Bored of the Focus ST already. Advice on 130i's
Discussion
So a little over six months ago, I swapped my F20 120d for a Mk3.5 Focus ST.
Something's not quite right and it's not really scratched that itch, in the way I thought it would. Ride is really uncomfortable, especially on the 19" wheels. Driving position and general comfort just feels 'off'.
Now I just look at it more of an annoyance more than anything and don't get that buzz from driving it.
So I had a poke around, as I want something cheaper, with sod all finance on it and fun to drive.
I was starting to loose patience, when I saw (albeit not many!) a E87 BMW 130i.
Ticks the boxes on the face of it. NA 3 litre straight-6-pot RWD. 5 Doors. Manual. No more turbo lag for me. Throttle blipping never feels quite the same, particular on the ST. N52 engine seems like it's built to last and then some.
Problem is, they seem rare as rocking horse s
t. And any that do come up are over 70/80k miles.
Are there any things I should look out for when buying one? I'm seeing that the DISA valves and VANOS solenoids are the only threat to the N52 engine.
Something's not quite right and it's not really scratched that itch, in the way I thought it would. Ride is really uncomfortable, especially on the 19" wheels. Driving position and general comfort just feels 'off'.
Now I just look at it more of an annoyance more than anything and don't get that buzz from driving it.
So I had a poke around, as I want something cheaper, with sod all finance on it and fun to drive.
I was starting to loose patience, when I saw (albeit not many!) a E87 BMW 130i.
Ticks the boxes on the face of it. NA 3 litre straight-6-pot RWD. 5 Doors. Manual. No more turbo lag for me. Throttle blipping never feels quite the same, particular on the ST. N52 engine seems like it's built to last and then some.
Problem is, they seem rare as rocking horse s
t. And any that do come up are over 70/80k miles.Are there any things I should look out for when buying one? I'm seeing that the DISA valves and VANOS solenoids are the only threat to the N52 engine.
That's a shame as many seem to love them, although I've always found I couldn't get the seat low enough in the smaller FWD Fords.
The BMW N52 engine is fantastic. I've had two in Z4s, then a 325i and now my current 330i because I like them so much, although I do regret not upping the budget enough for a 130i. :
My 325i had done 139K when I sold it and my 330i is on almost 125K and I've not had DISA or VANOS issues with any of them, and they pull strongly right to the red-line at 7,000rpm. But based on my experience with them I wouldn't be too worried about 70/80K.
They can suffer from oil leaks from the cam-cover and oil filter housing gaskets now they are all over 15 years old, and the only other issues I've had twice is a failed electric water pump which just dies, usually with no warning. Down side is they overheat in about a mile and new water pumps cost £250/300 so some owners replace them as a precaution to avoid being stranded.
They came as SE or Sport models, SE have 17" wheels, but Sport have 18s, stiffer and lower M-Sport suspension plus much better M-Sport seats.
If you don't need back doors the E82 125i has the same engine, but for some reason BMW restricted the power output - possibly to avoid losing M135i sales. The good news is a remap gets the 125i back to 130i power!
The BMW N52 engine is fantastic. I've had two in Z4s, then a 325i and now my current 330i because I like them so much, although I do regret not upping the budget enough for a 130i. :
My 325i had done 139K when I sold it and my 330i is on almost 125K and I've not had DISA or VANOS issues with any of them, and they pull strongly right to the red-line at 7,000rpm. But based on my experience with them I wouldn't be too worried about 70/80K.
They can suffer from oil leaks from the cam-cover and oil filter housing gaskets now they are all over 15 years old, and the only other issues I've had twice is a failed electric water pump which just dies, usually with no warning. Down side is they overheat in about a mile and new water pumps cost £250/300 so some owners replace them as a precaution to avoid being stranded.
They came as SE or Sport models, SE have 17" wheels, but Sport have 18s, stiffer and lower M-Sport suspension plus much better M-Sport seats.
If you don't need back doors the E82 125i has the same engine, but for some reason BMW restricted the power output - possibly to avoid losing M135i sales. The good news is a remap gets the 125i back to 130i power!
Sadly I need the back doors, with it being a daily driver and having a seven year-old! Otherwise, that's a good shout on the E82 125i!
The ad I'm looking at says changes made were;
- Birds B1 Suspension package
- M3 Lower arms
- New Clutch
- New Water pump
Fingers crossed then, that rules out any immediate water pump issues. FBMWSH from 2008 to 2018, indy from thereon.
The ad I'm looking at says changes made were;
- Birds B1 Suspension package
- M3 Lower arms
- New Clutch
- New Water pump
Fingers crossed then, that rules out any immediate water pump issues. FBMWSH from 2008 to 2018, indy from thereon.
McLarenLad said:
Sadly I need the back doors, with it being a daily driver and having a seven year-old! Otherwise, that's a good shout on the E82 125i!
The ad I'm looking at says changes made were;
- Birds B1 Suspension package
- M3 Lower arms
- New Clutch
- New Water pump
Fingers crossed then, that rules out any immediate water pump issues. FBMWSH from 2008 to 2018, indy from thereon.
Price seems a bit high, but I can’t recommend Birds B1 suspension enough. Transforms the car.The ad I'm looking at says changes made were;
- Birds B1 Suspension package
- M3 Lower arms
- New Clutch
- New Water pump
Fingers crossed then, that rules out any immediate water pump issues. FBMWSH from 2008 to 2018, indy from thereon.
Coming from a pair of petrol cars you might find the N52 a bit lacking in low end grunt.
lord trumpton said:
I'd suggest looking into RS meganes
The 130i is a flawed car and is quite fun at best, by no means a sharp steer. Just a nice lazy lump to rev out.
Yes - Ive owned one
The chassis makes the megane - but only with and lsd. The rest I found rather bland. Engine was dull (though powerful) and gearshift wasn’t any better than the bmw. The 130i is a flawed car and is quite fun at best, by no means a sharp steer. Just a nice lazy lump to rev out.
Yes - Ive owned one
survivalist said:
lord trumpton said:
I'd suggest looking into RS meganes
The 130i is a flawed car and is quite fun at best, by no means a sharp steer. Just a nice lazy lump to rev out.
Yes - Ive owned one
The chassis makes the megane - but only with and lsd. The rest I found rather bland. Engine was dull (though powerful) and gearshift wasn’t any better than the bmw. The 130i is a flawed car and is quite fun at best, by no means a sharp steer. Just a nice lazy lump to rev out.
Yes - Ive owned one
I found it to be clunky, imprecise, notchy and unless the cdv is removed incredibly jerky
lord trumpton said:
Have you tried a 130i manual?
I found it to be clunky, imprecise, notchy and unless the cdv is removed incredibly jerky
I have to agree with this, the gearshift is poor, the Meganes shift is better.I found it to be clunky, imprecise, notchy and unless the cdv is removed incredibly jerky
If you do look at a Megane OP make sure it's a Cup or it has the Cup Chassis.
McLarenLad said:
Sadly I need the back doors, with it being a daily driver and having a seven year-old! Otherwise, that's a good shout on the E82 125i!
The ad I'm looking at says changes made were;
- Birds B1 Suspension package
- M3 Lower arms
- New Clutch
- New Water pump
Fingers crossed then, that rules out any immediate water pump issues. FBMWSH from 2008 to 2018, indy from thereon.
The ad I'm looking at says changes made were;
- Birds B1 Suspension package
- M3 Lower arms
- New Clutch
- New Water pump
Fingers crossed then, that rules out any immediate water pump issues. FBMWSH from 2008 to 2018, indy from thereon.
Go test drive this one asap
McLarenLad said:
Sadly I need the back doors, with it being a daily driver and having a seven year-old! Otherwise, that's a good shout on the E82 125i!
The ad I'm looking at says changes made were;
- Birds B1 Suspension package
- M3 Lower arms
- New Clutch
- New Water pump
Fingers crossed then, that rules out any immediate water pump issues. FBMWSH from 2008 to 2018, indy from thereon.
Do you really need back doors? 3 door hatchbacks or 2 door saloons were never an issue in the 90s. Kids will just get on with it and have no problems diving in the back, and if you did get a 3 door just tell him to go in through the passenger side. A Megane RS with the cup chassis would be a great drive. The ad I'm looking at says changes made were;
- Birds B1 Suspension package
- M3 Lower arms
- New Clutch
- New Water pump
Fingers crossed then, that rules out any immediate water pump issues. FBMWSH from 2008 to 2018, indy from thereon.
LightningBlue said:
Do you really need back doors? 3 door hatchbacks or 2 door saloons were never an issue in the 90s. Kids will just get on with it and have no problems diving in the back, and if you did get a 3 door just tell him to go in through the passenger side. A Megane RS with the cup chassis would be a great drive.
"What do you mean?! We're not in the 90's anymore!?""How do you expect McLarenLad junior to clamber over the seats?!"
I can hear the screeching now...
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