Switching daily for something more interesting
Discussion
Just throwing something out there at the moment...
I currently have a Volvo V40 and an MR2. While the MR2 is a lot of fun, I am finding with my circumstances the times I can actually use it becoming less. With that in mind, I am considering switching the V40 for something a bit more interesting on the daily.
I guess as key wants/needs in no particular order and with some flexibility:
~£22k
Max 5 years old
50k miles
6 cylinder petrol
4 doors
4 seats
350 litre boot
30mpg
Now with this criteria, I am currently thinking a BMW 140i seems to tick a lot of the boxes and I have always quite liked these. I am also a fan of a hatchback generally and something fairly understated.
I guess if anyone has any experience with the 140i that'd be useful, and also if anyone has any suggestions for something different then ideas are always nice even if they aren't quite my thing.
Thanks!
I currently have a Volvo V40 and an MR2. While the MR2 is a lot of fun, I am finding with my circumstances the times I can actually use it becoming less. With that in mind, I am considering switching the V40 for something a bit more interesting on the daily.
I guess as key wants/needs in no particular order and with some flexibility:
~£22k
Max 5 years old
50k miles
6 cylinder petrol
4 doors
4 seats
350 litre boot
30mpg
Now with this criteria, I am currently thinking a BMW 140i seems to tick a lot of the boxes and I have always quite liked these. I am also a fan of a hatchback generally and something fairly understated.
I guess if anyone has any experience with the 140i that'd be useful, and also if anyone has any suggestions for something different then ideas are always nice even if they aren't quite my thing.
Thanks!
jdoubleu said:
DodgyGeezer said:
Could could get an 8pot with a Monaro....
Definitely an interesting suggestion but I think they stopped making them ages ago and I assume that's more like 15mpg than 30!M140i fits your criteria perfectly and I can't think of any reason why you shouldn't buy one. Plenty in budget to choose from.
A few years ago I bought a 325i coupe because I absolutely had to have RWD, 6 cylinder petrol and a manual box. It was a good car but not everything I'd hoped for in terms of driving fun. I swapped it for a Fiesta ST which is so much better to drive imo. What I'm saying is don't get too hung up on the 6 pot thing. Okay, the BMW engine is great but as a complete package the 140i isn't necessarily the best car of its type. For your 22k you have the pick of some really good hot hatches, some with very characterful 4 pots and better driving dynamics.
A few years ago I bought a 325i coupe because I absolutely had to have RWD, 6 cylinder petrol and a manual box. It was a good car but not everything I'd hoped for in terms of driving fun. I swapped it for a Fiesta ST which is so much better to drive imo. What I'm saying is don't get too hung up on the 6 pot thing. Okay, the BMW engine is great but as a complete package the 140i isn't necessarily the best car of its type. For your 22k you have the pick of some really good hot hatches, some with very characterful 4 pots and better driving dynamics.
ChrisH72 said:
M140i fits your criteria perfectly and I can't think of any reason why you shouldn't buy one. Plenty in budget to choose from.
A few years ago I bought a 325i coupe because I absolutely had to have RWD, 6 cylinder petrol and a manual box. It was a good car but not everything I'd hoped for in terms of driving fun. I swapped it for a Fiesta ST which is so much better to drive imo. What I'm saying is don't get too hung up on the 6 pot thing. Okay, the BMW engine is great but as a complete package the 140i isn't necessarily the best car of its type. For your 22k you have the pick of some really good hot hatches, some with very characterful 4 pots and better driving dynamics.
Absolutely and point taken. I've owned and enjoyed 4 pot hot hatches before and I'm not ruling it out just yet. I am keeping the MR2 though so that will still be a drive for the sake of driving type of car while the daily will be for the run of the mill stuff. A few years ago I bought a 325i coupe because I absolutely had to have RWD, 6 cylinder petrol and a manual box. It was a good car but not everything I'd hoped for in terms of driving fun. I swapped it for a Fiesta ST which is so much better to drive imo. What I'm saying is don't get too hung up on the 6 pot thing. Okay, the BMW engine is great but as a complete package the 140i isn't necessarily the best car of its type. For your 22k you have the pick of some really good hot hatches, some with very characterful 4 pots and better driving dynamics.
I think you know yourself it’s an M140i. Your brief basically matches the car 100%.
Forget the 3L engine requirement and you open up better driving hot hatches or more accessible.
I’d just get the M140i it’s a brilliant car as long as you go in with your eyes open regarding mini GT/muscle car instead of hot hatch. You’ll love it.
Forget the 3L engine requirement and you open up better driving hot hatches or more accessible.
I’d just get the M140i it’s a brilliant car as long as you go in with your eyes open regarding mini GT/muscle car instead of hot hatch. You’ll love it.
Would both cars have to go to fund the new one, or is the MR2 staying? An M140i is a good daily but if its your only car I think you'll find it a bit lacking in the fun department compared to the MR2.
Alternatively if you were open to fettling it a little bit, apparently you can really make the M140i come to life with some suspension upgrades and an LSD.
Alternatively if you were open to fettling it a little bit, apparently you can really make the M140i come to life with some suspension upgrades and an LSD.
I think you're on the right track - I have an old Japanese sports car, and recently got a Merc C55 as a daily alongside it, definitely a good choice. It's really nice having something comfortable and easy to get in and out of, easy to drive, with a nice smooth engine (ie not an I4) and autobox, that's still quick and composed down a nice B-road. It doesn't have to serve up outright thrills, because you still have a sports car for that, but it's still satisfying to drive and makes short work of dawdlers on the open road.
If I were you I'd look at the 340i too, seems in budget. I think it was an evo contributor who said the 340i Touring was a better drive than the Supra with the same drivetrain ;-)
CG2020UK said:
I think you know yourself it’s an M140i. Your brief basically matches the car 100%.
Forget the 3L engine requirement and you open up better driving hot hatches or more accessible.
I’d just get the M140i it’s a brilliant car as long as you go in with your eyes open regarding mini GT/muscle car instead of hot hatch. You’ll love it.
Thanks for the input. I am willing to flex a few points, including the cylinder count - I just fancied a 6 cylinder given everything is going to be electric in a few years and I'll miss some engine sound!Forget the 3L engine requirement and you open up better driving hot hatches or more accessible.
I’d just get the M140i it’s a brilliant car as long as you go in with your eyes open regarding mini GT/muscle car instead of hot hatch. You’ll love it.
resolve10 said:
Would both cars have to go to fund the new one, or is the MR2 staying? An M140i is a good daily but if its your only car I think you'll find it a bit lacking in the fun department compared to the MR2.
Alternatively if you were open to fettling it a little bit, apparently you can really make the M140i come to life with some suspension upgrades and an LSD.
Yep, the MR2 is staying so the daily car can truly be a daily - which would probably rule out anything too hardcore.Alternatively if you were open to fettling it a little bit, apparently you can really make the M140i come to life with some suspension upgrades and an LSD.
samoht said:
I think you're on the right track - I have an old Japanese sports car, and recently got a Merc C55 as a daily alongside it, definitely a good choice. It's really nice having something comfortable and easy to get in and out of, easy to drive, with a nice smooth engine (ie not an I4) and autobox, that's still quick and composed down a nice B-road. It doesn't have to serve up outright thrills, because you still have a sports car for that, but it's still satisfying to drive and makes short work of dawdlers on the open road.
If I were you I'd look at the 340i too, seems in budget. I think it was an evo contributor who said the 340i Touring was a better drive than the Supra with the same drivetrain ;-)
Good point - I had looked at the 340i as well but I'd probably need the touring as I often need a hatch opening. The touring ones generally seem to hold their value better which can take it out of budget.If I were you I'd look at the 340i too, seems in budget. I think it was an evo contributor who said the 340i Touring was a better drive than the Supra with the same drivetrain ;-)
jdoubleu said:
Yep, the MR2 is staying so the daily car can truly be a daily - which would probably rule out anything too hardcore.
Ah that changes things then! I tried an M140i a couple of years ago and really couldn't get on with the suspension, so I bought a used M2 instead. For a daily with a more focussed weekend car alongside it, the M140i would be near perfect. I own a 240i as a daily and I have a 986 Boxster as a weekend car, for me the 240i is just about the perfect daily driver, I don't agree with the comments about suspension people mention, admittedly it could be a bit sharper but these cars are more GT cars than typical hot hatches and the suspension for me is a very good balance of performance with comfort.
The steering in comfort mode can be a little light when pressing on but sport mode pretty much sorts that out with the additional weight which improves feel..
They are pretty fast cars, they will get beaten off the lights by a Golf R but once moving they are far better in my opinion.
The Porsche I have unsurprisingly does have better feel as a sports car and is definitely a more fun car to drive but as a daily the BMW is better overall, definately worth a test drive OP to see how you feel about it, you may find a more traditional hot hatch is your preference, in which case I would be looking at a Renault Megane RS personally.
The steering in comfort mode can be a little light when pressing on but sport mode pretty much sorts that out with the additional weight which improves feel..
They are pretty fast cars, they will get beaten off the lights by a Golf R but once moving they are far better in my opinion.
The Porsche I have unsurprisingly does have better feel as a sports car and is definitely a more fun car to drive but as a daily the BMW is better overall, definately worth a test drive OP to see how you feel about it, you may find a more traditional hot hatch is your preference, in which case I would be looking at a Renault Megane RS personally.
jdoubleu said:
Thanks for the input. I am willing to flex a few points, including the cylinder count - I just fancied a 6 cylinder given everything is going to be electric in a few years and I'll miss some engine sound!
I wouldn’t flex personally and just enjoy the M140i and the engine. It’s a fun car in its own right and is pretty unique. They aren’t big inside so maybe just check it’s roomy enough for what you need.
For your test drive I think some of the M140is came with run flat tyres which make a lot of cabin noise.
jdoubleu said:
Absolutely and point taken. I've owned and enjoyed 4 pot hot hatches before and I'm not ruling it out just yet. I am keeping the MR2 though so that will still be a drive for the sake of driving type of car while the daily will be for the run of the mill stuff.
They're not as spacious as you might think they are so take the youngster along when you go to look at one, if you want a swift characterful 6 pot then get one.They're good fun but not quite as good a steer as a proper hot hatch but you'll have the MR2 to fulfil that roll.
The M140 Shadow Edition is the pick:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204094...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204054...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203103...
ZX10R NIN said:
They're not as spacious as you might think they are so take the youngster along when you go to look at one, if you want a swift characterful 6 pot then get one.
They're good fun but not quite as good a steer as a proper hot hatch but you'll have the MR2 to fulfil that roll.
The M140 Shadow Edition is the pick:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204094...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204054...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203103...
Excellent. Thank you for the info. I did actually test drive an M135i as it was back then probably 6 years ago or so. I seem to remember the dimensions were OK but perhaps my memory is faded so I will definitely be wary of checking space.They're good fun but not quite as good a steer as a proper hot hatch but you'll have the MR2 to fulfil that roll.
The M140 Shadow Edition is the pick:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204094...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204054...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203103...
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