My 1st 'Baby BMW' - 2007 E81 130i LE

[danb79]

Having umm'd and aah'd about what 'weekend toy' to buy after donating the F31 to my wife as her Jazz replacement... I've settled on this lovely 2007 E81 130i LE that's been very well mechanically looked after by it's previous owner over the last 5 years

It needs a touch of body work titivation, but I'm not going OTT with it; don't want to get too precious over what will be a weekend driver, so to speak

I've decided to stick with the Style 216 wheels as they suit the car to a tee; just ordered Michelin CrossClimate 2 tyres via Camsill as the prices were excellent, plus they've £60 cashback on offer for ordering 4 tyres currently - 225/40 and 235/40 18" sizes due to be delivered next week

I've ordered a used but excellent condition, replacement steering wheel and a new 6 speed black leather gear knob (both OEM BMW) and will be ordering a few other bits once I can get prices via Cotswolds BMW this morning (although eBay prices are very strong currently with a 10% off offer live)!

I'll be replacing the front grilles for OEM BMW chrome ones (the black ones are the genuine BMW ones, so will sell them on)

Some pictures from the previous owner:












It needs a thorough in-depth clean, inside and out plus the engine back needs a deep clean too, looks like I'll be busy later today & tomorrow

It sounds superb, the N52 is a great engine. Handles / drives superbly on the Bilstein B4S shocks and Eibach pro-kit springs and it's on Michelin PS5s all round currently

I was offered the BMW M Performance back box and carbon intake; but for me, the car sounds excellent as it is, I'm sure he'll sell them on soon enough

I'll update ASAP with more pictures once I've cleaned it

[Deep Thought]

Oh yes, very nice!

I looked at one of those "back in the day" when it was 3 years old and Approved Used. Beautiful car, that same lovely colour combination, great spec.

Yours has the Dakota Lemon leather interior which really works well with the black carpet, etc.

I had that colour combo in my 2006 330i a few years back.

I see some wear on yours, but mine was totally away with it to the point of i actually bought a black leather interior to replace it.

BUT, then someone said about refurbishing it. Gliptone was the company i got the kit from.

If you do go down that route you will need a leather refurb kit rather than a cleaner. It goes on like paint and you built it up over several layers then put a sealant coat on.

There are some before and after pics in my thread if you do decide to go down that route. Theres many leather refurb companies on the go now. I used liquidleather.co.uk from memory, but they dont seem to be trading now.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Looking forward to seeing more pics.

Great cars!

[scottos]

These are great cars, i got offered a mega spec one a few years ago but passed the deal onto my friend as the timing wasnt right. He's gone a little crazy with it now, full weld in cage, pole positions, Nitron suspension etc. It's just been with Bruno at BDS motorsport and is making a little over 300hp now!

I think the way cars have gone, we'll never get these pure sort of cars again, so thats a cracking purchase!

[danb79]

Deep Thought said:

Oh yes, very nice!

I looked at one of those "back in the day" when it was 3 years old and Approved Used. Beautiful car, that same lovely colour combination, great spec.

Yours has the Dakota Lemon leather interior which really works well with the black carpet, etc.

I had that colour combo in my 2006 330i a few years back.

I see some wear on yours, but mine was totally away with it to the point of i actually bought a black leather interior to replace it.

BUT, then someone said about refurbishing it. Gliptone was the company i got the kit from.

If you do go down that route you will need a leather refurb kit rather than a cleaner. It goes on like paint and you built it up over several layers then put a sealant coat on.

There are some before and after pics in my thread if you do decide to go down that route. Theres many leather refurb companies on the go now. I used liquidleather.co.uk from memory, but they dont seem to be trading now.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Looking forward to seeing more pics.

Great cars!

Cheers

Its Boston Lemon IIRC and yes; there is some wear. But I'll give it a solid clean and see how it looks... May leave it be; for now the drivers seat has a heated seat cover on it

I've installed an AUX/USB Bluetooth hands free kit and will fix that somewhere neater once I've deep cleaned the inside, and I'll get a Nextbase dashcam fitted too

[trevalvole]

Deep Thought said:

BUT, then someone said about refurbishing it. Gliptone was the company i got the kit from.

If you do go down that route you will need a leather refurb kit rather than a cleaner. It goes on like paint and you built it up over several layers then put a sealant coat on.

There are some before and after pics in my thread if you do decide to go down that route. Theres many leather refurb companies on the go now. I used liquidleather.co.uk from memory, but they dont seem to be trading now.

I think liquid leather may be the same as Gliptone - they certainly have used the phrase on their products: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/142058898623

[danb79]

scottos said:

These are great cars, i got offered a mega spec one a few years ago but passed the deal onto my friend as the timing wasnt right. He's gone a little crazy with it now, full weld in cage, pole positions, Nitron suspension etc. It's just been with Bruno at BDS motorsport and is making a little over 300hp now!

I think the way cars have gone, we'll never get these pure sort of cars again, so thats a cracking purchase!

Hell fire! That sounds hell of a build

I ran Nitron R1s on my DC5 many moons ago; superb way to spend £3k on suspension

I'll be doing my best to keep the 130i as OEM / OEM 'Plus' as I can... That's my preference these days

The recent suspension overhaul has done it a world of good thankfully

[Deep Thought]

trevalvole said:

Deep Thought said:

BUT, then someone said about refurbishing it. Gliptone was the company i got the kit from.

If you do go down that route you will need a leather refurb kit rather than a cleaner. It goes on like paint and you built it up over several layers then put a sealant coat on.

There are some before and after pics in my thread if you do decide to go down that route. Theres many leather refurb companies on the go now. I used liquidleather.co.uk from memory, but they dont seem to be trading now.

I think liquid leather may be the same as Gliptone - they certainly have used the phrase on their products: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/142058898623

Ah. Interesting.

[Court_S]

Looks good Dan and knowing the previous owner, he took good care of it. He’s pleased that it’s gone to a BMW nerd and that it won’t be getting ruined.

The leather comes up well with a quick repaint. I did mine and they looked miles better afterwards.

The Performance parts are cool, but there’s no way they’re worth what they sell for these days which is more than when they were new.

Definitely worth popping in the M3 front arms; relatively easy and not too expensive.

[911Spanker]

Looks great!

I needed a practical family car (the 996 wasn't loved by my kids stuffed in the back!).

Went for this thing:



Picked it up from Birds last week after having their full B1 Dynamics Package fitted.

It has transformed it - a properly sorted car now and love it!!

Also I got rid of the steering wheel - way too fat and soft and fitted one from a 330D SE - hard rim and therefore lots more feel whilst retaining the airbag. Much recommended.

[danb79]

911Spanker said:

Looks great!

I needed a practical family car (the 996 wasn't loved by my kids stuffed in the back!).

Went for this thing:



Picked it up from Birds last week after having their full B1 Dynamics Package fitted.

It has transformed it - a properly sorted car now and love it!!

Also I got rid of the steering wheel - way too fat and soft and fitted one from a 330D SE - hard rim and therefore lots more feel whilst retaining the airbag. Much recommended.

That looks lovely; 140i?

I like the OEM sized steering wheel; then again I've shovel like hands, so despise thin steering wheels personally

I'll fit the 2nd hand/excellent condition one and may send the original off to RSW and get them to refurb it in full alcantara, like I did with our F31

[Luke.]

It's a 130i, just like yours...

[911Spanker]

Thanks - it's a boggo 130i but pre LCI so HPAS etc.

I have spent a small fortune on it in the past couple of months but it is my daily and will be for the next 10+ years all going well so wanted to get it to a good position.

It could do with a lower driving position (again, seats from a 118D may be better as they aren't electric).

Here's my wheel and a slightly better pic of the car:

[danb79]

Quick clean of the interior; it'l do for now. It was fairly clean to start with, but it needed a thorough wiping down and the mats needed a good wipe; the steering wheel and gear knob were disgusting; so they've been given an intense cleaning and are no longer sticky, but the new replacements will be a much needed change











Quick shot of it on the drive too

[M.F.D]

Watching with interest, we managed to pick up an LE in good condition as a track car base last week. Was blown away how good it was on the drive home.

Intakes seem mental expensive when considering the cost of the car, I think I'll be doing a DIY effort.

[bodhi]

Very nice - great little cars these. I've had it's Coupé cousin for over 10 years now, and it's been so good I have no plans to ever get rid.

[danb79]

M.F.D said:

Watching with interest, we managed to pick up an LE in good condition as a track car base last week. Was blown away how good it was on the drive home.

Intakes seem mental expensive when considering the cost of the car, I think I'll be doing a DIY effort.

They're rare items, supply n demand and all that shizzle really...

I'm not into that side of things; it sounds spot as it is for me, so happy to keep it that way and stick with OEM filters (Mann, Hengst, Mahle etc)

Must pop out and fill up; it's on fumes currently

[911Spanker]

M.F.D said:

Watching with interest, we managed to pick up an LE in good condition as a track car base last week. Was blown away how good it was on the drive home.

Intakes seem mental expensive when considering the cost of the car, I think I'll be doing a DIY effort.

Yep the original stuff is expensive and probably not worth it. A trip to BDS etc may be money better spent..

[M.F.D]

danb79 said:

They're rare items, supply n demand and all that shizzle really...

I'm not into that side of things; it sounds spot as it is for me, so happy to keep it that way and stick with OEM filters (Mann, Hengst, Mahle etc)

Must pop out and fill up; it's on fumes currently

They are lovely things, I haven't driven ours since I drove it from S.E of England up home to Glasgow. Itching for another shot!

911Spanker said:

Yep the original stuff is expensive and probably not worth it. A trip to BDS etc may be money better spent..

Yeah I have seen the stuff they are doing and may well explore this at some point!

[MDMA .]

That looks very nice. Not from Peterborough was it? Was looking at these recently as a “Clubsport” type build. Company called Oakwood had one in virtually the same spec.

[danb79]

MDMA . said:

That looks very nice. Not from Peterborough was it? Was looking at these recently as a “Clubsport” type build. Company called Oakwood had one in virtually the same spec.

Hi pal - thanks; it's not a bad motor

From a lad in Basingstoke; it was a fair old round trip yesterday, didn't help that the M40 was closed, so had to do M4, some B country roads, M5 and M6 via Brum