20ish k car recommendations? (M140 / M125d?)

[Previous]

Hi all,

Looking for some buying advice - considering an m140i, but really not sure what else to consider, or whether anything interesting out there in my budget is actually worth buying right now.

Currently in a 2013 vw cc 177 tdi manual. Bought to do motorway work, at which it has excelled. Had it 5 years, and pre pandemic was putting on 20k miles a year. (1 office is a 100 mile round trip, the other is 180, and occasional further trips)

Will likely be still travelling with work, although expect that to drop to 15k max miles per year (again 80% motorway)

Work only pay the fuel advisory rates 12pence per mile for diesel up to 2litre, 16ppm after; petrol is a bit better @ 16ppm / 22p ppm

The Vw is starting to show its age (coil spring snapped, other odd suspension creaks etc starting to occur, expected cam belt and dpf next....!) and frankly I just fancy something else.

Tempted by a m140i (or even a 125d....?)

These two, specifically:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112150...

Or

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112090...


So, any recommendations?

Happy to spend up to 23-25k at a push, although under 20 would be good.

Must be reasonably efficient on a motorway run, reliable, and more fun than the VW cc.

Browsing the classifieds I can't help but feel I should have bought something 18 months ago...

Ta!

Edited by Previous on Friday 31st December 00:10

[classicfred]

Bmw 335D

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112010...

Merc CLA 45

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112160...

Golf R

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112060...

M240i

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111249...
11,000 miler - under warranty ?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109016...

Cupra

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112080...

Audi S3

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111149...

Audi TTS

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110158...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106264...

Audi TT RS

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112210...

430D

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111109...

Almost new Fiesta ST

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109297...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112010...

MX5

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108065...

Jag XF

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112090...

Polo GTI
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111229...

Hyundai

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112210...

Megane GT

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111269...

Megane RS

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109107...

Clio trophy

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111049...

BMW 330e

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12547140

Astra VXR GTC

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/11998304

308GTI

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12660662

Mini JCW

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12550796

Focus ST

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12616824

640d

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12719224

Octavia VRS
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12417305

Megane RS280

https://www.cazoo.co.uk/car-details/f0322de8-dc00-...

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12414941

Edited by classicfred on Friday 31st December 09:00

[Jamescrs]

Just looking at the price of the M140i it's crazy how prices have gone up, I bought a M240i around 14 months ago from a BMW main dealer, ok 6 months older but with similar miles for around 4k less.

I would say go for the 140i but I'm probably biased, I would say though at best you will likely get 40mpg on a motorway run, if you can live with that then go for it.

Other contenders for me were Golf R and Audi S3 when I was looking but a big thing for me was I wanted to move away from hatchbacks having had a number of them and estates.

I also seriously considered a 987 Cayman S but the rear seats in the 240 swayed me that way and although rarely used I am glad I have them.

[G111MDS]

Previous said:

Hi all,

Looking for some buying advice - considering an m140i, but really not sure what else to consider, or whether anything interesting out there in my budget is actually worth buying right now.

Currently in a 2013 vw cc 177 tdi manual. Bought to do motorway work, at which it has excelled. Had it 5 years, and pre pandemic was putting on 20k miles a year. (1 office is a 100 mile round trip, the other is 180, and occasional further trips)

Will likely be still travelling with work, although expect that to drop to 15k max miles per year (again 80% motorway)

Work only pay the fuel advisory rates 12pence per mile for diesel up to 2litre, 16ppm after; petrol is a bit better @ 16ppm / 22p ppm

The Vw is starting to show its age (coil spring snapped, other odd suspension creaks etc starting to occur, expected cam belt and dpf next....!) and frankly I just fancy something else.

Tempted by a m140i (or even a 125d....?)

These two, specifically:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112150...

Or

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112090...


So, any recommendations?

Happy to spend up to 23-25k at a push, although under 20 would be good.

Must be reasonably efficient on a motorway run, reliable, and more fun than the VW cc.

Browsing the classifieds I can't help but feel I should have bought something 18 months ago...

Ta!

Edited by Previous on Friday 31st December 00:10

Any option to keep the CC and but a second fun car?

[ZX10R NIN]

Previous said:

Hi all,

Looking for some buying advice - considering an m140i, but really not sure what else to consider, or whether anything interesting out there in my budget is actually worth buying right now.

Currently in a 2013 vw cc 177 tdi manual. Bought to do motorway work, at which it has excelled. Had it 5 years, and pre pandemic was putting on 20k miles a year. (1 office is a 100 mile round trip, the other is 180, and occasional further trips)

Will likely be still travelling with work, although expect that to drop to 15k max miles per year (again 80% motorway)

Work only pay the fuel advisory rates 12pence per mile for diesel up to 2litre, 16ppm after; petrol is a bit better @ 16ppm / 22p ppm

The Vw is starting to show its age (coil spring snapped, other odd suspension creaks etc starting to occur, expected cam belt and dpf next....!) and frankly I just fancy something else.

Tempted by a m140i (or even a 125d....?)

These two, specifically:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112150...

Or

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112090...


So, any recommendations?

Happy to spend up to 23-25k at a push, although under 20 would be good.

Must be reasonably efficient on a motorway run, reliable, and more fun than the VW cc.

Browsing the classifieds I can't help but feel I should have bought something 18 months ago...

Ta

You can only deal with the market that's here today & with your budget you have the chance to get some very nice metal for your money, so I'm going to offer some alternates (because while the M140 is a good car with a cracking engine it's not a fun steer in the way a hot hatch will be) that are good steers with a nice mix of go/handling/spec& fuel economy.

Giulia Veloce 280 very good cars nice steers & some will still have a years Manufacturers Warranty left too:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110128...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105062...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108266...

Jaguar XE S often overlooked but these are great steers with a sweet engine rear space is tight but no worse than a 1 series.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104161...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109127...

3.0TT Maserati Ghibli good steer nice interior & they get a move on but the XE above just edges handling wise but these have a nicer interior.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108196...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112200...

For something in between that'll give you good economy & be something a bit different the 2.0T Infiniti Q60 Sport Tech 210 may fit the bill they come loaded with kit adaptive cruise 360 cameras etc they use the same Mercedes 2.0T drivetrain used in the C Class & may well meet your requirements.

All will be 2018 with less than 20k on the clock

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111019...

Premium

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111189...

Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112080...

2017 Sport well under budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110118...

Diesel wise I'd go for a 6 pot they're soother with nice amounts of go & you can get some very nice metal at this price point.

You'll get a last of the line E350cdi AMG Line Edition Premium coupe, they come pretty much fully loaded & the later 9 speed box they're great cars with nice amount (yes I'm bias on this one) go smoothness.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112210...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110278...

3.0d Maserati Ghibli very underrated car that's a bit special even in diesel form:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109087...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112100...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112220...

435d GC M Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112230...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112070...

435d M Sport with Pro Nav

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111049...

Leftfield.

640d M Sport good cars nice power economy & good handling too

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112090...

V60 Polestar a beast of a car that'll put a smile on your face but not the most fuel efficient:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111149...

3.0TT Infiniti Q50 Sport 400 now these are a proper sleeper AWD 400bhp but they are at the top of your budget don't be fooled by the 5.0 0-60mph they put torque inhibitors in the first 3 gears. These are fast.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112200...

[fflump]

20-25k is decent wedge. I think there are better value options than a 1-series.
I'd find it hard dropping £23.5k on a 140i when you get into a slightly newer, lower mileage C43 for only 4.5k more
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/201910183...

In any case a 1-series make the motorway miles seem longer than your diesel CC which is imagine is a comfortable cruiser. Make sure you drive a few miles in your CC just before you test a 1-series.

As you get advisory rates you're getting pointed towards a petrol over 2 litres for 22p/m. i.e not stuff like turbo'd 2Ls like CLA45 or Audi S3, which are probably not great motorway cars anyway.

I would recommend a 2.5-3L V6 with a single or twin turbo, mid-sized (3-series) or larger. You'll be able to cruise along comfortably in a torquey engine at 35-40 mpg on a motorway without the turbo being troubled, but have a bit of fun with it on the b-roads in a sport mode.

What you get is personal preference-maybe a 340i if you like BMWs? or Audi S4/A5? Mazza Ghibli V6/S, Jag XE V6 S?

[georgeyboy12345]

I really think the 1 series is the best choice if you are after a car of that size. By far has the best handling amongst its competitors, most other cars are numb FWD/AWD options

As for petrol or diesel, bear in mind that the 140i will cost around £25 more per week to fuel if you are doing 15,000 miles a year, or £1300 a year. You could have a holiday to somewhere nice for that! Then again, the 140i will be more special than the 125d, one of the last hot hatches to use a 6 cylinder motor, and it might be your last chance to own such a car before everyone switches to either EVs or hybrid inline 4s.

[rat840771]

I am also in the market for a new car. Want a FK8 type R.

There is a sonic grey 19 plate for sale near me with 6k on the clock going for 34k!! I currently have the sport plus version.

For 34k I could get a decent Golf R or a cupra 4drive for a lot less. Looking at this thread I could maybe get an Merc! So many choices

[Mr Tidy]

Back in 2004 I had a similar issue with company car allowance and business miles paid at the HMRC rate.

I bought an E46 320td Compact as a result. Many years later I bought an E46 325ti Compact as a daily driver and realised just what I had been missing.

If I was buying a 1 Series I'd never consider a 4 cylinder turbo-diesel if a straight 6 petrol was affordable - as in to run as well as buy.

Whether you go for a 1 Series or something else just make sure you get something you actually enjoy driving - I learnt the hard way.

[anonymous-user]

georgeyboy12345 said:

I really think the 1 series is the best choice if you are after a car of that size. By far has the best handling amongst its competitors, most other cars are numb FWD/AWD options

This is totally incorrect. It has a fantastic engine but compared to most of its competitors the m140i is by far the most numb ,poorly damped and poor handling car. Its handling as standard is about as bad as a car can get. Pretty much every other hot hatch on sale has better handling but the M140i has a great engine and is rwd.

You can tell BMW hobbled the m140i whereas most (pretty much all) other hot hatches have better steering, gearboxes and much more resolved handling as they had nothing to hold them back

[Puppisadeer]

Elatino1 said:

You can tell BMW hobbled the m140i whereas most (pretty much all) other hot hatches have better steering, gearboxes and much more resolved handling as they had nothing to hold them back

Isn't torque steer the main issue with the modern front wheel drive hot hatch, which corrupts the handling? I had a facelift mk3 Focus ST and torque steer was definitely prevalent.

[WakeFlakes]

I was/am in a similar position.

I was originally looking at an FK8 Type R but the prices have gone through the roof. I then started looking at an M140i/M240i but was put off by the RWD only, as I wanted it for all year round use.

I then looked at scoobies, but they were a little bit older and ultimately decided I wanted something a little more refined.

Have you considered any Audis? RS3, S4, S5 Sportback? They are all ballpark in that price bracket and seem like fairly fun, decent cars (although I’ve never owned an Audi before)

[Jamescrs]

Elatino1 said:

This is totally incorrect. It has a fantastic engine but compared to most of its competitors the m140i is by far the most numb ,poorly damped and poor handling car. Its handling as standard is about as bad as a car can get. Pretty much every other hot hatch on sale has better handling but the M140i has a great engine and is rwd.

You can tell BMW hobbled the m140i whereas most (pretty much all) other hot hatches have better steering, gearboxes and much more resolved handling as they had nothing to hold them back

I do wonder if you have actually driven a M140?

Your comments about the handling being as bad as a car can get is ridiculous in my opinion. There are other hot hatches that may be sharper as standard. Thinking in particular the Megane RS models but to say the M140 is as bad as it can get is just silly.

[Belle427]

Maybe an Audi S3 and a nice stage 1 map to liven it up a little, classy looking car.
Can be described as a bit boring like a Golf R but depends on your usage really.
The Type R will be a lot more exciting sure but prices are now silly.

[markymark34]

Jamescrs said:

I do wonder if you have actually driven a M140?

Your comments about the handling being as bad as a car can get is ridiculous in my opinion. There are other hot hatches that may be sharper as standard. Thinking in particular the Megane RS models but to say the M140 is as bad as it can get is just silly.

Having owned one I would say he is right. The m140i has poor handling as standard. It can be sorted though. Proper suspension and a lsd. I would disagree on the gearbox though. The zf8 is great. I prefer it to the dsg box in the golf R. The m140i is more of a gt car than a hot hatch.
It wouldn't put me off having another one though. I would definitely take it over a 125d.

[fflump]

Belle427 said:

Maybe an Audi S3 and a nice stage 1 map to liven it up a little, classy looking car.
Can be described as a bit boring like a Golf R but depends on your usage really.
The Type R will be a lot more exciting sure but prices are now silly.

There's little point having a highly tuned 2L engine when mileage money jumps for >2L cars.

[Pistonheader101]

320d for that kind of mileage

[anonymous-user]

Jamescrs said:

Elatino1 said:

This is totally incorrect. It has a fantastic engine but compared to most of its competitors the m140i is by far the most numb ,poorly damped and poor handling car. Its handling as standard is about as bad as a car can get. Pretty much every other hot hatch on sale has better handling but the M140i has a great engine and is rwd.

You can tell BMW hobbled the m140i whereas most (pretty much all) other hot hatches have better steering, gearboxes and much more resolved handling as they had nothing to hold them back

I do wonder if you have actually driven a M140?

Your comments about the handling being as bad as a car can get is ridiculous in my opinion. There are other hot hatches that may be sharper as standard. Thinking in particular the Megane RS models but to say the M140 is as bad as it can get is just silly.

Not only driven one, but had use of one as much as I wanted for 18months. You only have to look at ALL of the reviews. They ALL point out how poorly setup these cars are. I wouldn't expect fanboy current owners to agree but most other people that have driven them would.

Drive a good car such as an i30N as a comparison and it highlights what a blobby Xmas pudding the BMW is to drive. Likewise drive an M2 alongside an M140i and the difference is hugely pronounced.

The M140i as standard is a poor handling car. Reviews generally agree with this. Great engine though

[anonymous-user]

markymark34 said:

Jamescrs said:

I do wonder if you have actually driven a M140?

Your comments about the handling being as bad as a car can get is ridiculous in my opinion. There are other hot hatches that may be sharper as standard. Thinking in particular the Megane RS models but to say the M140 is as bad as it can get is just silly.

Having owned one I would say he is right. The m140i has poor handling as standard. It can be sorted though. Proper suspension and a lsd. I would disagree on the gearbox though. The zf8 is great. I prefer it to the dsg box in the golf R. The m140i is more of a gt car than a hot hatch.
It wouldn't put me off having another one though. I would definitely take it over a 125d.

The ZF 8 speed is indeed very good as it is in the 3 series and Jaguars etc.

The manual gearbox I was referring to however is crap.

[markymark34]

Elatino1 said:

The ZF 8 speed is indeed very good as it is in the 3 series and Jaguars etc.

The manual gearbox I was referring to however is crap.

Ah yes sorry. The manual is so bad I try to forget it even exists.