Read this article as well.. I agree with it, both the M140i even the M135i pre LCI are legends.. The 6cyl made it.. It did not have the most power in the segment, but that motor is tops, and RWD is what you want!
BMW is so finicky about naming and the M brand on one hand and totally bastardises it on the other! The M140 is one of those cars I felt deserved a better suspension and the 'real' M badge as opposed to 'M Performance'... especially as it was nearing end of life and especially since they were replacing one of the most distinctive and "classically BMW" cars in the lineup with an amorphous blob designed by committee for people who shop based on spec sheets.
That M140i is going to be an absolute LEGEND... if petrol survives another 30 years it is going to be the E30 of this generation... R5 Trillion for a good example in future currency LOL
I am not a hatch person (in fact I've never owned one), but now or at any time in future, if I was going to buy one it would be an M140i!