130i M Sport 5 dr or Golf MK5 GTI
130i M Sport 5 dr or Golf MK5 GTI
Author
Discussion

Sideways Rich

Original Poster:

1,110 posts

193 months

Sunday 20th February 2011
quotequote all
Looking to buy a car to replace my girlfriends car and one I'll use in the short term as a daily driver, these are the two cars I'm comparing - at this point I'm pretty sure I prefer the 130i M sport - it seems fairly cheap to run for the RWD fun and practicality on offer.

What are the common issues to look out for with the 130i?

Thanks

adycav

7,615 posts

233 months

Sunday 20th February 2011
quotequote all
RWD 6 cyl vs FWD 4 cyl - you know the answer!

With regard to issues with the 130i, mine was the ONLY car I've ever owned where NOTHING went wrong. Some people find swapping the runflat tyres for non-runflat alternatives improves the ride but I never bothered.

Engine sounds fantastic and pulls wonderfully. Surprisingly good on fuel, I'd regularly see 40+mpg on a run.

Great car.

TheInternet

5,019 posts

179 months

edition

985 posts

206 months

Sunday 20th February 2011
quotequote all
130 gets the vote here!!!!

danneth

1,077 posts

203 months

Sunday 20th February 2011
quotequote all
edition 30 for me

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2498959.htm

Edited by danneth on Sunday 20th February 19:54

TameRacingDriver

19,454 posts

288 months

Sunday 20th February 2011
quotequote all
Another vote for 130i. Golf GTI... meh! I think I'd rather drive my ancient E36 328 than a Mk5 Golf GTI TBH.

adycav

7,615 posts

233 months

Sunday 20th February 2011
quotequote all
OP you wouldn't want to change your username to Understeer Rich now would you?

wink

wackojacko

8,581 posts

206 months

Sunday 20th February 2011
quotequote all
130i

with a proper Quaiffe ATB diff 1200 quid fitted drive in drive out.

and you have your self a weapon that is alot of fun !

Sideways Rich

Original Poster:

1,110 posts

193 months

Sunday 20th February 2011
quotequote all
adycav said:
RWD 6 cyl vs FWD 4 cyl - you know the answer!

With regard to issues with the 130i, mine was the ONLY car I've ever owned where NOTHING went wrong. Some people find swapping the runflat tyres for non-runflat alternatives improves the ride but I never bothered.

Engine sounds fantastic and pulls wonderfully. Surprisingly good on fuel, I'd regularly see 40+mpg on a run.

Great car.


That's good to hear - what are the things to look out for on a 55 plate with around 60k miles?

Sideways Rich

Original Poster:

1,110 posts

193 months

Sunday 20th February 2011
quotequote all
wackojacko said:
130i

with a proper Quaiffe ATB diff 1200 quid fitted drive in drive out.

and you have your self a weapon that is alot of fun !
First thing that'll I do is fit a proper LSD!

wackojacko

8,581 posts

206 months

Sunday 20th February 2011
quotequote all
Sideways Rich said:
wackojacko said:
130i

with a proper Quaiffe ATB diff 1200 quid fitted drive in drive out.

and you have your self a weapon that is alot of fun !
First thing that'll I do is fit a proper LSD!
Good man , Quaiffe is the pinacle make for loads of fun ! and ditch the fking run flats if it still has run flats on it.

adycav

7,615 posts

233 months

Sunday 20th February 2011
quotequote all
Sideways Rich said:
what are the things to look out for on a 55 plate with around 60k miles?
Not much...

V8A*ndy

3,697 posts

207 months

Sunday 20th February 2011
quotequote all
1 series all the way.

BMW performance intake and exhaust sounds really good and the brake kit is ace to.

snorkel sucker

2,695 posts

219 months

Sunday 20th February 2011
quotequote all
Here you go

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... help - which, not what, car!&mid=87481

I had a similar dilemma a while ago. As you can see from my profile, I went for the 130i! Nothing has gone wrong, it sounds great and goes like stink when you want it to. It handles wonderfully and ive taken it on a driftday and trackday where it was superb fun. The brakes, even in standard guise, are fantastic. Tyres on mine are now falken fk452s which are much cheaper and just as good as the runflats.

everytime you take it to the redline through 2nd and 3rd, you'll know you made the right choice! They are wonderfully cheap now too. Great news for you, not so much for me!

Sideways Rich

Original Poster:

1,110 posts

193 months

Sunday 20th February 2011
quotequote all
adycav said:
Very interesting and just confirms my decision to go for the 130i! Thanks for the link

Sideways Rich

Original Poster:

1,110 posts

193 months

Sunday 20th February 2011
quotequote all
adycav said:
OP you wouldn't want to change your username to Understeer Rich now would you?

wink
Ha ha, you're right with PH logic like that there was only ever one choice!

frosted

3,549 posts

193 months

Sunday 20th February 2011
quotequote all
Why would you go for the m sport compared to the se ?

Sideways Rich

Original Poster:

1,110 posts

193 months

Sunday 20th February 2011
quotequote all
snorkel sucker said:
Here you go

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... help - which, not what, car!&mid=87481

I had a similar dilemma a while ago. As you can see from my profile, I went for the 130i! Nothing has gone wrong, it sounds great and goes like stink when you want it to. It handles wonderfully and ive taken it on a driftday and trackday where it was superb fun. The brakes, even in standard guise, are fantastic. Tyres on mine are now falken fk452s which are much cheaper and just as good as the runflats.

everytime you take it to the redline through 2nd and 3rd, you'll know you made the right choice! They are wonderfully cheap now too. Great news for you, not so much for me!


How does £8,700 for a 55 plate with 55k miles (full BMWSH) with a spare set of wheels and tyres sound for value?

Colonial

13,553 posts

221 months

Sunday 20th February 2011
quotequote all
130i. I would have got one but over here a 06 model asks the same price as a new Golf GTI so nowhere near as good value. A 07/08 model is the same as a new Golf R.

Great cars to drive though.

Sideways Rich

Original Poster:

1,110 posts

193 months

Sunday 20th February 2011
quotequote all
snorkel sucker said:
Here you go

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... help - which, not what, car!&mid=87481

I had a similar dilemma a while ago. As you can see from my profile, I went for the 130i! Nothing has gone wrong, it sounds great and goes like stink when you want it to. It handles wonderfully and ive taken it on a driftday and trackday where it was superb fun. The brakes, even in standard guise, are fantastic. Tyres on mine are now falken fk452s which are much cheaper and just as good as the runflats.

everytime you take it to the redline through 2nd and 3rd, you'll know you made the right choice! They are wonderfully cheap now too. Great news for you, not so much for me!


How was the car on the drift day? Have you had a LSD fitted or was the car standard?