30K miles P.A in a 140i
Discussion
I had a similar choice and looked at a 135i and 235i. Similarly a full cash purchase. Replacing a 330d xDrive Touring with something smaller.
In the end, I opted for the M235i Convertible Sports Auto + Adaptive as a good all-rounder for the two of us.
The M235i 3.0L petrol turbo engine has a lot of torque but not quite in the same league as the diesel equivalent, but I was happy with the trade-off given the more exciting delivery when I wanted it from the petrol. The diesel did 45mpg, the petrol does 32mpg - both a mix of short/long journeys.
I do like the smaller 2 Series compared to the 3. I can still have passengers but obviously not as much space (but that's their problem). We have carried three suitcases, two boxes of provisions, and clothing for Alpine walking, boots, etc. with the convertible top folded-down as well. So the 2 has enough luggage capacity for a long touring trip. There are things that it can't carry (in comparison to the 3 Touring and previous A3 hatch) but this hasn't proved an issue - I just get stuff delivered, or find myself not asked so often to help people out (one downside of owning an estate/hatch).
What we have found is that we put the convertible top down much more than expected. Having it down often transforms an otherwise boring journey. Minimum temp with it down was 4°C when I went to get the Christmas Tree a couple of weeks ago. Practically, 6°C is probably the lowest you'd want to drive in. I actually find I'm a more relaxed driver with the top down for some reason.
So I'd recommend you try an M240i and a convertible if you can (but on a fair weather day, with the top down). It may not suit your preferences, but worth considering.
Re servicing: Notional interval is indeed 20K but I paid a local independent to do an oil change at 12K as I'm in the traditional camp of not believing a performance car can be driven for 20K miles without one. Cost was £213.60 (New oil, oil filter, pollen filter) - In my view, if you can afford a new M-Lite then the cost of servicing is pretty reasonable in comparison to the capital cost. When I got my first BMW back in the late 90's in circumstances similar to the OP's, a service cost the equivalent of about £900 in current prices.
In the end, I opted for the M235i Convertible Sports Auto + Adaptive as a good all-rounder for the two of us.
The M235i 3.0L petrol turbo engine has a lot of torque but not quite in the same league as the diesel equivalent, but I was happy with the trade-off given the more exciting delivery when I wanted it from the petrol. The diesel did 45mpg, the petrol does 32mpg - both a mix of short/long journeys.
I do like the smaller 2 Series compared to the 3. I can still have passengers but obviously not as much space (but that's their problem). We have carried three suitcases, two boxes of provisions, and clothing for Alpine walking, boots, etc. with the convertible top folded-down as well. So the 2 has enough luggage capacity for a long touring trip. There are things that it can't carry (in comparison to the 3 Touring and previous A3 hatch) but this hasn't proved an issue - I just get stuff delivered, or find myself not asked so often to help people out (one downside of owning an estate/hatch).
What we have found is that we put the convertible top down much more than expected. Having it down often transforms an otherwise boring journey. Minimum temp with it down was 4°C when I went to get the Christmas Tree a couple of weeks ago. Practically, 6°C is probably the lowest you'd want to drive in. I actually find I'm a more relaxed driver with the top down for some reason.
So I'd recommend you try an M240i and a convertible if you can (but on a fair weather day, with the top down). It may not suit your preferences, but worth considering.
Re servicing: Notional interval is indeed 20K but I paid a local independent to do an oil change at 12K as I'm in the traditional camp of not believing a performance car can be driven for 20K miles without one. Cost was £213.60 (New oil, oil filter, pollen filter) - In my view, if you can afford a new M-Lite then the cost of servicing is pretty reasonable in comparison to the capital cost. When I got my first BMW back in the late 90's in circumstances similar to the OP's, a service cost the equivalent of about £900 in current prices.
Edited by msej449 on Wednesday 27th December 12:00
msej449 said:
In my view, if you can afford a new M-Lite then the cost of servicing is pretty reasonable in comparison to the capital cost.
Thank you and I agreed, just didn't want to find it has some odd 5k service requirement or something completely unexpected 
20k is actually more than I expected but I've been there before with Porsche and I'm a little cynical how much is for the fleet market.
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hstewie said:
hstewie said: Thank you and I agreed, just didn't want to find it has some odd 5k service requirement or something completely unexpected
20k is actually more than I expected but I've been there before with Porsche and I'm a little cynical how much is for the fleet market.
Since when is a Porsche or a £40k m140i a fleet purchase?20k is actually more than I expected but I've been there before with Porsche and I'm a little cynical how much is for the fleet market.
116d or equivalent 3 series and maybe a 520d or equivalents yet but top end performance or sports Cars are not on company car lists nor are they for Hertz hire Cars.
Welshbeef said:
bhstewie said:
hstewie said: Thank you and I agreed, just didn't want to find it has some odd 5k service requirement or something completely unexpected
20k is actually more than I expected but I've been there before with Porsche and I'm a little cynical how much is for the fleet market.
Since when is a Porsche or a £40k m140i a fleet purchase?20k is actually more than I expected but I've been there before with Porsche and I'm a little cynical how much is for the fleet market.
116d or equivalent 3 series and maybe a 520d or equivalents yet but top end performance or sports Cars are not on company car lists nor are they for Hertz hire Cars.
Given that the 1 Series will be a Mini in a dress in a couple of years I say buy the 140i now :-)
Edited by survivalist on Wednesday 27th December 21:15
2years into a 135 manual
It's at 22,000 miles and not asked for the first service yet
It's averaged 31 mpg with a mix of 17 mile stop start or 80 mile motorway commutes, mostly in sport
Eco pro is annoying, I guess makes more sense in the auto as it holds gears?
Lumber, cruise and adaptive suspension (& heated seats) are important
I'm amazed at how much grip the Michelin pilot super sports find under hard acceleration in the damp
In contrast our 535d does 38mpg over similar usage
It's at 22,000 miles and not asked for the first service yet
It's averaged 31 mpg with a mix of 17 mile stop start or 80 mile motorway commutes, mostly in sport
Eco pro is annoying, I guess makes more sense in the auto as it holds gears?
Lumber, cruise and adaptive suspension (& heated seats) are important
I'm amazed at how much grip the Michelin pilot super sports find under hard acceleration in the damp
In contrast our 535d does 38mpg over similar usage
Manual vs Auto
I have a manual and half toyed with changing it for an auto as the auto is quicker in a point and shoot kind of way , and more efficient when sat on the motorway due to longer gearing
But if it's anything like the 535d 8spd auto, I think it would annoy me
I like to drive smoothly, unless there is something interesting, like a flowing roundabout or a slip road, then I like to use the performance
In the manual, you can hold higher gears, or Rev out lower gears
Eg 1st, 2nd then 6th as you are up to cruising speed
In the auto it'll drive 'economically' unless in sport, but in sport it's always primed in a lower gear which isn't always what you want, so you are constantly rocking the switch between comfort and sport.
Although the derv engine is at its best lower down the Rev range where there is a wall of torque
As the wife mainly drives the 5 series, perhaps gear box has not learnt me yet??
Is it the same in the 135/140?
Does anyone share my view or is it just me?
I have a manual and half toyed with changing it for an auto as the auto is quicker in a point and shoot kind of way , and more efficient when sat on the motorway due to longer gearing
But if it's anything like the 535d 8spd auto, I think it would annoy me
I like to drive smoothly, unless there is something interesting, like a flowing roundabout or a slip road, then I like to use the performance
In the manual, you can hold higher gears, or Rev out lower gears
Eg 1st, 2nd then 6th as you are up to cruising speed
In the auto it'll drive 'economically' unless in sport, but in sport it's always primed in a lower gear which isn't always what you want, so you are constantly rocking the switch between comfort and sport.
Although the derv engine is at its best lower down the Rev range where there is a wall of torque
As the wife mainly drives the 5 series, perhaps gear box has not learnt me yet??
Is it the same in the 135/140?
Does anyone share my view or is it just me?
survivalist said:
Given that the 1 Series will be a Mini in a dress in a couple of years I say buy the 140i now :-)
Yes I've heard a few things about the engines going to a 4 cylinder.I'll dig into babybmw.net at some point but does anyone know the refresh cycle with BMW?
For example with VW if you go buy a Golf 6 at some point the 7 is out a month later and I'm not up to speed with the BMW equivalent yet.
bhstewie said:
hstewie said: Thanks, and sorry but do you mean a facelift or do you mean when they switch to 4 cylinder across the range?
Haven't got vaguely up to speed beyond Youtube videos of people grinning yet.
1 series was face-lifted around 2015 so look at 65 plates, but I think with M140i the current shadowline is a further iteration and the one to choose. Haven't got vaguely up to speed beyond Youtube videos of people grinning yet.
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/bmw/1-series/87338/ne...
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/bmw/1-series/99425/bm...
Edited by Smuler on Thursday 28th December 13:21
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