The BMW 130i M Sport is the closest thing the German automaker offers to its original M3 of the 1980s, but it doesn’t quite recapture that experience, explains John Simister. “The two things that deprive the 130i M Sport of the hoped-for old-M3 feeling are, oddly, two things that today’s sporty-car fans could well regard as plus points. If they haven’t driven an original M3, they might not mind the M Sport’s over-firm, choppy ride on typical British backroads. They’ll just think it confirms the M Sport’s performance credentials,” explains Simister. “And they might like the steering, even though I don’t. I’ve always found 1-series’ steering to be oddly viscous, with surprising resistance when returning to the straight-ahead position.” Still, the 130i M’s “tautness” and “immediacy” make up for its shortcomings, Simister says. The Leftlane Perspective: Now if only BMW would release its 1-Series coupe — which the company has said will come to the U.S. — we’d have a true M3 throwback.
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01/16, 8:36 PM
posted by:
JSP
no LSD = no M
01/16, 8:41 PM
posted by:
P. Alexandrakis
The picture you have is not of a 1 series but of a 3 series, and not an M3, so something has to change…
01/16, 9:04 PM
posted by:
BC
Uh yeah, listen to him. Sounds like he knows his stuff.
01/16, 11:20 PM
posted by:
Madcapp
That’s a 1 series you dumb ass.
01/17, 9:21 PM
posted by:
P. Alexandrakis
There is no reason to be a jerk about this. Since posting my comments the picture was changed.
01/18, 11:03 AM
posted by:
BC
my apologies P.Alex…
02/15, 8:27 PM
posted by:
Dave
I got one here is Australia just b4 Xmas. I came from an Ozi car with 285kw & 520Nm so it’s a major step down in power but I’m OK with that. What I am finding infuriating is the bevy of ’saftey’ features that destroy the driving experience. When people ask me how it drives I tell them I don’t know, it doesn’t let me. I offer some suggestions and then the car decides if it going to accept them; usually it doesn’t and does as it pleases. Those aren’t looking for a drivers car, like to have software engineers prescribe the driving experience or are used these ridiculous, sometimes dangerous invasions then this car is for you.
I actually came here looking for an ECU upgrade that will fix it. Any thoughts?