600bhp 1 Series

[D4MJT]

bhstewie said:

Plus I think it's touchscreen on the new models so make a bit more sense to have the biggest screen possible.

Interesting one this, as you're right, it is, but....

I couldn't use the functionality. The interior trim is bad enough for finger marks anyway, the push from modern car manufacturers to do away with buttons and have touch screens for everything is technically brilliant, but I'll spend more of my journey wiping the bloody things down to get rid of finger marks.

I *hate* finger marks on anything

[bitchstewie]

D4MJT said:

Interesting one this, as you're right, it is, but....

I couldn't use the functionality. The interior trim is bad enough for finger marks anyway, the push from modern car manufacturers to do away with buttons and have touch screens for everything is technically brilliant, but I'll spend more of my journey wiping the bloody things down to get rid of finger marks.

I *hate* finger marks on anything

No I'm the same, sad fk with a microfibre in the door pocket

The guy I'm dealing with at the dealers was adamant not to go for the gloss black interior trim as he said himself you're forever wiping it down as you only have to touch it and it marks.

[D4MJT]

bhstewie said:

No I'm the same, sad fk with a microfibre in the door pocket

The guy I'm dealing with at the dealers was adamant not to go for the gloss black interior trim as he said himself you're forever wiping it down as you only have to touch it and it marks.

It's not as bad as they make out, but it does mark easily.

And I do carry a door pocket microfibre.

FML.

[p1stonhead]

D4MJT said:

Scobblelotcher said:

My car also has the smaller screen but with HK. I’ve used both and it makes absolutely no difference in my opinion.

I didn’t think you could buy a M140 without nav?

I don't "think" you can now.

I think re the nav it's horses for courses really. Some people will inevitably buy these cars as a cheap way to get a lot of performance, and won't do anything like the miles I cover, being more worried about how the car drives and performs over creature comforts.

For me personally, the larger screen and better resolution is nice for the navigation and maps, and the different aspect ratio of the screen allows for more information, I can have media information on the right and split the screen with the nav, it allows video playback, basically I'm a massive soft arse. The performance aspect is lovely and I enjoy driving the car on a weekend, but sadly I haven't covered 20k in 10 months of wonderful country roads and mountain passes, I've spent most of it sat in traffic in a heated seat, arsing around with the entertainment system

This is it for me too unfortunately. It’ll be my daily for 20k miles a year so for 80% of the time I want creature comforts. If it was a weekend only car it wouldnt bother me in the slightest.

[rasto]

bhstewie said:

Don't get me wrong, it annoys me massively what car makers charge for nav but given the prominence of the media system in the car I just figured that over 4 years it's a bit of a no-brainer compared to some of the other options.

Plus I think it's touchscreen on the new models so make a bit more sense to have the biggest screen possible.

To be honest, the touchscreen is a bit of a gimic - for me the display is too far away from me to make touching it a useful option. Plus, then the ocd kicks in with the fingerprints

[rasto]

bhstewie said:

No I'm the same, sad fk with a microfibre in the door pocket

The guy I'm dealing with at the dealers was adamant not to go for the gloss black interior trim as he said himself you're forever wiping it down as you only have to touch it and it marks.

Me too, however I still went for the gloss black as I didn't like the other options.

[Argybargy]

A great thread this - thanks to the OP.

I picked up my M140i a week ago. Coming from a 2003 E46, it has taken a little getting used to (particularly the tech).

Spec as follows:-

Adaptive suspension
Harmon Kardon
Sunroof
Elec seats with lumbar support
Elec folding mirrors
Front and rear parking sensors
Sun protection glass
Speed limit display
Headlamp wash

I also had the MPE fitted from new which adds plenty of pop and woofle.

The car is manual - the 8 speed auto was mightily impressive but I just prefer the control of a manual.

I test drove three cars prior to ordering. I just love the whole big engine in a small car combo - I tried a couple of Golfs (GTi Performance and R) but the straight six did it for me.

The drive home unfortunately highlighted a few of the car's flaws:-

Road noise - crikey it was loud. I honestly thought I'd left one of the back doors slightly open and it sometimes drowned out the stereo. Is it the Michelins or poor sound insulation or both? It seems to have got a little better (although that might be me getting used to it).

Sticky gearbox. I assumed it was down to the car not being run in, but actually think it isn't partly down to the narrow pedal box - I noticed how small the pedals were compared to my E46 and my clumpy shoes were sometimes preventing me from depressing the clutch pedal fully.

Gear ratios - 70 in 6th is 2.5k rpm - it just sounds like the engine is turning over a fair bit faster.

All of which sounds like I don't like it but I love it - the engine is immense, the ride is great and most of the tech is logical and easy to use. I also love the looks - some think the 1Series is a bit gawky but I like the long snouted, cab set back look.

[FWIW]

I see you went for the wheelbarrow exhaust option

[Argybargy]

FWIW said:

I see you went for the wheelbarrow exhaust option

I did indeed. I saw all the comments on it online before I ordered but it didn't bother me - just another of the car's (rather un-BMW like) unusual flaws...

[Pommy]

Argybargy said:

A great thread this - thanks to the OP.

I picked up my M140i a week ago. Coming from a 2003 E46, it has taken a little getting used to (particularly the tech).

Spec as follows:-

Adaptive suspension
Harmon Kardon
Sunroof
Elec seats with lumbar support
Elec folding mirrors
Front and rear parking sensors
Sun protection glass
Speed limit display
Headlamp wash

I also had the MPE fitted from new which adds plenty of pop and woofle.

The car is manual - the 8 speed auto was mightily impressive but I just prefer the control of a manual.

I test drove three cars prior to ordering. I just love the whole big engine in a small car combo - I tried a couple of Golfs (GTi Performance and R) but the straight six did it for me.

The drive home unfortunately highlighted a few of the car's flaws:-

Road noise - crikey it was loud. I honestly thought I'd left one of the back doors slightly open and it sometimes drowned out the stereo. Is it the Michelins or poor sound insulation or both? It seems to have got a little better (although that might be me getting used to it).

Sticky gearbox. I assumed it was down to the car not being run in, but actually think it isn't partly down to the narrow pedal box - I noticed how small the pedals were compared to my E46 and my clumpy shoes were sometimes preventing me from depressing the clutch pedal fully.

Gear ratios - 70 in 6th is 2.5k rpm - it just sounds like the engine is turning over a fair bit faster.

All of which sounds like I don't like it but I love it - the engine is immense, the ride is great and most of the tech is logical and easy to use. I also love the looks - some think the 1Series is a bit gawky but I like the long snouted, cab set back look.

2 of your 4 negatives would have been solved of you had the Auto buy i hope it doesnt spoil your ownership

[Argybargy]

Pommy said:

Argybargy said:

A great thread this - thanks to the OP.

I picked up my M140i a week ago. Coming from a 2003 E46, it has taken a little getting used to (particularly the tech).

Spec as follows:-

Adaptive suspension
Harmon Kardon
Sunroof
Elec seats with lumbar support
Elec folding mirrors
Front and rear parking sensors
Sun protection glass
Speed limit display
Headlamp wash

I also had the MPE fitted from new which adds plenty of pop and woofle.

The car is manual - the 8 speed auto was mightily impressive but I just prefer the control of a manual.

I test drove three cars prior to ordering. I just love the whole big engine in a small car combo - I tried a couple of Golfs (GTi Performance and R) but the straight six did it for me.

The drive home unfortunately highlighted a few of the car's flaws:-

Road noise - crikey it was loud. I honestly thought I'd left one of the back doors slightly open and it sometimes drowned out the stereo. Is it the Michelins or poor sound insulation or both? It seems to have got a little better (although that might be me getting used to it).

Sticky gearbox. I assumed it was down to the car not being run in, but actually think it isn't partly down to the narrow pedal box - I noticed how small the pedals were compared to my E46 and my clumpy shoes were sometimes preventing me from depressing the clutch pedal fully.

Gear ratios - 70 in 6th is 2.5k rpm - it just sounds like the engine is turning over a fair bit faster.

All of which sounds like I don't like it but I love it - the engine is immense, the ride is great and most of the tech is logical and easy to use. I also love the looks - some think the 1Series is a bit gawky but I like the long snouted, cab set back look.

2 of your 4 negatives would have been solved of you had the Auto buy i hope it doesnt spoil your ownership

The manual isn't perfect - BMW (and most other manufacturers) seem to have given up on their development, but would still prefer it over the auto. Just my personal preference.

[D4MJT]

Argybargy said:

A great thread this - thanks to the OP.

I picked up my M140i a week ago. Coming from a 2003 E46, it has taken a little getting used to (particularly the tech).

Spec as follows:-

Adaptive suspension
Harmon Kardon
Sunroof
Elec seats with lumbar support
Elec folding mirrors
Front and rear parking sensors
Sun protection glass
Speed limit display
Headlamp wash

I also had the MPE fitted from new which adds plenty of pop and woofle.

The car is manual - the 8 speed auto was mightily impressive but I just prefer the control of a manual.

I test drove three cars prior to ordering. I just love the whole big engine in a small car combo - I tried a couple of Golfs (GTi Performance and R) but the straight six did it for me.

The drive home unfortunately highlighted a few of the car's flaws:-

Road noise - crikey it was loud. I honestly thought I'd left one of the back doors slightly open and it sometimes drowned out the stereo. Is it the Michelins or poor sound insulation or both? It seems to have got a little better (although that might be me getting used to it).

Sticky gearbox. I assumed it was down to the car not being run in, but actually think it isn't partly down to the narrow pedal box - I noticed how small the pedals were compared to my E46 and my clumpy shoes were sometimes preventing me from depressing the clutch pedal fully.

Gear ratios - 70 in 6th is 2.5k rpm - it just sounds like the engine is turning over a fair bit faster.

All of which sounds like I don't like it but I love it - the engine is immense, the ride is great and most of the tech is logical and easy to use. I also love the looks - some think the 1Series is a bit gawky but I like the long snouted, cab set back look.

Hey, hope you enjoy the car!

Out of curiosity, what model E46 did you have?

That's a nice looking car and spec list, I'd have loved the sunroof but I was trying to keep the list under 40k for VED.

The road noise is pretty loud. I think at the end of the day you have to remember it's a 1 series, the smallest compact BMW make. I don't think the MPSS tyres do much for this, and I feel the tyre noise is quite a chunk of it. The 5 door is apparently quieter due to having framed doors as opposed to the 3 doors pillarless ones.

With regards to the gearbox, my mate has a manual one and his has "loosened up" a bit after a few thousand miles, so don't get too downhearted with it yet, however I found the rev-matching quite clumsy in practice and that annoyed me more than the feel of the box. Not much to be done about the revs at 70, obviously the auto is less than this, but simply down to having 2 more ratios.

I agree with the looks, it seems quite marmite, but I think it's a great looking car. The LCI changes to the lights really smartened it up I think,

[Argybargy]

D4MJT said:

Hey, hope you enjoy the car!

Out of curiosity, what model E46 did you have?

That's a nice looking car and spec list, I'd have loved the sunroof but I was trying to keep the list under 40k for VED.

The road noise is pretty loud. I think at the end of the day you have to remember it's a 1 series, the smallest compact BMW make. I don't think the MPSS tyres do much for this, and I feel the tyre noise is quite a chunk of it. The 5 door is apparently quieter due to having framed doors as opposed to the 3 doors pillarless ones.

With regards to the gearbox, my mate has a manual one and his has "loosened up" a bit after a few thousand miles, so don't get too downhearted with it yet, however I found the rev-matching quite clumsy in practice and that annoyed me more than the feel of the box. Not much to be done about the revs at 70, obviously the auto is less than this, but simply down to having 2 more ratios.

I agree with the looks, it seems quite marmite, but I think it's a great looking car. The LCI changes to the lights really smartened it up I think,

I'm really enjoying it thankyou...despite all its little niggles.

Every time you start it up and you hear that unmistakeable baritone hum of the straight six it just feels special. 4 pots just don't do it for me.

I still have the E46 - a manual 330Ci, which I love to bits (as does my local garage).The plan was for the M140i to replace it but I may have to keep it for a little while yet.I'll see how many times I use it in the next 3 months...

I spec'd the sunroof just to give the interior a bit of a lift. I just love the black leather/brushed ally trim combo that I specified, but with the back headlining it can be a little dark in there.

The road noise is really bad - if it's raining or you drive over gravel it sounds like the rain/gravel is pinging off bare metal. I got the 5 door for a bit more practicality - didn't notice the road noise on the 3 door I test drove. You're right about the size of the car affecting the refinement - but engine noise or wind noise doesn't seem to be obtrusive.

I expect the gearbox will loosen up as you say but I am not joking about the pedal box - it looks as though the pedals were miniaturised to fit them in. The gear ratios in my E46 (5 speed) are quite long and evenly spaced, whereas on the 1 series they seem closely stacked. Not saying this is bad - when you go from 4th to 5th the revs only seem to drop by about 400rpm, the torque kicks in and it propels you up the road relentlessly - you don't expect this in a 3 litre six.. It's just that coming from the E46 the gearing was more laid back. The rev matching feature is interesting in that it doesn't always seem to kick in, but perhaps I'm just not used to it yet. I heel and toe in my E46, which has well spaced pedals - can you switch off the rev matching in the 1 series?

Conscious that this may all sound a bit negative - I'm just getting used to the car and making a lot of comparisons with the old one (which has quite a few faults too, but nothing I couldn't put up with).

I'm not really one for modding, but I did like the look of yours with the spacers added. I might pop an ITG panel filter in as the same added a bit more induction noise to the E46.

Another pic...

[bitchstewie]

For anyone interested http://www.babybmw.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=74&am...

[bitchstewie]

What kinds of MPG are people seeing please?

Only done a couple of hundred miles so far and the OBC is reading 33mpg which doesn't seem terrible.

[rasto]

Managed 42mpg on my trip up to Skye, that was using eco mode and cruise for the 500 miles of motorway slog. It dropped a bit once we hit the fun roads of the Highlands but for the whole trip (1700 miles) I averaged 34mpg. When commuting during the week it's around 25mpg. I leave it in sport mode most of the time and have a few sections of NSL on which I can have a little fun

Edit: are you enjoying the car now you finally have it?

Edited by rasto on Thursday 10th May 19:00

[bitchstewie]

rasto said:

Managed 42mpg on my trip up to Skye, that was using eco mode and cruise for the 500 miles of motorway slog. It dropped a bit once we hit the fun roads of the Highlands but for the whole trip (1700 miles) I averaged 34mpg. When commuting during the week it's around 25mpg. I leave it in sport mode most of the time and have a few sections of NSL on which I can have a little fun

Edit: are you enjoying the car now you finally have it?

Edited by rasto on Thursday 10th May 19:00

Thank you, this is on my commute which is a mix of A roads, local roads, and when the sun is out me taking the slow route through a couple of towns so I didn't think 33mpg seemed bad at all.

As for whether I'm enjoying it, thank you for asking and yes, it's brutal when you want it to be compared to the Lexus and anything I've had before

I'd like to think I'm quite a sensible driver so maybe this sounds a bit daft but honestly so far I've not even thought to take it out of comfort as it's gone like a stabbed rat whenever I've needed to.

[rasto]

bhstewie said:

Thank you, this is on my commute which is a mix of A roads, local roads, and when the sun is out me taking the slow route through a couple of towns so I didn't think 33mpg seemed bad at all.

As for whether I'm enjoying it, thank you for asking and yes, it's brutal when you want it to be compared to the Lexus and anything I've had before

I'd like to think I'm quite a sensible driver so maybe this sounds a bit daft but honestly so far I've not even thought to take it out of comfort as it's gone like a stabbed rat whenever I've needed to.

Well you are still running it in so 'comfort' makes sense. I prefer the throttle response in sport mode, I find comfort a bit laggy. Now we have dry weather and sticky roads I occasionally (when appropriate) stick it in sport+ , the difference between that and comfort is very noticeable

[Spoof]

I thought I'd add to this thread instead of starting my own.(sorry for the Hijack)

I've hit 35k miles now and amazingly, I'm still loving the little thing. I do sometimes have to remind myself it was incredible value, when little 'cheap' things bug me.

Cold starts, if you've got the M Performance exhaust fitted and you've also got neighbours you care about. Once the car has fired up, press the throttle very gently, the revs wont really increase, but the exhaust becomes a lot more acceptable. Sounds daft, give it a go. I believe its wastegate related.

Driving with traction completely off (Hold the DSC button for a few seconds). I'm no driving God, so I'm not doing this to hone my skills, but I prefer the way the cars adaptives set the car in this mode. The throttle become long and linear, the steering is firm enough and gear changes are seamless instead of the aritificial bang Sport+ provides. Of course, you're now the master of your own destiny, but in the dry, with the right tyres, the car can be very good fun.

I'm now on PS4 tyres, not the PS4S that have replaced the PSS, but their little brother that are supposed to be better in the wet and have marginally less dry traction. I can't say I've noticed the lack of dry grip, as the car is used to commute to work and I'm never 10/10ths on public roads, but the wet weather traction is noticably better, so I won't be switching back to the PSS.

I'm coming up to needing new brake pads soon and I'm looking into replacements. I've read that the M3/M4 pads are a good upgrade that provide a little more pedal feel, so I think I'll give them a go.

Overall I'm amazed, I never keep a car more than a year and I can honestly see this being passed on to the wife in a year or so. I'm that impressed with the package.

Little picture showing how an hour of tinkering can sort the wheelbarrow look out.

[ManOpener]

bhstewie said:

What kinds of MPG are people seeing please?

Only done a couple of hundred miles so far and the OBC is reading 33mpg which doesn't seem terrible.

Averaging around 30, but I do quite a lot of short journeys which messes it up somewhat. Record so far is 45.6 on a round trip to Warrington that was mostly 50mph average speed cameras and CC set at 72.