@shadow.ed_m140i Introduction

[Chris_31]

Hi Guys

Just taking a moment to introduce myself to fellow fanatics. I daily drive a 2018 LCI M140i Alpine White Shadow Edition.

I've had this car just over 3 years when my ownership began back in April 2022 and brought her up to JHB.
I had bought this car stock standard from SMG BMW Constantia (exceptional service btw) and have added many bits along the years.
I've covered almost 70 000km in this time and it's been smiles for miles.

There have been a few hiccups along the way with the notorious B58 cooling system but other than that no complaints once the necessary preventative maintenance was done.

Oil changes every 6k-8k with a major service in between and she boosts on.


Will attach a few photos down below.
Cheers

 

[Salt]

Snap!

 

[whiteunderarm]

Hi Guys

Just taking a moment to introduce myself to fellow fanatics. I daily drive a 2018 LCI M140i Alpine White Shadow Edition.

I've had this car just over 3 years when my ownership began back in April 2022 and brought her up to JHB.
I had bought this car stock standard from SMG BMW Constantia (exceptional service btw) and have added many bits along the years.
I've covered almost 70 000km in this time and it's been smiles for miles.

There have been a few hiccups along the way with the notorious B58 cooling system but other than that no complaints once the necessary preventative maintenance was done.

Oil changes every 6k-8k with a major service in between and she boosts on.


Will attach a few photos down below.
Cheers

Think I spotted you recently on Cedar Road in Fourways?

 

[Chris_31]

Think I spotted you recently on Cedar Road in Fourways?

May have been around the Fourways area recently yes.

 

[Quick///M]

Brilliant car, 👏 Congratulations. These are so quick in standard form. Once modded they are rockets 🚀 Makes me miss M135i

 

[Nishcat_M140i]

Finally made a thread my bro

Car looks so damn good. Having owned mine for just under a year now, I can honestly say these M140is are such special cars. There won't ever be another hot hatch like it, especially a rear wheel drive inline 6, its the last of its kind.

I'm definitely holding onto mine for a very long time. From the time we've known each other, I can honestly say this car has come a long way

 

[Sibonelo]

brilliant car man.. I owned one for 5 years and miss it daily! moved to M2C and I have to say this car is one of the best bmw product for me in recent history! she is a keeper!!

 

[Chris_31]

Mid 2025 Update:
Visually I have added a white vinyl pinstripe across the side skirts, rear diffuser and front splitter. Contemplated going lower but it's becoming harder to convince myself with the steep driveways, potholes and speed bumps I come across on my day to day driving.


Notorious B58 coolant issues:
Encountered more B58 coolant issues earlier this year once again with the culprit being the thermostat this time.
So far I have now replaced all components using OEM parts: oil filter housing, water pump, heat exchange module, coolant flanges, coolant pipes, main coolant bottle and cap all replaced and flushed out and refilled with BMW coolant. This was a costly exercise but I can't see myself letting go of my baby anytime soon.

Almost every B58 Gen 1 owner I have interacted with has suffered some sort of coolant issue, it's a shame there is so much plastics used in these relatively new engines that have become brittle already.

Further Maintenance:
Front control arms were replaced at this time as well as an oil change and another spark plug change. Suspension seems to be good so far however I am looking for a more pliable ride and may consider a set of Bilstein B6 shocks with stock springs. New bushings etc will be replaced when this does happen.

Driving:
I travel anywhere between 450km - 1000+ km a week and apart from the regular stops for refuelling, she's continued being an absolute joy to drive. The M140i's suffer a floaty feeling top end especially on joyous, vigorous drives but I think an under body BMW approved brace would help stiffen up the car as an M - Performance LSD isn't an option at this moment in time.


Attached are some updated photos below
Cheers

 

[Nishcat_M140i]

Car looks absolutely amazing with the new decals my bro

One thing I'll never understand is why BMW have used such cheap materials in their recent cooling systems. The cars are already so expensive, so you'd expect everything to be of high quality. From all the BMW's I've ever owned, the B48 and B58 were the ones with the most coolant issues. Not even my N55 in the 335 was that bad in terms of coolant issues.

A few days ago, I noticed my coolant on the 140 dropped to below the minimum, which was really strange considering I only take the car out on weekends, and there wasn't any leak or signs of leakage either. There was still coolant just under the minimum in the tank. I complete coolant flush and top up was done when I replaced waterpump, oil filters, coolant flange last year which was around 6000kms ago.

I had a look at my cap and it was cracked, so I replaced it and everything seems to be fine now. Coolant temperatures are normal.

 

[Salt]

Mid 2025 Update:
Visually I have added a white vinyl pinstripe across the side skirts, rear diffuser and front splitter. Contemplated going lower but it's becoming harder to convince myself with the steep driveways, potholes and speed bumps I come across on my day to day driving.


Notorious B58 coolant issues:
Encountered more B58 coolant issues earlier this year once again with the culprit being the thermostat this time.
So far I have now replaced all components using OEM parts: oil filter housing, water pump, heat exchange module, coolant flanges, coolant pipes, main coolant bottle and cap all replaced and flushed out and refilled with BMW coolant. This was a costly exercise but I can't see myself letting go of my baby anytime soon.

Almost every B58 Gen 1 owner I have interacted with has suffered some sort of coolant issue, it's a shame there is so much plastics used in these relatively new engines that have become brittle already.

Further Maintenance:
Front control arms were replaced at this time as well as an oil change and another spark plug change. Suspension seems to be good so far however I am looking for a more pliable ride and may consider a set of Bilstein B6 shocks with stock springs. New bushings etc will be replaced when this does happen.

Driving:
I travel anywhere between 450km - 1000+ km a week and apart from the regular stops for refuelling, she's continued being an absolute joy to drive. The M140i's suffer a floaty feeling top end especially on joyous, vigorous drives but I think an under body BMW approved brace would help stiffen up the car as an M - Performance LSD isn't an option at this moment in time.


Attached are some updated photos below
Cheers

Similar boat here...car is currently at BMW - multiple failed coolant parts.
I've got the BMW OWM underbody brace...yet to test it out on high speeds in a safe environment. I've just added the Ultra Racing front brace as well. I am still considering the Koni Special Active shocks for improved comfort. I've read too many stories being inconsistant on results from powerflex bushes being installed. I cannot drop my car due to driveways, speed bumps etc. and don't want a harded ride either - thus why I dropped the runflat tyres.
PS - your car looks fantastic with the white pin striping - very cool!