RE: BMW M140i and M240i announced
Discussion
NicoG said:
So now a 1 Series that isn't even a full-fat M Car, can, on paper beat a CSL...
How things change - progress in Automotive really is astonishing.
I suppose the good news is that they'll be £10K in five years.
You're probably right, before ordering a new one I considered a second hand one. It was a 15 plate and the GFV on a 3 year PCP was just over 10kHow things change - progress in Automotive really is astonishing.
I suppose the good news is that they'll be £10K in five years.
court said:
Yes really if the M135i is anything to go by. It's so economical at low revs.
As usual these figures are misleading. Especially in turbo engine. At motorway sensible speeds I get sensible mileage. But on spirited driving and especially town driving these figures plummet. I get average of 21mpg on predominantly twin driving and a bit of motorway and A roads. In town I suspect plunges in the 10s really really easily as a big turbocharged engine really is not operating at its efficient speed.
Coming back to the chassis. I think it's the weakest link of the car. It's just not right. Too much power and too little suspension control, it's a well documented issue. Mine has the mPerf LSD and Eibach to try to tightening down a bit more but it's still not perfect.
I would have invested in a chassis upgrade rather than increase power that was already too much for the chassis to handle.
Also those alloy wheels are just horrid. Can't believe in 2 face lifts they have not changed them. Every single M135i owner I know hates them.
It's cars like this that point out what a shoddy package the new Porsche 718 is. Maybe there aren't many people cross-shopping between the two but I am.
I hope BMW puts this engine in the new Z4/Supra.
BMW M140i Automatic 163g/km (3.0L 6 cylinder 340 PS)
Porsche 718 PDK 158g/km (2.0L 4 cylinder 300 PS)
I hope BMW puts this engine in the new Z4/Supra.
BMW M140i Automatic 163g/km (3.0L 6 cylinder 340 PS)
Porsche 718 PDK 158g/km (2.0L 4 cylinder 300 PS)
Edited by swimd on Tuesday 17th May 11:28
This is the graph which shows power\torque for the new B58 engine in these cars and shows perfectly why I really struggle to get on with modern turbo engines.
Look at the torque curve, I mean who really needs 330 lb-ft of torque at barely over 1000rpm? No wonder people are complaining about traction issues in anything less than perfect conditions. Then at 5000rpm, torque falls off a cliff making the car feel flat and pointless to rev out to the higher reaches. It's an engine designed for lazy progress and mid range shove at the expense of everything else, traction, top end excitement etc.
The problem is that apart from some 6 figure exotica, this is the way that nearly every modern turbo engine is designed these days which means they all feel the same. I can almost guarantee I can tell how this car will drive without turning a wheel. It's fine if you like that sort of power delivery but there is almost no choice now and I find the whole thing frustrating and utterly dull.
Look at the torque curve, I mean who really needs 330 lb-ft of torque at barely over 1000rpm? No wonder people are complaining about traction issues in anything less than perfect conditions. Then at 5000rpm, torque falls off a cliff making the car feel flat and pointless to rev out to the higher reaches. It's an engine designed for lazy progress and mid range shove at the expense of everything else, traction, top end excitement etc.
The problem is that apart from some 6 figure exotica, this is the way that nearly every modern turbo engine is designed these days which means they all feel the same. I can almost guarantee I can tell how this car will drive without turning a wheel. It's fine if you like that sort of power delivery but there is almost no choice now and I find the whole thing frustrating and utterly dull.
Agent XXX said:
Tuvra said:
Seriously, what is not to like about a 340bhp RWD BMW for £30k?
the fact that it's pig f*****g ugly and it's a BMWSubjectively I think it looks great, better than any other hot hatch - again, beauty is in the eye of the beholder (I would have thought).
But more importantly, while I accept that image/looks/badge/brand is important to some, there is a small minority on PH who also care about the driving experience. And the M135i/M140i is a decent steer, particularly with M4 LCAs at just £300...
rosino said:
court said:
Yes really if the M135i is anything to go by. It's so economical at low revs.
As usual these figures are misleading. Especially in turbo engine. At motorway sensible speeds I get sensible mileage. But on spirited driving and especially town driving these figures plummet. I get average of 21mpg on predominantly twin driving and a bit of motorway and A roads. In town I suspect plunges in the 10s really really easily as a big turbocharged engine really is not operating at its efficient speed.
Coming back to the chassis. I think it's the weakest link of the car. It's just not right. Too much power and too little suspension control, it's a well documented issue. Mine has the mPerf LSD and Eibach to try to tightening down a bit more but it's still not perfect.
I would have invested in a chassis upgrade rather than increase power that was already too much for the chassis to handle.
Also those alloy wheels are just horrid. Can't believe in 2 face lifts they have not changed them. Every single M135i owner I know hates them.
Not the ideal car for town indeed - our 1.0 triple Yaris is a better town car.
The chassis on my LCI is superb for a humble shopping car as people like to call them, really supple and I appreciate that to some, soft = shyte - I still got a 2:58 at Spa on road rubber/pads first time out. I particularly like the passive dampers, superb control for cheapo OE parts. They judged it really well but I agree it can be perceived differently, particularly in town. I'm a bit odd, I like soft long travel suspension.
As for wheels, I don't know how many M135i owners you know but on babybmw the reality doesn't reflect your statistics, not that it matters as it's subjective.
sidesauce said:
Thorburn said:
the BMW is a better car... but it is too crushingly competent
I marvel at this - surely one would prefer a competently designed car over one that wasn't?Or in other words, I find it more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow.
nickfrog said:
As for wheels, I don't know how many M135i owners you know but on babybmw the reality doesn't reflect your statistics, not that it matters as it's subjective.
Looks are one thing, but whoever designed the channel around the wheel that collects all manner of road tar and brake deposits that is nigh on impossible to clean should be shot!jimAtr said:
Still needs an LSD
Unlike years gone by, BMW seem to think that no enthusiasts buy the M-Sport models any more and will therefore not benefit from the extra traction and control that an LSD provides. I assume BMWs theory is that those people should buy the M2 instead. 
Useless trivia: I once sold a 328i Sport that came with an LSD from the factory for around the same amount of money as BMW now charge for an LSD to fit the M135i.
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