discussion Advice on a non daily BMW, something M or M Light

[Salt]

Hi all,

I need some sincere advice. I am keen on getting another BM. My criteria is listed below. We all have different ideas on these sort of things I understand that. Please try and use the points below to offer advice as this is particular to my situation, interest and plan. I sincerely value the advice here - its really what helped me buy my first BM 3 years ago.

Criteria:

• The plan is for it not to be a daily.
• It will be parked in the garage most of the time.
• I want something a little special, not talking unicorn special but a little less common.
• It must be an M light or M car.
• Must be a BMW.
• Something fun, fast and engaging.
• Something I can add some custom/personal touches to.
• Ideally I'd like for it to be still under plan. I know this immediately cancels out some cars but its not totally a deal breaker since the car will not be a daily.
• It must be 4 doors. I don't like a 2 door for me personally. Not saying I'll never own one but not wanting to buy a coupe on this occasion.
• It will be a car I might take for a drive on the weekend, take it to the car meet ups etc.
• The car will get paint protection film and a ceramic. (not sure if that was worth mentioning but added it)
• Very much ideally RWD - but again will consider something else. Will elaborate more on this when sharing my picks so far.
• Can be sedan or hatch.
• Budget will be R600k to R750k but want to stay closer to R650k if I can.
• Ideally a 3.0L 6 Cylinder.
• Fuel consumption does not matter.
• Not planning on modding the car engine wise.
• Special for me in terms of this specific discussion - M or M light car.

Current picks:
M140i LCI
Positives:
A motor which I feel has proven itself as being solid, strong and reliable.
One of the last 3.0L 6 Cylinders.
4 doors.
RWD.
Negatives:
Pricing is high at the moment. But everyone is negotiable.
Interior not the new spec.

M235i Gran Coupe
Positives:
New look interior.
4 doors.
Negatives:
X Drive - front wheel drive biased.
2.0L motor.

F80 M3
Positives:
Its an M3
Generally well spec'd
Its RWD
Negatives:
Its an older model (in the price bracket)
Maintenance is something to consider.

F10 M5
Positives:
Its an M5
Generally well spec'd
Its RWD
Negatives
Its an older model (in the price bracket)
Maintenance is something to consider.

My heart wants the M140i. I feel it ticks most of the boxes for me. I am a little nervous for the F80 and F10 cars - not very familiar with them and not sure what to expect in terms of ownership. And if I go the M140i route the must have options for me will be: heated front seats, lane keep assist, prof nav, HK sound, M Perf/Akra exhaust, through load facility, LED lights package, high beam assist, PDC, Sunroof, Extended cluster, reverse camera. First choice is red otherwise grey.

Please share your thoughts on the my criteria and current picks. Feel free to suggest any other model as long as its a BMW I know there are other options out there...the S3 is very appealing for example but right now a BMW is where I want to be. Sincerely appreciate everyone's input.

 

[TurboLlew]

F80 or F10 M5

I feel like you need to be clearer in your own mind since between the M140 and F10 M5 that is a very VERY wide stretch in concept, capabilities, price etc etc.

Anyway, you should be able to get a fairly new Competition Pack M5 in that price range. There was a Sakhir Orange comp with I think 50K on it that sold pretty quickly recently - that was R750K and still had a little plan left. Even non comp cars can be retrofitted with some of the comp parts that transforms the handling (@Neven recently did the same to his).

Beyond basic oil changes, maintenance on literally any of those cars is not going to be cheap - Yeah you will pay a little more on the "real" M cars, but not like it will be cheap to maintain the others. I have only ever heard of N55 and B58 owners spending what sounds like the same (if not more) than M car bills... be it maintenance, mods or on fuel. That said, if you want to play and mod for power, those might make for better bases? I dunno, but I am sure the owners of these cars will chime in on this.

I don't think the M235i GC is going to do what you want it to do, but go and drive it anyway. The new cars have a lot of creature comforts that the older ones don't and xDrive might surprise you... especially if you gave cars like the S3/RS3 a thought.

On the 1ers: Good luck finding an M140i specced like that - many are barebones spec wise - sounds like you really want the extra luxury and nicer leather + features that come with a bigger M car...

I feel like one of the best options would have been the B58 M240i for you but you don't like coupes or the 440i Gran Coupe (which is also an under appreciated and scarce car) that is a little more special than an F30 as well.

 

[Rotinaj]

I think we need to define special first. There is nothing special about a automatic turbo hatchback.

 

[Salt]

F80 or F10 M5

I feel like you need to be clearer in your own mind since between the M140 and F10 M5 that is a very VERY wide stretch in concept, capabilities, price etc etc.

Anyway, you should be able to get a fairly new Competition Pack M5 in that price range. There was a Sakhir Orange comp with I think 50K on it that sold pretty quickly recently - that was R750K and still had a little plan left. Even non comp cars can be retrofitted with some of the comp parts that transforms the handling (@Neven recently did the same to his).

Beyond basic oil changes, maintenance on literally any of those cars is not going to be cheap - Yeah you will pay a little more on the "real" M cars, but not like it will be cheap to maintain the others. I have only ever heard of N55 and B58 owners spending what sounds like the same (if not more) than M car bills... be it maintenance, mods or on fuel. That said, if you want to play and mod for power, those might make for better bases? I dunno, but I am sure the owners of these cars will chime in on this.

I don't think the M235i GC is going to do what you want it to do, but go and drive it anyway. The new cars have a lot of creature comforts that the older ones don't and xDrive might surprise you... especially if you gave cars like the S3/RS3 a thought.

On the 1ers: Good luck finding an M140i specced like that - many are barebones spec wise - sounds like you really want the extra luxury and nicer leather + features that come with a bigger M car...

I feel like one of the best options would have been the B58 M240i for you but you don't like coupes or the 440i Gran Coupe (which is also an under appreciated and scarce car) that is a little more special than an F30 as well.

Comprehensive feedback as always - thank you. The reason I threw the M3 and M5 in is because I know that there could be something I am not considering and wanted to throw the net a little out of the initial idea/want. I totally understand that they are def rather different to the M140i but since I am not buying for a family car or daily etc. I think I have some room for difference between the options - if that makes sense I think in all honestly perhaps the idea of an full M car is a little daunting for me and thus why I lean more to the M light car - specifically the M140i. I will def go and test drive them as I am sure that will also help me decide. If I may ask - why do you think the M240i might be a better option for me over the M140i?

PS - not really planning on modding the car (whichever one) engine wise.

 

[Salt]

I think we need to define special first. There is nothing special about a automatic turbo hatchback.

OK cleared that up - M or M light car. Let's not overthink this one I should have been more specific there - apologies.

 

[Riaad]

If I may ask - why do you think the M240i might be a better option for me over the M140i?

M240i are generally better specced than the M140i.

Im assuming older model M cars are out of the question ?

based on your list, the f80 is likely the go to option.

a 440i GC is a solid option as well, but they are quite pricey - and in most cases it would make more sense to get a F80.

 

[TurboLlew]

Comprehensive feedback as always - thank you. The reason I threw the M3 and M5 in is because I know that there could be something I am not considering and wanted to throw the net a little out of the initial idea/want. I totally understand that they are def rather different to the M140i but since I am not buying for a family car or daily etc. I think I have some room for difference between the options - if that makes sense I think in all honestly perhaps the idea of an full M car is a little daunting for me and thus why I lean more to the M light car - specifically the M140i. I will def go and test drive them as I am sure that will also help me decide. If I may ask - why do you think the M240i might be a better option for me over the M140i?

PS - not really planning on modding the car (whichever one) engine wise.

@Riaad covered it. Ultimately if you want a special car, fuel bills etc are no object and the choices are M Light or M, the question should really be "how big of an 4 Door M car I want" (ie M3, M5 or M6 GC). You should feel no more or less daunted by the prospect of servicing and maintaining an M light vs. "full" M car.

 

[KarshS]

Since its not a daily i would go for the f80 M3 although i feel current pricing is crazy for an old car now. You will get a pre lci at your budget. Maintenance can became an issue with M tax on parts. But thats one special car....

140i/340i/440i is the sensible purchase. slap a Vargas and kill all the cars on that list

 

[KarshS]

I missed the "not really planning on modding the car" statement

In that case F80 M3. M5 is cool an all but yeah...find it boring

 

[Salt]

@Riaad covered it. Ultimately if you want a special car, fuel bills etc are no object and the choices are M Light or M, the question should really be "how big of an 4 Door M car I want" (ie M3, M5 or M6 GC). You should feel no more or less daunted by the prospect of servicing and maintaining an M light vs. "full" M car.

I've been trolling the M140i for sale sites for about 4 months now and I've seen a few with most of the options I am after. The hardest part it seems is finding a red one. And the in last few weeks Autotrader has gone from consistently having +- 20 M140's for sale to over 30 now...not sure what the is an indication of. Appreciate the feedback - def shedding some light where I needed it.

 

[AshG108]

From your options, you should go with:
440i GC
M140i
I know you got it already but a 340i can be found with decent spec as well, a few around.

But all in all, just get an F80 and it will tick all the boxed of all the other cars above...don't waste time pondering too much. Go test drive the F80...and to be honest, don't look for an M-Lite or M-car secondhand and not expect maintenance. Somehow, these cars were pulled through their bums a bit...but they don't break easy. Get in touch with right people, get some good advice and they can provide good insight into how to get the car to its best shape and keeping it there.

Honestly, I think on my N55...I spent about R42k with all mods, servicing (general) and maintenance in terms of oil leaks, upgrading of charge-pipes, boost pipe etc etc. BUT all this wont happen all at once...Good luck!

 

[AshG108]

I've been trolling the M140i for sale sites for about 4 months now and I've seen a few with most of the options I am after. The hardest part it seems is finding a red one. And the in last few weeks Autotrader has gone from consistently having +- 20 M140's for sale to over 30 now...not sure what the is an indication of. Appreciate the feedback - def shedding some light where I needed it.

Possibly people signing up for the new M240i X-drive which literally is being delivered into dealerships right now.

 

[AshG108]

Ask @KarshS about the fun of the 340i - I think it is a really understated car.

 

[Nukleuz]

Your daily is a 320D from your signature?

Im struggling to find the logic in buying another +-R800k hot repmobile to sit in
the garage and daily the diesel. Why not bomb the diesel and get the "special" car you want
and daily that?

 

[Salt]

Since its not a daily i would go for the f80 M3 although i feel current pricing is crazy for an old car now. You will get a pre lci at your budget. Maintenance can became an issue with M tax on parts. But thats one special car....

140i/340i/440i is the sensible purchase. slap a Vargas and kill all the cars on that list

Thanks...I am surprised at so far everyone leaning to the F80. But advice is what I've asked for so glad for it.

 

[Salt]

Your daily is a 320D from your signature?

Im struggling to find the logic in buying another +-R800k hot repmobile to sit in
the garage and daily the diesel. Why not bomb the diesel and get the "special" car you want
and daily that?

Cause I don't want to put excessive mileage on the 'special' car nor drive it on the SA roads when I don't have it. Road conditions are terrible and specific highways have become stone chip machines.

 

[TurboLlew]

My hot take is that none of these cars - not even the Ms - are special enough that they need to be babied or garaged for those special occasions. That is the beauty of having them IMHO: enjoy driving them as intended. Do PPF if you want to avoid stone chips - you will be happier with 50000km of memories with it than a flawless paint finish (or worse, taking it out for 2000km in 2 years and swearing at the battery having lost charge, or electronics giving you issues with voltage or rubber bits degrading or fluids requiring changing without you having done any mileage.... and then having a stone chip your windshield or bonnet anyway!)

Condition and maintenance trump everything. I put over 100000km on my F10 and still got what I thought was fair value back. I have pics of it with my family all over the country. Honestly I could have gotten zero back and it would have still been worth owning it... I likely won't do as much mileage on my F90, but it is a very fast, capable family car - and more of a family supercar than the F10 which was really a family muscle car without the precision or nuance that you would get in other smaller or non-turbo M cars. This is why I mention the need for some of the suspension retrofits and changes...

Anyway: That is what it is, we think that "oh its an M car" in hallowed terms as though it is like a Ferrari or special Porsche or exotic car of some kind, but really they are made to be driven and enjoyed as intended - they are probably among the best to be used in this way, with the family or on those roads that make you feel like there is little else that would be more fun (and most of the M cars give you this feeling despite probably being killed by an M140i with Vargas turbos that Karsh mentions above). I see guys talking about how the M cars are harder and I GENUINELY wonder what they would do in the likes of a GT3 or GT4 or even my 4C. Even the M cars in competition form are not "hard" cars and certainly not to live with. Compared to a full on luxury car sure, but not vs. other 'special' cars.

Just some more for you to consider.

 

[Nick]

What are 1m's going for these days?
Thats a special car, otherwise if it were my money, id buy an e90 m3 and used the other half of the funds to get one to perfect running order.
Throw an Enventuri Plenum on it and smile all weekend.

 

[Woodies]

Special, weekend car only, BMW, E46 m3, all day everyday, BUT not 4 door and you not worried about fuel, um um e90 m3. As good as the m140 is and the other m lite cars, they make more sense when you need the car as a daily. Softer and maybe more comfy than M cars. Older m cars aren’t great dailies but amazing weekenders. I spent more modding and maintaining my old n54 than I have on both the m cars.
Enjoy the search and drive em all. Don’t be soooo afraid of well looked after older m cars, just take you time. Daily duties with the m140 are great, but weekends with the old m3’s are FAR more exciting.

 

[KPM3_30]

A lot said and most of them valid discussion points and food for thought. That said, an M car is an M car, at the end of the day. I would happily be strapped by any new modern turbo petrol, with me in my old M3 - Just personal preference, I have no desire to be the fastest car and the older M's can easily get you into trouble with the law anyway.

I would only consider an x40i if I planned on using that car as a daily, you have a 320d for that already so moot point. I had a 335i that was a weekend special and honestly, I couldn't see the point in the end for myself as it was never the car I lusted after. The feeling of opening your garage and seeing your M car is a special one and shouldn't be underestimated. I don't use my M3 all that much but when I do, that V8 puts a smile on a face ALL THE TIME (except on warm up).