135 / 140 ---- 235 / 240

[Dizeee]

I have been looking at the above now for well over a year. I have a few specific questions which I wanted to throw out to the audience.

1) Firstly, the reason I am not looking at a Z4 35 is because I need 4 seats. I do want a Cabrio though. But the 1's are cheaper. The 2 looks more exclusive / appealing aesthetically but they seem more dear as a result. This in itself is a conundrum. Do I stick with the more expensive 2 or get better value by going for a 1?

2) The whole 35 vs 40 issue. I really want a 40, for various reasons. Bit more power, the latest engine, and also now that BMW have returned to the 35 badge with a 4 cylinder engine, I feel that the 140s and 240s will remain pretty desirable into the future. A 40 makes much more sense than a 35. But, the 35's represent better value currently, and debadged, would be almost the same. Should it really matter?

3) 12k - 18k gets you a decent second hand choice of any of the models. But then comes the dreaded running costs, and I don't mean fuel. What are the things that go wrong on these, and what sort of hefty bills "could" I be facing. I am looking at 66 plates in general - the first of the 40's. Presumably turbo life is good, are their any known issues to watch out for? I consider anything at or beneath 55k to be a lowish mileage for these, is that the right ball park?

Thanks in advance

[Dizeee]

I drove an 11 plate 135i at the weekend and it felt awfully dated. Nowhere near worth the 11k it was up for,

[Dizeee]

M235 could be a really good shout and I was erring towards it. Its just the constant knowing that could have / should have got the update 240, especially as the ones that are out there will be the only and final batch, if BMW follow the 35 trend again.

I know its only 15 bhp, but I would still want that extra power.

[Dizeee]

HM-2 said:

I'd probably agree with 1), but not 2). The B58 does a better job of aping a naturally aspirated engine; it makes more power everywhere in the rev range and this is particularly pronounced at the top end. IME the B58 is/was also the more responsive engine.
Both are fantastic engines, though.

Is the b58 the 40 engine? I had a 240 for a day last year and its definitely he car for me.

[Dizeee]

If the N55 is the same engine as the old 135i (11 plate ) then I agree it's pretty top endy.

I have only driven a M135i and an M240i. The power in the 135 felt very accessible and squirty, but, the 240 sounded unbelievable and seemed a lot more torquey.

[Dizeee]

95JO said:

Nope, 135i = N54 / Mx35i = N55 - The main difference being the N54 is twin-turbo, whereas the N55 in single twin-scroll turbo

But around 2011 the N54 was replaced by the N55 engine, signified by the engine cover saying "turbo power" as opposed to saying nothing (N54). This is in the old, old model. Then there was the model change and the M135i was born.... so when that happened - presumably the initial engine (N55) remained the same for both cars?

[Dizeee]

Replied before reading above posts.

Those graphs look great - so a 240i at around 17k, then remapped, would produce a weapon of a car producing 400 bhp + for not much aggravation?

Amazing