BMW M140i Shadow Edition vs. Alfa Gulia Veloce? Which to lea
Discussion
What would you choose and why?
Almost the same weight, 280bhp v 340bhp. 5.7 vs. 4.6 to 60. 14secs vs 11.9 quarter mile
15,000 miles a year, 3 year lease. Same cost.
I currently have an RX8 and Fiat Coupe 20VT and will keep the Fiat.
Had a few Jags in the past.
Live in rural Derbyshire so 50/50 country roads / dual carriage ways and city.
Unsure whether to choose style and some pace or bonkers but ugly BMW?
Almost the same weight, 280bhp v 340bhp. 5.7 vs. 4.6 to 60. 14secs vs 11.9 quarter mile
15,000 miles a year, 3 year lease. Same cost.
I currently have an RX8 and Fiat Coupe 20VT and will keep the Fiat.
Had a few Jags in the past.
Live in rural Derbyshire so 50/50 country roads / dual carriage ways and city.
Unsure whether to choose style and some pace or bonkers but ugly BMW?
ShouldKnowBetter said:
What would you choose and why?
Almost the same weight, 280bhp v 340bhp. 5.7 vs. 4.6 to 60. 14secs vs 11.9 quarter mile
15,000 miles a year, 3 year lease. Same cost.
I currently have an RX8 and Fiat Coupe 20VT and will keep the Fiat.
Had a few Jags in the past.
Live in rural Derbyshire so 50/50 country roads / dual carriage ways and city.
Unsure whether to choose style and some pace or bonkers but ugly BMW?
Having just ordered a new M140i i'm going to be a little biased, but objectively its probably going to be go see and drive both then decide for yourself.Almost the same weight, 280bhp v 340bhp. 5.7 vs. 4.6 to 60. 14secs vs 11.9 quarter mile
15,000 miles a year, 3 year lease. Same cost.
I currently have an RX8 and Fiat Coupe 20VT and will keep the Fiat.
Had a few Jags in the past.
Live in rural Derbyshire so 50/50 country roads / dual carriage ways and city.
Unsure whether to choose style and some pace or bonkers but ugly BMW?
We couldnt find better VFM in terms of discount avail on a new car with the M140i (over £10,000 off) but i know with leasing you've a much cleaner comparison there to make.
Been looking at M135i/M235i/M140i/M240i for ages, and more recently the Giulia Veloce, from a leasing perspective. I'll share some of the non-obvious things you wouldn't quickly find out for yourself through reviews etc.
The only no-cost colour on the BMW is white, whereas on the Alfa you can have red, white or black without having to pay for the entire cost of the option over the course of a lease.
Aside from colours, each one IMO has a single must-have option that's going to be missing from in-stock cars. On the BMW it's folding mirrors, on the Alfa it's a staggered ("mixed fitment") tyre setup i.e. wider rears. The standard setup on the Alfa is 225s all around, which will have less grip/traction and won't look as good, I expect most buyers won't care but I was surprised. Each is around £150 and IMO should have been standard.
The Giulia is a 3-series sized car, but weighs slightly less than the smaller M140i.
Both cars have the same ZF 8-speed automatic gearbox. The Alfa's paddles are big metal ones that are fixed to the steering column, whereas on the BMW they are little plastic clicky ones that rotate with the wheel.
The ABS and traction control on the Alfa are said to be quite sensitive, quite easy to trigger the hazard lights. And the TC cannot be turned off or put into a more sporty mode.
Red line on the Alfa is 5500-6000, pretty low.
Alfa is doing 5 year warranty, 3 years free servicing, 5 years roadside assistance. But that's not for PCH deals.
Without having driven either, it's a tough call. For the same price and running costs I'd probably take the BMW as it's the last of its kind - you'll still be able to get a new Giulia Veloce new in 3 years, and cars like it will be made for a long while yet. But I could easily be swayed.
The only no-cost colour on the BMW is white, whereas on the Alfa you can have red, white or black without having to pay for the entire cost of the option over the course of a lease.
Aside from colours, each one IMO has a single must-have option that's going to be missing from in-stock cars. On the BMW it's folding mirrors, on the Alfa it's a staggered ("mixed fitment") tyre setup i.e. wider rears. The standard setup on the Alfa is 225s all around, which will have less grip/traction and won't look as good, I expect most buyers won't care but I was surprised. Each is around £150 and IMO should have been standard.
The Giulia is a 3-series sized car, but weighs slightly less than the smaller M140i.
Both cars have the same ZF 8-speed automatic gearbox. The Alfa's paddles are big metal ones that are fixed to the steering column, whereas on the BMW they are little plastic clicky ones that rotate with the wheel.
The ABS and traction control on the Alfa are said to be quite sensitive, quite easy to trigger the hazard lights. And the TC cannot be turned off or put into a more sporty mode.
Red line on the Alfa is 5500-6000, pretty low.
Alfa is doing 5 year warranty, 3 years free servicing, 5 years roadside assistance. But that's not for PCH deals.
Without having driven either, it's a tough call. For the same price and running costs I'd probably take the BMW as it's the last of its kind - you'll still be able to get a new Giulia Veloce new in 3 years, and cars like it will be made for a long while yet. But I could easily be swayed.
Having owned a Giulia Veloce (albeit for a short time) I think it'll actually be more fun than the 140.
Currently have a 440i with the same engine, but 360bhp / 500NM in mine thanks to the MPPSK.
I found the Giulia to be incredibly chuckable, felt a lot lighter and nimbler than the figures suggest, and in Stromboli grey with red leather felt incredibly special every time you got in.
My 440i on the other hand is a lovely car, but it feels like it's working against you rather than with you. The engine is fantastic, and sounds far better than the Alfa's, but the driving experience is oh so dull.
Everything (apart from the seats) seems slightly higher quality in the BMW, especially the infotainment which is unacceptably poor in the Alfa.
MPG will be identical - you'll struggle to get much above 30-35mpg in the Alfa, which is roughly what I get from the BMW.
BMW will also give you significantly better service should anything go wrong - I ended up rejecting my Giulia due to Alfa Romeo's complete inability to support their cars, and their frankly horrific attitude towards their customers.
BMW is 18k mile servicing, and cheap service packs can be purchased.
Alfa was 10k mile servicing, and service packs (if not included in the price) are horrendously expensive.
But I'd have another Veloce in a heartbeat ... I miss mine enormously after 12 months in a BMW and plan to get another when the 440 goes. Says it all really.
Currently have a 440i with the same engine, but 360bhp / 500NM in mine thanks to the MPPSK.
I found the Giulia to be incredibly chuckable, felt a lot lighter and nimbler than the figures suggest, and in Stromboli grey with red leather felt incredibly special every time you got in.
My 440i on the other hand is a lovely car, but it feels like it's working against you rather than with you. The engine is fantastic, and sounds far better than the Alfa's, but the driving experience is oh so dull.
Everything (apart from the seats) seems slightly higher quality in the BMW, especially the infotainment which is unacceptably poor in the Alfa.
MPG will be identical - you'll struggle to get much above 30-35mpg in the Alfa, which is roughly what I get from the BMW.
BMW will also give you significantly better service should anything go wrong - I ended up rejecting my Giulia due to Alfa Romeo's complete inability to support their cars, and their frankly horrific attitude towards their customers.
BMW is 18k mile servicing, and cheap service packs can be purchased.
Alfa was 10k mile servicing, and service packs (if not included in the price) are horrendously expensive.
But I'd have another Veloce in a heartbeat ... I miss mine enormously after 12 months in a BMW and plan to get another when the 440 goes. Says it all really.
Edited by stuart_83 on Sunday 24th March 08:50
ShouldKnowBetter said:
Thanks everyone for your comments.
Swinging towards a Veloce as it's about fun rather than outright speed for me (never thought I would say that!!!)
Off to drive a 200bhp one on Monday. No Veloces near me at the moment :-(
Will update you...
I personally think an M140i would run rings round it on those stakes but will be interesting to get your take on it.Swinging towards a Veloce as it's about fun rather than outright speed for me (never thought I would say that!!!)
Off to drive a 200bhp one on Monday. No Veloces near me at the moment :-(
Will update you...
Theres a sense of occasion with the M140i even just pootling about in it - it never tries to audibly hide the fact theres the big straight six up front and the exhaust note lets people know it means business without shouting about it like an A45 would. Theres no need to drive it fast to put a smile on your face.
But the Alfa counters that with being so damn pretty.
Interesting dilemma and i nice problem to have. The Alfa wasnt on our radar as its too big for our requirements - wifie wont drive a 3 series sized car.
Edited by Deep Thought on Sunday 24th March 09:05
Edited by Deep Thought on Sunday 24th March 09:06
ShouldKnowBetter said:
Thanks everyone for your comments.
Swinging towards a Veloce as it's about fun rather than outright speed for me (never thought I would say that!!!)
Off to drive a 200bhp one on Monday. No Veloces near me at the moment :-(
Will update you...
Have you had a chat with Russell at Beechdale Derby? They're probably the best ARUK dealer and were great when I had my issues.Swinging towards a Veloce as it's about fun rather than outright speed for me (never thought I would say that!!!)
Off to drive a 200bhp one on Monday. No Veloces near me at the moment :-(
Will update you...
Forgot to mention, the ride on the Alfa was fantastic around country lanes - have to be much more careful with the harsh ride on my 4GC.
Having ordered an M140 I’m probably a bit biased.
The Alfa Romeo is the better looking car though and being a bit bigger, it’ll probably be better for day to day life. The M140 is compromised inside but then again BMW don’t manage to package their big cars all that well. I can’t really sit comfortably behind the driver seat in a one series when I set it comfortably for myself.
However, the engine and gearbox are fantastic. They’re happy pooling about but are a different animal when you want them to be. They are genuinely pretty bloody quick, I was quite surprised when I had one on an extended test drive.
The discounts and overall running costs make them very very attractive and the fact that I doubt we’ll ever see a small car with a sodding great six pot shoe horned into it.
The Alfa Romeo is the better looking car though and being a bit bigger, it’ll probably be better for day to day life. The M140 is compromised inside but then again BMW don’t manage to package their big cars all that well. I can’t really sit comfortably behind the driver seat in a one series when I set it comfortably for myself.
However, the engine and gearbox are fantastic. They’re happy pooling about but are a different animal when you want them to be. They are genuinely pretty bloody quick, I was quite surprised when I had one on an extended test drive.
The discounts and overall running costs make them very very attractive and the fact that I doubt we’ll ever see a small car with a sodding great six pot shoe horned into it.
I think anybody thinking of comparing these two really should let the test drive do the talking. I expect the 1 series would feel incredibly harsh on the road compared to the Alfa. I’ve not driven a 140 but from a passenger ride it felt like they hadn’t bothered with any springs.
Appreciate that isn’t everybody’s priority and the 1 would probably be much quicker around the lanes ( bearing in mind that’s the only place it’s worth driving Quickly now). However the Alfa really is the complete deal it’s fast enough handles brilliantly and the ride quality is sublime. Not even going to mention the looks.
Edited to correct the wording, why autocorrect would think to use Quinton instead of Quickly I have no idea!!
Appreciate that isn’t everybody’s priority and the 1 would probably be much quicker around the lanes ( bearing in mind that’s the only place it’s worth driving Quickly now). However the Alfa really is the complete deal it’s fast enough handles brilliantly and the ride quality is sublime. Not even going to mention the looks.
Edited to correct the wording, why autocorrect would think to use Quinton instead of Quickly I have no idea!!
Edited by velocemitch on Saturday 30th March 15:59
velocemitch said:
I think anybody thinking of comparing these two really should let the test drive do the talking. I expect the 1 series would feel incredibly harsh on the road compared to the Alfa. I’ve not driven a 140 but from a passenger ride it felt like they hadn’t bothered with any springs.
Appreciate that isn’t everybody’s priority and the 1 would probably be much quicker around the lanes ( bearing in mind that’s the only place it’s worth driving Quickly now). However the Alfa really is the complete deal it’s fast enough handles brilliantly and the ride quality is sublime. Not even going to mention the looks.
Edited to correct the wording, why autocorrect would think to use Quinton instead of Quickly I have no idea!!
I think the M140 feels a bit soft in regards to suspension given the performance on offer. I know it’s not a full on M car, but I expected it to be stiffer. It’s not the best looking car, but the LCI improves it greatly (well to me eyes it does). The Alfa is the prettier car; even the boggo ones look good.Appreciate that isn’t everybody’s priority and the 1 would probably be much quicker around the lanes ( bearing in mind that’s the only place it’s worth driving Quickly now). However the Alfa really is the complete deal it’s fast enough handles brilliantly and the ride quality is sublime. Not even going to mention the looks.
Edited to correct the wording, why autocorrect would think to use Quinton instead of Quickly I have no idea!!
Edited by velocemitch on Saturday 30th March 15:59
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