M240i - M performance LSD and other questions
Discussion
I’ve ordered a new m240i for delivery in September, it will be a LCI2 car with the subtle changes being made. It is a daily driver so needs to balance day to day comfort with providing fun at the weekend.
I want to get a proper feel for the car before rushing into any changes (if needed), but interested to hear about worthwhile modifications that improve the drive based on peoples real experiences. Not looking for bigger wheels or cosmetic changes although I do quite like the look of the boot lip spoiler.
Optional BMW diff – those who have this, how do you find it? For those who don’t, do you feel like you miss one? I am getting a manual version, but the auto I test drove tended to snake around in the slight damp conditions when trying to put power down, presumably the traction control stepping in and out. It felt a bit awkward and I didn’t experience anything like it on a previous 350z which did have a locking diff, although it was also down on power and torque compared to the m240i. The car I test drove had MPSS tyres on for reference and not run flats! Also, not looking to drift the car anywhere, so benefits there would be wasted on me.
BMW performance exhaust – I quite liked the standard noise on the test drive and it’s perfect for day to day use, but I think a bit more volume on a spirited drive would be good. Is it a switchable system? I leave home at 6.30am every morning and don’t want to cause problems with the neighbours.
Suspension – unlikely to make any changes here, although I do think it sits about 15mm too high. Has anyone been happy with quality coilover changes to improve ride/handling? I've read the recent review of the Birds m235i and seems changes made are very positive.
Lastly, what is BMWs attitude like in respect of non-BMW modifications and warranty? Are they more relaxed than Porsche, didn’t want to take any chances with my old Cayman due to their very strict policy.
I want to get a proper feel for the car before rushing into any changes (if needed), but interested to hear about worthwhile modifications that improve the drive based on peoples real experiences. Not looking for bigger wheels or cosmetic changes although I do quite like the look of the boot lip spoiler.
Optional BMW diff – those who have this, how do you find it? For those who don’t, do you feel like you miss one? I am getting a manual version, but the auto I test drove tended to snake around in the slight damp conditions when trying to put power down, presumably the traction control stepping in and out. It felt a bit awkward and I didn’t experience anything like it on a previous 350z which did have a locking diff, although it was also down on power and torque compared to the m240i. The car I test drove had MPSS tyres on for reference and not run flats! Also, not looking to drift the car anywhere, so benefits there would be wasted on me.
BMW performance exhaust – I quite liked the standard noise on the test drive and it’s perfect for day to day use, but I think a bit more volume on a spirited drive would be good. Is it a switchable system? I leave home at 6.30am every morning and don’t want to cause problems with the neighbours.
Suspension – unlikely to make any changes here, although I do think it sits about 15mm too high. Has anyone been happy with quality coilover changes to improve ride/handling? I've read the recent review of the Birds m235i and seems changes made are very positive.
Lastly, what is BMWs attitude like in respect of non-BMW modifications and warranty? Are they more relaxed than Porsche, didn’t want to take any chances with my old Cayman due to their very strict policy.
I've had a manual m140i since last sept and have done about 17,000 miles so far. Been toying with an LSD too but haven't added one yet. I have adaptive suspension which is great and I'd never consider messing with it by lowering. The compliance is the best thing about it. Have toyed with exhaust but I'm not convinced that the performance exhaust wouldn't drone on long motorway runs which I'd hate.
Hi.
I've got a Pre LCI M135i but have both the MPE and BMW LSD.
I got the exhaust first and yes, cold start up is noticeably louder. To the point it turns heads and is boomy for a good 30 seconds or so. I leave for work at 0600 and In the summer with bedroom windows open etc it probably is wake up loud. Thankfully mine lives in the garage so the cold start can start and finish in there before I reverse it out.
When it's warmed up friends often comment on how good it sounds. It is boomy on the motorway but only in sport so I guess it's designed to be that way. In comfort it's not distinguishable from the standard exhaust.
The LSD is obviously much more a 'drivers' investment as it makes no real difference until you push on a bit. The big difference being in the wet when the light car/rear drive starts to show it up.
The car now never annoyingly spins that inside wheel when coming out of a junction and the traction light rarely comes on in the dry.
I traded in an E92 M3 for my M135i and the lack of diff was very noticeable. I'm no drift meister but I do dislike cars spinning all their power away.
Sport+ is now so much better and from now on I'll be after one on any non M car I own.
Both do occasionally pop up on eBay or the babybmw forum so keep half an eye on there and snap them up if they come along.
Major B.
I've got a Pre LCI M135i but have both the MPE and BMW LSD.
I got the exhaust first and yes, cold start up is noticeably louder. To the point it turns heads and is boomy for a good 30 seconds or so. I leave for work at 0600 and In the summer with bedroom windows open etc it probably is wake up loud. Thankfully mine lives in the garage so the cold start can start and finish in there before I reverse it out.
When it's warmed up friends often comment on how good it sounds. It is boomy on the motorway but only in sport so I guess it's designed to be that way. In comfort it's not distinguishable from the standard exhaust.
The LSD is obviously much more a 'drivers' investment as it makes no real difference until you push on a bit. The big difference being in the wet when the light car/rear drive starts to show it up.
The car now never annoyingly spins that inside wheel when coming out of a junction and the traction light rarely comes on in the dry.
I traded in an E92 M3 for my M135i and the lack of diff was very noticeable. I'm no drift meister but I do dislike cars spinning all their power away.
Sport+ is now so much better and from now on I'll be after one on any non M car I own.
Both do occasionally pop up on eBay or the babybmw forum so keep half an eye on there and snap them up if they come along.
Major B.
Thanks all. Some mixed opinions on the LSD, it is very expensive although I guess some would be recovered on removal before selling car on. I have no intention of tracking the car, just after a bit more confidence/ability getting the power down. On my extended test drive, this was the only real issue with the car on the slightly damp surface.
If the exhaust drones on the motorway and is loud on start up it's probably a non-starter, so saves me some cash at least. On the suspension front, I've just read a few reviews that suggest the damping isn't up to scratch, but others say it's perfectly acceptable. Will just have to see how I get on with it.
If the exhaust drones on the motorway and is loud on start up it's probably a non-starter, so saves me some cash at least. On the suspension front, I've just read a few reviews that suggest the damping isn't up to scratch, but others say it's perfectly acceptable. Will just have to see how I get on with it.
You don't need an LSD only to track the car, it would make significant difference in spirited road driving. I know someone that just added one to his M140i and is raving about it,
My M140i seemed to tie itself in knots trying to pull away moderately, and now in an M240i I think this is slightly improved, but still it would benefit from having one.
I used an M135i for a while with the M Performance exhaust and didn't think it was as noisy as I had expected, yes it is noisy on initial start for 20 seconds or so, but so is the original. It certainly isn't boomy, and only under significant power does it become louder. It isn't switchable as such, but there is a servo controlled flap which will respond to the rocker switch, then also your foot!
If it has M performance suspension, AC Schnitzer do an alternative spring set but if Adaptive I'd be inclined to leave it.
My M140i seemed to tie itself in knots trying to pull away moderately, and now in an M240i I think this is slightly improved, but still it would benefit from having one.
I used an M135i for a while with the M Performance exhaust and didn't think it was as noisy as I had expected, yes it is noisy on initial start for 20 seconds or so, but so is the original. It certainly isn't boomy, and only under significant power does it become louder. It isn't switchable as such, but there is a servo controlled flap which will respond to the rocker switch, then also your foot!
If it has M performance suspension, AC Schnitzer do an alternative spring set but if Adaptive I'd be inclined to leave it.
I have the MP exhaust on my new M140i.
It's nicely loud on start up, that's mostly because the engine does seem to use a lot of revs initially, then settling down after 15secs or so. This happens even when the car is warm.
The exhaust is NOT boomy, it's just a little more "bassy". The "fluffy" bits you hear between gearchanges sometimes are also enhanced.
It's absolutely fine on the motorway. I did 400 miles in it yesterday, it's perfectly comfortable.
I'm not a boy racer by the way.
Tim
It's nicely loud on start up, that's mostly because the engine does seem to use a lot of revs initially, then settling down after 15secs or so. This happens even when the car is warm.
The exhaust is NOT boomy, it's just a little more "bassy". The "fluffy" bits you hear between gearchanges sometimes are also enhanced.
It's absolutely fine on the motorway. I did 400 miles in it yesterday, it's perfectly comfortable.
I'm not a boy racer by the way.
Tim
I bought an M140i ZF 8speed for commuting about 6 months ago.
Exhaust, the standard system gets louder with miles - I'm perfectly happy with it now, anything more would seriously piss my neighbours off on my early starts.
The odd wiggle, I noticed this when I first got the car, but strangely it's 'settled down' somewhat and infact, I haven't felt it do this for a few months now.
LSD - I took the car to Wales and wanted some 'fun' a few weeks ago. I missed the LSD then, but for what I actually use the car for, it has plenty of traction and I don't miss it at all.
Mines on passive dampers - I'm quite happy with them. It seems adaptive dampers are the 'option to have' but I find the damping well judged for my 30 mile back road blast to work at 4am. Slow speed ride is a little hard, but the ride is still better than my B7 RS4 was and with the passive, you've got the option to easily change springs and dampers down the road should you want to.
Exhaust, the standard system gets louder with miles - I'm perfectly happy with it now, anything more would seriously piss my neighbours off on my early starts.
The odd wiggle, I noticed this when I first got the car, but strangely it's 'settled down' somewhat and infact, I haven't felt it do this for a few months now.
LSD - I took the car to Wales and wanted some 'fun' a few weeks ago. I missed the LSD then, but for what I actually use the car for, it has plenty of traction and I don't miss it at all.
Mines on passive dampers - I'm quite happy with them. It seems adaptive dampers are the 'option to have' but I find the damping well judged for my 30 mile back road blast to work at 4am. Slow speed ride is a little hard, but the ride is still better than my B7 RS4 was and with the passive, you've got the option to easily change springs and dampers down the road should you want to.
Edited by Spoof on Wednesday 5th July 20:19
Edited by Spoof on Wednesday 5th July 22:55
I have an M135i on passive suspension and a pair of M235i's on passive suspension, and for road use (as long as you stick to the Michelin PSS tyres and don't tick the runflat box) you shouldn't need an LSD in 99% of situations.
My M235i's work hard for a living (4 sets of tyres in 19k miles) and they only struggle for grip when it's wet and the tyres are stone cold. If you get some heat into the Michelins they work really well, even when the outside temp is in single digits and the tarmac is damp.
If you feel you need the LSD and you're not going on track, i'd suggest spending a little cash on some driver training first...
I don't have the MPE but have first hand experience of it on M135i and M235i and i'd say it's worth it. If i replace the 235's with a pair of 240's (as is currently the plan) then i may well stump up for the MPE on both. It's as quiet as stock on light throttle at motorway speeds, sounds glorious when you're having some fun, but cold starts are quite rude. I guess it depends how keen you are on staying friends with your neighbours (especially if your commute starts early in the morning).
Brilliant car though. Performance bargain IMHO.
My M235i's work hard for a living (4 sets of tyres in 19k miles) and they only struggle for grip when it's wet and the tyres are stone cold. If you get some heat into the Michelins they work really well, even when the outside temp is in single digits and the tarmac is damp.
If you feel you need the LSD and you're not going on track, i'd suggest spending a little cash on some driver training first...
I don't have the MPE but have first hand experience of it on M135i and M235i and i'd say it's worth it. If i replace the 235's with a pair of 240's (as is currently the plan) then i may well stump up for the MPE on both. It's as quiet as stock on light throttle at motorway speeds, sounds glorious when you're having some fun, but cold starts are quite rude. I guess it depends how keen you are on staying friends with your neighbours (especially if your commute starts early in the morning).
Brilliant car though. Performance bargain IMHO.
VerySideways said:
Oh, and just to add - the first 2000 miles or so in the M235i's were alarming. I thought i'd bought the wrong cars!
The suspension takes a little while to loosen up.....
Loosen up ? I have just bought an M240i convertible and it seems very soft ... or at least it does with standard passive suspension compared to my A45 AMG Facelift with adaptive suspension !The suspension takes a little while to loosen up.....
Tea Pot One said:
Loosen up ? I have just bought an M240i convertible and it seems very soft ... or at least it does with standard passive suspension compared to my A45 AMG with adaptive suspension !
I assume the convertible suspension is different - the coupes were very fidgety for the first couple of thousand miles, like all the bushes were really tight? Bounced around all over the place! 
VerySideways said:
Tea Pot One said:
Loosen up ? I have just bought an M240i convertible and it seems very soft ... or at least it does with standard passive suspension compared to my A45 AMG with adaptive suspension !
I assume the convertible suspension is different - the coupes were very fidgety for the first couple of thousand miles, like all the bushes were really tight? Bounced around all over the place! JackReacher said:
Thanks all. Some mixed opinions on the LSD, it is very expensive although I guess some would be recovered on removal before selling car on. I have no intention of tracking the car, just after a bit more confidence/ability getting the power down. On my extended test drive, this was the only real issue with the car on the slightly damp surface.
What tyres was it on? Mine was very much like this, and in the wet, a lot of care had to be used. When I bought it I assumed it was on rft's and the way it behaved seemed to confirm this. But it had MPSSs (PS4s are fitted now, I believe, not sure). I changed them to F1 Asy's, which I've got on my Z4 (replacing rfts) and had had on my TT (P Zero Rosso) and have been satisfied with them..
The car now behaves like every other BMW I've had, eg if you accelerate too hard, traction is lost momentarily, TC cuts in, yellow light on dash, traction resumes, as you were. You can still turn it off, of course.
I did discuss this with the head tech guy at the dealer who promised to look into it and let me know. Maybe he lost my number.
As for the ride, it's not to hard or soft imho, it's too bouncy. Potholes crash a bit, as you'd expect, but it carries on bouncing for a while, as it if was too soft, and so gets very unsettled over poor surfaces. On decent roads the whole package is very smooth.
I've read on BabyBMW.net people saying positive things about H&R springs or the Birds kit, and I don't think it's an issue with adaptive ride.
All IMHO, hope you enjoy it.
The Pilot Super Sports seem very pressure sensitive. My car came with completely the wrong pressure settings (Nice pdi BMW)
The PSS is about the best tyre on the market, only very marginally overshadowed by the PS4S now, but you'd have to be part machine to notice that on the road anyway.
The PSS is about the best tyre on the market, only very marginally overshadowed by the PS4S now, but you'd have to be part machine to notice that on the road anyway.
willttqs said:
I am in a position similar to this. i have just put a deposit down on a 2016 m135i, but have just found out that it has an M performance LSD and exhaust fitted. I am now concerned that it would have been ragged. It has 10k on the clock. thoughts? there is a bill for £3k
Warranty. I wouldn't worry. Spoof said:
willttqs said:
I am in a position similar to this. i have just put a deposit down on a 2016 m135i, but have just found out that it has an M performance LSD and exhaust fitted. I am now concerned that it would have been ragged. It has 10k on the clock. thoughts? there is a bill for £3k
Warranty. I wouldn't worry. Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff