600bhp 1 Series

[p1stonhead]

D4MJT said:

Out of interest, how wide is your garage? Im trying to clear mine out to fit a car but like yours its a reletively small single.

Mine is 2.6m wide inside so should be ok but I havent had a car in yet! Is yours similar?

[D4MJT]

p1stonhead said:

Out of interest, how wide is your garage? Im trying to clear mine out to fit a car but like yours its a reletively small single.

Mine is 2.6m wide inside so should be ok but I havent had a car in yet! Is yours similar?

Sorry, I missed this totally!

Mine's 2.4m wide inside, so you should be golden!

[D4MJT]

Right then, 2 fairly important milestones in this update.



and



I'm just over 40k miles now, which seems a good time to reflect on what the car has been like so far and what it has cost.

All in all, it's been ridiculously good value. I've just fitted a new set of Michelin Pilot Sport 4's as they are meant to be better in non-dry conditions, and the Michelin Pilot Super Sports were appalling in anything other than great conditions really. That said, I got 19k out of the first set of MPSS and 20k out of the 2nd, which is mental. I've actually also retained one of the front MPSS on 20k as a spare, as it still had 3mm of tread remaining. Madness.

Bar servicing, it's cost me nothing, and the servicing has been included, however I've now used my service pack so I'm on to paying from now on. I've been changing the oil myself between BMW services to average around a 9k oil change. I'm still somehow on original discs and pads, although on a recent healthcheck it was flagged up that the front pads are down to 3mm and the front discs are slightly lipped, which I agree with having had the wheels off at the weekend. 40k miles from a set of brakes is utterly excellent though imo, and they haven't had a completely easy life.

I've had the steering wheel replaced under warranty as I felt the wear on the 11am and 1pm points was excessive for the mileage, no quibbles, it was done by the dealer and all has been well since.

I had all 4 wheels off this weekend to clean and reseal properly after the worst of the winter, they were done beforehand and I think it helps to maintain them. I also cleaned out the arches and cleaned up the calipers and waxed them for some extra protection.





Once waxed back up, they are still as new and I'm really happy with the condition of them bearing in mind they've now covered 40k miles of road use in all conditions.



Speaking of all conditions, it also continues to be a hugely practical car for everyday use



Agricultural duties, no bother. Oyster leather was an excellent choice

I've also built a unit in the back of my garage which houses my tool chests and a PC / sound system for garage tinkering / cleaning and my air compressor in a cupboard at the top right. All of the materials for this were bought and carried back in the back of the 140. For reference, you can get 8 x 2.4m 45mm x 45mm timber lengths easily in the back of a 3 door 140 hatch



The only other major mod has been replacing the start / stop button with an M2 Competition item, it's red which has to be worth at least 20bhp right?





In the above photo, you can see the wear on the top of the steering wheel I referred to earlier, as this was taken before the new wheel was fitted.

Asides from all of that, it continues to be all the car I could possibly need. It's brilliantly practical, fast, comfortable, relaxing, frantic, benign, a handful, and all at the same time.

I also had it on a rolling road 2 weeks ago, and it made 430bhp and 680nm.



It's such a multi-purpose tool, you can tootle around in it in Eco Pro / Comfort and auto, it's basically silent and returns almost 35mpg fairly easily, or you can knock it into Sport+ and it becomes a lairy hooligan than burbles and keeps you right on your toes.

People will rightly say they aren't a full blown M car, and they aren't as exciting and drama filled as say a Focus RS etc, however it's a phenomenal compromise and it's very very good at a lot of things.

I'm happier with it today than I was when I first picked it up, and I don't think you can top that really.

[Jeenyus161]

This is bang up there on my short list of next cars.

As you say, every car for every occassion, especially if you want to hoon and still be able to park at a client's site unnoticed.

[Court_S]

Fantastic.

I’m opting out of my company car scheme later this year and am desperate for one of these (or late 135 depending on what I decide to do). Currently trying to sort out a deal on a factory order with TRL which would tie in with handing back the MINI that my other half uses. Spec will be...

Shadow edition
White
Black alloys
Black leather with blue stitching
Pro nav
Heated seats
Brushed aluminium trim with gloss black finisher
Debadged

I’d like a more interesting colour than white, but I’ve got one eye on monthly costs as I’m working to a car allowance budget. It’s just a lot of money; I really wish that I’d bought the LCI 135 that I was quoted on when we bought the MINI because looking back it was insanely cheap. I went to look at a Golf GTi today because the TCR had caught my attention, but compared to the 140 I felt really underwhelmed.

The cost is one reason why I might go with a used LCI 135. Plus it would give me an opportunity to hand the MINI back for a bit first. There seem to be a lot around.

Glad to hear that your car has been reliable and economical (providing you can resist the urge to boot it everywhere. The 640d exhaust trims look brilliant as do the black canards.

[JackReacher]

Were the 640d exhaust trims a straight swap for those on the standard exhaust or do you have the MPE?

[rayyan171]

These cars, albeit in M135i form, are fast approaching bargain territory. They seem like astonishing cars for the money, and in my opinion the best hot hatch yet. Real shame that BMW are dropping the engine, and deciding to go FWD, but it only allows for these to fall into budget for us!

Very nice car OP.

[J4CKO]

rayyan171 said:

These cars, albeit in M135i form, are fast approaching bargain territory. They seem like astonishing cars for the money, and in my opinion the best hot hatch yet. Real shame that BMW are dropping the engine, and deciding to go FWD, but it only allows for these to fall into budget for us!

Very nice car OP.

13/14 grand is entry level for something that isnt damaged repaired, cant see them dropping that quickly, they will but I think prices have firmed a little.

[D4MJT]

Court_S said:

Fantastic.

I’m opting out of my company car scheme later this year and am desperate for one of these (or late 135 depending on what I decide to do). Currently trying to sort out a deal on a factory order with TRL which would tie in with handing back the MINI that my other half uses. Spec will be...

Shadow edition
White
Black alloys
Black leather with blue stitching
Pro nav
Heated seats
Brushed aluminium trim with gloss black finisher
Debadged

I’d like a more interesting colour than white, but I’ve got one eye on monthly costs as I’m working to a car allowance budget. It’s just a lot of money; I really wish that I’d bought the LCI 135 that I was quoted on when we bought the MINI because looking back it was insanely cheap. I went to look at a Golf GTi today because the TCR had caught my attention, but compared to the 140 I felt really underwhelmed.

The cost is one reason why I might go with a used LCI 135. Plus it would give me an opportunity to hand the MINI back for a bit first. There seem to be a lot around.

Glad to hear that your car has been reliable and economical (providing you can resist the urge to boot it everywhere. The 640d exhaust trims look brilliant as do the black canards.

Thanks That sounds like a good plan, if you get a late LCI 135i then visually internally and externally they're very similar / identical to the 140, and the engines also seem pretty reliable too. The main difference you'd have bar the engine on a new order 140 would be an updated instrument display panel. I'm split on these, I guess they look more modern, but I don't really like the white numbers and I prefer my "old skool BM" layout I think.

JackReacher said:

Were the 640d exhaust trims a straight swap for those on the standard exhaust or do you have the MPE?

They were a straight enough swap onto the MPE. They would be too large in diameter for the standard 140 backbox. I changed to the 640d tips as they were as close an OEM option as I could find that would fit onto the MPE, and I'm not a fan of either the chrome or carbon trim options for that. If you have the standard 140 backbox they look pretty similar to the 640d tips anyway

rayyan171 said:

These cars, albeit in M135i form, are fast approaching bargain territory. They seem like astonishing cars for the money, and in my opinion the best hot hatch yet. Real shame that BMW are dropping the engine, and deciding to go FWD, but it only allows for these to fall into budget for us!

Very nice car OP.

I can't fault it at all, it seems excellent value for money to me. It is a shame the 140 will be no more shortly, but it's the way of the modern world I think isn't it. The 2 series (for now) will remain available with a 6 cylinder rwd option. Personally that wouldn't attract me though, I love the practicality of the hatchback for day to day living and I wouldn't get that with the 2 series boot.

I can't remember if I mentioned it earlier in the thread or not, but my pal has a VBox and we tested my 140 on it last year in the summer. I was able to get a GPS 4.6 seconds to 60mph out of it almost straight away, which is bang on the book figure.

[toon10]

D4MJT, I think I passed you last week in Ashington. Our cars look the same (grey 3 doors) but knowing how much HP yours is putting out, I'll not try and play in my stock one ;-)

[D4MJT]

toon10 said:

D4MJT, I think I passed you last week in Ashington. Our cars look the same (grey 3 doors) but knowing how much HP yours is putting out, I'll not try and play in my stock one ;-)

Ah you will have done I’m around there a fair bit! If you want any coding done to your car drop me a message

Depending on what options you have there’s quite a lot you can do, video in motion, alarm chirps, digital speedo, seat belt warnings off, active sound changed, eco pro off by default, seat heat memory, etc etc

Welcome to come for a blast in mine if you want to see what they’re like turned up a little.

[toon10]

D4MJT said:

Hey!

Ah you will have done I’m around there a fair bit! If you want any coding done to your car drop me a message

Will code for Budweiser

Depending on what options you have there’s quite a lot you can do, video in motion, alarm chirps, digital speedo, seat belt warnings off, active sound changed, eco pro off by default, seat heat memory, etc etc

Welcome to come for a blast in mine if you want to see what they’re like turned up a little.

Nice one. Mine's not a great spec. I have heated seats and a couple of other bits and bobs. I've toyed with the idea of coding sport mode by default but my other half uses the car too and she gets scared in that mode!

If you see me, give me a toot and a wave! I'm in the area. My son wants me to boost the power but I'll be swapping it for something else soon.

[D4MJT]

toon10 said:

Nice one. Mine's not a great spec. I have heated seats and a couple of other bits and bobs. I've toyed with the idea of coding sport mode by default but my other half uses the car too and she gets scared in that mode!

If you see me, give me a toot and a wave! I'm in the area. My son wants me to boost the power but I'll be swapping it for something else soon.

Ahhhh, I have seen your car about!

Any idea what you’ll be replacing it with?

Out of interest, how long have you had the XC90 and how have you found it? I keep pondering them as a dog chariot as they seem mega value for money! I had a D5 V70 a few years ago on 200k miles and it was faultless

[toon10]

D4MJT said:

Ahhhh, I have seen your car about!

Any idea what you’ll be replacing it with?

Out of interest, how long have you had the XC90 and how have you found it? I keep pondering them as a dog chariot as they seem mega value for money! I had a D5 V70 a few years ago on 200k miles and it was faultless

I'm thinking about a 440i. I prefer the looks and most of my driving is A roads so don't often get the chance of some good fun roads to unleash my car properly. I don't want to lose too much performance so the 4 series seems to tick the boxes.

The XC90 has been absolutely awesome for what it is. Ours has just ticked over 100k miles on an 08 plate. It's not the most entertaining to drive and it's pretty agricultural but as a family workhorse, it's been the best car we've had. Massive boot, comfortable and versatile with the 7 seats. I managed to move the other half out of her flat into my old house using the Volvo. OK, a couple of larger bits had to be done with half a days van hire.

We're getting rid of that one before mine. She uses cheap supermarket diesel and gets it serviced by dodgy back street place so it's not in the best of health. The engine is coked up and it'll have some big bills soon. Problem is, the only car she wants to replace it with is the new and more premium version of the XC90. Even 2nd hand, they still go for £30k plus which is out budget.

[Henry_b]

D4MJT said:

Ahhhh, I have seen your car about!

Any idea what you’ll be replacing it with?

Out of interest, how long have you had the XC90 and how have you found it? I keep pondering them as a dog chariot as they seem mega value for money! I had a D5 V70 a few years ago on 200k miles and it was faultless

P38 "Cough" "Cough" ahem.. lol

[rasto]

I've had mine a year and a half now and have just hit 10k miles. The car has been faultless and continues to deliver lots of smiles/mile. I'm averaging 26 mph & 26 mpg which isn't surprising given my 8 mile commute on mostly 30 limit roads.

We're going back up to Skye in it again this May after enjoying our trip last year, the Highland roads are perfect for the M140. For our journey last year we averaged 42 mpg which I still find amazing for a car with that size engine.

I'm looking forward to replacing the MPSS tyres with something that provides a bit more grip and confidence in less than perfect conditions. The MPSS are awesome on warm bone dry roads, but given the UK weather I want tyres that are more appropriate.

It's reporting that it will need a service in 6k miles and doesn't appear to have used any oil so far, indeed I've not had to top up anything in the engine bay.

It did suffer from the dreaded exhaust rattle for a while, but I haven't noticed it recently so I'm hoping it has cured itself.

Looking forward to many more miles in it

[Court_S]

D4MJT said:

Court_S said:

Fantastic.

I’m opting out of my company car scheme later this year and am desperate for one of these (or late 135 depending on what I decide to do). Currently trying to sort out a deal on a factory order with TRL which would tie in with handing back the MINI that my other half uses. Spec will be...

Shadow edition
White
Black alloys
Black leather with blue stitching
Pro nav
Heated seats
Brushed aluminium trim with gloss black finisher
Debadged

I’d like a more interesting colour than white, but I’ve got one eye on monthly costs as I’m working to a car allowance budget. It’s just a lot of money; I really wish that I’d bought the LCI 135 that I was quoted on when we bought the MINI because looking back it was insanely cheap. I went to look at a Golf GTi today because the TCR had caught my attention, but compared to the 140 I felt really underwhelmed.

The cost is one reason why I might go with a used LCI 135. Plus it would give me an opportunity to hand the MINI back for a bit first. There seem to be a lot around.

Glad to hear that your car has been reliable and economical (providing you can resist the urge to boot it everywhere. The 640d exhaust trims look brilliant as do the black canards.

Thanks That sounds like a good plan, if you get a late LCI 135i then visually internally and externally they're very similar / identical to the 140, and the engines also seem pretty reliable too. The main difference you'd have bar the engine on a new order 140 would be an updated instrument display panel. I'm split on these, I guess they look more modern, but I don't really like the white numbers and I prefer my "old skool BM" layout I think

Deal done and the car has been ordered. Spec as per my previous comment, so it’s just a case of waiting. Due to my company car, I can’t collect until the end of June. It might be here earlier but will be stored for me until then. The deals on these new are incredible at the mo; I’ve paid £1,200 more than my local Sytner are flogging a year old one for!

I’ve never had an issue with the old BMW orange interior lights (in fact I really like it, turned right down and it’s very relaxing). I do however really like the new LCI2 dials and they’re very smart. Can’t wait until June!

[Leicester Loyal]

D4MJT said:

I also had it on a rolling road 2 weeks ago, and it made 430bhp and 680nm.


People will rightly say they aren't a full blown M car, and they aren't as exciting and drama filled as say a Focus RS etc, however it's a phenomenal compromise and it's very very good at a lot of things.

430hp and it's not a full blown M car!

I really do like these, there aren't many (realistic-ish) cars I'd prefer to have over my own but this is definitely one. It's a beauty!

Good thread too btw, keep the updates coming.

[D4MJT]

Henry_b said:

P38 "Cough" "Cough" ahem.. lol

Yeah... I know how expensive that ended up being last time...

rasto said:

I've had mine a year and a half now and have just hit 10k miles. The car has been faultless and continues to deliver lots of smiles/mile. I'm averaging 26 mph & 26 mpg which isn't surprising given my 8 mile commute on mostly 30 limit roads.

We're going back up to Skye in it again this May after enjoying our trip last year, the Highland roads are perfect for the M140. For our journey last year we averaged 42 mpg which I still find amazing for a car with that size engine.

I'm looking forward to replacing the MPSS tyres with something that provides a bit more grip and confidence in less than perfect conditions. The MPSS are awesome on warm bone dry roads, but given the UK weather I want tyres that are more appropriate.

It's reporting that it will need a service in 6k miles and doesn't appear to have used any oil so far, indeed I've not had to top up anything in the engine bay.

It did suffer from the dreaded exhaust rattle for a while, but I haven't noticed it recently so I'm hoping it has cured itself.

Looking forward to many more miles in it

I've just replaced my MPSS with Pilot Sport 4's. I'm only 800 miles ish in, but I won't be going back to MPSS, the PS4 are far superior in wet and damp conditions and noticeably better in cold conditions too. A far better everyday tyre for the UK.

Court_S said:

Deal done and the car has been ordered. Spec as per my previous comment, so it’s just a case of waiting. Due to my company car, I can’t collect until the end of June. It might be here earlier but will be stored for me until then. The deals on these new are incredible at the mo; I’ve paid £1,200 more than my local Sytner are flogging a year old one for!

I’ve never had an issue with the old BMW orange interior lights (in fact I really like it, turned right down and it’s very relaxing). I do however really like the new LCI2 dials and they’re very smart. Can’t wait until June!

Fantastic! I bet you can't wait. You can track the progress of your order once you get the build number from your dealer, then you can ask BMW Genius' on the website for a production update. If you want to get really nerdy you can then track the boat on vessel tracker

Leicester Loyal said:

430hp and it's not a full blown M car!

I really do like these, there aren't many (realistic-ish) cars I'd prefer to have over my own but this is definitely one. It's a beauty!

Good thread too btw, keep the updates coming.

That's very kind of you thanks. The power is great, but I do get the argument, with a full blown M car you get better suspension and the diff etc etc. I can't really justify that as mines a daily that I use for sitting in traffic, but as I say, it's an utterly brilliant halfway proposition that I can justify. I really just enjoy driving it, and I think that's a good marker for whether a car is any good or not.

[Court_S]

D4MJT said:

That's very kind of you thanks. The power is great, but I do get the argument, with a full blown M car you get better suspension and the diff etc etc. I can't really justify that as mines a daily that I use for sitting in traffic, but as I say, it's an utterly brilliant halfway proposition that I can justify. I really just enjoy driving it, and I think that's a good marker for whether a car is any good or not.

That’s what I’m hoping for. I dearly love an E90 M3 because that engine is so special and is fabulous mated to the DCT gearbox. I don’t fancy running one as a daily; it’s be useless for chucking mountain bikes in (I imagine the 140 will be a bit of a pain after 4 years in a vRS) and will cost a fortune on my 60 mile round trip to the office three days a week. I borrowed a 140 for 48 hours and loved it...the acceleration the first time I booted it really made me laugh too.