BMW 130i - potential alternatives?

[riwiho]

I'm in the market for a new motor but am struggling to identify an appropriate candidate.

My past vehicles have all been FWD with one exception (Elise 111R) and after running another FWD car for the last 20 months (R53 Cooper S) I have an urge to get back into a RWD car (or at least AWD).

I have considered the BMW 130i, although I do not get along 100% with the looks, the idea of a small RWD straight 6 does appeal and from PH reports this is a corking little motor. Also under consideration are the E46 330Ci (worse tax, insurance, economy and older) and Golf R32 (AWD is not my preference; prefer the 1 series looks, poor tax and insurance quotes).

I am looking for a vehicle with a good amount of grunt, I enjoy my A road + B road + Mway commute each day but the Cooper S is lacking on motorway.

Budget - 14k.

Has anyone driven the above 3 cars? Preferences? Alternatives?

[RobM77]

I was going to buy a 135i recently, but after a dissapointing test drive ended up with a Z4 coupé. You'd probably find a Z4 roadster for £14k? Rear drve, comfortable on the motorway but still with good handling and an absolute peach of an engine. Alternatively, if you need four seats then the E46 330ci weighs the same as a 130i and is pretty much the same size too.

[riwiho]

RobM77 said:

the E46 330ci weighs the same as a 130i and is pretty much the same size too.

I had not looked into the weights that closly but that is amazing. How on earth have BMW managed that?

[300bhp/ton]

As good as the 1 Series may well be I personally couldn't live with the looks inside or out.

Aren't some of the Alfa's available with AWD these days? Would they be in budget?

Personally I rather like the look of the Impreza too.

And in all honesty I think despite being fwd that I'd prefer a V6 Mondeo ST220 over the BMW.

Can't get excitied about the VAG stuff sorry.

If you don't need the rear seats or the mpg I'd be well tempted to look at stuff like an RX8, 350z or Mustang if you want some rwd thrills.

[rfn]

I would recommend you have a drive of the E46 330Ci - they're great cars. You could get a really nice tip-top condition 2004 model for around £12k I think now with fairly average miles!

ETA: Like this... http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1358732.htm

Edited by rfn on Friday 20th November 11:50

[reg_slr]

300bhp/ton said:

As good as the 1 Series may well be I personally couldn't live with the looks inside or out.

Looks are very subjective. I mean there aren't too many fans of either the Camaro or TR7 in fairness

[riwiho]

300bhp/ton said:

If you don't need the rear seats or the mpg I'd be well tempted to look at stuff like an RX8, 350z or Mustang if you want some rwd thrills.

Strange you say that, I was discussing both the RX8 and 350z earlier this week.

I would jump all over the RX8 considering their current market price if they were not as bad as they are on fuel and if they had a little more torque.

The 350z on the other hand.................only downside to that is the lack of the extra bench in the back. I need to establish if this is an issue or not. What are they like on tyres and fuel?

[RobM77]

riwiho said:

RobM77 said:

the E46 330ci weighs the same as a 130i and is pretty much the same size too.

I had not looked into the weights that closly but that is amazing. How on earth have BMW managed that?

The 330ci is just 55kg heavier than the 130i and only 25cm longer:

BMW 330ci: 1505kg (http://www.carfolio.com/specifications/models/car/?car=74591). Length: 4.48m

BMW 130i: 1450kg (http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/greatest_drives/210002/bmw_130i_m_sport.html). Length: 4.23m

Personally I'd always go for the smaller and lighter car in any comparison, but given the 1 series' challenging looks, the 330ci looks like a valid alternative.

Note that the Z4 that I mentioned is much lighter (1365kg) and smaller (4m) than either the 130 or 330, and the 3.0 has the same amazingly good N52 engine, but of course it's a strict 2 seater with far less luggage capacity. The coupé suits me really well, because my cello and guitar go in the passenger seat, and my kayak goes on the roof rack.

[Nigel H]

Having bought a 130i I'm a little biased, I think in M Sport guise (lower suspension and bigger wheels) it looks good.

Alternatives? I came from a Subaru WRX and you should be able to get a cracking old shape STi for £14k. I really like the new STi but I don't think you can get into one of those for £14k. I might well have gone down this route but the running costs of Subarus vs BMW was too big a factor (You'll pay more for petrol, VED, insurance, servicing)

[Lefty Two Drams]

I chose a mk V R32 after test driving a 130i.

I don't regret it.

[Lefty Two Drams]

VX220T? You'll get a nice one for £14k.

I test drove an RX8 and 350Z back-to-back after I had the VX, the 350 is a much, much nicer drive. Wasn't impressed with the RX8 at all.

E46 M3?

Are Monaros down to this price?

[300bhp/ton]

riwiho said:

300bhp/ton said:

If you don't need the rear seats or the mpg I'd be well tempted to look at stuff like an RX8, 350z or Mustang if you want some rwd thrills.

Strange you say that, I was discussing both the RX8 and 350z earlier this week.

I would jump all over the RX8 considering their current market price if they were not as bad as they are on fuel and if they had a little more torque.

The 350z on the other hand.................only downside to that is the lack of the extra bench in the back. I need to establish if this is an issue or not. What are they like on tyres and fuel?

Fuel and tyres will largly be down to how you drive. The 350z is more powerful than the 330ci so will probably average slightly less. But unless you are doing huge mileage I can't see it being much of an issue tbh.

If you want rear seats seriously take a look at a Mustang. A new shape s197 4.0 litre V6 would certainly be in budget and maybe if you are lucky a V8. All they need are shocks/springs and they are very much a drivers car and arguably a lot more fun and involving than the BMW. Residuals will also be much better too.

[Craigy_97elise]

riwiho said:

RobM77 said:

the E46 330ci weighs the same as a 130i and is pretty much the same size too.

I had not looked into the weights that closly but that is amazing. How on earth have BMW managed that?

If they both use the same platform, it's no great surprise. Look on the 130i as being a 330i with a horrible frock on.

C

[300bhp/ton]

How much can you get a 996 Carrera 2 for these days?

[Lefty Two Drams]

Z3M?

[url]http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1291353.htm[/url

[Lefty Two Drams]

R33 Skyline:

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1337174.htm

[riwiho]

300bhp/ton said:

How much can you get a 996 Carrera 2 for these days?

Would be a high cost car to run in comparison to the BMWs.

[riwiho]

Lefty Two Drams said:

Z3M?

[url]http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1291353.htm[/url

Good shout along with the recommendation of the M3. Had not considered these. Obviously there will be a jump in insurance cost but the jump in car could justify it.

[briSk]

i like the 130i. the depreciation hasn;t been to obad on them has it?!

only other thought i'd had and i appreciate it kind of falls in two places:

lotus europa.
prob cost 18k?
only 2 seats. but more 'useable' than elise/vx (same engine of course).

i really like them for the money.

oh and there was getting a jdm import nissan skyline - aka g35 sort of thingy - longer 350z...

[Lefty Two Drams]

Decent Z3M's can be had for under £10k I think which leaves a good bit of room for tuning/track-days/tyres/insurance etc...