Chosen a Cupra 300 over a BMW M240i

[noel2014]

Really can't believe I am writing this.. but following a 24 hour test drive with a new BMW M240i.. I have decided to commit to a new lease deal on a Cupra 300.
I know i'll be totally bombarded with abuse by BMW fans, but the BM just simply didn't feel fun. Yes, the engine noise is loads better (naturally as it is a V6), but for a V6 it is actually fairly quiet. From a stand-still, yes it is quicker than a Cupra from the off, but only 0.5 seconds on a 0-60.
My exact words were that the Cupra is loads better around corners and roundabouts if thats how you like to drive. Also I would have no hesitation matching an M240i when both cars are already moving along. I cannot justify paying roughly £2,000 a year more on running costs ( I do 23,000 miles a year) for the very minimal extras/improvements I would get.
Hats off to the Cupra again.

 

[jeff4066]

In all seriousness you must be insane, the 240i engine is so sweet and the car handles so well. On a run going steady you will see a true 35-38 mpg with the auto box. It's better screwed together and a nicer a far nicer ride.

 

[motty225]

I agree with all the above, you're nuts in my mind, It's also a straight 6 not a v6

 

[jeff4066]

It's complete nonsense to suggest the Cupra is quicker around corners and roundabouts, unless you travel to work at 3am in the morning and the raids are clear then it doesn't matter what car you are driving you can only go as fast as the car in front

 

[cupra_ahhh]

I know not the same car, but my friend picked up his new 140M (not M1) last year and his average MPG was very impressive for a 3 liter twin turbo, it was showing has low 40's on a motorway run.

I'm really glad you chose the Cupra though, each to their own with opinions and whatnot.

 

[noel2014]

I guess everyones opinions are subjective.
My Dad has had an M235i for over 2 years. He does a mix of eco and sport+ and over last 14,000 miles averages 28-29MPG. If you drive around like Miss Daisy then you could potentially achieve the mid 30's,, but who buys a car like that to drive to the best MPG !
Having been in my dads 235 many times, and then had the m240 for a weekend,, i really cannot justify the extra, for very little in the way of "smiles per miles, which to me is what it's all about when drive 23,000 miles per year.
Also the M240 had an upgraded sound system (Harmon Karden) - in mine and my friends opinions, the SEAT sound system sounds so much better, especially the bass line and treble.. was v dissapointed with the BM Harmon Karden.
No cruise control as standard in the BM - WTF is that all about for a prestige mark they should be giving that away.
BUT it just does not put a smile on my face the BM.
Also the whole time in the M240 (and I guess the same for the M140) I couldnt help but feel that this was the poorer version of a full "M" car. Whereas in the Cupra, your driving the fastest/best car in the whole SEAT range - and also you see 3-4 "M-lite" cars for every Cupra you see, so Cupra's far less common and more unusual to see. I also get more head-turning on the Cupra - again, probably because not as many about.
Maybe I should test an S3, Golf "R", and an A45 AMG. Bit reluctant with the former 2 as in my opinion far too similar to the Cupra apart from AWD.. the Merc though could be worth a shout. I was toying with the BM as fancied something completely different, as have had an FR184, and the 290 over last 3-4 years.
There's still time as my current lease doesn't end until January and the Cupra 300 i've negotiated I don't have to pay a penny until arrives in courtyard 16-28 weeks so can always pull out the deal.

 

[jeff4066]

Just to clear up any confusion a 240i and a 235i are totally different engines you can't compare the two. 240i is the new modular design with vastly improved economy

 

[noel2014]

Didn't show much improvement in economy from my testing on all the drive modes.. i think the word "vastly" is wrong choice of word. Possibly had I done a few thousand miles I could comment if there is a vast improvement, but i v much doubt it from what I could tell. Did consider though that with a MPE fitted, it would at least sound more enthusiastic for that sort of engine.

 

[jeff4066]

The "vastly" is the correct word I have driven hundreds of thousands of miles in every BMW you can name over the last 20 years, it's my job. It's way more economical than a 235i just look at how the price of 235i's have lowered lately. You won't get much over 19-22 out of a 235i around town even drinking it like a saint.

 

[Springrollz]

Oh wow . Had my cupra for 9 months now and I love but I too believe you've downgraded by choosing a he cupra over the m240i. I was behind a m140i the other day which I believe has the same engine , bright orange with the number plate "m140 yh" and I could not keep up from 10mph-70mph. It's so rapid and from the looks of it , it doesnt suffer from any sort of lag. Mind you the cupra would surely keep up after that and is cheaper to lease, run, insure and more of a unicorn.

 

[cupra_ahhh]

Oh wow . Had my cupra for 9 months now and I love but I too believe you've downgraded by choosing a he cupra over the m240i. I was behind a m140i the other day which I believe has the same engine , bright orange with the number plate "m140 yh" and I could not keep up from 10mph-70mph. It's so rapid and from the looks of it , it doesnt suffer from any sort of lag. Mind you the cupra would surely keep up after that and is cheaper to lease, run, insure and more of a unicorn.

At the risk of treading on a few toes....

Don't forget that regardless of how nice the person is who owns the BMW, once they get behind the wheel they change into total ****.

The stigma that BMW's carry is justified which is a real shame, as they're obviously very good cars.

I can't think of label with SEAT's or their drivers.

 

[Lentäjä]

I totally understand you.
Faster or not...BMWs are just rubbish.
I used to work with those pos and there is hardly any premium on them but the price and image.

 

[Ckpearce91]

I quite like the M140i. The Mrs won't let me get a BM though as I'm not a drug dealer

 

[cupra_ahhh]

I totally understand you.
Faster or not...BMWs are just rubbish.
I used to work with those pos and there is hardly any premium on them but the price and image.

Hahaha, I'm surprised considering how popular they are, guess it goes to show that the majority of drivers/owners have one purely because "it's a BM init!?"

I quite like the M140i. The Mrs won't let me get a BM though as I'm not a drug dealer

Haha,, also this. Since my girlfriend has had her own car, just over two years now, she's seen the stereotypical BMW many many times. We won't ever own one, plus I think they only really have one car that is actually a good looking car, and that's the 6 series. The rest are just a bit meh.

 

[jpor]

At the risk of treading on a few toes....

Don't forget that regardless of how nice the person is who owns the BMW, once they get behind the wheel they change into total ****.

The stigma that BMW's carry is justified which is a real shame, as they're obviously very good cars.

I can't think of label with SEAT's or their drivers.

Yep. It's a shame the indicator pack is an option on BMWs. it's free on a SEAT

 

[Xpo]

I understand you, and my friend has an m140i. Just driving on some regular back roads or cruising on the autobahn, it's a bloody great car. Fast, silent and really fun to drive. It's smooth. The infotainment system beats the Cupra any day. But if you really want to drive your car hard or on the track? I'm not trading mine for an m140/m240 any day at all. It doesn't give you the same confidence as with the Cupra. It's still a damn fast car with a great engine but the money to put in on it(with the right extras) is on the edge. And then I'd rather have the M2...

 

[stadan]

The fact you thought it was a v6 shows why you were never worthy of the 240

 

[MEZ44]

The fact you thought it was a v6 shows why you were never worthy of the 240

LOL


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[J400uk]

I haven't posted on here in ages, since having a string of SEATs, Golfs and an Audi S5 I'm now driving a BMW M135i. Afraid to say it's definitely the best of the lot! Can't beat the smoothness of the straight 6 and RWD is great fun. Averaged 26mpg from 6k miles of driving it quite hard

Each to there own though!

 

[WhenImAlone]

I'll be honest, I like BMs (I've made the mistake of having a go in an M3 and now I want one!) but they're so common on the roads that it really puts me off getting one unless its a true M model. The M240i has great reviews and seems brilliant but, IMO, its far too similar to other 2 series models you see around and that puts me off.

Maybe it's just me but I hardly ever see a Cupra on the road. Lots of Leons, lots of Ibizas, but almost no Cupras.