BMW M140i review: Better than the Ford Focus RS?

[@chrishallatt]

Is this guy real?!?!, the 8 speed is awesome! Kick-down is so fast, and it’s a ZF, not a DCT.... lol

[@Magic_Vince]

M140i and Focus RS are both awesome. For a daily the M140i with ST XA coilovers and a sports exhaust is my pick!

[@bshah4831]

The Focus RS is very comfortable on the motorway in Normal mode. In Sport mode it is very aggressive but still the suspension is not as hard as in Race mode, which you shouldn't use on the road. The RS only comes alive at very speeds and when you push it really hard. the AWD is amazing in the wet.

[@simonnewman8344]

B Shah RS is slow...

[@DjNikGnashers]

I wanted a hot hatch, and drove them all to choose. The best one, for me, was the M140i auto, so I bought it. In comfort it's very usable, comfortable, smooth, quiet, even economical. In sport+ it's just the best fun. Now it's remapped to 411bhp/576nm and competes with the RS3 and A45.

[@AndyfromSurrey]

I have a manual M140i and I think he is talking about a different car! But maybe it’s because I don’t think of it as a hot hatch, more a small GT car. It sounds fabulous, especially when you open it up. The standard suspension is pretty poor, but Bilstein B8 dampers sort this out. As for boring interior, just get it with red leather like mine as that livens it up. I like that it is understated and doesn’t shout like some of the rivals do.

[@Sachankara]

Try stabilizing the video a bit. It'd be really appreciated.

[@RecombuCars]

Sachankara Fear not, our new camera equipment features optical image stabilisation for silky-ish smooth video!

[@akent46]

So u want less cabin insulation so you can hear the exhaust note more along with more road noise etc. Ok.

[@RecombuCars]

Motor Enthusiasting Never said I want less cabin insulation. There are usually multiple ways to skin a cat, so to speak.

[@samsara3694]

Reviewers often seem to get 0-60mph and 0-100kph figs mixed. The figs this guy is quoting are for 0-100kph. Figs for 0-60mph are 4.4 for the auto and 4.6 for the manual.

[@RecombuCars]

samsara Yeah, happens a lot, especially when certain manufacturers keep changing their minds about which measurement they prefer! 0-62mph is what we always use.

[@samsara3694]

ah, just listened back, the reviewer did indeed say 62mph (100kph).

[@sarudedandorm1452]

This is a true sports car in disguise!

[@selcukkis6860]

BMW M140i or M240i with manual transmission unless you have to deal with snow.

[@RecombuCars]

We don't have to worry too much about snow. Although 1mm of the stuff and everything grinds to a halt...

[@selcukkis6860]

RecombuCars wish I could say the same here in Canada... RWD cars don't make a safe daily driver.

[@RecombuCars]

Selcuk Kis Seen a few Canadian snow videos, think I'd avoid RWD too!

[@bobstarr]

I live in canada and i bought the m240i-xdrive. i've put about 7000k on it and i would recommend it to everyone. steering feel isn't as good as my 350z but everything else is better. (ya i spun the 350z twice in the snow)

[@selcukkis6860]

bob starr Unfortunately xdrive doesn't come with manual transmission in Canada. If I had to pick an AWD it would be RS

[@Arman-nl6mg]

You know what's actually sad? That the upcoming M140i will be 4cyl AWD...

[@BM_PAZ]

Arman_dleg You know what...it makes perfect sense from a commercial point of view for BMW but I agree that it is sad...I've no doubt the next one will be brilliant but it just won't be the same as a 6cyl.

[@oppanheimer]

You know what's actually sadder? All cars will be electric in the near future.

[@oppanheimer]

No man, it's like watching porn with no sound. It makes the experience dull.

[@matp111-9]

Arman_dleg 😥😥, the 3L engine will be left to nostalgia. Suppose it makes this generation a feature classic.

[@cheechforprez]

It's just progression but all the same sad. M power said they'd never go turbo and they did not that many years later. I'm downsizing from a 2013 e92 hopefully soon and looking at the 140i instead for practicality. I'd guess the last man standing of the big engines will be AMG

[@matthiasm6092]

8-speed DCT?! Really?!

[@RecombuCars]

Yeah. Manual all the way.

[@matthiasm6092]

I was refering to 1:46 where you said you could get an 8-speed DCT, which is wrong (8-speed Auto, DCT is only available in the M2), you got it right later though

[@RecombuCars]

Ah yeah, meant to say ZF not DCT in the first instance. Have a cookie for noticing.

[@BM_PAZ]

I certainly agree with you on the fuel point.

[@RecombuCars]

You took the plunge and bought one, then?

[@BM_PAZ]

RecombuCars I did indeed, it's a fantastic little car.

[@RecombuCars]

Pazza_M140i Living the dream!

[@mad4tar77]

What mpg you averaging?

[@starryvoyage]

great review!

[@hugoantunes3355]

Is this color valencia orange or sunset orange?

[@TubeLadin]

Hugo Antunes sunset

[@bo55ola]

Your top 5 M cars please? I'm curious.

[@RecombuCars]

M2 or 1 Series M Coupe, not driven both back to back so hard to say which would be top though. Also a lot of love for the E46 M3 CSL (wish they were cheaper), Z4 M / Z3 M Coupe (both underrated, look epic), M6 (ballistic comfortable cruiser), E30 M3 (retro-tastic) and maybe the F10 M5 (because V8). Apparently the M1 is a beast but not driven it. The M4 left me wanting more, especially having driven the Giulia Quadrifoglio, but it is a bit of a stunner.

[@samiawda]

Great review, well said

[@jamieallen5970]

DCT ?

[@MsGman598]

Quiet as the Emirates stadium!!! Thumbs up from me #COYS great car to, pick mine up at the weekend!!

[@and7705]

You haven’t got a clue what your talking about, it’s a ZF 8 Speed not DCT and also these cars don’t just slide out and has loads of grip way more than needed, just people turning off safety systems and racing in the rain is where it could be a problem. It’s the best hot hatch money can buy full stop!

[@SilverWave64]

Is it true that in UK manual models the pedals are weirdly offset to the right?

[@RecombuCars]

A small enough amount that you soon forget about it, if you even noticed at all!

[@johnaustin4021]

SilverWave yes but it's no really noticeable :)

[@davidespley-jones7074]

Let's not fuck around, once the wheels grip, it drops anything in its class including ( maybe not in its class ) but the A45 Amg ( not necessarily S ).

[@FSX239]

So is it better than the Focus or are you just asking us to answer it for you? How would we know since we didn't drive the car?

[@RecombuCars]

I said it was my favourite hot-hatchback right now, so that makes it better in my mind, with the Civic Type R a close second. Whether it is better for you requires you to drive both yourself because they have very different personalities, as I try to outline in the video.

[@FSX239]

Ah ok I stand corrected I missed that but. great video, keep up the amazing work!!!

[@RecombuCars]

No worries, we appreciate your enthusiasm :)

[@renemann3382]

Lese immer nur: Besser als Type R? Besser als Focus RS? Leute....... Der M140i ist eine super Daily mit einem Sahnemotor mit viel Autobahnpotenzial. Vergleicht ihn ehr mit einem Golf R oder einer Cupra. Der Focus RS ist eine emotionale Fahrmaschine und dessen Allrad ist dem Xdrive um WELTEN überlegen! Auch der Honda Type R ist eine emotionale Potente Landstrassensau. Diese Fahrzeuge wollen nicht beim Stammtisch punkten, was rennt meine krücke von 0-100. Das Interessiert niemanden außer untallentierten geradeaushorster die etwas kompensieren müssen. Fahrt mal einen M135/140 einen Focus RS und einen Type R, dann wisst ihr was ich meine. Der Focus RS und der Type R sind aktuell die letzen emotionalen Hothatches und vielleicht die letzten ihrer Art. Neumoderne, emotional unaufregende Hothatches stehen an jeder Straßenecke.

[@MisterM13]

WOW, du sprichst mir aus der Seele. Hätte nicht gedacht so ein Kommentar zu lesen, hier! Als leidenschaftlicher Ford Fan und Fahrer hat man es leider nicht leicht, so viele sind voreingenommen und haben auch keine Argumente warum.

[@markbrix9385]

Rene Mann Nein, also wirklich nicht. Erstens sollte man den BMW mit keinem deiner genannten Modelle vergleichen. Ebenbürtige Konkurrenten derselben Disziplinen sind z.B. der Audi RS3 oder der Mercedes A45 AMG und nicht Billigmarken wie VW oder Seat. Und zweitens mockierst du dich grade über eines der fortgeschrittensten, wenn nicht sogar besten Allradsystem der Welt. Während bei Ford die Antriebsmomente auf gesamte Achsen optimal verteilt werden welche radparallel arbeiten, kann heutiges XDrive dies sogar auf einzelne Räder umsetzen! In derselben Qualitätsklasse finden sich Quattro oder Symmetrical AWD. Zu 4Matic kann ich leider nichts aussagen, damit habe ich mich noch nicht befasst. Wenn du all diese Konzepte im Winter auch mal ausprobiert hast, wirst du schnell das Premiumsegment von der Mittelklasse trennen können. Was den Rest deiner Aussage betrifft: Ist ja schön und gut wenn du auf ältere Getriebe/Motoren stehst und das Flair der Vergangenheit zu schätzen weißt, aber das ist eben nur deine Meinung und die sagt nichts über die überragende Qualität neuer Fahrzeugmodelle aus.

[@MisterM13]

Falls du vergisst ist Audi nur eine Tochterfirma des VAG Konzerns. Und der Focus RS hat einen neu entwickelten Allradantrieb der in dieser Art einmalig ist. Auch kann dieser neue Allrad auf ein Rad alleine eine sehr hohe Kraft verteilen. Als Wintefahrzeug würde ich diese Fahrzeuge nicht zählen, denn sie sind als Sportfahrzeuge ausgelegt, nicht Geländeorientiert. Dann würde ich einen, auch wenn er noch teuerer ist, auf einen Range Rover verweisen. Der ist modern, luxuriös und ein echtes Geländemonster, welcher eine Wattiefe von 90cm auweist. Davon hat BMW oder Mercedes mit ihren Pseudogeländefahrzeugen (worauf der Name SUV schon hinweist) meilenweit Abstand. Wie du hierauf gekommen bist will ich mir aber auch nicht erklären. Rene Mann verwieß auf den Spaß, das Gefühl was diese Autos vermitteln. Was Fahrspaß ist und wirklich Freude am Fahren. Was die Alten Sportwägen haben oder die von ihm gennanten. In dene man selbst spürt was das Auto macht und es mir nicht beim fahren reinpfuscht, die Kraft so verteilt das nichts passierne kann oder mich selbst ausbremst oder hinweist wenn ich eine Linie überfahre. Wer so ein Fahrzeug fährt, welche du ansprichst will keine Fahspaß in dem Sinne. Er will vlt schnell sein und dadurch Spaß haben, aber mit einem Automatikgetriebe aufs Gaß drücken ist doch kein Spaß. Dann kann ich gleich vor meinem PC bleiben. Und über überragende Qualität von heute....tja, ich glaube das lassen wir doch mal lieber

[@markbrix9385]

Mister M Ach ist schon ok, Meinung akzeptiert ;)

[@MisterM13]

Dachte schon jetzt habe ich einen verbalen Schlagabtausch gestartet. Ist auch nur meien Meinung, jeder kann eine andere haben. Schön das du sie wenigstens akzeptierst :)

[@mainman2999]

quote " You can almost forget you are driving it" spot on ! thats because its SOOO dull and boring, just a small car with a big engine, nothing else exciting or inspiring about it AT ALL !! Dull as dishwater just like the Audi !

[@DownShiftThrottle]

it looks so boring though.....not much different to a 116d I guess if you want to just blend in the crowd you might like it......not for me.

[@RecombuCars]

Q car for the win :)

[@timdance426]

RecombuCars get one with the m performance kit and exhaust and I can assure you it stands out 👌

[@matp111-9]

DownShift Throttle the Focus RS looks just as boring. Only the seats and rear spoiler really differentiate it from the ST.

[@raph_csg]

Looks like someone vastly changed their mind

[@image1237]

Crooklyn's Finest haha, was going to say the exact same thing.

[@sifisomshengu7310]

If 140i is this crazy...........then happens with M1 huh????

[@DjNikGnashers]

M1 is an old supercar ...... Do you mean the 1M which is also older than the M140i ?

[@TheBendalina]

If BMW are making savings there end e.g. New engine. Are they passing on any savings? 😂

[@aldo___]

Crawford yeah, doing around £6k dealer contribution in the UK just now.

[@F22Nicolas]

all good until you said Donald Trump is sophisticated lol

[@RecombuCars]

Haha it was never my intention to imply that. I meant dinner parties are more sophisticated :)

[@day3002]

hmm new golf r is very appealing

[@RecombuCars]

Keen to spend more time in one, definitely.

[@henrynicklin1345]

conorwaswrong golf r is slower and doesn't sound as nice

[@and9y1]

Just means you don't no how to drive a rwd mate 😂 stick to awd beige brigade

[@pawelworonko9]

With xdrive Its even better

[@andrewsharples9716]

Don’t get the xdrive 140i in the country

[@paulepaule4246]

straight 6 all day 2.3 ecco very very unreliable engine rs may have awd but that takes the naughty ness out of driving