2018 BMW M140i DRIVING POV/REVIEW // BEAUTIFULLY FLAWED

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[@JamesLinsey]

Brillant as always! Closing statemets about the personality of the car was amazingly poetic!

[@Greg253d]

Had my m140 for a few months now and have learned quite a lot from this thanks.

[@partlett123]

I had an m140i before I moved abroad. I still come back to watch m140i reviews in my free time. I miss that thing.

[@nismo4321]

Mine is a Manual, had it for 5 years and i still love driving it. I've kept mine factory standard with no modifications and it brings smile to my face. Genuinely great cars to drive.

[@samdude2956]

I've been waiting for this since you announced it😂, great review again, thank you

[@samreynolds3951]

great review mate, i absolutely love my 140i fully modded and it rightfully deserves the praise and popularity it holds.

[@Rocketed12]

I have a standard M140i to which I've fitted an M Performance LSD and an OEM underbody brace. Beautiful all rounder car for me, drives & feels better, nicer, more real than my previous M135i Xdrive F40 and Golf R 7.5. It's taught me to be a better driver rather than just planting accelerator in all weathers and relying on the 4wd or fwd more than my own driving skills 👍

[@stuartsgp]

I have watched dozens of M140i 240i reviews, and I really enjoyed this one the most I think, I really mature well rounded outlook, especially about the requirement for mods being well, surplus to requirement perhaps! It’s great to listen to someone that really understands all the other cars in this category and how they compare. Thank you

[@andrewphillips2520]

agreed, sensational , indepth review

[@peterjeffries8298]

That's about the best review I've seen on the 140i. Very sensible common sense comments and advice on upgrades. You often find some people lose sight of what the car is meant to be and they ruin the basic concept. As a fast road car not much can touch this car. What makes it is the technical masterpiece of the B58 engine. It's the cream on the cake. Well done, Tom 👍😉

[@ashwinabraham2]

best m140i review I've seen!

[@tht140ixx]

As an all round package, value and fun factor you can’t go wrong 😎

[@clivemajor2389]

Great review! I have one of these crazy cars, I found the best solution for the 'floaty rear end' was the rear body brace which I think was fitted to older models, as you can purchase a genuine BMW part. Along with the stiffer rear sub frame bushes. The floaty feeling comes from the rear sub frame moving to much due to soft bushes. I noticed a massive difference after performing both mods, to the point of completely removing the floaty feeling!

[@SauceMan20]

Great Video!!Picking one up tomorrow I’m buzzing 😬

[@leec9489]

Very poetic! I like your style!

[@simonh870]

Most people who see an M140i on the road don't know what they are. They just see it as another 1 series in Msport spec. That is a good thing in many ways as it means the car doesn't attract the wrong kind of attention like hot Audi and Mercs. You can also surprise other cars that assume that it is a regular 1 series by dissapearing into the distance.

[@RIFF0RAFF]

Good review, I agree with everything apart from suspension...in stock form it's springy and wobbly at the same time. Rear bushings poliurethane inserts were number 1 fix for me, car become rigid and no longer dancing on road. The next future thing are bilstein b6 at rear axle then maybe at front too.

[@ellgamemcmanus9774]

Best of luck with your new car

[@iRichhyy]

Great video, for reference my stage 1 tuned 140i has done a dragy verified 3.10s 30-70mph time. Great gains compared to stock and feels completely different on the road.

[@ParagonCarsLondon]

wow that's properly quick!

[@sportsmachinerr1401]

3.8s is what i got with mine 30-70mph after a map it dropped to 3.4s. Great car's and with few cheap mods they handle great even with the open diff. Mine has 12mm spacers and black rear subframe inserts. If you drive in cold wet weather like i do in October-March (UK) change to an All season tyre like the Michelin Crossclimate's it makes a world of difference to grip and predictability. There are more capable car's out there, but for rwd fun in compact package i think the M140i has them beat.

[@m140jam5]

I had one of these stage 2, used to get nearly 50mpg on a long run driving conservatively. That engine and gearbox is a dream. Miss my one. Tempted to buy another and throw 5k at it to get it where it should be.

[@garywebster6453]

Good review. Had mine a couple of mths, full remus exhaust, sounds amazing. Im 56 and find the power and handling ok. Balance car with throttle and its planted enough for me. Fuel consumption is good too. 36 avge long term commute and yes 40ish longer motorway runs. Doesn't disgrace itself against higher end cars too. Couple of mths in and very pleased with my choice.

[@ParagonCarsLondon]

Glad you enjoyed it. Remus Exhaust really sounds amazing on these.

[@garywebster6453]

@@ParagonCarsLondon it does. Non resonated, bit loud on cold start, but quiet enough in eco and comfort can still hear it, then in sport opens valve up and proper sound, but not horrible. Only thing now is do i need the extra 80 or so hp with a s1 map.

[@leec9489]

@@garywebster6453I’ve had mine a year now, completely stock, and battling with the same dilemma!

[@GapeGang]

Good vid mate

[@nme444]

I think the 5 door 140i is missing the rear under chassis brace that I've read is standard on the 3 door variant. Its also standard on the 2 series coupe (even my 220d has one fitted) its cheap, easy to fit and helps tighten the back up.

[@slonkijippie]

I'm on the VERY cusp buying an M240i. I'm just waiting for one to come up with my desired spec (Estoril Blue, ZF8, LCI), I feel like I have watched every video there is on the 240i at this point, thought I might search for M140i also since its basically the same car except the looks. I can't put my finger on why your video is 10 times better any other I have watched on this car. I didnt fast forward once, or noticed 28 minutes go by 😁

[@AmsterdamSam]

im on the same boat haha, finally saved up enough and worked my ass off but they dont sell the desired one im looking for, black or blue lci 2018

[@lukeskywalker1666]

Driving around Watford 😂I bombed it few times to Brent Cross on that motorway in my m140i, I’ve driven passed your garage few times, when go bowling area cinema, always full of Mercedes’ nice cars

[@DjNikGnashers]

I love the fact M140i's are disrespected and criticised, because it means the haters get even more of a shock when they get dusted by one. The clowns who say 'they have crap handling' actually mean they are not quite as sharp as a real M car, or something like a Civic Type R, which is fair, but they are far from 'crap'. The same clowns say 'they will kill you if you put your foot down', but what they really mean is 'I'm such a crap driver I need AWD and all the stability controls on to launch mine'. My M140i runs 455bhp/634nm and I drive EVERYWHERE in traction OFF mode, not once has it tried to kill me. Goodbye A45's RS3's Tesla's SVR's base 911's and even a DB9 the other day........

[@ParagonCarsLondon]

exactly. I see far too many drivers getting in these with no RWD experience expecting the car to do everything for you. Is a BMW M2 easier to drift? Sure, but only marginally.

[@Jordan-182]

Proper small dick syndrome comment

[@M-POWER777]

Still stock or lsd ?

[@TenPester]

What’s it like in the winter? My E90 BMWs needed winter tyres. Once I didn’t bother then had to get pushed into a train station car park in slush. That was the end of my life with a BMW.

[@joshtw7865]

I've got an 05 civic type R and I really want the 2023 Type R but I can't warrant the £50K price tag, so one of these feels like the best option. Definitely learned about smooth throttle etc because if not my type R would definitely find a ditch 😂

[@brianearl7358]

best review ive seen on m 140 , this car is dangerously fast / with 369 lb/ft torgue / its lethal . in wrong hands . dont like the look of the 1 series , but with all that awesome power who cares

[@markrhoden68]

If your going to drive hard a LSD is a must and should have been fitted from factory, that handling at times when pushing on or in the wet was scary

[@jb123564]

Having gone from a cupra 290 that I had for 3 years to the m140i, I can't say I've ever missed the cupra, the m140 being quicker in gear and a lot quicker off the line, a lot of reviews you'd think you would die if you drive the m140 everytime it rains but you just need to know the car and the conditions and understand planting your foot down when there's what 340 stated hp(more like 355-365) you need to know when the conditions allow

[@lukeskywalker1666]

I got mine on a dyno when it was stock, it was 363bhp after stage 1 now 425bhp

[@jb123564]

@@lukeskywalker1666 yep I haven't modded mine other than underbody brace but on a dual carriageway which is where your going to have most encounters it's a monster, I did notice when I first got it every boy racer on the road wants to try get up your arse, I had a pre facelift rs3 I think it was a 2016 plate try undertake me coming off a roundabout and I pulled ahead about 3 car lengths on a straight however his car had 3 men in and it was uphill following that he went straight onto the next roundabout after catching up without even looking about 70 mph and I slowed right down fk getting taken out to show which car is faster, I think his ego was a little bruised 😂

[@haider2695]

@@jb123564 whats fuel like on the 140. I've heard mpg is decent

[@jb123564]

@@haider2695 I'm getting 33.1mpg drive mostly in comfort then sport when spirited driving

[@anthonymeek4248]

Do you think the stock damping setup is okay... have you changed yours?

[@dragongamer8253]

i got a m240i xdrive with a stage 3+ tune witch puts down 650hp and 850nm and its an absulut madness

[@banksy1983]

I'd love to own one of these

[@sicelomakhoba3642]

B58 still rules 🇩🇪👑🤞

[@fuzzyscreentv9414]

I was in 2 minds as to get one of these , golf r , or a a45 , choose the a45 in the end after driving all 3 as you’ve said it’s definitely more lively (the rear steps out far to easy 😂), and trying to find a nice one of these was a bit more rare, golf was a bit bland inside, so the a45 was my pick , touch 440bhp with 4wd is a bit more assuring, great video though

[@beckyphipps1822]

Keep driving

[@oliver3699]

DID YOU SAY ABOVE 40MPG?? I have a 240i and get at most like 34mpg :(

[@vollcare4076]

This mods will make it the perfect sport daily: Coilover such as ST-X etc M3 Front arms Rear subframe PU bushes LSD Endless MX72 pads

[@heres_the_sauce]

If I ever move to UK I’m getting one lol

[@07szim]

ov\er 40 mpg???

[@mwybourn8120]

Great video, love your review. I have an M140i and I love it, but am missing a few options like reverse sensors & cruise control. Do you think it would be OK for me to get these options added, as I have found some suppliers who can add them, or would you not recommend it?

[@ParagonCarsLondon]

as long as they’re OEM parts then it’s fine to add them. Will add value to the car as well.

[@GameWithViiP3R]

Bloody speed camera i got done the other day doing 47 in 40 going downhill the camera van sat right and the bottom of a hill behind a bush how lovely

[@ParagonCarsLondon]

yeah i got done doing 94 in a 70. That hurt haha.

[@oldschool7654]

I have also got a 2018 m140 and would like more sound did the double res delete throw up any engine management lights or did you have it mapped out?

[@Addselwyn]

It will be fine no lights

[@ParagonCarsLondon]

No coding needed for pre ppf cars so you'll be fine.

[@akeneagle6567]

I'm very confused over this and M3 F80. I believe for UK roads the 140i is the best, however the looks and M feels of the M3 is different. I'll also save up £10-15k with the 140i. Help please I'm in a limbo

[@ParagonCarsLondon]

if you spend a lot of time in traffic get the m140i. The M3 is a raw performance car, more exciting but you need to be on the right road.

[@smwatson1512]

Love mine. They are absolute chav magnets though, really hard to find a nice clean unmolested example. The beauty of them is that they look like a bog standard 1 series, properly under the radar rapid mile-munchers.

[@stuartsgp]

Chav magnets haha, I presume you mean when trying to buy one, difficult to find one that hasn’t been absolutely hammered? Any tips on finding a good one?

[@smwatson1512]

Difficult to find one that isn't horribly modified or plastered with some hideous aftermarket bodykit. Or wrapped. I bought mine from BMW as approved used, pay a premium but you know you're getting a relatively tidy one.

[@george05950]

yeah I have a debugged 125d atm, even more under the radar.. doesn't do too well when racing a m140i tho XD

[@thabo5799]

Worth noting, like most cars, mpg will suffer a lot in winter (m140i feels like its affected way more). I went from doing 37-45mpg (55mph average) in warmer weather to 18-25mpg in winter.

[@ZKRITTEX]

I been looking to buy my first ever bmw and Ive decided to go for the m140i and so for that Ive been watching a lot of videos and reviews of the car but never found a video as clean and informative as this. The only question is still in my head is, would this car still have enough space at the back to put a 4 year old toodler chair confortably? If anyone has the answer for me I would be so gratefull.

[@ruske3127]

I have f20 125d with two chairs back and it fits (kids are 4 and 6). My height is 184 cm

[@leec9489]

I have a 5 door M140i and a front facing reclinable baby/ toddler seat in the back of mine for a 4 year old (and he’s quite tall) Mine is fitted behind the front passenger seat. There is room enough, but I have noticed that you have to move the front seat quite a way forward to give the little one enough leg room. It’s manageable, but a bit tight. The toddler seat is quite a bulky one though!

[@GoER9634]

Great review " beautifully flawed " describes them so well. Ive had mine 2 years now, and still love it. I have stage 2 map and for me makes it even more fun, just needs some more throttle control its that simple. modern cars have become so bland with how they can just put the power down i love to feel the accomplishment of a great start or feeding the power into a turn. i think the people who say they are dodgy or out of control or cant put there power down are just bad drivers. They have got to used to the foot to the floor 4wd cars. i realy dont think any other car in the price range come even close to the overall package of a m140, it demands respect and skill to drive on the edge so if you dont have either of those two things buy a golf haha

[@ltaylor3281]

This is the best review I've seen on the M140, will you do one on the M240, I'm still undecided which one to buy.

[@AmsterdamSam]

2series better looking, 1 series more practical. imo

[@ltaylor3281]

@@AmsterdamSam Thanks. that's exactly why I'm undecided

[@AmsterdamSam]

@@ltaylor3281 I think 2series is also more speacial since you see the 1 series everywhere.

[@erikcustom]

I'd go for the M140i as it is more practical. If you park your M240i next to an M2 it will look so boring. The m140i doesn't have that problem since there's no 1M. It's the hottest 1 series. There will never be six cylinders in a 1 series again and for that it will always be very special.

[@AmsterdamSam]

@@erikcustom i think the new 135i xdrive looks better tho

[@anth9843]

Do all the M140's with the semi digital dash have the digital MPH?

[@leec9489]

The semi-digital part of the display is what BMW call a ‘black panel display’ but even with this, the mph reading is always analogue dial only. The black panel display gives you a power/eco graphic inside the rev counter gauge, mpg, average speed, eco range added, current speed limit (if your car has this option when purchased) amongst other things. Only frustrating thing about the display is that there is no oil/coolant temperature gauge/readout unless you access the hidden service menu! Figure that one out! 😂

[@viperxgaming5488]

Do you have the underbody brace as I heard that improves the rear end feel a lot?

[@ParagonCarsLondon]

Not yet but it’s something i plan on doing.

[@coenwag]

@@ParagonCarsLondongo for the underbody brace from ultra racing it’s more rigid that the OEM brace. Also swap the Subframe bushings to Poly. Mine are full Powerflex black bushes

[@arthurveldhoen3932]

B58+ZF8=Magic

[@Chris-nj1mr]

I'm still tempted by a manual for the engagement!

[@mondo8946]

Now I'm in the market for one of these. I looked at one yesterday and what an absolute Nail it was. Is it really possible to get a good condition 2017 M140i with circa 30k miles for £20000?

[@ParagonCarsLondon]

In a private sale maybe. I paid 23k for my 2018 one with 43k miles. But that was very cheap, if you want a nice one at 30k miles i’d budget atleast 23k.

[@mondo8946]

@@ParagonCarsLondon sitting on the Fence and scouring Autotrader daily I have finally managed to get one for my budget. 2017 17 plate 43k miles, with 2 previous owners and a file full of of BMW Service History, aswell as the original sales invoice. Some of the specs include full Black Leather Seats and the Harman Kardon sound system, which I find sounds really good. I at times was almost giving up the search, but by Thursday of this week it came good! I didn't have to travel very far either. Just a dealer about 5 miles away 😀

[@tonylyons9772]

These cars are nuts,handling from stock is shite but put a few M parts on it and some power flex bushes and your away And do away with stock springs & fit KW Vs then you got a decent handling RWD

[@paulmatthews9366]

Suspension is total garbage verging on dangerous. Just had mine replaced with a birds b1 kit. Night and day. I managed 51.5 mpg the other day on a run. Staggering.

[@ParagonCarsLondon]

If you're doing very fast driving then yeah stock suspension really falls apart then. Birds is a great kit for uk roads. You tried it on track yet?

[@paulmatthews9366]

@@ParagonCarsLondon no mate. Its dangerous. Its the porpoising and total lack of damping that's dangerous. It makes the car float and crash unpredictably on our uk roads. Get those dampers sorted out she'll be how she was always supposed to. I've got no plans for track work. I just want to make progress on awful uk roads without being spat off the road. 300+ bhp is wasted if you can't deploy it. I've driven plenty of cars being old but I've never experienced anything like as bad as the stock setup is. Birds confirm its because of the compliance tests the Germans make the car comply with before they sign it off. In short they built it with a very narrow use case and for every other application its garbage.

[@Andy-zy6yk]

I got 40.9 mpg going from Doncaster to Bridlington which was just a normal drive with a few overtakes of slow cars. But I tend to average around 27mpg because I don’t do long journeys. Mine also handles terrible on the motorway. Always feels like the wind is pushing the car around regardless of the weather. It’s the only thing I don’t like about mine. Does anyone else have that issue?

[@TopdriversinWales]

Keep to the left unless overtaking 🙄

[@ParagonCarsLondon]

Go pro makes cars look further away than they are, trust me, i hate middle lane hoggers as much as you do.

[@TopdriversinWales]

@@ParagonCarsLondon good to hear, thanks for clarifying

[@TheBonnie94]

Owned one of these and have to say the handling, damping, steering feel is terrible. No body control or feel in the front end. Read the forums for details before buying. You will be disappointed if you are expectting a good chassis etc. My e92 330d was miles better. Engine and gearbox are fantastic however👌 my golf mk7 gti handles better and so much more connection to the chassis and road. You can't compare this to an RS3 either (driven at length). Its a stock 1 series with a mighty engine. Shouldn't have to spend 1-2k fixing the suspension issues in my opinion. GTI/R/RS3 all better handling hands down. Much prefer rwd but was let down with this car..

[@ParagonCarsLondon]

Have to say, for the first time i disagree. Only real negative about the m140i is suspension and bushes. Steering is far more positive than a GTI, it weights up nicely and is predictable during oversteer. A GTI/RS3 feels tighter but once you’re actually sliding it’s hard to pin point where the front wheels are for me.

[@markrhoden68]

Totally agree handling at times was frankly scary

[@user-xv3fo5hi1o]

Yeah I have a 140i. Traction off and the open diff ain't great. But. A underbody chassis and it changes the dynamic of cornering. Comfort was a very sloppy driving mode. Now she's tight even with the slightest of touches.

[@fransvisser2568]

You like a safe handling car, the 140i is for people that can grab a car by the neck and man handle it, some people is scared of that...

[@TheBonnie94]

@@fransvisser2568 no, I like a good handling car..

[@caffeineisking8132]

Friend had a tuned one one these no other mods just the map. The thing drinks petrol like nobody's business absolutely no fucking way I'm willing to spend that much on fuel.. my mk8 golf gti that can get 40mpg is for 99% of the time every bit as fast if not faster around bends having fwd confidence. He gets 13-18 mpg best he has ever seen is 21mpg helllllllll naw

[@xJytus-]

M140i is far from rare in wales. Every 20yr old and their gran drive one

[@mikerittmanreborn4955]

WEREWOLF'S ARE REAL AND HAVE BEEN SEEN IN THE UK

[@leec9489]

Thank you for bringing this to everyone’s attention. Please can you post where these lycanthrope creatures have been sighted along with a calendar of the lunar cycle so that people can avoid these areas?