BMW 130i M-pack ... still debating if to get it (I had a thread going about new car advice a few weeks ago).
Looks like a good package, first brief review (EVO) seems rather promising, but test drive is impossible.
Anyone driven one / read other reviews / seen it in the flesh / any useful advice ...
It's a lot of $$$ for a hatch but I'm tempted.

Thanks

Wall

 

It looks like it has been severly beaten with an ugly stick.


Ok so the interior is classy, and sure the engine will be sweet, but, it is a hell of a lot of money to spend on a car that is going to make you look like a pr!ck.

You could buy a brand new Cupra R for £8000 less! Or you can get 2 year old BMW 330Ci with under 20k on the clock for less than £25000.

Think about it

Hope this helps

 

Hi SkodaKid, I've decided against a second hand car (never had one before, I'm not going to start now ... for the money I was thinking of a MY2001 996 ...).
The Seat frankly doesn't set my pulse racing; might be better if tuned, but I want a car that will stay unmodded (I've done the whole Evo - Scooby thing, modding included).
The 130i with the M-pack just seems a good mix of performance, class & quality, and practicality. However at the moment there are no reviews out and it's impossible to see one let alone drive it, so I don't really fancy putting my name down for that much $$$ without at least further info and advice from people who have driven it.

Wall

 

Have you looked at an audi A3 quattro 3.2? they have a similar pack to the m-pack by GMBH. puts like a splitter on the front and better wheels. look really nice. I think a better looking car than the 1-series

 

http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/pricesand...-bmwuk,00.html

http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/pricesand...A%253D,00.html

or for something different:-

http://ford.co.uk/ie/mondeo/mdo_0504...y_st220/-/-/-/-

Just makes the 130iM look overpriced when you can get a 5-series for a few hundred punds more, or a 3litre ST220 for less!

All of the above scream practicality, desirability and performance

Matt

 

Think I'll save my cash and have an M-coupe thanks

 

I agree about the 5 series but coming from a modded Evo, an STI, an Elise111S and a modded CooperS, I want something reasonably small, nimble and fast, for those nice sunday drives in the mountains. A 5 series wouldn't fit that role, plus to get one that has at least good straight line grunt you need a 535d and up, and that's a lot more $$$ than a 130i even with M-pack and various toys.

Anyone actually seen or even better driven one? The first ones should have been delivered by now, and I know there were a couple of people on this site on the waiting list.

Wall

 

I'd never buy a car that I had not driven, let alone seen

Madness!! What happens if you find that you hate the driving position when it comes?

Just wait a while longer, then get a test drive and take it from there

 

Not the nicest looking thing (not grown on me yet) but its a bit like M and S food, predictably it will be good so I dont think anyone would struggle with the driving position.

 

The 130 is no lightweight (like the 3 series) is it though?...explains the negligable difference 0-60 and 1/4 mile times to its bigger bothers

130i M sport = 1450kg
330i M sport = 1555kg
530i M sport = 1565kg

Just to add to the worms.....

Impreza WRX 300 = 1395kg
Clio 182 = 1090kg

105kg in car terms isn't that much, especially once you have an extra passenger in there (70-80kg ). But 400kg is full load!

 

Hmmm, although they`re 5 door they really aren`t that practical, they are tiny in the back (granted, unless you have family etc you don`t really use all four seats) and access to the rear seats is really poor.

I quite like the idea of them but just couldn`t pay that kind of money for that car...................

 

What about the new Golf R32? There's a short review in the new Autocar and they seem to like it.

However, if you're set on the 130i, could you not just test the nearest model to it (is there a 120i or a 125i or similar?), to get the idea? That way you'd know roughly what it was going to be like, only yours will be faster.

 

**** me, a 130i weighs as much as my 1986 e28 BMW 535i!!!!!!

 

I've got a 130i coming in about a week's time. I went for the SE model as I found the 1er on sports suspension to be a rather disconnected experience.

The styling certainly polarizes opinion. I like it, but I can see why people dislike them too. Looks much better in the metal than it does in photos.

Should be pretty quick - 182bhp / tonne - should make it signifficantly quicker than the current (and previous) crop of hot hatches. Plus traction with RWD will be stunning. New Golf R32 is just 160bhp/tonne. Less than a Civic Type-R.

Interior quality is top notch, but rear accomodation is a joke. Boot is fine. Space in the front is fine. So practicality is poor if you need to transport lots of people, but fine if you don't.

Prices are high but residuals will be OK and standard equipment is pretty respectable.

Handling on the 1er is very good. The 130i is much the same car as any other 1 series so go get yourself a test drive in a 120i. You can sample the incredible engine in the 330i.

I'll let you know if it's any good once I've notched up a few miles.

 

Cars are getting heavier. Sadly.

Last generation STi was 1470kg. The new R32 is 1541kg.

 

That'll be progress for you Give me 220 Bhp, no traction control and an LSD anyday

 

Hi Wall

You don't seem to be getting a great response from other people, but i have agree with some of your points and I think the 130i is the new Audi S3 - filling that gap above your average hot hatches but not quite a grown ups car - lol.

The 130 does the nurburgring in just over 8 mins - and with 260hp and 50/50 weight distribution it isn't going to be shabby at all. I have no doubt when buying a 130 you will get an exceptional car, i think the only question you need to ask is which spec and options will be best suited to your needs ??

Good luck with your purchase

Andy

 

Thanks to all for the good and bad feedback ... and David, I look forward to a full review from you soon Enjoy the new motor!!!

 

As an aside wnet and saw the new 330d M Sport (Touring) the other day, lovely inside, everything you want from a BMW, but not so sure about the Sport styling they've added.

 

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member...65_17_full.jpg

Sounds like my old M3

 

 

you beat me to it, I used to have an M3 also, Cecotto in Macau blue, miss it a lot!

 

Whoa, a little thing like that weight that much, My Volvo 850 T5 estate weighed 1420 kilos, 30 less than a 130i, it must be almost solid !

 

Sounds a bit like my old Focus RS. Heheheh.

Picked up the 130i SE today. Ride is firm but well controlled on standard suspension. Engine is an absolute masterpiece. Not stretched it above 4500rpm yet but the torque and response through the rev range is incredible. This engine is in another league to the VW / Merc / Nissan / Ford equivalents. Not pushed through the corners at all yet but initial impressions are good.

Quality is outstanding. Consistency and feel of all the major controls is spot on, as you would expect from a Bimmer.

It'll be a while until I stretch the engine any further but my initial impressions are that this is a very pleasant car which I'll enjoy owning.

 

Not sure what the big deal is about the weight. This is the case with all cars these days. A quick comparison:

VW Golf R32
247 bhp
1541 kg
160 bhp/tonne

Nissan 350Z
276 bhp
1525 kg
181 bhp/tonne

Renault Clio V6 255
255 bhp
1400 kg
182 bhp/tonne

BMW 130i
265 bhp
1450 kg
183 bhp/tonne

 

I suppose if you load up the gadgets, solid interiors, big brakes, wheels and stiffen up the shell, you are going to add weight. They've also got 3 to 3.5litre engines which need bigger heavier components to go with them.

Although the Golf is famously lardy; Even my mates VR6 4motion Golf weighs more than my Saab 9k Aero - and the R32 is even more. Crazy!

At the end of the day if it all 'works' at these weights then fair enough I guess.

 

Any photos of it yet?

 

What about a new Golf R32, cheaper and the review I read this morning came out very well. The 130 was qouted as its rival.

Auto express tested the tops speed qouted as 155 by VW but achieved 168. One thing though I think the R32 looks a little tame? IMO question of taste really.

 

Congratulations on your new wheels. My wife has that engine in her car and it sounds fabulous once you start caning which you'll find once you've run it in and rev it above 5000 rpm.

Have fun.

 

My Land Rover weighs 1202kg (actually, its lighter due to alloy engine/gearbox). New XJ6 is 1545 kg....Just makes me wonder if other manufacturers actually are bothered in reducing kerb weight - especially when see a small car like the R32 weighing as much a huge Jaguar