BigDing's M240i (and some other stuff)
Discussion
Hi all, Long time lurker, thought it about time I should make a contribution, I'm no motoring journalist (which will soon become apparent) but thought I'd start a thread on my M240i and brief car history.
I picked this up just before Christmas last year, just in time to enjoy the snow in West Yorkshire! I gambled a bit on the colour but having taken a test drive in a black on black I really wanted something with a bit more personality and I think the red against white works well despite being a bit 80's. Spec is fairly standard with just pro nav, the auto 'box, heated seats and sun protection ticked above standard.
The 240i replaces a Golf R - I managed to get in on one of the great lease deals:
|https://thumbsnap.com/fDXFbEdY[/url]
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In terms of comparison with the Golf...
Engine:
The Golf was fast, no doubt but the engine didn't have much character, on the other hand the 6 cylinder in the BMW just sounds wonderful.
Gearbox:
Beemer wins this one, Race mode in the Golf was great when you were on it but it just wanted to go everywhere in second gear which was tiresome whilst I found anything else a bit slow to respond e.g. when pulling out at junctions. The 'box on the 240i is so smooth and responsive, if you want hooligan you've got Sport+ whereas sport offers perfect balance of throttle response and sensible shift points.
Interior / Kit:
Hard to call, leather as standard on the Beemer is a nice touch but I think interior lacks quality a bit, its quite plasticky and plain. I don't like the iPad stuck to the dash, how hard would it be to tidy the dash / centre console up to allow integration?! That said I think a touchscreen is hard to use when driving so I appreciate the iDrive controller and definitely favour it over the on screen control. The gear stick feels a bit flimsy and disconnected whereas in the golf it was chunky and had a mechanical feeling if that makes sense? The Golf also had the following as standard which the Beemer lacks:
-Electronic handbrake (took a lot of getting used to the old school manual)
-Hill start
-Lumbar support - surprisingly valuable
-Front parking sensors - don't miss them really
-Folding mirrors - should be standard really on the beemer
Handling:
The Golf was planted and inspired confidence, it rarely got out of shape but did feel a bit FWD if I'm honest i.e. bit of understeer or the occasional scrabbling for grip. Despite my initial worries of instantly spinning off into a bush on leaving the BMW dealership it manages to put down the power with minimal fuss. Once I'd adapted to RWD my confidence soon increased and I quickly realised how well the car handles, there's also more scope for a bit more fun (obviously where its safe to do so).
Styling:
I'm a fan of function over form if I'm honest but looks are subjective so I'll not go into detail.
Summary:
To be honest I'd have kept the Golf a while longer (there was an option to extend) but was put off by the spate of theft attempts which included people breaking into the house whilst my wife was in to try and nick the keys! On reflection I'm glad I changed though, I might not be as quick on a slippery wet lane but I know I'm having more fun!
Finally if anyone's still reading, before the golf I was in this for a good six years:
I picked this up just before Christmas last year, just in time to enjoy the snow in West Yorkshire! I gambled a bit on the colour but having taken a test drive in a black on black I really wanted something with a bit more personality and I think the red against white works well despite being a bit 80's. Spec is fairly standard with just pro nav, the auto 'box, heated seats and sun protection ticked above standard.
The 240i replaces a Golf R - I managed to get in on one of the great lease deals:
|https://thumbsnap.com/fDXFbEdY[/url][url]In terms of comparison with the Golf...
Engine:
The Golf was fast, no doubt but the engine didn't have much character, on the other hand the 6 cylinder in the BMW just sounds wonderful.
Gearbox:
Beemer wins this one, Race mode in the Golf was great when you were on it but it just wanted to go everywhere in second gear which was tiresome whilst I found anything else a bit slow to respond e.g. when pulling out at junctions. The 'box on the 240i is so smooth and responsive, if you want hooligan you've got Sport+ whereas sport offers perfect balance of throttle response and sensible shift points.
Interior / Kit:
Hard to call, leather as standard on the Beemer is a nice touch but I think interior lacks quality a bit, its quite plasticky and plain. I don't like the iPad stuck to the dash, how hard would it be to tidy the dash / centre console up to allow integration?! That said I think a touchscreen is hard to use when driving so I appreciate the iDrive controller and definitely favour it over the on screen control. The gear stick feels a bit flimsy and disconnected whereas in the golf it was chunky and had a mechanical feeling if that makes sense? The Golf also had the following as standard which the Beemer lacks:
-Electronic handbrake (took a lot of getting used to the old school manual)
-Hill start
-Lumbar support - surprisingly valuable
-Front parking sensors - don't miss them really
-Folding mirrors - should be standard really on the beemer
Handling:
The Golf was planted and inspired confidence, it rarely got out of shape but did feel a bit FWD if I'm honest i.e. bit of understeer or the occasional scrabbling for grip. Despite my initial worries of instantly spinning off into a bush on leaving the BMW dealership it manages to put down the power with minimal fuss. Once I'd adapted to RWD my confidence soon increased and I quickly realised how well the car handles, there's also more scope for a bit more fun (obviously where its safe to do so).
Styling:
I'm a fan of function over form if I'm honest but looks are subjective so I'll not go into detail.
Summary:
To be honest I'd have kept the Golf a while longer (there was an option to extend) but was put off by the spate of theft attempts which included people breaking into the house whilst my wife was in to try and nick the keys! On reflection I'm glad I changed though, I might not be as quick on a slippery wet lane but I know I'm having more fun!
Finally if anyone's still reading, before the golf I was in this for a good six years:
You definitely picked the "right" colour combination 
. Very similar spec to my M140i. Hopefully you're enjoying it just as much!
Truth be told if I was speccing now I don't know what I'd pick for interior/exterior colours. Coral seems to have disappeared from the M140i configurator and all the other leather colours are either dull or look like they'd be stain magnets.
. Very similar spec to my M140i. Hopefully you're enjoying it just as much!Truth be told if I was speccing now I don't know what I'd pick for interior/exterior colours. Coral seems to have disappeared from the M140i configurator and all the other leather colours are either dull or look like they'd be stain magnets.
Yeah it’s a real shame they got rid of it. Not sure what I’d choose, maybe cognac although I’d def want to see it in the flesh first. To be honest it was a toss up for me between this and a black one with the ivory interior which looked great on the configurator but in the flesh the Black didn’t do it for me, didn’t stand out from the 218 it was parted next to for some reason. Glad you’re enjoying the 140, saw your three it looks great as a hatch. Tbf it was a close call as I drove both back to back and from the drivers seat there’s little difference. I guess the 1 is a bit more practical but having come from a hatch I really fancied the coupe!
Love the 240i/140i as a package. Haven't driven an R but wouldn't even bother if I was looking in this segment, the engine/exhaust noise is terrible and just relies on fake pops & bangs.
The M2 is a car I really want, but it'd be hard to spend an extra £15k or so over an 240i to justify it given in the real world the 240i is already approaching too fast.
Think white with red leather is one of the best colour combinations too so well done there.
Where about's in West yorks are you?
The M2 is a car I really want, but it'd be hard to spend an extra £15k or so over an 240i to justify it given in the real world the 240i is already approaching too fast.
Think white with red leather is one of the best colour combinations too so well done there.
Where about's in West yorks are you?
Agree, would have loved an M2 but there was a huge cost difference at the time that put it out of my price range unfortunately - I’ve seen some good deals since though.
It’s hard to imagine a time when I’d need more performance, but I guess that’s what a lot of people who don’t go for the ‘full M’ would say!!
I’m West side of Leeds, are you local?
It’s hard to imagine a time when I’d need more performance, but I guess that’s what a lot of people who don’t go for the ‘full M’ would say!!
I’m West side of Leeds, are you local?
BigDing said:
Agree, would have loved an M2 but there was a huge cost difference at the time that put it out of my price range unfortunately - I’ve seen some good deals since though.
It’s hard to imagine a time when I’d need more performance, but I guess that’s what a lot of people who don’t go for the ‘full M’ would say!!
I’m West side of Leeds, are you local?
They are meant to be a great drive so I should try them before i ever write them off i suppose. Had a fair amount of time in a m135i and speed wise I genuinely don’t think you need anything more for the road, noticeably quicker than my 996 It’s hard to imagine a time when I’d need more performance, but I guess that’s what a lot of people who don’t go for the ‘full M’ would say!!
I’m West side of Leeds, are you local?
I’m north leeds but work in morley
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