BMW 130i - Common Faults and Some Buying Advice from George Austers

[@alexandercalisthenics7106]

Thank you! I’m thinking of buying a 130i for the last couple of months, your video helped a lot for the buying process 🙏😊

[@chrisogrady28]

I can recommend the 125i Cabrio as the best 1 car garage ever Which reminds me, you're welcome to drive it if you ever want James

[@ArmadaAsesino]

Disagree on the exhaust. It's far too muted stock. The 135i backbox with original 130i resonator and original 130i cats is perfect for this car. It's not louder just cruising around doing the shopping run or whatever. But there's a more aggressive noise up higher up the rev range when you're flooring it. And there's small cracks and pops on the overrun. It's the best mod for this car.

[@derekbuttery4776]

Could you make a video with George explaining how paint dries...?

[@davog1946]

Underrated comment.

[@thejudge-kv2jk]

He's actually sound. I follow his channel. Helped a lot with maintenance of my 120d.

[@derekbuttery4776]

@@thejudge-kv2jk not doubting anything to do with his personality, but I found this video quite mentally disarming, hence my comment... I like the channel and most of Jay's content BUT..... peace

[@valentijn9]

BMW E82 125i with the N52B30 is prettier in my opinion and a more sport-like iteration of the first generation 1-series. Some control arm upgrades and an ECU tune and you are set.

[@CaptJofaz]

Less practical and slower though

[@drewhender3999]

@@CaptJofaz that's why he mentioned the ecu tune, they're detuned stock

[@chrissygoncarsbikes7872]

George is definitely wearing his dads jeans from 1976!

[@GeorgeAusters]

Hahaha!

[@yerunski]

I own a pre-LCI 1 series, unfortunately mine is equipped with the weakest engine (in power terms at least) available, the 1.6. Totally agree on the power steering. I test drove a few LCI models and the steering feels quite different. I prefer the hydraulic that I have. When it comes to options, mine also has cruise control and parking sensors both front and rear, as well as heated seats. What I find is quite rare (even more rare than the cruise control option) is electrically foldable mirrors (not to be confused with adjustable mirrors). Mine was imported from Germany, maybe that's why I have that option. Quite handy!

[@eze8970]

Thanks J.

[@Scala598]

A nice addition to an LCI car is that you get an oil temperature gauge on the gauge cluster

[@KnaufL]

I don't have it on 2008 118d

[@Scala598]

@@KnaufL That's because you don't have a 130i.

[@Suffolkiwi]

Agreed. I like having that feature.

[@cv5645]

Fantastic cars. Mine has the Birds kit, AP's and LSD. Doubt I'll ever part with it.

[@thejudge-kv2jk]

I was just thinking I know a guy on KZbin who is selling one. I've bought a ticket. Nice car. His channel is worth a look.

[@cryptohouse1676]

Could you make a video about synthetic fuel? It seems to be thing that might save the future of ICE sports cars. Maybe we won't even need turbos in the future.

[@Lou-f]

£1000 for a fill an option? Check Engineering explained.

[@cryptohouse1676]

@@Lou-f Engineering explained is wrong. He thinks synthetic fuel will be made with electricity that costs the same as we normally pay at home. The truth is that the electricity used to make synthetic fuel is 10-15x cheaper. Synthetic fuel will probably not be made locally, but on the remote locations were this extremely cheap renewable electricity can be made. So in the long run it will be much cheaper than people think. The much lower efficiency won’t matter that much. In the longer run there isn’t really a limited amount of renewable energy. It is all a matter of cost and being profitable. To give an example: Covering only 1% of the Saharan dessert in solar cells gives enough electricity for the entire planet.

[@cryptohouse1676]

@@Lou-f you could argue that this very cheap renewable electricity could just be used directly. But that would require giant expensive batteries and extremely long power lines. Both give giant costs and also large losses in electricity. Synthetic fuel is perfect for using as this “battery” because of renewables intermittency and we already have the transport and storage solved.

[@Lou-f]

@@cryptohouse1676 how will electricity prices get 10x lower?

[@cryptohouse1676]

@@Lou-f For example: The average cost of electricity is $0.13/ kWh in the USA. The cheapest wind energy in the world (I think it was in some remote place in Argentina) was around $0.01 / kWh. And it is only going to drop more from here. I guess labor is much cheaper some places, and there is much more wind, so the turbine produces more electrcity relative to the capital investment. The fuel is still expensive right now, but I think the potential is definitely there when it is mass produced.

[@GeorgeAusters]

❤️

[@TheOrangeEliseCup250]

You know your BMW so much. Very pleasant to hear you talk about your car😉👍

[@jeffdocherty]

Would you recommend changing the timing chain given age of these now or with amount of miles?

[@claudiushempstead9893]

I have a 130i LE and much prefer the styling of this car to the later models. As for the early electric steering, I really find mine fine and my last car was a lotus Elise. Steering is all about “turn in” if BMW get that right , I’m sorted. Just my opinion.

[@EFRANEED]

It has to be said that this Hydraulic pre LCI and LCI thing, only happens in the UK as far as I know. In Japan, all South America and NZ and Australia, the LCI (Black cover engine) has also the hydraulic steering.

[@optiksnipegaming9720]

Love them i do want a 2005 model

[@Data4664]

Thnxs 😊

[@AdriWeedMan]

lci comes with oil temp gauge

[@StrikeEngine]

"It's not uncommon for these engine to reach"...... 40,000 miles, without too many issues.... (Joke)

[@crawfordbrown75]

[completely different engine] but my 118i had the turbo blow at 32k lmao

[@markwright3161]

As much of a joke as this might be, this was exactly true for my Ford Focus, fine until bang on 40'000 miles when it decided to become an AA member (Antifreeze-holics Anonymous). :) Boring stuff following (just in case anyone cares for more info). :) Now gets through coolant at something like 180 miles to the gallon with no obvious explanation. No coolant in oil, but it appears to be burning it somehow as there's no obvious leaks from pipes or anything, although for the amount it's using basically rules that out. It should be pooling under the car if it's losing it that way. Pressure tests, combustion tests and compression tests have all come back normal too somehow. Happening right at the start of all the lockdowns didn't help as I couldn't get to a garage, but topping up coolant regularly (or refilling the tank every 40 miles when it's done in one day) for the past year hasn't seen any change, except fewer longer journeys for a few months where it seems to have recovered slightly from its addiction, probably over 300 mpg (coolant) now, but diesel mpg is dropping slightly, 47.1 mpg or something, but it has always been sub 49 mpg for me with my driving style.

[@duffydon1741]

40kmls, issues, you must be joking, I am 160kmls all with factory everything.. and going strong..

[@malp6280]

wtf "its rare to find a bmw with cruise control" I'm sorry, what!!!! my E46 had it fitted as standard along with many other versions "its common place"

[@GeorgeAusters]

BMW 1 series

[@malp6280]

@@GeorgeAusters your point being?????? my point being BMW fitted as standard & as option 'cruise control' going back to the 90's so the comment "rare to find cruise control" is so wrong its unreal... I'd also make comment surrounding 90-99% of whats mentioned as there common place with bmw & alot of other cars... ie oil filter housing/oil cooler etc most cars have such water cooled & yes most suffer from oil leaks over time due to the nature of there location & heat cycles whilst mixed with rubber gaskets rocker cover gaskets are common place failures on 99.9% of ever car on the road with such fitted.. steel subframes again all suffer from rust if the powder coat is scratched, aluminium sub frame you need to ensure there not suffering from corrosion or reacts from other metal sources "galvanic corrosion etc" they can also be found to be cracked if previous accident damage has occurred & items not being replaced hydraulic power steering can also fail from the rack & pinion "I've not heard that being mentioned" again common on most hydraulic racks. interior trim levels & options well nothing new mentioned its all common place through-out the range & model options since 1AD leaking sun roof, due to drains holes being blocked not mentioned but common place if one's fitted.. overall its a1-10 from me as its nothing new at all & most was incredibly common place information being stated the oil breather systems are incredibly common place to failure due to them being plastic & again heat cycles effecting the material, vanos failure is also pretty common. over all these engines are old & do suffer with common failures as they never had been addressed, that also includes the intake valves these issues date back to again E46 models & similar issues on even earlier engines. the end of the day.. anyone looking at BMW's you really need to do your research & factor in maintenance work, depending on mileage & receipts for work you should factor in all these basic issue to be repaired during your ownership

[@GeorgeAusters]

@@malp6280 I mean't fairly rare to find on a BMW 1 series

[@malp6280]

@@GeorgeAusters well I've just done a quick search & I've found 1 series from the 116 upwards with cruise control & I'm talking tens of pages of ads for current car sales within the uk its certainly not a rare option... if you want rare having a sun-roof is far rarer these days on alot of car models then cruise control

[@malp6280]

@@thegeoff9253 so what's your point.... being an active utuber = knowledge? sorry Geoff if that's the case then its a sad sad world you live within & anyone else who believe such subscribers means nothing & I'll further that by 99% of automotive utubers haven't a clue over cars & their issues, nor how to remedy such faults, nor how to carry-out basic maintenance... I could point such ppl as shmee150, supercars of london, seen through glass & so on... some of the UK's most popular automotive channels..

[@Bmw116df20]

Do these 130i engines use alot of oil ? Im considering to go look at one but i don’t want to get a car that drinks oil again .

[@Koryhun]

No, not usually.

[@davidjordan7964]

My pre-LCI 130i on 156k, just got back from a service and still going strong. Love it. Just wish whoever specced it originally had gone for the xenons - at night on dipped beam am basically driving on faith 😂

[@cossiedrifter]

Try fitting some Osram Night breaker 200. Kind of expensive and only seem to last about a year. But the light is great!

[@desroi6967]

how much fuel does it consume at avarge?

[@davidjordan7964]

@@cossiedrifter Thank you for your recommendation - I will give it a try cause nothing to lose! But the issue at least appears to not be brightness but the very harsh cut off (and the alignment is as high as it can legally be put apparently, according to the garage that did my MOT just a few days ago)

[@staLkerhu]

3:36 Nice list, wonder how much money are you talkin' about? 🤔 (I know nothing about BMWs)

[@panoscoach310]

As a peasant and proud owner of an '97 116 with almost zero mechanical issues since day one I would like to add some more elements to the honourable people in the chat. Multiply by 2 the highway fuel consumption in the city traffic. The factory set up of the over-engineered suspension lasts only the first 100k Kms. Then after whatever the repairs, the parts and the abilities of your MIT mechanics, you are driving a fabulous Dacia 1210 from the iron curtain era. Also the choice of rubber is very crucial, if you're lucky you have a nice "GT" feeling, otherwise prepare yourself to ride an unpredictable oxcart. You already noticed English is not my native.

[@diopsidem5]

Doesn’t it have an electric waterpump that WILL go? Quite a clostly one too at that

[@resnonverba137]

Is that supposed to be a statement or a question?

[@diopsidem5]

@@resnonverba137 Question. I am no ot sure about this one. A lot BMWs from that era started getting eletric waterpumps that innevitably fail at some point and are costly to replace.

[@resnonverba137]

@@diopsidem5 Ok. I enjoy driving BMWs but would never consider buying a comparatively modern car that's more than a few years old. They have far too many nasty plastic components in their engine-bays that are prone to failing. The parts themselves may not be painfully expensive, but the labour time involved in replacing them can be. It's a shame.

[@GamingHistory.]

These 130i's were never even imported to my country... If they were i have no doubt i would buy this car.

[@resnonverba137]

When talking about more than one, you say are and not is. Honestly!

[@dasstig5274]

I currently have a 2007 Nissan skyline 350GT(Infiniti G35) as a daily driver. It's a nice enough car, but a bit bland. Considering swapping it for a manual 130i - on all 'sensible' grounds it would be a downgrade, but it would be more engaging to drive - should I do it?

[@jl2929]

There's another choice, not just 130i or a diesel. 125i + Remap = 130i coupe

[@Barbarapape]

As i have found to my cost, BMW's can leave you with a big hole in your bank account. You would think that BMW would do something about the rear sub frame corrosion issue, i waxoyled my 3 series when new. I tried a 1 series, when my 3 series was in for a mot/service, and was not that impressed, it lacks the refinement that the 3 series offers. Excellent video if you are tempted to buy one, the 3 series also has plenty of common issues.

[@Digitall3]

This guy, knows.

[@jimmyfarley5581]

James I hope you reply to this. Let's assume you won a competition. As the winner you can have any car in the world past or present, for free! Any car your heart desires, factory fresh and totally free. Do you have a car in mind? It's a difficult question to answer because different cars serve different purposes. However you've won anything you mention, for free! What is that car? If I was in that position I'd choose an Aston Martin Vantage V600. I'd tastefully update some of the cosmetics and mechanics as its hideous and dated. But visually its stunning.

[@MrSevensell]

Please more 130i

[@crandaddyful]

Good to see ya on jays channel 👍hope it helps your subs

[@LiamE69]

He's a pound shop Carl Froch.

[@GeorgeAusters]

Hahaha I get that on a daily basis

[@LiamE69]

@@GeorgeAusters Haha, I bet your mates never let that one go.

[@sammybaker4767]

Thanks, I was wondering who he reminded me of...

[@Go2Dragon]

I changed engine oil on this engine - every 1500-2000 miles, otherwise vanos problem come.

[@petertilsley3015]

The silver coloured cam cover engine is 255bhp whilst the black coloured one is 268bhp.

[@benb5660]

That is not correct the silver is the most powerful with 265cv and black has 258ps.

[@Koryhun]

​@@benb5660 No, I have black, LCI, and it is 265 HP

[@nvl2691]

@@Koryhun Very early LCIs had the black cover engine in 265 hp form, only in early 2008. Mid 2008 onwards they all make 258

[@snoopdutt1985]

Waterpump *cough

[@7machu]

Very FAST car

[@MOSSFEEN]

The WORST Car I have ever owned Constant coil pack Failures ABS sensors packed up 3 times only owned the heap for 4 years, run flat tyres waste of time NEVER AGAIN WHAT A HEAP OF SHITE Plenty better cars out there

[@Maximus20778]

You either didn't take care of it or just bought the cheapest thing

[@MOSSFEEN]

@@Maximus20778 🤣🤣🤣 I bought it brand new in 2009

[@davog1946]

Not sure I can trust a man with a chin strap.

[@2702simmo]

How many videos of a 1 series 😂 Quality over quantity really does apply with motoring you tube channels

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Two videos on this one series, with today's being a bonus video (hence released on a Wednesday)

[@neilfensome5032]

Guys help me fix my car saved me loads of time money. He even has links to parts and tools hes used to do the job also n52 🦾