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JAD wrote: ↑Fri Jun 30, 2017 10:53 am

SO8 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 28, 2017 6:58 am Having gone from a Z4 35iS to an A45 AMG I am back looking at BMW's after only 13 months !

Anyone got an M240i convertible ?

I am looking at 2 at almost the same price ... not new as I don't want to wait ... but need to beat the BMW dealers PCP APR down a bit !

One is a 17 plate with 250 miles on it ... Business Nav and reversing camera but 8.9% APR

The other a 66 plate with 5500 miles on it ... Pro Nav and 6.5% APR

All other spec the same.

Views ?

As you're asking for views... 8.9% or 6.5% APR?! Bonkers! Surely, if you need finance, look elsewhere or take out a personal loan. I guarantee you'd save 50% on the rate, if not more.

Used APR from a dealer is rubbish. It was the starting point and not where it ended up. I am not too bothered as I will be paying it off anyway before Christmas.

Now finding out suspension on M240i convertible is rather softer than the A45 AMG (unsurprising) but also a lot softer than my E89 35iS ! Quick and very comfy but not exactly sporty ! My one hasn't got adaptive suspension ... maybe that is the reason - or the convertible is set up softer / carrying more weight ?

SO8 wrote: ↑Wed Jul 05, 2017 11:07 pm Now finding out suspension on M240i convertible is rather softer than the A45 AMG (unsurprising) but also a lot softer than my E89 35iS ! Quick and very comfy but not exactly sporty ! My one hasn't got adaptive suspension ... maybe that is the reason - or the convertible is set up softer / carrying more weight ?

in terms of straight line performance, which is quickest out of the 3?

matthurley wrote: ↑Sat Jul 08, 2017 7:39 am

SO8 wrote: ↑Wed Jul 05, 2017 11:07 pm Now finding out suspension on M240i convertible is rather softer than the A45 AMG (unsurprising) but also a lot softer than my E89 35iS ! Quick and very comfy but not exactly sporty ! My one hasn't got adaptive suspension ... maybe that is the reason - or the convertible is set up softer / carrying more weight ?

in terms of straight line performance, which is quickest out of the 3?

Impossible to say at the moment. My M240i only has 850 miles on it.

Given the Z4 35iS is listed at 4.8, the M240i Convertible at 4.7 and the A45 at 4.2 the answer is not going to be much. The 0-100mph times are not too far apart at around 11 for the 35iS and 35iS ... with 9.5 for a facelift A45. 0-124mph is almost identical for all three I believe.

FWIW the A45 never felt as quick as my 35iS ... but the 4 wheel drive and lack of engine noise kill any sensation of being pushed along like you get with the BMW's.

The M240i feels quicker mid range so far than either - I think that is more likely down to the excellent 8 speed box as opposed to DCT. It changes gear easier IMO and is easier to exploit than the other two. Speed aside the M240i has sponge brakes compared to the Z4 and A45 ... a real let down. The suspension is v soft too so any attempt to keep up with either would be hard work though I do feel it seems - and is likely to be - perkier !!

The forums seem to indicate an M140i / M240i is quicker once moving than the A45 Facelift which loses out at higher speeds. That said it took until 90mph for an M4 Competition Pack convertible to make any gain on my A45 when following me on an overtake !

Might be 2 factors on the soft suspension, its a covertible and isn't the A45s suspension slightly on the hard side anyways? I would agree though the M140/240s suspension setup isn't as focused on the limit but then if it was too good no-one would buy the M2

I've got the adaptive on the 140 and find its a good compromise providing comfort when needed but provides a stiffer set up over non adaptive in sport and sport plus. I'm unsure I would find the A45 too hard in ride comfort for day to day use.

Tim.

TitanTim wrote: ↑Sat Jul 08, 2017 10:04 am Might be 2 factors on the soft suspension, its a covertible and isn't the A45s suspension slightly on the hard side anyways? I would agree though the M140/240s suspension setup isn't as focused on the limit but then if it was too good no-one would buy the M2

I've got the adaptive on the 140 and find its a good compromise providing comfort when needed but provides a stiffer set up over non adaptive in sport and sport plus. I'm unsure I would find the A45 too hard in ride comfort for day to day use.

Tim.

The pre FL A45 was quite hard ... the FL with adaptive (as I had) was softer but still loads harder in comfort than my non adaptive M240i. If I had bought new the car would have had adaptive, leccy seats and pro nav ... but the saving was just too much to throw away and most importantly the car was there ... waiting .... as opposed to a - currently - 5 month wait. Waiting 5 months for a convertible would have taken me to the time when I would be thinking winter tyres as opposed to roof down ! Lol

Swiftly recently swapped his E85 3.0si for a M240i, I know he's enjoying it

Got mine yesterday and VERY happy!

What a lovely pair

Switching between the two cars is not as dramatic as I feared - I did think the (older) Z4 would suddenly feel a bit tired when compared to the brand new M240i. It didn't at all

After a run in the Z4, the new car feels HUGE! It soon settles down to remind me a lot of how I remember the E46 M3. In a good way.

The Z4 is so good at not being a Caterham. In these cars BMW found a special place for drivers who like Caterhams but need a few creature comforts The (brilliant) M240i is much more of a cruiser, in my opinion anyway.

English68 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 17, 2017 12:33 pm The (brilliant) M240i is much more of a cruiser, in my opinion anyway.

Yep, I would agree ... over 1000 miles now I don't see it at a cutting edge sportster ! It is comfy, effortless and quick. Ideal for what I wanted. Softer than my 35iS but tbh that suits me at the moment.

My 240i coupe suspension (not adaptive) with 18" wheels does feel softer on the city roads, but it does absorb the bumps which I do prefer. I have covered nearly 2K since I got mine 7 weeks ago and I find once on the open roads it does feel more solid, and the MPSS tyres really do grip the road well on bends when pushing on. It could do to be lowered along with new springs and dampers fitted makes all the difference and transform the ride and handling from what I have read. All in all its a cracking all round car

Swiftly wrote: ↑Wed Jul 19, 2017 8:31 pm My 240i coupe suspension (not adaptive) with 18" wheels does feel softer on the city roads, but it does absorb the bumps which I do prefer. I have covered nearly 2K since I got mine 7 weeks ago and I find once on the open roads it does feel more solid, and the MPSS tyres really do grip the road well on bends when pushing on. It could do to be lowered along with new springs and dampers fitted makes all the difference and transform the ride and handling from what I have read. All in all its a cracking all round car

Thanks, nice to hear from another 'passive' suspension owner

SO8 wrote: ↑Thu Jul 20, 2017 6:41 pm

Swiftly wrote: ↑Wed Jul 19, 2017 8:31 pm My 240i coupe suspension (not adaptive) with 18" wheels does feel softer on the city roads, but it does absorb the bumps which I do prefer. I have covered nearly 2K since I got mine 7 weeks ago and I find once on the open roads it does feel more solid, and the MPSS tyres really do grip the road well on bends when pushing on. It could do to be lowered along with new springs and dampers fitted makes all the difference and transform the ride and handling from what I have read. All in all its a cracking all round car

Thanks, nice to hear from another 'passive' suspension owner

Right, run in now ... and at 1300 miles it feels quicker than my A45 ... and my 35iS !!! I am sure this is down to 4wd and the fact the 35iS is a year ago but omg I was surprised at the surge forwards when I unleashed it ! It cuts the power in 1st about half way through the rev range due to wheelspin - I used sport plus and it spins at the point the t/c cuts in but with it in sport plus just gives a chirp and keeps going ... awesome Less impressive is the softness. It is no Z4 let alone an A45 AMG, but I guess it is a different beast. Lovely noise too - deeper than the Z4 35iS but maybe lower volume than I want