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Long Term Tests

BMW 130i M Sport

The 130i made its trackday debut at the end of March when the evoactive circus arrived at Snetterton. Having never visited the Norfolk circuit before, and after getting questionable advice from Bovingdon on how to attack Coram Curve, my first few laps were understandably tentative as I learnt the lines and steadily built up the pace.

By Neil Carey

June 2006

The 130i made its trackday debut at the end of March when the evoactive circus arrived at Snetterton. Having never visited the Norfolk circuit before, and after getting questionable advice from Bovingdon on how to attack Coram Curve, my first few laps were understandably tentative as I learnt the lines and steadily built up the pace.

The little BMW gives great confidence on super-smooth tarmac, its stiff set-up finding grip everywhere. With the traction control disabled, the lack of an M diff was noticeable, but the 130 still moved around on every corner, with Coram being the highlight, taken very quickly and slightly sideways.

The trackday also gave me my first chance to run with racers instead of trackday goers, and the difference is striking. When two trackday punters find themselves sharing the same piece of tarmac they quickly place themselves on opposing white lines until the overtake is complete; with the race boys you're lucky to keep your mirrors! Mind you, if your fancy race-car was being chased down by some kid in a road car, you'd be upset too...

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