2005 130i vs 330i 530i M Sports -am I crazy?

[nicklonguk]

I'm looking to get a good handling, fast and revvy family car that will keep a smile on my face but not make my wife baulk when I have to fill it every day. Coming from an ST220, the only clear winner seems to be an N52 engined- BMW of some sort...

Thing is, in my price range (£9-12,000) I can see 2005 models all with the same engine and in M Sport spec for near enough the same price; maybe £1500 separates the 130i from the 530i. It's crazy.

If the price differential was higher I wouldn't hesitate getting a 5 door 130i, but at the moment it feels like poor value against it's bigger brothers. Then again, if I play the "if I only spend x more I could get all this" I'd end up with an E46 M3...

Thoughts? Is the 130i much cheaper to run than a 530i in the long term?

Thanks for you help,

N

[V8mate]

I think 'family car' is the key here. The 1-series is brilliant but you'll annoy the missus more if the car turns out to be too small for even the most basic family requirements.

[edition]

Our 130I is fine for family dutys.

I think that 130I is more fun to drive compaired to the 330I (have driven both) and I presume that the 330I is more fun than the 530I.

Depends what your after I guess!

[heliox69]

Having recently come from a 530i I can honestly say that you won't really need anything else. As a family car its perfect size wise and can be thrown around pretty well as the need arises. Around town you will get around 18-22mpg and on a run I used to see 27-29mpg , that was pushing on as well. The 1 series is a fantastic car and feels like a go cart compared to the 5 but it is a bit tight with a family onboard even just for a weekend away. On your own and want a play I would pick the 1 but it's limited by its size as a family car.

[nicklonguk]

Thanks, that's really good to hear. We are expecting our first child and it's tricky to judge how much space is going to be needed - once the car seat is fitted the boot should be big enough for most journeys (we can always get a roof box for the 2 times a year we might need the space) but I think it'll be a compromised ride for accompanying grandparents etc.

However, I can't tell whether similarly priced 530i's would be a money pit - although Ive talked myself down from needing a 335i Touring so the difference can go into my repair pot...

When you look at the weight of these cars they're actually pretty close to one another - anyone driven all three and care to comment on how the handling changes across the board?

Cheers

[roofer]

Yes, i've driven all 3 and had a 130. Bin the runflats and its like a rollerskate. Car i most regret selling, and that was only because of the small tank. Sizewise they're fine with a nipper, 2005 130 has 10bhp on 330 due to induction run.

[md23]

What he said ^ Have a 130i (for sale actually as moving abroad) and other than the RFTs it's pretty good (which coming from a CSL is praise indeed!). Was going to chop in for a 335i but didn't like the auto box. Depends what you want though I suppose.

m

[heebeegeetee]

As someone who considered a 1 series, I think it's only suitable for families with small children. You wouldn't want to be an adult sitting in the back, and a driver has to pull his seat well forward top get an adult in behind him.

[bodhi]

heebeegeetee said:

As someone who considered a 1 series, I think it's only suitable for families with small children. You wouldn't want to be an adult sitting in the back, and a driver has to pull his seat well forward top get an adult in behind him.

I'm 6 foot 2 and sat in the back of a 120d from Stoke to Bruges and it was perfectly comfortable. Wasn't much room to get in and out, but was comfy once in there.

Only really unpleasant part of the journey was the drone coming from the aga up front, luckily he had the Hi-Fi upgrade which drowned it out.

[edition]

Agree with the post above. They are fine once in......

[Helicopter123]

nicklonguk said:

We are expecting our first child and it's tricky to judge how much space is going to be needed

It won't be enough - you won't believe how much kit you will need to take your pride and joy almost anywhere.

When our first arrived 3 years back, I bought a nice sensible Passat - big boot. 3 months later it was chopped against an A6 Avant...

The wife had to sell her S3 - the "travel system" we bought simply would not go in the boot, and it wasn't the largest by any means. Sigh.

Edited by Helicopter123 on Friday 6th May 14:07

[heliox69]

I've got to say the 530i will fit the bill as an allround tool, perfect even with 2 growing boys.Good sized boot have even done a 2week holiday loaded up to France and there was enough room to bring some wine back. The better half doesn't know the meaning of travelling light either.

[nicklonguk]

heliox69 said:

I've got to say the 530i will fit the bill as an allround tool, perfect even with 2 growing boys.Good sized boot have even done a 2week holiday loaded up to France and there was enough room to bring some wine back. The better half doesn't know the meaning of travelling light either.

Thanks. My hunt started out almost exclusively looking at Tourings and other estates (S4 Avant etc) but then started telling myself "surely our parents all coped with traditional 3 box designs / hatches?" Though, looking at travel systems and pushchairs etc they've gone the same way as cars / they're huge!