BMW 130i..

GreenMint

GreenMint

GreenMint

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Hey guys, what are people's thoughts on the BMW 130i? I'm almost decided on a Focus ST, found a great one nearby, but then then 130i popped into my head and has got me thinking, I'd be looking at 3 doors as the 5 door 1 series makes me an unhappy person!

Is it doable for a good, well maintained 130i m-Sport under £12K? Thats the limit I have assuming £4000 part-ex value on my Civic, and I'm pretty much assuming a 125/123D Coupe is pretty much unobtainable under what looks like £14,000, let alone £12,000!

How does the 130i M-Sport weigh up? I know it and the Focus only really have being hatchbacks in common, but as said before I'm not after anything "in particular" work 38 weeks a year 8 miles each way, so any MPG over 22-24 is fine really..

Thoughts? :)
 
Unfortunately you're not going to find a 3 door 130i for anywhere near £12k as the 3dr didn't come out until 2007.
But if your budget is £14k then you might just be able to do it. Not too common though.

Agree with what Fox said re: interior quality.
That said, brilliant car with a fantastic engine and rwd. Which is nice.
 
Depends what you want from your car...

The Focus is a better car in the sense that it is more practical (bigger boot, more room), but the 130i will be much better to drive.

The Beemer is accessible at your budget as a 5-door, but you'll struggle to find an LCI one.

And 3-door hatches just ming and defeat the object of being a hatchback (IMHO). But then, I have two kids.
 
Not sure how to take Foxy suggesting a vauxhall, but no :p The VXR I drove last week was enough to make me steer clear of any breed of Astra for a while!
 
[TW]Fox;17819895 said:
What about an Astra SRi?
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Nice car m8, but then again I'd congratulate you if you bought that or a 130i. As long as you enjoy the purchase my opinion matters little though and I won't air it.
 
An Astra? Think I would rather take my chances with an Alfa 147 GTA. At least it looks better inside and out, even if it can't go round corners.

OP, go look at the Focus that is local to you.
 
naefeart said:
An Astra? Think I would rather take my chances with an Alfa 147 GTA. At least it looks better inside and out, even if it can't go round corners.

OP, go look at the Focus that is local to you.
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Already looked at it, test driven it, negiotated a possible deal (My car + £8,000) for the ST 3 with Climate & Sunroof (only 2 extras) and 6 months road tax.

not sure how good/bad value that is in your minds?
 
Depends on the age of the ST3 and milage.

If its a facelift model then 12k isnt bad as that would make it ~2 years old, if its a pre-facelift then 12k isnt that great, also bare in mind that climate control was standard on the st3 facelift if i remember correctly.
 
I had the same dilema as you 18 months ago. ST or 130i. Went for the 130i. No regrets. The engine is awesome and I'm still not tired of the sound it makes. Mine is 5 door and pre LCI, and as mjt has said, you'll not find a 3 door at £12k. Make the compromise, you'll not regret it.
 
The 130i looks crap. But then the Focus looks like a Focus and the Astra is an Astra so really is the fact it looks rubbish that big a deal?
 
BurningHorizons said:
Let's face it, so does the 3 door. It has marmite looks, granted. If you haven't already, go test-drive one, and you'll soon get over the looks!
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I'll see if I can cover my eyes enough to jump in and try it from the inside!

[TW]Fox;17825997 said:
The 130i looks crap. But then the Focus looks like a Focus and the Astra is an Astra so really is the fact it looks rubbish that big a deal?
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The Focus looking like a Focus isn't such a bad thing, the ST isn't exactly ugly, if I could stretch to a 125 I know I'd go there!

But I can't! :(
 
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