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Potential M40i Purchase - Owners Views
- Boyo
- Member
- Posts: 654
- Joined: Sat Aug 02, 2014 11:03 am
- Location: Caerdydd
Potential M40i Purchase - Owners Views
After almost 3 years in my Cayman I think it could be time for a change and Z4 No 5 is calling, probably in Thundernight. I have previously had a 35is and also an M140i so I would anticipate the driving experience is very similar with the 3 litre engine, auto and rear wheel drive.
At this stage I am interested in the opinions of anyone who either owns or has owned a M40i. What's good about them and what's not so great.
At this stage I am interested in the opinions of anyone who either owns or has owned a M40i. What's good about them and what's not so great.
Current:
718 Cayman GTS 4.0 (PDK)
Previous:
G29 M40i - Thundernight
718 Cayman GTS 4.0 (Manual)
987 Boxster 2.7
E89 2.0i M Sport (Auto)
E89 2.0i M Sport (Manual)
718 Cayman GTS 2.5
E89 35is
E85 M Roadster
718 Cayman GTS 4.0 (PDK)
Previous:
G29 M40i - Thundernight
718 Cayman GTS 4.0 (Manual)
987 Boxster 2.7
E89 2.0i M Sport (Auto)
E89 2.0i M Sport (Manual)
718 Cayman GTS 2.5
E89 35is
E85 M Roadster
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- Lifer
- Posts: 3934
- Joined: Mon Dec 03, 2012 4:47 pm
- Location: Sunderland
Potential M40i Purchase - Owners Views
Haven't owned or driven a M40i but as for the colour, there is an Isle of Man green which is only available on certain models at the moment and unfortunately the Z4 is not one of them. I am waiting till that comes available as it would be stunning on a G29
G29 M30i M Sport San Francisco Red
Previous
E89 35is Valencia Orange
E89 28i Crimson
E89 25i White
Previous
E89 35is Valencia Orange
E89 28i Crimson
E89 25i White
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- Senior Member
- Posts: 1384
- Joined: Tue Apr 03, 2018 7:29 pm
Potential M40i Purchase - Owners Views
Watching this thread with interest
For obvious reasons
For obvious reasons
- sars
- Lifer
- Posts: 7040
- Joined: Sun Feb 21, 2010 11:37 am
- Location: East Yorkshire
Potential M40i Purchase - Owners Views
Iāve been trying to make a list of M40i positives and negatives, I have lots and lots of positives like handling, ride, performance, agility, comfort and of course one of the best engines currently in production. Iāve now enjoyed over 20,000 miles in fifteen months, I love the fact itās a great place to be on the motorway being both comfortable and refined. On an open A road it does all that I need given my modest driving ability and that is my only negative, itās so capable and sure footed that speed becomes a tad excessive before you start to find the cars limits. Iām sure an MX5 is more fun on the open road, but just not as good to live with as a daily driver.
Gorgeous SFR Z4 M40i
Gone 2017 Iridium SL400, 2015 435d xDrive Convertible, 2012 E350 CDi Convertible, 2010 DSB Z4 sdrive30i, 2008 Audi A4 Cabriolet, 2006 Phoenix Yellow Z4 2.5Si, 2003 Saab 9-3 Convertible
Gone 2017 Iridium SL400, 2015 435d xDrive Convertible, 2012 E350 CDi Convertible, 2010 DSB Z4 sdrive30i, 2008 Audi A4 Cabriolet, 2006 Phoenix Yellow Z4 2.5Si, 2003 Saab 9-3 Convertible
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- Member
- Posts: 124
- Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2023 1:34 am
- Location: Surrey, UK
Potential M40i Purchase - Owners Views
I've only had my M40i for 3 months and with the UK Winter I haven't really had the opportunity to fully explore its performance yet, but as my main car it really is great to live with on a daily basis. Reading a lot of the long term reviews many people comment on the fact that while they liked it, but not loved it, initially, but after several months it really started to get under their skin and they realise what an underrated car it really is. I guess it depends on what you want out of the car. Track monster ? All rounder ? GT ?
My positives are the performance, comfort, tech, interior, noise, the fact it has a dual persoanility of being a comfortable cruiser to raucous countryside blaster. It attracts plenty of positive attention too !
Negatives are the relatively small fuel tank, the repeated annual cost of using a bunch of the OS7 tech (maps, traffic, apps etc), and slightly grabby brakes at slow speeds.
To be honest I think my car is brilliant, I can't way for the weather to improve so I can spend a lot more time in it !
My positives are the performance, comfort, tech, interior, noise, the fact it has a dual persoanility of being a comfortable cruiser to raucous countryside blaster. It attracts plenty of positive attention too !
Negatives are the relatively small fuel tank, the repeated annual cost of using a bunch of the OS7 tech (maps, traffic, apps etc), and slightly grabby brakes at slow speeds.
To be honest I think my car is brilliant, I can't way for the weather to improve so I can spend a lot more time in it !
Last edited by PSQ777 on Tue Mar 07, 2023 10:48 am, edited 1 time in total.
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- Lifer
- Posts: 11079
- Joined: Tue Feb 10, 2015 10:27 pm
Potential M40i Purchase - Owners Views
You'll certainly notice just how big and heavy they are especially after coming from a Cayman Boyo, they feel really quite wide. Exhaust noise is a bit disappointing in stock form, lack of cooled seat option and a not too good Harmon Kardon if you spec it. Steering feel isn't a patch on the Cayman. Other than those, well, it's a superb car, firm chassis, lots of options to use regarding dampers, steering weight, sports modes etc, very very torquey engine, awesome mile muncher, as comfy as anyone could want. I'd have another, but only if I could keep my E85 M for a manual geared blast.
M roady...OEM CSLās, strut brace, Remus back boxes, ZHP
MR2 MK 2
E89 35i project car...mapped 365bhp, M4 stoppers & wheels, KWV3ās, H&R front ARB, M3 front arms, strut brace Eisenmann cat back race exhaust, VRSF downpipes inbound
E89 35is
G29
MR2 MK 2
E89 35i project car...mapped 365bhp, M4 stoppers & wheels, KWV3ās, H&R front ARB, M3 front arms, strut brace Eisenmann cat back race exhaust, VRSF downpipes inbound
E89 35is
G29
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- Senior Member
- Posts: 1384
- Joined: Tue Apr 03, 2018 7:29 pm
Potential M40i Purchase - Owners Views
I know this isnāt my thread, but finding it very helpful. All 3 quotes above have done nothing to make me think i donāt want one. The list is interesting John e89.
Never had a cayman ( so donāt matter)
Donāt think the width will bother me , need to see.
Exhaust note. This matters- stick an ackropovic on
Cold seat , I can live without
Sound system- should not be allowed in a sports car , you should be listening to the exhaust and smiling keep the views coming
Iām half hoping someone will talk me out of the G29 perve Iām having
Never had a cayman ( so donāt matter)
Donāt think the width will bother me , need to see.
Exhaust note. This matters- stick an ackropovic on
Cold seat , I can live without
Sound system- should not be allowed in a sports car , you should be listening to the exhaust and smiling keep the views coming
Iām half hoping someone will talk me out of the G29 perve Iām having
- tiglon
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1071
- Joined: Mon Jun 24, 2019 11:20 am
- Location: Essex
Potential M40i Purchase - Owners Views
I think you'll struggle to find anything negative about the M40i other than "it's not a Boxster" - and a Boxster of the same age and 300+bhp will cost nearly Ā£50k vs Ā£33k+ for the Z4.
2014 E89 35is Valencia Orange 788M wheels (M2 Competition), E90 M3 control arms, Eibach Pro Kit Springs, MHD Stage 1
-
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1384
- Joined: Tue Apr 03, 2018 7:29 pm
-
- Member
- Posts: 124
- Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2023 1:34 am
- Location: Surrey, UK
Potential M40i Purchase - Owners Views
I agree that the Harmon Kardon sound system isn't great with the factory default settings. However push up the bass a couple of notches, and the treble half as much and it results in a much more rounded sound. As an aside it actually has a full graphic equaliser for fine control.john-e89 wrote: āMon Mar 06, 2023 11:26 pm You'll certainly notice just how big and heavy they are especially after coming from a Cayman Boyo, they feel really quite wide. Exhaust noise is a bit disappointing in stock form, lack of cooled seat option and a not too good Harmon Kardon if you spec it. Steering feel isn't a patch on the Cayman. Other than those, well, it's a superb car, firm chassis, lots of options to use regarding dampers, steering weight, sports modes etc, very very torquey engine, awesome mile muncher, as comfy as anyone could want. I'd have another, but only if I could keep my E85 M for a manual geared blast.
- Boyo
- Member
- Posts: 654
- Joined: Sat Aug 02, 2014 11:03 am
- Location: Caerdydd
Potential M40i Purchase - Owners Views
Many thanks everyone so far for your thoughts. Sounds on the whole to be very positive which is really encouraging. I have up until now run 2 cars, one of which is a convertible. I am now going down to 1 car and the M40i will need to cover all of my needs which it seems more than capable of. I don't want to go down the 718 Boxster route as its time to reign things in a little now that I am a pensioner. I am planning to take a test drive in a M40i in a couple of weeks time once the weather improves a little. In the meantime if you have any M40i feedback then please keep posting
Current:
718 Cayman GTS 4.0 (PDK)
Previous:
G29 M40i - Thundernight
718 Cayman GTS 4.0 (Manual)
987 Boxster 2.7
E89 2.0i M Sport (Auto)
E89 2.0i M Sport (Manual)
718 Cayman GTS 2.5
E89 35is
E85 M Roadster
718 Cayman GTS 4.0 (PDK)
Previous:
G29 M40i - Thundernight
718 Cayman GTS 4.0 (Manual)
987 Boxster 2.7
E89 2.0i M Sport (Auto)
E89 2.0i M Sport (Manual)
718 Cayman GTS 2.5
E89 35is
E85 M Roadster
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- Member
- Posts: 125
- Joined: Fri Jul 10, 2020 9:16 am
Potential M40i Purchase - Owners Views
zero negatives after 7 months, maybe the exhaust note could be louder Sport. Its exceeded my expectations and its the best car i've owned.
-
- Member
- Posts: 530
- Joined: Wed Nov 03, 2021 5:15 pm
- Location: Sheffield
Potential M40i Purchase - Owners Views
12k miles after about 20 months, below are what I've done with the car (m40i version):
1. Everyday use
2. 6 track days
3. 3 camping trips with my son
4. Many long trips between Sheffield and Cambridge and York
Pros:
1. the car does extremely well for each individual thing from the list above
Cons:
We don't have the ~380hp output engine as in US market. We can only have 340hp version in UK.
I may hope the exhaust is louder when roof is down (I coded out engine sound via speaker)
Steering does not have enough feedback on the track but a bit too many unnecessary feedback on the bad road
It's not thundernight purple after seeing the LCI colour options
Bottom line:
There have been hundreds of times when I sat in front of screen thinking about swaping the Z4 for a new M2. However, as soon as I get into the car and start driving it, I don't bother to spend the extra money to get the M2 at all
1. Everyday use
2. 6 track days
3. 3 camping trips with my son
4. Many long trips between Sheffield and Cambridge and York
Pros:
1. the car does extremely well for each individual thing from the list above
Cons:
We don't have the ~380hp output engine as in US market. We can only have 340hp version in UK.
I may hope the exhaust is louder when roof is down (I coded out engine sound via speaker)
Steering does not have enough feedback on the track but a bit too many unnecessary feedback on the bad road
It's not thundernight purple after seeing the LCI colour options
Bottom line:
There have been hundreds of times when I sat in front of screen thinking about swaping the Z4 for a new M2. However, as soon as I get into the car and start driving it, I don't bother to spend the extra money to get the M2 at all
- Obs-Com
- Member
- Posts: 412
- Joined: Fri Mar 30, 2012 11:41 am
- Location: Bolton
Potential M40i Purchase - Owners Views
Four years old in June and first BM Iāve wanted to keep long term as usually change after a couple of years. Fabulous all round car thatās ticks all the boxes for me. Engine and gearbox is a perfect match. Great GT car for long distance drives and edges my old M2 when driven more quickly. Iād definitely have another M40 but in no rush to change. The Metallic Frozen Orange First Edition continues to look stunning and so easy to look after compared to the standard shiny colours.
2011-14: E89 2.3sDrive
2014-16: E89 35is - Valencia Orange X2 (gone but not forgotten)
2016-17: F33 440i
2017-17: E85 2.5si
2017-19: F87 M2 - Long Beach Blue DCT (Stunning)
2019-23: G29 M40i First Edition (more stunning than the M2)
2023-??: G23 M440i
2014-16: E89 35is - Valencia Orange X2 (gone but not forgotten)
2016-17: F33 440i
2017-17: E85 2.5si
2017-19: F87 M2 - Long Beach Blue DCT (Stunning)
2019-23: G29 M40i First Edition (more stunning than the M2)
2023-??: G23 M440i
- Argyll Andy
- Lifer
- Posts: 5346
- Joined: Mon Oct 21, 2019 10:16 pm
- Location: Argyll & Bute
Potential M40i Purchase - Owners Views
Hi Boyo, As requested from the other thread
As mentioned I had the 35iS before the M40i. I liked it, liked the power, acceleration, speed, etc and was perfectly happy. Until I got the M40i itch and started making enquiries.
I genuinely mean from the minute we pulled out of the dealership, too quickly and not in a straight line, I knew that it was a different car, and in a good way. It just seemed so much quicker though on paper very similar to the 35iS.
Itās much more spacious inside, which was really important for us. Iām 6ā2 and built for comfort rather than speed and at times felt the E89 a bit snug.I never really seemed to get my seating position just right. Did this within 60 seconds of getting into the G29. Boot space was also important to us as we use this solely for our fun/weekend car. I think itās just clicked 16k and every one of those miles have been on trips, runs, or our European trip last year. We had more than enough space for 18 dayās luggage.
Iām going to do a pros and cons list to see if that helps at all, and no doubt others will have differing opinions on some, or even all, of these but thatās what youāre looking for, others opinions to help you make your decision.
This definitely isnāt āIām in the driving godsā criteria but this car has been driven VERY hard at times and Iāve absolutely NO doubt it flatters my driving abilities by being so good an all round package. We drive as part of a group very regularly with very good drivers and varying cars including ///Mās and heavily modded E89ās not once have I been left feeling I needed either more power or better handling.
Pros
The engine is fantastic, and imo perfectly matched to the gearbox. I donāt miss the manual at all. Always had manual fun cars before the Z4ās. If I want the full hooligan experience, which this will provide, itās into sports + and paddles then hold on. The car thinks quicker than me so why interfere. The acceleration in this thing for overtaking is just madness.
The handling is fantastic, it doesnāt have the roll, weight displacement etc of the E89. It just sits so flat and keeps traction in all but the stupidness that is me that may provoke it. My E89 had new suspension on it just before I got it so this wasnāt down to tired or worn units on the E89
The brakes are very good and capable, only once have they started to fade slightly and that was totally down to how hard it was being driven over a sustained period. (Iāll mention brakes below too)
The cabin is a fantastic place to be, seats are great, space is great seating position just all what I want. I tried a new Boxster GTS 4.0 and nice as it was it felt dated and cramped inside compared to the G29 and that made me appreciate the G29 even more.
The tech is great, best thing for me is HUD, hardly ever look at the dashboard especially not when shifting on. The active cruise is my next favourite thing. The car does many many things that I donāt even know about and find it quite funny when you see people waxing lyrical about all the fancy stuff that theirs does and I didnāt even know mine had that capability. That reflects on me not them btw.
I like the look and style of the car even the front that so many people donāt like.
The roof speed and being able to go up or down while moving. Road noise is better than the E89 too when the roof is down.
This one may seem odd since Iāve said how itās usually driven but thereās an economy mode. This is rarely used but when it is itās perfect. When going to the Chunnel last year, 750 miles, I stuck it in economy mode and was returning over 40 mpg. Yes itās gutless and boring but I was just sitting in motorway traffic with cruise on and using about half the fuel I would normally. General fuel consumption is good too. When weāre out on a forum run etc a tank of fuel will get you through the day of 300 hard miles, fuel light normally on by the end but better than expected for the performance. On the Pyrenees trip I averaged 34 ish over 4K
Cons, and there arenāt many and no big ones
The exhaust sound is almost non existent from inside the car, but this is where itās a bit odd for me. People outside the car say the sound is amazing I was on a forum run and someone was talking about travelling behind me and the exact words used we āwhen I hear the roar off of that b@stard it gives me the heads up heās taking off and I need to get readyā To me thereās no indication of that from within the car. As mentioned an exhaust change is an option, and one Iāve looked at but I could never quite justify the Ā£3k as a must have, maybe on the next one.
At times it can be ātoo quickā the speed it approaches the horizon at times can be very deceiving. I got caught out a few times early doors when I had a few brown trouser moments cornering or trying to slow down to do something. I very quickly realised this wasnāt the cars fault but that I was doing maybe 20mph quicker than I would be in anything else. Once you get used to that all good. The following of course is on my private access roads or my trips abroad but one of the biggest indicators of this is my OH. She drives everywhere at 50 mph but if weāre out hooning and need to slow down when sitting around 80 sheāll regularly ask why weāre going so slow or if thereās something wrong. Itās also a standing joke in our group that she regularly falls asleep when other members OHās are gripping the door handles as we (well they) bounce around the countryside.
Iāve mentioned how good the brakes are above but thereās also the well known issue with them about bad design and stones getting stuck. This has happened to me at least 3 or 4 times. I accept this as an issue and carry a 9 inch flat blade screwdriver in the car. Each time it happens I get the screwdriver and push the backing plate back all the way round and the stone has fallen out. Iāve never had to remove the wheel or call assistance. PITA, yes major issue for me, no.
There is a much bigger blind spot in the G29 over the rear of the seats but we donāt notice it too much as the roof is almost always down.
These points are neither in the pro or con sections just observations.
It is a wide car, but also very flat, I havenāt noticed it much driving the car but people travelling behind me have said things were tight and Iāve not realised. The car tech beeps furiously at me if itās too close so it doesnāt bother me as much. I donāt feel itās too big/heavy but Iāve never been one for a Lotus or MX5 etc. mainly because I wouldnāt fit in the bloody things
The standard Michelins were very grippy ONCE theyād heated up, itās now on Conti 7ās and theyāre a much better tyre all round, especially noise, and give slightly better steering feel.
On the tyres, driven the way I drive mine, the tyre life isnāt great BUT my driving style and the type of car makes this totally acceptable and why this isnāt in the conās section. Iāll be on set 3 soon enough but hopefully rears only this time
The rear tyres Iām probably getting 9-10k before changing. Iāll need to change the current ones within the next few months but covered why below.
I want to caveat that with a few things.
The tyres are getting pushed and hot and with the power going through the rear wheels itās inevitable that theyāre going to wear reasonably quickly when being used on forum runs and the Pyrenees etc. Thatās why I never included it in the negatives because I am the cause of the wear. People like Ori who use the car more as a daily and not firing around the Scottish highlands are getting twice the wear rate that I am.
Also the legal limit and the change depth on this car I found are two different things anything south of 3mm and it starts getting a bit squirrelly!! This is most definitely not helped by the Contiās starting life new at 6.8mm. Not sure what the Michelinās start with. But the Conti choice was a lot to do with reviews helped by price point, Ā£650 v Ā£950 for Michelins (full set) at time of change so a few miles less if the Michelin start with greater tread will be offset by the cost difference. The car has never done donuts or launch control, any wear is just through spirited driving.
I suppose to finish it off, the negatives are very minor and this is by far the favourite car Iāve owned. If I replace it it will be with a new M40i in one of the new colours before the end of the production run
HTH
As mentioned I had the 35iS before the M40i. I liked it, liked the power, acceleration, speed, etc and was perfectly happy. Until I got the M40i itch and started making enquiries.
I genuinely mean from the minute we pulled out of the dealership, too quickly and not in a straight line, I knew that it was a different car, and in a good way. It just seemed so much quicker though on paper very similar to the 35iS.
Itās much more spacious inside, which was really important for us. Iām 6ā2 and built for comfort rather than speed and at times felt the E89 a bit snug.I never really seemed to get my seating position just right. Did this within 60 seconds of getting into the G29. Boot space was also important to us as we use this solely for our fun/weekend car. I think itās just clicked 16k and every one of those miles have been on trips, runs, or our European trip last year. We had more than enough space for 18 dayās luggage.
Iām going to do a pros and cons list to see if that helps at all, and no doubt others will have differing opinions on some, or even all, of these but thatās what youāre looking for, others opinions to help you make your decision.
This definitely isnāt āIām in the driving godsā criteria but this car has been driven VERY hard at times and Iāve absolutely NO doubt it flatters my driving abilities by being so good an all round package. We drive as part of a group very regularly with very good drivers and varying cars including ///Mās and heavily modded E89ās not once have I been left feeling I needed either more power or better handling.
Pros
The engine is fantastic, and imo perfectly matched to the gearbox. I donāt miss the manual at all. Always had manual fun cars before the Z4ās. If I want the full hooligan experience, which this will provide, itās into sports + and paddles then hold on. The car thinks quicker than me so why interfere. The acceleration in this thing for overtaking is just madness.
The handling is fantastic, it doesnāt have the roll, weight displacement etc of the E89. It just sits so flat and keeps traction in all but the stupidness that is me that may provoke it. My E89 had new suspension on it just before I got it so this wasnāt down to tired or worn units on the E89
The brakes are very good and capable, only once have they started to fade slightly and that was totally down to how hard it was being driven over a sustained period. (Iāll mention brakes below too)
The cabin is a fantastic place to be, seats are great, space is great seating position just all what I want. I tried a new Boxster GTS 4.0 and nice as it was it felt dated and cramped inside compared to the G29 and that made me appreciate the G29 even more.
The tech is great, best thing for me is HUD, hardly ever look at the dashboard especially not when shifting on. The active cruise is my next favourite thing. The car does many many things that I donāt even know about and find it quite funny when you see people waxing lyrical about all the fancy stuff that theirs does and I didnāt even know mine had that capability. That reflects on me not them btw.
I like the look and style of the car even the front that so many people donāt like.
The roof speed and being able to go up or down while moving. Road noise is better than the E89 too when the roof is down.
This one may seem odd since Iāve said how itās usually driven but thereās an economy mode. This is rarely used but when it is itās perfect. When going to the Chunnel last year, 750 miles, I stuck it in economy mode and was returning over 40 mpg. Yes itās gutless and boring but I was just sitting in motorway traffic with cruise on and using about half the fuel I would normally. General fuel consumption is good too. When weāre out on a forum run etc a tank of fuel will get you through the day of 300 hard miles, fuel light normally on by the end but better than expected for the performance. On the Pyrenees trip I averaged 34 ish over 4K
Cons, and there arenāt many and no big ones
The exhaust sound is almost non existent from inside the car, but this is where itās a bit odd for me. People outside the car say the sound is amazing I was on a forum run and someone was talking about travelling behind me and the exact words used we āwhen I hear the roar off of that b@stard it gives me the heads up heās taking off and I need to get readyā To me thereās no indication of that from within the car. As mentioned an exhaust change is an option, and one Iāve looked at but I could never quite justify the Ā£3k as a must have, maybe on the next one.
At times it can be ātoo quickā the speed it approaches the horizon at times can be very deceiving. I got caught out a few times early doors when I had a few brown trouser moments cornering or trying to slow down to do something. I very quickly realised this wasnāt the cars fault but that I was doing maybe 20mph quicker than I would be in anything else. Once you get used to that all good. The following of course is on my private access roads or my trips abroad but one of the biggest indicators of this is my OH. She drives everywhere at 50 mph but if weāre out hooning and need to slow down when sitting around 80 sheāll regularly ask why weāre going so slow or if thereās something wrong. Itās also a standing joke in our group that she regularly falls asleep when other members OHās are gripping the door handles as we (well they) bounce around the countryside.
Iāve mentioned how good the brakes are above but thereās also the well known issue with them about bad design and stones getting stuck. This has happened to me at least 3 or 4 times. I accept this as an issue and carry a 9 inch flat blade screwdriver in the car. Each time it happens I get the screwdriver and push the backing plate back all the way round and the stone has fallen out. Iāve never had to remove the wheel or call assistance. PITA, yes major issue for me, no.
There is a much bigger blind spot in the G29 over the rear of the seats but we donāt notice it too much as the roof is almost always down.
These points are neither in the pro or con sections just observations.
It is a wide car, but also very flat, I havenāt noticed it much driving the car but people travelling behind me have said things were tight and Iāve not realised. The car tech beeps furiously at me if itās too close so it doesnāt bother me as much. I donāt feel itās too big/heavy but Iāve never been one for a Lotus or MX5 etc. mainly because I wouldnāt fit in the bloody things
The standard Michelins were very grippy ONCE theyād heated up, itās now on Conti 7ās and theyāre a much better tyre all round, especially noise, and give slightly better steering feel.
On the tyres, driven the way I drive mine, the tyre life isnāt great BUT my driving style and the type of car makes this totally acceptable and why this isnāt in the conās section. Iāll be on set 3 soon enough but hopefully rears only this time
The rear tyres Iām probably getting 9-10k before changing. Iāll need to change the current ones within the next few months but covered why below.
I want to caveat that with a few things.
The tyres are getting pushed and hot and with the power going through the rear wheels itās inevitable that theyāre going to wear reasonably quickly when being used on forum runs and the Pyrenees etc. Thatās why I never included it in the negatives because I am the cause of the wear. People like Ori who use the car more as a daily and not firing around the Scottish highlands are getting twice the wear rate that I am.
Also the legal limit and the change depth on this car I found are two different things anything south of 3mm and it starts getting a bit squirrelly!! This is most definitely not helped by the Contiās starting life new at 6.8mm. Not sure what the Michelinās start with. But the Conti choice was a lot to do with reviews helped by price point, Ā£650 v Ā£950 for Michelins (full set) at time of change so a few miles less if the Michelin start with greater tread will be offset by the cost difference. The car has never done donuts or launch control, any wear is just through spirited driving.
I suppose to finish it off, the negatives are very minor and this is by far the favourite car Iāve owned. If I replace it it will be with a new M40i in one of the new colours before the end of the production run
HTH
G29 M40i Thundernight with Ivory interior, all option packs (here for a while, hopefully )
G29 M40i Misano Blue all option packs (Gone 26k of fun)
E89 35iS, Valencia Orange, Design Pure Traction pack (Gone)
E89 23i sDrive, Silver (Gone)