RE: BMW M140i and M240i announced

[kpb]

Flat6 said:

Sorry only just seen this. Yes, can't confirm whether it's the change from passive to adaptive or suspension revisions from M135 to M140 (or from 3 door to 5 door even) but the new one is certainly a lot more compliant/less bouncy than my old M135 which could feel floaty and under-damped on bumpy roads. It was one of the things which stopped me taking the old car for a blast just for the hell of it. The new one however has seen me taking the long way home on more than one occasion...

Edited by Flat6 on Monday 31st October 20:48

Thanks for taking the time to answer. These chassis revisions sound really promising and I'm glad you're enjoying your car. Cheers

[Wolands Advocate]

Flat6 said:

Wolands Advocate said:

Flat6 said:

I've gone from a manual M135 to an auto M140 and the change in hp only tell half the story. I'm still running in so keeping under 4500rpm and the increase in midrange oomph is VERY noticeable (50nm more torque).

It'll be interesting to see how the engine feels at higher rpms as the peak power on the 135 was just under 6k but I won't be past the recommended running in mileage for a couple more weeks yet so will have to wait and see. Early signs are great though with improved economy (seen 45mpg on a 70 mile motorway run over the pennines) and revised chassis feeling less floaty at higher speed and less fidgety at low speed.

How do you find auto vs manual? There's been a lot of chat that the auto suits the engine better than the manual?

I have just ordered an auto 440i GC to replace my manual M135i and am a little nervous that the auto box will bore me.

You won't be disappointed. It's definitely a great match for the engine and gives you more options to suit your mood. I do a lot of miles of very varied driving (140 mile commute) and I find the combination of auto and adaptive dampers just makes it a better all rounder, I can kick back and munch miles on the boring bits and have some fun in manual mode when the roads are interesting.
What I would say is the paddles are essential on the fun bits, I still enjoy the feel of having full control over engine braking and selecting the gear I want when I want it but the 8sp auto plays this role very well shifting quickly and smoothly whenever needed. You can also temporarily override the full auto mode with a flick of a paddle which is useful (especially when you're running in and want to avoid kickdown!)

One of the issues I had with the manual was the long gearing, 3rd being good for 3 figures which meant wringing it's neck in anything above second gear put you in licence losing territory. The 8sp obviously had much more closely stacked gears so this is overcome with more chance to enjoy the top end of the rev range. I'd also say you what you lose in the interaction of using a manual you gain to some extent in more choice of gears and flappy changes (and it makes nice noise on changing too )

I think in the 440 GC it'll be a perfect match for the car

Thanks. Let's hope so! This will be my first modern proper auto (on the basis the SMG set-up doesn't count as a proper auto) - the last car I had with a slusher was built in 1992!