We grew more in love with the BMW M240i the more we drove it. It’s a little coupe that is incredibly quick, shockingly polished, and dead simple to live with all at once. Even the more extreme, faster, and more costly BMW M2 may not compare to it in terms of driving performance.
You occasionally come upon an automobile that performs better than you had anticipated. More usability, performance, and virtually everything else. One such vehicle is the BMW M240i, particularly in coupe form, though even the convertible model I briefly drove before switching to the coupe performed much better than I had imagined.
There are several causes, but I think the styling of the car is the primary one. Perhaps it’s the 18-inch wheels’ comparatively small size, or perhaps it’s the lack of any aggressive skirts and spoilers like those seen on the full-house M2. However, for some reason, the M240i doesn’t appear to be nearly as powerful as it actually is, and I actually prefer that in a modern vehicle.
For instance, you would never imagine that this vehicle could reach 62 mph in the exact same amount of time as the £165,00 Aston Martin GT8. However, the M240i is only that speedy as long as you specify the optional (and fantastic) 8-speed automatic transmission and employ the launch control system. Due to its booming low to mid-range torque and densely packed gear ratios, it seems faster and more frantic above 50 mph than it does while pulling away from the line.
With its dampers set to maximum response, throttle and gear shift maps at maximum assault, and steering cranked up to deliver the sharpest reactions, it feels especially much like a juvenile M-car in Sport + mode.
In This Article...
Driving
The BMW M240i is a fantastic vehicle out of the box, but the automatic transmission is a worthwhile upgrade. Since there is no clutch pedal to press, the BMW is more relaxing to drive in town and swaps gears so smoothly that you hardly realize it.
The 2 Series’ standard rear parking sensors and the good vision out the back make low-speed maneuvering and parking simple.
The automatic gearbox has eight ratios (the manual has only six), which means the BMW engine doesn’t have to work too hard to cruise. It also makes a case for itself on the freeway.
The 2 Series has more tire and wind noise at those speeds than an Audi TTS, but it’s still a respectable vehicle for traveling long distances.
It is worthwhile to spend PS360 on adaptive cruise control to increase highway safety (and to keep the coupe competitive with newer rivals). In other words, the BMW M240i can automatically apply the brakes when the vehicle in front of it slows down, and then resume your chosen cruising pace.
Euro NCAP has never conducted a crash test on the BMW M240i, while the mechanically similar 1 Series received all five stars in 2012.
In any case, it’s preferable to ignore issues like crashes and focus on the BMW’s responsive handling. Because the steering provides your fingers a solid notion of how much traction the car has, it’s a simple automobile to drive at the limit. Although the BMW M240i is not a lightweight sports car, its compact body allows you more room to maneuver on the road, and the stability control system of the vehicle doesn’t ruin the fun but will keep you out of trouble if things go out of hand.
There is no limited-slip differential, unlike the BMW M2, but on the road, where this car will probably spend the most of its time, slippery powerslides aren’t really an option.
Pricing
- $36,350 as the base price plus $995 for travel.
- Price of Trim Base: $49.545
- Price as-Tested: $57.295
The standard BMW 2 Series will cost $37,345 in 2022 when the $995 destination fee is added. That is significantly less expensive than the most cheapest Cayman ($61,850) and less expensive than a four-cylinder Supra ($44,315). Even if the M240i costs at least $49,545, it is still a reasonable choice in comparison to the alternatives.
This tester costs $57,295 and comes with the majority of the features. Sure, that does sound like a lot for such a small automobile when taken at face value. However, the $2,750 Premium option, the $1,450 Driving Assistance package, and the $1,450 Vernasca Read leather interior of the M240i justify that price. The M240i is still less expensive than a comparable Cayman or TT even with all of those options installed.
And given how little else is offered at that price, that price is unquestionably a benefit. Five minutes behind the wheel of this vehicle will reveal everything, even if you don’t glance at the MSRP. The BMW M240i is incredibly endearing, friendly, and enjoyable to drive. It’s challenging to resist falling in love with this tiny car once the essential accessories, including as an active driving suite and improved tech, are added.
Review of the BMW M240i xDrive: A Swift yet Cantankerous Coupe
A vehicle like the 2017 BMW 2 Series cannot be described as anything other than brave in an era where only SUVs are certain to earn money. The new 2 is a small, rear-drive luxury coupe that is practically a textbook illustration of how a vehicle business may lose money. The identical car could be built on stilts with black plastic skirts and a “Cross” emblem and would bring in thousands more with each sale. However, if BMW utilizes the 2 to demonstrate that it still has a perfect understanding of how to capture the essence of its most powerful /M CS models and infuse it into its most inexpensive M performance coupe: the 2022 BMW M240i xDrive, then the risk might be worthwhile.
It wasn’t a gamble that paid off. The M240i initially impresses with a classy and reliable interior and a roaring turbocharged inline-six, whose power I believe BMW underrates, but the shine ultimately fades. When it happens, you discover that despite its advantages, the car isn’t really enjoyable to drive or ride in as a passenger.
I’m not sure what BMW was thinking when it approved the M240i in this form: an M-lite vehicle that is miserable to operate in anything other than Eco mode. It appears to have a terribly inadequate understanding of what makes driving pleasant for a firm that still markets itself as “The Ultimate Driving Machine.” When I write a review of an automobile, I try to explain why it exists and what purpose it serves in someone’s life that no other vehicle can. This time, I can’t give you a happy response to that question since BMW missed the chance to demonstrate that it can build the ideal driver’s car at the bottom of its portfolio. I don’t know if it’s just my growing skepticism toward the auto industry, but I have the impression that BMW limited the M240i in order to make the eventual M2 appear superior in comparison. However, given the significant difference between the M5 Competition and M5 CS, it’s possible that such intentional stratification of M cars isn’t beyond BMW after all.
Excellent Sneak Peek
The 2022 BMW M240i xDrive Coupe offers good performance and luxury for the money. For less than $60,000 out the door, it packs a lot of performance and capability, yet offers a solid balance of everyday luxury and ease. I only mean it positively when I refer to it as a near-M automobile or an M-lite car.
Additionally, if driven carefully, it will even return 23 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway… albeit it will be quite challenging to do so. Particularly in light of how confident and stable it is at really unpopular freeway speeds.
The most significant lessons from the 2022 M240i are that BMW still produces a lively, energetic 2 Series, that this one is worth the extra money over a base 230i (though again, the 230i is still a fine option), and that it provides a reliable preview of how awesome the upcoming M2 will be. The next M2 will be a true monster if it takes everything the M240i does well, enhances the steering, and increases every performance metric. Oh, and there is also a manual transmission that is optional, fingers crossed.
Does it feel mature or driving with its own cheeky personality?
The tracks and wheelbase of this 2 are wider than the previous model’s. It is therefore stable, but the suspension has just been resolved much better. The new M240i is astonishingly composed, mature, taut, and yet quite comfortable in comparison to the old car, which porpoised and bounced on a hard route as if the suspension were strapped down with bungee cords. The porky weight just diminishes the impression when you truly lean on it.
Although a (single-rear-wheel drive) M2 will reach the top of the lineup in the next year, this young pretender is in a strong position to replace the current generation of M vehicles considering how quick it is and how comfortable it rides compared to them. It is also faster than the previous M2.
Is maintenance on the BMW M240i expensive?
Costs of BMW M240i auto maintenance and repairs A BMW M240i is expected to require maintenance and repairs between $95 and $1988, with a typical cost of $300.
Can you trust a BMW M240i?
Although the 2 Series Coupe was too new to be included in the most recent What Car? Reliability Survey, BMW as a brand placed a respectable 13th overall (out of 30 manufacturers) in the league table. Unfortunately, the 2 Series Coupe only received a four-star overall rating from Euro NCAP, missing out on the highest five-star safety grade.
The BMW M240i is swift.
A 3.0-liter inline-six turbocharged engine that generates 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque powers the BMW M240i. With it, the coupe accelerates to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds and on to a peak speed cap of 155 mph.
The current M2 Competition will reach 60 mph in under 4.0 seconds, while the new M240i does it in 4.1 seconds, according to the official 60 timings published by BMW.
The new 2 Series is produced by BMW at its plant in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. It is the newest plant for the corporation and will go on making new models in the future.
Is the BMW M240i a sporty vehicle?
Does a “M-light” have the potential to be the greatest car in the BMW sportscar lineup this year? If you’ve been reading our reviews, you’re probably already well-versed in the BMW M series. We had the opportunity to uncover what makes the M240i unique by pulling back the curtain on one of the most thrilling sports cars now on the market. If the M240i is a preview of the next-generation BMW M2, then boy will that car be crazy. Let’s examine the 2022 BMW M240i’s operating system.
How much does it cost to own a BMW?
When calculating the total cost of ownership for BMWs, like with any other car, truck, or SUV, it’s critical to account for the expenses for routine maintenance. Examining the overall reliability rating of the vehicle can be one technique to assist you in determining the possibility of potential problems. A car is more likely to need maintenance and experience breakdowns if its score is lower. BMW is rated as the 30th most reliable car brand out of 32 by RepairPal, receiving a score of merely 2.5 out of 5.0.
BMW, nevertheless, was rated as the seventh most trustworthy automaker in the United States in 2020 by the J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study. BMW was ranked higher than other high-end manufacturers including Cadillac, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, and Chrysler. With such contradicting scores, we advise researching the individual BMW model you now own or are considering buying to see what common maintenance and repair difficulties they may experience.
BMW is the most expensive brand to service in addition to these varying reliability ratings. In fact, throughout the course of ten years of ownership, BMW owners can anticipate spending $17,800 on average. Mercedes-Benz is the second most costly brand, costing over $4,900 more than BMW.
With Supreme for Highline Vehicles, you may discover comprehensive coverage for a number of BMW models as well as a number of other luxury automakers’ models, including Porsche, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, Land Rover, and more. This inclusionary addition to our all-inclusive Supreme plan will assist in covering the expense of breakdowns and repairs for your luxury car, allowing you to save money and quickly get back on the road.