135 / 140 ---- 235 / 240
Discussion
I have been looking at the above now for well over a year. I have a few specific questions which I wanted to throw out to the audience.
1) Firstly, the reason I am not looking at a Z4 35 is because I need 4 seats. I do want a Cabrio though. But the 1's are cheaper. The 2 looks more exclusive / appealing aesthetically but they seem more dear as a result. This in itself is a conundrum. Do I stick with the more expensive 2 or get better value by going for a 1?
2) The whole 35 vs 40 issue. I really want a 40, for various reasons. Bit more power, the latest engine, and also now that BMW have returned to the 35 badge with a 4 cylinder engine, I feel that the 140s and 240s will remain pretty desirable into the future. A 40 makes much more sense than a 35. But, the 35's represent better value currently, and debadged, would be almost the same. Should it really matter?
3) 12k - 18k gets you a decent second hand choice of any of the models. But then comes the dreaded running costs, and I don't mean fuel. What are the things that go wrong on these, and what sort of hefty bills "could" I be facing. I am looking at 66 plates in general - the first of the 40's. Presumably turbo life is good, are their any known issues to watch out for? I consider anything at or beneath 55k to be a lowish mileage for these, is that the right ball park?
Thanks in advance
1) Firstly, the reason I am not looking at a Z4 35 is because I need 4 seats. I do want a Cabrio though. But the 1's are cheaper. The 2 looks more exclusive / appealing aesthetically but they seem more dear as a result. This in itself is a conundrum. Do I stick with the more expensive 2 or get better value by going for a 1?
2) The whole 35 vs 40 issue. I really want a 40, for various reasons. Bit more power, the latest engine, and also now that BMW have returned to the 35 badge with a 4 cylinder engine, I feel that the 140s and 240s will remain pretty desirable into the future. A 40 makes much more sense than a 35. But, the 35's represent better value currently, and debadged, would be almost the same. Should it really matter?
3) 12k - 18k gets you a decent second hand choice of any of the models. But then comes the dreaded running costs, and I don't mean fuel. What are the things that go wrong on these, and what sort of hefty bills "could" I be facing. I am looking at 66 plates in general - the first of the 40's. Presumably turbo life is good, are their any known issues to watch out for? I consider anything at or beneath 55k to be a lowish mileage for these, is that the right ball park?
Thanks in advance
Dizeee said:
I do want a Cabrio though. But the 1's are cheaper. The 2 looks more exclusive / appealing aesthetically but they seem more dear as a result. This in itself is a conundrum. Do I stick with the more expensive 2 or get better value by going for a 1?
It's an age thing. The 1 series coupe & convertible (known as E82 & E88) were built up to 2013, and eventually replaced by the 2 series coupe & convertible in 2014 & 2015 respectively (F22 and F23), so if you want the newer model, it'll naturally cost more. They are completely different cars.Worth adding that the most powerful 1 series convertible was the 135i (there was never a 140i convertible); when the 2 series convertible was launched in 2015 the top model was the M235i (3.0 with 326bhp). This was quickly replaced by the M240i in 2016, 3.0 but now with 335bhp.
The E model is an old design now, whereas the F models are much more modern.
I hope this helps with your decision making.
The M140i market is vastly oversaturated. Cheap PCP deals have flooded the roads with them and values are going South dragging M135i down with them.
I would be inclined to go for the 2 series. It looks better, it drives better and there is less of them. Longer term they have a better chance of holding more value.
The M235i engine sounds and drives better than the M240i. The M240i is slightly faster, slightly more economical and cheaper road tax. There really isn't much in it.
I would still go for the car in the best condition with the more desirable options.
I would be inclined to go for the 2 series. It looks better, it drives better and there is less of them. Longer term they have a better chance of holding more value.
The M235i engine sounds and drives better than the M240i. The M240i is slightly faster, slightly more economical and cheaper road tax. There really isn't much in it.
I would still go for the car in the best condition with the more desirable options.
M235 could be a really good shout and I was erring towards it. Its just the constant knowing that could have / should have got the update 240, especially as the ones that are out there will be the only and final batch, if BMW follow the 35 trend again.
I know its only 15 bhp, but I would still want that extra power.
I know its only 15 bhp, but I would still want that extra power.
Driver101 said:
The M235i engine sounds and drives better than the M240i.
I'd probably agree with 1), but not 2). The B58 does a better job of aping a naturally aspirated engine; it makes more power everywhere in the rev range and this is particularly pronounced at the top end. IME the B58 is/was also the more responsive engine.Both are fantastic engines, though.
I have an M140 and really like it. I started looking at used but ended up with a new car because it wasn’t really that much more expensive.
The later cars with the LCI2 dials look better inside I think and let’s face it, you look at the interior a lot. I’d want at least an LCI M135 because I think it’s a much better looking car.
I went with the hatchback for a bit more practically having a dog etc. There are a lot of very basic M135/40’s out there whereas the 2 series equivalent seem to have a few more options ticked. Saying that my shadow edition car doesn’t have loads of options ticked, just pro nav and heated seats but had privacy glass, rear sensors and cruise as standard.
Great cars but they are worth about 10 pence used because there are so many of them.
The later cars with the LCI2 dials look better inside I think and let’s face it, you look at the interior a lot. I’d want at least an LCI M135 because I think it’s a much better looking car.
I went with the hatchback for a bit more practically having a dog etc. There are a lot of very basic M135/40’s out there whereas the 2 series equivalent seem to have a few more options ticked. Saying that my shadow edition car doesn’t have loads of options ticked, just pro nav and heated seats but had privacy glass, rear sensors and cruise as standard.
Great cars but they are worth about 10 pence used because there are so many of them.
HM-2 said:
I'd probably agree with 1), but not 2). The B58 does a better job of aping a naturally aspirated engine; it makes more power everywhere in the rev range and this is particularly pronounced at the top end. IME the B58 is/was also the more responsive engine.
Both are fantastic engines, though.
Is the b58 the 40 engine? I had a 240 for a day last year and its definitely he car for me.Both are fantastic engines, though.
HM-2 said:
Driver101 said:
The M235i engine sounds and drives better than the M240i.
I'd probably agree with 1), but not 2). The B58 does a better job of aping a naturally aspirated engine; it makes more power everywhere in the rev range and this is particularly pronounced at the top end. IME the B58 is/was also the more responsive engine.Both are fantastic engines, though.
Driver101 said:
HM-2 said:
Driver101 said:
The M235i engine sounds and drives better than the M240i.
I'd probably agree with 1), but not 2). The B58 does a better job of aping a naturally aspirated engine; it makes more power everywhere in the rev range and this is particularly pronounced at the top end. IME the B58 is/was also the more responsive engine.Both are fantastic engines, though.
The B58 has quite a "plateaued" power curve where it makes within a few percent of peak power over a quite large chunk of rev range; something to do with how they're mapped out of the factory I think.
HM-2 said:
In standard form, the B58 tends to make peak power around 6,500rpm. The N55 is usually out of puff before 6,000.
The B58 has quite a "plateaued" power curve where it makes within a few percent of peak power over a quite large chunk of rev range; something to do with how they're mapped out of the factory I think.
Although the N55 makes peak power around 6000rpm is certainly doesn't run out of puff. The B58 has quite a "plateaued" power curve where it makes within a few percent of peak power over a quite large chunk of rev range; something to do with how they're mapped out of the factory I think.
Maybe that is more true of the earlier variants, but not so much the electronic wastegate cars.
Driver101 said:
HM-2 said:
In standard form, the B58 tends to make peak power around 6,500rpm. The N55 is usually out of puff before 6,000.
The B58 has quite a "plateaued" power curve where it makes within a few percent of peak power over a quite large chunk of rev range; something to do with how they're mapped out of the factory I think.
Although the N55 makes peak power around 6000rpm is certainly doesn't run out of puff. The B58 has quite a "plateaued" power curve where it makes within a few percent of peak power over a quite large chunk of rev range; something to do with how they're mapped out of the factory I think.
Maybe that is more true of the earlier variants, but not so much the electronic wastegate cars.
I wonder if its the ~1500rpm of plateau where the B58 generates at-or-near peak power that makes it feel less top-endy?
I’d go for an M?40 (b58) every time, coupled with the ZF8 auto. It’s a wonderful power train for road use, smooth, very torquey, and plenty of top end. It’s also very easy (and safe) to remap to around 400bhp/400 ft lbs.
The ?35 (n55) can also produce these figures, but at more expense and risk of problems.
As a bonus the b58/zf8 will usually average around 35 mpg, if that bothers you.
The ?35 (n55) can also produce these figures, but at more expense and risk of problems.
As a bonus the b58/zf8 will usually average around 35 mpg, if that bothers you.
HM-2 said:
Driver101 said:
HM-2 said:
In standard form, the B58 tends to make peak power around 6,500rpm. The N55 is usually out of puff before 6,000.
The B58 has quite a "plateaued" power curve where it makes within a few percent of peak power over a quite large chunk of rev range; something to do with how they're mapped out of the factory I think.
Although the N55 makes peak power around 6000rpm is certainly doesn't run out of puff. The B58 has quite a "plateaued" power curve where it makes within a few percent of peak power over a quite large chunk of rev range; something to do with how they're mapped out of the factory I think.
Maybe that is more true of the earlier variants, but not so much the electronic wastegate cars.
I wonder if its the ~1500rpm of plateau where the B58 generates at-or-near peak power that makes it feel less top-endy?
N55B30A
https://www.superchips.co.uk/curves/M235iN55B30O0....
B58B30
https://www.superchips.co.uk/curves/M140iB58340PS....
Crackie said:
HM-2 said:
Driver101 said:
HM-2 said:
In standard form, the B58 tends to make peak power around 6,500rpm. The N55 is usually out of puff before 6,000.
The B58 has quite a "plateaued" power curve where it makes within a few percent of peak power over a quite large chunk of rev range; something to do with how they're mapped out of the factory I think.
Although the N55 makes peak power around 6000rpm is certainly doesn't run out of puff. The B58 has quite a "plateaued" power curve where it makes within a few percent of peak power over a quite large chunk of rev range; something to do with how they're mapped out of the factory I think.
Maybe that is more true of the earlier variants, but not so much the electronic wastegate cars.
I wonder if its the ~1500rpm of plateau where the B58 generates at-or-near peak power that makes it feel less top-endy?
N55B30A
https://www.superchips.co.uk/curves/M235iN55B30O0....
B58B30
https://www.superchips.co.uk/curves/M140iB58340PS....
Making within 10hp of peak for over 1,000RPM
Dizeee said:
If the N55 is the same engine as the old 135i (11 plate ) then I agree it's pretty top endy.
I have only driven a M135i and an M240i. The power in the 135 felt very accessible and squirty, but, the 240 sounded unbelievable and seemed a lot more torquey.
Nope, 135i = N54 / Mx35i = N55 - The main difference being the N54 is twin-turbo, whereas the N55 in single twin-scroll turboI have only driven a M135i and an M240i. The power in the 135 felt very accessible and squirty, but, the 240 sounded unbelievable and seemed a lot more torquey.
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