BMW M140i ownership first 6 months
Discussion
Hi all.
A while ago I posted asking opinions on BMW 140i, along with some usual suspects (A45, Golf R, S3 etc)
I had it narrowed down to the beemer or a Golf R.
Budget was 22-25k for a nice used car, and to be honest, the beemer was about 3k less than the golf, spec for spec.
I picked up a 2018 3 door shadow edition auto, dark grey with anthracite alloys and cream seats interior/black carpet.
It looked great and I was sold.
Thought I’d share my thoughts for anyone else in the same boat.
I’ve always loved cars, had a fair share of nice ones between me and the missus and even though I’m pushing 50 I still adore a “hot hatch”! ??
Firstly- these cars are seriously quick.
I’ve followed a Lamborghini recently that couldn’t shake me off, and was similarly with an RS4 until I had to back off as the driver of the other motor was pushing triple digits approaching the brow of a hill- not my style to be fair, I’m a 7/10ths driver at the best of times and therefore the M lite suits me very well.
So far, it’s averaged 36mpg and I use 3 modes on my 25 mile each way commute.
I have it in comfort mainly, into sport for the odd overtake, and eco once I hit the city. It truly is a great car, the engine is an absolute peach.
Sadly the car is shod in bullet hard Bridgestone run flats for some reason?!
Soon as they are anywhere near min I will be swapping for pilot sport 4’s
Would that make all the difference do you guys think?
I really hate the bone rattling ride and lack of grip in anything but perfect weather.
I do find it hard to get the power down, and with winter approaching I have to admit I’m drawn back to the golf R.
Can anyone share their experience of either car, or even better, people who have owner both?
If I sell and get a golf I will be looking for a manual- don’t shout me down, I will budget for a decent clutch (like Sachs organic?) but I miss the gear changing control a manual gives
I appreciate it won’t be as fast, and I know these cars aren’t bought for fuel economy but how would a manual golf R fare by comparison? For the record I can’t quite believe how well the bmw does!
I went with my heart for the 1 series, but the head is saying “4wd”
I never use the manual function/flappy paddles in my auto. Seems too fiddly for some reason!
A while ago I posted asking opinions on BMW 140i, along with some usual suspects (A45, Golf R, S3 etc)
I had it narrowed down to the beemer or a Golf R.
Budget was 22-25k for a nice used car, and to be honest, the beemer was about 3k less than the golf, spec for spec.
I picked up a 2018 3 door shadow edition auto, dark grey with anthracite alloys and cream seats interior/black carpet.
It looked great and I was sold.
Thought I’d share my thoughts for anyone else in the same boat.
I’ve always loved cars, had a fair share of nice ones between me and the missus and even though I’m pushing 50 I still adore a “hot hatch”! ??
Firstly- these cars are seriously quick.
I’ve followed a Lamborghini recently that couldn’t shake me off, and was similarly with an RS4 until I had to back off as the driver of the other motor was pushing triple digits approaching the brow of a hill- not my style to be fair, I’m a 7/10ths driver at the best of times and therefore the M lite suits me very well.
So far, it’s averaged 36mpg and I use 3 modes on my 25 mile each way commute.
I have it in comfort mainly, into sport for the odd overtake, and eco once I hit the city. It truly is a great car, the engine is an absolute peach.
Sadly the car is shod in bullet hard Bridgestone run flats for some reason?!
Soon as they are anywhere near min I will be swapping for pilot sport 4’s
Would that make all the difference do you guys think?
I really hate the bone rattling ride and lack of grip in anything but perfect weather.
I do find it hard to get the power down, and with winter approaching I have to admit I’m drawn back to the golf R.
Can anyone share their experience of either car, or even better, people who have owner both?
If I sell and get a golf I will be looking for a manual- don’t shout me down, I will budget for a decent clutch (like Sachs organic?) but I miss the gear changing control a manual gives
I appreciate it won’t be as fast, and I know these cars aren’t bought for fuel economy but how would a manual golf R fare by comparison? For the record I can’t quite believe how well the bmw does!
I went with my heart for the 1 series, but the head is saying “4wd”
I never use the manual function/flappy paddles in my auto. Seems too fiddly for some reason!
Edited by Germanic on Wednesday 15th September 00:16
I owned an M240i so close enough. The run flats will be making a big difference to grip and quality of ride so I'd be getting rid of them PDQ. Mine was shod with MPSS and specced with adaptive and there is no way the ride could be described as bone rattling in comfort. In fact the car in my view made most sense if thought of as a mini GT car as it was fast but comfortable on a cruise and could carry four people (admittedly two being small) and luggage easily. However as far as grip goes truth be told even with good tyres the car would still struggle with grip in less than ideal conditions, though this could mostly be mitigated with experience managing steering and throttle inputs. Many owners have reported LSD and upgrading the suspension works wonders for grip and handling and if I'd kept mine longer I may have gone down this route. I'm surprised you can tolerate ECO-PRO mode, I think I engaged it twice in four years and it genuinely made it feel like the throttle pedal had been disconnected.
No experience with the Golf but the truth is few really need AWD (certainly not in a small-ish hatchback) and winter tyres will do more for cold weather grip than 4 driven wheels on summer rubber. I live in the South and I never felt the need to use Winter tyres; yes you have to treat the car with more care but that's probably a good thing in cold/wet conditions and I was never unable to drive anywhere because of the tyre/driven wheel combination. It might be different if I lived in the Outer Hebrides. If the R is much like the various AWD VAG products I have driven it will be dull compared to even the flawed, OEM M140i. At least if you do decide to sell you will probably get most of if not all your money back given the state of the used market currently.
Presumably the Lambo was a tractor, or being driven by a woman called Doris. The beemer is fast but it ain't that quick!
No experience with the Golf but the truth is few really need AWD (certainly not in a small-ish hatchback) and winter tyres will do more for cold weather grip than 4 driven wheels on summer rubber. I live in the South and I never felt the need to use Winter tyres; yes you have to treat the car with more care but that's probably a good thing in cold/wet conditions and I was never unable to drive anywhere because of the tyre/driven wheel combination. It might be different if I lived in the Outer Hebrides. If the R is much like the various AWD VAG products I have driven it will be dull compared to even the flawed, OEM M140i. At least if you do decide to sell you will probably get most of if not all your money back given the state of the used market currently.
Presumably the Lambo was a tractor, or being driven by a woman called Doris. The beemer is fast but it ain't that quick!
I had an M140i for two years which went in May this year.
It was a car that I don’t think I ever really gelled with despite it being the best car I’ve ever owned in paper at least.
It was quick but it only ever felt exciting going very f
king fast which was easily done with little effort but that’s going to land you in trouble at some point.
Mine was on MPSS with passive dampers and the ride wasn’t too bad but the damping especially on the rear was an issue on a good B road. It struggled to deal with imperfections once the speed picked up and it always felt like it was still trying to figure out what to do 50 yards passed the pot hole, compression etc.
I lowered it with H+R springs which were softer on the rear. This helped a bit. I also fitted the underbody brace that the five doors cars didn’t get and fitted B8 dampers on the rear. All helped but ultimately it still didn’t tick the boxes for me and I wasn’t willing to chuck more money at it in the form of an LSD or Birds suspension. I’d rather put that cash towards an M2.
The engine / gearbox were brilliant though. Properly quick yet capable of good MPG on a cruise. Eco pro was awful though.
I looked at the Golf R too before ordering my 140 but that left me totally cold. It doesn’t look great (GTI has more visual impact for me) and I actually preferred the BMW interior (better driving position, infotainment etc). It’s very fast but rather clinical for me.
It was a car that I don’t think I ever really gelled with despite it being the best car I’ve ever owned in paper at least.
It was quick but it only ever felt exciting going very f
king fast which was easily done with little effort but that’s going to land you in trouble at some point. Mine was on MPSS with passive dampers and the ride wasn’t too bad but the damping especially on the rear was an issue on a good B road. It struggled to deal with imperfections once the speed picked up and it always felt like it was still trying to figure out what to do 50 yards passed the pot hole, compression etc.
I lowered it with H+R springs which were softer on the rear. This helped a bit. I also fitted the underbody brace that the five doors cars didn’t get and fitted B8 dampers on the rear. All helped but ultimately it still didn’t tick the boxes for me and I wasn’t willing to chuck more money at it in the form of an LSD or Birds suspension. I’d rather put that cash towards an M2.
The engine / gearbox were brilliant though. Properly quick yet capable of good MPG on a cruise. Eco pro was awful though.
I looked at the Golf R too before ordering my 140 but that left me totally cold. It doesn’t look great (GTI has more visual impact for me) and I actually preferred the BMW interior (better driving position, infotainment etc). It’s very fast but rather clinical for me.
Jonny Wishbone said:
I owned an M240i so close enough. The run flats will be making a big difference to grip and quality of ride so I'd be getting rid of them PDQ. Mine was shod with MPSS and specced with adaptive and there is no way the ride could be described as bone rattling in comfort. In fact the car in my view made most sense if thought of as a mini GT car as it was fast but comfortable on a cruise and could carry four people (admittedly two being small) and luggage easily. However as far as grip goes truth be told even with good tyres the car would still struggle with grip in less than ideal conditions, though this could mostly be mitigated with experience managing steering and throttle inputs. Many owners have reported LSD and upgrading the suspension works wonders for grip and handling and if I'd kept mine longer I may have gone down this route. I'm surprised you can tolerate ECO-PRO mode, I think I engaged it twice in four years and it genuinely made it feel like the throttle pedal had been disconnected.
No experience with the Golf but the truth is few really need AWD (certainly not in a small-ish hatchback) and winter tyres will do more for cold weather grip than 4 driven wheels on summer rubber. I live in the South and I never felt the need to use Winter tyres; yes you have to treat the car with more care but that's probably a good thing in cold/wet conditions and I was never unable to drive anywhere because of the tyre/driven wheel combination. It might be different if I lived in the Outer Hebrides. If the R is much like the various AWD VAG products I have driven it will be dull compared to even the flawed, OEM M140i. At least if you do decide to sell you will probably get most of if not all your money back given the state of the used market currently.
LolNo experience with the Golf but the truth is few really need AWD (certainly not in a small-ish hatchback) and winter tyres will do more for cold weather grip than 4 driven wheels on summer rubber. I live in the South and I never felt the need to use Winter tyres; yes you have to treat the car with more care but that's probably a good thing in cold/wet conditions and I was never unable to drive anywhere because of the tyre/driven wheel combination. It might be different if I lived in the Outer Hebrides. If the R is much like the various AWD VAG products I have driven it will be dull compared to even the flawed, OEM M140i. At least if you do decide to sell you will probably get most of if not all your money back given the state of the used market currently.
- Presumably the Lambo was a tractor*, or being driven by a woman called Doris. The beemer is fast but it ain't that quick!
I’m not saying the Lambo was at full pelt on a motorway or something silly- was twisty B roads and it was being driven by a Boris not a Doris…
Flowing silver locks and a very poor special awareness of just how wide his car was!
It struggled (or he struggled) to pull away and that’s a fact.
I’m wel aware as soon as we hit a long straight I would be left in his rear view mirror but it was a fun blast all the same.
Eco Pro is god awful I know, I literally have it in that for a half mile or so crawl as I get into the city
Not sure just how much good it does to be fair!
Court_S said:
I had an M140i for two years which went in May this year.
It was a car that I don’t think I ever really gelled with despite it being the best car I’ve ever owned in paper at least.
It was quick but it only ever felt exciting going very fking fast which was easily done with little effort but that’s going to land you in trouble at some point.
Mine was on MPSS with passive dampers and the ride wasn’t too bad but the damping especially on the rear was an issue on a good B road. It struggled to deal with imperfections once the speed picked up and it always felt like it was still trying to figure out what to do 50 yards passed the pot hole, compression etc.
I lowered it with H+R springs which were softer on the rear. This helped a bit. I also fitted the underbody brace that the five doors cars didn’t get and fitted B8 dampers on the rear. All helped but ultimately it still didn’t tick the boxes for me and I wasn’t willing to chuck more money at it in the form of an LSD or Birds suspension. I’d rather put that cash towards an M2.
The engine / gearbox were brilliant though. Properly quick yet capable of good MPG on a cruise. Eco pro was awful though.
I looked at the Golf R too before ordering my 140 but that left me totally cold. It doesn’t look great (GTI has more visual impact for me) and I actually preferred the BMW interior (better driving position, infotainment etc). It’s very fast but rather clinical for me.
I will be booking a test drive in an R soon to put my mind at ease… I suspect new rubber on the beemer will see me fall back in love with it, all depends on the test drive.It was a car that I don’t think I ever really gelled with despite it being the best car I’ve ever owned in paper at least.
It was quick but it only ever felt exciting going very f
king fast which was easily done with little effort but that’s going to land you in trouble at some point. Mine was on MPSS with passive dampers and the ride wasn’t too bad but the damping especially on the rear was an issue on a good B road. It struggled to deal with imperfections once the speed picked up and it always felt like it was still trying to figure out what to do 50 yards passed the pot hole, compression etc.
I lowered it with H+R springs which were softer on the rear. This helped a bit. I also fitted the underbody brace that the five doors cars didn’t get and fitted B8 dampers on the rear. All helped but ultimately it still didn’t tick the boxes for me and I wasn’t willing to chuck more money at it in the form of an LSD or Birds suspension. I’d rather put that cash towards an M2.
The engine / gearbox were brilliant though. Properly quick yet capable of good MPG on a cruise. Eco pro was awful though.
I looked at the Golf R too before ordering my 140 but that left me totally cold. It doesn’t look great (GTI has more visual impact for me) and I actually preferred the BMW interior (better driving position, infotainment etc). It’s very fast but rather clinical for me.
Cheers for all the replies
Interesting to read your review to date. I have a thread running about trying to replace a Fiesta ST & E92 M3 with one daily, & though a Civic Type R FK8 is favourite at the moment I do wonder if a M140 would be a good mid way point. My preference is grey & cream too - I imagine the cream lifts a somewhat typically sombre BM interior?
I fully accept it’s more a mini GT than hot hatch but am concerned it might be too far off the current cars, especially considering I’m surrounded by great B roads.
I fully accept it’s more a mini GT than hot hatch but am concerned it might be too far off the current cars, especially considering I’m surrounded by great B roads.
acme said:
Interesting to read your review to date. I have a thread running about trying to replace a Fiesta ST & E92 M3 with one daily, & though a Civic Type R FK8 is favourite at the moment I do wonder if a M140 would be a good mid way point. My preference is grey & cream too - I imagine the cream lifts a somewhat typically sombre BM interior?
I fully accept it’s more a mini GT than hot hatch but am concerned it might be too far off the current cars, especially considering I’m surrounded by great B roads.
The cognac interior really lifts the cabin although it was rare. I wish I’d been braver when optioning mine.I fully accept it’s more a mini GT than hot hatch but am concerned it might be too far off the current cars, especially considering I’m surrounded by great B roads.
Think that kills the oyster leather for me is the light coloured plastics on the seats; it looks cack. My 130 has the old lemon interior but the plastics for controls and around the seats base are black which I think looks loads better.
I have had a manual m135i with a lsd for around a year and loved it, sounded great with the MPE exhaust. I really liked it, wish it had the HK system though.
I now have a 2017 Golf R facelift manual. I really enjoy it, feels a bit more solid and perhaps slightly quicker. sounds no where near as good exhaust.
I was looking for a shadow edition m140i but found this R at a good price with lots of spec.
Both fantastic cars
I now have a 2017 Golf R facelift manual. I really enjoy it, feels a bit more solid and perhaps slightly quicker. sounds no where near as good exhaust.
I was looking for a shadow edition m140i but found this R at a good price with lots of spec.
Both fantastic cars
acme said:
Interesting to read your review to date. I have a thread running about trying to replace a Fiesta ST & E92 M3 with one daily, & though a Civic Type R FK8 is favourite at the moment I do wonder if a M140 would be a good mid way point. My preference is grey & cream too - I imagine the cream lifts a somewhat typically sombre BM interior?
I fully accept it’s more a mini GT than hot hatch but am concerned it might be too far off the current cars, especially considering I’m surrounded by great B roads.
Just to add my 2p worth; I've owned an E92 M3 for 6 years which has been a weekend car & got a M140i in May this year for every day.I fully accept it’s more a mini GT than hot hatch but am concerned it might be too far off the current cars, especially considering I’m surrounded by great B roads.
I've been pretty happy with the M140. After being used to the high revving N/A V8 it was a bit of a novelty having all that torque from 1500rpm. I do have to admit though I am now used to the M140 whereas even after 6 years I still get the excitement when I drive the M3 & I really do understand what people mean an 'M car' being special.
As a compromise (& it's harsh to call it that) I don't reckon you can go far wrong with an M140i. They seemed to be cheaper than the rivals (S3, Golf R etc) too when I bought mine.
I had my manual M140i 5dr for 2 years, only mods were underbody brace to help the rear get its power down out of corners. I've now got a F40 M135i and no it isn't as fast in a straight line but out of the box I find it the better all rounder. It can use all its power dry or wet and gives more confidence over uneven B roads. Its not hardcore like I imagine a FK8 to be but it can be a GT and hot hatch when wanted.
The tech is also better and you can spec HUD which I love.
My partner has a JCW Clubman All4 306 which is the same car underneath but it drives so different, the Mini feels faster and handles better then the M135i.
The tech is also better and you can spec HUD which I love.
My partner has a JCW Clubman All4 306 which is the same car underneath but it drives so different, the Mini feels faster and handles better then the M135i.
benm3evo said:
Just to add my 2p worth; I've owned an E92 M3 for 6 years which has been a weekend car & got a M140i in May this year for every day.
I've been pretty happy with the M140. After being used to the high revving N/A V8 it was a bit of a novelty having all that torque from 1500rpm. I do have to admit though I am now used to the M140 whereas even after 6 years I still get the excitement when I drive the M3 & I really do understand what people mean an 'M car' being special.
As a compromise (& it's harsh to call it that) I don't reckon you can go far wrong with an M140i. They seemed to be cheaper than the rivals (S3, Golf R etc) too when I bought mine.
I was torn between an E9x M3 and the 140 and I went with the latter, which in hindsight was a mistake. It was a very good car but as my car use changed due to COVID I found myself wanting more in the looks and noise department. Also, there is something about the last of the E series cars that I love, I can’t quite put my finger on it to be honest.I've been pretty happy with the M140. After being used to the high revving N/A V8 it was a bit of a novelty having all that torque from 1500rpm. I do have to admit though I am now used to the M140 whereas even after 6 years I still get the excitement when I drive the M3 & I really do understand what people mean an 'M car' being special.
As a compromise (& it's harsh to call it that) I don't reckon you can go far wrong with an M140i. They seemed to be cheaper than the rivals (S3, Golf R etc) too when I bought mine.
I’m really tempted to reconsider the M3 next year. I missed the boat on with the E46 M3 with good ones now commanding very strong money. I don’t want to do the same with the E9x.
In my view your complaints about the car will be addressed with new tyres. Bridgestone are absolute rubbish., Michelin are night and day better.
Get a set of the Pilot Sport 4S tyres on, assuming they are available in the correct sizes, not the 4. Then get a second set of wheels and put some Michelin Alpin winter tyres on. The tyre is the only thing connecting you to the road, it makes a huge difference to the experience.
Get a set of the Pilot Sport 4S tyres on, assuming they are available in the correct sizes, not the 4. Then get a second set of wheels and put some Michelin Alpin winter tyres on. The tyre is the only thing connecting you to the road, it makes a huge difference to the experience.
I have had my m140i Shadow since new (2019) and love it - even for its flaws. I had always intended on keeping it stock; but this year I decided to ditch that idea and start modifying. I wish had done it much sooner. Its a completely different beast now.
I perhaps started modifying in the wrong order, by beginning with a Stage 1 map (Litchfield £600) but for bang for buck I had to try it. Around 100hp boost over OEM, with no other mods!
This clearly exacerbated the m140s issue of getting the power down; so I have now fitted the M Performance LSD as it needed it with 435bhp. The LSD I think is the best mod for the car and what it was missing from factory. The LSD transforms the car; the predictability it has now provides the driver with much more confidence. The DSC 'twitch' you got with the open diff is now completely gone.
My advice - decent tyres (MPSS or MPS4s), then LSD, and then a remap if you want to be able to smoke pretty much anything on the road (including M2s).
Next mods for me : uprated shocks and springs (Bilsteins & Eicbach) & xHP Transmission flash (google it, lots of great reviews)
I perhaps started modifying in the wrong order, by beginning with a Stage 1 map (Litchfield £600) but for bang for buck I had to try it. Around 100hp boost over OEM, with no other mods!
This clearly exacerbated the m140s issue of getting the power down; so I have now fitted the M Performance LSD as it needed it with 435bhp. The LSD I think is the best mod for the car and what it was missing from factory. The LSD transforms the car; the predictability it has now provides the driver with much more confidence. The DSC 'twitch' you got with the open diff is now completely gone.
My advice - decent tyres (MPSS or MPS4s), then LSD, and then a remap if you want to be able to smoke pretty much anything on the road (including M2s).
Next mods for me : uprated shocks and springs (Bilsteins & Eicbach) & xHP Transmission flash (google it, lots of great reviews)
Thank you all so much for the helpful replies- pistonheads is really a great place for car enthusiasts!
I’ll probably change the rubber soon but will try scratch the itch with a test drive in a golf R (manual preferably) just to compare.
Rumour of a possible company cat may well squash it all anyway as I’d have to sell if that happens!
Time will tell
I’ll probably change the rubber soon but will try scratch the itch with a test drive in a golf R (manual preferably) just to compare.
Rumour of a possible company cat may well squash it all anyway as I’d have to sell if that happens!
Time will tell
Had my 204i for just over 12 months now, mine came with runflats from the dealer and i've just got rid of them for MPS4's and the difference is huge, at first when I had the MPS4's i felt the ride was a little soft as i guess I got used to run flats but the grip and feel is so much better. I highly recommend getting rid of run flats when you can.
okenemem said:
dnouk said:
The DSC 'twitch' you got with the open diff is now completely gone.
sorry to sound stupid , but what happens when you begin to lose traction do the wheels keep spinning ?
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