Talk to me about 130i e87s

[hybrid 1043]

Any e87 130i owners out there.. or anyone who's driven them.

I'm interested in people experience good or bad.

Fuel economy comparable to a 330 ?

[m325i 709]

Nothing to contribute, but I am also looking at 1 series and looking for any 'buyer's guide' info. Sans engine, they are all the same right?

[qube 3570]

Don't own one but drove one for a while.

Mainly good and a few bad points.

Good:

Plenty of power and an awesome n52 engine

Good handling and doesn't feel like I'm driving a mini

Heaps of room. I can imagine those who are over 6ft tall still having enough headroom. Boot space is decent and should be fine to fit baby seat in the back seat or whatever

Fuel economy seemed a bit better than my e46 330i. Not sure how it compares to e90 models

Bad:

Runflats

Runflats

Runflats

But seriously I just don't like it. I can see how it's quite a good feature and suits probably more people than those who don't like it.

[allan 295]

http://www.webwombat.com.au/motoring/news_...port-review.htm

Depends on what gen of run flat you are talking about up gen 3 I believe and they seem to have ironed out a few of the problems from the previous one's.

[qube 3570]

easy enough to swap out for some nice wheels anyway so its not really a problem anyway

[M3_Power 636]

Both of my brothers had one for about 3 or 4 years. I drove both at various times and loved it.

Handling, fit and finish ect closer to an E90 than an E46 in every way.

Economy wise depends on your right foot, but can be used quite economically if wanted. Little more economical than the E46 330i (which one brother owned before he traded it for the 130i).

Will fit baby seat and prams ect without issue (one brother had his first born during his period of ownership and never had an issue with regards to room - although he did say you had to bend over quite a bit to put kid in the backseat).

Neither had any problems with the car ever since new. So overall, very reliable.

One had the 18inch rim and the other 17s - personally I preferred the ride on the 17s over the 18s.

Quite a reliable car and very fast on the track - Mike Eady's race 130i could easily lap 1.08s all day around the old Pukekohe track.

[hybrid 1043]

Sounding good gents ... I'm looking at an 08 model with the 265bhp model engine. @ 1350kgs is pretty good in my book for daily.

I tried to talk myself into a 120i .. but as both of the cars are each around 300 HP mark I just couldnt do it. Plus the appointment of the 130i seems a lot better. EG leather etc.

[qube 3570]

Of course it's more like the e90 than e46! The e87 is from the e90 generation so it makes sense.

I personally don't really like the e90 shape and feel of the car overall as opposed to the e46. But in saying that I think the e87 is a great car. It's got a much sportier feel than the e90 which feels more like a luxury comfort kind of car. Yet the e87 is still a perfect family car being a 5 door hatch it's practical aswell (easier to convince the missus I guess!). Definitely find a msport one as you would with any other bmw basically but otherwise no issues I think!

Tom: the car I drove was on factory 18" wheels and I didn't like the ride quality either. I think changing the wheels for non runflats would be best.

[kiwi535 538]

my little 120 has excellent steering, steering feel and brakes.Seems to be an exelent handler.I am 6.3 and with the seat fully down have headroom but although the seat can go even further back it doesnt leave much room behind me for a passenger .

In my experience pirelli runflats are nicer than bridgestones or Contis.Its still harsh at times and that on 205 55 16s!

Edited September 3, 2013 by kiwi535