yep, miss my old corolla sportivo with the screaming 1.8 2zz, more character about high revving NA, you need to work those engines more, but more rewarding to drive
I used to have 335i n54 400hp I have now a 130i with lsd, m3 lower control arms and upper + kw coilovers.. it is slower, but it is just a much more balanced car and more fun
You can't even drive slightly spiritedly in Auckland any more, with how the traffic police are behaving. There is nowhere left that doesn't stink of bacon. Basically if you want o drive fast you have to become a cop. Then you're a law unto yourself. I'm not even sure why I own an M135i anymore. Bad fuel consumption and I can never even out my foot down. It's pointless. So maybe owning a slower N/A car is actually more fun, as you get to use all the revs and at least 2 gears. Cheers, keep up the good content bro.
@@KiwiCarLife It's beyond annoying mate. I don't do horrendous speeds. I just want to accelerate to my car's potential. Legally as long as you don't break traction, they have no right to pull you over. But they always do anyway. We have to follow the letter of the law, but they bend the rules all the time.
I agree on the Naturally aspirated part. My L15B7 makes about as much Horsepower now as the K24A3 in the car I replaced, and it has 80nm more torque. But that K24, despite being more whimsical at 2-3k's was a heck more enjoyable. I think I'm just going to look for a "fun" second car. With the FD2 being high on the list.
_theres ALOT to be said for the “enjoyment/fun factor” of a car, it’s not always “high hp” or “looks/sound”.. IMO, it’s a combination of factors that bring a smile to your face… that’s what’s important_
Solid list of previous cars. I have the same engine\trans in a 530Ix touring, and have been poking around importing a 130i from Japan with the same super engine\trans but in a 1000lb light RWD car, mmmmm, good review comparison!
@@KiwiCarLife I miss my old RWD Supras! I see there are some nice not-too-expensive options for LSD on the 130i, add some MILVS and a header+ tune, yum yum! I really like the engine\trans (other then the magnesium wierdness aluminum bolt issues) but it does feel like at 3600ft where I live, the N52 is working hard to move the X-drive 530 touring around, mmmmm, the 135i coupe's are so pretty though! (no mountain bike in boot though!)
Theres a well known cheap mod that takes a 125i or 128i coupe to the unreleased 130i coupe. I have done this with my car and its glorious :). Makes it a very special rarity.
@@ashleys7416 still 130i, just prefer the engine for my driving style. I don’t really care that much about high horsepower, just enough but with predictable power delivery and instant response
Good comparison, but I'd stick with the n52, plenty of power in a small hatch, more reliable and you'll be able to keep your license for longer. better overall daily. The n54, big numbers and potential, maybe more suitable for European roads with no speed limits
Well, they’re a ticking time bomb. You could buy one and have it for years with no issues. But the water pump, or turbo failure could strike at any time. Hence their reputation
@Alkhoholic unfortunately upon release they had issues with the high pressure fuel pump, injectors, etc, I replaced everything with newer revision parts that were fixed, so my car is more reliable now at 15 years old than it was new
@Alkhoholic what In particular? Pretty much all the money had been spent upgrading it for performance, it's never actually broken down or had an issue despite making 600whp, most likely as I upgraded stuff before it had a chance to go wrong too. Ie replaced water pump and thermostat when I upgraded the turbos, as it's a much easier job to do at the same time. A more sensible option for most people would be an M235i with the N55 engine compared to an N54 135i, however if you just want pure speed it's a lot easier to go fast with the N54
I had a 135i cabriolet with a manual and to be honest... it was a bit boring. Just as the e89 sdrive23i with the n52b25 Maybe its complaining on a high level but thats how i witnessed it
Yeah the cabrio would have ruined the 135i I reckon. More weight, less rigidity. And if the gear ratios were anything like the one I drove I could understand. It felt like it was for motorway cruising not back road barnstorming. I had an E89 and thought it was fun tho!
@@KiwiCarLife the thing with the e89 for me is that it was too heavy for a high revving inline six and not the ride set up was too comfortable from factory It was a nice cruiser but not a sporty car, stick in between somehow But anyway i love it nonetheless, thats why i bought my sixth one
@@KiwiCarLife You're confusing N62 and N63! N63 being the hot-V turbocharged motors with every single issue imaginable. Hot garbage. The N62 is the naturally aspirated V8 equivalent of the N52, and they have the exact same issues (DISA actuators, VANOS solenoids, eccentric shaft sensors, every single gasket and seal etc.) minus the water pump (since it's mechanical on the N62). N52s also suffer from valve stem seal issues FYI, although much less widespread. Most if not all N52s consume oil and it's because of the stem seals. M62s are the motors that suffer from timing chain guides failing.
@@nvl2691 The common problems with the N62 engine are: The Alternator oil seal The leaking Coolant reservoir The small coolant recovery hose on top of the rad The peep hole leak by the water pump on the engine block The diaphragms on the valve covers The valve stem seals The valvetronic motor malfunction the bad oil pump caused by bad LOF service As opposed to a N52 which only has the oil filter housing gasket, valve cover gasket, water pump, and spark plugs/injectors as its main maintenance items.
@manusnz thanks, I have loads of fun roll racing etc, as it can do 100-200km faster than Cars that cost 100k plus, basically it's intention is to be a sleeper, although can any 3L inline 6 turbo in a small car be considered a sleeper? Probably not. Lol
No more than any other car really, if you get parts from the right places. That said the N54 is known to blow turbo wastegates at 100-200,000km so they can be problematic. The N52 is just known for valve cover oil leaks and water pump. Both of which are pretty inexpensive to sort out and then they’ll be good for another 10 years.
@@KiwiCarLife i have the 130i 6mt, i bought it brand spanking new in 2009, its now at 290 000kms and the only thing i have changed is the water pump, it runs on original everything and i am still shocked, the pump cost me $450
Great comparo, I think your conclusion at the end of the vid makes a lot of sense mate, go for the turbo with the auto and the na with a manual. Anyhow they are two very cool cars imo!
7:53 7:53 @@KiwiCarLife, oh I wish it was that cheap in Europe... Here, e87 / e81 130i's, or e82 125i (all with the n52, 125i is just detuned and can be coded to 130i levels), for a good, well kept car prices go from 12k - 20k+. Below 15k most of them have a thing or two wrong and need extra money to be invested. Also, for my example, if I were to buy from Germany and import, I would have to pay 2.5k more for taxes 😅... I've been looking for a well kept 125i for a normal price over a year now, no luck still. Maybe one day, until then I'll keep following your 130i videos, and I'll enjoy my 118d e87! Cheers!