Skip advert
Advertisement

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.

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...

Running Costs

Date acquiredNovember 2005
Total mileage9853
Costs this month£0
Mileage this month2058
MPG this month28.8mpg
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Can BMW’s £50k sports coupe beat the Audi RS3? – car pictures of the week
Audi RS3 and BMW M240
News

Can BMW’s £50k sports coupe beat the Audi RS3? – car pictures of the week

In the current issue of evo, we test BMW’s updated M240 against the Audi RS3 – these are our favourite shots
18 Jul 2026
V8 super saloons head-to-head
2010s V8s car pictures
Group tests

V8 super saloons head-to-head

400bhp-plus, naturally aspirated V8s in humble saloons and estate cars were once almost common. Twenty years on is Audi's RS4, BMW's M3, Mercedes-AMG'…
19 Jul 2026
Mercedes-Benz A-class review – the Audi A3-rivalling hatchback Mercedes can’t afford to kill
Mercedes-Benz A-class front
In-depth reviews

Mercedes-Benz A-class review – the Audi A3-rivalling hatchback Mercedes can’t afford to kill

The current A-class is now almost a decade old. Happily, it still looks and feels relatively fresh
16 Jul 2026