it had all the luxuries that you could enjoy but the when you get onto the B roads and put the boot in it really does respond well.

Having a short wheel based rear wheel drive car with over 260bhp means you can have great fun around the corners and its completely balanced. I took part in a pistonheads run to goodwood and the car easily held its own against some fairly quick other cars.

Another thing too, I have driven quite a few quick cars but have always jumped back into my own Audi S2 and thought "I would rather have the S2 anyday" because it feels quicker (even though in some cases it isn't). But the 130i is different because it can be an everyday cruiser yet if you give it some stick it feels pretty rapid and the noise is quite impressive too!

[Tower View]

I can echo a lot of the comments above. I've had my 130i for nearly 2 years now and have really enjoyed it. Personally I appreciate it most when I've not driven it for a few days and realise what a good car it is. The harder you push it the better it becomes.

Yes are they are a couple of negatives: small fuel tank and the run flats but is any car perfect? Another debate for another thread!