Calling all 130i owners...

[VerySideways]

I've been thinking of replacing my E46 330d touring and have looked high and low for something i think would fit the bill, and the best thing i can come up with (economy, performance, space for two people and two dogs, toys, and driving dynamics) is the 130i M sport.
Not sure about auto or manual yet and i'm planning to drive one or t'other this weekend, but what are they like to live with??

Thanks.

[dxb335d]

space for two dogs?

what.... toy dogS?

[sleep envy]

rubbish space in the back and boot chap

[Spokey]

I'm very happy with my 130i, but if you've got big dogs, then I wouldn't consider it. Cracking car if they fit, though.

[VerySideways]

I tend to fold the seats down in the 330 touring and the dogs are whippets so not big - they're lost in the touring. Figured a 130 with the seats down would be plenty big enough, but an M coupé isn't quite.

[VerySideways]

Spokey said:

I'm very happy with my 130i

Tell me more!

[sleep envy]

VerySideways said:

the dogs are whippets

gthey should fit then

just check the glove box can accomodate a flat cap

[VerySideways]

Cheeky bugger!
Long time no see - as you may have gathered the GT3 didn't flick enough switches so i am sticking to my 993. But the 330d as a work car is just a bit too dull, and frankly i can afford to burn a bit more fuel for the sake of my sanity!!

[sleep envy]

RS2

ace brekkie??

[VerySideways]

sleep envy said:

ace brekkie??

Dan and i were discussing the same thing - not this week (he's off to see Wayne for a remap on Monday) but soon?

[sleep envy]

shooting this w/e and skiing 1st w/e of march but anytime after that

would be good to catch up matey

[touching cloth]

Bloody hell, the most indecisive person I know. Last week I am sure I saw a post about buying an X5... and I thought you were sold on a GT3!!!

sleep envy said:

ace brekkie??

[sleep envy]

tough call between him and Jez

nice one TC - you're buying!!

[Spokey]

VerySideways said:

Spokey said:

I'm very happy with my 130i

Tell me more!

What do you want to know?

[bmwdrivernigel]

VerySideways said:

I've been thinking of replacing my E46 330d touring and have looked high and low for something i think would fit the bill, and the best thing i can come up with (economy, performance, space for two people and two dogs, toys, and driving dynamics) is the 130i M sport.
Not sure about auto or manual yet and i'm planning to drive one or t'other this weekend, but what are they like to live with??

Thanks.

Pete, chat with Ben and Rob who both had the use of mine for a while, they will tell you how good they are!

[Vixpy1]

bmwdrivernigel said:

VerySideways said:

I've been thinking of replacing my E46 330d touring and have looked high and low for something i think would fit the bill, and the best thing i can come up with (economy, performance, space for two people and two dogs, toys, and driving dynamics) is the 130i M sport.
Not sure about auto or manual yet and i'm planning to drive one or t'other this weekend, but what are they like to live with??

Thanks.

Pete, chat with Ben and Rob who both had the use of mine for a while, they will tell you how good they are!

It seems to go sideways quite easily

[VerySideways]

Spokey said:

What do you want to know?

Anything you think i might find useful.
Average consumption, any niggles you've had, anything unexpected about servicing or tyre wear, stuff like that? And good and bad points about driving it...

bmwdrivernigel said:

Pete, chat with Ben and Rob who both had the use of mine for a while, they will tell you how good they are!

Already on the case Nigel

[Spokey]

VerySideways said:

Spokey said:

What do you want to know?

Anything you think i might find useful.
Average consumption, any niggles you've had, anything unexpected about servicing or tyre wear, stuff like that? And good and bad points about driving it...

My average consumption is about 28 MPG, but then I tend to spend most of my time doing B-road hoons. On the motorway it's more like 35MPG.

When I got the car, it had not been prepared at all well, but since those issues have been fixed, I've only had the following:

1. Dash squeak/rattle -- very intermittent though, not enough for me to take it to the dealer and I regard myself as very fussy.
2. Rear window washer is crap -- believe it or not, the fix seems to be a software patch (!) although I haven't got round to it.
3. The run flat tyres do make for a firm ride. I'm just waiting for my annual bonus to clear and then I'll be replacing them with proper tyres and a spare. However, the RFTs do seem to last very well. One bloke (who clearly isn't trying hard enough) has got 70,000 miles on his original set and he reckons there's still about 1/3rd of the tread left!!

Servicing intervals seem to be much greater.

On the whole, I'd have to tempt fate and say that so far, this has been my least troublesome BMW.

Good:
The handling is awesome.
The 3.0 is a very smooth engine with a broad torque and power range.
Pretty well screwed together.
Very easy to drive quickly.

Bad:
Slightly more "intimate" in front that most BMWs.
NO rear passenger room.
Engine "lacks drama" compared to the M5.
Little sense of accomplishment from driving quickly.
Super mega fugly.

Overall: I don't regret getting it for a moment. Even compared to my E34 M5.

[Robatr0n]

Vixpy1 said:

bmwdrivernigel said:

VerySideways said:

I've been thinking of replacing my E46 330d touring and have looked high and low for something i think would fit the bill, and the best thing i can come up with (economy, performance, space for two people and two dogs, toys, and driving dynamics) is the 130i M sport.
Not sure about auto or manual yet and i'm planning to drive one or t'other this weekend, but what are they like to live with??

Thanks.

Pete, chat with Ben and Rob who both had the use of mine for a while, they will tell you how good they are!

It seems to go sideways quite easily

Pete, YHM!

[VerySideways]

Spokey - fabulous, thank you, exactly what i wanted to know.
I hear the standard Pirelli's are crap, but RE050 or NCT5 are much better. What have you got?

Rob - reading it now