Has anyone had a drive of one yet? I know someone on here was getting an SE. How does the performance compare to the Subaru?

Has anyone driven the SE and M back to back - is the suspension on the M too hard?

Cheers
BtK

 

I've had a test drive in one. I currently have a 330i, the 130 feels quicker and more alert! The handling is typical power oversteer stuff ( with the dsc turned of!!) and due to it being a lighter car it felt more responsive. Compared to my old PPP classic.......not in the same ball park for acceleration or handling or grip (as you would expect) The acceleration is very linear, don't get me wrong it does the biz, but just not the same wooomph as the scoob. Would I have one...................................Watch this space
dave

 

Misty,

I can't keep up with your car changing mate....didn't you have a CTR at one point, now a 330i and now ur hinting that ur changing that

 

Blimey mate keep up!!! I haven't had the Honda for three months now LOL!!
dave

 

Cheers, anyone else?

 

It looks like a fantastic package, perfect apart from one thing, looks, usually the new BMW's grow on me and I see the point after a while but the 1 series is just plain ugly, hopefully with some decent wheels and a bit of additional kit in a good colour it will look ok as on paper it ticks all the boxes.

I would imagine a 130i is quicker than a standard current Scoob, are they not 250/260 bhp ?

 

I have the 130i SE. Standard suspension and without M badges pasted all over it. Personally I think the M Sport suspension is way too hard and lacks the feeling of solidity and composure that the standard suspension gives. The one area the standard suspension lacks is the turn-in is quite soft, but other than that it's great. Very balanced chassis with good throttle adjustability.

The engine is amazing. The best engine I've ever experienced. 265bhp, peak torque at 2500rpm, 7000rpm redline, instant response and is easily capable of 30mpg day to day (36mpg on a long run). And the sound... beautiful!

The car weighs 1450kg meaning 183 bhp/tonne. This gives it a significant performance advantage over the other hot hatches.

Build quality is superb as you'd expect but you definitely pay for the privelidge. It's a very pricey little car.

It doesn't feel as quick as a 260bhp turbocharged car because the power delivery is so linear and smooth. But I think it would have a pretty big advantage over the previous generation WRX STi.

In conclusion, a great drivers car and superb all-rounder but very expensive!

 

Cheers.

 

The thing you have to remember about the 1 series is that it was going to be the new line up for rover......

Tony

 

Nonsense! Longitudinal mounted engine, RWD, 50/50 weight distribution and based on 3-series mechanicals? If BMW had sponsored a mid-size car programme at Rover it would be nothing like the 1 Series.

 

Nah, Rover do it the other way round, reasonable looking but with crap mechanicals !

 

Bollocks was it

 

BMW had invested in Rover to replace their line up with a new series of cars, that investment was moved back over to BMW in 2000, along with the project they were working on, ie the replacement for the rover 45, this is now the car you see sold as the 1 series, quite funny really

Tony

 

Sooooooooooooooo UGLY !!!!!!!

But apart from that Fantastic !

Mind you so's the Wife and I've had her 15 years.

A Sound investment my man......lol...... Go for it!

 

Again, I repeat; longitudinal mounted engine, RWD, 50/50 weight distribution and based on 3-series mechanicals. Are you seriously suggesting the above would have been sold with a Rover badge on it?

 

LOL no it isn't...

Bit of history for you http://www.austin-rover.co.uk/index.htm?rovrd60f.htm

 

130i is very quick. I had to push the loud pedal right to the carpet to get past one - I'm impressed. The handling is really good as well.

F

 

Well 8 months later my 130i M Sport arrives on Saturday.

 

It was indeed, but BMW rebadged it.

 

No it wasn't actually, the car rover was working on was fwd, not rear like the 1 series. BMW looked into it but decided it went against the brand philosophy

 

http://community.webshots.com/photo/...56633840fedygZ



Very happy with it, not had much chance to drive it in angor but its getting a run down to LeMans in a couple of weeks so that should be fun.

 

Billy

What's the long term verdict on the car - still got it or moved on?

See you can pick up a 2 year old one now for about £18k which seems like good value. Mate suggests that a 123d would be a better bet though

 

Not sure how relevant this will be, but I was chatting to the driver from a rental company who picked me up a few weeks ago and were discussing good / bad cars they had driven and apparently the 1 series has been dropped because of reliability issues - especially with the steering. Now don't shoot the messenger - that is what I've been told.....

 

Girl at work has a 135i (not 130) coupe. I've driven that and loved it.

Nick

 

I just watched 5th Gear and I've suddenly got a yearning for a 130i - don't like the looks of the 135 and I need a 'family' car

A lovely V6 mmmmmm