[F31-340i]

Just noticed early 55 plate ones are hovering around £12k.

Straight 6, manual, 230+ (265?) bhp, RWD.

Are these hidden forgotten gems? As 5 doors only at this age they look a bit naff, but does this matter!?

[ElegantSpoon]

I was thinking the same thing! If I had noticed before I got me E90 I might of had one now!! It seems like a right bargain IMO

[NFS]

Originally Posted by ///ajd

Just noticed early 55 plate ones are hovering around £12k.

Straight 6, manual, 230+ (265?) bhp, RWD.

Are these hidden forgotten gems? As 5 doors only at this age they look a bit naff, but does this matter!?

Would have been 258 hp. Peach of an engine and a fantastic car.

[MOB]

I have just bought a 120d and a 118d to replace my Cayman and 330d

Good points of 1 series;

- chassis is way better than the 3 series IMO, much more fun and chuckable
- still feels like a premium product, despite the less-ness

Bad points of 1 series;

- not a looker, though my 118d M Sport in white is pretty nice
- rear room really bad
- a few interior parts not as good as a 3 series

I think they are great cars

[dxb335d]

Looks utter wank from all angles. Coupe looks nice from side and rear. Otherwise just a A3 and A class rival.

[mjh93sa]

Aside from Carl's carefully reasoned argument, I have to say that everytime I drive a 1 series I am impressed by just how good they are.

External looks aside it is very familiar behind the wheel to any 3 driver. Drive wise the lighter weight and smaller package make it a delight to throw about. Never driven the 130i, only 118/120/123d and the 135i.

I would have to say that after the 330d though the four pot diesels just don't have the same level of refinement that a straight six offers (though the 123d near enough on a par performance wise). So for a six cylinder is has to be a 130i five door, or a 125i/135i coupe/vert.

If you don't need the space it's a cracking piece of kit and will definitely be on the list when the Touring is replaced.

[KadeSdad]

Originally Posted by ///ajd

Just noticed early 55 plate ones are hovering around £12k.

Straight 6, manual, 230+ (265?) bhp, RWD.

Are these hidden forgotten gems? As 5 doors only at this age they look a bit naff, but does this matter!?

I had one these when they first came out, on a 55 plate just as above. If you like the idea of the "hot hatch" then yes, they are a great little car. Acceleration ok, low down torque is good, but handling is not so, the backend is far to skittish under braking, even in a straight line.

I would in hindsight (because I had the choice at the time) to have opted for the latest Golf R32 which came out at the same time, not as 'hot' in a straight pull but round the twists with it's four wheel drive would leave the 130i in the distance. Plus you get loads more goodies as standard.

If you really want this car then buy it, you won't regret it, but don't drive the R32 afterwards as you'll wish you hadn't.

Marc

[MOB]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

Looks utter wank from all angles. Coupe looks nice from side and rear. Otherwise just a A3 and A class rival.

Bit harsh

[dxb335d]

Looks alright Mob. Aint pretty though is it.

[ElegantSpoon]

Thats a nice looking example but most don't look that great. Makes them a bit of a sleeper

[Martin 335d]

Its not a 130i but i almost bought a 123d 3door exactly the same as the white one above bar the colour, ours was going to be crimson red, cracking little cars but was not 100% convinced on the looks, looking at them now i am and i would certainly have one

Bought an A3 TDi instead and absolutely HATED it

In hindsight the A3 was a good move as it was crap, broke down, got a refund and we now have a 335 instead

mk5 Golf R32, they are not that great either, had a MK4 and TBH it was dull as ditchwater

[willhollin]

I'd have a 130i.

[F31-340i]

Thanks for the replies.

I don't like the look of 1ers - except for the coupe which looks good - but I was just tempted by the basic concept of a 130i.

RWD, 258ps, 12k with only around 35-40k miles on one. The coupes are nicer but all 135is are north of 20k and I don't want to spend that much on a "getting to work" second car.

Whilst nowhere near as much presence/good a noise as a CLK55 - I'm thinking I would have as much if not more fun in a 130i - and sod the way it looks. And it would be a whole chunk less risky to run I suspect than an AMG.

MPG doesn't sound that good on babybmw.net though - many only getting 23mpg.

(PS I have driven a 118d Cabrio and hated it - I assume the 130i is a completely different prospect)

[MOB]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

Looks alright Mob. Aint pretty though is it.

Nah you could never say it was attractive as such

They are brilliant to drive though, I was really surprised

[rogerxp]

I really like them, but you HAVE to have the alloys pictured above, they just make the car. Without them they do look a bit crap. I'd be driving a 130i now but for the budget I was sticking to they were a) private buy only (impossible once my buyer pulled-out) and b) very tired, crap spec and with massive mileage. For around £12k there are a lot of good examples around.

Three of my mates have 1 series and all rave about them. I felt the 123d was a little gutless when I drove a coupe version a couple of months ago (I had just stepped out of the 350 though) but imagine the 130i is a whole difference animal.

[RagingKileak]

Mine is a coupe so I cant specifically comment on the 130i or the hatch variants, but you have all read my review of the coupe and I like it.

MOB has been more direct than I was, but to say the 1 series is a better drive than the 3 is to state the truth - its absolutely, without a shadow of a doubt a better car to drive.

I would say that at HALF the price I paid for mine, a 130i is not a bad deal at all!!

Matt

[Petem95]

I like these - if you get the M-Sport with the optional 18" wheels they look great... from most angles, but still look weird from some others.

Before I got my 3 series I considered a 1 series - 120d, 123d or 130i. The thing is it's running costs with the 130i. MPG is only quoted at 30 overall, so in reality it'll probably be nearer 25, plus road tax is expensive.

I ended up looking more towards a 120d (177bhp) in the end as road tax is something like £35, quoted MPG is double the 130i and with a remap to 220bhp I doubt real world performance is that different..

If you only do a small mileage however they make a lot of sense, and I bet they sound fantastic under hard acceleration! There's some good clips on Youtube of someone who is pretty handy on the 'ring doing laps in these, and they look really stable and obviously handle very well.

[creepy coupe]

130i will put a smile on your face everytime you drive it ajd, I think £12k is strong for a four year old car though

[F31-340i]

Thanks for the info.

This is the one that caught my eye.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1364999.htm

It looks good for a 1er - but not exactly pretty. As stated above I think it would be hoot to drive.

Just seen one at work so I may see if I can get a pax ride.

[peterg1965]

It looks good, I like the colour and it has the right alloys and a decent spec.