M40i couple of questions for long term Zedder’s

T

True-Blue

Veteran
 Bristol/Bath
Site Supporter
A friend at work is considering an M40i and has asked me about them as an ownership proposition, I’ve pointed him here but doubt he’ll join up.

I’ve not driven the G29, but in my head I imagine it has better handling than the E89 and is more comfortable than an E85, and I’m guessing the M40i is very quick.

Looks like a few incidents of roof issues, probably limited, some issues with stones getting stuck in the brakes.. are there many other frequent issues? Would a warranty be essential, say like with an E89 35i/s ?

I imagine the overall handling/performance is similar to the Supra with the same engine?

Any input more than welcome, particularly from those with experience of all Z4 generations.

Thank you.
 
Last edited:
Having owned all three variants, including one automatic M40i and one manual M40i, my two pennies worth.

I loved my 2.5Si e85 because it was stupidly entertaining to drive, nimble, agile and completely addictive to thrash. On the downside it wasn't the most comfortable to drive, lots of road noise and tramlining.

The e89, was a nice step in making the car more comfortable and quieter at the cost of size and weight, it was still a six speed manual, but more power from a 3.0l, performance was better but not massively so. It was certainly not as nimble, but I enjoyed the car none the less.

The g29 M40i automatic mixed the best parts of both, driving enjoyment, comfort and practicality, whilst the B58 is one of the finest engines BMW have produced. Issues are steering (sometimes vague on centre), squealing brakes, rock the car backwards in reverses seems to solve it and sometimes it's a bit fidgety (this has been solved on the manual as well as steering feel improvements). Performance is all that you really need and the gearbox is effortless which means you have to be aware of how fast you are going, it is so easy to speed, especially when overtaking, which is way to easy.

The g29 M40i six speed manual, is just the best Z4 I've owned or driven, it is almost perfect, I've spent over five hours in it without rest and at the end of my journey still wanting to have a play on the twisties near home. The manual just makes you DRIVE it not ride with it.
 
I have owned all three generations (E85 M Roadster, E89 35is and G29 M40i). Generally as with everything the more up to date the car is then the better it drives, handles etc. The issues you mention are pretty much the common ones that I am aware of. I had the M40i from new but only kept it for 10 months as I really didn't like the way it handled when pushing on. I also found it unstable in wet conditions. It was very reminiscent of an M140i which I had back in 2017.
 
Boyo said:
I have owned all three generations (E85 M Roadster, E89 35is and G29 M40i). Generally as with everything the more up to date the car is then the better it drives, handles etc. The issues you mention are pretty much the common ones that I am aware of. I had the M40i from new but only kept it for 10 months as I really didn't like the way it handled when pushing on. I also found it unstable in wet conditions. It was very reminiscent of an M140i which I had back in 2017.
Click to expand...
What were those traits, understeer followed by snap oversteer.. or just hard to tell where the limits were from steering feedback?
 
For a bit of perspective, he did try a 718 Boxster after a passenger ride in my Cayman (now sold) and loved it.

He was all up for going down the Porsche route until he realised what the ownership costs were like. I don’t mean buying, I mean OPC servicing to maintain the warranty, cost of the warranty extensions etc. I think a lot of Porsche buyers sell up when the big service and warranty extension bills loom.

I’ve been looking for a 718 GTS since selling my Base, most cars on sale privately have left dealer servicing and lost the OPC warranty.. they hang around for ever. I think the only safe dealer purchase is via an OPC too. It says something when BMW servicing and warranty costs seem reasonable 😅
 
  • Haha
Reactions: B21
It’s fast enough, comfortable enough, handling is very good and it looks good, fantastic engine, reliability is good not too not many issues, its a different animal to an E85 which is much more of a fun car

But it does not handle like 718
 
True-Blue said:
What were those traits, understeer followed by snap oversteer.. or just hard to tell where the limits were from steering feedback?
Click to expand...
The balance of the car didn't seem right under hard acceleration. I guess I have been spoiled by mid engine Porsche's in which I have always had total confidence when pressing on.
 
B21 said:
Always needs something to bring a sense of perspective..Porsche servicing…AM parts prices..etc
Click to expand...

Ah, ok.

I’ve not done any kind of research, but I’m guessing that the costs of servicing the most recent Supra are probably lower than BMW charge for the M40i which probably has the same consumables. Oh, and Toyota extend the warranty to 100k miles or 10years on the Supra (For free) if you keep to the service schedule via main dealer.

Porsche want circa £1k for an oil change service on a 4 cylinder 718, circa £2k for a major with plugs and something like £1.8k for a 24 month OPC warranty… on the other hand I guess Lamborghini and Ferrari ‘tax’ probably makes ‘Porsche tax’ seem reasonable 😂
 
  • Wow
Reactions: RMB
As an update, I’ve shared a screenshot of the comments and I think he’s going to test drive a M40i, with a view to buying a ‘new’ pre-registered main dealer car. Some decent discounts on car’s in stock it seems.
 
True-Blue said:
As an update, I’ve shared a screenshot of the comments and I think he’s going to test drive a M40i, with a view to buying a ‘new’ pre-registered main dealer car. Some decent discounts on car’s in stock it seems.
Click to expand...
Like all these things depends what his reference points are…if he’s coming from a 740 Volvo then…
 
True-Blue said:
Ah, ok.

I’ve not done any kind of research, but I’m guessing that the costs of servicing the most recent Supra are probably lower than BMW charge for the M40i which probably has the same consumables. Oh, and Toyota extend the warranty to 100k miles or 10years on the Supra (For free) if you keep to the service schedule via main dealer.

Porsche want circa £1k for an oil change service on a 4 cylinder 718, circa £2k for a major with plugs and something like £1.8k for a 24 month OPC warranty… on the other hand I guess Lamborghini and Ferrari ‘tax’ probably makes ‘Porsche tax’ seem reasonable 😂
Click to expand...
Servicing on a Porsche is bi annually or 20K miles so in real terms not that bad. I paid £900 on my recent Cayman for an oil service and brake fluid change. The major service at 4 years old was coming in at around £1500. These are OPC prices. If your colleague purchases a Porsche Approved car over 3 years old they will get an official 2 year warranty as standard.
 
I've always thought of it this way (theorizing to a degree):

BMW made the E85 to compete with the Boxster, then doubled-down with the Z4M, but ultimately were never going to beat Porsche at their game. So with the E89 they pivoted to compete with Mercedes roadsters, producing more of a GT, not so much a sports car. This was somewhat successful, but not as exciting as it could be. With the G29, I think they decided to split the difference: if you run it in Comfort mode it's perfectly happy to act like a GT cruiser – it'll keep you nice an comfortable, won't be too loud, will ride nice and smooth, etc. But if you toss it into Sport or Sport+, it becomes a different experience, closer to, but not quite, a true sports car. Add in the Handschalter package with it's changes to the suspension, etc., and I think this is especially true – toss it into Sports+ and you've got something pretty damn close to a true sports car. It's why I have one ordered right now – I think they took the perfect approach with the G29, and once they added the HS package I just couldn't say no. Also, the B58 is a truly magnificent engine, maybe the best that BMW has ever produced.

I own an E85 Z4M and while I absolutely adore the car, you kind of have to know what you're getting yourself into. There's nothing vaguely comfortable about the ride, and the transmission – especially 1st to 2nd - is pretty harsh and unforgiving. It's a pure sports car, doesn't pretend to be anything else, and doesn't really make any accommodations for comfort. Which is fine, because that's why I own it – to be a sports car first and foremost. The rest of the E85 lineup is the same idea, just a little bit less so than the M.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RMB
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom