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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesThe Australian-market BMW M140i Performance Edition pairs a turbocharged straight-six with rear-wheel drive, giving this hot hatch an unusually playful character without abandoning everyday hatchback usefulness. In New Atlas’s week-long 2017 review, the engine and chassis were the main attractions; limited steering feedback, an aging-feeling cabin and the edition’s price premium were the compromises.
This is a review of the Australian Performance Edition tested by Scott Collie for New Atlas on September 8, 2017, not a current used-car inspection. It is also distinct from BMW UK’s 2017 Edition Shadow trim and the later UK M140i Championship Edition.
What makes the M140i Performance Edition different?
The M140i’s defining choice is its drivetrain: a turbocharged inline-six drives the rear wheels, rather than following the front- or all-wheel-drive layouts common among hot hatches. That gives the car a distinct engine character and lets throttle input influence its attitude on a winding road.
The Australian Performance Edition added specific trim and hardware, according to the New Atlas review:
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- M Sport exhaust, M Performance spoked wheels and carbon-fiber mirror caps.
- An Alcantara-trimmed steering wheel with a red center stripe, Alcantara-and-cloth seats and door panels, and carbon-fiber accents on the transmission tunnel and door handles.
- A six-speed manual was available on one quarter of the 60 Australian cars. New Atlas says this manual version included a rear limited-slip differential.
The review does not establish that the automatic Performance Edition had the limited-slip differential, so buyers should verify the equipment on any particular car rather than infer it from the edition name.
Do not confuse this package with similarly named UK cars. BMW’s 2017 UK Edition Shadow featured black headlight inserts, a black kidney-grille surround, dark rear lamps and 18-inch wheels. BMW separately announced a 2018 UK M140i Championship Edition: 30 three-door cars, with an M Performance exhaust, limited-slip differential and rear spoiler, priced at £40,400 OTR. Those were separate UK specifications, not the Australian car in the New Atlas review. (BMW UK Edition Shadow announcement; BMW UK Championship Edition announcement.)
How quick is it, and which gearbox suits it?
BMW UK’s launch information described the 2017 M140i with a 3.0-litre straight-six producing 340hp and 500Nm. The manufacturer quoted a 0–62mph time of 4.8 seconds for the six-speed manual and 4.6 seconds for the optional eight-speed Sport Automatic. Its period official combined fuel figures were 36.2mpg for the manual and 39.8mpg for the automatic. These are manufacturer test-cycle figures from the launch period, not promises of real-world consumption. (BMW UK launch information.)
A May 2017 BMW technical document lists the M140i’s 500Nm torque band as 1,520–4,500rpm and gives the same manual and automatic acceleration times. It also lists a 4.4-second 0–62mph time for the automatic M140i xDrive. That all-wheel-drive variant was automatic-only; it is not the rear-drive Australian review car. (BMW technical document, May 2017.)
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New Atlas reported the Australian test car at 250kW (335hp) and 500Nm. BMW UK’s launch material uses 340hp. Those are each source’s stated figures for its own market and material; they should not be silently treated as identical measurements.
Automatic: the easy daily choice
The reviewer found the automatic’s shifts quick and the engine strong through its rev range. It suits a driver who wants the car’s straight-six performance and everyday convenience without choosing a manual. The review’s main value question is whether the Performance Edition’s added equipment justifies its premium in this configuration, particularly when the manual’s differential is part of the appeal but is not established for the automatic.
Manual: the more involving specification
For drivers who want to work the gearbox, the manual is the more emotionally engaging choice in the review’s framing. In the Australian edition, it also brought the rear limited-slip differential, making it a materially different proposition rather than simply an alternative transmission. Check the actual car’s specification and differential before buying.
What is it like on the road?
New Atlas praised the six-cylinder engine’s smooth delivery, exhaust character, response at low revs and willingness to rev. On winding roads, the rear-drive layout and throttle let the driver adjust the car’s attitude. In Sport Plus, the reviewer found the car would allow some slip before stability control intervened.
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The counterpoint was steering feel: the reviewer found feedback limited. That matters if steering communication is a priority; the M140i’s appeal in this account rests more on its engine, rear-drive balance and ability to be playful than on especially vivid steering.
The same car could serve both weekday and weekend duties in the reviewer’s experience. It felt refined on a commute, then entertaining on a weekend drive. These are impressions from one week with one car, not a guarantee of how a particular used example will drive today.
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It retains the 1 Series hatchback’s useful shape rather than giving up everyday function for its performance. The review’s rear-seat anecdote involved several tall adults, and its luggage fit in the boot. Auto Express also gives the 1 Series a 360-litre boot capacity, while noting that rear space is tighter than in a Volkswagen Golf. Treat those as model-level observations and try the actual car with your passengers and luggage. (Auto Express used BMW 1 Series review.)
New Atlas notes that the car has no spare wheel, only a puncture-repair kit. If you travel far from assistance or regularly carry heavy loads, check that arrangement and consider whether it suits your use.
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Where does the cabin feel dated?
The reviewer liked the driving position and found iDrive quick to use, but thought the dashboard architecture and some materials felt dated beside newer rivals. That contrast is central to the car’s character: the mechanical package felt distinctive, while the cabin did not feel as fresh.
Apple CarPlay cost an extra AU$600 in the Australian market and period covered by the review. That historical charge does not establish whether CarPlay is fitted, available or priced the same way on a car in another market or today; verify the specific vehicle’s equipment.
Was the Performance Edition worth its premium?
New Atlas reported a historical Australian starting price of AU$71,900 for the automatic Performance Edition and a AU$7,500 difference between the manual Performance Edition and the regular M140i. These are the review’s 2017 Australian-market prices, not current used-car valuations.
The premium makes the clearest case for itself if you specifically want the edition’s additions and, especially, the manual car’s limited-slip differential. If the automatic is your choice, decide whether the exhaust, wheels and cabin trim are worth the price difference to you; the review does not establish that the automatic shares the manual’s differential.
When comparing examples, focus on the actual configuration and condition, not just the badge:
Quick Recap
- Confirm drivetrain: rear-wheel drive or, where applicable, xDrive.
- Identify the gearbox and verify whether a limited-slip differential is fitted.
- Check which edition and market specification the car actually has; UK Edition Shadow and Championship Edition equipment is not interchangeable with the Australian Performance Edition.
- Assess engine response, exhaust character, steering feel and handling on a suitable test drive.
- Try the rear seats and boot for your passengers and regular cargo; inspect the puncture-repair equipment.
- Check the cabin equipment you expect, including CarPlay, rather than relying on a period review’s market-specific options.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
