BMW M140 (at last!)

[Court_S]

HM-2 said:

You may find it just goes away of its own volition. I had a really bad rattle for about a week then for whatever reason it just stopped.

I’d hoped that but it’s got worse over the last few weeks. It was going to intermittently, then every day etc. It’s a horrible noise that bake the car sound like a proper bag of spanners.

[Craikeybaby]

That sounds like a proper day out in the cars!

[Court_S]

Craikeybaby said:

That sounds like a proper day out in the cars!

It was! A fair few miles were covered.

[Armchair_Expert]

Thats a shame ypur rattle has worsened, mine seems to have disappeared. Problem I have now is a constant rattle / vibration coming from the dash, garage noticed it during a road test and now they have pointed it out, it is driving me insane. Mostly low speeds and a constant plasticy rattle that is like a tuning fork. I fear it is going to be a labour intensive dashboard strip to identify.

[MB140]

Armchair_Expert said:

Thats a shame ypur rattle has worsened, mine seems to have disappeared. Problem I have now is a constant rattle / vibration coming from the dash, garage noticed it during a road test and now they have pointed it out, it is driving me insane. Mostly low speeds and a constant plasticy rattle that is like a tuning fork. I fear it is going to be a labour intensive dashboard strip to identify.

I had something similar in my m135i, I found that by pulling the instrument binnacle down it would stop. I took some felt strip and used a trim removal tool to push the felt between the binnacle and the dash. Not cured it completely but certainly reduced it.

[Court_S]

MB140 said:

Armchair_Expert said:

Thats a shame ypur rattle has worsened, mine seems to have disappeared. Problem I have now is a constant rattle / vibration coming from the dash, garage noticed it during a road test and now they have pointed it out, it is driving me insane. Mostly low speeds and a constant plasticy rattle that is like a tuning fork. I fear it is going to be a labour intensive dashboard strip to identify.

I had something similar in my m135i, I found that by pulling the instrument binnacle down it would stop. I took some felt strip and used a trim removal tool to push the felt between the binnacle and the dash. Not cured it completely but certainly reduced it.

I sometimes get a slight rattle from around the binnacle area. Usually cured by pushing lightly around that area.

The worst rattle I experienced was in my old vRS; something around the drivers seatbelt rattled and that was pretty much right next to my ear. That did my head in.

[IAche]

I had a similar rattle on my MK2 focus, on the B pillar right next to my ear. It drove me round the bend!

[Court_S]

My car is in with BMW today for them to look at the rattle on cold start; as expected the exhaust valve is dead. In the health check you can see how floppy it is.

They’re replacing the backbox which seems a bit extreme given people manage to fix it themselves but it’s under warranty so I’m not too fussed.

Looks like I need a pair of front tyres too, so I may mix tyres for a short time until the rears are dead too. I don’t really want to be paying our for four new ones this month because VED is due and my insurance is due next month too. I believe the MPSS has been discontinued as well, so I don’t want to pop a pair on now and find out that I can’t get more when the rears need doing. Currently torn between PS4’s and Good Year Asymmetric 5’s.

I’ve been given an F40 118i as a courtesy car. The interior is a pretty nice place to be and feels really good quality but the basic seats are st, they’re so uncomfortable, I can’t believe they were ever signed off. The safety features which turn on every time you start the car are annoying especially the lane assistance...that needs to be in the bin. People gave the F20 a hard time re the steering but this is worse I reckon.

[MB140]

Court_S said:

My car is in with BMW today for them to look at the rattle on cold start; as expected the exhaust valve is dead. In the health check you can see how floppy it is.

They’re replacing the backbox which seems a bit extreme given people manage to fix it themselves but it’s under warranty so I’m not too fussed.

Looks like I need a pair of front tyres too, so I may mix tyres for a short time until the rears are dead too. I don’t really want to be paying our for four new ones this month because VED is due and my insurance is due next month too. I believe the MPSS has been discontinued as well, so I don’t want to pop a pair on now and find out that I can’t get more when the rears need doing. Currently torn between PS4’s and Good Year Asymmetric 5’s.

I’ve been given an F40 118i as a courtesy car. The interior is a pretty nice place to be and feels really good quality but the basic seats are st, they’re so uncomfortable, I can’t believe they were ever signed off. The safety features which turn on every time you start the car are annoying especially the lane assistance...that needs to be in the bin. People gave the F20 a hard time re the steering but this is worse I reckon.

I was in the same boat reference tyres (only I needed rears), I switched from MPSS to GY Asy 3 last time, I’ve now changed to Asy 5 times n the rears so I’m running Asy 3 front until they wear out and new Asy 5 on the rear.

I don’t drive at 8/10ths and mine is solely a road car and daily. I found the MPSS not great in greasy cold wet conditions, I personally found the Asy 3 better in those conditions and I’m hoping the Asy 5 will be an improvement.

Don’t think you will go wrong with either PS4 or Asy 5.

[Court_S]

MB140 said:

I was in the same boat reference tyres (only I needed rears), I switched from MPSS to GY Asy 3 last time, I’ve now changed to Asy 5 times n the rears so I’m running Asy 3 front until they wear out and new Asy 5 on the rear.

I don’t drive at 8/10ths and mine is solely a road car and daily. I found the MPSS not great in greasy cold wet conditions, I personally found the Asy 3 better in those conditions and I’m hoping the Asy 5 will be an improvement.

Don’t think you will go wrong with either PS4 or Asy 5.

I’m the same as you in that regard.

Having watched some reviews, it seems like the Asymmetric 5 is slightly sportier with stiffer side walls than the PS4. Might match the MPSS better until they die (only 2.5mm to go until they stop working well).

[Court_S]

So, my time with the M140i is drawing to a close.

It’s been a great car, but I have the opportunity to get out of it with a few quid my way due to strong (possible overly high used values at the moment). I’m barely using the car at the moment and I can’t see my usage sky rocketing any time soon, so I’m taking the opportunity to get out now and run something older and less expensive for 12/18 months. It seems ridiculous to have a relatively expensive car sat in the drive either not moving for a few days or doing maybe four miles a day.

It’s been a really really good car but I’m not 100% sure that I truly love it; it’s very fast, pretty comfy, doesn’t cost much to run and discreet but it doesn’t quite tickle my funny bits, especially with such limited use. If I’m honest, I’m currently regretting not buying an E9x M3. Yes it would have chonged through fuel and possible bitten my wallet with rod bearings etc, but they’re aging well and the noise. The noise.

My criteria for a cheaper car was that it still had to interest me and have at least six cylinders. I’ve looked at all sorts of stuff from older performance cars that I couldn’t afford when they were current but prices are mental which ruled out an E46 M3 or a B7 RS4. I looked at a few barges, Bangle’s 6 series looks great value used but they’re big, the V8’s are a pain in the arse and they don’t seem quite as cheap as they did a while back. I was very tempted my a 630i down the road from me, facelift car with a great spec (HUD, pano roof, heated seats etc) but my other half’s hated it and they’re big. Bloody big. The N53 engine worried me a wee bit WSP with no evidence of a HPFP etc.

E9x was high the agenda but most have a st spec (no xenons), a well spec’d E91 is a unicorn that isn’t available at the mo. Lots of E92’s are falling into the wrong hands and have interesting MOT histories.

So, all being well I’ll be moving into a 130i Limited Edition on Friday. It seems like a really good car with what looks like enthusiast owners.

[cerb4.5lee]

Hopefully exciting times ahead with the 130i LE then Sam.

I've really enjoyed following your thread on the M140i for sure, but I've also always been a big fan of the 130i too. The N52 engine is a belter for certain.

Wishing you all the best going forward with the 130i and I look forward to following another one of your Readers Cars threads all being well.

[Armchair_Expert]

Sad times, can't believe your leaving. I am also tempted to get out of mine for no apparent reason, just feels like a year of fun had and a good time to get out.

[Court_S]

cerb4.5lee said:

Hopefully exciting times ahead with the 130i LE then Sam.

I've really enjoyed following your thread on the M140i for sure, but I've also always been a big fan of the 130i too. The N52 engine is a belter for certain.

Wishing you all the best going forward with the 130i and I look forward to following another one of your Readers Cars threads all being well.

Cheers Lee, I have a few plans for the new car already.

I think it’ll suit my current usage profile a bit better than my car.

Armchair_Expert said:

Sad times, can't believe your leaving. I am also tempted to get out of mine for no apparent reason, just feels like a year of fun had and a good time to get out.

It wasn’t really planned. On the back of the used car value thread on here I got a quote and it tuned out it was worth more than I owe so it seemed like a good idea to get out whilst values are high. In three / four years time when the very good run out deals are coming to an end there’ll be glut of them on the market.

Plus I’m paying out a load of cash for something that’s not really get used which seems a bit daft. I’ve enjoyed the car, but it hasn’t got under my skin like others have.

[ScoobyChris]

Court_S said:

Having watched some reviews, it seems like the Asymmetric 5 is slightly sportier with stiffer side walls than the PS4. Might match the MPSS better until they die (only 2.5mm to go until they stop working well).

I swapped my rear MPSS for PS4 and they feel like a pretty good match stiffness-wise with the MPSS on the front, with the main difference being that they inspire so much more confidence so much better in wet weather.

Funny you mention you're selling up. The thread on WBAC prices had me doing the sums, but scouring Autotrader and nothing really tempted me - I guess the balance of accessible decent performance and very sensible running costs is a hard combination to beat.

Enjoy the new motor!

Chris

[Court_S]

ScoobyChris said:

I swapped my rear MPSS for PS4 and they feel like a pretty good match stiffness-wise with the MPSS on the front, with the main difference being that they inspire so much more confidence so much better in wet weather.

Funny you mention you're selling up. The thread on WBAC prices had me doing the sums, but scouring Autotrader and nothing really tempted me - I guess the balance of accessible decent performance and very sensible running costs is a hard combination to beat.

Enjoy the new motor!

Chris

Thanks Chris.

Yeah, that thread sent my off to the classifieds! it’s only because I can get out with cash that I’m doing it. I paid £28k for the car in June 2019 and have agreed an offer at £23.5k which seems good.

Ideally I’d have jumped into an M2 but there’s not too many around and prices are firm. I guessed that buying something for not too much cash limits my exposure to Covid pricing. I might regret it, I might not.

[MDifficult]

Cough

MINI!

Cough

[Court_S]

MDifficult said:

Cough

MINI!

Cough

Ha, was tempted but the lure of a six pot was too strong. This is the third time I’ve tried to buy a 130i, so I’m hoping it’s third time lucky!

First time was back in 2013. Find a cracker on here but missed out but the owner called me back yo tell me what a great car it was! Missed out in a well spec’d one in January then got impatient and bought a 125i cab.

[J4CKO]

Court_S said:

ScoobyChris said:

I swapped my rear MPSS for PS4 and they feel like a pretty good match stiffness-wise with the MPSS on the front, with the main difference being that they inspire so much more confidence so much better in wet weather.

Funny you mention you're selling up. The thread on WBAC prices had me doing the sums, but scouring Autotrader and nothing really tempted me - I guess the balance of accessible decent performance and very sensible running costs is a hard combination to beat.

Enjoy the new motor!

Chris

Thanks Chris.

Yeah, that thread sent my off to the classifieds! it’s only because I can get out with cash that I’m doing it. I paid £28k for the car in June 2019 and have agreed an offer at £23.5k which seems good.

Ideally I’d have jumped into an M2 but there’s not too many around and prices are firm. I guessed that buying something for not too much cash limits my exposure to Covid pricing. I might regret it, I might not.

Not regretted moving my M135i on, sounds like you had a similar experience of like not love.

My son moved to a Golf R, I temporarily bought the Fiesta so he could buy his new one, decided to keep it. Its harder to live with than the BMW and way slower but it is so much more fun. Said this ad nauseum for the last three years and put my money where my mouth is, they arent for everyone but they are bloody good.

[Court_S]

J4CKO said:

Not regretted moving my M135i on, sounds like you had a similar experience of like not love.

My son moved to a Golf R, I temporarily bought the Fiesta so he could buy his new one, decided to keep it. Its harder to live with than the BMW and way slower but it is so much more fun. Said this ad nauseum for the last three years and put my money where my mouth is, they arent for everyone but they are bloody good.

I guess so.

They’re really good cars, but now I’m not using it so much it misses the mark; they’re properly quick, but now I’m not using it so much it lacks that sparkle to really tickle my funny bits. I know that sounds like I’m a spoilt brat with major first world problems!

I might really regret it and miss it, we’ll see.