[danb1979]

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/...f=47&t=2093671

After donating the F31 to my wife due to her new job & more commuting required (plus the safety aspect of her having to drive up/down the M65 which unfortunately has plenty of accidents on a monthly basis due to its design...); I needed a 'weekend toy / banger' to keep me occupied whilst my body's doing it's best to try and kill me again...

So this is it; a 2007 E81 130i LE with c143k miles on it

Bought it for what the Jazz sold for; so not out of pocket in that sense; but me being me, I've spent a fair whack on it already replacing various parts; having new Michelin CC2s fitted from Camskill; a full brakes and fluids overhaul the other week and it'll need a full top engine gaskets refresh very soon as the rocker gasket is leaking (like they all do), so a new rocker cover, gaskets and other bits will be collected soon enough and sent with the car to my pals to have all that done... And that'll be it until Spring 2025 when I look to treat myself to a different set of wheels for summer tyres and potentially coilovers; again for my pals to fit and fully set up properly etc

It's a lovely car; the N52 straight 6 is a superb engine. It sounds superb with the OEM back box and flap mod (ie it's open all the time), and the BMW spec dry K&N filter fitted to the air intake

It drives/handles superbly on the Bilstein B4 shocks and Eibach pro kit springs and the Michelin CC2s I've found to be excellent tyres and better than the PS5s that were on when I got the car

Full project here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/...f=47&t=2093671

Most recent work was the OWM BMW brake discs & pads, and fluids overhaul with all new plugs all round (diff, engine oil & gearbox plugs etc); then just fitted new sill trims on Friday from BMW

I've fitted all new OEM BMW chrome kidney grilles, stubby aerial, fuel filler cap, ZHP gear knob and a very immaculate/like new steering wheel as the original one was heavily marked and faded...

Some pics for now..

[boba-fett]

Congrats on the new ride! A lot of fun for little money. Nice colour combo too!

[danb1979]

Originally Posted by boba-fett

Congrats on the new ride! A lot of fun for little money. Nice colour combo too!

Cheers - it's a great little car and very comfy inside...

I'm down nearly 5 stone now; so things are starting to be more roomier for me, but the seats sit plenty low enough and far back enough too... There's no chance in anyone sitting behind me though!

It pulls like a train and sounds excellent; I did the clutch delay valve removal on it as well when I did the gearbox fluid change; it's made an excellent difference to the gear changes, more so from cold when they were very notchy, that and decent Redline box fluid has made it much, much better...

[3-GT]

Congratulations on a fantastic motor. Had a 120d E87 for over 10 years and always admired the 130i. If I had room for a fun car, I'd definitely have one.

Although I appreciate originality there's probably one image mod I'd do. BMW Aero spoiler. Always felt it should've been standard on the E81/E87. Really finishes off the back end of the car.

Enjoy.

[danb1979]

Originally Posted by 3-GT

Congratulations on a fantastic motor. Had a 120d E87 for over 10 years and always admired the 130i. If I had room for a fun car, I'd definitely have one.

Although I appreciate originality there's probably one image mod I'd do. BMW Aero spoiler. Always felt it should've been standard on the E81/E87. Really finishes off the back end of the car.

Enjoy.

Cheers

Yes others have said that but for me I quite like it as it is...

I may look at it again come next Spring, but trying to avoid any sort of bodywork as it'll end up like Forth Road Bridge.

The cars a 6ft'er... Any closer and you can see all its foibles...

With it being my weekend banger, I don't want to get precious re the paintwork... It'd be a very expensive fix!

I've sorted the rear subframe surface rust and deep cleaned the wheel wells and arches (zero rot thankfully) and will keep the mechanicals tip top etc...

[isleaiw1]

Looks great, and def one to keep standard and look after. I imagine 6 pot manual will be collectible st some stage...

[danb1979]

Originally Posted by isleaiw1

Looks great, and def one to keep standard and look after. I imagine 6 pot manual will be collectible st some stage...

I'll be doing my best to keep it OEM 'Plus'

[XAlp]

👏

[Alscoob]

Nice one Dan, cool car that is, not many around. Enjoy

[danb1979]

Originally Posted by Alscoob

Nice one Dan, cool car that is, not many around. Enjoy

Cheers and yes; you're right...

They weren't really on my radar; but very few crop up & there were no other 'decent' examples for me to go and look at...

So a train down to Basingstoke and days drive back to Lancashire it was...

And what a superb drive back it was too (M40 closed, had to make my way across to the M5 avoiding the M4 due to roadworks etc; so Google Maps took me through some gorgeous countryside and small hamlets/villages I've never heard of)!

[M33DLO]

I had the same (my 2nd 130i), great cars:





Mine had the BMW Performance huge front 6 pot calipers, intake, zorst and short shift, and replica front splitters. Also the Aero sills and spoiler.
I sold it for a Z4 coupe with the same N52 engine.

[danb1979]

Originally Posted by M33DLO

I had the same (my 2nd 130i), great cars:





Mine had the BMW Performance huge front 6 pot calipers, intake, zorst and short shift, and replica front splitters. Also the Aero sills and spoiler.
I sold it for a Z4 coupe with the same N52 engine.

I remember seeing that on the Pistonheads forums (I think)

Lovely car and those BMW BBK brakes look superb

I know the blue Brembo 340mm front brake calipers/discs etc are a direct fit and would look well; but I don't think they're needed... The new BMW OEM discs & pads I've fitted have the car stopping superbly

I'll get HEL lines fitted soon enough and that should finish the braking system off nicely

I just wish the owner before me had kept the OEM window trims rather than the black ones he fitted... I'll have to keep my eyes out for another set

[martin10chk]

Looks superb and we know from your F31 refurb that you know how to do them 'right'. I drove one of these when they first came out (only a test drive as couldn't actually afford it) and thought it was a truly aspirational car. 6 pot, manual and well quick enough. So congratulations. Sorry to hear you are suffering with your health again. Having just been for my second hernia op in 3 months you have my empathy / sympathy!

Quick PS - Are those really black window trims or has the previous owner wrapped the original ones. I had that on my 330i and looked very convincing. But and easy undo.

[C320]

Congrats Dan that looks stunning - I also spy the sat nav - quite a rare option on that era of 1er. I've always loved the 130i's and the LE is a great model with the cream leather.

Like yourself I like the chrome trim too - what a nice car to daily

[danb1979]

Originally Posted by martin10chk

Looks superb and we know from your F31 refurb that you know how to do them 'right'. I drove one of these when they first came out (only a test drive as couldn't actually afford it) and thought it was a truly aspirational car. 6 pot, manual and well quick enough. So congratulations. Sorry to hear you are suffering with your health again. Having just been for my second hernia op in 3 months you have my empathy / sympathy!

Quick PS - Are those really black window trims or has the previous owner wrapped the original ones. I had that on my 330i and looked very convincing. But and easy undo.

Originally Posted by C320

Congrats Dan that looks stunning - I also spy the sat nav - quite a rare option on that era of 1er. I've always loved the 130i's and the LE is a great model with the cream leather.

Like yourself I like the chrome trim too - what a nice car to daily

Cheers both...

martin10chk - yes OEM gloss black trims off another E81 that he'd bought as a 'parts car' etc... They do look well; I just think the OEM matt alu trim would look better; I've found some parts on eBay but can't find the rear window sections.. So what I may do is take it to a guy I know in the local village that has a decent wrapping business and see if he can show me some matt silver options... If no go then I'll leave it

And yes; that N52 straight 6 is hell of an engine; always loved the M54 3.0 in my E39s; one of the best engines BMW made IMO, but the N52 with its power increase and more torque (and in a car about the size of my foot ) it really goes! Sounds excellent as well

Thanks re the health; fortunately no further ops for me, but still having issues from my gallbladder removal last June, on various meds for it now with more scans planned etc and have just had 3 weeks off work (signed off with stress and anxiety); as my body has just had enough and it was starting to really affect me... I'm down to 112kg bodyweight now (I was 140kg last June)!

It's cost me a fortune to replace my wardrobe haha

And cheers C320 - yes it has NAV and I have the DVD for it too; but it's so out of date its laughable and of no use... Fortunately my 16 Pro Max has Google Maps and Waze and it sits well on the magsafe holder etc...

I haven't been anywhere in it yet really (bar the drive home)... Any long distance trips will always be in the F31 (ie we're off to Filey on Friday for a week, so the F31 will be loaded to the gills)...

The E81 is literally the weekend car and for more fun drives out

[Wills2]

Haven't they aged well, I really like that lemony cream leather that they did back then and those wheels are epic.

I'm just about to buy an 8 year old E class convertible as my lease car goes back next week as I step off the PCP/lease merry-go-round, I thought I knew how to buy a car but I've only ever bought new ones so it's all a bit daunting TBH.

[danb1979]

Originally Posted by Wills2

Haven't they aged well, I really like that lemony cream leather that they did back then and those wheels are epic.

I'm just about to buy an 8 year old E class convertible as my lease car goes back next week as I step off the PCP/lease merry-go-round, I thought I knew how to buy a car but I've only ever bought new ones so it's all a bit daunting TBH.

Well TBH I wanted another 7 series but decided against it, for now... Wanted to get back to a manual and petrol; thought of Honda CTRs etc, but couldn't cope with their interiors and a BMW manual straight 6 is hard to turn down

The Boston Lemon interior is lovely; the front seats are worn as you'd expect for a 17 year old car with 143k miles on... They've got heated seat covers on for now; but will have a think come Spring as whether to re-dye them etc...

I've never bought a new car ever since passing my test in 1998; the F31 is the youngest car I've every owned and that's a 2015!

Once the mortgage is gone (c2 years) then I'll look at a brand new car probably...

[Wills2]

Originally Posted by danb1979

Well TBH I wanted another 7 series but decided against it, for now... Wanted to get back to a manual and petrol; thought of Honda CTRs etc, but couldn't cope with their interiors and a BMW manual straight 6 is hard to turn down

The Boston Lemon interior is lovely; the front seats are worn as you'd expect for a 17 year old car with 143k miles on... They've got heated seat covers on for now; but will have a think come Spring as whether to re-dye them etc...

I've never bought a new car ever since passing my test in 1998; the F31 is the youngest car I've every owned and that's a 2015!

Once the mortgage is gone (c2 years) then I'll look at a brand new car probably...

Yeah its a 7 series that's going back, they are wonderful cars as you know, I've drawn up a 100 point checklist that I'm going to go through with the car tomorrow.

I think cars can last a long time if you look after them I've had the Z4C for nearly 18 years and it looks no more than 3 years old but I spend money on it I've just spent another £1500 refreshing it with new window seals all round headlights out and polished and re-coated plus 2 stage polish and I know other people don't in the main.

Buying the e-class from a used car dealer who is my friend, can't wait to see his face when I turn up with that list.

Quite looking forward to having a convertible again.

[C320]

Originally Posted by danb1979

And cheers C320 - yes it has NAV and I have the DVD for it too; but it's so out of date its laughable and of no use... Fortunately my 16 Pro Max has Google Maps and Waze and it sits well on the magsafe holder etc...

Indeed, it's funny how quickly the tech dates, the old map systems look pretty similar to Ceefax now (for those old enough to remember that!). CarPlay / Android Auto have really moved things on in terms of usability / intuitiveness.

[Wills2]

For me it's the cars from that era that didn't get screens that will age better, my Z4C didn't have the sat nav optioned and the interior looks better for it 18 years later as they all look like fisher price toys these days although having it as foldable helps, the E9* looks better for having no nav in it as well much cleaner look IMO.

[danb1979]

Originally Posted by Wills2

For me it's the cars from that era that didn't get screens that will age better, my Z4C didn't have the sat nav optioned and the interior looks better for it 18 years later as they all look like fisher price toys these days although having it as foldable helps, the E9* looks better for having no nav in it as well much cleaner look IMO.

Agree; I've set one of the buttons on the steering wheel to close it; I tend to do that as soon as I'm out & about in the car, although it comes in handy for hands-free if someone calls etc

[Wills2]

Originally Posted by danb1979

Agree; I've set one of the buttons on the steering wheel to close it; I tend to do that as soon as I'm out & about in the car, although it comes in handy for hands-free if someone calls etc

On my new car the fisherprice screen is staring right at me so I have no choice, it's a 2016 and by then BMW had good screens but Mercedes were still 10 years behind.