[Rbrown]

Lovely - you won't tire of the noise at start up!

[r1cey]

Originally Posted by JNW1

Keep wondering about one of these but just a bit nervous I'll find the ride a bit over-firm after the F31 so how are you finding the M140i in that respect? If ok does your car have adaptive or passive suspension?

I have passive, and find it fine, mind you came from a wallowy 320i X-drive M-sport (which I never realised came on SE springs, even in M-sport form!!), and an X3 SE before that, so great to have something that corners a lot flatter for a change!!
Rear passengers have said it can be a bit bouncy over really rough roads, but most of the time there’s no more than two in the car.
The engine noise and power delivery are something to behold, and now understand all the banter on here about the difference between 4 and 6 pots, RWD v X-drive, etc, and so glad I scratched that itch. With a £7k contribution from dealer and BMW, the decision was a no brainer...

[JNW1]

Originally Posted by NISFAN

my 240 with Bilsteins blow adaptive out of the water....no contest.

Are they part of a suspension kit (incorporating different springs, anti-rolls bars, etc) or did you just fit different dampers to otherwise standard M240i suspension?

[Dixiebrook]

Great choice OP. I did exactly the same last year. Went from F31 335d to manual M140i.

Have not regretted it one bit. Still look for excuses to go for a drive and find myself taking the long way home. Put winter tyres on when we had really bad snow in Scotland this year and was really capable for a rwd.

Have fun 👍

[Lorcan]

Originally Posted by JNW1

To be honest I never quite know what to make of the adaptive v passive debate!

I know people like Joe Achilles say adaptive is a must have but then when you look at what the likes of ACS and Birds do to resolve the chassis on the M140i/M240i it seems to involve ditching the factory dampers altogether (whether adaptive or passive) and replacing with better quality passive units. I'm therefore tempted to conclude that good quality after market dampers are more likely to give a decent chassis set-up than anything offered as standard from the factory but could be wrong?

You're not wrong. If you can get to Surrey in the next few weeks try the M140i demonstrator at Renaissance Classics in Ripley. It has the AC Schnitzer 400hp performance upgrade and sports suspension.

[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by JNW1

Are they part of a suspension kit (incorporating different springs, anti-rolls bars, etc) or did you just fit different dampers to otherwise standard M240i suspension?

B16 kit, 4 dampers, 4 springs. Adjustable height and adjustable damping rates.

[creepy coupe]

Originally Posted by JNW1

To be honest I never quite know what to make of the adaptive v passive debate!

I know people like Joe Achilles say adaptive is a must have but then when you look at what the likes of ACS and Birds do to resolve the chassis on the M140i/M240i it seems to involve ditching the factory dampers altogether (whether adaptive or passive) and replacing with better quality passive units. I'm therefore tempted to conclude that good quality after market dampers are more likely to give a decent chassis set-up than anything offered as standard from the factory but could be wrong?

It's cost. adaptives are £550, swapping out springs for ACS is about £900 andwith dampers a whole lot more. I think a lot of owners on PCP's have to consider hand back time.

For me the passive/adaptive was a no brainer.

[ByTheSea]

I've had 2 x 120i Sport (so standard passive suspension) and found the suspension raw, brittle and uncomfortable except on the best roads, so I suspect the 140i must be worse. In contrast I find my LCI 320i MSport passive rides very comfortably.

[1966-TR4]

Originally Posted by JNW1

To be honest I never quite know what to make of the adaptive v passive debate!

I know people like Joe Achilles say adaptive is a must have but then when you look at what the likes of ACS and Birds do to resolve the chassis on the M140i/M240i it seems to involve ditching the factory dampers altogether (whether adaptive or passive) and replacing with better quality passive units. I'm therefore tempted to conclude that good quality after market dampers are more likely to give a decent chassis set-up than anything offered as standard from the factory but could be wrong?

I've found Adaptive with ACS springs to be a decent combination. I tend to use Sport in the rain, and on the B road section of my commute. Comfort on the motorway is still just that, but more planted.

If I was buying new, maybe I would just after market the whole lot, but I would miss Comfort.

[creepy coupe]

Originally Posted by ByTheSea

I've had 2 x 120i Sport (so standard passive suspension) and found the suspension raw, brittle and uncomfortable except on the best roads, so I suspect the 140i must be worse. In contrast I find my LCI 320i MSport passive rides very comfortably.

M140 run ridiculously hard springs. I think it was an attempt to correct some of the waywardness of the M135 back end.

[Lorcan]

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

M140 run ridiculously hard springs. I think it was an attempt to correct some of the waywardness of the M135 back end.

It didn't work though, it needs decent dampers

[creepy coupe]

Originally Posted by Lorcan

It didn't work though, it needs decent dampers

Which come at a price

[JNW1]

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

It's cost. adaptives are £550, swapping out springs for ACS is about £900 andwith dampers a whole lot more. I think a lot of owners on PCP's have to consider hand back time.

For me the passive/adaptive was a no brainer.

Yes, I can see that if you're not intending to keep the car long-term then something like the ACS or Birds solutions work out quite expensive in terms of cost per mile. However, if the standard set-up spoils your enjoyment of the car I guess it might still be worth it (certainly cheaper than trading-in early and losing a packet!).

What I really don't understand, though, is why BMW don't just fit something akin to the B16 kit as standard on cars like the M140i and M240i? The different springs and dampers probably wouldn't cost them much more than the ones they fit already and, if it's true there's no significant deterioration in ride quality, the change wouldn't offend those customers who aren't really bothered about the handling whilst improving life significantly for those who are. So, apart from the after-market tuners like ACS and Birds, everyone's a winner; why can't BMW see this?

[creepy coupe]

Originally Posted by JNW1

Yes, I can see that if you're not intending to keep the car long-term then something like the ACS or Birds solutions work out quite expensive in terms of cost per mile. However, if the standard set-up spoils your enjoyment of the car I guess it might still be worth it (certainly cheaper than trading-in early and losing a packet!).

What I really don't understand, though, is why BMW don't just fit something akin to the B16 kit as standard on cars like the M140i and M240i? The different springs and dampers probably wouldn't cost them much more than the ones they fit already and, if it's true there's no significant deterioration in ride quality, the change wouldn't offend those customers who aren't really bothered about the handling whilst improving life significantly for those who are. So, apart from the after-market tuners like ACS and Birds, everyone's a winner; why can't BMW see this?

i agree. But I'd imagine a £5 saved on every car adds up when you produce 1500 cars per day. Having said that. Of all the BM's I've owned i never had one with really decent dampers. The best being a 1995 318is. That did feel reasonably well sorted. Not sure how it would feel today.

[ByTheSea]

I had a 1991 518i and a 2000 318i. Strangely in those days both were a 1998cc engine. In both the suspension handled any sort of road with complete ease. Unfortunately if you went round a wet roundabout at anything above walking speed the back end broke away and you had to back right off. In the past 10 years BMW have clearly gone all out for handling at the expense of comfort. Having said that I find my current car on MSport passive close to, but not at, perfect for my driving. MSport passive on the 320i is way better than standard passive on the 120i in my opinion. Even the local BMW sales manager asked me how I found the suspension on the 120i, so I'm guessing he had had some feedback.

[creepy coupe]

Originally Posted by ByTheSea

I had a 1991 518i and a 2000 318i. Strangely in those days both were a 1998cc engine. In both the suspension handled any sort of road with complete ease. Unfortunately if you went round a wet roundabout at anything above walking speed the back end broke away and you had to back right off. In the past 10 years BMW have clearly gone all out for handling at the expense of comfort. Having said that I find my current car on MSport passive close to, but not at, perfect for my driving. MSport passive on the 320i is way better than standard passive on the 120i in my opinion. Even the local BMW sales manager asked me how I found the suspension on the 120i, so I'm guessing he had had some feedback.

They did swap end easily in those day i think the basic traction control and next to know weight over the driven wheels didn't help. I remember it didn't came with a radio as standard. But did have a rechargeable torch in the glove box. Which I still have and still has life in the battery

[ByTheSea]

Don't forget the comprehensive tool kit in the boot and the equally comprehensive first-aid kit under the front passenger seat.

[creepy coupe]

Originally Posted by ByTheSea

Don't forget the comprehensive tool kit in the boot and the equally comprehensive first-aid kit under the front passenger seat.

[JNW1]

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

i agree. But I'd imagine a £5 saved on every car adds up when you produce 1500 cars per day. Having said that. Of all the BM's I've owned i never had one with really decent dampers. The best being a 1995 318is. That did feel reasonably well sorted. Not sure how it would feel today.

Not suggesting they should do it for every derivative but in my view M-Lites such as the M140i and M240i should leave the factory with suspension fettled to cater for a driver who places value on handling. The idea you spend the best part of £40k on a car like that and then have to take it to an after-market tuner to sort-out the suspension is just nuts IMHO!

However, I daresay BMW's response would be most customers are happy with the car on either the standard passive or optional adaptive suspension and therefore they don't see the need to change anything.....

[Lorcan]

Originally Posted by JNW1

What I really don't understand, though, is why BMW don't just fit something akin to the B16 kit as standard on cars like the M140i and M240i? The different springs and dampers probably wouldn't cost them much more than the ones they fit already and, if it's true there's no significant deterioration in ride quality, the change wouldn't offend those customers who aren't really bothered about the handling whilst improving life significantly for those who are. So, apart from the after-market tuners like ACS and Birds, everyone's a winner; why can't BMW see this?

Maybe because customers can be bought off with some clever advertising and a rechargeable torch?

I don't think that BMW suspension is "bad", as such (although some of our customers would disagree), it's just that there is often room for improvement and also for tailoring the ride to the owner's expectations. We sold a lot of sports suspension kits for E9X M Sport cars to make them more comfortable for owners who found them too stiff, and now that M Sport cars are comfortable we're selling a similar kit to stop them wallowing and bouncing around. Just laying the dampers side by side on the floor there is an obvious difference in the dimensions and build. That's what you are paying for whether it's ours, Birds, KW or whatever, and if you've tried good suspension it's hard to go back to the standard stuff.

[dopper99]

I guess this is why Alpina's ride and handle so well. As the standard BMW suspension is ditched in favour of their own bespoke set up.

[JustChris]

Awesome choice!