Great vid Tim, thank you. I think the M140i is an incredible car, to even be compared to an M2. The M2CS/M2 is 3 times the price, so for what it is, the M140i is an absolute performance bargain.
I moved from a 3 door zf m140 to a og m2 6mt and I absolutely love it. I did have them both for a few weeks or so while I was waiting on the sale of the m140i and drove them back to back plenty of times. My 140 had birds b1 suspension, all the m3 control arms,rear subframe bushes and lsd full geo ect, and still couldn’t touch the stock m2 in regards to handling, steering response and the that direct feel from the rear end that gives so much more confidence to take corners at speed and drift. In the look’s department not once did I have anyone comment on the 140, even being 6years old the m2 still has people asking what it is and saying how good it looks or sounds. Since owing it I’ve had the litchfield AST suspension kit, and Stage 2+ and it’s quite simply perfect as it is and no plans to replace it any time soon.
To me as i looked into getting m2 comp for using is as daily there is no point swapping from m140i .As a weekend toy and trackday weapon yes but with adding few bits to m140 like b12 pro kit and LSD i think there is no point taking into consideration that engine in m140i. I think it would be a step backwards but thats just my opinion. As a second car for weekends maybe..but then there are other options like porsche gt4 and thats just pure porn 😜
You need a shit load parts (lsd, bushings, arms, coils, brakes...) and after all you are still short of an ///M car for resell value. Is it worth it? Everyone has to decide by themselves.
@@margauxlowery4324 You need to sink well over 10k into an m140 to bring it anywhere near the m2 standards and you aint getting any of that money back out of it. The m2 is a no brainer. The only reason you would choose an m140 is either you cant afford to get an m2 or you need the practicality of a 4 doors and slightly better mpg. Handling, Looks and resale are all massively in favour of the m2.
@@strongerandwiser2023 wrong. LSD is in 2k range, suspension and brakes can't be 8k. M2 isn't that special, in fact many ///Ms are moded because they left factory with mediocre setup for the track.
The M140i needs a lot of mods to be on the level of driver focus, handling and engagement like the M2, but the B58 engine does not, on the contrary, it is a better and stronger powerplant than the N55.
@@TimWilliamsHD I dont doubt the m2 is set up a lot better than the m140i, HOWEVER for all the mods you did on the m140i you didnt change the dampers did you? They are literally a big part holding back the road control and stability on the road, most people just do springs whereas its the dampers thats the issue and noone ever replaces them and then talks about bad handling.
Anyone looking at these as a comparison remember it’s 2700 quid just for the rotors on the m2 and need changing around 30k that’s not including the brake pads which is just over 100 quid for one ...
Hi Tim. Nice content. As an ex racer I’ve been through a few performance cars, I’m just about to trade in my car for an OG M2. I actually had a m140 a few years ago, first thing I did was put Bilstein B14 coil overs on it. Epic engine no doubt and decent economy when not hooning. Struggled finding pads that worked without fading badly went through DS2500 etc, though I’m going to have same problem with M2. What did you use on yours ? Likely I’m going to wind up with Ohlins or BMW performance coilovers but I’ll see how it is first. I found the 140 a bit one dimensional when pushing hard, particularly steering feel and occasionally body control even with the Bilstein kit, though it can cover the ground very quickly always felt a bit removed from the action.
This message is for Tim and all that replied to my post regarding do you need a diff for a m140i and anyone else that wants to respond....my question is does the m140i need a BMW factory fitted diff or a Birds Quaife diff ?...I'm hoping any responses will say a BMW diff because it's cheaper and will do the same job ...ps I bought my m140i built to order on a 19 plate with adaptive suspension 🤔
Great video Tim very good indeed...Just one question when you said you need the diff for the m140i...do you feel the diff is still needed on the m140i if you have adaptive suspension ? I feel the m140i with adaptive suspension in sports mode with the 8 speed zf sorts out the back end !
It depends strongly how hard you hoon the car. I suggest trying to push your M140i to the very limit in the appropriate environment, and then do the same in an M140i with LSD or an M2. That will be the answer to your question. An M140i, adaptive suspension or not doesn't have a very capable suspension to start with when you're pushing it, it's basically the same car like a 116i M sport with better brakes and beefy engine. It's okay when driving it as a daily within the speed limits with on occasional acceleration, but anything beyond that an LSD and better suspension will improve the M140i's handling and sharpness by a lot. It really depends on what you are used to and what sort of a driver you are 😊 Nonetheless the M140i is a great car with an accessible pricepoint and unlimited potential, just depends how far you want to take it ($$$) and if it isn't better to just go for an M2. Tim's comparison with the M2 is mostly how I would describe it too 👍 I do want to point out though that even a full stock M140i B58 is a little bit faster than a fully stock M2 N55 on a straight line to start with, even if on paper the M2 N55 has more power supposedly.
@@zdx197 I see your point but most people don't go on the track which makes an m140i with a diff or M2 surplus to requirements on normal roads unless you're a hooligan that doesn't care about your licence 🙄...I don't think the M2 is worth the extra money to a m140i unless you're a purist..In saying that tho the new M2 is coming out next year and if it looks as good as the photos it's an absolute gem !...which means the current M2 will bottom out making them more affordable ☺️
The diff is definitely needed even if your not a hooligan. You feel it’s benefits every drive. The extra grip feels nice which in turn makes the car feel even better. I’ve now moved to the M2 and it takes it to another level but the 140 was a special car.
@@giftorreid8876 you don't need to take your M140i out on the track or drive it like an absolute tit to gain benefits from an LSD. i.e. driving semi-sporty on a damp surface (and when I see these UK youtubers, it is always raining lol) within the speed limits accelerating will push the car straight to where you point it (basically the car being more safe having proper feedback and predictability), you are just way faster on the limit with the open diff (the car "searching" for traction, not knowing whether your left or right wheel is going to spin), especially with the B58 having such a torquey mid-range. And this is just one quick example. Anyways, we could talk about this for days but some things are just better to put to the test in real life. If you're happy as it is, then there is no need to justify it for yourself.
B58 is a way better engine in every way , n55 is a closed deck which makes it fragile with lots of mechanical parts that’s tend to fail, water pump charge pipe etc, b58 much more solid and is a closed deck that can take way more power , b58 also has a diesel bottom end block that makes it extremely resistant. So no .. I wouldn’t go for the m2. You made a huge mistake buddy