Revolver

Some food for thought (an argument starter ) and something to gauge your resale/trade-in options by:

I've often scratched my head and wondered what I'd replace the 8 with (besides the obvious - another 8 ). When you think about it, there's not much for similar money that does all that the 8 does. To find something that handles better (okay, as good) and goes harder yet still has sporty looks and can sensibly seat four it's a big jump $-wise to say, something like the M3 (or even a 330i). Hell, even the Monaro ( ) has been discontinued.

However, the BMW 130i is now on sale locally. Now, before you smirk and shrug that it's only a hatchback and not a particularly pretty one, consider some hard numbers: 195kw, 315Nm (@ 2750rpm!), less than 1 second slower to 100km/h than an M3 and sells for $62,000 (with leather and M Sport package standard).

It has the semi-practicality that some of us bought the 8 for (i.e. four doors and a back seat for the cookie snatchers). It also handles as well as the 8 in my view (yep, I've had a test-drive out of sheer curiosity) owing to its RWD, relative light weight, well sorted suspension and 50/50 weight distribution. Oh, and badge cred (if this matters to you) that WRX drivers can only dream about.

There will be those among you who are addicted to rotaries and I respect that but not all of us are card-carrying orthodox rotary nuts and (again IMHO) this BMW straight six gives nothing away to the Renesis for smoothness and driveability. Call me a heretic but it's always healthy to check up on the opposition.

Reservations - looks and well, it's still just a hatchback and there will be many (including me) who think $60,000 is a shedload of money to pay for a hatchback, no matter how hard it goes or how many M badges are on it. As a result, the limited market for such a jigger may make resale hard (hmm, similar to the 8?? - just a question). Of course, there's also the BMW ****** factor to consider, not to say the cost of servicing.

However, as another niche player in the market, I reckon the combination of practicality, power and price make it a natural competitor for the 8. What do the rest of you think?

<adopts maximum flame protection huddle>

edit: Having given it a tad more thought - this might be a great second-hand buy. Assuming that driving it out of the showroom will wash $10-15K off the price, I'd seriously consider a 1 year old version for high $40Ks.

EZZY

does it have to be a brand spanker?


for me...

pre-loved:
jap: Nissan R34
euro: Audi RS4

new:
jap: Mitsu EVO9
euro: not sure yet, but wont be a BMW

labrat

Well, you've probably found the nearest thing, and I think you've also even-handedly listed the pros and cons, but really, the 8 does a better job at holding passengers. We took my 91 year old mother-in-law up the coast for a Christmas barbie at my daughter's place. She had plenty of leg room. and found the rear doors easy to negotiate. She was very comfortable there and back.

I don't know enough about the ****** factor to comment, but does the 1-series rate in those stakes? For example, I scarcely look at them, because I confuse them with a Mazda 3 and even the new Astra from some angles. How far up the scale does the ***** thing cut in? Does a 4-door 318 rate? Apparently in the UK they're practically a reps car. Tough stuff, this product positioning. I think I'll stick to chemistry, its easier.

takahashi

Revolver... I heard that the 1 series chassis is not made very strong and the back end can snap easily without a lot of warning like the 8. It maybe good in the street driving.. I am predicting doing a time slower than Stu at Sandown .

Seriously it is a great 2nd car, but it ain't a sports car; let alone a sport hatch back. IMHO the Golf GTi is much better in terms of overall package, despite they are $20K cheaper. I heard it is only $1500 to get the GTi going to 180kW (reflash ECU), and doing low 34s at Sandown.


My replacement however, will be an EVO 9. Although the STi spec C (imported from Japan) is also high on the list.

Otherwise, I will want the Golf; and dreaming for a Caymen.

Revolver

hehe, I'm with you on the RS4 - I've got a mate who has one. Damn that thing is fun! However, even second-hand they're still a whole lot of moola.

Couldn't live with an EVO9 on a day to day basis and don't much like the look of them either.

Come back to me when you've decided what the new euro would be.

Revolver

Agreed that there is more space in the back of the 8 than there is in the back of the 1-series. However, for kids it is more than adequate. Besides, if a long trip is involved we usually take the family truckster instead. So, for me, while I need the extra seats, they don't need to be sofa-sized.

I was really just kidding about the ****** factor. Old habits die hard I suppose. Where I grew up, sheer jealousy led to the conviction that anyone rich enough to own a BMW, and especially a Porsche, simply had to be a ******! Guess that kind of thing no longer applies now that there are more 3-series than Fords in some suburbs. And I agree that the 1-series is hardly the car to excite mass-envy. Actually, if exciting envy is what does it for you, I guess I've already answered my question. Little doubt that the average punter will be far more impressed by the more overt sporting shape of the 8 than the tarted-up shopping trolley looks of the 1-series, no matter who's in front after the TLGP.

Revolver

Where did you hear that about the 1-series chassis? I suppose time will tell and BMW does make the odd sub-standard model but I doubt the chassis is a problem.


Now you've well and truly lost me. Agreed it is not a sports car as a purist would define the term but if it's not a sports hatchback, how do you define the concept???? I also fail to see why you would buy a FWD of a similar weight with 50kw less power that you have to hotrod to still get 15kw less power. Further, how is the GTi a better overall package? To me, the only advantage of the Golf over the 130i is the $20K change in your pocket (not to be sneezed at, which is why I reckon a 1 year old 130i is a good way to go).

Scotty

Heres a couple of suggestions:
Alfa Romeo Brera (GT Coupe)
Golf R32
Subaru Liberty GT
Lexus IS250

takahashi

I only heard from 3rd hand about the 130 and do you want me to drive it and give you a honest Clarkson like report?

I will do that in the new year one day I promise....

ILIV48

[QUOTE=takahashi]I am predicting doing a time slower than Stu at Sandown .
QUOTE]



One day Taka... One day.

The thing about the BMW is I don't trust the quality when putting on the track. Both directors here at work tracked their BMW's a couple times and then just out of warranty both engines died. One is a 330 the other is a 540 and both serviced to the book with an oil change between each major service. It was the head that went on the 540 and I think a piston decided to exit the 330's engine

takahashi

Me like this list...

Although the Alfa GT has a following comment.... from me


************************************************** ******************
“Gran Turismo” or “Grand Touring”, GT stands for “fun”. This is what I aimed to find out. Alfa Romeo in a sense now becomes a fashion statement. Dealership in Melbourne is not big but the market is certainly growing. The pretty blonds match their Louis Vuitton bags with the 147s pacing in Toorak, while the alopecic, vertical challenged cruise down the bayside in the open top Alfa Spider, struggling to put their right elbow on the door. Will the new Alfa GT impress a young professional who has high fashion sense and like to wear his checker red Declic shirt?
The Alfa GT shaped in a coupe hatchback. Ironic combination, don’t you think? What is strange is that they aimed to create a 2 door GT car by matching a grunty V6 with a front wheel drive chassis. Anyhow, let’s concentrate on the styling of the new GT. The exterior has a trademark Alfa look for the front, nothing is special there. The rear end has borrowed the design from the 156. To make it slightly different, Alfa have thrown in hatch back with a 40-60 split rear seat. That allows great useable boot space. That’s I think is the best feature for a GT car. The interior finish is the same styling as the 147, or maybe with a stronger built and slightly more refined. The GT is packed with features like duo climate control, sound control in the steering wheel, MP3 player and matching Bose system. They even throw in the reverse parking sensor, too. The well stitched leather seats are something VERY VERY special. It is the most comfortable seat I have ever put my butt in. It hugs you with great support, especially on the shoulder areas. I wish I could have the chance to test drive the car for an hour or 2. They are heated too; there will be no cold behind anymore.
The mechanical side was on par with what I tested in a 147GTA. The engine makes an excellent rumble upon turning of the key. It sounds like a straight pipe but much less in the intensity. How can a 3.2L V6 sound this good, is that the chrome coloured manifold? Is it something to do with the 10mm exhaust tips? I don’t think so, the 147GTA have the same thing but sound nothing like this. Between the dealer and me, we can not work it out. So we just jump in the GT, wind down the window and off we go. The power is progressive and smooth – it is the same Alfa V6 feel. However, I don’t feel the punch as in the hot hatch 147GTA. The gears are certainly taller, the car is heavier and the torque curve is certainly different. It is more tuned to a luxurious style. Guess what is the first disappointment so far? I guess this is very Italian and certainly fits to an enormous ego for an Alfa GT owner - they have a long stick to run the gears. To further disappoint me, there is a long throw between gears and long travel of the clutch. The pedals are well placed otherwise, easy to heel-toe even to a novice like me. The handling is great for the front wheel drive despite of the conservative stability control. The chassis is softer than traditional sport car but on par with a luxury sport. The suspension is soft too but the car turn well to where the steering wheel is pointing to, it is likely a credit to the 225/45-17 Potenza S02. It is still too soft and too much sway for my liking but certainly have improved from the 147GTA. The brakes are 4 pot "Ferrari 360 (style and) sized" brakes, they are good but not magic. There are better brakes out there, like the RX-8 with MazdaSpeed brakepads .
In general sense $88500 is an enormous price tag. But there are 9 exterior colours and 4 interior leather colours to choose from. You can even get a red car with tan leather! I am sure even Paris Hilton can find a strange match of colour here. Style is here, fun is limited, and my pocket is safe for another day. In the meantime, I am dreaming what I can do with the spare $20000 to the say, a 350Z, an RX-8 or an STi.
************************************************** **************

takahashi

Cough

http://fifthgear.five.tv/jsp/5gmain....escription=BMW 130i M Sport&section=&show=


It may be it was the steering that my friend was referring to.

Sorry for But I stand it is not a sports. It maybe a hot hatch but it is just in the same league as Alfa GTAs, and R32s.

I will drive it though. Around the twisty or on March 9th

Revolver

The 5th gear test pretty much backed up what I found about the car. Looks and price are the dealbreaker I guess. Hmm, a S/C 8 is starting to look a MUCH better idea.

Hymee??? When is that thing gonna be ready??

Revolver

Alright already - nagger!

Revolver

Alfa's fall apart and are FWD. Also cost too much when compared to the 8.

Like the Golf, 'tis true. MUCH better looker than the 130i.

The Liberty is a bit boring for me. Very nice drive though.

The Lexy would be better if we were getting the 350. Very exxy too.

Thanks for your input though. Good to get some other ideas.

takahashi

Cough Cough ehhhh R32 is a 4WD

I wonder if I can hire a 130i for the cruise in March

Revolver

Something caught in your throat there Taka?? - never said the R32 wasn't AWD. YOU were talking about the GTi. Anyways, can you buy the R32 here??

Yes, hire the 130i so we can all give it a thrash around the back streets of Palmy! It's carpark burnout time!!!

Revolver

Sorry Kall, I acted on the old stricture of "if you can't find anything nice to say...".

However, since you asked, I dislike the way Saabs look and I don't think they've EVER sorted their suspension properly for Aussie conditions.

The Audi is a nice thing but pretty exxy (and heavy) when compared to the power and handling on offer from both the 8 and the 130i for that matter.

Funnily enough, as this discussion progresses, I'm more and more sold on the 8 (having concluded that the 130i is just too ugly). If only the 8 had some more low-end torque and another 25kw. Imagine the car with 200-220kw (@ 7500) and 300-320Nm (from 3000rpm) - unbeatable combination for under $100K.

takahashi

First thing first:

Yes you can get a R32 here. They were $70000 on the road brand new 1.5 years ago.

You can only get 2nd hand now. They are all sold within 3 months.


Hiring a 130i:

I am working on it. It is too new for any car company to acquire one in stock and manual Do you know 90% of BMW drivers drive an automatic use 3 paddles mate.

Revolver

IC, thanks.

$70,000 - damn, that IS an exxy hatchback!! I see they've already washed $15,000 off the price. Wonder what they will be worth when 3 years old - under $40K I bet.

Yep, knew that about Bimmers. That's why they went to automated manuals so early - self-shifting is obviously for the lower forms of life.

takahashi

Why is this demo cost that much Mr. Revolver?