BMW 130i M Sport: PH Carpool
Where do you turn when none of the new hot hatches appeal? Back to the old 130i!
Car: 2008 BMW 130i M Sport (LCI)
Owned since: June 2016
Previously owned: 1998 Ford Ka, 2005 Ford SportKa, 2003 R53 Mini Cooper, 2006 R56 Mini Cooper S, 2005 BMW 130i M Sport, 2013 Ford Fiesta ST-2 MP215
Richard even likes the looks. Yeah, really
"I loved my first 130i and was more than a little heartbroken when I had to hand it over to our local franchise dealer in part-exchange for the more fiancée-friendly Fiesta. When what I thought was just another casual browse of the classifieds resulted in me buying an Abarth 500 Esseesse last year I had an opportunity to replace the Fiesta with something bigger, faster and with a bit more character. Having driven, and felt let down by, the usual suspects for one reason or other (M135i, A45, Golf R, FK2 Civic Type R) and a few not so usual (GT86, Mini R56 GP) all roads seemed to lead back to the 130. It only took one drive in the best car I could find within 100 miles and I had it bought!"
What I wish I'd known:
"Not much about the car as four years with the first one had taught me much of what I needed to know (it wasn't faultless, but never left me stranded). I was caught out by the dealer going into administration a week after buying the car which really has caused some headaches, so wish I had known that!"
Could you find two more different hot hatches?
"The engine is the star and dominates the driving experience for me. It feels oversized in such a compact car (in a really good way), is so smooth and is always making a lovely, lovely noise. I love the fact that most people don't know what it is (not a bonus for everyone, I know) by virtue of the fact that it is actually quite a rare car. I just feel that it suits me and I can't think of any other car I would rather have as a daily. I even love the looks!
"I was always a little surprised at the way the 130i was overlooked in the M135i discussions a few years ago, as for me it offers the same formula just with more character."
Things I hate:
"The cabin does have a few intermittent rattles and squeaks which I have had to chase around but then it is nearly eight years old. Other than that I can't think of much."
Costs:
"Shortly after purchasing the car I refreshed the brakes and pads, replaced all four tyres and upgraded the four speakers in the front. I had unfortunate luck with a failed air conditioning compressor and coolant pump, both of which have been fixed under warranty, and the last service revealed a split rocker cover (was split causing a small oil leak) which needed fixing. Comprehensive insurance is less than £300 on our multicar policy and it is averaging around 28mpg (close to 40mpg on a run) which for the roads around us is pretty good in my book."
Scotland one of a good few adventures
"The bigger trips include Cornwall in November and January; it drove me to my wedding in February and to the West Highlands of Scotland (Ullapool more specifically) over the Easter weekend as well, when it performed brilliantly. All from south Buckinghamshire.
What next?
"The BMW isn't going anywhere in the foreseeable future and I get the feeling it is going to be a real wrench to part with it. I occasionally find myself tempted by the BMW performance exhaust but just worry it might ruin it (and would really want to keep the existing tips), having had my fingers burnt in the past doing that very same thing. Tempting though! No, it's a keeper."
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