[sootyvrs]

Hi all

This is my new (to me) '07 130i M Sport that i picked up a couple of weeks ago to replace my 3year old Skoda Fabia vRS.

I'm totally smitten by this car and it amazes me how similar this car is compared to my previous E46 M3 which I also loved and for a fraction of what I paid for my new M3!

Pics can be found here.

http://babybmw.net/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=10447

 

[sootyvrs]

Great choice of cars, similar to my previous although where the BMWs are concerned I had the 330d and now the 118d.

One of the best interior/exterior colour combos on your M3, if I may say so. Dad's neighbour had the same as that and it was a stunner. I very nearly purchased his car when I sold my Z4 in December.

PS, I also had the Octy VRS wheels on my Fabia

Do/did you ever frequent briskoda forum? I was texasjohn on there too...

I thought I recognised your name. I'm "chowy" on briskoda

 

[texasjohn]

Welcome then, old friend!

They are a great bunch over there and having lived near him I frequented Andy's chippy a few times in 2006.

Unlike some forums where if you even mention another marque you get slated. As someone on here has found with a certain Jag forum.

Luckily BabyBMW is not like that at all, as they keep saying on TG, the cox have moved on from BMWs now to another German brand!

 

[Flat6]

Love the M3 :thumbs: That's the colour combo I always wanted. Looking how the prices have dropped over the last year or so I'm kind of glad I didn't get one (the way 130's are dropping in value is worry enough!) Surely the 130 really can't compare with that engine?!

Nice looking clean 1er BTW :beerchug:

 

[sootyvrs]

Love the M3 :thumbs: That's the colour combo I always wanted. Looking how the prices have dropped over the last year or so I'm kind of glad I didn't get one (the way 130's are dropping in value is worry enough!) Surely the 130 really can't compare with that engine?!

Nice looking clean 1er BTW :beerchug:

I know what you mean about the big D word. One reason I purchased used this time....

As for the comparison with the M3 engine. Lets just say that you are only missing that bit at the top end where the M3 is a little more frantic above 5k revs, where the 130i power is a little more linear so you don't quite get the kick.

The 130i is a nice sound but still fairly refined sound when pushing compared to the M3 rasp which sounds fantastic! I'm hoping to regain some of that noise when i get the BMW performance exhaust.

I did think about getting another E46 M3 but the running costs have put me off and also for this type of money, there will be no warranty on cars over 3 years old!

 

[missbmw]

Good choice of cars!

Is it true that m3's are 'fanny magnets'..... :chin: :banana: (sorry a colleague has one and refers to it as that) he is ugly as anything but gets heaps of women..

 

[sootyvrs]

Good choice of cars!

Is it true that m3's are 'fanny magnets'..... :chin: :banana: (sorry a colleague has one and refers to it as that) he is ugly as anything but gets heaps of women..

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Never worked for me! Infact the opposite, got divorced not long after, hence the reason for sale of M3 after only 2 short years ownership

PS I'm sure the not so fairer sex are not that shallow to like someone because he has an expensive car

 

[strike4A]

I moved from an M3 to 130 and agree with the comments above. Whilst I miss the top end hooligan of the M3, it's a much more refined drive in the 130 and for around town driving, which is most of the time for me, then it's much better.

I'll be installing the BMW Performance exhaust and diffuser soon as well. Just hope the carbon looks ok next to Carbon Black!

 

[130i m rich]

i have had plenty of shallow women wanting me for my m3 when i had one! didnt mind much tho!!! ha ha :lol:

 

[sootyvrs]

Just updated some recent pics I've taken of my car. Mods are in my sig

 

[EvoGlynn]

8)

Looking forward to seeing it dropped mate, will make it look sooooooo much meaner

 

[sootyvrs]

So would I... Already had problems with one installer unable to get the front strut off after 4 hours!

Just trying to find someone reputable who can install them now! Seems like all the good BMW tuning companies are down South

 

[BeemerBoy]

take a trip over to skeggy to see my local fitter

 

[sootyvrs]

Funny, I was looking on the map where you got yours done Myles :lol:

I think I may have someone lined up. He's a little more expensive but he seems to know his stuff regarding tuning and performance upgrades, albeit not BMW specialist.

He's also a Superchips dealer with a rolling road so I may get both done when I'm there

 

[BeemerBoy]

Great, what's the garage called? Definately get a map on there buddy! Though I'd have to recommend evolve ;-)

Did you look up corten-millers? They are good and know there stuff, if you ever did end up going there they'd more than happily drop you in skegness for the day while the car gets done, and you have a lovely drive home on the twistys as there is virtually zero motorway in lincolnshire!

 

[BeemerBoy]

Also how did those test drives go?

 

[sootyvrs]

Also how did those test drives go?

I get the 135i for the whole day on Thursday so I will give it a good run out to see how it compares to the 130i.

The E92 M3 DCT was a great drive and what an engine!! Strangely it sounded like a diesel when you start it up cold, like the M5 also but once on idle for a couple of minutes this disappears. Surprisingly, it didn't feel much different to the E46 M3 I had and would say it's very much the same recipe but a bit faster. The grip was immense not that I was at the limit and the Electronic damper control was fun where on it's softest setting was quite comfortable where as the hardest setting was rather too hard for british roads.

The DCT during my shortish drive was a little better than SMG II but was still not smooth like an auto and when driving aggressively was rather jerky when really on it. It's sort of put me off a little as I though I would love this box. Much prefer a manual now...

All in all, the 130i drives in a similar fashion to the latest M3, as do all fast BMW's for that matter which makes the 130i such a great car IMO. It might not be as fast as an M3 but the sensations are rather similar.... I would go as far to say that you can have as much fun with "marginally" less risk of losing your licence

Not sure if I would get one as my next car as it feels quite a bit bigger than the 1er, less intimate if it makes any sense.

I have my car booked in for the coilover install on Friday now so lets hope I'm not tempted by the 135i but not all is lost as I'd get the coilovers fitted to this instead

 

[brett_iom_84]

Just reviving an old thread, wahahaha

You know Sooty the wheels do suit the car, they've really grown on me, Liking the blacklines too. Gives a great contrast to the bright silver paintwork!

How are you finding the Performance Exhaust, would you recommend? What price could I expect to pay for one?

 

[sootyvrs]

Stunner, but don't like the wheels...spoil it for me. Soz

Your tastes must be improving now that you have a 130i :lol:

The exhaust is fab and adds a rasp very reminiscent to my previous E46 M3

 

[tigor]

I thought I'd asked, obviously not.... Are those facelift headlights?