Living with a m140i
Discussion
I've got a Cupra 300 that's a lease that's due to end in 9 months.
I've got my eyes on an m140i a used one preferably.
Just wondering what are they like to live with, I have two car seats but long journeys is done in our X3.
I drive to work which is a short commute, probably do about 8-10k miles a year. Would like to keep the car long term
How much fuel is in a full tank for example? Anything else I should know?
Many thanks
Arj
I've got my eyes on an m140i a used one preferably.
Just wondering what are they like to live with, I have two car seats but long journeys is done in our X3.
I drive to work which is a short commute, probably do about 8-10k miles a year. Would like to keep the car long term
How much fuel is in a full tank for example? Anything else I should know?
Many thanks
Arj
Take a look at TRL's deal on Baby BMW. I got my local dealer to match it, and it's only marginally more expensive than some of the used cars.
My other issue with used was that hardly any have the split folding rear seat option - given we've got two kids, I wanted this as it gives the arm rest with the drinks holder in the back. Other than that, it seems to be a surprisingly practical car - fair amount of room to get the car seats in and the boot will happily swallow two large suitcases.
Mine was built today so looking forward to it arriving!
My other issue with used was that hardly any have the split folding rear seat option - given we've got two kids, I wanted this as it gives the arm rest with the drinks holder in the back. Other than that, it seems to be a surprisingly practical car - fair amount of room to get the car seats in and the boot will happily swallow two large suitcases.
Mine was built today so looking forward to it arriving!
ladderino said:
Take a look at TRL's deal on Baby BMW. I got my local dealer to match it, and it's only marginally more expensive than some of the used cars.
My other issue with used was that hardly any have the split folding rear seat option - given we've got two kids, I wanted this as it gives the arm rest with the drinks holder in the back. Other than that, it seems to be a surprisingly practical car - fair amount of room to get the car seats in and the boot will happily swallow two large suitcases.
Mine was built today so looking forward to it arriving!
Sounds interesting, what deal did you go for? PM me if you preferMy other issue with used was that hardly any have the split folding rear seat option - given we've got two kids, I wanted this as it gives the arm rest with the drinks holder in the back. Other than that, it seems to be a surprisingly practical car - fair amount of room to get the car seats in and the boot will happily swallow two large suitcases.
Mine was built today so looking forward to it arriving!
I've had a 300 4drive and a m135i.
So not exactly equivalent but close enough to offer a perspective.
The 300 is more focused as a hot hatch and will feel far more 'tied down' when pressing on. It has much better steering and equally as good build quality even if the components used are a step down.
It'll also be more spacious in the back.
M140i has a much better engine, no axle tramp, lovely noise and lots more punch in the mid range - but numb steering undermines the benefit of rwd and it loses composure on back roads if you're hussling it along. It does have more character than the Cupra though and better economy on longer runs if its an auto - although the relatively small tank gave a pretty poor range if you're commuting long distances.
Personally, i'd try and get a 24hr loan of one with the same suspension set up (adaptive or passive) as the one you plan to get, and take it on all different types of roads and speeds. Try and look past the engine's power and noise to try and get a good feel for the chassis, especially on back roads. This is where they fall down compared to a proper hot hatch and it'll then give you a perspective of the M140i 'at its worst' and whether that factor is important to you. It was for me and I got rid within 6 months.
In your boat i'd probably just about take an m140i over another fwd 300, but I wouldn't have one over a 4drive ST.
So not exactly equivalent but close enough to offer a perspective.
The 300 is more focused as a hot hatch and will feel far more 'tied down' when pressing on. It has much better steering and equally as good build quality even if the components used are a step down.
It'll also be more spacious in the back.
M140i has a much better engine, no axle tramp, lovely noise and lots more punch in the mid range - but numb steering undermines the benefit of rwd and it loses composure on back roads if you're hussling it along. It does have more character than the Cupra though and better economy on longer runs if its an auto - although the relatively small tank gave a pretty poor range if you're commuting long distances.
Personally, i'd try and get a 24hr loan of one with the same suspension set up (adaptive or passive) as the one you plan to get, and take it on all different types of roads and speeds. Try and look past the engine's power and noise to try and get a good feel for the chassis, especially on back roads. This is where they fall down compared to a proper hot hatch and it'll then give you a perspective of the M140i 'at its worst' and whether that factor is important to you. It was for me and I got rid within 6 months.
In your boat i'd probably just about take an m140i over another fwd 300, but I wouldn't have one over a 4drive ST.
Great cars. Bought one for the wife and I use it a lot! They're fast, will keep up with anything, if id bought this before my GTR, I probably wouldn't have bought the GTR.
Sadly were going to have to chop it in this year, is been fine for the two kids, but three car seats will be a bit of a stretch. However, it's been a great car to own, make sure you get the auto. Sport button and sport shift and it can feel lively, maybe a bit more than the chassis can handle, but things can be done to improve it. Rear cross bracing, LSD, M4 lower control arms etc. I've not done any of that as it's just a daily car for us and it does that duty so well. So much that the next car will also be a BMW.
Sadly were going to have to chop it in this year, is been fine for the two kids, but three car seats will be a bit of a stretch. However, it's been a great car to own, make sure you get the auto. Sport button and sport shift and it can feel lively, maybe a bit more than the chassis can handle, but things can be done to improve it. Rear cross bracing, LSD, M4 lower control arms etc. I've not done any of that as it's just a daily car for us and it does that duty so well. So much that the next car will also be a BMW.
KPB1973 said:
I've had a 300 4drive and a m135i.
So not exactly equivalent but close enough to offer a perspective.
The 300 is more focused as a hot hatch and will feel far more 'tied down' when pressing on. It has much better steering and equally as good build quality even if the components used are a step down.
It'll also be more spacious in the back.
M140i has a much better engine, no axle tramp, lovely noise and lots more punch in the mid range - but numb steering undermines the benefit of rwd and it loses composure on back roads if you're hussling it along. It does have more character than the Cupra though and better economy on longer runs if its an auto - although the relatively small tank gave a pretty poor range if you're commuting long distances.
Personally, i'd try and get a 24hr loan of one with the same suspension set up (adaptive or passive) as the one you plan to get, and take it on all different types of roads and speeds. Try and look past the engine's power and noise to try and get a good feel for the chassis, especially on back roads. This is where they fall down compared to a proper hot hatch and it'll then give you a perspective of the M140i 'at its worst' and whether that factor is important to you. It was for me and I got rid within 6 months.
So not exactly equivalent but close enough to offer a perspective.
The 300 is more focused as a hot hatch and will feel far more 'tied down' when pressing on. It has much better steering and equally as good build quality even if the components used are a step down.
It'll also be more spacious in the back.
M140i has a much better engine, no axle tramp, lovely noise and lots more punch in the mid range - but numb steering undermines the benefit of rwd and it loses composure on back roads if you're hussling it along. It does have more character than the Cupra though and better economy on longer runs if its an auto - although the relatively small tank gave a pretty poor range if you're commuting long distances.
Personally, i'd try and get a 24hr loan of one with the same suspension set up (adaptive or passive) as the one you plan to get, and take it on all different types of roads and speeds. Try and look past the engine's power and noise to try and get a good feel for the chassis, especially on back roads. This is where they fall down compared to a proper hot hatch and it'll then give you a perspective of the M140i 'at its worst' and whether that factor is important to you. It was for me and I got rid within 6 months.
That's great advice.
I had a m135I from new on lease back the 2014 and was initially disappointed. I went for a manual thinking it'd suit it as a hot hatch but it didn't really fulfil any expectations of a hot hatch.. Felt synthetic, detached, a bit numb even. However, what I didn't expect was to miss it so much when it was gone!
After going through a period of swapping cars frequently after this, getting bored and finding everything is a compromise in one way or another it struck me then what a great all round everyday package the M135i was and actually suited my needs as a daily really well. It's very different from everything else out there (rwd, 6 cyl), fast, comfortable, practical, economical (for what it is), decent tech, well priced against the competition etc but has an entertaining side which gives the car a real split personality
I therefore went ahead ordered a new, well specced m140 with a totally different expectation of the car.. Auto box this time (which I think much better suits the nature of the car) adaptive dampers etc and 2.5 years down the line I couldn't be happier with it.
It's a very different car from a Cupra though. Think of it more as a mini super GT car rather than a hot hatch and you won't go far wrong. For me that was the key, so as per the post above, make sure you're aware of what your getting into and whether this suits your requirements, otherwise you might feel like I did about my m135i..I
Edited to add my long term average is 32mpg (lot of motorway which typically returns 40-43mpg).
Make sure you get one with Pilot Supersports on (runflats were an option and quite a lot have them). MPSS need heat to work best so make for an entertaining drive at this time of year
Oh, and if you live in the hills then the merest hint of snow and you'll be stuck without winter tyres!
Edited by Flat6 on Saturday 9th February 09:43
KPB1973 said:
I've had a 300 4drive and a m135i.
So not exactly equivalent but close enough to offer a perspective.
The 300 is more focused as a hot hatch and will feel far more 'tied down' when pressing on. It has much better steering and equally as good build quality even if the components used are a step down.
It'll also be more spacious in the back.
M140i has a much better engine, no axle tramp, lovely noise and lots more punch in the mid range - but numb steering undermines the benefit of rwd and it loses composure on back roads if you're hussling it along. It does have more character than the Cupra though and better economy on longer runs if its an auto - although the relatively small tank gave a pretty poor range if you're commuting long distances.
Personally, i'd try and get a 24hr loan of one with the same suspension set up (adaptive or passive) as the one you plan to get, and take it on all different types of roads and speeds. Try and look past the engine's power and noise to try and get a good feel for the chassis, especially on back roads. This is where they fall down compared to a proper hot hatch and it'll then give you a perspective of the M140i 'at its worst' and whether that factor is important to you. It was for me and I got rid within 6 months.
In your boat i'd probably just about take an m140i over another fwd 300, but I wouldn't have one over a 4drive ST.
Thanks for the perspective, I should say I love the Cupra initially I was skeptical when I got it, but absolutely love it. Have considered buying one with the virtual cockpit etc. So not exactly equivalent but close enough to offer a perspective.
The 300 is more focused as a hot hatch and will feel far more 'tied down' when pressing on. It has much better steering and equally as good build quality even if the components used are a step down.
It'll also be more spacious in the back.
M140i has a much better engine, no axle tramp, lovely noise and lots more punch in the mid range - but numb steering undermines the benefit of rwd and it loses composure on back roads if you're hussling it along. It does have more character than the Cupra though and better economy on longer runs if its an auto - although the relatively small tank gave a pretty poor range if you're commuting long distances.
Personally, i'd try and get a 24hr loan of one with the same suspension set up (adaptive or passive) as the one you plan to get, and take it on all different types of roads and speeds. Try and look past the engine's power and noise to try and get a good feel for the chassis, especially on back roads. This is where they fall down compared to a proper hot hatch and it'll then give you a perspective of the M140i 'at its worst' and whether that factor is important to you. It was for me and I got rid within 6 months.
In your boat i'd probably just about take an m140i over another fwd 300, but I wouldn't have one over a 4drive ST.
As a hot hatch cannot fault it so fun to drive, I have a manual but am no ready for an auto.
For me my commute is very short, only about 4 miles each way so fuel consumption isn't a big concern. I just fancied a change but didn't want to go any bigger than a hatch back. I have to admit I have never driven one, so that would be my first port of call! As I mentioned my cupra doesn't go back until November so have some time yet. Can't think of many other cars in that price range that appeal to me, I don't fancy an S3, Golf R
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