330i SE or 130i M Sport - £15k budget
Discussion
Currently have a 118i Sport which is nice enough but I've got the itch for something with a little more poke. Fed up going down to 2nd gear for medium hills.
I tried a 325i a few weeks ago but not too impressed...seemed slower than my 118i.
What are people's views on what I should go for?
I think I prefer the classier feel of the 330i but it would have to be a year or so older than a 130i. Also 330i M sport is currently outside my £15k budget.
Thanks
I tried a 325i a few weeks ago but not too impressed...seemed slower than my 118i.
What are people's views on what I should go for?
I think I prefer the classier feel of the 330i but it would have to be a year or so older than a 130i. Also 330i M sport is currently outside my £15k budget.
Thanks
Edited by pattyg on Tuesday 21st April 13:19
FWIW I find my 330Ci slower than our 180bhp 1.8T Skoda (even though power-to-weight is around 30bhp more per tonne in the 330).
I put it down to reduced road-noise due to better build/insulation, a smoother power delivery (rather than the boost of the turbo) and that little bit extra refinement. I'm sure they're around the same if you were to do a race :-)
I put it down to reduced road-noise due to better build/insulation, a smoother power delivery (rather than the boost of the turbo) and that little bit extra refinement. I'm sure they're around the same if you were to do a race :-)
I wait for the flood of 130i owners to come along - buy one they're brilliant little cars!!
I should add that I was in a similar situation when I bought mine, choice was made because the 1 is smaller and more agile than the 3, whilst at the same time I found one with a great spec and history. I'd steer clear of the later ones with electric steering - funny system which on a short drive felt like an arcade game.
I should add that I was in a similar situation when I bought mine, choice was made because the 1 is smaller and more agile than the 3, whilst at the same time I found one with a great spec and history. I'd steer clear of the later ones with electric steering - funny system which on a short drive felt like an arcade game.
Edited by Ranger 6 on Tuesday 21st April 13:57
Hello
I tried examples of both before plumping for my 130i.
I would honestly recommend that you do the same as they are both excellent cars and it really is down to personal choice.
FWIW I drove the 330i first and really enjoyed it - it's a very accomplished car that does everything brilliantly. I was ready to sign on the dotted line.
Then I tried a 130i. The 330i is unquestionably the 'better' car in a 'What Car' way, but the 130i has a rugged charm and more character.
In the 330i the engine feels perfectly matched to the car. In the 130i the engine feels slightly too big, and I like that.
Try 'em both old chap.
I tried examples of both before plumping for my 130i.
I would honestly recommend that you do the same as they are both excellent cars and it really is down to personal choice.
FWIW I drove the 330i first and really enjoyed it - it's a very accomplished car that does everything brilliantly. I was ready to sign on the dotted line.
Then I tried a 130i. The 330i is unquestionably the 'better' car in a 'What Car' way, but the 130i has a rugged charm and more character.
In the 330i the engine feels perfectly matched to the car. In the 130i the engine feels slightly too big, and I like that.
Try 'em both old chap.
I would definitely take the 130i over the 330i, awesome car.
I preferred our 120d over our 335i in a lot of ways, and when I wanted to sell one it was the 335i that went.
The 130i is like a go kart, but you can still get loads in it, we went down thorugh France, Switzerland, Italy and back across France and home again in the 120d, 3 of us with 3 weeks worth of luggage, and it was great.
When I got to the aline passes I was chuffed to bits I was in the 1er rather than the 3er.
I preferred our 120d over our 335i in a lot of ways, and when I wanted to sell one it was the 335i that went.
The 130i is like a go kart, but you can still get loads in it, we went down thorugh France, Switzerland, Italy and back across France and home again in the 120d, 3 of us with 3 weeks worth of luggage, and it was great.
When I got to the aline passes I was chuffed to bits I was in the 1er rather than the 3er.
I had my heart set on a 335i coupe after my 325i coupe lease car went back, but once I drove a 130i I fell in love and haven't regretted it since!
Sure, it isn't the prettiest thing in the world, but it is BIG fun to drive, is good on fuel and surprisingly practical (rear space is tight compared with the 3 series but that didn't matter to me).
The 1 series feels very light on its feet compared with the 3 series - less refined, but far more involving.
Drive them both and I suspect that if you can live with a 130i day to day, you will choose that any day of the week!
Sure, it isn't the prettiest thing in the world, but it is BIG fun to drive, is good on fuel and surprisingly practical (rear space is tight compared with the 3 series but that didn't matter to me).
The 1 series feels very light on its feet compared with the 3 series - less refined, but far more involving.
Drive them both and I suspect that if you can live with a 130i day to day, you will choose that any day of the week!
Edited by hughjayteens on Tuesday 21st April 22:44
130i would get my vote, if you can live with a smaller car than the 330i.
I drove a 130i prior to buying my Z4, but only been a passenger in a 330i so can't compare directly. But the 130i was an absolute hoot to drive - a bit of a hidden gem IMO. If I needed extra practicality over my Z4, I'd be driving a 130i, no question.
And from looking around the PH classifieds £15k should easily get you a 130i M Sport...
I drove a 130i prior to buying my Z4, but only been a passenger in a 330i so can't compare directly. But the 130i was an absolute hoot to drive - a bit of a hidden gem IMO. If I needed extra practicality over my Z4, I'd be driving a 130i, no question.
And from looking around the PH classifieds £15k should easily get you a 130i M Sport...
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Was an 2006 325i and it just didn't pick up well. Maybe it was just that particular car. Personally, I think the 1 series looks great in Sport/M Sport guises.
Had a look at BMW AUC site and it seems the 130iM's are like hens teeth. Very few for sale in the Edinburgh area so people must be hanging on to them for a reason.
pattyg said:
Yes Rob it did....couldn't believe it. I put it down to the 3 series having a lot more weight to carry.
Probably wasn't slower but no real difference in acceleration I could feel.
It is considerably faster - the 118i is a properly slow car. I suspect the one you drove was broken.Probably wasn't slower but no real difference in acceleration I could feel.
BigAustin said:
How about a 330d , I have an M sport saloon with 53k on the clock an `05 Auto E46.
Black, black leather , fully loaded, tv & sat nav, etc, etc
in your £15k budget
Sorry but for that price you can get into the 231bhp 330d new shape 3 series with the much better MPG & bette cruise control. Black, black leather , fully loaded, tv & sat nav, etc, etc
in your £15k budget
Buyers market currently.
Veeerry interesting!
I am just looking at changing my 52 plate 330Ci and am considering a £15kish 130i.
I miss my old hatchback days and want to go back to a manual (although 6 years of auto have been fine).
I only need to carry one or two people 98% of the time so the back seat space doesn't really matter that much (wife's car is a Mini and my other car a TVR Chimaera) but I need to get golf clubs and old-mans electric trolley in the boot.
It seems from the above that I may be looking in a good direction.
My alternative choices are a Golf GTi or equivalent Audi A3.
I am just looking at changing my 52 plate 330Ci and am considering a £15kish 130i.
I miss my old hatchback days and want to go back to a manual (although 6 years of auto have been fine).
I only need to carry one or two people 98% of the time so the back seat space doesn't really matter that much (wife's car is a Mini and my other car a TVR Chimaera) but I need to get golf clubs and old-mans electric trolley in the boot.
It seems from the above that I may be looking in a good direction.
My alternative choices are a Golf GTi or equivalent Audi A3.
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