M2 is like driving the m140i in full sport plus all the time, it's just exhausting. The m140i is happy to drive to work or around the city on a rain soaked Monday morning then try too kill you on the open road on a dry sunny Sunday drive out. It's just far more usable from its relaxed mode right up to its angry mode.....the M2 is just always angry, fun but angry. Get one I did and love it.
Where would you place the M235i and M340i compared? Have you driven the 340i m-sport and 440i coupé/grand coupé m-sport. I'm in the market for those cars, my current car is a 330i pre-LCI (ECU-tune) and on way, waay fatter tires and coilovers. I have 800m or half a mile to work (hilly area, f bicycles). So MPG or l/km is not important.
Thank you for the most comprehensive review of the M140i.......so much so that your enthusiasm and fun compounded my 21/2 year obsession and I finally bought one. Not a day goes by without this car putting a smile on my face since March and I've blown my older brother away with jealousy. The wife was the cynic but at 65 even she loves it in Sport mode. Thank you BMW.
AThe sleeperness of the M140i is why I love it so much! And living in Germany I have done an autobahn pull with an M2... The M140i is faster from 120 -> 250 - The M2 driver was a little bit bamboozled! :-D
A quicker 120-250 is what you get when you’ve got one more gear! Sleepers are good, I like sleepers. Thanks so much for watching, make sure you subscribe for more.
I have the M140i (5 door version). I drove it back to back against the M2 before deciding which to buy. On the road, the M140i is the far more sensible option, about as quick at lower (street legal) speeds etc. The B58 engine is a gem. The N55 engine is no slouch, but it is somewhat dated (I've had the M135i with that engine previously).
You're dead right on the every day angle and that B58 engine spins like a top. It's a lovely thing, congratulations! Thanks so much for watching and commenting, make sure you subscribe for more.
Great video and you compare both cars really well. Picked my black 5door M140i up a few days ago and I’m already in love with it, midrange torque is insane.
Nice review. I bought an M140i last year, after also considering a Golf R and Audi S3 and have now done 18,000km, Mineral Grey with the amazing ZF 8 speed auto. For a car that I paid less than $60K brand new I am very impressed, as for me it has the perfect blend of price, performance, handling and comfort. I have been to the drag strip a couple of times and stock standard have managed a best time of 12.5 @ 112.6 mph with a pretty crappy 60 ft time. I have owned and raced modified WRX and EVO IX's, driven BMW M5 and Jag F-Type and for me the M140i is best so far. Keep up the good work.
Nice balanced review ! I was really surprised by the performance of the M2 on track but ultimately liked the M4 better (faster) and have not driven the 140i but was passed by one lately ... 'wolf im schafspelz'
Hi there, thanks for watching! The 140i is a terrific car if you can't stretch to the M2. Your choice of the M4 is not unusual - if you have the money, you get the faster car. I completely understand :-)
Got myself a U.K. M140 and it’s outstanding. Sleeper is the perfect description. Potter around town and nobody batts a eye. Whack Sport mode on and all hell breaks loose, pops on throttle release and more than enough power to beat 99% of the cars you’ll pass.
The sleeper element is what I really like about that car. I owned an E87 130i and it was the same thing. And the deep lungs on the straight six...phwoar.
Perfect review, I drive an m135i (stage 2) parents drive an M2, they both really are great cars, but feel totally different, the M2 is worth the extra buck for sure tough !
They're both cracking cars, definitely, but for driving fans, the M2 is a no-brainer. Pretty amazing BMW makes them both! Thanks for watching, stick around, subscribe, enjoy what's to come.
These are very close in performance but the M2 doesn't ask a lot in price and you get the awesome fender flares and M styling as well as a DCT. Only drawback is the N55 vs. the B58, though they managed to squeeze more power out of the engine and broader torque range, but again it's so close that it comes down to the driver.
They are close but the M2 is ultimately way more fun, if in possession of a narrower set of capabilities - with static suspension, it can't ever hope to be as comfortable as the M140i in Comfort. But the choice is difficult no matter what! Thanks for watching, subscribe for more. And thanks for taking the time to comment, I really appreciate it.
Glad you enjoyed it! Sorry it's not auf Deutsch, but it has been a long time since I was at school. Make sure you subscribe, plenty more on the way! Enjoy the M140i!
Ah yes, I imagine snow and a high-powered, lively rear-wheel drive car probably don't go together (I have only driven on snow a few times, that was enough to convince me). Let us know how the 140i goes - I'm guessing you're getting the M140i xDrive? That will be very fast, we don't get that car in Australia. Thanks so much for watching and commenting. Subscribe for more!
Great video. I’ve had M140i for a year now and I still get excited when I get in it. I’m not sure what to do when my PCP deal is up, buy it and hold onto it as a future classic or get an M2 Competition.
Great review! I live in the states so no M140i hatch option for me, but a neat car. I own an M2 and having driven most other BMW cars, it's funny reading some other comments. You can clearly see haters. I do like the M3, not the M4. The M2 looks more aggressive with the bulging fenders versus the straight fenders of the M4. The problem with the M3/M4 is that they all cost $80k+ in the states and That's ridiculous. While the engine does make more power, a lot of people don't realize that the M2 was just as fast to 60mph as the M4 and beat the M4 around the track (tested by Motortrend). While by the 1/4 mile, the M4 is 0.3 sec faster, in real life driving it will not be either totally done or attempted. I rarely have a need to go 110mph on public roads, lol. For the money, M2 best M car you can buy right now and the 2 series only car keeping BMW enthusiasts going. So yes the M2 interior may be similar to other 2 series, but you are getting an M car in the mid $50k range versus the ridiculous $80k range and performance is similar but driving dynamics is better. Thanks again!
Hi Matthew, thanks so much for taking the time to comment and watch. It's a real shame that BMW USA doesn't do the M140i, but I think the pricing would be so close to the 340i (pricing in the US is compressed compared to markets like the Europe and Australia). Sucks either way. I prefer the M3 too, just quietly ;-) Make sure you subscribe, there's plenty more where this came from!
Hey there! Thanks so much for watching and for your kind words. You're lucky person getting an M4 for a European jaunt, I'd be totally up for that. Make sure you watch our M4 CS vid if you need more of an M4 fix :-) Thanks for the sub, make sure you tell all your friends!
It was the trip of a lifetime! 40th birthday gift from my wife. Hit the Autobahn, the Black Forest, the Swiss and Austrian Alps and a lot more, so much fun! I'll be posting videos of the trip soon. Many thanks for the sub, appreciate that! I'll be sure to check out the M4 CS vid.
For me the biggest difference between the two (I've run both) was the steering feel, in an M140i it's a bit numb in a corner, where as in an M2 it's a lot less numb, and it loads up nicely in a corner.
I would definitely agree with that, although I’d probably say that the M140i’s steering is lighter, more filtered rather than numb. You know what’s going on, the M2 just says it louder :-) Thanks so much for watching, subscribe for more!
Hey Nik - that's the great thing about these two cars - they're both amazing. Some days I think I'd prefer M140i because as a daily driver it's so damn good. The M2, well, you really only get to use it every now and again at full noise. I love the M140i and I'm glad you do too! Thanks for sharing that with us and thanks for your very kind words about the video. Don't forget to subscribe!
Hey there! Thanks so much for subscribing and for leaving the comment - it's terrific to hear that we stand out as that's the idea :-) Usually this is where I say "subscribe for more!" but you beat me to it. There's more to come, too!
Hi Brendan, thanks so much for watching and taking the time to comment. It's a brilliant car and I don't think people have worked out what you and I know - absolute modern classic. If you live in Australia, the prices on a used M140i will be very attractive in a year or so, so don't give up hope! Failing that, an M135i is most of the M140i, so you wouldn't be slumming it. Don't forget to subscribe!
Brendan Feldwick Did you end up getting one? I’ve been looking at M135 and the m140 for over a year myself, too. And a brand new M140 is only just now within the realm of probability in getting one!
You are absolutely right, I had brain fade and gave the M4 number. Another commenter spotted it too. Thanks for taking the time to point it out. Make sure you subscribe, if I know you're lurking, I'll be even more careful.
Fortunate to have gone from a M235I to an M2 and trust me now the M2 has 13K miles their is a huge difference and on a twisty dry road ;-) I would put this up again any street legal un-modified car mine is totally stock, just bought a used Mini Cooper for a run about as putting too many miles on the M2 and want to keep it for many years as will become a classic
Oh, the M2 is definitely faster than the softer, less powerful M140i, no question but as far as what they *do* they're not as far apart as the price suggests. And yes, I'd still have the M2 :-) Good idea to have a second, fun runabout too. The M2 will absolutely be a classic. Thanks so much for watching, make sure you subscribe to see more!
Hi atyl1972. Thanks so much for your very kind words! THey're both great, very difficult to choose. The watch is a Zenith El Primero. Thanks for watching, don't forget to subscribe for more!
That too is an awesome car. So fast, good-looking and I reckon pretty good value. Enjoy it! Thanks so much for stopping by and letting us know, come back when you've got it and tell us what you think! And don't forget to subscribe!
Hey there, thanks for watching. We've had a solid start and I hope they keep coming :-) My editor Mitch is responsible for the montages, he did an amazing job. Make sure you subscribe for more!
Liked the review and the style of the review....very Australian. And liked the neutral conclusion about which is better. Obviously the M2 is the sharper and the 140i the sleeper for all of us armchair race drivers the M2 gets the thumbs up for looks. Let's face it we spend a lot of time looking.....like now. Had a ride in an M2 on a fast country road. Pretty firm suspension but could probably live with it. Didn't seem all that fast until you looked at the speedo.
Hey Minas - thanks so much for watching and your very kind comment. We’re doing our best to make it look good so it’s great to hear it’s working! Thanks for taking the time to comment, too. Make sure you subscribe for more!
I think it's hexagon - had a few looks at the footage (it was a while ago now!) and it's a light hexagon. I think a big slab of brushed aluminium there would look a bit cheap.
I don't understand why BMW won't offer the M140i in the US market. While the GTI and Golf R are fine cars, they're the only game in town right now, especially since the current iteration of the A3 is now a compact sport sedan and not a hatchback unless you count the e-tron but let's be honest how many Audi dealers are ordering those for their lots??
Yeah, I was really surprised to see the M140i absent from the US website - my genuine condolences. I would say that it would have to be offered so cheaply it wouldn't be worth BMW's while to stock them. As an example, in Australia an M140i costs about A$60,000 (very roughly US$47k), which is about what you guys pay for an 340i (MSRP, I believe discounts are very easy to get :-) ). We pay a bit more for our cars here, so BMW would end up running into Mini pricing which messes up the strategy. That's just my thinking, anyway :-)
Hi Greggory, that's awesome, so glad you liked it. Thanks for watching, thanks for taking the time to leave a comment and don't forget to subscribe for more!
To much blabbing not enough facts. Driving in a straight line is not saying much about handling. Whish there was more probing and comparing between them. Instead of a lot of thought full pauses.
Take your point about the pauses, I’ll try and do better. If you look outside, you’ll see it’s raining, so we thought we’d take it easy. I’m sure you understand :-) As for the probing and comparing, I’m writing and in-depth review you’ll be able to read soon. Thanks Niklas!
NIklas, if you know your cars, you can tell handling of a car just from daily driving it on normal roads. 99% of buyers are going to drive this on normal road, not on dedicated tracks, so I'd much rather have coverage of the car being on normal roads.
The Redline I think you did a great job of bringing your own style and uniqueness in an ocean of car reviews. Many others only state, numbers, stat's blah blah blah, like copies of each other and gets repeated over and over again. Well done for your great work and review style. Please keep it up.
I disagree. In my opinion, it's more interesting in a form where he's more expressive over how he feels the car is. Facts are easy to find so it's no biggie.
I went looking and it's the intercooler - it's now part of the intake plenum. I honestly had no memory until I went back through my notes! Thanks for watching and thanks for the question.
I also believe that the exhaust manifold is integrated into the block and the timing chains are located at the rear of the engine, just to complete the oddities!
Yeah, it's a quite a new thing. The integration pieces are interesting (ie intercooler and exhaust manifold) because it reduces the number of parts, probably makes it a bit lighter but also makes it harder to work on, especially with the chains at the back...
Hi Kapps - it's very planted. Both of them are. The M2 is, obviously, the grippier of the two cars but both will hang on for dear life. You decide if and when they break away and both of them have awesome traction and stability control systems. Again, the M2's MDM will ensure either high-grip fun or sideways silliness - up to you.
Hey there, thanks so much for sharing that with us - the M2 is so much fun. The extra price hurts but every time you get in you realise where the money went. Thanks for watching, don’t forget to subscribe!
The Redline Im coming from a 6 series that was loaded inside, so ofcourse the 2 series is nowhere near that level with Harman kardon, manual seats etc. So thats one thing to complain. But its M. Its not supposed to be in the "comfort zone" i get it
Good video. Like your style, so a new subscriber here! Having now driven both and previously owned a M235i and now a M240i, you are spot on. They are different, rather than necessarily one being better. Price excepted, final choice depends on your own priorities rather than the cars themselves. Each has pros and cons. The M Performance cars are more liveable and just as fast, the M2 gives you a sharper drive at the expense of some (especially ride) comfort. Personally, I thought the M3 I drove felt more different to other 3 series cars than the M2 does to the 'equivalent' M Performance cars. The M3 is just so solid for one. The extra strengthening of the shell really shows. The interior too is a real step up with the Merino leather. The M2's is closer to a standard M Performance interior (we get standard leather on our M Performance cars in the UK - not all markets do) and the extra strengthening seemed less noticeable (perhaps because there's less of it vs M3). The M2 to me felt more like an M240i+ if that makes sense. Your comment that there's a bit of M2 in the M140i (and by association M240i) I totally agree with. I wondered what my M2 drive would bring - would I regret buying the M240i? The answer for me was no. I think I prefer the more rounded package of the M240i and it's sleeper looks, as a road car at least. If I wanted to hit the track however, then undoubtedly M2 is the way to go.
I think for a car that other people have to ride in and drive, the M140i/M240i is the better all-round package. My family would be happy with an M2 (my wife loves it) but many wouldn't. That's what makes it an M car, I guess - can't please everyone all the time. Thanks so much for watching and taking the time to both comment and subscribe. There's plenty more coming!
My husband and I looked at the 240i and the M2, we both liked the M2 better because of the stiffer suspension and steering. The 240i’s steering was too vague in my opinion,
Ah, yes, but the brand was new back then. People say the same thing about S-Line on Audis and AMG packs on Mercedes, so it's not just restricted to BMW M. Thanks for watching and thanks for taking the time to comment, I love hearing everyone's thoughts.
Mighty fine question, JM. I don't know that I've seen one pop up in my various feeds - if anyone has done it, it's probably in German or Swedish or something :-) Thanks so much for watching, don't forget to subscribe!
M140 is a really nice weekend fun car, but too rough for daily drive, especially for Australia. It’s a little dated too, and it will get replaced at the end of this year.
Hi Dr DJ - thanks so much for watching and taking the time to leave a comment. It's always fun to start a debate and see what people think! In what way is a Golf R faster than an M140i? In a straight line? Depending on who's testing it, the Golf R can go quicker to 100km/h. I said the M140i was more interesting and would stay with a CLA45 or an RS3. If I was to drive the two back-to-back, I reckon the M140i would be quicker. But I won't get that opportunity anytime soon :-) Thanks again and make sure you subscribe for more.
Hey there, thanks so much for watching and taking the time to leave a comment. It's such a bargain, isn't it? Absolute modern classic and in a few years' time will be money well-spent. Glad you're loving your M140i, it's a belter of a thing. Don't forget to subscribe, tell everyone you know!
Hi Dean - thank you so much for your extremely kind words. We try very hard to make these videos look as good as we can so your eyes don't hurt like so many of the other videos around. Thanks for subscribing, there's lots more on the way!
Excellent video. Great to see another Aussie automotive youtuber! Have shot you a message on Facebook. I’d love to help you get the views you deserve. :)
Thanks for watching AND listening :-) Make sure you subscribe for more, my man Mitch seems to be on a winner with his music choices. And thanks for leaving a comment!
Hi Del, you make an excellent point. We thought about that, but way more M140is sold *globally* but I do understand you can't get that particular gem in every market. It also depends heavily on what BMW has on their fleet where I am at any one time. Thanks for watching and thanks for sharing your thoughts. Don't forget to subscribe!
Hey there, good to see you again, thanks for coming back! I say in the RS3 video that it's the easiest car to live with compared to the M2. But the M140i isn't much slower than the RS3 on paper and on the road is pretty impressive. The RS3 has the slightly better interior and seats than the M140i and M2, but the BMWs are unbeatable for driver involvement and feel. Swings and roundabouts :-)
Sums up my thoughts, I was crosshopping these three and ended up pulling the trigger on RS3. If it weren't my daily I'd probably end up with the M2 - it's really harsh and unforgiving when it comes to city driving.
Me too ! I hesitated between M2 or RS3 and now I have the 5cylinders because where I live we don't have tracks, and roads aren't good. I also think the RS3 will hold a better value among time because of the 5cyl. The Audi still is my week end car. To summarize the M2 is a better car only if you have the skills and the roads/track to unleash the power ;)
Hi, I didnt know you, actually the first time a saw an Australian car review! Very interesting! (I'm from the Netherlands and living in Spain). But I liked your review and I LOVE BMW's....so I gave you a thumbs up and subscripted to your channel! I just want one answer to a question in change for this;😉 Some people here are saying that the M140i is faster in accelerations then the M2.... Could you give a clear explanation to that? The M2 has around 30 hp more, so when both equipped with the same gearbox, I mean not one with a manual and the other one automatic,( then of course the automatic would be some 10ths of a second faster), how can the 140i be faster from 50-150 km/h or any other speed? Suppose nobody is referring to the X-drive version of the 140i, it has more grip obviously from a standing start and could be quicker then the M2 for that reason... But when both cars are real wheel driven, as it should be, how is it possible that the M-light is faster the the M2?... Thanks in advance, and I hope to see more interesting cars on your channel! Cheers and regards from europe!
Hi Martijn! Thanks so much for your kind words and your sub. There's lots more to come and there'll be a BMW or two in the future... The M140i is quicker in some specific instances. The eight-speed transmission of the automatic means it can whip through the revs faster than either the six-speed manual or seven-speed DCT. The 140i's engine is also slightly different in its characteristics, particilarly in the mid-range. I'd say most people are talking about the RWD car - few buy the xDrive (we don't even get it in Australia) and the extra weight blunts the performance. In the end the M140i will be quicker in some speed brackets and the M2 in others. The different transmissions are the key here. The M2's power delivery is a lot more brutal and on track the extra punch out of corners and the extra traction from the tricky differential means that car will always win. There will be more very interesting cars to come. Thanks again!
Hi Adrian. The 0-60 times seem to depend on who does the measuring. VW Australia says 4.8 for the R. But, as I say, boring boring boring. The BMW is much more interesting :-) Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment. Subscribe for more (hopefully) good stuff.
To be a bit clearer, I used the figures supplied by the manufacturers in Australia. Most of the time the figures are Euro-spec (or US spec) but sometimes they won't tell us the figures, so I have to go hunting. I never use numbers magazines or other media get.
staggabob thanka for patronising me.it turns out i have an m140 auto for some time and can guarantee ive had it at 4.6 and not golf r in the dry will match that
Hey Adrian, I think stagga was talking about his own experiences. As for the times, it's important to know that we don't do our own testing, we just take what the manufacturers say. Sometimes they're optimistic, sometimes they're not. Bit like fast Japanese cars in the 90s all having 206kW ;-)
Well, i have the m140i. An M2 was impossible. Our garage ist too small, You can not leave the car. And my woman doese not like sound. So we choosed the adaptive Chassis. Driving in ECO PRO the car is strange to me. Feels like a 90 HP VW Golf. But she likes it. When i choose sport +. She is crying. What a noise ! Noise ? That is sound. I think with this car BMW has reached two build two cars in one. One comfortably for the town and a best on the Highway. A few weeks ago a Porsche Cayenne was behind me at about 180 km/h. There was place on the right line. The Porsche driver powered his car. At 210 km/h i gave also full power and at 240 km/h he was far away behind me. We saw us at a parking zone near the higway. He could not believe that a small BMW was faster in acceleration as he. BMW styled this m140i as the m135i.The car looks a little bit harmless, but if he runs he wants more and more speed. And the M2. Sure it is faster and louder. Good argument for my women to buy it not.Yes, i love BMW. Since 1985 i had different cars. A 318is, a528i, a 318i, a 328i, a 321i, a tuned 116i, 125i with m.package and m.performace pak. This car was not good. Where where the 238 HP ? And above 130 km/h the car needed 10 l fuel. the m140 i needs about7l.Hope Yope You understand my bad Englisch. Best wishes to all from Germany !
I understand your English perfectly. You're speaking "car", we all understand that! :-) Thanks so much for leaving your thoughts in the comments. You're right, not everyone can have the M2, that's what's great about the M140i - it's a big percentage of what the M2 is. Sorry your girlfriend likes Eco Pro, but at least you get to blow away Porsche Cayennes :-) Thanks for watching and don't forget to subscribe!
Oh, thank You, maybe i have not forgotten English when i was 12 years in the German Airfoce. And most of the trainers were good guys. After that -as an officer- i talked to Britsh an American officers. And international You have to speak English. The film: Full metal jacket with the Sergeant at the beginning was too strong. No, we had a very useful instruction. And so You learn really good how to fly. At the end of my 12 years i was at Cologne. Back in those times German people had to stay 15 months in the army. And these young guys were trained by prewits ! One of the new soldiers should report a message of the G3: G3 unloaded, cartridge chamber free and tensed. The prewit cried very loud andsaid: tensed ? Now i am tensed. The recrut was too nervous, he had to say. G3 unloaded, cartridge chamber free and relaxed.As i saw that he began to tremble, becaus the prewitt told him, that he will not drive home at the weekend. Now it was too much for me. I sat down near the recrut, who was absolutly shocked, that a colonel came to him. Normally the highest rank he saw was the captain. He said to me: Prewit Büttner, there are no problems general.Okay, i explained him what he had to do and what he had to say to the prewit. This man asked me if everything is okay, because i went to the captain after my instruction. Sure, i said. I told the story to the captain and told also that no soldier can be instructed by such an asshole. My idea was: The prewit would not drive home, he could be a GVD or UVD for the weekend. And the prewit should go home an learn the ranks, I am no general, only a colonel. Good idea the captain said. Please tell it both soldiers. Okay i did it. The prewit asked me: everything okay with the weekend. Sure, You will stay here and learn how to train soldiers , the recrut takes his book and will learn the rankings -but at home. The next week there was another prewit and teached the recruts in a normal way.........
We would love to do that, but unfortunately we don't have the space or police with a sense of humour to allow that. Race tracks are incredibly expensive, too. One day, when we have lots of money, we'll definitely do that sort of thing. Thanks so much for watching an make sure you subscribe for more!
It would be! One day when we've got money we'll organise some track testing of these cars. We will have to ask nicely, though... Thanks for watching, make sure you subscribe for more!
You did you eagle-eyed UA-camr. Well spotted. We couldn't possibly drag race, that would be naughty.... Thanks for watching, make sure you subscribe for more!
It is deadset rude, I totally agree. I think it is because they can't get the price low enough under the 3 Series, which is a damn shame. I wonder if there is a business in importing Euro-delivered LHD cars to the US.... Thanks so much for watching, make sure you subscribe!
Hey Seth, thanks so much for watching and getting involved! I reckon the A45 would be so hard to drive as a manual, but it would be fascinating. That engine is super-peaky so you'd constantly have the smell of clutch in your nostrils :-D I wonder if someone has tried to fit one...
Hi Ru! I'm really pleased you like it. Make sure you subscribe to see more! Thanks for stopping by, watching and leaving a comment. And it's always better when it's a nice one :-)
You are most welcome mate. I have the M140i and I agree with everything you said. Was going to go for the S3, but so glad I didn't. The extra money spent on the RS3 just doesn't justify it for me... same with the M2 if I'm honest. I can stick with all those, all day long... in comfort. Anyway, keep up the good work down under mate. I'm base in South Africa.
I don’t know why I thought that. I genuinely thought it was quicker. The way everyone goes on about it, you’d think it would smack a Veyron. Good pick-up!
Yep. BMW spoke to their customers and found a staggering number of 1 Series owners didn't know that their car was rear-wheel drive. So they did right by the shareholders and changed track. Pity.
The Redline Yeah I think it was like 86% of the owners. But honestly, I think that’s just a lame excuse to make production cheaper. If they did a similar poll on the 3 and 5 series, the number of people who don’t give a sh*t which pair of wheels drive the car, is an absolute majority. I think it’s the last 15% who actually appreciate a car’s behaviour that really counts. Everyone else just buy a BMW because they’re generally pretty fast and has a BMW badge.
If that is really true then I guess BMW has a lot of dipshit customers, like most brands really nowadays. But as engineers they know the reasons for putting the drive in the rear. Bye bye 50 50 weight balance is the car is front driven, it will drive like a pig. My point is, if those engineers have some self respect they will keep building the cars they know will be the best driving machines. Why would you even ask a customer about that? If that is the case it shows the bean counters and marketing departments are now running BMW and that will be the death nail. You cannot make any decent product starting out by wanting to save pennies.
This choice between these two cars makes me crazy. On the one hand, a newer engine in M140i and an xDrive...on the other hand...a real M car and it's much more fun.... Great review here.
Hi Daniel. Thanks so much for your very kind words. It is a super-tough choice. The M140i and M2 are in their last days, so it's a decision you have to make quickly :-) Thanks for watching and make sure you subscribe.
I think you're absolutely right. But, hardly anyone buys three doors anymore in Australia and it's changing in Europe, too - the Clio and Megane are now five-door only and I reckon there's a huge argument going on at BMW as to whether the new 1 will have a three door version. Thanks for watching, make sure you subscribe!
the next 1/2 will be based on the x1/mini fwd platform, so you're right in that this will be last chance to buy a small relatively cheap rwd euro - I’ve had one as a loaner when my bmw was in for service and I tell everybody who’ll listen how good of a car it is compared to the ubiquitous full time fwd haldex competition - in the space of 18 months I went from cla45 to s3 to rs3 and now to an f80 m3 cp in pursuit of a well sorted fun daily, and I just can’t figure out why people keep buying mqb golf r’s and s3’s in droves over a rwd in-line 6 bmw for the same money - why aren’t these things more popular, and all I can think is the looks, bmw needed the 2 door even if the Carsales stats suggest otherwise
In Australia at least, the BMWs have a few problems, one of them being really hot depreciation. I wouldn't have a CLA or S3 over a M140i, it's a bit trickier at the RS3/M2 level. Love them both for obviously different reasons. The Audis, in particular, have a lot of cool gear, BMW has to catch up a bit in the perception stakes. It's just not worth any of them bringing in the 3-dr, costs too much, sadly. VW (don't get me started on how dull they are) are experimenting with a 3-dr GTI, so we'll see what happens.
It's definitely the looks. My shortlist was the R and S3 (I own a Highline atm, so know what I'm getting from these guys) and the M140i wasn't even on the radar due to its ''interesting' design. After many good write ups on the various car review sites I thought it would be remiss to not at least go for a test drive - which I have now done and it's moved up to my first choice. I've since spoken to quite a few people about it and everyone's recommended to go the R/S3. Reason? ''The 1 series looks weird'''. In any case - it works for me as if it looked as good as the RS3 then it'd be a good 10-15k dearer.
I'm just trying to justify the less practical m240i over the m140i as personally I prefer the looks of the m240i over the m140i but in the back of head I have practicality telling me the 140i is the better choice....SOMEONE HELP ME DECIDE :P
I would never presume to help you decide. I always ask people the same question - "Which one do *you* want?" because you won't be happy with anything else. Or as happy, at least. Thanks so much for watching, commenting and joining the fun. And thanks for subscribing!
We might be thinking of different wheels or they might just be UK/Europe specific. I was referencing these: www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=181&t=1637390&i=20 not much black to scuff as far as I can see...?
Let me know which bit and we'll re-cut it so it' just right. Thanks for watching! Thanks for watching! Thanks for watching! Subscribe for more! Subscribe for more! Subscribe for more!
It's certainly not everybody's cup of tea, but it's better than the pre-LCI version :-) Thanks so much for watching and taking the time to leave a comment. Make sure you subscribe for more videos!
They're both great cars, you'll love the RS3 too. They're very different in character, but I'm sure you'll enjoy them for the reasons that make them good. There's an RS3 review on the channel in which I talk about the BMWs, let me know what you think.
The M140i is a dream car for me!
That's great! Glad you were able to watch the video and enjoy it. It's a terrific car, an instant classic. Thanks for watching, subscribe for more!
I subscribed 30 seconds into the video.
its a beautiful car. love mine soo much
Don’t dream, buy one, you won’t regret it. Mine makes me grin like an idiot every time I get in it...
@@twiggy27111976 totally agree
M2 is like driving the m140i in full sport plus all the time, it's just exhausting.
The m140i is happy to drive to work or around the city on a rain soaked Monday morning then try too kill you on the open road on a dry sunny Sunday drive out.
It's just far more usable from its relaxed mode right up to its angry mode.....the M2 is just always angry, fun but angry.
Get one I did and love it.
Where would you place the M235i and M340i compared?
Have you driven the 340i m-sport and 440i coupé/grand coupé m-sport.
I'm in the market for those cars, my current car is a 330i pre-LCI (ECU-tune) and on way, waay fatter tires and coilovers.
I have 800m or half a mile to work (hilly area, f bicycles). So MPG or l/km is not important.
Pick mine up on Friday and I can not wait! 👍
Absolutely i agree very angry, mine has been pissed off since i got it.
140i in "full sport plus" is nowhere near as angry as the M2.
Fabulous car the M140i. amazing value for money.
We think so! Thanks for watching and for taking the time to comment. Don’t forget to subscribe for more!
All done. :-)
I've got an M240i and i absolutely love it. Defo a thinking mans M2, sure the M2 is better, but its not 14k better
Thank you for the most comprehensive review of the M140i.......so much so that your enthusiasm and fun compounded my 21/2 year obsession and I finally bought one. Not a day goes by without this car putting a smile on my face since March and I've blown my older brother away with jealousy. The wife was the cynic but at 65 even she loves it in Sport mode. Thank you BMW.
AThe sleeperness of the M140i is why I love it so much! And living in Germany I have done an autobahn pull with an M2... The M140i is faster from 120 -> 250 - The M2 driver was a little bit bamboozled! :-D
A quicker 120-250 is what you get when you’ve got one more gear! Sleepers are good, I like sleepers. Thanks so much for watching, make sure you subscribe for more.
I have the M140i (5 door version). I drove it back to back against the M2 before deciding which to buy. On the road, the M140i is the far more sensible option, about as quick at lower (street legal) speeds etc. The B58 engine is a gem. The N55 engine is no slouch, but it is somewhat dated (I've had the M135i with that engine previously).
You're dead right on the every day angle and that B58 engine spins like a top. It's a lovely thing, congratulations! Thanks so much for watching and commenting, make sure you subscribe for more.
The Redline Thanks mate, keep the great vids coming, and I'll definitely subscribe. :)
Great video and you compare both cars really well. Picked my black 5door M140i up a few days ago and I’m already in love with it, midrange torque is insane.
That B58 engine is a belter! Glad you love it, it's a car I would choose in a heartbeat. So fast. Make sure you subscribe for more!
Nice review. I bought an M140i last year, after also considering a Golf R and Audi S3 and have now done 18,000km, Mineral Grey with the amazing ZF 8 speed auto. For a car that I paid less than $60K brand new I am very impressed, as for me it has the perfect blend of price, performance, handling and comfort. I have been to the drag strip a couple of times and stock standard have managed a best time of 12.5 @ 112.6 mph with a pretty crappy 60 ft time. I have owned and raced modified WRX and EVO IX's, driven BMW M5 and Jag F-Type and for me the M140i is best so far. Keep up the good work.
It is a fine car and you've made a fine choice - I reckon this car is a modern classic. Thanks for watching, make sure you subscribe for more!
Nice balanced review !
I was really surprised by the performance of the M2 on track but ultimately liked the M4 better (faster) and have not driven the 140i but was passed by one lately ... 'wolf im schafspelz'
Hi there, thanks for watching! The 140i is a terrific car if you can't stretch to the M2. Your choice of the M4 is not unusual - if you have the money, you get the faster car. I completely understand :-)
Got myself a U.K. M140 and it’s outstanding. Sleeper is the perfect description. Potter around town and nobody batts a eye. Whack Sport mode on and all hell breaks loose, pops on throttle release and more than enough power to beat 99% of the cars you’ll pass.
The sleeper element is what I really like about that car. I owned an E87 130i and it was the same thing. And the deep lungs on the straight six...phwoar.
Perfect review, I drive an m135i (stage 2) parents drive an M2, they both really are great cars, but feel totally different, the M2 is worth the extra buck for sure tough !
They're both cracking cars, definitely, but for driving fans, the M2 is a no-brainer. Pretty amazing BMW makes them both! Thanks for watching, stick around, subscribe, enjoy what's to come.
Awesome review! One of the best i have seen so far. ( I ordered a m140i manual after this vid...) 👌👌
Hi Wouter, so glad you enjoyed it and it helped you make your decision. Make sure you subscribe for more!
The Redline subscribed! Keep up the good work!
Now that's a compliment!
I have a M140i and it's a dream come true for me. I can honestly say I would happily drive this car for the rest of my life if I could!
These are very close in performance but the M2 doesn't ask a lot in price and you get the awesome fender flares and M styling as well as a DCT. Only drawback is the N55 vs. the B58, though they managed to squeeze more power out of the engine and broader torque range, but again it's so close that it comes down to the driver.
They are close but the M2 is ultimately way more fun, if in possession of a narrower set of capabilities - with static suspension, it can't ever hope to be as comfortable as the M140i in Comfort. But the choice is difficult no matter what! Thanks for watching, subscribe for more. And thanks for taking the time to comment, I really appreciate it.
This guy is great. fun to watch the video :) getting the M140i in October
Greetings from Germany
Glad you enjoyed it! Sorry it's not auf Deutsch, but it has been a long time since I was at school. Make sure you subscribe, plenty more on the way! Enjoy the M140i!
I've tested the M2, it's fantastic but I need a 4x4 here in Switzerland... Getting my M140i in April, fitted with the MPE, can't wait
Ah yes, I imagine snow and a high-powered, lively rear-wheel drive car probably don't go together (I have only driven on snow a few times, that was enough to convince me). Let us know how the 140i goes - I'm guessing you're getting the M140i xDrive? That will be very fast, we don't get that car in Australia. Thanks so much for watching and commenting. Subscribe for more!
Great video. I’ve had M140i for a year now and I still get excited when I get in it. I’m not sure what to do when my PCP deal is up, buy it and hold onto it as a future classic or get an M2 Competition.
Tough choice Matthew! The M2C is wild. That’s a classic too. If you can, do it.
Keep the m140 mate you see the new shape 1 series yuk f20 f21 m135i m140i will hold alot of vaule
Great review! I live in the states so no M140i hatch option for me, but a neat car. I own an M2 and having driven most other BMW cars, it's funny reading some other comments. You can clearly see haters. I do like the M3, not the M4. The M2 looks more aggressive with the bulging fenders versus the straight fenders of the M4. The problem with the M3/M4 is that they all cost $80k+ in the states and That's ridiculous. While the engine does make more power, a lot of people don't realize that the M2 was just as fast to 60mph as the M4 and beat the M4 around the track (tested by Motortrend). While by the 1/4 mile, the M4 is 0.3 sec faster, in real life driving it will not be either totally done or attempted. I rarely have a need to go 110mph on public roads, lol. For the money, M2 best M car you can buy right now and the 2 series only car keeping BMW enthusiasts going. So yes the M2 interior may be similar to other 2 series, but you are getting an M car in the mid $50k range versus the ridiculous $80k range and performance is similar but driving dynamics is better. Thanks again!
Hi Matthew, thanks so much for taking the time to comment and watch. It's a real shame that BMW USA doesn't do the M140i, but I think the pricing would be so close to the 340i (pricing in the US is compressed compared to markets like the Europe and Australia). Sucks either way. I prefer the M3 too, just quietly ;-)
Make sure you subscribe, there's plenty more where this came from!
I love my M140i.
Very well produced video, subscribed. Just spent 3 days in an M4 ripping around Europe and it was insane!
Hey there! Thanks so much for watching and for your kind words. You're lucky person getting an M4 for a European jaunt, I'd be totally up for that. Make sure you watch our M4 CS vid if you need more of an M4 fix :-) Thanks for the sub, make sure you tell all your friends!
It was the trip of a lifetime! 40th birthday gift from my wife. Hit the Autobahn, the Black Forest, the Swiss and Austrian Alps and a lot more, so much fun! I'll be posting videos of the trip soon.
Many thanks for the sub, appreciate that! I'll be sure to check out the M4 CS vid.
Where in Europe was you ripping around? Europe is a big place, its a continent, you might as will had said Asia or Africa!
@@c3bam1 Black Forest, Autobahn, Swiss & Austrian Alps, France, etc.
For me the biggest difference between the two (I've run both) was the steering feel, in an M140i it's a bit numb in a corner, where as in an M2 it's a lot less numb, and it loads up nicely in a corner.
I would definitely agree with that, although I’d probably say that the M140i’s steering is lighter, more filtered rather than numb. You know what’s going on, the M2 just says it louder :-) Thanks so much for watching, subscribe for more!
Great video.
M2 is my ideal daily, but I can't afford one.
So, I have an M140i, and it is fucking brilliant.
Hey Nik - that's the great thing about these two cars - they're both amazing. Some days I think I'd prefer M140i because as a daily driver it's so damn good. The M2, well, you really only get to use it every now and again at full noise. I love the M140i and I'm glad you do too! Thanks for sharing that with us and thanks for your very kind words about the video. Don't forget to subscribe!
Subscribed, this video stood out from all the other car reviews. Keep it up!
Hey there! Thanks so much for subscribing and for leaving the comment - it's terrific to hear that we stand out as that's the idea :-) Usually this is where I say "subscribe for more!" but you beat me to it. There's more to come, too!
Haha, keep up the good work!
Super jealous. I'm really hoping I can pick up a M140i in the future.
Hi Brendan, thanks so much for watching and taking the time to comment. It's a brilliant car and I don't think people have worked out what you and I know - absolute modern classic. If you live in Australia, the prices on a used M140i will be very attractive in a year or so, so don't give up hope! Failing that, an M135i is most of the M140i, so you wouldn't be slumming it. Don't forget to subscribe!
We don't even get them here in the states!
Brendan Feldwick Did you end up getting one? I’ve been looking at M135 and the m140 for over a year myself, too. And a brand new M140 is only just now within the realm of probability in getting one!
@8:24 It is mentioned that the M2 has 550nm.The 2017/18 M2 has 465nm with an overboost of up to 35nm extra for a period of 5 seconds.
You are absolutely right, I had brain fade and gave the M4 number. Another commenter spotted it too. Thanks for taking the time to point it out. Make sure you subscribe, if I know you're lurking, I'll be even more careful.
Love it mate. Nice work Pete and Mitch :-)
Fortunate to have gone from a M235I to an M2 and trust me now the M2 has 13K miles their is a huge difference and on a twisty dry road ;-) I would put this up again any street legal un-modified car mine is totally stock, just bought a used Mini Cooper for a run about as putting too many miles on the M2 and want to keep it for many years as will become a classic
Oh, the M2 is definitely faster than the softer, less powerful M140i, no question but as far as what they *do* they're not as far apart as the price suggests.
And yes, I'd still have the M2 :-) Good idea to have a second, fun runabout too. The M2 will absolutely be a classic.
Thanks so much for watching, make sure you subscribe to see more!
great review very interesting decision to make between these 2, also what is your watch buddy please?
Hi atyl1972. Thanks so much for your very kind words! THey're both great, very difficult to choose. The watch is a Zenith El Primero. Thanks for watching, don't forget to subscribe for more!
I'm getting my M240i end of April. I'm so pumped I'm about ready to bust!
That too is an awesome car. So fast, good-looking and I reckon pretty good value. Enjoy it! Thanks so much for stopping by and letting us know, come back when you've got it and tell us what you think! And don't forget to subscribe!
The Redline will do. I plan to do a video. I'll post on here. Not enough content on the m-light cars. I'll subscribe now.
Yeah, we'll be doing more as we go. Just got to keep things even for the moment :-) Thanks for sub, enjoy the show!
ua-cam.com/video/ZjrtnaBIptI/v-deo.html there it is
Your subs gonna scyrocket for sure.
Lovely montage !
Hey there, thanks for watching. We've had a solid start and I hope they keep coming :-)
My editor Mitch is responsible for the montages, he did an amazing job. Make sure you subscribe for more!
Why o who can't we have this interior as an option in the UK, I like leather but 100% would have taken the fabric option when i bought mine
Yeah, I’m a big fan of fabric too. It’s just better in so many cases. Thanks so much for watching and leaving a comment! Subscribe for more!
Liked the review and the style of the review....very Australian. And liked the neutral conclusion about which is better. Obviously the M2 is the sharper and the 140i the sleeper for all of us armchair race drivers the M2 gets the thumbs up for looks. Let's face it we spend a lot of time looking.....like now. Had a ride in an M2 on a fast country road. Pretty firm suspension but could probably live with it. Didn't seem all that fast until you looked at the speedo.
Great video - good to see a quality Aussie auto journalist
Hey Minas - thanks so much for watching and your very kind comment. We’re doing our best to make it look good so it’s great to hear it’s working! Thanks for taking the time to comment, too. Make sure you subscribe for more!
Hey mate, the aluminium dash on the M140, is it brushed or hexagon? Looks brushed in the video.
I think it's hexagon - had a few looks at the footage (it was a while ago now!) and it's a light hexagon. I think a big slab of brushed aluminium there would look a bit cheap.
I don't understand why BMW won't offer the M140i in the US market. While the GTI and Golf R are fine cars, they're the only game in town right now, especially since the current iteration of the A3 is now a compact sport sedan and not a hatchback unless you count the e-tron but let's be honest how many Audi dealers are ordering those for their lots??
Yeah, I was really surprised to see the M140i absent from the US website - my genuine condolences. I would say that it would have to be offered so cheaply it wouldn't be worth BMW's while to stock them.
As an example, in Australia an M140i costs about A$60,000 (very roughly US$47k), which is about what you guys pay for an 340i (MSRP, I believe discounts are very easy to get :-) ). We pay a bit more for our cars here, so BMW would end up running into Mini pricing which messes up the strategy. That's just my thinking, anyway :-)
I'm with you, wish we had em here!
This is a good review. Honest, downto earth. Well done. Keep it up.
Hi Greggory, that's awesome, so glad you liked it. Thanks for watching, thanks for taking the time to leave a comment and don't forget to subscribe for more!
Finally an Aussie reviewer worth watching.
Hey Shiv, thanks so much for your kind words! Make sure you subscribe for more, hopefully I can keep up the good work and hold your approval!
The Redline subscribed already and eagerly waiting for you to review type r
Ah, brilliant! Type R will be along very soon I hope.
To much blabbing not enough facts.
Driving in a straight line is not saying much about handling.
Whish there was more probing and comparing between them.
Instead of a lot of thought full pauses.
Take your point about the pauses, I’ll try and do better. If you look outside, you’ll see it’s raining, so we thought we’d take it easy. I’m sure you understand :-) As for the probing and comparing, I’m writing and in-depth review you’ll be able to read soon. Thanks Niklas!
NIklas, if you know your cars, you can tell handling of a car just from daily driving it on normal roads. 99% of buyers are going to drive this on normal road, not on dedicated tracks, so I'd much rather have coverage of the car being on normal roads.
The Redline I think you did a great job of bringing your own style and uniqueness in an ocean of car reviews. Many others only state, numbers, stat's blah blah blah, like copies of each other and gets repeated over and over again.
Well done for your great work and review style.
Please keep it up.
I can give you probing
I disagree. In my opinion, it's more interesting in a form where he's more expressive over how he feels the car is. Facts are easy to find so it's no biggie.
465nm ....500nm overboost...
Not 550nm ....that’s M3/M4
Dead right. Well-spotted. Thanks!
The new position of what, when talking about the M140i engine?
I went looking and it's the intercooler - it's now part of the intake plenum. I honestly had no memory until I went back through my notes! Thanks for watching and thanks for the question.
I also believe that the exhaust manifold is integrated into the block and the timing chains are located at the rear of the engine, just to complete the oddities!
Yeah, it's a quite a new thing. The integration pieces are interesting (ie intercooler and exhaust manifold) because it reduces the number of parts, probably makes it a bit lighter but also makes it harder to work on, especially with the chains at the back...
Looking to buy an M140i and I really loved this video.👌
Hey there! Thanks so much for watching - I hope I was of some help. The M140i is a terrific car and a modern classic. Let me know how you go!
How planted is it when hard cornering, with that rear wheel drive?
Hi Kapps - it's very planted. Both of them are. The M2 is, obviously, the grippier of the two cars but both will hang on for dear life. You decide if and when they break away and both of them have awesome traction and stability control systems. Again, the M2's MDM will ensure either high-grip fun or sideways silliness - up to you.
@@TheRedlinedotcom thanks for the informative response!
Very. More feedback than Audi, Merc and VW put together. Owned all. Best wishes.
Just bought an Facelift M2, over m235i and m140i.
M2 was about 30-40k more expensive but damn, that car is unlike anything else.
Hey there, thanks so much for sharing that with us - the M2 is so much fun. The extra price hurts but every time you get in you realise where the money went. Thanks for watching, don’t forget to subscribe!
The Redline Im coming from a 6 series that was loaded inside, so ofcourse the 2 series is nowhere near that level with Harman kardon, manual seats etc. So thats one thing to complain.
But its M. Its not supposed to be in the "comfort zone" i get it
Quite a different feel to the 6, that's for sure. Both great cars in their own way. I have a squishy spot for the M6 Gran Coupe, a lovely thing.
Good video. Like your style, so a new subscriber here! Having now driven both and previously owned a M235i and now a M240i, you are spot on. They are different, rather than necessarily one being better. Price excepted, final choice depends on your own priorities rather than the cars themselves. Each has pros and cons. The M Performance cars are more liveable and just as fast, the M2 gives you a sharper drive at the expense of some (especially ride) comfort. Personally, I thought the M3 I drove felt more different to other 3 series cars than the M2 does to the 'equivalent' M Performance cars. The M3 is just so solid for one. The extra strengthening of the shell really shows. The interior too is a real step up with the Merino leather. The M2's is closer to a standard M Performance interior (we get standard leather on our M Performance cars in the UK - not all markets do) and the extra strengthening seemed less noticeable (perhaps because there's less of it vs M3). The M2 to me felt more like an M240i+ if that makes sense. Your comment that there's a bit of M2 in the M140i (and by association M240i) I totally agree with. I wondered what my M2 drive would bring - would I regret buying the M240i? The answer for me was no. I think I prefer the more rounded package of the M240i and it's sleeper looks, as a road car at least. If I wanted to hit the track however, then undoubtedly M2 is the way to go.
I think for a car that other people have to ride in and drive, the M140i/M240i is the better all-round package. My family would be happy with an M2 (my wife loves it) but many wouldn't. That's what makes it an M car, I guess - can't please everyone all the time.
Thanks so much for watching and taking the time to both comment and subscribe. There's plenty more coming!
Great response!
My husband and I looked at the 240i and the M2, we both liked the M2 better because of the stiffer suspension and steering. The 240i’s steering was too vague in my opinion,
There was an m535i back in the eighties so brand dilution goes back a long way.
Ah, yes, but the brand was new back then. People say the same thing about S-Line on Audis and AMG packs on Mercedes, so it's not just restricted to BMW M. Thanks for watching and thanks for taking the time to comment, I love hearing everyone's thoughts.
Where can I find an M140i xDrive comparison with an M2? Appreciate the link if someone knows of it, havent been able to find yet.
Mighty fine question, JM. I don't know that I've seen one pop up in my various feeds - if anyone has done it, it's probably in German or Swedish or something :-) Thanks so much for watching, don't forget to subscribe!
M140 is a really nice weekend fun car, but too rough for daily drive, especially for Australia. It’s a little dated too, and it will get replaced at the end of this year.
no , the GOLF R is not faster than M140I.
Hi Dr DJ - thanks so much for watching and taking the time to leave a comment. It's always fun to start a debate and see what people think! In what way is a Golf R faster than an M140i? In a straight line? Depending on who's testing it, the Golf R can go quicker to 100km/h. I said the M140i was more interesting and would stay with a CLA45 or an RS3. If I was to drive the two back-to-back, I reckon the M140i would be quicker. But I won't get that opportunity anytime soon :-) Thanks again and make sure you subscribe for more.
Good video. Tip for future vids is to talk a bit more about interior and exterior details
Two cars in one day, we had decisions to make :-) But noted, thanks as always for the feedback!
Entertaining review,thks.
Hi Bruce. Thanks so much for your kind words and thanks for watching. Subscribe for more!
I love my m140i. and I urge everyone who has 60k lying around to buy one immediately while it is still available.
Hey there, thanks so much for watching and taking the time to leave a comment. It's such a bargain, isn't it? Absolute modern classic and in a few years' time will be money well-spent. Glad you're loving your M140i, it's a belter of a thing. Don't forget to subscribe, tell everyone you know!
I wonder which part of VIC the video was shot?
The far north. So far north it was NSW 😁
As someone who has never seen your content before, I must say that you have great production value and genuine reviews. You've got a new subscriber :)
Hi Dean - thank you so much for your extremely kind words. We try very hard to make these videos look as good as we can so your eyes don't hurt like so many of the other videos around. Thanks for subscribing, there's lots more on the way!
Excellent video. Great to see another Aussie automotive youtuber! Have shot you a message on Facebook. I’d love to help you get the views you deserve. :)
Hey there - message hasn't come up. Shoot me an email at peter at the redline dot com dot au. I need all the help I can get. Thanks for watching!
Email sent :)
I love driving my BMW M2
As you should! It’s a great thing. So glad you like it. Thanks for stopping by and don’t forget to subscribe - more BMW action coming soon!
this music.... so good
Thanks for watching AND listening :-) Make sure you subscribe for more, my man Mitch seems to be on a winner with his music choices. And thanks for leaving a comment!
Comparison would have been a bit more relevant if it had been the M240i
Hi Del, you make an excellent point. We thought about that, but way more M140is sold *globally* but I do understand you can't get that particular gem in every market. It also depends heavily on what BMW has on their fleet where I am at any one time. Thanks for watching and thanks for sharing your thoughts. Don't forget to subscribe!
What are your thoughs on these two vs the RS3?
Hey there, good to see you again, thanks for coming back! I say in the RS3 video that it's the easiest car to live with compared to the M2. But the M140i isn't much slower than the RS3 on paper and on the road is pretty impressive. The RS3 has the slightly better interior and seats than the M140i and M2, but the BMWs are unbeatable for driver involvement and feel. Swings and roundabouts :-)
Sums up my thoughts, I was crosshopping these three and ended up pulling the trigger on RS3. If it weren't my daily I'd probably end up with the M2 - it's really harsh and unforgiving when it comes to city driving.
Me too ! I hesitated between M2 or RS3 and now I have the 5cylinders because where I live we don't have tracks, and roads aren't good. I also think the RS3 will hold a better value among time because of the 5cyl. The Audi still is my week end car.
To summarize the M2 is a better car only if you have the skills and the roads/track to unleash the power ;)
@Phantom_972 custom order or was it on the lot? I've booked mine a week ago - about 3 months wait time ahead of me now. It's killing me!
When I bought the car she was already built so I waited only 1month ;) be patient for the wait It worth it !
Hi, I didnt know you, actually the first time a saw an Australian car review! Very interesting!
(I'm from the Netherlands and living in Spain).
But I liked your review and I LOVE BMW's....so I gave you a thumbs up and subscripted to your channel!
I just want one answer to a question in change for this;😉
Some people here are saying that the M140i is faster in accelerations then the M2....
Could you give a clear explanation to that?
The M2 has around 30 hp more, so when both equipped with the same gearbox, I mean not one with a manual and the other one automatic,( then of course the automatic would be some 10ths of a second faster), how can the 140i be faster from 50-150 km/h or any other speed?
Suppose nobody is referring to the X-drive version of the 140i, it has more grip obviously from a standing start and could be quicker then the M2 for that reason...
But when both cars are real wheel driven, as it should be, how is it possible that the M-light is faster the the M2?...
Thanks in advance, and I hope to see more interesting cars on your channel! Cheers and regards from europe!
Hi Martijn! Thanks so much for your kind words and your sub. There's lots more to come and there'll be a BMW or two in the future...
The M140i is quicker in some specific instances. The eight-speed transmission of the automatic means it can whip through the revs faster than either the six-speed manual or seven-speed DCT. The 140i's engine is also slightly different in its characteristics, particilarly in the mid-range.
I'd say most people are talking about the RWD car - few buy the xDrive (we don't even get it in Australia) and the extra weight blunts the performance.
In the end the M140i will be quicker in some speed brackets and the M2 in others. The different transmissions are the key here. The M2's power delivery is a lot more brutal and on track the extra punch out of corners and the extra traction from the tricky differential means that car will always win.
There will be more very interesting cars to come. Thanks again!
The Redline thank you for your very complete answer!
Great reply The Redline!
Golf r 0-60 is 5.1 m140i is 4.6 mate
Hi Adrian. The 0-60 times seem to depend on who does the measuring. VW Australia says 4.8 for the R. But, as I say, boring boring boring. The BMW is much more interesting :-) Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment. Subscribe for more (hopefully) good stuff.
Adrian Sierra That Golf R figure is for the manual. DSG 7.5R will do it in 4.6, possibly quicker. As will the m140i but only in the dry.
To be a bit clearer, I used the figures supplied by the manufacturers in Australia. Most of the time the figures are Euro-spec (or US spec) but sometimes they won't tell us the figures, so I have to go hunting. I never use numbers magazines or other media get.
staggabob thanka for patronising me.it turns out i have an m140 auto for some time and can guarantee ive had it at 4.6 and not golf r in the dry will match that
Hey Adrian, I think stagga was talking about his own experiences. As for the times, it's important to know that we don't do our own testing, we just take what the manufacturers say. Sometimes they're optimistic, sometimes they're not. Bit like fast Japanese cars in the 90s all having 206kW ;-)
Well, i have the m140i. An M2 was impossible. Our garage ist too small, You can not leave the car. And my woman doese not like sound. So we choosed the adaptive Chassis. Driving in ECO PRO the car is strange to me. Feels like a 90 HP VW Golf. But she likes it. When i choose sport +. She is crying. What a noise ! Noise ? That is sound. I think with this car BMW has reached two build two cars in one. One comfortably for the town and a best on the Highway. A few weeks ago a Porsche Cayenne was behind me at about 180 km/h. There was place on the right line. The Porsche driver powered his car. At 210 km/h i gave also full power and at 240 km/h he was far away behind me. We saw us at a parking zone near the higway. He could not believe that a small BMW was faster in acceleration as he. BMW styled this m140i as the m135i.The car looks a little bit harmless, but if he runs he wants more and more speed. And the M2. Sure it is faster and louder. Good argument for my women to buy it not.Yes, i love BMW. Since 1985 i had different cars. A 318is, a528i, a 318i, a 328i, a 321i, a tuned 116i, 125i with m.package and m.performace pak. This car was not good. Where where the 238 HP ? And above 130 km/h the car needed 10 l fuel. the m140 i needs about7l.Hope Yope You understand my bad Englisch. Best wishes to all from Germany !
I understand your English perfectly. You're speaking "car", we all understand that! :-) Thanks so much for leaving your thoughts in the comments. You're right, not everyone can have the M2, that's what's great about the M140i - it's a big percentage of what the M2 is. Sorry your girlfriend likes Eco Pro, but at least you get to blow away Porsche Cayennes :-) Thanks for watching and don't forget to subscribe!
Yes You are absolutly right !
Oh, thank You, maybe i have not forgotten English when i was 12 years in the German Airfoce. And most of the trainers were good guys. After that -as an officer- i talked to Britsh an American officers. And international You have to speak English. The film: Full metal jacket with the Sergeant at the beginning was too strong. No, we had a very useful instruction. And so You learn really good how to fly. At the end of my 12 years i was at Cologne. Back in those times German people had to stay 15 months in the army. And these young guys were trained by prewits ! One of the new soldiers should report a message of the G3: G3 unloaded, cartridge chamber free and tensed. The prewit cried very loud andsaid: tensed ? Now i am tensed. The recrut was too nervous, he had to say. G3 unloaded, cartridge chamber free and relaxed.As i saw that he began to tremble, becaus the prewitt told him, that he will not drive home at the weekend. Now it was too much for me. I sat down near the recrut, who was absolutly shocked, that a colonel came to him. Normally the highest rank he saw was the captain. He said to me: Prewit Büttner, there are no problems general.Okay, i explained him what he had to do and what he had to say to the prewit. This man asked me if everything is okay, because i went to the captain after my instruction. Sure, i said. I told the story to the captain and told also that no soldier can be instructed by such an asshole. My idea was: The prewit would not drive home, he could be a GVD or UVD for the weekend. And the prewit should go home an learn the ranks, I am no general, only a colonel. Good idea the captain said. Please tell it both soldiers. Okay i did it. The prewit asked me: everything okay with the weekend. Sure, You will stay here and learn how to train soldiers , the recrut takes his book and will learn the rankings -but at home. The next week there was another prewit and teached the recruts in a normal way.........
Love the music!
Drag Race m2 vs m140i
We would love to do that, but unfortunately we don't have the space or police with a sense of humour to allow that. Race tracks are incredibly expensive, too. One day, when we have lots of money, we'll definitely do that sort of thing. Thanks so much for watching an make sure you subscribe for more!
Gerrit Roebkes only thing I came for lol
M2 is just ahead of the 140i to around 80 then from 80 -> 250 the 140i is faster by quite a bit.
KPH? - that still seems abnormal. By the way, I have a 13-e92-n54T- with overboost.. and then some now.. also some other mods..
Jimmy Braden yep, KPH, 140 is limited and M2 is not. But theoretically the 140 should have a slightly higher top speed as less drag.
I don’t need assist to drive for me so M2 is a perfect car with ignoring it
Great vid, however would've loved to see them go head to head in a race!
It would be! One day when we've got money we'll organise some track testing of these cars. We will have to ask nicely, though...
Thanks for watching, make sure you subscribe for more!
For me engine is very important and the b58 is a gemme! N 55 isn’t for me!
Less sensible chat more silly drag race please also did I hear the M2 accelerate around a bend whilst watching its brake lights on... 😂
You did you eagle-eyed UA-camr. Well spotted. We couldn't possibly drag race, that would be naughty....
Thanks for watching, make sure you subscribe for more!
Cool video
Thanks! A big thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. Don’t forget to subscribe, lots more to come.
Will the M140i going to make it to America ever the guy at my local BMW dealership tells me NO 😢😭😫🥺😩😞 so cruel of to do this to us for shame
It is deadset rude, I totally agree. I think it is because they can't get the price low enough under the 3 Series, which is a damn shame. I wonder if there is a business in importing Euro-delivered LHD cars to the US....
Thanks so much for watching, make sure you subscribe!
a great car, if only the merc a45 amg was a manual!!
Hey Seth, thanks so much for watching and getting involved! I reckon the A45 would be so hard to drive as a manual, but it would be fascinating. That engine is super-peaky so you'd constantly have the smell of clutch in your nostrils :-D I wonder if someone has tried to fit one...
Love this video!
Hi Ru! I'm really pleased you like it. Make sure you subscribe to see more! Thanks for stopping by, watching and leaving a comment. And it's always better when it's a nice one :-)
You are most welcome mate. I have the M140i and I agree with everything you said. Was going to go for the S3, but so glad I didn't. The extra money spent on the RS3 just doesn't justify it for me... same with the M2 if I'm honest. I can stick with all those, all day long... in comfort. Anyway, keep up the good work down under mate. I'm base in South Africa.
Thanks so much for your kind words, boet. We’ll try to keep up the quality.
Golf "R" quicker to 100 km/h...🤣🤣🤣
I don’t know why I thought that. I genuinely thought it was quicker. The way everyone goes on about it, you’d think it would smack a Veyron. Good pick-up!
BMW is about to kill the RWD hatchback. It’s a goddamn tragedy.
It is a genuine tragedy. I'm certain what replaces it will be good, but it won't be as fun. Thanks for watching, don't forget to subscribe!
Efficiency goals ..
Yep. BMW spoke to their customers and found a staggering number of 1 Series owners didn't know that their car was rear-wheel drive. So they did right by the shareholders and changed track. Pity.
The Redline Yeah I think it was like 86% of the owners. But honestly, I think that’s just a lame excuse to make production cheaper. If they did a similar poll on the 3 and 5 series, the number of people who don’t give a sh*t which pair of wheels drive the car, is an absolute majority. I think it’s the last 15% who actually appreciate a car’s behaviour that really counts. Everyone else just buy a BMW because they’re generally pretty fast and has a BMW badge.
If that is really true then I guess BMW has a lot of dipshit customers, like most brands really nowadays. But as engineers they know the reasons for putting the drive in the rear. Bye bye 50 50 weight balance is the car is front driven, it will drive like a pig. My point is, if those engineers have some self respect they will keep building the cars they know will be the best driving machines. Why would you even ask a customer about that? If that is the case it shows the bean counters and marketing departments are now running BMW and that will be the death nail. You cannot make any decent product starting out by wanting to save pennies.
Good video
Thanks Leo! Make sure you subscribe for more!
This choice between these two cars makes me crazy. On the one hand, a newer engine in M140i and an xDrive...on the other hand...a real M car and it's much more fun....
Great review here.
Hi Daniel. Thanks so much for your very kind words. It is a super-tough choice. The M140i and M2 are in their last days, so it's a decision you have to make quickly :-) Thanks for watching and make sure you subscribe.
If bmw aus brought in the 2 door M140 we’d have a proper modern day cult car
I think you're absolutely right. But, hardly anyone buys three doors anymore in Australia and it's changing in Europe, too - the Clio and Megane are now five-door only and I reckon there's a huge argument going on at BMW as to whether the new 1 will have a three door version. Thanks for watching, make sure you subscribe!
the next 1/2 will be based on the x1/mini fwd platform, so you're right in that this will be last chance to buy a small relatively cheap rwd euro - I’ve had one as a loaner when my bmw was in for service and I tell everybody who’ll listen how good of a car it is compared to the ubiquitous full time fwd haldex competition - in the space of 18 months I went from cla45 to s3 to rs3 and now to an f80 m3 cp in pursuit of a well sorted fun daily, and I just can’t figure out why people keep buying mqb golf r’s and s3’s in droves over a rwd in-line 6 bmw for the same money - why aren’t these things more popular, and all I can think is the looks, bmw needed the 2 door even if the Carsales stats suggest otherwise
In Australia at least, the BMWs have a few problems, one of them being really hot depreciation. I wouldn't have a CLA or S3 over a M140i, it's a bit trickier at the RS3/M2 level. Love them both for obviously different reasons. The Audis, in particular, have a lot of cool gear, BMW has to catch up a bit in the perception stakes. It's just not worth any of them bringing in the 3-dr, costs too much, sadly. VW (don't get me started on how dull they are) are experimenting with a 3-dr GTI, so we'll see what happens.
It's definitely the looks. My shortlist was the R and S3 (I own a Highline atm, so know what I'm getting from these guys) and the M140i wasn't even on the radar due to its ''interesting' design. After many good write ups on the various car review sites I thought it would be remiss to not at least go for a test drive - which I have now done and it's moved up to my first choice. I've since spoken to quite a few people about it and everyone's recommended to go the R/S3. Reason? ''The 1 series looks weird'''. In any case - it works for me as if it looked as good as the RS3 then it'd be a good 10-15k dearer.
We've got the m240i haven't we?
I'm just trying to justify the less practical m240i over the m140i as personally I prefer the looks of the m240i over the m140i but in the back of head I have practicality telling me the 140i is the better choice....SOMEONE HELP ME DECIDE :P
I would never presume to help you decide. I always ask people the same question - "Which one do *you* want?" because you won't be happy with anything else. Or as happy, at least.
Thanks so much for watching, commenting and joining the fun. And thanks for subscribing!
Fair comment :)
I want the 240i as I prefer the looks, especially when you add the m performance 19in wheels...have you seen those?
I have seen those, they look great. Though the dark wheels mark up pretty easily. So watch out for that....
We might be thinking of different wheels or they might just be UK/Europe specific. I was referencing these: www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=181&t=1637390&i=20 not much black to scuff as far as I can see...?
Yeah, I might have the wrong wheels or we have a different spec here in Australia.
M140i is everything... except it's ugly!
I won't say it's pretty, that's for sure. :-) Thanks so much for watching, subscribe and come back for more!
LOL
You should repeat yourself again.. I didn't get it the third time..
Let me know which bit and we'll re-cut it so it' just right. Thanks for watching! Thanks for watching! Thanks for watching! Subscribe for more! Subscribe for more! Subscribe for more!
M2 looks so much better than M140i!
It certainly does, no argument there! Thanks so much for watching and leaving a comment. Subscribe for more!
Agreed but they're both awesome cars!
M140i looks better. M2 too bloated and not discreet...
It also costs 2x the price for almost the same performance. JB4 and the 140 walks it.
You speak a lot but actually don't say much. Use so many words but no specifics, so really hard to know what is good about the two cars.
I'm sorry you felt that way, Kedoorsie. Maybe the written review will help? theredline.com.au/side-by-side-bmw-m140i-vs-m2/
bgm？
That 1 series is hideous.
It's certainly not everybody's cup of tea, but it's better than the pre-LCI version :-) Thanks so much for watching and taking the time to leave a comment. Make sure you subscribe for more videos!
A funny guy
Thanks Zeyu, I try. Thanks for watching!
The Redline I have a 2018 M140. I plan to buy another RS3 hatch
They're both great cars, you'll love the RS3 too. They're very different in character, but I'm sure you'll enjoy them for the reasons that make them good. There's an RS3 review on the channel in which I talk about the BMWs, let me know what you think.