Australian New Car Buyer – June 2019

36 | AUSTRALIAN NEW CAR & SUV BUYER’S GUIDE

BMW’s M badge used to adorn

only its elite performance cars,

such as the M3 and M5, but M

also stands for Money and now

BMW is cashing in on its badge

cachet. A second tier of M

models, called M Performance,

now sits below the weapons-

grade hardware.

The M140i runs BMW’s

3.0-litre turbocharged straight

six, with 250kW and a mighty

500Nm of turbo-torque,

available from 1520rpm. The

M135i automatic, which costs

the same as the six-speed

manual, smokes the 100km/h

dash in 4.6 seconds.

Gunmetal alloys, blue enamel

brake calipers, a rear diffuser

and dark window tinting complete

one very tough, stylish package.

The exquisite balance, agility

and poise of the four-cylinder 1

Series — BMW’s best handling

car — are not compromised by

the bigger, heavier engine.

The ride is surprisingly

comfortable, in part due to

the use of conventional tyres

instead of runfl ats.

The engine pulls hard from

idle then relentlessly piles on the

revs, accompanied by a luscious

soundtrack that urges you

towards the 7000rpm redline.

The M140i plays in a pretty

classy all-wheel-drive hot hatch

fi eld that includes Ford’s Focus

RS, VW’s Golf R, Mercedes’ A45

AMG and Audi’s RS3.

The dynamic purity of rear-

wheel drive is a big attraction.

The best bit, however, is that you

get two extra doors, and $19,110

change compared with the M240i

coupe featured below.

Priced from $77,629, the
M240iis the sole six-cylinder
2 Series model. The M240i

convertible is priced at $88,500.

The M240i Coupe boasts the

latest version of BMW’s iconic

3.0-litre in-line turbocharged

six-cylinder engine, running the

same 250kW/500Nm tune as in

the M140i.

Also in the spec is BMW’s

effective Adaptive M suspension

system, which brings a more

extreme range of adjustable

damper settings to improve both

handling and ride.

Although the 220i/230i

coupes are engaging steers,

the M Performance mods make

the M240i’s helm reactions

immediately faster from the

outset, turning in with the

desired urgency promised by the

potent exhaust soundtrack.

However, it unfortunately

lacks the natural, progressive

feel of the more linear standard

arrangement. A mechanical

limited-slip differential splits drive

between the rear wheels.

The resulting grip available

is quite something, allowing the

M240i to carve through turns

with exceptional precision and

security. Finally, the ride quality

is more compliant than in the

lesser models — a function of the

Adaptive M suspension tune.

However, the M240i lacks the

sheer lightness of touch that

naturally elevates its incredibly

agile 220i sibling to the level

of greatness — and for some

drivers, the latter’s seat-of-the-

pants controllability makes it the

more involving experience. And

you’ll also save $20,000 if you buy

the M140i instead.

BMW M140i FROM $59,990 S

THINGS WE LIKE

 Great value

 A superb performance and

handling package

 Comfortable driver’s seat

THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE

Tight back seat space

Not much else to whinge about

SPEX

Made in Germany

3.0-litre straight six turbopetrol eight

-speed automatic/rear-wheel drive

250kW of power at 5500rpm/

500Nm of torque from 1520–

4500rpm

0–100km/h in 4.6 seconds (claimed)

5.8L/100km highway; 9.4L/100km

city; 98 octane; CO 2 emissions are

163g/km

Warranty: Three years/unlimited

kilometres

Standard: Six airbags, stability control,

M Sport brakes, 18-inch alloy wheels,

high performance 225/40 (front) and

245/35 (rear) tyres, sports seats,

leather upholstery, M suspension, M

body kit, M steering wheel, bi-xenon

headlights, Bluetooth, voice control

Redbook future values: 3yr: 50%;

5yr: 35%

Safety

ANCAP

Performance

Handling

Quality and reliability

Comfort and refi nement

Value for money

Overall

STARS

compare with ...

Mercedes AMG A45, VW Golf R

BMW M240i FROM $79,100 S

Safety

Not yet tested

Green Vehicle Guide

Performance

Handling

Quality and reliability

Comfort and refi nement

Value for money



Overall



STARS

THINGS WE LIKE

 Potent, fl exible in-line turbo six

 Chassis poise and grip

 Excellent brakes

 Pukka sports interior

 Relative civility and comfort

THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE

Why does it cost $19,100 more

than the M140i?

Not quite as agile or tactile as

lighter 220i

Inconsistent steering feel

You really want an M2, right?

SPEX

Made in Germany

3.0-litre six-cylinder turbopetrol/

eight-speed automatic/rear-

wheel drive

250kW of power at 5500rpm/

500Nm of torque at 1520–4500rpm

0–100km/h in 4.6 seconds (claimed)

5.8L/100km highway; 9.4L/100km

city; 95 octane premium; CO 2

emissions are 163g/km

Warranty: Three years/unlimited

kilometres

Standard: Six airbags, stability

control, 18-inch alloy wheels,

leather, power adjustable and heated

M sports seats, M steering wheel,

navigation, Bluetooth with audio

streaming, smartphone internet

connectivity, adaptive headlights,

front and rear parking sensors

Redbook future values: 3yr: 45%;

5yr: 32%

compare with ...

Audi RS3, Mercedes-Benz A45/

CLA 45 AMG, VW Golf R