130i vs mk2 Focus ST
Discussion
As nice as my 330d is, it just doesn't do it for me. So now it's up for sale I'm still wondering what's next.
Budget is quite tight as I'm trying to get myself in a better financial position for moving to a bigger house soon. Around £4500 max.
Grew up with a few Fords, including mk3 fiesta turbos, so have always had a soft spot for them and fancy another. The Focus ST ticks more boxes than most other hot hatches because of the characterful engine.
I've also had a few BMWs now and quite keen on the 130i.
I'm pretty split between the two and feel I'd probably rather a 130i one day, but an ST when the mood takes me.
Just looking for opinions on the two, especially from those who have owned or experienced both.
Budget is quite tight as I'm trying to get myself in a better financial position for moving to a bigger house soon. Around £4500 max.
Grew up with a few Fords, including mk3 fiesta turbos, so have always had a soft spot for them and fancy another. The Focus ST ticks more boxes than most other hot hatches because of the characterful engine.
I've also had a few BMWs now and quite keen on the 130i.
I'm pretty split between the two and feel I'd probably rather a 130i one day, but an ST when the mood takes me.
Just looking for opinions on the two, especially from those who have owned or experienced both.
Driven both and I have owned a Mk2 ST some time ago.
As a car to drive I’d choose the 130i every day of the week but the flip side is the 130i will be more expensive all round, running costs and when things need replacement. Fords are typically cheaper cars to run and maintain.
The Mk2 ST is still a good car, albeit the hard plastic interior will be showing its age by now.
As a car to drive I’d choose the 130i every day of the week but the flip side is the 130i will be more expensive all round, running costs and when things need replacement. Fords are typically cheaper cars to run and maintain.
The Mk2 ST is still a good car, albeit the hard plastic interior will be showing its age by now.
One angle worth adding, given the budget is tight: at this age the specific car matters more than the badge, and the purchase price is only part of it.
Both are now old enough to need money spent immediately - bushes, dampers, brakes and tyres are consumables on either, and each has its known engine jobs to check for evidence of. On the ST, ask about the block mod / liner history and cambelt and water pump; on the 130i, the electric water pump and thermostat, oil leaks from the rocker cover and oil filter housing gaskets, and whether the cooling system has been refreshed. A car with invoices for those is worth more than a slightly cheaper one without, even if the cheaper one drives better on the day.
Also worth getting insurance quotes on both before deciding - they can sit in surprisingly different groups depending on postcode and history, and with a house move coming the running costs (both like a drink, and both want decent tyres) are a bigger factor than the headline mpg figures suggest.
Keeping a reserve back rather than spending the whole budget on the purchase would be my priority with either - the best example you can afford to run beats the theoretically better car bought at the top of the budget.
Both are now old enough to need money spent immediately - bushes, dampers, brakes and tyres are consumables on either, and each has its known engine jobs to check for evidence of. On the ST, ask about the block mod / liner history and cambelt and water pump; on the 130i, the electric water pump and thermostat, oil leaks from the rocker cover and oil filter housing gaskets, and whether the cooling system has been refreshed. A car with invoices for those is worth more than a slightly cheaper one without, even if the cheaper one drives better on the day.
Also worth getting insurance quotes on both before deciding - they can sit in surprisingly different groups depending on postcode and history, and with a house move coming the running costs (both like a drink, and both want decent tyres) are a bigger factor than the headline mpg figures suggest.
Keeping a reserve back rather than spending the whole budget on the purchase would be my priority with either - the best example you can afford to run beats the theoretically better car bought at the top of the budget.
Thanks for the comments so far.
The budget is what it is for various reasons, but these two choices are my 'sensible' options. I'm not concerned with the ongoing maintenance for either of them. I don't imagine they'll throw anything worse than what the 330d could, and certainly will be less than the e92 M3 I had previously.
The budget is what it is for various reasons, but these two choices are my 'sensible' options. I'm not concerned with the ongoing maintenance for either of them. I don't imagine they'll throw anything worse than what the 330d could, and certainly will be less than the e92 M3 I had previously.
I was in a similar position with my 330d, albeit an older E46. Great car and could demolish an motorway easily - but just wasn't exciting to drive and felt a bit of a pudding after my E36.
I swapped it for a 125i, so the coupé version of the 130i (same engine but detuned, smaller front brakes) which was much more like it. Just as quick after I had it remapped and much more fun on a B road.
That was 12 years ago and I still have the 125i and have no plans to move it on. Maintenance wise it's been similar to the 330d - it has thrown the odd big bill but hasn't let me down and is running better than ever on 191k.
Might be worth looking at the 125i as well if you can find one?
I swapped it for a 125i, so the coupé version of the 130i (same engine but detuned, smaller front brakes) which was much more like it. Just as quick after I had it remapped and much more fun on a B road.
That was 12 years ago and I still have the 125i and have no plans to move it on. Maintenance wise it's been similar to the 330d - it has thrown the odd big bill but hasn't let me down and is running better than ever on 191k.
Might be worth looking at the 125i as well if you can find one?
bodhi said:
I was in a similar position with my 330d, albeit an older E46. Great car and could demolish an motorway easily - but just wasn't exciting to drive and felt a bit of a pudding after my E36.
I swapped it for a 125i, so the coupé version of the 130i (same engine but detuned, smaller front brakes) which was much more like it. Just as quick after I had it remapped and much more fun on a B road.
That was 12 years ago and I still have the 125i and have no plans to move it on. Maintenance wise it's been similar to the 330d - it has thrown the odd big bill but hasn't let me down and is running better than ever on 191k.
Might be worth looking at the 125i as well if you can find one?
I have looked at them. Although I prefer the hatch, if a good 125i appears it could be a potential.I swapped it for a 125i, so the coupé version of the 130i (same engine but detuned, smaller front brakes) which was much more like it. Just as quick after I had it remapped and much more fun on a B road.
That was 12 years ago and I still have the 125i and have no plans to move it on. Maintenance wise it's been similar to the 330d - it has thrown the odd big bill but hasn't let me down and is running better than ever on 191k.
Might be worth looking at the 125i as well if you can find one?
A Golf R32 has also suddenly become a top contender. After previously discounting due to high tax bracket and 'AWD', I've realised they might feel a bit more special. Need to test drive one soon
I have owned a mk5 R32 with kw coilovers for about 12 months. Sounded great with plenty of grip. Ludicrous Tax bill. Terrible on fuel.
An x had a Focus ST which I drove. Comfortable and lovely engine note. Cheap feeling interior.
I also owned a cheap 130i until 8 months ago, which had 186thou miles when I sold it after 3.5 years. This is by far the longest I have ever owned a car. Fun, even in standard form, but would be even better when fettled with suspension and bushes. Reliable when looked after, bar the usual BMW oil leaks. Reasonable tax. Good on fuel on a run. Worst sounding of the lot, but way more rewarding to drive and rev out on a B road. Mine was a pre lci and had such good feeling through the wheel, my F21 M135i is completely lifeless in comparison. Look on the 130i owners group on facebook for any info you may need, but I wouldn't hesitate in having another.
An x had a Focus ST which I drove. Comfortable and lovely engine note. Cheap feeling interior.
I also owned a cheap 130i until 8 months ago, which had 186thou miles when I sold it after 3.5 years. This is by far the longest I have ever owned a car. Fun, even in standard form, but would be even better when fettled with suspension and bushes. Reliable when looked after, bar the usual BMW oil leaks. Reasonable tax. Good on fuel on a run. Worst sounding of the lot, but way more rewarding to drive and rev out on a B road. Mine was a pre lci and had such good feeling through the wheel, my F21 M135i is completely lifeless in comparison. Look on the 130i owners group on facebook for any info you may need, but I wouldn't hesitate in having another.
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