Thursday 12th April 2018

M140i Championship Edition announced

Previously tempted by an M Performance 1 Series but found it lacking in stickers? BMW has the car for you!

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Well, it must have been a good few weeks since either the M135i or M140i was mentioned on PH, mustn't it? Ensuring that the six-cylinder 1 Series is still not far from any forum discussion, BMW UK now has this: the M140i Championship Edition.

That's Championship Edition to celebrate two titles in last year's BTCC, BMW taking a championship for both Manufacturers and Teams. As such it was revealed at last weekend's 2018 BTCC season opener, although BMW has only officially announced it now via its Facebook page.

To all intents and purposes this would appear to be a regular 340hp M140i three-door, although without a full spec yet confirmed we can't be sure. The most obvious additions for the Editions are the tricolour stripes - with Championship Edition branding - the black wheels and black kidney grilles. Those mirror caps are carbon too, of course. And that's sort of it.

It's an entirely cosmetic exercise then, or certainly seems that way. Still, it's some recognition of motorsport success, even if some might see it as a bit limp. As for what the Championship Edition will cost, a UK RRP hasn't yet been announced; going from Facebook comments it's £46,000, whereas going from the automotive blogs it could be £36,000.

For what it's worth an M140i Shadow Edition with three doors and six manual gears is £34,485 - we'll keep you updated on any further news as it arrives. And if this all looks too cynical and marketing led for you, then the earliest M140is are now from £20k; whatever the Championship Edition costs, that's going to be a fair chunk less!

[E65Ross]

Deary me those decals look revolting!

[JordanM200]

Beast!

[RemyMartin81D]

Knock off decals on eBay and then fitted to every poverty spec Bimmer in 3.....2......1


Much like the m coloured grills/slats in the kidneys that are insanely popular with the mouth breathing population.

[p1stonhead]

Cheeky £46k (!!!) please

[J.R.Slider]

Championship Edition always reminds me of Street fighter. Maybe a cheeky Easter egg of Ryu under the boot floor?

[Sam993]

46k... are they havin a laugh?

[dannyDC2]

Sam993 said:

46k... are they havin a laugh?

He's having a laugh, he's having a laugh!

Wish they'd stop making black kidney grilles the norm on sporty stuff.

[zedx19]

Those stickers are awful, sort of thing you'd see on a council estate spec 120d, bruv innit.

[Sam993]

zedx19 said:

Those stickers are awful, sort of thing you'd see on a council estate spec 120d, bruv innit.

The M140i Championship Edition, getting smashed up in a turf war near you (if you live in London), coming soon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlLruBi-vI8

[R8Steve]

So all that's different is a few stickers and some black paint pretty much?

[samliggett]

Geneva 2012 concept M135i....pretty similar!

[MJ85]

And yet it retains those awful wheels, IMO the only thing that needed changing.

[J4CKO]

Hmm, interesting, think it looks pretty good to be fair.

Would cost maybe £30 to replicate on a normal white one series, three rattle cans of Satin black and a few rolls of electricians tape.

[culpz]

I think the only decals i've ever really liked on a car are the ones you get on the Renaultsport Clio R27 F1's and the Megane R26 230's.

Not quite keen on these really. They just don't suit the car. I'm not really getting what you get for you money with this version either.

[dibblecorse]

How does this warrant an article ???? Shockingly lazy ....

[ian_c_uk]

MJ85 said:

And yet it retains those awful wheels, IMO the only thing that needed changing.

Agreed - Shadow edition has a different option tho:



(and is somewhat cheaper!)

[greggy50]

New Focus Focus released - No story
BMW has some stickers added - Front page news...

[David87]

I do hope that isn’t £46 grand.

[E65Ross]

greggy50 said:

New Focus Focus released - No story
BMW has some stickers added - Front page news...

What's a Focus Focus?

[Jim the Sunderer]

I do like coachlines on cars but interrupting it with the huge block of text just looks like a council house living room wall.