takahashi

I will be at Springvale for the whole day on the 9th March

AMG

is that coz the other is going to sydney...

ILIV48

Yeah baby!

You know I would and have

Zen

There is the BMW Head Office located on Spingvale and Wellington Rd in Mulgrave, which I am just around the corner off. There are so many of these baby beamers to been seen heading out and into the site, that I'm sure that these things must be given to executives as a job perk. Although there are a fair few X5's as well.

Anyways I don't mind the front of the 1 series, they do lok sexy, but too expensive to pay for this kind of imported German engineering...... if I was after a good german car, I would buy a VW GTi for that kind of money. Less image and prestege but awesome car......Dr Taka u should do a review on the GTi , this is my recommendation from Dr Zen

Anyways off the subject, I now have found 2 other 8's living around a few blocks from me, a black one with lots of mods, wheels, lowered, plates, bod kit and another stock silver just 4-5 doors away from the black 8.

takahashi

Yeah baby Yeah

I am waiting for the new R32 for a Taka's review

And I am in Springvale driving very fast

timbo

Well...er....as potentially fitting into this (age, declining follicle count, empty nester)....
....I bravely decided to test drive the 130i, too. Had it for about 2 hours, so was able to try it over a variety of roads that I drive my 8 over fairly frequently.

First, it has torque (that's what you notice, not hp) so it pulls well and smoothly; it has comfortable seats with enough adjustment in them, plus steering reach and rake, to find a comfortable position. But the gearshift feels very sloppy (cf my RP snickshifter and -- I reckon -- the stock 8 shift) so it is easy to get lost in the gate. Yes, I am sure you get used to it, but.....

Suspension. Taka says soft I say harsh and choppy due to those bloody run-flats that make you realise the sidewalls on the 040s are actually compliant The ride is also affected by the short wheelbase and the relatively heavy weight of the car relative to its overall dimensions (1375kg). I'd find it hard to live with around any city with mixed surface roads, and the clunks and bangs from those tyres over lane change markers would probably mean I'd consciously avoid changing lanes

At higher speeds it improves but the 8 is better. The 130i is quieter and that torque means you can put your foot down in higher gears, and the car will move. But rapping it through the gears, and there is nothing between it and the 8 in terms of acceleration. Actually, the 8 is and feels faster, but involves a little more work. But well all like that, don't we.

Handling? Well, I'm not as discerning as taka but I found it pretty good. The effect is influenced by more of a sense you are sitting on the 130i, whereas you sit in the 8, so I sensed I was sitting higher and (despite the excellent seats) moving around more. Steering was good, I felt -- well balanced -- and I didn't sense the 'delay' to which taka referred. I felt overall it handled pretty well, but the 8 feels better.

It has a nice ambience but the dash is standard BMW. Lots of toys to play with -- computer, nav (an expensive option) and that iDrive must be ok after you've done the 2 day training course

The backseat is pretty hopeless. Much tighter than the 8. I've had backseat pax in the 8 for a 200k trip. They were ok. They would not be happy in the 130i.

Hatch space is good -- for a hatch. And, of course, you can fold down the back seats, which is a big bonus when your wife buys that large objet d'art when travelling (oh, that's another reason I like the 8 )

I'm still coming to terms with its appearance. Front is ok, but from the rear it could be a Pulsar, Astra or even 3 hatch. Unlike many BMWs, you'd want to keep all the badges [b]on]/b] this one!

The absolute killer happens when you get out of the car, and speak to the salesman. Look, this think has a RRP of around $63k. But I must have been lookingthe other way because suddenly, the on road price of the one I tested was $76k What the .....!

So I went back out with him, and went through all the bits it had fitted: $1600 for metallic paint; $2800 for sunroof !! ...ok, I'd skip them anyway, but those prices are nearly double Mazda's You spend $4200 for the nav system but that means you also need a higher spec stereo....even anti-dazzle mirrors cost $650. And the worst bit is you pay LCT on all this stuff.

The 8 is such excellent value in comparison, and remains IMO a better drive

The natural competitors of the BMW 1 series is the Golf. I'm going to test a GTI next, and I think it will eat the 130i in terms of vfm and fun, even though the equivalent model to the 130i is the R32. For lesser models of the 1 series, why would you go past (cough, cough) the SP23 hatch?

But I did like that motor....which makes me think....the Z4 Coupé might be a great drive

Revolver

Well balanced review Timbo.

Must say my initial enthusiasm for the 130i has waned. They're just too ugly for the money.

But I still reckon we should all test the 130i, if only to tease the BMW salesmen.

And I still love the motor...

ILIV48

Yep I think that will be a pretty nice drive too!

takahashi

What would be the diff between the Z4 conv and Z4 coupe I wonder.

astro

Timbo,

Would you ever get a 130i? If so, would you ever miss the RX8?

As for the motor:

Sure the 3.0i BMW donk has torque and power... it has the displacement advantage.
Does power tapper off fast approaching redline? Where in the rev range does it start getting coarse? OR does it get coarse?

Referring to your comment about 130i being quieter:

IMO,

The RX8 NVH is impressive. Only drawback is the rough road cabin noise in the RX8. Here, I am referring to the coarse road bitumen that we encounter on the shocking low budget highways/freeways. From what I gather, on smooth suburban roads... the RX8 is very quiet. However, it is a sportscar made to react with our inputs... I prefer the suspension tune instead of the "floatiness" associated with luxury vehicles to reduce cabin noise. Just remember, the RX8 does not have much sound deadening.

On a final note... I gather you are happier in the RX8. A happy RX8 customer?
Good review by the way!

timbo

No, I'd never get a 130i, but I do like that motor and in something like a Z4 coupé it would be quite a treat. It has a bundle of torque from about 1500rpm and runs smoothly through to 7500rpm. Not as smooth as the Renesis of course, but very nicely for an up-n-downer (as opposed to to round-n-rounder )

Astro, I've had my 8 since Aug 03. The reason for driving the 130i is because it is approaching lease roll-over time, and I want to see what else is around. I love the 8, but it hasn't advanced much at all in nearly three years in terms of iPod integration, better coarse road insulation (a problem with all Mazdas, and maybe some interior changes

Revolver

Another shameless dredge.

Motor have accquired a 130i as a longtermer (see p120 of May issue - only just received mine - bloody hopeless subscription service ).

Will be interesting to see what they think of it over time.

For those who want the summary of the first report, yes they comment on the awkward styling, high price, lack of foot room for rear passengers, "bloody iDrive" (how many times have we all read those two words together? ) and the runflat tyre compromise but have plenty of positive things to say.

The power, torque, etc goes without saying, as does the fantastic smooth power delivery. However, I was interested to see that they also raved about the handling (testing all those heavy Aussie Falcodores has eroded their radar? ). Indeed, they reckon the 130i laps the 'Ring nearly as quickly as the M3.

Oh well, nothing like stirring the pot and I enjoy the odd bit of repulsion (see Taka's opening comments in his test at the start of this thread).

takahashi

indeed they will lap the 130i the same lap time as M3... when they are driving it... say 2 years/lap...?

Or Am I overestimated their driving skill?

BTW I have not driven an M3 but love to for a comparo. Mr. BMW you have my number.

Revolver

LOL - I know where you're heading but no - Motor's journos didn't do the testing.

Reading between the lines in the article (i.e. what BMW won't tell them), it sounds like BMW's inhouse testing established the closeness in lap times between the M3 and the 130i. Obviously such testing is not the last word about anything but it does indicate the 130i's general ability.

timbo

It will be interesting to follow. The criticisms of the BMW are really pretty obvious, but ultimately it doesn't add up to good value for money...especially with what else is coming down the road (3 MPS at the low end; R32 Golf GTI at the other)

Revolver

Yes - value for money kills it stone dead.

Still, if resale prices aren't kind and you can put up with the looks, I reckon it would make a fun secondhander on normal tyres.

nugsdad

I think the bang for your bucks game will also get interesting with the new Ford focus XR5 turbo and the HSV Astra. Might need to go for a test drive or 2. The trouble with these sort of cars is that they can never divorce themselves from their shopping trolley heritage. The beauty of the RX8 is it was designed from the ground up as a sports car.

nugsdad

Someone else wants to compare with the 8

Would I buy a Typhoon over an RX-8? Yeah, I reckon I probably would. Not that I've driven the RX-8 as much as the F6, but being squished into the rear of a Japanese coupe is not what I want to put my friends through.

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

Gomez

hey nugsdad...what's the F6 like? I'm considering one in place of my old XR8. This is an old thread....we can go a little off topic here .

Revolver

Of course we can.

Speaking of the Motor May issue , if you're after some more feedback on the F6 'Mez you might want to check this out. The F6 won their Aussie PCOTY shootout. XR6T came 2nd and 3rd (in manual and auto form respectively). The Red Brigade must be spewin'!

BTW guys, before anyone launches into me for referring to a car mag (again), I'm not suggesting anything written in them is gospel. They're just a handy way to pick up info and get a general feel for what a car will do before you test drive it yourself.

nugsdad

from what I hear its a weapon. 0 - 100 in 5.5 why buy a V8?

Gomez

Indeed.

You have driven one? Taken one for a decent fang?

xxup

I spent most of the day in the back of Robby-jai's car on the March NSW RX-8 cruise and found it very comfortable.. There is more head room in the back than there is in the front seat... Visibility from the back is good too - I took most of the photos from the back seat... Lots of leg room - much more that I found in the back of a crewman ute... You could do some serious work in the back of this car...

Typhoon looks like another Falcon and BMW 130i looks like a Nissan Pulsar hatch, but the 8's looks are unique.

Revolver

Don't be so shallow Adrian.

Looks only take you so far - after that it's heart and brains that count.