BMW M140 (at last!)
Discussion
Almost six weeks in and I’m still really pleased with the car. It continues to be easy on my daily commute, economical when driven sensibly yet able to put a grin on my face when I’m in the mood. Now it’s run in, I definitely understand the criticism of the handling a bit more now. It’s definitely a car that you need to learn a bit rather than hop in and boot it.
Not too much has changed; I’ve added Chinese copies of the M Performance pedals because I was too tight to cough up £180 fir the genuine articles (can’t believe that they’re not standard), I’ve added a black surround to the rear badge to banish the last bit of chrome and lastly, the spoiler was removed and painted gloss black.
Next up will be the underbody brace and some Eibach springs but not until next year.
Couple of pics, well because.
Not too much has changed; I’ve added Chinese copies of the M Performance pedals because I was too tight to cough up £180 fir the genuine articles (can’t believe that they’re not standard), I’ve added a black surround to the rear badge to banish the last bit of chrome and lastly, the spoiler was removed and painted gloss black.
Next up will be the underbody brace and some Eibach springs but not until next year.
Couple of pics, well because.
The car is still doing everything I’m asking it to do; the commute is dealt with in its sleep and it still puts a smile on my face when I’m in the mood. The B58 is a stinking engine that dominates the whole car.
Had a nice run down to Caffeine & Machine with a mate the other week. His Caterham looks tiny next to mine.
There were loads of other M Lites there, sone quite modified. I’d really like to lower the car slightly so the wheels fill the arches a bit better so in the spring I’m going to look into the BMW M Performance springs. The drop isn’t huge compared to say H+R, but I’m really just after a very subtle drop.
Had a nice run down to Caffeine & Machine with a mate the other week. His Caterham looks tiny next to mine.
There were loads of other M Lites there, sone quite modified. I’d really like to lower the car slightly so the wheels fill the arches a bit better so in the spring I’m going to look into the BMW M Performance springs. The drop isn’t huge compared to say H+R, but I’m really just after a very subtle drop.
The vRS has finally been collected today, so the 140 will need to start lugging bikes around. It’s a lot smaller inside than my vRS and I’m too lazy to remove both wheels from a mountain bike having been spoilt by the vRS’s cavernous load carrying abilities. I can get my trail bike in, buts a bit of a squeeze so I’ve turned to a roof mounted carrier.
Roof bars (Thule Wingbar Edge in black) courtesy of eBay with a Thule 598 carrier. Seems sturdy enough and doesn’t look totally poo.
Roof bars (Thule Wingbar Edge in black) courtesy of eBay with a Thule 598 carrier. Seems sturdy enough and doesn’t look totally poo.
Craikeybaby said:
A similar set up to my E87, my only concern is leaving the car unattended with bikes on top, especially given my bike is worth more than the car.
Yeah that is a bit of an issue. To be honest for longer trips away where I’m likely to stop I’ll probably faff a bit more and pop it in the car. For trips to the likes of Cannock it’ll be fine.
BMW have supposedly sorted the creaking doors by adding clear tape around the top of the door openings. It was fine yesterday when I collected it but this afternoon will be the real test after the car has been sat in the afternoon sun which always seems to make it worse.
PH smiley was added a bit ago
I’ve also added the M Performance gear surround and selector. I wasn’t too fussed about the carbon, but wanted some more alcantara to match the wheel. I do quite like the exposed, mat carbon though. Think I’ll add the hand brake too and leave it at that.
I’m also quite tempted to change the stock diffuser for the Reiger one because it’s more interesting looking and is gloss black. I’m going to pop over to Lichfield to see the importer tomorrow to see what it’s like in the flesh.
PH smiley was added a bit ago
I’ve also added the M Performance gear surround and selector. I wasn’t too fussed about the carbon, but wanted some more alcantara to match the wheel. I do quite like the exposed, mat carbon though. Think I’ll add the hand brake too and leave it at that.
I’m also quite tempted to change the stock diffuser for the Reiger one because it’s more interesting looking and is gloss black. I’m going to pop over to Lichfield to see the importer tomorrow to see what it’s like in the flesh.
cerb4.5lee said:
Really liking the gear selector and surround. Love the PH sticker too, you car looks so clean looking at the rear bumper. 
Cheers. It’s just been washed! I’ll put my hands up to enjoying cleaning cars, so my OCD was in overdrive after the grim weather fir the last few days.
I decided to take the plunge and bought a new diffuser for the rear. I like it; it’s black so ties in with the other bits and it adds something to the back (in my opinion anyway). Fitting was a pig though. Why they couldn’t use the clip tabs like the stock one is beyond me.
Anyway, stock insert removed.
Stock reflectors whipped off and out in the new diffuser and all of the protective tape removed.
Extra support brackets measured and fitted.
Then came the fun bit; the new diffuser is held in place by screws through tabs that go into the bumper. Sounds easy enough but there’s sod all room for hands or screwdrivers. After much sweating I managed to get four key screws in. I need to tweak the alignment slightly but it started raining to interest was lost. The passenger side doesn’t sit quite as flush as the other side. Only be a few mm but it’ll bug me.
It’s certainly much more solid than the original which gent way too flimsy. I’ll be 100% happy once the alignment has been tweaked slightly.
Anyway, stock insert removed.
Stock reflectors whipped off and out in the new diffuser and all of the protective tape removed.
Extra support brackets measured and fitted.
Then came the fun bit; the new diffuser is held in place by screws through tabs that go into the bumper. Sounds easy enough but there’s sod all room for hands or screwdrivers. After much sweating I managed to get four key screws in. I need to tweak the alignment slightly but it started raining to interest was lost. The passenger side doesn’t sit quite as flush as the other side. Only be a few mm but it’ll bug me.
It’s certainly much more solid than the original which gent way too flimsy. I’ll be 100% happy once the alignment has been tweaked slightly.
HM-2 said:
Diffuser from AutoID? I've had a few custom bits from them (though none are on my car currently). Decent quality stuff, especially for the price, but a bit of a shame that they're not using the same fitments for the diffusers as you get with the OEM ones.
One of my sets of mirror caps didn't quite fit flush (really not by much, but enough to annoy me) and they were really good about exchanging. If you intend on getting anything else, I've got a 10% discount card from them somewhere I'm not likely to use so I'll give you the code.
It’s a Reiger diffuser. The quality is really good other than the tabs; it seems an odd and very fiddly way to fit it. One of my sets of mirror caps didn't quite fit flush (really not by much, but enough to annoy me) and they were really good about exchanging. If you intend on getting anything else, I've got a 10% discount card from them somewhere I'm not likely to use so I'll give you the code.
Hammy98 said:
I'm after a Reiger diffuser for mine too, not the handiest with the spanners though so your account of fitting it might sway me to another brand.
Is your black rear roundel surround from CarbonMyRide? I've got one waiting to go on mine but noticed the chrome on the standard one is starting to corrode - so I haven't bothered yet. Got genuine gloss black badges to go on as well just need to find the time!
Interior bits the same as yours are next on my list - the standard gear selector surround looks cheap. Good looking car!
It’d be easier with the rear of the car lifted up a bit. It’s perfectly doable, just depends on how good you are at contorting yourself whilst lying on the cold ground! Is your black rear roundel surround from CarbonMyRide? I've got one waiting to go on mine but noticed the chrome on the standard one is starting to corrode - so I haven't bothered yet. Got genuine gloss black badges to go on as well just need to find the time!
Interior bits the same as yours are next on my list - the standard gear selector surround looks cheap. Good looking car!
Yes, the black surround is from those guys. Rightly or wrongly I dislike chrome on modern cars especially when most of the trim is gloss black.
Cheers for the comments.
Ended up having to get a replacement diffuser because the original one didn’t sit quite right which triggered my OCD. The passenger side was more pronounced by a few mm and once I spotted it, that was it!
The importer swapped it without issue and the new one went on perfectly, much easier than the one I had before and it sits right in the bumper now.
I also stumbled across a setting that allowed me to turn the active fuel economy gauge off which was distracting at night being red and slightly depressing if you paid attention to it! :hehe
I’d previously turned off the graphics that accompanied any change off mode.
I’ve also added the carbon and alcantara handbrake grip, so it all matches.
Other than that, I’m still enjoy the car and it keeps doing every ask it to do. The Pilot Supersport tyres really don’t like the damp or cold though and I’m much more wary of the throttle in this weather especially after having a little moment the other day.
The creaking doors / seals returned after BMW applied the tape. So it’s been back and they’ve applied (and given me) some silicon cleaner and rubber treatment. That’s a bit pants but luckily I like the car so can live with sorting that out from time to time. I’m going to clay my door shuts because a colleague had the same issue with his 5 series due to BMW waxing the shuts. He clayed them ages ago and no noise had returned.
The importer swapped it without issue and the new one went on perfectly, much easier than the one I had before and it sits right in the bumper now.
I also stumbled across a setting that allowed me to turn the active fuel economy gauge off which was distracting at night being red and slightly depressing if you paid attention to it! :hehe
I’d previously turned off the graphics that accompanied any change off mode.
I’ve also added the carbon and alcantara handbrake grip, so it all matches.
Other than that, I’m still enjoy the car and it keeps doing every ask it to do. The Pilot Supersport tyres really don’t like the damp or cold though and I’m much more wary of the throttle in this weather especially after having a little moment the other day.
The creaking doors / seals returned after BMW applied the tape. So it’s been back and they’ve applied (and given me) some silicon cleaner and rubber treatment. That’s a bit pants but luckily I like the car so can live with sorting that out from time to time. I’m going to clay my door shuts because a colleague had the same issue with his 5 series due to BMW waxing the shuts. He clayed them ages ago and no noise had returned.
IAche said:
Looking good buddy, I don't think I saw the diffuser when i was round to pick up the wheels.
Whats up with the tyres, is it the tread pattern or do they struggle to get up to temperature in this weather? The snows going to be fun, I thought I would struggle in mine but you wont be able to get off the drive if they are that bad in the wet
Cheers mate. Whats up with the tyres, is it the tread pattern or do they struggle to get up to temperature in this weather? The snows going to be fun, I thought I would struggle in mine but you wont be able to get off the drive if they are that bad in the wet
They’re quite aggressive be geared up for dry weather. In the summer, the grip is ace it’s just as soon as the temps drop and it gets a bit chilly they just don’t grip so well. Add in all that torque and it gets a bit squiffy.
PS4’s tend to be a good option but I’ll probably have another pair of Super Sports because I’ll be too tight to replace the fronts with decent tread.
IAche said:
I'm going to need new rear tyres for my car soon so ill have a look at Super Sports but I was pretty happy with Eagle F1 A3 on my ST and Mini.
Something a tad better will be much needed after the remap.
They’re pretty cheap; £136 each for mine. Something a tad better will be much needed after the remap.
I’d look at Pilot Sport 4’s too. They get really good reviews and are better when the weather gets rubbish.
HM-2 said:
I went Eagle Asymmetric 5 when I killed of my Supersports. They're about 90% as good in the dry, about twice as good in the wet, and actually work below 7°C. Paid slightly over £400 for four, fitted- that's with a 92Y up front instead of an 89 as it's supposed to reduce outer edge wear. The Goodyears have a stiffer sidewall so you lose a bit of pliancy in the ride, but they also feel more immediate on the turn-in. I actually prefer them to the PSS, even in the dry.
Cheers for that. Might look into those as well: a few on Baby BMW have gone down the route of them and are pleased. Last piece of carbon added; changed the leather handbrake grip and gaitor for the carbon and alcantara M Performance jobbie.
Really pleased with the interior and despite the changes being relatively subtle, it makes it feel a lot different to my friends totally stock M140i (much prefer mine :lol: )
My car was looking a little scabby so I managed to get stuck into it today to give it some winter protection. Plus I’d bought some new toys (decent power washer, citrus pre was, snow foam and lance).
Soaked the car in citrus prewash for a bit before breaking out the snow foam.
It did a great job at getting into all of the nooks where dirt collects / builds up. I gave it a quick dry before attacking it with Car Pro TriX which does the job of both Iron X and Tar X. There was a lot of contamination including some very stubborn tar sports.
This was followed by another snow foam / wash with soap. What was left of the old wax was gone by now judging by the way the water sitting on the car. I had intended to use QTechniq Panel Wipe but I was conscious of time so I had to skip this step.
First coat of wax applied...
Glass polished, tyres dressed and second coat of wax applied. Interior vac’d, wiped over with an interior detailer and the leather cleaned.
This should see me through until the spring when I can really get stuck into it with a clay bar and machine polisher.
Really pleased with the interior and despite the changes being relatively subtle, it makes it feel a lot different to my friends totally stock M140i (much prefer mine :lol: )
My car was looking a little scabby so I managed to get stuck into it today to give it some winter protection. Plus I’d bought some new toys (decent power washer, citrus pre was, snow foam and lance).
Soaked the car in citrus prewash for a bit before breaking out the snow foam.
It did a great job at getting into all of the nooks where dirt collects / builds up. I gave it a quick dry before attacking it with Car Pro TriX which does the job of both Iron X and Tar X. There was a lot of contamination including some very stubborn tar sports.
This was followed by another snow foam / wash with soap. What was left of the old wax was gone by now judging by the way the water sitting on the car. I had intended to use QTechniq Panel Wipe but I was conscious of time so I had to skip this step.
First coat of wax applied...
Glass polished, tyres dressed and second coat of wax applied. Interior vac’d, wiped over with an interior detailer and the leather cleaned.
This should see me through until the spring when I can really get stuck into it with a clay bar and machine polisher.
Edited by Court_S on Friday 29th November 22:36
Edited by Court_S on Friday 29th November 22:39
cerb4.5lee said:
Hats off to you doing all that in these winter temperatures!
I love how well you look after your cars and they look so mint.
Yesterday wasn’t too bad. Not sure I’d be doing it today though....it’s really baltic.I love how well you look after your cars and they look so mint.
I blame the detailing sections on forums; once you dip your toe in you either think sod this or get dragged in. I was the latter unfortunately. Still reckon a few big cleans a year and keeping on top of it saves me time overall because you never have to deal with a car that’s too skanky. My friends M140i is absolutely rancid inside. I know who’s car I’d rather travel in!
cerb4.5lee said:
I should be putting up my Christmas outside lights today...but I've not picked a very good day for it though as you say. I'll leave it for an hour or so I reckon to see if it warms up a bit.
I managed to get a stay of execution with the Christmas tat...convinced the boss that we should do it next week instead. Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff