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

Toyota GT86 review (2012 - 2021) – a flawed but fun and affordable Japanese sports car
Toyota GT86
In-depth reviews

Toyota GT86 review (2012 - 2021) – a flawed but fun and affordable Japanese sports car

Toyota’s small sports car wasn’t perfect but still offers genuine driving fun of an increasingly rare flavour
20 Apr 2026
The BMW Z8’s last chance at redemption – car pictures of the week
BMW Z8 front
Features

The BMW Z8’s last chance at redemption – car pictures of the week

Perfect ingredients, imperfect whole. But was the Z8 really deserving of its lowly three-star evo rating? We give it another chance
18 Apr 2026
Manthey Porsche 911 GT3 RS Nürburgring lap proves 1250bhp isn’t enough
Manthey Porsche 911 GT3 RS Nurburgring lap
News

Manthey Porsche 911 GT3 RS Nürburgring lap proves 1250bhp isn’t enough

The 992 Porsche 911 GT3 RS with the Manthey Racing kit has finally recorded an official Nürburgring time, and it makes Corvette’s 1250bhp ZR1X look a …
17 Apr 2026