130 M-Sport from A3 3.2

[edition]

Hi,

I,ve had a A3 for over 3 yrs now and fancy a change. There is nothing really wrong with my current car it's just 3yrs is enough for me in one car!


Really struggling to find anything arround the 15-17k bracket that does what the A3 does with under 50k miles and 05plt onwards and not silly running costs.


Any idea if a 130 M-Sport would forfill my needs? or any other cars I should be looking at....

Thanks in advance!

[Rawwr]

No, but good luck in forfilling your needs.

[nonuts]

130 will be much more fun than the A3 and they're great cars!

[mnkiboy]

R32?

[The Wookie]

Why not have a test drive and find out for yourself? We can all tell you our opinions but we don't know what you yourself value in a car.

For what it's worth though, I very much like my 123d. I need the economy of the diesel, but I can only imagine more poke and a nice crisp normally aspirated 6 would make it better

[nonuts]

mnkiboy said:

R32?

That's the same as his A3... get the 1 series or at least test drive one!

[wrighty78]

You don't really say what your requirements are, other than price, age and mileage.

The engine in the 130i is lovely, but and if you don't need four seats you could get the same motor in a Z4 Coupe within your price range.

[edition]

I do about 40 miles a day and in the next 1-2 yrs might have family in mind..... If that helps any.

[wrighty78]

edition said:

in the next 1-2 yrs might have family in mind..... If that helps any.

Yes! Get the Z4 Coupe. Or something else small, quick and sporty. If you don't do it now, it'll be 20 years before you get the chance...

[aeropilot]

wrighty78 said:

edition said:

in the next 1-2 yrs might have family in mind..... If that helps any.

Yes! Get the Z4 Coupe. Or something else small, quick and sporty. If you don't do it now, it'll be 20 years before you get the chance...

So agree with that...........

Except I'd add, it's quite likely that 20 years on, there won't be anything like a Z4 to buy, and if there is, you may find like me, the heart is willing for something small and sporty again in later life, but the now aging body, says after 5 mins that it wants to be quickly back in something wafty and comfortable

[gherkins]

...but you'll miss the imagine

[edition]

Thanks for the replys.

They do seem quite good value atm. I presume pretty reliable and as cheap to run as the A3.....

[bodhi]

A friend from work had one and loved it. Corking engine, handles well, more practical than you'd think. He only sold it as he had a third sprog on the way, and he still misses it 18 months later.

Cracking motors, and infinitely better to drive than an A3.

[mackie1]

Probably better on fuel than the A3 too.

[anonymous-user]

What about an S3?

[edition]

I,ve been loaned an S3 for 2 weeks and didn't really gel with it compaired to the 3.2.

Yes is faster and more nimble but not worth the extra outlay over mine in my opinion.

[anonymous-user]

edition said:

I,ve been loaned an S3 for 2 weeks and didn't really gel with it compaired to the 3.2.

Yes is faster and more nimble but not worth the extra outlay over mine in my opinion.

fair point! i bet you would like the Mazda 3 MPS!

[edition]

I'm afraid I have German blinkers....

[RobM77]

The 130i is one of the best all round four seater cars that I've ever driven, and certainly the best currently made. Lovely engine, very quiet at speed, good mpg, adequate performance, nice handling. The only gripes are the throttle delay (normal these days for most petrol cars), the driver's seat not going low enough, and of course the looks. You can't go wrong really.

Regarding the Z4 Coupé, that's what I bought instead (because I was told it took a roof rack ). The Z4C has a better driving position, is considerably faster (lighter, plus lower gear ratios), handles much better (lower, stiffer and smaller), has a much better sense of occasion and looks much better. Oh, and the throttle delay is smaller. The downsides are that it's a bit noisy at speed, perhaps a tad nervous in its responses for someone used to big heavy four seater cars (I only realised this after spending last weekend in a 320d), and of course it's just a two seater. The boot's very good though, my gf and I went on a two week sailing and walking holiday in mine and we fitted everything in the boot (just!). Mine's up for sale shortly if the OP's interested.

Personally, I'd buy a Z4C, SLK or a Boxster S now whilst you can, and then if you have kids or something in the future go for a 130i.

[aeropilot]

RobM77 said:

and then if you have kids or something in the future go for a 130i.

They will getting on a bit by then, as it's been a year now since they were discontinued in the UK and very few were sold in the year prior to that.