About time, the 130i started to swallow up money for maintenance in a quick rate lately.
Also, I got slightly bored with it, even with the mid-term switch to nicer and wider BMW Performance wheels which greatly improved looks and handling.

BMW nowadays offers only one car that gets my attention, the M2, but I consider it too costly for me.
The 140i is ok, but then it is not a great looker and the base car as common as my older 130i.
So I went kinda back to my real car preferences.



Ok, this was the little shuttle car the friendly dealership lend me to collect my new toy in another branch of it.
Here we go.




Better.




Perhaps the last chance to get one of these, no turbo, no downsize engine, RWD, limited slip diff as standard.
I couldn't even order one, the facelift is already lurking.
So the demonstrator was it.
And finally, after 30 years, I got the yellow car I always wanted.







Animals approve it.



Deal was that the car was shown at a local show before – well, this shaved off some more from the price sticker.




Nice to see the RS there, both cars sat on my window sill before, because the RS was on my shortlist, too.
Interesting that 90% of these people there only test-seated the Stang.



RS was nice, but with rock-hard sports seats and in comparision so boyracer-ish and common looking.
Also more costly.

Two days later the pony was cleaned-up and released.
This car is awesome fun!
Sound, handling, ergonomics, looks, so striking.

I was kept off a long while because of the sheer size (which basically still sucks) and the doubts about build quality, rust prevention, materials and such.
Indeed it is way below BMW, but then we are in M4 territory here – for 140i prices.
So wtf, not much leather here, many, many plastics, lamentable responsibility, but so down to earth despite many gadgets.
Genuine fun, and people love it. So many thumbs up and questions already after 2 days.
















Beatifully designed inside...



... and breathtaking outside.




It may be common in the States, here it is an alien invader.




Home improvements...





In case you wondered I got the AW model lately... by co-incidence it came in the day I tested the S550.
(In the rain, as it had to be... eek.)
Funny enough, the ebay seller had left-over car wrap foil, and was so kind to send it to me afterwards when I mentioned I wanted this black roof option look.