BMW M140i 2019 Review

The BMW M140i on test this week is one of the very last of its type. Excusing the M140i Final Edition due to lob in May, this small German five-door is the final rear-wheel drive hot hatch that BMW will build.

The Bavarian marque will move the 1 Series onto an iteration of its new FAAR platform (an extension of the front-drive UKL platform that underpins the current MINI range and the likes of the X1 and X2 SUVs) when the next generation arrives later this year.

For enthusiast drivers that means the 2019 BMW M140i is not only the brand’s last rear-drive hatchback, but it may also be the last small M hatch to be shoehorned with BMW’s cracking B58-series 3.0-litre ‘six’ – and all 250 of its bristling, turbocharged kiloWatts.

The next ‘1’ is expected to feature four-cylinder power across the range and its new architecture will also bestow the new 1 Series with autonomous emergency braking (AEB) for the first time.

With the sad news out of the way, it’s time to focus on some positives – and one of those is price.

For the ‘entry’ M140i the list price of $59,990 plus on-road costs is a discount of $4910 from the model’s original recommended retail price, with BMW slashing the price of the 1 Series range back in July of 2017.

Considering the M140i is technically a ‘luxury’ car – as well as the only hot hatch in its class with six-cylinder power, and the only rear-wheel drive car in its segment – that makes the M140i something of a bargain.

For perspective, Honda’s front-drive Civic Type R sells from $51,990 (plus ORCs) and the sizzling all-wheel drive Focus RS from $56,990 (plus ORCs).

Of course, the test example is fitted with a number of options. Add Estoril Blue metallic paint ($1547), a sunroof ($2600), lumbar support ($403), seat heaters ($650), cargo through-loading ($750), Apple CarPlay ($623) and wireless charging ($200), and the M140i shown comes to $66,763 (plus ORCs). That’s more than the M140i Final Edition which is expected to sell from $62,990 (plus ORCs).

In line with most of its competitors, BMW offers the M140i with a three-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and roadside assistance is part of the deal. Service intervals are condition based, which means they’re not fixed but based on individual usage and calculated by the vehicle itself, and BMW’s pre-paid service plans are generally cheaper than those of its rivals.

We might have buried the big news a bit here: The real reason to buy the BMW M140i is that it’s bloody quick.

Acceleration to 100km/h comes up in just 4.6sec on the way to an electronically-capped v-max of 250km/h. Power comes courtesy of BMW’s glorious 3.0-litre inline turbo six, which delivers a zesty 250kW of power at 5500rpm and 500Nm of torque (yes, 500Nm!) over 1520-4500rpm. Redline is just north of 7000rpm.

Driving the rear wheels via an open diff – unlike the Performance Edition, which has a mechanical limited-slip diff and placed fourth at Australia’s Best Driver’s Car back in 2017 – and a ZF Sachs-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission, the M140i is well suited to spirited road driving.

The chassis is taut without being brusque and the Jet Black 18-inch M light alloys and Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres are wonderful at telegraphing feedback while at the same time quelling unwanted noise.

Agility is the word here. The predictability and balance of the chassis returns real benefits in channelling drive with purpose on corner exit. Line it up, get on the gas and hang on.

It could be argued that a ‘real’ diff would help and our testing show it does – especially on the track. But in most road-going scenarios, and especially in the wet, the M140i’s ability to grip and get on with it is a welcome trade-off.

On a practical front, we could proffer that the back seat is a little cosy. With a tail-shaft, differential, rear axle and fuel tank to house underneath it we guess something had to give – and that’s exactly why the FAAR-based 1 Series makes a lot of sense.

Entry and exit through the back doors is likewise tight and the rear bench width is suitable for two and not three adult passengers. Conversely, the back seat does not compromise the 1 Series’ spacious 360-litre boot, which offers 60:40 split/fold and through-load functionality in as-tested form.

The M140i on test is the second update (or Life Cycle Impulse, in BMW parlance) of the F20-series range that began selling here back in 2016.

It’s available to order in either six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic format now, though with the end of production in sight, you’d want to get an order in quick. The six-speed manual transmission is a no-cost option on the M140i.

As we touched on earlier, the next-generation BMW 1 Series is due in Australia later this year.

Enthusiast drivers, people with a lot of points left on their licence, and those who appreciate the finesse and poise that only a rear-wheel drive car can deliver will certainly enjoy the BMW M140i.

Yes, I’m showing my rear-drive bias, but I reckon that with so many affordable performance models preferring to be pulled and not pushed these days; cars like the M140i are a dying breed and enthusiast drivers will soon lament their absence.

I think those that love a bit of ‘good noise’ will also enjoy the M140i. Whether it’s the brutish howl from that sonorous six-cylinder engine through twin exhausts or the 360-Watt/12-speaker harmon/kardon digital audio system, there’s certainly something for every taste.

The BMW M140i is a premium hot hatch that challenges the likes of quite a range of comers on price, but very few on performance. And while the Ford Focus RS and Honda Civic Type R mentioned above are comparable on both fronts, it is prestige – and predominantly German – marques that are the BMW’s true competition.

The Audi RS 3 Sportback quattro (from $80,240) is a pricier but otherwise comparable rival. With 294kW/480Nm and 0-100km/h time of 4.1sec it’s marginally quicker, and offers all-wheel drive grip as part of the deal.

All-wheel drive grip is also offered by Mercedes-AMG and its sizzling A 45 4MATIC (from $78,240), which boasts 280kW/475Nm and a launch-control-assisted 0-100km/h time of 4.2sec.

At this point prestige brands Infiniti, Jaguar and Lexus don’t have a competitor to the BMW M140i, which leaves the (213kW/380Nm and 5.2sec) Volkswagen Golf R 4MOTION (from $47,490) as the only other credible hot hatch contender.

Even after all these years, as was the case at ABDC in 2017, my week with the BMW M140i was one of surprise and delight.

Surprise because you almost forget how good BMW’s smallest ‘M car’ is; and delight because it fits the driver’s car brief so well you get a little, err, exuberant every time you step behind the wheel. It’s rare that a car in the price range stirs those sorts of emotions these days.

The responsive engine, the engaging chassis and a blissful soundtrack make the M140i a car that’s an absolute joy to drive briskly. The icing on the cake is that it’s liveability on a daily basis requires few practical compromises.

Yes, the outgoing M140i will be sorely missed – and I’m tempted to get one before it’s gone.

Price: $59,990 (plus ORCs); $66,763 (as tested, plus ORCs)
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 250kW/500Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.1L/100km (ADR Combined); 10.0L/100km (as tested)
CO2: 163g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star ANCAP (2011)