Early 130i. Any good?

[Jon_Bmw]

Are these any good? Wifeys car needs updating in the next 3 months.

I remember driving brand new 116/118s back in the day and they are woefully underpowered so they are not an option. I think that 2.0d is a ticking time bomb IIRC, so that is a no go.

A 130i should come with a reasonably good spec. Something like this ticks most of the boxes as she likes blue as well.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ ... ?logcode=p

Alas it is from High Wycombe.

Budget is circa £6500 so towards the scummier end of the market...

Thoughts? Anyone had one?

[bss325i]

The N52 engine is more reliable than the later N53 direct injection engine.

The 130i manual is the pick of the E8x bunch for least dramas.

The 130i LE m-sport in the one to go for in 3dr format.

[Neilios]

Got a 330i I would guess the minor niggles will be resolved, good cars but mines doing 23mpg to and from work so not the greatest on fuel but fun, my neighbour had nod the same as that a while ago and loved it.

[Jon_Bmw]

That was quick!

We'd want a 5dr due to the ever likely prospect of kids...

I have just read up on the HVA issue, it doesn't sound too horrendous an engine really. I manage 23mpg out of an S54, but I live in a fairly rural location and don't get caught in traffic much... I'd kind'of hoped she might get a genuine 30mpg out of it. Perhaps that is optimistic.

[Simon13]

its not a heavy car is it?

[Blitz]

They weigh as much as my E36 touring. I dont see why you cannot average 30 mpg if driven sensibly.

[Simon13]

high 20's i'd say would be realistic. My e36 with similar bhp torque i get mid 20's easily. So maybe 30 if you drive it like a nun!

[B7]

high 20's i'd say would be realistic. My e36 with similar bhp torque i get mid 20's easily. So maybe 30 if you drive it like a nun!

About right on a manual. I reckon mid 20's round town with the odd longun' thrown indriven carefully. Driven properly? 23-24.

Long run at a careful rate? 32.

[Jon_Bmw]

She won't drive it properly that often, me on the other hand...

I think I will let her have a look at an A3 Sportback TFSI and 'guide' her towards the 130i.

[HILL]

Hi , we've had a black 06 5 door for 3 years , this is the most exciting car I have ever owned (335i , 3 x 330ci , 1.9 GTI's , Clio 16 v etc....)....check out the Birds website , they say this is the closest BMW got to the E30 M3. Fuel tank is small so only takes £50 worth of fuel , you'll get 30 mpg just , we changed to non run flats as the ride is crashy and tracks badly on the factory run flats , much better on conventional tyres. Only issue is its small in comparison to a Golf etc.... Our car when needing trading will be kept as a track day car ... That's its natural home.

[Jesus325iTouring]

That was quick!

We'd want a 5dr due to the ever likely prospect of kids...

Give me a call Jon, i've got this covered, it's got 5 doors, 6 seats and epic rust issues, your's for a monkey

[Jon_Bmw]

I bottled it and went for a lowly powered A3 Sportback again...

It was half the budget up there and a reasonable spec. Hopefully it will provide 5-6 years of trouble free motoring.

[Jesus325iTouring]

My wifeys A3, a 2000 1.8 non turbo has been great, only had an altenator (£20 ebay) and a new clutch pedal in the 4 or 5 years we've had it.. Have they solved that clutch pedal snapping issue on the newer ones Jon?

[Jon_Bmw]

Christ knows Rog. Her old one was a 1998 A3 1.6 8V, so pretty much the same as your wifes. It was pretty reliable, and we had it from 80k to 138k. It only really needed servicing and extremely minor repairs.

Fingers crossed...

[maxfield]

I've replaced loads of pedals on the older A3, Golfs and Beetles. But none on th newer ones. It's a lovely job being on your back under the dash!

[Jesus325iTouring]

Even lovelier when aforementioned pedal snaps at 5 to 9 in the morning, at the front of queue at a set of town centre traffic lights

I'm sure the newer A3 will be as good as the last Jon, dull as dishwater to drive, but totally reliable.