M140i to M4

[jjd333]

Hi Ph'ers,
Currently have a 2017 M140i manual that I've had for nearly three years - I've enjoyed all elements of the car.
Logical upgrade is now to an M4, looking at something 2014-2016 range with lowish mileage, and considering the coupe or convertible decision - both of which have distinct advantages and disadvantages to one another.
Wanted to get any advice others have on this change, and potential risks in the 5 or 6 year old M4.
All thoughts welcomed!

[Smuler]

jjd333 said:

Hi Ph'ers,
Currently have a 2017 M140i manual that I've had for nearly three years - I've enjoyed all elements of the car.
Logical upgrade is now to an M4, looking at something 2014-2016 range with lowish mileage, and considering the coupe or convertible decision - both of which have distinct advantages and disadvantages to one another.
Wanted to get any advice others have on this change, and potential risks in the 5 or 6 year old M4.
All thoughts welcomed!

From helping 2 mates get a M4, both of which ended up with a 2015 coupe, DCT :-

If you're looking to differentiate between the years, as there were incremental improvements, check build date as we found a few cars were built a while before registration. One was built in 2014, registered 12 months later!
Try a Competition pack , if in budget, note the seats don't have adjustable lumbar so aren't for everyone.
Try manual (not easy to find) and DCT. Particularly if you've had 3 years with a manual transmission.
If you're looking for really low milage , check state of car as the risk of mileage blockers on this generation was a concern.
Ideally get BMW Approved Used , for warranty. That will cover you if car is later found to be modified and tampered with.

[FTW]

Mileage blockers scare me to be honest. Are there any tell tale signs or checks that can be done with an OBD tool or by BMW themselves?

[Terminator X]

The early M4's try to kill you afaik.

TX.

[Terminator X]

FTW said:

Mileage blockers scare me to be honest. Are there any tell tale signs or checks that can be done with an OBD tool or by BMW themselves?

MOT's are all online, check mileage from that?

TX.

[c3m]

I went from an F30 340i ZF8 to an M4 CP Manual LCI (2017) because I missed changing gears myself (not a daily driver). I found the new car to be much louder inside (wider tyres, less insulation), so make sure you test drive properly. It's really, really fast and handles superbly.

[FTW]

Terminator X said:

MOT's are all online, check mileage from that?

TX.

I guess the only way you'd see it then would be if the car went for an MOT without the blocker fitted.

[Smuler]

I’m not getting how an MOT helps.

The check is to remove instrument panel and see if the tamper seal is broken / missing.
Source : BMW.

[jjd333]

Thanks for all your responses - seems an AUC is a good idea to mitigate the risk.
Local BMW centre has a 2017 car which benefits from the M Performance Exhaust also.
Car has a very good spec other than Harman Kardon - my view is that the other options such as the MPE outweigh this, and the speakers are something that can be enhanced retrospectively.
Anyone got any experience on either the exhaust or aftermarket upgrades of the speakers?

[Mark83]

c3m said:

I found the new car to be much louder inside (wider tyres, less insulation), so make sure you test drive properly.

My biggest criticism of my M4 CP is the road noise, especially on the motorway.

[xjay1337]

jjd333 said:

Thanks for all your responses - seems an AUC is a good idea to mitigate the risk.
Local BMW centre has a 2017 car which benefits from the M Performance Exhaust also.
Car has a very good spec other than Harman Kardon - my view is that the other options such as the MPE outweigh this, and the speakers are something that can be enhanced retrospectively.
Anyone got any experience on either the exhaust or aftermarket upgrades of the speakers?

My requirements would be

Reversing camera
HUD
Pro Nav
HK

Everything else is a Bonus

It's actually much cheaper to upgrade the exhaust than the logic 7 audio in the M4 which is pretty decent by all accounts, even the HK in my 1 series is much better than a non HK system.

To upgrade to an equivalent aftermarket audio system would be 4 figures as the labour is intensive. plus you get hit with the "m" tax when you mention you have an M4.

[Terminator X]

Smuler said:

I’m not getting how an MOT helps.

The check is to remove instrument panel and see if the tamper seal is broken / missing.
Source : BMW.

Perhaps my bad not understanding what a "mileage blocker" is. Maybe all you can do is the old test of looking at wear and tear of seats, pedals etc to see if it mirrors the low mileage?

TX.

[xjay1337]

Terminator X said:

Smuler said:

I’m not getting how an MOT helps.

The check is to remove instrument panel and see if the tamper seal is broken / missing.
Source : BMW.

Perhaps my bad not understanding what a "mileage blocker" is. Maybe all you can do is the old test of looking at wear and tear of seats, pedals etc to see if it mirrors the low mileage?

TX.

Exactly that TX
Mileage blockers are very easy to install, only take 10 minutes and can be triggered on and off using the stop start button.

I looked into getting one but I thought better of it in the end - and in any event I trust the condition of the car will say more than the numbers on the dash at sale time.

[nickfrog]

Is a M2 out of the running?

[Andy OH]

Having previously owned a 2017 M2 from new, sold it about a month ago for something else, I also have access to a 2017 M4 Competition and the M4 is a better car. One poster said early M4s try to kill you...it's all about how you drive it, yes they can bite but would you really be driving it that hard all the time? if you are then you need to be on track.

The M4 Comp is a great car and a better place to be in compared to a M2 or M2 Comp. If you can stretch to a M4 Comp that's what I would buy if you can. You haven't mentioned your budget? you can get a M4 Comp for low to mid £30K, there's a few on the BMW website around that price.

The Comp seats are fantastic and like someone has said the HK in the M4 is powered using a Logic 7 amp and is miles better than HK in a 1 or 2 series BMW. My wife has a M240i Convertible with HK and it's better than what was in my M2. To be honest I didn't think much of the HK in my M2.

Do you need a reversing camera? I'd say no as you have rear parking sensors as standard, HUD not sure why you'd need this? maybe a nice to have?, HK in my opinion is a must and I'm pretty sure Pro Nav was standard in the M4 Comp, it was standard in my M2. I've just checked an old M3/M4 brochure and Pro Nav was standard.

One other thing is the M4 is a big car and has a longer wheel base compared to a M140i or M2. It doesn't feel that big once driving it as you feel kind of cocooned once sat in it, but it is a big car and you do notice the additional weight compared to a 1 or 2 series BMW.

Just to add I owned a F87 M2 for three years, been driving the M4 for a year and my wife has had her M240i for a year. Also owned many BMW M cars. now driving something naturally aspirated for a change

Edited by Andy OH on Tuesday 7th April 16:37

[c3m]

Mark83 said:

My biggest criticism of my M4 CP is the road noise, especially on the motorway.

Yup, it's so true. OP: make sure you're happy with the noise levels before taking the plunge.

[c3m]

xjay1337 said:

Reversing camera
HUD
Pro Nav
HK

I'm pretty insistent on fully specced cars and my M4 is actually missing a few options which I had on my 340i – Reversing Camera, LED headlights (M4 has standard Bi-LED but with the projectors), High-Beam Assist.

• HUD – don't think it's that essential and don't miss it (drove M850i with it), it's no biggie.
• Reversing Camera – not essential either, nice to have but now back with just sensors and not a big deal.
• High-Beam Assist – miss it the most but rarely drive fast on B-roads in the night, so again, not crucial.

HK is essential, given the noise inside the car. Pro Nav is standard, so no need to worry about it.

[nickfrog]

Andy OH said:

...

Really interesting stuff Andy. Some of the interior of the M2 is a bit low rent and creaky indeed.

I would still suggest to the OP that he test drives a M2.

I prefer the way it drives compared to a M3/4, despite the similar weight. It feels more nimble.

I also prefer the N55 engine both in terms of character and noise.

[Andy OH]

nickfrog said:

Really interesting stuff Andy. Some of the interior of the M2 is a bit low rent and creaky indeed.

I would still suggest to the OP that he test drives a M2.

I prefer the way it drives compared to a M3/4, despite the similar weight. It feels more nimble.

I also prefer the N55 engine both in terms of character and noise.

I agree the OP should test drive a M2 but it will feel similar to the M140i. This M140is are a very good car. Dynamically the M2 will be the better car but will feel similar in everyday driving conditions.

The M3 and M4 are quite different cars to a M2, the M2 being probably the batter handling car due to the shorter wheelbase and the N55 engine is a nice engine and produces a great sound especially with a MPerformance exhaust which mine had. I've never driven a M2 Comp but a lot of people say they are a better car than the original M2 so I can't really comment on that. I do know that between the M2 I had and the M4 Comp i'm driving I preferred the nimbleness of the M2 but the M4 Comp is a weapon.

However, there's no getting away from that S55 engine especially in the M3 & M4 Comps which is just fantastic and does sound great with a MPerformance exhaust on them in the earlier Comps and pre OPF/PPF models.

Edited by Andy OH on Tuesday 7th April 23:31

[anonymous-user]

I had a 2017 140 from new for 3 months then decided the M Lite wasn't what I'd really wanted and bought a new M3 CP instead.

First impression was that the 140 really was quick, as the M3 didn't feel so much faster (until it was run in and you could really stretch it's legs, the M3 engine is a monster compared to the B58. Rev, rev, rev. Just endless shove). The biggest difference was the feel of the car; everything is more taught, sharper, stiffer. The 140 felt like an over-engined fast hatch, the M3 like a sports car with rear doors.

It was well worth the change, but bear in mind the M car will cost more to run and look after. I'd buy an AUC, as the cost of fixing the powertrain will be eyewatering if it goes wrong.