M140i questions?

[chan61922]

Hi guys currently searching for a new toy but can’t completely make my mind up about what to go for. Currently in e93 325i sport, which I’m hoping to sell when my insurance expires in June, but got itchy fingers and search already as you do. I Initially wanted a e9x m3 but it’s proving hard to find a decent aged, specced, mileage model for my budget of 17/18k, I can quite easily source a earlier pre lci model Withing this budget but can’t see it holding much value when I come to sell in 2/3 years time, so would have to be an lci model, problem is they go well into 20k plus for a decent mileage car 50ish k.

The dilemma is that falls into used m140i territory (initial budget of 17/18k also buys a decent golf r- which is also a contender) and even a brand new m140i at 29/30ish k.

My question is has anyone gone from a e9x m3 or even a e46 or f80 to a m140i? Was these a huge noticeable difference? Obviously a M car is a M car but is the 140 worthy of having the M badge in front of it? To me even though the engine is quite tasty, it’s still a 1 series, don’t get me wrong they look beautiful compared to the older models, really meaty aggressive styling which I like, but also thought of the 1 has a hairdressers car lol. Does the car feel has special as a m car? And also what are running costs typically for lots of town driving (live in London) ocacasional motorway blast and lots of dual carriage ways? Is there any common faults? What gearbox options are there and which is the one to go for? Zf8 or manual? Really have no idea about one series think I’ve been in one once, so not so sure. Do you see them holding value after a few years? Think I could get a nice 61/62 plate m3 for say 23k that would also buy a m140i which is just 2/3 years old, would the 1 series hold more value you think?

Sorry for the 101 questions guys, any input greatly appreciated.

[Luke.]

Forget the Golf R. Charmless waste of space.

[chan61922]

Ouch!

[telecat]

I have the Manual M240i. The engine is a blast keep your foot in in Comfort or Sport and it requires a bit of concentration but the kick is exhilarating. I like the Manual box and the pedals are pretty set for heel and toeing but you also have the auto blip. It's an easy 4 up with decent luggage space so I imagine the 140i is pretty good as well. I tend to get about 30mpg out of mine which is a mix of flowing A and B roads with the odd foray into Leeds and York. The steering is best in Sport but it's OK in Comfort. Mine had the Spec list thrown at it as it was a press car so it has ProNav Heated seats, touch phone charger, memory driver seats etc. Basically it vet comfortable and a hoot to drive as well. intrusive but not

[chan61922]

I’ve not actually had a look at 240’s are they similarly priced? I definitely wouldn’t go 340 mind just don’t look very sporty, I love the f80 m3 styling but the 340 just looks too grandadish for my liking haha. So you average 30 with a mix of driving conditions, that is very reasonable, I can see an auto box dropping that figure slightly though. What is the ride like in the 240? Is it harsh? My current car is a nightmare and that’s even after ditching the run flats, sits on eibach pro springs which ain’t even a drastic drop but I feel every inperfection in the road and it’s a nightmare for daily driving around London. Constantly have to break for bumps etc. Does comfort mode adapt the suspension settings? Bit of dinosaur here, coming from a 2008 car here

[chan61922]

Is the older m135/235i a decent shout, seems a fair a bit cheaper, or is the 40i version miles ahead

[Luke.]

Check out Joe Archilles' channel. He's got tons of M135i and M140i content. It's good too.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDcaIAJKFpu24wvkI...

[telecat]

chan61922 said:

I’ve not actually had a look at 240’s are they similarly priced? I definitely wouldn’t go 340 mind just don’t look very sporty, I love the f80 m3 styling but the 340 just looks too grandadish for my liking haha. So you average 30 with a mix of driving conditions, that is very reasonable, I can see an auto box dropping that figure slightly though. What is the ride like in the 240? Is it harsh? My current car is a nightmare and that’s even after ditching the run flats, sits on eibach pro springs which ain’t even a drastic drop but I feel every inperfection in the road and it’s a nightmare for daily driving around London. Constantly have to break for bumps etc. Does comfort mode adapt the suspension settings? Bit of dinosaur here, coming from a 2008 car here

I'd say the prices for the 2 are slightly higher but looks wise it works better. It has the adaptive suspension and it works better than the standard on the M235i even in the Sport Mode. The underlying ride without the adaptive was OK but I felt it was a bit bouncy at speed. It still wasn't a "crashy" ride.

[Johnnytheboy]

Luke. said:

Forget the Golf R. Charmless waste of space.

Speaking as a Golf R Estate owner....





The chit chat on the Facebook page suggests the M140i is much more of a "driver's car" than the Golf R.

[telecat]

I test drove the R and was going to get one until I drove the M240i. The R was immensely capable and more stable but the M is just more fun

[HM-2]

I tested an R, an A45 and an M140i, and went for the '40. They're not an M-Car and if you buy one thinking you'll get an M experience you're going to be disappointed.

What they are, though, is a great daily driver that feels like a much bigger car on the motorway yet still great fun to hustle around some winding A or B roads. The 2 is similar in this respect, but looks loads better and seems slightly less prone to bounciness on poorly surfaced roads.

I firmly believe that an M235i or M240i with some sympathetic tweaks- M Performance exhaust and differential, uprated suspension such as Birds and some lightweight wheels- is probably one of the best modern "daily" sports cars you could get:

[chan61922]

Cheers for input guys, and apologies for mentioning the ‘R’ word, always getting abit heated when comparing the 2 haha. If I’m honest the bmw does slightly appeal more has bmw are what I’m used to now, so its a sense of familiarness, however I have previously owned a gti many years ago, was my first performance car ( if you can call it that) and it seriously was a great, reliable little car! However the golfs are way too popular, I do hear many good things about them though, but I do agree the bmw is slightly more special, the styling does look better, even the cabin looks like a much nicer place to be ( haven’t actually sat in either- so going by ads) and I can imagine it being a lot more involving to drive which is what I’m currently missing in my 325 auto. I appreciate its no M car, and if I were to go down the 1/240 route I really hope I don’t regret not buying a M when one pulls up beside me. It’s tough! I was so adamant to buy a M car, I’ve never owned one, and actually wanted a e93 m3 when I bought my e93 325 but couldn’t afford at the time. And now I’m in a position to buy all these greats cars are within reach grrr! I do however really like the idea of mapping the car etc, it gives you room to play with once you get bored, that really does appeal to me. But then again a 4.0 v8 need I say more? I’ll shut up now haha Btw mate your red 240 looks really nice, not a colour I would usually go for but really does look the part. Is there much weight difference between yours and a 1? For some reason a 2 just looks smaller inside then a 1 to me, just looks as if it’s going to be tight inside (judging from the outside) lol obviously I have about 18k to spend towards a car, which means if I went down the 1/2 route I’d need financing the remaining funds, do you think I’m better off getting a model a few years old or just paying a few grand more and getting a brand new 1, obviously buying a brand new car never makes sense, IMO anyway- you lose X amount just driving out of the dealers forecourt, but I do hope for some kind of resale value as I typically sell after a few years. Too many factors consider doing my nut in this!!!

Any ex M car owners got any input?

[chan61922]

Hands down I’d take a m2 comp over all of these cars haha certainly over an m4 and dare I say it over a f80 m3 :/ not to sure about that one lol I can only dream

[HM-2]

That's not my 2, just one I really like.

Don't think there's much, if any, difference in weight between the 1 and 2.

[Smuler]

Can you still get new M240i/140i's ?
I had an email the other day offering me one of the last, from a dealer. And I couldn't find them on a configurator??
Probably some dealer stock cars available. I'd certainly look at discounts of a run-out model when compared with buying an older car. pay more now, but savings in the longer term and longer warranty etc.
BUT will the newer ones sound as good? Having the emissions regs muted the exhaust noise?
Maybe sweet spot is 2017 cars.

[roadsmash]

Personally I think you’re mad not to give the pre-LCI E9* M3 another look.

All the E9* M3’s are holding their values very well and even slightly increasing.

It’s the last V8 that BMW will put into the M3.

[cerb4.5lee]

Don't get too hung up on the M badge, I had a E92 M3 as a daily and in that situation it didn't feel special at all. The interior is identical to a 318d bar the speedo/seats. Plus in the daily environment the fact that it doesn't really get going until 6000rpm make it very frustrating.

As a daily driver I would pick the M140i over a E92 M3 all day everyday. The M140i will be far more enjoyable to drive for more of the time for me.

[Smuler]

I thought this was a Golf R or M Lite thread
I must have been asleep.
Whoever suggested E92 M3 I support.
I did drive a M135i back to back with one and the M3 is a totally different league.
I appreciate points on lower torque, but I’d opt for much better throttle response which you get with a N/A car on any day.
And the seats are so much better than ordinary M Sport seats , plus the view over the bonnet bulge. I had a 335i and find the M3 distinctive.

[F355GTS]

chan61922 said:

Is the older m135/235i a decent shout, seems a fair a bit cheaper, or is the 40i version miles ahead

I had an M135i for 2.5 Years and now an M140i for 6 Months, tbh I think the M135i was the more resolved fun car, many of the 'improvements' on the M140i seem to be changes for changes sake.

Definitely choose a car with adaptive suspension and both seem to be better suited to the autobox which is excellent

[xjay1337]

chan61922 said:

I’ve not actually had a look at 240’s are they similarly priced? I definitely wouldn’t go 340 mind just don’t look very sporty, I love the f80 m3 styling but the 340 just looks too grandadish for my liking haha. So you average 30 with a mix of driving conditions, that is very reasonable, I can see an auto box dropping that figure slightly though. What is the ride like in the 240? Is it harsh? My current car is a nightmare and that’s even after ditching the run flats, sits on eibach pro springs which ain’t even a drastic drop but I feel every inperfection in the road and it’s a nightmare for daily driving around London. Constantly have to break for bumps etc. Does comfort mode adapt the suspension settings? Bit of dinosaur here, coming from a 2008 car here

the autos actually do better MPG as the gearing is better.
They're also quicker.