Today I drove BMW 130i

[Just_me]

Today I drove a BMW 130i with sportpackage, 265hp/315nm.

What a lovely little car to look at and the blue colour suits the car very well.
When I started the car and drove away I had to stop soon again and the brakes seem to be sensitive. When I hit the brake I went forward, almost touching the steering wheel. It was the only time and I quickly got used to the brakes and to brake properly. The brakes are very good, stopp the car very fast when you for instance brake hard from 80 - 0km/h. The brakes get a big plus from me. The steering response is fast and precise.

If I compare 130i to 330i, the 130i is very nimble and you rather be playing with a 130i than with a 330i. 130i is like a little go-cart.
130i was equipped with sportpackage so when you did a slalom test the chassi follow you everywhere you steer. It didnt feel like a boat or something in the courves, I loved the chassi. Some carmags has complained that the sportchassi is a little bit stiff but its nothing I noticed. If I ever bought a 130i, then the sportpackage is a must for me and it looks good as well. I like sportoriented cars so of course I prefer a sportpackage, not that I did a long trip to Germany or so but I had no problems with the sportpackage. The leather seats are also enjoyable to sit in.

330i has more space inside and is more practical but its not sporty as a 130i. 130i is really a toy and fun to play with.

I did several acceleration tests and the car gladly and with easy reached 140km/h, third gear at 7000 rpm and the speedo shows 140km/h. Everytime I changed from first to second gear the antispinn started to blink and you could feel the reartires spinning for a very short time. I dont know if was because of worn out tires.

Anyway, its a fun and nimble car and sportpackage is recommended. If you think 130i is worth the price of 330i, well thats up to you to decide but if you dont need space and simply want a toy, 130i makes perfect sense to me.

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http://img58.imageshack.us/img58/4900/img05168sy.th.jpg (http://img58.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img05168sy.jpg)http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/7607/img05171vg.th.jpg (http://img91.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img05171vg.jpg)http://img58.imageshack.us/img58/8145/wheel5wo.th.jpg (http://img58.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wheel5wo.jpg)

[Ghostbat]

Nice color but the 1-series will propably never look good to me. Looks too long and that sagging waisteline makes it even worse but who cares. Nice writeup Just_me. The 130i must really be a blast to drive with all that power and rwd. Was it on the "BMW on tour" you tested it? I'm thinking about testing the 650ci if I get the chance.

[Just_me]

Nice color but the 1-series will propably never look good to me. Looks too long and that sagging waisteline makes it even worse but who cares. Nice writeup Just_me. The 130i must really be a blast to drive with all that power and rwd. Was it on the "BMW on tour" you tested it? I'm thinking about testing the 650ci if I get the chance.

it was something like that but the tour was only for diesel cars they said

[1zippo1]

I believe you when you tell us about the excellent driving dynamics of the 130i. It's a car I would like to try out! But buying one is never an option IMO. As you said, you pay the price of a 330i which is larger and definitly a better looking car. The 1 series isn't ugly, but it's still a bit weird.

thx for the write-up.

[MartijnGizmo]

Everytime I changed from first to second gear the antispinn started to blink and you could feel the reartires spinning for a very short time. I dont know if was because of worn out tires.

265hp should be enough to break the rear tires loose. :)

[taygunho]

1.30 i is really good car. I like 1 series ans 1.30 has great sound. Last week I saw one on red lights.Whe it turned green 1.30 accelerated like a rocket and it gone. But honestly it is so expenxive and taxes is too high in Turkey. Because of this I prefer 1.20d than a 1.30i

[Pehtren]

Thats great to hear Just me, the 130i is great car for me, i like it very much :P

But i dont like its price :(

Thanks for the review :D

[TransAm]

Thanks for the write up!

I've only driven the 230hp 330i, which wasn't the slowest car in the world, but hardly what I would call earth-shatteringly quick.