The 130i Is One Of The Best Used BMWs You Can Buy Right Now
Whenever I have an idle moment, I head over to the classifieds and have a jolly good browse. But recently, there’s been one car I look for first almost without fail: the E87 BMW 130i. I’ve been tempted by one of these for ages, because they tick a hell of a lot of boxes. Great engine? Check. Good chassis? Check. Great looks? Well, this one will divide opinion, but I reckon it’s a handsome devil.
The big draw, of course, is the 265bhp, ‘N52’ 3.0-litre straight-six. It’s the most powerful non-M N/A straight-six BMW ever built, and it’ll get you from 0-62mph in an impressive 5.5 seconds, and on to an electronically-limited top speed of 155mph.
It’s one of the few rear-wheel drive hot hatches in existence, although there are a few handling upgrades I’d consider, namely a limited-slip differentially and perhaps new dampers.
The best part is they’re not all that expensive. The cheapest are currently hovering around £5000, and we found this tidy looking 2006 example for £7695. Sure, that’s E36 M3 money, but as we discovered recently, buying a car like that does have its pitfalls.. The 130i is a much less complex car, but is still bloody quick, so for this kind of money, we reckon it’s the used BMW to have.
Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.
Comments
Designwise, not good enough to “be a BMW” but one of the best if you remove the badge and look at is as a simple (golf, focus, astra substitute) hatchback
My dad had a LE one for a little while, a few years back. Great car, one he wished he never sold.
I have a 118i m sport. It’s only a 4 pot nasp but it’s bloody good fun. Handles great, a good daily and enough power to put up a good fight with other cars. M2 next though
As an American… I would love to buy this car but its not legal here. Is there any loop holes for getting this car in US?
With the same engine, there are the 325/330i (e90) if you need more space in the cabin. ^^ A 330i (e90) LCI is my dream ! <3
Ive got one of these, Awesome cars!
5k because its RHD. A LHD one is about 10k Euros in Germany..
But does it come with the ultra rare “amber flashing indication kit”?
I had one, lovely engine, sounded great with pipes on it.
It did lack abit if excitement, and really needed a lsd!
All in all it was a great car
get the 135i, twin turbo goodness