BMW M140 (at last!)
Discussion
Firstly, sorry for what will be a long post.
I’ve been driving company cars for the last eight years, the current one being a diesel vRS. Not massively interesting or exciting, but it’s been a fantastic car for the last 80k, that I’ve grown to really like and appreciate. It became affectionately known as ‘the Taxi’.
Whilst being a bit dull it’s been super easy to live with; the infotainment is intuitive and easy to use, it’s brisk, economical when you want it to be and had ferried the three of us, our dog and my mountain bikes all over the place. Dump runs were a piss of cake. Collecting timber for decking projects? No problem. Shifting loads of our belongings to a storage unit when we moved last year? Tick.
The biggest downside to the vRS is how much it costs me each month. Since I first ordered it I e been promoted, received pay rise etc that changed my tax banding. Added to the BIK hikes in the last two years, it’s now bloody expensive fir what it is. This lead me to think about opting out and I’ve been keeping an eye on M140 deals since last summer. Finally the right deal popped up via TRL and I was able to factory order a car that would arrive a little while before the vRS was due back. In the short term my other half's MINI was sacrificed, so she’ll use the vRS until September and then we’ll buy a cheapy second car.
I had an extended test drive in a 140 last summer whilst there was a 0% offer on and fell in love with it mainly due to the B58 engine and ZF8. It’s a flawed car for sure; too small inside, ride can be a bit bouncy on poor roads and the rear wheels are easily overwhelmed but I figured it was my last chance to buy a small RWD car with a stonking great engine.
Others cars on my ‘list’ were the Golf R (too boring), S3 (impossible to get hold of due to WLTP issues) and the Golf GTi TCR. The latter looked promising; bigger inside than the 1 series, digital dash is lovely, good spec and good discounts were available. However upon looking at a GTi (TCR’s weren’t due fir a few weeks) and it did nothing for me despite these pros. P,us my other half thought it looked a bit naff.
I preferred the 140 engine (obviously) plus the seating position was better and I actually preferred the interior. It was just then a case of waiting for the right deal which eventually came about. Due to trying to stick to a monthly budget, I didn’t add too much spec wise. The shadow edition is pretty good coming with the HK stereo, cruise and privacy glass. I added pro nav and heated seats. I stuck to white to keep to my budget despite desperately wanting Sunset Orange. The insurance was surprisingly cheap, the service pack is good value (I’ll just sneak second service) and even putting sone cash away for tyres etc, it’ll cost me less than my vRS does and about the same as my new lacklustre company car options (A180 AMG Line auto).
If you’ve made it this far, collection day finally arrived today and I was buzzing. I woke up at 3:50am! I caught trains down to Berry this morning.
I’m only 100 miles in (the rest of the running in period is going to go very very slowly) and I’m happy. The spec is fine for me and I think it looks great in white. Economy on the way hone was pretty good although it was a massive exercise in restraint not to use my right foot much! The brakes seem good; nice feel and good power. They’re much less wooden than so e of the other BMW’s I’ve driven.
The only real downside is that the Super Sport tyres seem to make a lot of noise.
Once home
I’m not a fan of the silver mirrors and canards on a white car, so these were swapped for black ones pretty much the minute I git home! I’d already ordered a spare pair of canards and painted them over the last few weeks. I bought M2 style mirror caps. I think they improve it a lot and tie in with the rest of the gloss black trim.
I have a few more bits to sort over the next few weeks; steering wheel retrim next week (alcantara like the M Performance steering wheel but with blue stitching to match the stitching on the seats), M style paddles and my M Performance spoiler is getting painted and fitted in July. Other than that, the plans are to get it run in and start enjoying it.
I’ve been driving company cars for the last eight years, the current one being a diesel vRS. Not massively interesting or exciting, but it’s been a fantastic car for the last 80k, that I’ve grown to really like and appreciate. It became affectionately known as ‘the Taxi’.
Whilst being a bit dull it’s been super easy to live with; the infotainment is intuitive and easy to use, it’s brisk, economical when you want it to be and had ferried the three of us, our dog and my mountain bikes all over the place. Dump runs were a piss of cake. Collecting timber for decking projects? No problem. Shifting loads of our belongings to a storage unit when we moved last year? Tick.
The biggest downside to the vRS is how much it costs me each month. Since I first ordered it I e been promoted, received pay rise etc that changed my tax banding. Added to the BIK hikes in the last two years, it’s now bloody expensive fir what it is. This lead me to think about opting out and I’ve been keeping an eye on M140 deals since last summer. Finally the right deal popped up via TRL and I was able to factory order a car that would arrive a little while before the vRS was due back. In the short term my other half's MINI was sacrificed, so she’ll use the vRS until September and then we’ll buy a cheapy second car.
I had an extended test drive in a 140 last summer whilst there was a 0% offer on and fell in love with it mainly due to the B58 engine and ZF8. It’s a flawed car for sure; too small inside, ride can be a bit bouncy on poor roads and the rear wheels are easily overwhelmed but I figured it was my last chance to buy a small RWD car with a stonking great engine.
Others cars on my ‘list’ were the Golf R (too boring), S3 (impossible to get hold of due to WLTP issues) and the Golf GTi TCR. The latter looked promising; bigger inside than the 1 series, digital dash is lovely, good spec and good discounts were available. However upon looking at a GTi (TCR’s weren’t due fir a few weeks) and it did nothing for me despite these pros. P,us my other half thought it looked a bit naff.
I preferred the 140 engine (obviously) plus the seating position was better and I actually preferred the interior. It was just then a case of waiting for the right deal which eventually came about. Due to trying to stick to a monthly budget, I didn’t add too much spec wise. The shadow edition is pretty good coming with the HK stereo, cruise and privacy glass. I added pro nav and heated seats. I stuck to white to keep to my budget despite desperately wanting Sunset Orange. The insurance was surprisingly cheap, the service pack is good value (I’ll just sneak second service) and even putting sone cash away for tyres etc, it’ll cost me less than my vRS does and about the same as my new lacklustre company car options (A180 AMG Line auto).
If you’ve made it this far, collection day finally arrived today and I was buzzing. I woke up at 3:50am! I caught trains down to Berry this morning.
I’m only 100 miles in (the rest of the running in period is going to go very very slowly) and I’m happy. The spec is fine for me and I think it looks great in white. Economy on the way hone was pretty good although it was a massive exercise in restraint not to use my right foot much! The brakes seem good; nice feel and good power. They’re much less wooden than so e of the other BMW’s I’ve driven.
The only real downside is that the Super Sport tyres seem to make a lot of noise.
Once home
I’m not a fan of the silver mirrors and canards on a white car, so these were swapped for black ones pretty much the minute I git home! I’d already ordered a spare pair of canards and painted them over the last few weeks. I bought M2 style mirror caps. I think they improve it a lot and tie in with the rest of the gloss black trim.
I have a few more bits to sort over the next few weeks; steering wheel retrim next week (alcantara like the M Performance steering wheel but with blue stitching to match the stitching on the seats), M style paddles and my M Performance spoiler is getting painted and fitted in July. Other than that, the plans are to get it run in and start enjoying it.
Edited by Court_S on Thursday 20th June 22:34
W12GT said:
BMW do seem to have lost their way a little on some of the new models- they have grotesque front ends, the 1 series is ruined as is the x3, to me they look like Chinese copies of a BMW.
Then there’s the way they drive; my wife’s got a new 5series touring - it’s about our 15Th BMW and whilst it’s lovely to look at at drives horribly, and the interior is cramped for such a large car.
Not sure we’ll ever have another one to be honest, the magic appears to have gone.....
Glad you’re pleased with your new one - looks very tidy!
They do indeed appear to be in a bit of a funk styling wise. My car isn’t exactly pretty, but it’s a damn site better looking than it’s replacement. Then there’s the way they drive; my wife’s got a new 5series touring - it’s about our 15Th BMW and whilst it’s lovely to look at at drives horribly, and the interior is cramped for such a large car.
Not sure we’ll ever have another one to be honest, the magic appears to have gone.....
Glad you’re pleased with your new one - looks very tidy!
I saw an new X5 today and no matter how many I see, I can’t get passed the comical grille. It’s ridiculous.
amc_adam said:
Oooooo that's nice, these certainly make the previous models look a bit dated. The interior looks a nice place to be, I likes it 
Cheers, thanks you. The interior feels like a nice place to be; it was comfy and relaxing on the motorway drag back yesterday which bodes well. sgtbash said:
Very nice!
Exact same as mine, apart from I have the other wheels you can get.
How are you finding the sound of the car?
I have watched a video of mine going past at full chat its its much louder than what is heard on the inside of the car!
I was worried given the whining about PPF cars but I think it sounds good. Obviously the exhaust isn’t broken in yet but it sounds chunky yet subtle. There’s a nice burble and the pops are good according to my other half, they’re there but in a subtle way. She approved. Exact same as mine, apart from I have the other wheels you can get.
How are you finding the sound of the car?
I have watched a video of mine going past at full chat its its much louder than what is heard on the inside of the car!
It’s not as loud as say the old N55 M135 but it sounds better than the four bangers in other cars I was looking at.
Hammy98 said:
Lovely looking car.
Do you find the wind noise quite bad with the M2 style mirror caps? I've noticed a few people on the facebook groups saying they whistle at speed - put me off picking some up thus far.
Not that I’ve noticed. To be honest the noise from the Super Sports is the most noticeable thing. Do you find the wind noise quite bad with the M2 style mirror caps? I've noticed a few people on the facebook groups saying they whistle at speed - put me off picking some up thus far.
ScoobyChris said:
Enjoy! I’m two and a bit years into mine and can’t see me replacing it any time soon. Fastest colour too ... FACT 
Interesting you mention the MPSS. For me these are the weakest link on the car - great on that warm dry day where the grip is staggering, but for the remaining 75% of the time sub-optimal for this country’s weather. Sounds like the PS4 may address that but I still have 5/6mm of tread left
Chris
Cheers. I think I’ll struggle to replace it too when you balance the performance vs. running costs, I’m not sure what else compares. The M2 is the obvious step but I imagine that the running costs will be a fair bit higher. Interesting you mention the MPSS. For me these are the weakest link on the car - great on that warm dry day where the grip is staggering, but for the remaining 75% of the time sub-optimal for this country’s weather. Sounds like the PS4 may address that but I still have 5/6mm of tread left
Chris
I’m planning on switching to PS4’s once these die.
Liggle said:
Looking at very similar options to replace my vRS TDI, will keep watching this one! I too have loved my vRS as its performance, economy, space etc. is pretty unbeatable as a daily but its just a little dull after 2.5 years.
They’re so hard to fault as a tool that’s for sure. Everyone took the piss out of me for ordering a Skoda but it really has been a good car. Even after four years it doesn’t annoy me. It doesn’t excite me but it just keeps on doing what it does without fuss and I’ve really grown to like that. cerb4.5lee said:
Congratulations and I know that you've been really looking forward to getting it.
These are really the last of the line and I bet it is nice to get one while you still can. These sound awesome on the cold start and the engine is a belter.
Enjoy it!
Cheers Lee. Yes, I’ve have been a little bit excited about getting it!These are really the last of the line and I bet it is nice to get one while you still can. These sound awesome on the cold start and the engine is a belter.
Enjoy it!
I did think about your favourite at ever, the E90 M3 but I decided that the running costs would get boring quickly. This has most of the performance for less money day to day.
It does sound pretty good. Many whinge about the PPF but I still think it sounds good. Just a bit more subtle.
Had a massively nerdy day yesterday detailing the car. My neighbours all think I’m a bit weird because my cars are always clean, but cleaning a new car was a bit odd to them. I enjoy it, so don’t really care.
Whilst cleaning it, I decided that the rear spoiler looked a bit pathetic so fitted my M Performance jobbie. It’s very subtle but makes a meaningful difference to my eyes anyway. I also popped on a blue starter button surround on.
I think I may have an issue with the microphone for my hands free phone; if I make a call the person on the other end can barely hear me and apparently it sounds really tinny. It’s not just my phone, but it happens with my other half’s phone too. The stupid BMW ConnectedDrive app won’t work either.
On the plus side, the cold start makes me smile and I was chuffed to discover that I can control my Amazon music app through the idrive. I was even more pleased to discover that I can turn the graphics off when changing mode...that was always a give away to the other half that I was about to drive a bit quicker, overtake etc.
Whilst cleaning it, I decided that the rear spoiler looked a bit pathetic so fitted my M Performance jobbie. It’s very subtle but makes a meaningful difference to my eyes anyway. I also popped on a blue starter button surround on.
I think I may have an issue with the microphone for my hands free phone; if I make a call the person on the other end can barely hear me and apparently it sounds really tinny. It’s not just my phone, but it happens with my other half’s phone too. The stupid BMW ConnectedDrive app won’t work either.
On the plus side, the cold start makes me smile and I was chuffed to discover that I can control my Amazon music app through the idrive. I was even more pleased to discover that I can turn the graphics off when changing mode...that was always a give away to the other half that I was about to drive a bit quicker, overtake etc.
cerb4.5lee said:
I used to get accused as being a saddo with my neighbours years ago because I was always cleaning my car/polishing the exhaust tips etc. Cars are a passion though and I certainly don't see anything wrong with it for sure!
I’m not fussed, the can think what they want. It’s my car and my time. The good news is that the annoying bloke just over the road from me who hates BMW’s left me alone! He normally comes over and chats s
t at me whilst I’m out there (normally leading with ‘mines round the back when you’re done’ 
).Mr Tidy said:
Lovely car OP - the last of the 1 Series with RWD and a straight 6! Great choice.
I don't wash my cars that often but always feel a bit self-conscious doing anything, even if I'm just checking fluids and tyre pressures - none of my neighbours ever seem to do anything except get in and drive away!
Get some really odd looks when I'm swapping wheels between winters and summers.
Cheers Mr Tidy. I’m very happy so far, especially as it’ll be the last time a big six cylinder engine is shoehorned into a relatively compact car.I don't wash my cars that often but always feel a bit self-conscious doing anything, even if I'm just checking fluids and tyre pressures - none of my neighbours ever seem to do anything except get in and drive away!
Get some really odd looks when I'm swapping wheels between winters and summers.
Most of my neighbours take the same approach as yours.
MB140 said:
Lovely car mate. I have the M135i. It’s 3 years old next week. I keep wondering what to replace it with. I can’t think of anything else really. The new 1 series is awful and I won’t be having one of those. Other than another cayman but that’s not as practical.
Cheers buddy. Nice colour choice 
I too think I’ll struggle to replace it. The new one is a monstrosity and loses the B58.
In a minor update, the tyre roar seems to have subsided a fair bit now the car has a few hundred miles in the clock.
It’s booked in next week to have the microphone looked at. The BMW Connected Drive app is buggered which is annoying. Waiting for them to fix it at their end.
SpunkyGlory said:
Lovely car.
I'm picking my SO one up on Saturday from TRL, the current deals made it too good to pass on and I'm hoping it will be a suitable, albeit completely different, replacement for my Mustang.
Brill. Sunset is my favourite colour, closely followed by Melbourne Red.I'm picking my SO one up on Saturday from TRL, the current deals made it too good to pass on and I'm hoping it will be a suitable, albeit completely different, replacement for my Mustang.
How have you found TRL to deal with? I can’t fault him to be fair; it’s been totally transparent, fast and very easy. He was happy for me to order a car for late June delivery and didn’t force Gap and paint protection like my local dealer did (they built it into their quote without my consent which is a bit squiffy these days).
SpunkyGlory said:
He's been brilliant, can see why he has such a good reputation. I've not even spoken to him on the phone, it's all been handled via email.
I experienced exactly the same with another dealer adding Gap and PP without me asking for it, and then wondering why I wasn't interested in his quote that was £1k higher!
Pretty similar here. He called me once to clarify whether I wanted a 3 or 5 door. I experienced exactly the same with another dealer adding Gap and PP without me asking for it, and then wondering why I wasn't interested in his quote that was £1k higher!
My local dealer were £4.5k more expensive over four years! I’d rather that in my pocket than theirs! For the sake of £30 on a train fare to Heathrow.
Enjoy your new car.
Week into ownership of the car and I’m really enjoying it. Just over half way through running it in so I’m using a few more revs. It’s proving to be a good little all rounder that’s pretty comfy in the motorway and at cruising speeds uses surprisingly little fuel.
The tech in the car is good too, making daily love easy. The real time traffic info did a cracking job of ensuring that I didn’t get stuck in any traffic. The online entertainment (Deezer and Amazon Music) integrate really well and allow me to choose music through the the I drive. All boring but for a daily it’s ace.
I made the trip down to Royal Steering wheels to get my new wheel fitted; alcantara with blue stitching to match the seats. Jack also popped on my M car paddles which look and feel much nicer than the stock paddles.
The tech in the car is good too, making daily love easy. The real time traffic info did a cracking job of ensuring that I didn’t get stuck in any traffic. The online entertainment (Deezer and Amazon Music) integrate really well and allow me to choose music through the the I drive. All boring but for a daily it’s ace.
I made the trip down to Royal Steering wheels to get my new wheel fitted; alcantara with blue stitching to match the seats. Jack also popped on my M car paddles which look and feel much nicer than the stock paddles.
HM-2 said:
I'm going to have to take a trip to Royal. Their wheels plus the M car paddles look 
Do it. The quality of their steering wheels is very good. The m paddles are loads nicer. Managed to get some genuine OEM ones for sensible money. Certainly more bearable than the £470 BMW quoted me. They sit a little bit nearer the edge of the wheel so are nicer to use.
Gotama said:
May I ask what the cost of the retrim was?
Are you considering extending the alcantara further?
Yeah, no worries. It was £190 on an exchange scheme. I paid a deposit and it was ready for when I got there and they took my old wheel all the switchgear was just swapped over. Are you considering extending the alcantara further?
I could be tempted to add further alcantara. The M Performance stuff is quite nice but bloody expensive. I also like the silver because it breaks up the black.
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