BMW 35i and 40i (manual) owners experience
Discussion
Evening all, long time lurker and now looking to use some of the PH wisdom for my next car purchase.
I have narrowed down my choices to the above engines with a manual gearbox, which leaves an M135i / M140i, 4 series, or a 3 series (F30). Not fussed about body style, it will be my only car and 99% of the time it will only have me in it. For times where I need to move house or whaterver, I would just have a van. Budget is not really an issue, so long as it is a good one. Seen good old high miles cars, and dogs that are 2 years old and have 10k on them.
Now, for those who have owned any configuration of the above, what was your ownership experience like? What sort of bills are we looking at? How did you find real world comfort and refinement? I am coming from an Audi S4 B7, so would like something that has a little less road noise and a less harsh ride. Not interested in track days, it will be a road car only.
Anything in particular to look for when buying one? Annoyingly most are automatics so I would be travelling quite far to see a manual one I would want to buy, so I would most likley only realistially be able to look at 2 or 3 cars. Apprecaite any help / guidence!
I have narrowed down my choices to the above engines with a manual gearbox, which leaves an M135i / M140i, 4 series, or a 3 series (F30). Not fussed about body style, it will be my only car and 99% of the time it will only have me in it. For times where I need to move house or whaterver, I would just have a van. Budget is not really an issue, so long as it is a good one. Seen good old high miles cars, and dogs that are 2 years old and have 10k on them.
Now, for those who have owned any configuration of the above, what was your ownership experience like? What sort of bills are we looking at? How did you find real world comfort and refinement? I am coming from an Audi S4 B7, so would like something that has a little less road noise and a less harsh ride. Not interested in track days, it will be a road car only.
Anything in particular to look for when buying one? Annoyingly most are automatics so I would be travelling quite far to see a manual one I would want to buy, so I would most likley only realistially be able to look at 2 or 3 cars. Apprecaite any help / guidence!
nikaiyo2 said:
Why not auto?
Honestly the ZF auto is great in these cars. I drove the manual and auto back to back, I intended to buy a manual but the salesman suggested having a quick go in an auto... bought the auto.
Quite simply, I like driving manual cars. I appreciate the ZF8 is a fantastic peice of kit and probably as good as automatics get at the moment but I just don't like them. Totally see why some people do like them, but it it just not for me. Honestly the ZF auto is great in these cars. I drove the manual and auto back to back, I intended to buy a manual but the salesman suggested having a quick go in an auto... bought the auto.
I have driven a few of them, but just don't get on with them.
Yes I've owned an m140i. Oddly the only thing I would say is make sure you go for the auto. The manual box is pretty average.
But as you're stuck on manual I would say try and avoid poverty spec cars which is going to be tough on a manual.
The m140i was faster and more fuel efficient than the m135i.
Running costs are ok. I averaged 28mpg.
Great cars!
But as you're stuck on manual I would say try and avoid poverty spec cars which is going to be tough on a manual.
The m140i was faster and more fuel efficient than the m135i.
Running costs are ok. I averaged 28mpg.
Great cars!
I had a manual m140i for two years. I loved it. Definitely fast enough for me, interior pretty good (maybe not as nice as Audi or Merc though?), handling ok.
Negatives are the ride is really a bit rubbish on a bumpy road, most reviewers also mention this.
Over the two years I averaged 30mpg so not too bad. On a long motorway journey you can conceivably get 40mpg.
Negatives are the ride is really a bit rubbish on a bumpy road, most reviewers also mention this.
Over the two years I averaged 30mpg so not too bad. On a long motorway journey you can conceivably get 40mpg.
I have a manual m240i, and that choice was made out of preference not budget reasons. People always seem to say the auto is the better option in these, and that the manual is a bit average. Well, I often wonder how many of them actually tried the manual, because finding a manual to test drive is near impossible, let alone use one over some time.
I agree the auto is a great auto box, but I'm glad I went manual.
The manual is not quite as slick as a Honda type R or Cayman box which I've had previously, but it's still good. The slight pedal offset is a bit annoying but you get used to it.
Gearbox choice is personal, so make sure you have a good drive in one, but will be hard to find a manual to drive.
I agree the auto is a great auto box, but I'm glad I went manual.
The manual is not quite as slick as a Honda type R or Cayman box which I've had previously, but it's still good. The slight pedal offset is a bit annoying but you get used to it.
Gearbox choice is personal, so make sure you have a good drive in one, but will be hard to find a manual to drive.
I’ve owned a manual M135i and currently have an auto M140i. The manual is by far more involving to drive but is quite low geared, so is slightly more tiring on long journeys.
The M140 is quicker, but on balance I prefer the N55 engine- the 140 engine does sound a bit diesel-like at constant revs.
The m135 ran on Bridgestone runflats which were noisier than the Michelins on the M140.
The M140 is a quick, quiet, comfortable tool but there’s barely a day goes by where I don’t miss the M135- especially on a cross-country commute.
Hope this helps!
The M140 is quicker, but on balance I prefer the N55 engine- the 140 engine does sound a bit diesel-like at constant revs.
The m135 ran on Bridgestone runflats which were noisier than the Michelins on the M140.
The M140 is a quick, quiet, comfortable tool but there’s barely a day goes by where I don’t miss the M135- especially on a cross-country commute.
Hope this helps!
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff