Another m140i thread!
Discussion
After a having a Cupra hatch which was stolen in October 2019 and moving on to a Cupra ST 4 drive I fancied a change.
A FL RS3 would have been my number one choice followed by an f80 m3 but insurance premiums were excessive due to the theft of my Cupra.
The m140 seemed a sensible choice with insurance being reasonable.
I always liked the Sunset Orange so that was non negotiable. I didn’t want anything with to many miles and a local car popped up at Harrogate BMW but it didn’t have Pro Media or heated seats which I wasn’t prepared to compromise on.
After a test drive in a Golf TCR 3 door which I loved but couldn’t help think I was just getting a slightly more premium Cupra.
Sunday morning a browse on Pistonheads resulted in a 2019 Shadow edition with 15k miles and the all important Pro media and heated seats. It seemed to be around £1500 cheaper than other BMW AUC cars of the spec so I put down a deposit and the rest is history.
I collected her on Monday with a view it would stay standard, I had today off and ended up flashing stage 1 using MG flasher!
It’s chalk and cheese compared to the 4 drive Cupra, the suspension is crap and the RFT’s are even worse.
Some decent rubber and Bilstein dampers are next on the list.
TBC
A FL RS3 would have been my number one choice followed by an f80 m3 but insurance premiums were excessive due to the theft of my Cupra.
The m140 seemed a sensible choice with insurance being reasonable.
I always liked the Sunset Orange so that was non negotiable. I didn’t want anything with to many miles and a local car popped up at Harrogate BMW but it didn’t have Pro Media or heated seats which I wasn’t prepared to compromise on.
After a test drive in a Golf TCR 3 door which I loved but couldn’t help think I was just getting a slightly more premium Cupra.
Sunday morning a browse on Pistonheads resulted in a 2019 Shadow edition with 15k miles and the all important Pro media and heated seats. It seemed to be around £1500 cheaper than other BMW AUC cars of the spec so I put down a deposit and the rest is history.
I collected her on Monday with a view it would stay standard, I had today off and ended up flashing stage 1 using MG flasher!
It’s chalk and cheese compared to the 4 drive Cupra, the suspension is crap and the RFT’s are even worse.
Some decent rubber and Bilstein dampers are next on the list.
TBC
Sunset orange is a fab colour. I love the way it changes in different lights. Sounds a similar spec to the one I’ve just got rid of aside from the colour.
Annoying that yours is on run flats; awful things. Mine was on MPSS’s.
I looked at a TCR as well and I preferred the interior of the BMW despite not having a digital dash etc I though it was a nicer place to sit despite being smaller.
You’re right re the suspension; the rear end in particular is a weakness. The springs on the M140i are properly stiff and combo with cheap dampers it doesn’t make the best combo. It’s not as bad as the internet makes out but it’s not always the most inspiring and is certainly very busy. Mine was better with some softer H+R springs, the underbody brace and some rear B8’s.
Depending on your budget I’d be tempted to consider the Birds option. My new car has their dampers abs springs and it’s really very good.
Enjoy the new car.
Annoying that yours is on run flats; awful things. Mine was on MPSS’s.
I looked at a TCR as well and I preferred the interior of the BMW despite not having a digital dash etc I though it was a nicer place to sit despite being smaller.
You’re right re the suspension; the rear end in particular is a weakness. The springs on the M140i are properly stiff and combo with cheap dampers it doesn’t make the best combo. It’s not as bad as the internet makes out but it’s not always the most inspiring and is certainly very busy. Mine was better with some softer H+R springs, the underbody brace and some rear B8’s.
Depending on your budget I’d be tempted to consider the Birds option. My new car has their dampers abs springs and it’s really very good.
Enjoy the new car.
Mr911lover said:
Cheers, was a big fan of your old car.
More than likely going for Bilsteins, interesting to hear you only upgraded the rear dampers. Any reason why?
Only because I’d not long forked out for an alignment at Centre Gravity and the rears are a pice of cake that doesn’t affect the geometry. I felt the rear dampers were the weak link. More than likely going for Bilsteins, interesting to hear you only upgraded the rear dampers. Any reason why?
Court_S said:
Only because I’d not long forked out for an alignment at Centre Gravity and the rears are a pice of cake that doesn’t affect the geometry. I felt the rear dampers were the weak link.
Makes sense.Don’t think I will be going crazy with this one.
Suspension, subframe inserts and possibly m4 lca’s and XHP.
Then learn how to drive it!
Mr911lover said:
Makes sense.
Don’t think I will be going crazy with this one.
Suspension, subframe inserts and possibly m4 lca’s and XHP.
Then learn how to drive it!
Got adaptive on mine so can’t comment but recently swapped the standard MPSS on the rear over to PS4s and very pleased with the results. The car is now much more capable of deploying the power in wet conditions and it feels so much more confident.Don’t think I will be going crazy with this one.
Suspension, subframe inserts and possibly m4 lca’s and XHP.
Then learn how to drive it!
Chris
brickwall said:
If you’re an iPhone user, I’d thoroughly recommend getting CarPlay coded into the Pro Nav.
Transforms the usability of the system - you get crystal clear Google Maps, Waze, Spotify on the big screen, all with Siri voice control.
Best £250 I’ve spent on the car. Wouldn’t have a car without it now.
I’d agree with that. I regretted not speccing it when I ordered it as soon as the data / music connection expired. Balls to paying £180 a year on that so a guy locally fitted the wifi aerial and coded in CarPlay. Best £150 I spent on the car.Transforms the usability of the system - you get crystal clear Google Maps, Waze, Spotify on the big screen, all with Siri voice control.
Best £250 I’ve spent on the car. Wouldn’t have a car without it now.
Ended up going for Bilstein b14’s along with the M Performance rear bump stops. The guy fitting them didn’t have the subframe inserts in stock so that will be done later.
Also running 15mm rear and 12.5mm Bimmec Spacers.
The coilovers have transformed the car and the rear end now feels connected and that floaty feeling has all but gone.
Booked in tomorrow at Bram racing to get the alignment sorted.
Thinking I should have gone a little lower for looks but I didn’t want to risk any rubbing or compromise the drivability
Also running 15mm rear and 12.5mm Bimmec Spacers.
The coilovers have transformed the car and the rear end now feels connected and that floaty feeling has all but gone.
Booked in tomorrow at Bram racing to get the alignment sorted.
Thinking I should have gone a little lower for looks but I didn’t want to risk any rubbing or compromise the drivability
How easy are these MG/ XHP maps to do? For a man that txting is about my technology limit 
Does the XHP get rid of the annoying delay when going from braking to accelerator at roundabouts etc?
I went for a drive from Dumfries to Ary in mine the other week I’m really starting to enjoy this car a lot! Certainly needs some suspension and the Bilstein b12’s will be my next purchase I think.
Does the XHP get rid of the annoying delay when going from braking to accelerator at roundabouts etc? I went for a drive from Dumfries to Ary in mine the other week I’m really starting to enjoy this car a lot! Certainly needs some suspension and the Bilstein b12’s will be my next purchase I think.
Glenn63 said:
How easy are these MG/ XHP maps to do? For a man that txting is about my technology limit Does the XHP get rid of the annoying delay when going from braking to accelerator at roundabouts etc?
I went for a drive from Dumfries to Ary in mine the other week I’m really starting to enjoy this car a lot! Certainly needs some suspension and the Bilstein b12’s will be my next purchase I think.
get a local tuning company to install it. doesn't cost much, plus peace of mind. Does the XHP get rid of the annoying delay when going from braking to accelerator at roundabouts etc? I went for a drive from Dumfries to Ary in mine the other week I’m really starting to enjoy this car a lot! Certainly needs some suspension and the Bilstein b12’s will be my next purchase I think.
depending where you are try https://www.performance-centre.co.uk/
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