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.

[chan61922]

Ouch!

[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

[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

[chan61922]

It’s all kicking off now, M fans are in the building haha! Whatever I purchase it will be my daily driver, not lived with anything as thirsty as a m before so don’t actually know how deep I will have to dig into my pockets. I typically do a full tank a week in my current car, costs me 60/65odd quid and I get a staggering 300miles from that lol not too bad considering it’s a 3 litre petrol auto. How would a m compare? Obviously I’m in a convertible so the tank is smaller. On the other hand how does the 1/240i compare, I know people have mentioned mpg, but what are we looking at from full- empty tank and obviously fill up cost. I average about 26/27 mpg I’d say, again mixed driving. But that’s just going by what the computer says, which I doubt is 100% accurate. It’s obvious the 140 would be better on fuel as it’s newer, so maybe a lot of you guys are right as a daily it may be a better option. As far as I’m aware the 1/240i are still in production I have my current car booked in for some work at my Local stealer in a few weeks, and I’ve managed to arrange a meet with trl (tony) don’t know if any of you guys heard about him. But yeah it’s his colleage who is going to run over some figures for me on new cars, figured I’d kill 2 birds with one stone, well actually 3, I can finally get behind the wheel off one and see what it’s about! I’ll just close my eyes if I see a m car on the forecourt haha.
That’s the main thing I fear about not going with a m, it is garanteed to put a smile on your face, and it is indeed an event getting behind the wheel of one and giving it some. As mentioned though it will look no different inside to my current car, even the exterior is very similar if you squint your eyes lol. They are holding there value extremely well, I remember when the e46 m3 where 10/11 years old they wasn’t quite fetching what the e92/e93 are. It’s actually suprising seeing as it’s a big juicy 4.0 v8, I would’ve thought they would drop right down in price but there just not. Crazy thing is I webuyedanycar a 2008 m3 just as a rough idea, I know they offer a fair bit lower but a car up for 16.5k with a dealer was valued 13k from we buy any car. That is what scares me about a pre lci most. Saying that a nice lci would be right up my street but again for the money I can have a model in the 1/2 which is still in production and still a new shape. F it I’m buying an e46 m3 and an old remapped 123d 125d , done with this palava lol

[chan61922]

I think in the 140 I would have to go auto though, and for me adaptive suspension is a must. Not that I know anything about it, but surely it’s bettwe then my current set up of standard m sport suspension? In a m3 I don’t know whether I’d go manual or dct. I hear great things about dct but apparently it’s pants in stop start traffic?


Suddenly the golf seems a distant memory....