E87 130i Questions

v8can · 11-19-2013, 04:48 PM

Hello I'm currently researching the E87 130i and can't decide between an auto or a manual. I'm curious as to how much the performance is dulled due to the torque converter. Can the tires still be made to chirp with the auto while riding the transmission up to about 1500 rpm? I ask because my brother in law has an E60 530i with the 200kw engine and the M-sport pack so its over tired IMO, and it just goes off the line without fuss or a hint of the traction control system being needed. Also how is the durability of the automatic?

Thanks for the help.

kmli5 · 11-20-2013, 12:47 AM

I would suggest you get the manual if you are comfortable with stick shift.
The driving enjoyment would be dulled by an auto transmission no doubt.

smilebrian · 11-20-2013, 02:52 AM

How is this even a consideration?
Manual.

skyscraper_g80 · 11-20-2013, 04:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smilebrian

How is this even a consideration?
Manual.

+1.

quasio · 11-20-2013, 05:57 PM

Definitely manual..

ok i know its a whole different kettle of fish, but i've been considering moving to a E90 335i (4 door) which i've found only autos.

And while its very good still doesn't compare to manual. (also the torque curve is massively different so i'd assume the 335i auto will feel a lot better than 130i auto)
130i's arent that torquey.

130i manuals shift very nicely, the clutch is a little soft at first but you get use to it. (CDV delete helps this slightly)

skyscraper_g80 · 11-20-2013, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quasio

Definitely manual..

ok i know its a whole different kettle of fish, but i've been considering moving to a E90 335i (4 door) which i've found only autos.

And while its very good still doesn't compare to manual. (also the torque curve is massively different so i'd assume the 335i auto will feel a lot better than 130i auto)
130i's arent that torquey.

I frequently drive both, and whilst the 335i is much torquier and more effortless, it lacks the involvement, crisp throttle response and sound of the 130i in my opinion

quasio · 11-20-2013, 07:50 PM

oh you have both

yeah i kind of felt that too.

I did feel the 335i to be much more stable cornering, and had a more neutral poise, where the 130i was skittish, very slightly front heavier.

Power wise.. because of the relatively constant torque delivery of both, it honestly didn't feel that much more exciting.. (but maybe a tune will fix that) but could well be the auto vs manual.

although i did think the 335i exhaust note was nicer.. had a more raspy noise.. (i have stock on my 130i)

anyway off topic.. MANUAL!

v8can · 11-20-2013, 09:23 PM

How much does a new clutch installed cost? I ask because if I choose a manual I'd be learning to drive manual in that car hence my dilemma between the auto and the manual.

flinchy · 11-20-2013, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quasio

oh you have both

yeah i kind of felt that too.

I did feel the 335i to be much more stable cornering, and had a more neutral poise, where the 130i was skittish, very slightly front heavier.

Power wise.. because of the relatively constant torque delivery of both, it honestly didn't feel that much more exciting.. (but maybe a tune will fix that) but could well be the auto vs manual.

although i did think the 335i exhaust note was nicer.. had a more raspy noise.. (i have stock on my 130i)

anyway off topic.. MANUAL!

you should actually find the 335i to be much more nose heavy... the N54 vs N52, there's a good 60kg or so weight difference - BMW's pretty well all have a 50/50 weight balance though as far as i know, or close to it!

i can tell the missus' 135i is much heavier up front than my N52 haha

the short wheel base will make all 1ers feel a little less stable than the 3ers though.

not sure on the 335 exhaust, but the 135i definitely needs opening up with the turbos muffling, it's almost silent compared to my 130

and yeah, all the N54 powered cars REALLY need a tune to feel more alive! - i find it harder to speed in the 135i, cos you have to put your foot down then a slight pause THEN acceleration.. the 130i you put your foot down then go 'well... i'm here NOW...' hahaha

anyway

130i manual may be a LITTLE quicker than the auto, due to power losses etc.

135/335, the auto is much faster, due to load keeping boost between shifts etc

still, 6MT all the way 100%!!

RadiuM · 11-20-2013, 10:32 PM

You wont do any damage to the clutch.

Unless you drive like a complete and noob, similar to how you see them in movies when trying to learn "stick"

froop · 11-21-2013, 07:48 PM

Yeah don't worry about the clutch. I pretty much learnt how to drive manual in my 135 earlier this year. Even toon it to the drag strip 3 weeks after picking it up

Clutch still holding well! (Touch wood)

arthurtwp · 11-25-2013, 08:22 AM

the 130i manual is lovely. just got it. and my first manual car at that!! easy to learn on as long u are patient and careful.

difficulty being the hill hold assist that you can't turn off. may bugger your ability to do hill starts.

otherwise. love the car to bits. probs one of the best NAs around. bar the s65.

11-19-2013, 04:48 PM	#1
v8can Registered 1 Rep 2 Posts Drives: E46 318i Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Sydney iTrader: (0)	E87 130i Questions Hello I'm currently researching the E87 130i and can't decide between an auto or a manual. I'm curious as to how much the performance is dulled due to the torque converter. Can the tires still be made to chirp with the auto while riding the transmission up to about 1500 rpm? I ask because my brother in law has an E60 530i with the 200kw engine and the M-sport pack so its over tired IMO, and it just goes off the line without fuss or a hint of the traction control system being needed. Also how is the durability of the automatic? Thanks for the help.
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11-20-2013, 12:47 AM	#2
kmli5 Private First Class 10 Rep 183 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Melbourne iTrader: (1)	I would suggest you get the manual if you are comfortable with stick shift. The driving enjoyment would be dulled by an auto transmission no doubt. __________________ 2008 BMW M3 \| 6MT \| OEM Exhaust Mod \| Black Grilles \|
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11-20-2013, 02:52 AM	#3
smilebrian New Member 2 Rep 27 Posts Drives: 130i Join Date: May 2011 Location: Brisbane iTrader: (0)	How is this even a consideration? Manual.
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11-20-2013, 05:57 PM	#5
quasio Private 0 Rep 72 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Perth iTrader: (0)	Definitely manual.. ok i know its a whole different kettle of fish, but i've been considering moving to a E90 335i (4 door) which i've found only autos. And while its very good still doesn't compare to manual. (also the torque curve is massively different so i'd assume the 335i auto will feel a lot better than 130i auto) 130i's arent that torquey. 130i manuals shift very nicely, the clutch is a little soft at first but you get use to it. (CDV delete helps this slightly)
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11-20-2013, 07:50 PM	#7
quasio Private 0 Rep 72 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Perth iTrader: (0)	oh you have both yeah i kind of felt that too. I did feel the 335i to be much more stable cornering, and had a more neutral poise, where the 130i was skittish, very slightly front heavier. Power wise.. because of the relatively constant torque delivery of both, it honestly didn't feel that much more exciting.. (but maybe a tune will fix that) but could well be the auto vs manual. although i did think the 335i exhaust note was nicer.. had a more raspy noise.. (i have stock on my 130i) anyway off topic.. MANUAL!
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11-20-2013, 09:23 PM	#8
v8can Registered 1 Rep 2 Posts Drives: E46 318i Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Sydney iTrader: (0)	How much does a new clutch installed cost? I ask because if I choose a manual I'd be learning to drive manual in that car hence my dilemma between the auto and the manual.
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11-20-2013, 10:32 PM	#10
RadiuM Captain 38 Rep 839 Posts Drives: 135i, 97 GTR VSpec Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: perth iTrader: (1)	You wont do any damage to the clutch. Unless you drive like a complete and noob, similar to how you see them in movies when trying to learn "stick" __________________ '09 BMW 135i, Lemans Blue '97 Nissan Skyline R33 Series II GTR V-Spec
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11-21-2013, 07:48 PM	#11
froop Colonel 171 Rep 2,682 Posts Drives: 08 AW 6MT E82 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (3)	Yeah don't worry about the clutch. I pretty much learnt how to drive manual in my 135 earlier this year. Even toon it to the drag strip 3 weeks after picking it up Clutch still holding well! (Touch wood) __________________ froop's AW 135i Build Thread
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11-25-2013, 08:22 AM	#12
arthurtwp Second Lieutenant 36 Rep 283 Posts Drives: '12 1 Series M '17 M3 Comp DCT Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Perth, Australia iTrader: (0)	the 130i manual is lovely. just got it. and my first manual car at that!! easy to learn on as long u are patient and careful. difficulty being the hill hold assist that you can't turn off. may bugger your ability to do hill starts. otherwise. love the car to bits. probs one of the best NAs around. bar the s65.
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