BMW M140i vs Golf R. Which is best for Britain and tuning?

[Dylanaledhall]

HM-2 said:

Depends what you want, really. The Golf is exceptionally accomplished, but it's nowhere near as enjoyable a drive. The engine in particular is extremely disappointing compared to the B58, without the optional Brembos the brakes are pretty poor. No doubt the Golf is a faster all-weather car for UK roads, but having driven them back to back the M140i is much more fun even if the suspension is a bit compromised.

Yeah definitely. There's no doubt that the M140 is better value in my opinion. As much as I would love the traction in the Golf I think the M140i is more suited to what I want from a car. Definitely want to drive one just to see if I would/ wouldn't go for one.
I have been looking recently at Evos it's just whether they're worth the prices I'm not too sure. Plus as I've mentioned before I couldn't really daily that. And that's the whole point of this thread is to find me a daily car which I will enjoy and I think the M140i is better overall IMHO

[liner33]

HM-2 said:

The 1 and 2 are basically identical from the perspective of suspension. This one had the Birds suspension kit on 18" wheels and the M Perf diff rather than the Quaife Birds sells and it was pretty perfect for UK roads. I know lots of people have fitted stuff like KW V2s which are amazing but need a great deal of tweaking and tuning to balance ride with handling on our grotty roads. Something like Street Comforts would probably be ace...

Pretty sure the rear dampers are different between the 1 and 2 and the 2 series has an underbody brace which the 1 series did not get (Although can be retrofitted)

[HM-2]

liner33 said:

HM-2 said:

The 1 and 2 are basically identical from the perspective of suspension. This one had the Birds suspension kit on 18" wheels and the M Perf diff rather than the Quaife Birds sells and it was pretty perfect for UK roads. I know lots of people have fitted stuff like KW V2s which are amazing but need a great deal of tweaking and tuning to balance ride with handling on our grotty roads. Something like Street Comforts would probably be ace...

Pretty sure the rear dampers are different between the 1 and 2 and the 2 series has an underbody brace which the 1 series did not get (Although can be retrofitted)

The rear brace was also on earlier 3-door 1-series. I think they discontinued them in MY18? Dampers do appear to have different part numbers.

[dotty]

Are any GTI TCR owners lurking in this thread ? I wonder how they’d compare to a golf R , similar in power but FWD.

[CG2020UK]

I think the BMW M140i/135i really benefits from the halo effect of the full fat M cars in that people think they are more than what they really are.

My experience is with the m135i manual, it may be RWD but I really don’t think it’s an outright fun car or even right to describe it as a hot hatch. Best to view it as a very fast cruiser similar to the other m-lite cars in that it is a mini muscle car. I live in N.I so bad road quality but major handling issues on country roads will have the FWD hot hatches going quicker.

Mine lasted 6 weeks and I switched to a GTI and never looked back.

[Dylanaledhall]

CG2020UK said:

I think the BMW M140i/135i really benefits from the halo effect of the full fat M cars in that people think they are more than what they really are.

My experience is with the m135i manual, it may be RWD but I really don’t think it’s an outright fun car or even right to describe it as a hot hatch. Best to view it as a very fast cruiser similar to the other m-lite cars in that it is a mini muscle car. I live in N.I so bad road quality but major handling issues on country roads will have the FWD hot hatches going quicker.

Mine lasted 6 weeks and I switched to a GTI and never looked back.

Thank you,
I have been told it's more of a GT than an outright hot hatch. I do desperately want to drive both the m135 and m140 just to see if they'd appeal to me or not. I've been looking at M135i prices recently and they seem to be really good cars for the money. I know you didn't gel with it so to speak, but as for me I don't mind modifying a car to make it better so I wouldn't mind investing in suspension upgrades etc.

At the moment I'm in a fiesta ST which is massively fun. However, the deep looming cloud above the ST is how many are being stolen. I did originally want to keep the car for a few years but as soon as I go stage 3 I might keep it for another year then go onto something different because I'm constantly terrified of the notion of it one day not being on my driveway by the time I wake up. I'm not saying an M135/M140i will be less likely to be stolen it's just you hear or see fiesta STs everyday being stolen and I don't hear anywhere near the same for the beemers.

But yeah I'm not going to transfer to an M135/M140 because it's "less likely to be stolen" but I just like them overall despite a member on this forum has suggested that he prefers a Fiesta ST to his M135i which is fair enough. Like you've said, you like the little FWD GTI more than your previous M135i but me personally I just need to get out in one as soon as the restrictions have eased

[Dylanaledhall]

dotty said:

Are any GTI TCR owners lurking in this thread ? I wonder how they’d compare to a golf R , similar in power but FWD.

I'm sorry I can't offer much assistance or advice regarding a Golf TCR but I'm guessing it would possibly be similar to a Cupra 280/290/300 maybe? I could be wrong but I'm guessing it's one of the main FWD vag cars that have around 300bhp. I just say this because the Cupra and Golf R are always being compared to each other since they have the same engine.

[Mirinjawbro]

having come from a quattro car to m240i.

the number 1 thing i miss is the grip.

so much that my next car has to have some form of 4wd.

if UK had good weather i don't think i would care as much but for half the year its very wet / slippery

[nickfrog]

Mirinjawbro said:

having come from a quattro car to m240i.

the number 1 thing i miss is the grip.

You probably mean traction, and you're right (compared to 4wd). Winters make a big difference though.

[CG2020UK]

Dylanaledhall said:

Thank you,
I have been told it's more of a GT than an outright hot hatch. I do desperately want to drive both the m135 and m140 just to see if they'd appeal to me or not. I've been looking at M135i prices recently and they seem to be really good cars for the money. I know you didn't gel with it so to speak, but as for me I don't mind modifying a car to make it better so I wouldn't mind investing in suspension upgrades etc.

At the moment I'm in a fiesta ST which is massively fun. However, the deep looming cloud above the ST is how many are being stolen. I did originally want to keep the car for a few years but as soon as I go stage 3 I might keep it for another year then go onto something different because I'm constantly terrified of the notion of it one day not being on my driveway by the time I wake up. I'm not saying an M135/M140i will be less likely to be stolen it's just you hear or see fiesta STs everyday being stolen and I don't hear anywhere near the same for the beemers.

But yeah I'm not going to transfer to an M135/M140 because it's "less likely to be stolen" but I just like them overall despite a member on this forum has suggested that he prefers a Fiesta ST to his M135i which is fair enough. Like you've said, you like the little FWD GTI more than your previous M135i but me personally I just need to get out in one as soon as the restrictions have eased

Saying that I'd love to give a stage 3 ST a try I'm sure that would be brilliant fun!!

To be honest I don't think you'll make a mistake we are incredibly blessed with the hot hatches on offer at the moment I don't think there is a bad one they just all have slightly different personalities.

Enjoy whatever you end up with I'm sure you'll have no regrets!!

[Dylanaledhall]

Mirinjawbro said:

having come from a quattro car to m240i.

the number 1 thing i miss is the grip.

so much that my next car has to have some form of 4wd.

if UK had good weather i don't think i would care as much but for half the year its very wet / slippery

I'd love to consider something like an RS3 they're just so much money it's eye watering

[Dylanaledhall]

CG2020UK said:

Saying that I'd love to give a stage 3 ST a try I'm sure that would be brilliant fun!!

To be honest I don't think you'll make a mistake we are incredibly blessed with the hot hatches on offer at the moment I don't think there is a bad one they just all have slightly different personalities.

Enjoy whatever you end up with I'm sure you'll have no regrets!!

Thank you so much

Yeah I've still got a bit to go yet with my Fiesta ( I won't bore you with the list but the main things I need consists of a few more bolt ons, brakes and an LSD).

Yeah they definitely all do have different characteristics and there are so many on offer it's just a shame there isn't a "perfect" hot hatch (IMHO)

I know the M135i/M140i isn't perfect by any stretch of the imagination, however on paper it seems to appeal to me the most out of all the competition. I may swap to an RS3 after the BMW but I don't think it would be as involving, but that's a few years away at the least but thank you for the kind words

[liner33]

Dylanaledhall said:

I'd love to consider something like an RS3 they're just so much money it's eye watering

and still a Golf under it all

The Golf TCR does look interesting , it has some pretty sorted suspension and brakes on it from the factory as well as the diff but they are a lot of dosh for what they are, personally I could see a R with some KW3's being a nicer proposition as a daily.

[culpz]

Dylanaledhall said:

dotty said:

Are any GTI TCR owners lurking in this thread ? I wonder how they’d compare to a golf R , similar in power but FWD.

I'm sorry I can't offer much assistance or advice regarding a Golf TCR but I'm guessing it would possibly be similar to a Cupra 280/290/300 maybe? I could be wrong but I'm guessing it's one of the main FWD vag cars that have around 300bhp. I just say this because the Cupra and Golf R are always being compared to each other since they have the same engine.

Yeah, my Cupra 290 is effectively the same car. Beats the Golf R while rolling, but wouldn't see which way it went from a standing start, even in the dry. Probably a bit more fun to drive, as it's a more engaging experience having to manage the power going to the front. The e-diff does quite a good job, but the wheel hop is violent. Can be fairly easily rectified with an updated lower engine mount and PS4S tyres.

[Dylanaledhall]

liner33 said:

and still a Golf under it all

The Golf TCR does look interesting , it has some pretty sorted suspension and brakes on it from the factory as well as the diff but they are a lot of dosh for what they are, personally I could see a R with some KW3's being a nicer proposition as a daily.

I'd definitely be buying the RS3 for the 5 pot and the 4 wheel drive but still a lot of money

[Dylanaledhall]

culpz said:

Yeah, my Cupra 290 is effectively the same car. Beats the Golf R while rolling, but wouldn't see which way it went from a standing start, even in the dry. Probably a bit more fun to drive, as it's a more engaging experience having to manage the power going to the front. The e-diff does quite a good job, but the wheel hop is violent. Can be fairly easily rectified with an updated lower engine mount and PS4S tyres.

I personally think cupras are amazing, the only reason I'm not considering one is because I want to move away from FWD and try something else. Awesome cars and properly underrated in my opinion

[resolve10]

CG2020UK said:

I think the BMW M140i/135i really benefits from the halo effect of the full fat M cars in that people think they are more than what they really are.

You've summed up my feelings on these cars in one eloquently written sentance. Very well put.

Dylanaledhall said:

At the moment I'm in a fiesta ST which is massively fun. However, the deep looming cloud above the ST is how many are being stolen. I did originally want to keep the car for a few years but as soon as I go stage 3 I might keep it for another year then go onto something different because I'm constantly terrified of the notion of it one day not being on my driveway by the time I wake up. I'm not saying an M135/M140i will be less likely to be stolen it's just you hear or see fiesta STs everyday being stolen and I don't hear anywhere near the same for the beemers.

You might want to do some more research if you are basing your decision on that...

Z4 forum said:

There seems to be alot of thefts/attempted thefts of these cars at the moment, some 26 members on babybmw have had their motors stolen recently which seems to be on the increase, quite worrying the way these vermin smash their way into your house regardless of whether your home or not. I don't think Golfs and S3s are faring much better.

Full thread here: https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=102058

Dylanaledhall said:

Yeah I've still got a bit to go yet with my Fiesta ( I won't bore you with the list but the main things I need consists of a few more bolt ons, brakes and an LSD).

Why would you put all that money into a car you're planning to move on next year? Save the money towards a better car or keep the Fiesta, surely? Doesn't make any sense.

[anonymous-user]

Gotta agree. The M140 and Golf R are both bigger theft magnets than a fiesta and it does seem odd to plough money into a car you are considering selling soon.

Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 10th February 08:07

[HM-2]

To be fair, that thread is pretty old now. Targeted theft of M135i/M140i does still occur, obviously, but I don't think it's anywhere near as prevalent as it was 4 years ago. Many thieves have moved on to newer, shinier things.
The Fiesta is the UK's most stolen car.

[Dylanaledhall]

HM-2 said:

To be fair, that thread is pretty old now. Targeted theft of M135i/M140i does still occur, obviously, but I don't think it's anywhere near as prevalent as it was 4 years ago. Many thieves have moved on to newer, shinier things.
The Fiesta is the UK's most stolen car.

Yeah it's so annoying