MarkCup's BMW M140i

[shiftspark]

I’ll be interested to see what you think of it in 6 months, I imagine it’s bonkers crazy in a straight line and really tricky in the bends when wet or damp that the novelty will wear off and you will want something more precise.
Day to day as you have said it will be an excellent car.

 

[JB21]

Diff and suspension with M4 goodies like LCA's and it will be a very precise bit if kit.

 

[shiftspark]

Diff and suspension with M4 goodies like LCA's and it will be a very precise bit if kit.

But will Mark splash the dosh as I bet it’s not cheap.

 

[JB21]

But will Mark splash the dosh as I bet it’s not cheap.

Think he originally mentioned fitting a diff before even buying the car, that's around £2k. Suspension is expensive from Birds but cheaper options are available but you'll get a good chunk of that back, same once removing the diff if going with the M option. LCA's are a few hundred quid but again you'll get some money back once removing.

Supposidy the above makes them much closer feeling to an M car and quite special indeed.

If I had the money I'd budget these in on buying the 35/40 TBH I just wouldn't spec adaptive suspension to offset the cost of them.

 

[davo172]

But will Mark splash the dosh as I bet it’s not cheap.

When the car costs that much new you shouldn't need to they should be std.

 

[welshname]

I really like it and I think it's a good choice, however, I can't help but feel you've moved from a flagship car to a fast "normal" car. Were you not tempted more by something with a proper badge? [emoji15]

I think of them more along the lines of an S4 Vs RS4.

I just think the branding is s**t for the "baby m's". They've made them be viewed as just another one of the normal range. I think having the 135i/140i etc has made them seem that way.

I imagine a lot of people see the M135i as a 135i M Sport

 

[MarkCup]

So how does the straight line performance compare to the RS Mark?

See below...?

Don’t need to get the stopwatch out to say it’ll blow the RS away in a straight line.

Your standard 135i blew my Focus away! This thig really does feel rapid...the Focus used to make great progress, and it did some incredible things with its 4WD, but it never gave you a shove-in-the-back-f***-this-is-fast! feeling.

I get that feeling every time I floor it in this thing. It may just be because I can always feel the back wheels skipping over bumps, losing traction then hooking up again...but it does feel quick.

Annoyingly I'm not sure if I ever got any in-gear speedo runs filmed in the RS...I may have some somewhere but I don't think they ever made a final cut. I'm going to see if I can dig any out and will then get some from the 140 to compare.

From my understanding, and having driven/owned pretty much every BMW produced in the past 30 years, the manual BMW gearbox has felt the same since about 1983. Probably before then as well. That's just how it is. Floor hinged pedals are the correct choice btw, perfect for heel & toe! Anything else just feels weird now.

I'm really warming to the floor hinged throttle, with my heel up against the base, it feels really natural, almost like I'm not actually pressing anything, just flexing my ankle and off I go!

 

[Al_G]

I think I’d have to buy the Auto.

 

[Rob]

I think I’d have to buy the Auto.

Because you don’t like actual driving.

I’m 100% with Mark on this. If you actually want an involving car to drive, it has to be manual. Anything else is just like playing a PlayStation, point and throttle/brake.

I’ve always had manuals until the 6 series, and after 18 months I prefer driving any manual.

 

[Al_G]

Because you don’t like actual driving.

I’m 100% with Mark on this. If you actually want an involving car to drive, it has to be manual. Anything else is just like playing a PlayStation, point and throttle/brake.

No because BMW manuals disappoint, their auto boxes don’t. I’d not buy a new age (post E46) manual BMW full stop.

 

[Rob]

No because BMW manuals disappoint, their auto boxes don’t. I’d not buy a new age (post E46) manual BMW full stop.

I’ve never seen the issue with them tbh. I know they’re not as direct as some of the other newer stuff, but they’re perfectly acceptable.

 

[Al_G]

I’ve never seen the issue with them tbh. I know they’re not as direct as some of the other newer stuff, but they’re perfectly acceptable.

There’s a reason why the auto is so popular and it’s not because people that buy BMWs “don’t like driving”.

 

[Rob]

There’s a reason why the auto is so popular and it’s not because people that buy BMWs “don’t like driving”.

Meh. I’d still rather drive a shoddy manual. Autos are SO dull.

 

[Al_G]

Meh. I’d still rather drive a shoddy manual. Autos are SO dull.

I agree hence why I don’t own an auto or BMW.

 

[MarkCup]

I’ve never seen the issue with them tbh. I know they’re not as direct as some of the other newer stuff, but they’re perfectly acceptable.

Exactly this. I may have come across as a bit harsh on the 'box...the reality is, as you say, it is perfectly acceptable, no compromises are made.

It's just not as good as the RS was; that was a very fine thing to stir.

 

[Ian_182]

Ford manuals have always been really good gearboxes to use, even back in the 90's my RS1800 was lovely to drive as was my focus tdci.

 

[davo172]

Ford manuals have always been really good gearboxes to use, even back in the 90's my RS1800 was lovely to drive as was my focus tdci.

Zetec s fiesta was a great gearbox too

 

[Ian_182]

Zetec s fiesta was a great gearbox too

Yep my mum had a blue one and it was a lovely drive.

 

[mr bognor]

Honda seem to be got at box feel as well

 

[Christopher]

Hondas have great manuals, even the boggo ones feel nice. Ford too.

I've always had and enjoyed manuals and I've recently gone to an auto and love it. It suits my car perfectly though, less so the M140/240i though, IMO. I'd have a manual car if I wanted something like that.

 

[brisa4984]

Best I’ve had was in the lotus. The feel was awesome.
My god 3rd to 4th is orgasmic and the revised one is even better.

 

[massiveCoRbyn]

Zetec s fiesta was a great gearbox too

Those things were just a brilliant drive generally. Needed a bit more power, but a great little car overall.

 

[MarkCup]

I've been in this for 3 weeks now and had an epic drive in this morning. Random thoughts in no particular order;

Rev-matching; very effective, but why o why does it only do it if you downshift one gear at a time?!?!?! It knows what revs I need in 2nd gear at whatever speed I'm doing, so why not rev-match if I go from 6th to 2nd? Does anyone know if this can be coded out?

Traction and stability control; fully off is the only time you have full control of the vehicle and it feels so good, so much better. Not in a 'hanging the back out' way, but in a 'if I don't focus and pay attention my shifts are going to be jerky as sh*t' way. In this mode I'm fully in control, how the car gets down the road is 100% down to me.

Thinking about this also made me realise just how much an auto 'box would ruin the car for me...I despise the manual transmission rev-matching for me, much prefer doing it myself, feel properly connected to the car...and that's just with it rev-matching while I shift and do the clutch thing, that alone robs a large part of the driving experience. Genuinely, with an auto 'box, I'd be bored AF.

The rear open diff; as it comes I have genuine hate for it, genuine and strong. It completely ruins the car for me. Coming from the RS which was consistent and predictable every time I asked something of it, this car just flips a coin for you. This will be fixed soon.

I still haven't settled into a driving position, every time I climb in I feel the need to tweak it slightly. I'll get there eventually I'm sure.

Engine; incredible. Love it. 360 bhp and 400 lbft at 1,200 rpm. Just LOL.

Economy; laughable. Brought my boss into work today so naturally was on it the whole way. Pulled up outside at 0630 and the trip comp showed 32 MPG.

I've done no big stops yet so can't really comment on the brakes...I may go out this weekend and see if I can get them smoking.

That's it.

Loving it still, but a part of me is missing the RS.

 

[Ex-User (19928)]

After you asked me about Rev marching in the M4 that time I tried it out on my way home and mine does indeed rev match block shifts. It might be something you can update but honestly I don’t see the appeal.

Turn the car on, hold DSC button down while you’re doing up your seat belt and off you go.

 

[Al_G]

Love your updates and your videos Mark! Keep them coming.

Out of interest if you don’t have the issues with the RS which would you prefer and by what sort of a margin?

 

[Christopher]

It'll be transformed with the LSD.

 

[KitsonRis]

I’m contemplating putting an LSD in mine, but think it would go to waste as mine isn’t used in much anger. Would be more worth while chucking one in my E34.....then I’ll do the M140.

 

[Sir_Dave]

Rev-matching; very effective, but why o why does it only do it if you downshit one gear at a time?!?!?! It knows what revs I need in 2nd gear at whatever speed I'm doing, so why not rev-match if I go from 6th to 2nd? Does anyone know if this can be coded out?

You can turn off the rev matching on the M2 using Bimmercode @MarkCup : https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1418405

Will be the same (or similar) in the M140i im sure.

 

[brisa4984]

“Part of me is missing the RS”

Missing the driver-machine connection?

Mainstream manufacturers nowadays make bulshit drivers cars. They are so much quicker than they were ten years ago but so numb, fabricated and synthetic “the ultimate driving machine” my ass.

 

[Ex-User (19928)]

He just needs the diff. The standard car is such a let down without one. You gather the stones to try and kick the back end out and half the time it just lights the inside wheel and the other half it does a half assed rotation before snapping back and lighting the inside wheel.

Even a 4x4 Ford is more fun than that!

 

[davo172]

I've been in this for 3 weeks now and had an epic drive in this morning. Random thoughts in no particular order;

Rev-matching; very effective, but why o why does it only do it if you downshift one gear at a time?!?!?! It knows what revs I need in 2nd gear at whatever speed I'm doing, so why not rev-match if I go from 6th to 2nd? Does anyone know if this can be coded out?

Traction and stability control; fully off is the only time you have full control of the vehicle and it feels so good, so much better. Not in a 'hanging the back out' way, but in a 'if I don't focus and pay attention my shifts are going to be jerky as sh*t' way. In this mode I'm fully in control, how the car gets down the road is 100% down to me.

Thinking about this also made me realise just how much an auto 'box would ruin the car for me...I despise the manual transmission rev-matching for me, much prefer doing it myself, feel properly connected to the car...and that's just with it rev-matching while I shift and do the clutch thing, that alone robs a large part of the driving experience. Genuinely, with an auto 'box, I'd be bored AF.

The rear open diff; as it comes I have genuine hate for it, genuine and strong. It completely ruins the car for me. Coming from the RS which was consistent and predictable every time I asked something of it, this car just flips a coin for you. This will be fixed soon.

I still haven't settled into a driving position, every time I climb in I feel the need to tweak it slightly. I'll get there eventually I'm sure.

Engine; incredible. Love it. 360 bhp and 400 lbft at 1,200 rpm. Just LOL.

Economy; laughable. Brought my boss into work today so naturally was on it the whole way. Pulled up outside at 0630 and the trip comp showed 32 MPG.

I've done no big stops yet so can't really comment on the brakes...I may go out this weekend and see if I can get them smoking.

That's it.

Loving it still, but a part of me is missing the RS.

So what does it do mpg on longer say 50miles 70-90 mph m way run then?

 

[KitsonRis]

So what does it do mpg on longer say 50miles 70-90 mph m way run then?

I can get 32mpg out of a longer motorway run on mine, but the engine is only 1000miles old so I am hoping it will improve. I was pleasantly surprised although I didn’t get one with mpg figures in mind. Better than my old Octavia vRS.

Also when did they stop doing manuals? As I was told back in August they don’t do them despite all the brochures having options for them. The dealer was looking at me like I was stupid for wanting a manual along with the active suspension.

 

[MarkCup]

So what does it do mpg on longer say 50miles 70-90 mph m way run then?

Generally I don't do motorways but I did set a record for my car on Friday, 15 mile lunchtime drive home from work, 41.7 MPG, that's ridiculous. The trip is very accurate as well, calculates to within 0.2-0.3 MPG in reality!

The dealer was looking at me like I was stupid for wanting a manual along with the active suspension.

LOL I'm not 100% sure but it was a good few months back I think, I'm glad I bagged one when I could.

He just needs the diff. The standard car is such a let down without one. You gather the stones to try and kick the back end out and half the time it just lights the inside wheel and the other half it does a half assed rotation before snapping back and lighting the inside wheel.

Even a 4x4 Ford is more fun than that!

I thought I was going to last a year, genuinely I thought I'll be fine, it'll be fun learning how the car behaves with an open diff. How wrong I was, exactly as you said it's no fun at all...

 

[497adam]

Is it really fidgety on the front end?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Ex-User (19928)]

Get a drone to film aerial drift shots pls.

 

[Daz_RT_04]

I can get some decent discounts on a complete diff unit via BMW.. just shout. ?

 

[cat171]

I was watching this video the other day, this car has one (ignore both the people in the vid lol)

 

[davo172]

He just needs the diff. The standard car is such a let down without one. You gather the stones to try and kick the back end out and half the time it just lights the inside wheel and the other half it does a half assed rotation before snapping back and lighting the inside wheel.

Even a 4x4 Ford is more fun than that!

Is this the reason so many for sale are damaged repaired !??

 

[JB21]

Having spoken to my mate in work yesterday with a JB4'd M135i he says they are utterly useless in this cold, wet weather, even at quarter throttle the car is all over the place. From a standing start in similar conditions he said you cannot get any traction what so ever and it just snakes about even with decent tyres on. I think he's regretting selling his 250 cup for it.

 

[Ex-User (19928)]

Is this the reason so many for sale are damaged repaired !??

Not sure? Is that any different from any fast and cheap car though? Nob ends buy them and wrap them round lamp posts.

Having spoken to my mate in work yesterday with a JB4'd M135i he says they are utterly useless in this cold, wet weather, even at quarter throttle the car is all over the place. From a standing start in similar conditions he said you cannot get any traction what so ever and it just snakes about even with decent tyres on. I think he's regretting selling his 250 cup for it.

Yes and no. There is plenty of traction (genuinely, I did 0-100 in a tad over 10 seconds) in the wet with PSS tyres. PS4 are on another level in the wet so those would be what I’d recommend.

If you drive with DSC off then the back will go from time to time, but isn’t that the point of driving a powerful RWD car?

I wouldn’t recommend my mum drives around with a JB4 and stability control turned off, but my GF managed just fine through last winter the times she drove it. Just stick it in auto and relax. It’s only when you start giving it bootfuls round corners that it’ll bite.

I love the 250 shape Megane but not a hope in hell I’d trade a 400hp RWD weapon for one.