Don’t buy M4 before trying M240i!!!!
Discussion
M240i
Manual
Adaptive dampers
After 6 months ownership of a M4CP and 3 weeks ownership of the M240i, I’ve got to say the 2 series is better.
As a daily driver, the M240i rides better, more quiet and more comfortable than the M4.
That’s to be expected though, seeing as one is a M car and the other is a normal 2 series with a big engine and an M badge BUT, seriously, it’s better.
First things first, I can extract every single inch of power from the M240i in 1st and 2nd gear without breaking the NSL speed limit.
Second, the car doesn’t break traction despite having an open diff.
Third, the steering feels more accurate and doesn’t move around as much as the M4 which inspires more confidence.
Fourth, due to the superior level of traction and better steering, it inspires more confidence in the bends. Recently I posted an update on my M4 thread saying my brothers MK8 Golf R feels more stable and gives me more confidence than the M4….well, the M240i manages all that even better that the Golf and M4, it’s literally the best of both worlds!
To the average driver who’s peak is fast b road use, the M240i is more fun and more accessible. The M4 felt like riding a dragon, it was just intimidating. Jeremy Clarkson and Chris Harris love cars like that because they get to slide it round a circuit but to someone like me, it’s too much. I probably experienced 25% of the M4’s capabilities where as I was able to experience 100% of the M240i’s capabilities within the first week because it was that easier to drive!
Some will say I didn’t know how to drive the M4 and it is the better car which might be true to a good driver but to an average joe like myself, it’s the ultimate car. My car history isn’t extensive but I did have the FK8 Civic Type R which I thought was the best car in the world, I have access to my brothers Golf R and I owned the M4 CP. the M240i is the ultimate all rounder and I love it.
Here’s mine, I just installed eibach springs and spacers
Manual
Adaptive dampers
After 6 months ownership of a M4CP and 3 weeks ownership of the M240i, I’ve got to say the 2 series is better.
As a daily driver, the M240i rides better, more quiet and more comfortable than the M4.
That’s to be expected though, seeing as one is a M car and the other is a normal 2 series with a big engine and an M badge BUT, seriously, it’s better.
First things first, I can extract every single inch of power from the M240i in 1st and 2nd gear without breaking the NSL speed limit.
Second, the car doesn’t break traction despite having an open diff.
Third, the steering feels more accurate and doesn’t move around as much as the M4 which inspires more confidence.
Fourth, due to the superior level of traction and better steering, it inspires more confidence in the bends. Recently I posted an update on my M4 thread saying my brothers MK8 Golf R feels more stable and gives me more confidence than the M4….well, the M240i manages all that even better that the Golf and M4, it’s literally the best of both worlds!
To the average driver who’s peak is fast b road use, the M240i is more fun and more accessible. The M4 felt like riding a dragon, it was just intimidating. Jeremy Clarkson and Chris Harris love cars like that because they get to slide it round a circuit but to someone like me, it’s too much. I probably experienced 25% of the M4’s capabilities where as I was able to experience 100% of the M240i’s capabilities within the first week because it was that easier to drive!
Some will say I didn’t know how to drive the M4 and it is the better car which might be true to a good driver but to an average joe like myself, it’s the ultimate car. My car history isn’t extensive but I did have the FK8 Civic Type R which I thought was the best car in the world, I have access to my brothers Golf R and I owned the M4 CP. the M240i is the ultimate all rounder and I love it.
Here’s mine, I just installed eibach springs and spacers
I suspect most prospective M4 buyers would look at the M2 Competition if they were weighing up a 2 series as an option, rather than an M240i.
The M240i is a little gem of a car from BMW, and in some ways, easier to live with than an M2 Comp. - It's pretty much 8~9/10ths of an M2 Comp., without the higher price and running costs, but ........ There are times when the little bit extra that the M2 Comp. provides, makes it worth the extra cost.
(The M240i can be tuned up to M2 performance levels - By the same token, the M2 can be tuned to levels beyond the M240i. As the old saying goes: "Speed is just a question of money - How fast do you want to go?")
As for M4 comparisons:
For many people, both the M240i and the M2 Competition look too dumpy (neither are an elegant design - Aggressive?: Yes, Elegant? - No), and when it comes to the interiors, both 2 series cars show that they have been built to a tighter budget than the M4.
At the end of the day, the M240i is basically ///M Lite, which is great, but for some people, nothing but full fat ///M will do.
I'd say: "Buy what you want - Not what someone else tells you to buy"
The M240i is a little gem of a car from BMW, and in some ways, easier to live with than an M2 Comp. - It's pretty much 8~9/10ths of an M2 Comp., without the higher price and running costs, but ........ There are times when the little bit extra that the M2 Comp. provides, makes it worth the extra cost.
(The M240i can be tuned up to M2 performance levels - By the same token, the M2 can be tuned to levels beyond the M240i. As the old saying goes: "Speed is just a question of money - How fast do you want to go?")
As for M4 comparisons:
For many people, both the M240i and the M2 Competition look too dumpy (neither are an elegant design - Aggressive?: Yes, Elegant? - No), and when it comes to the interiors, both 2 series cars show that they have been built to a tighter budget than the M4.
At the end of the day, the M240i is basically ///M Lite, which is great, but for some people, nothing but full fat ///M will do.
I'd say: "Buy what you want - Not what someone else tells you to buy"
I'm always slightly baffled by people choosing the proper M cars as daily drivers.
In reality, if you have the Nürburgring at your disposal on a weekly basis, then okay, go for it. For the rest of the time something a bit less hardcore will be a more pleasant drive, especially in heavily speed controlled UK.
I think the desire often comes from wanting the "top" model in a range, which is as much about trying to impress friends/family/neighbours.
The sad reality is they don't care. Buy the car that best suits your needs.
In reality, if you have the Nürburgring at your disposal on a weekly basis, then okay, go for it. For the rest of the time something a bit less hardcore will be a more pleasant drive, especially in heavily speed controlled UK.
I think the desire often comes from wanting the "top" model in a range, which is as much about trying to impress friends/family/neighbours.
The sad reality is they don't care. Buy the car that best suits your needs.
GTEYE said:
I'm always slightly baffled by people choosing the proper M cars as daily drivers.
In reality, if you have the Nürburgring at your disposal on a weekly basis, then okay, go for it. For the rest of the time something a bit less hardcore will be a more pleasant drive, especially in heavily speed controlled UK.
I think the desire often comes from wanting the "top" model in a range, which is as much about trying to impress friends/family/neighbours.
The sad reality is they don't care. Buy the car that best suits your needs.
Some people actually buy what THEY want, not to impress anyone. Enjoy your slightly baffled view of M car ownership. In reality, if you have the Nürburgring at your disposal on a weekly basis, then okay, go for it. For the rest of the time something a bit less hardcore will be a more pleasant drive, especially in heavily speed controlled UK.
I think the desire often comes from wanting the "top" model in a range, which is as much about trying to impress friends/family/neighbours.
The sad reality is they don't care. Buy the car that best suits your needs.
GTEYE said:
I'm always slightly baffled by people choosing the proper M cars as daily drivers.
In reality, if you have the Nürburgring at your disposal on a weekly basis, then okay, go for it. For the rest of the time something a bit less hardcore will be a more pleasant drive, especially in heavily speed controlled UK.
I think the desire often comes from wanting the "top" model in a range, which is as much about trying to impress friends/family/neighbours.
The sad reality is they don't care. Buy the car that best suits your needs.
The whole point of an M car is that it’s a bloody fast, capable daily. I guess for those who can only have one car. I know plenty of people who use M3’s as a daily and love the and not because they wanted they poshest 3 series.In reality, if you have the Nürburgring at your disposal on a weekly basis, then okay, go for it. For the rest of the time something a bit less hardcore will be a more pleasant drive, especially in heavily speed controlled UK.
I think the desire often comes from wanting the "top" model in a range, which is as much about trying to impress friends/family/neighbours.
The sad reality is they don't care. Buy the car that best suits your needs.
In my experience the lesser cars aren’t as good. My M140i left me a bit cold and meh after two years. At the time I was torn between that and an E92 M3. With hindsight I made the wrong choice for me.
I've always really liked the M235i/M240i(and the M2/M2C) so I can understand why the OP loves his so much. I've always personally seen the M235i/M240i as pretty much the perfect all round car.
However I don't feel short changed in my M4 as a really good all round car though, but I can understand why many would prefer the M240i over the M4 though.
I'd imagine that you can use the performance for more of the time in the M240i in comparison to a M4. Plus if you're a bit heavy footed the M4 will put you in a field, whereas I'd imagine the M240i to be much more approachable in comparison.
However I don't feel short changed in my M4 as a really good all round car though, but I can understand why many would prefer the M240i over the M4 though.
I'd imagine that you can use the performance for more of the time in the M240i in comparison to a M4. Plus if you're a bit heavy footed the M4 will put you in a field, whereas I'd imagine the M240i to be much more approachable in comparison.
4rephill said:
As for M4 comparisons:
For many people, both the M240i and the M2 Competition look too dumpy (neither are an elegant design - Aggressive?: Yes, Elegant? - No), and when it comes to the interiors, both 2 series cars show that they have been built to a tighter budget than the M4.
Those are the 2 big reasons why I personally prefer the M4 as well. For many people, both the M240i and the M2 Competition look too dumpy (neither are an elegant design - Aggressive?: Yes, Elegant? - No), and when it comes to the interiors, both 2 series cars show that they have been built to a tighter budget than the M4.
Court_S said:
What tyres is your car running? My M140i on MPSS’s had it share of traction issues, especially once the rear tyres approached 3mm of tread left. The steering left quite a bit to be desired too which is odd given that I don’t mind the EPAS on the previous generation cars.
MPSS on the back and MP4S on the front, all are nearly new. Maybe it’ll get worse as the tyres wear more but even then, it’ll be miles better than the M4!The steering still lacks feel but it’s better than the M4. In the M4, in S+ mode, the steering got way heavier but in the bends, it still moved around, the same as when it was in comfort. When I say move around, I mean, you’re going through a sharp bend, the car is stable and it’s turning but you can wiggle the steering wheel without it changing direction, so it’s not sharp which is a shame.
liner33 said:
I amazed it doesn't break traction, my 235i would even at speed in the dry with decent mpss on
I cant help feel by this and your other posts that there was an underlying issue with your M4
I’m beginning to think that too but I bought the M4 from BMW and it had a service, health check and MOT prior to me picking it up. Surely they would have noticed something? It even had 2 new front tyres fitted so the front suspension would have been exposed for any issues to present themselves. I cant help feel by this and your other posts that there was an underlying issue with your M4
Let me just get something clear though, the 240i probably could break traction but my driving style doesn’t force it to, I put it in S+ with the tc in halfway mode and it rarely holds back. Maybe one wheel would start to spin as I’m pulling out of a junction but it would regain traction immediately instead of cutting power off. It doesn’t try to fling me to the other side then cut power off like it used to in the M4.
If I turn TC off, full lock out of a junction while ripping the clutch, yeah it will but that can apply to any RWD car.
Chestrockwell said:
The steering still lacks feel but it’s better than the M4. In the M4, in S+ mode, the steering got way heavier but in the bends, it still moved around, the same as when it was in comfort. When I say move around, I mean, you’re going through a sharp bend, the car is stable and it’s turning but you can wiggle the steering wheel without it changing direction, so it’s not sharp which is a shame.
I still struggle with how much the steering moves around in the M4 when you are pushing on. I think that it needs far more input than it really should for me, and I can only put it down to it having the crappy electric power steering(although people have mentioned that having the alignment looked at could improve it). My 370Z with hydraulic steering behaves completely differently in comparison. The steering is easily the M4s weakest link imo. I rate the brakes very highly, and I love how lively the chassis is though. The engine is also an absolute peach for me, and apart from the noise it makes...I think that it is the favourite engine that I've had now(and I've had 3 V8 engines).
Chestrockwell said:
MPSS on the back and MP4S on the front, all are nearly new. Maybe it’ll get worse as the tyres wear more but even then, it’ll be miles better than the M4!
The steering still lacks feel but it’s better than the M4. In the M4, in S+ mode, the steering got way heavier but in the bends, it still moved around, the same as when it was in comfort. When I say move around, I mean, you’re going through a sharp bend, the car is stable and it’s turning but you can wiggle the steering wheel without it changing direction, so it’s not sharp which is a shame.
You might find it a slightly different experience once the temperatures drop. The MPSS on my 140i were grippy in rye warmer, drier months less so in the winter. The steering still lacks feel but it’s better than the M4. In the M4, in S+ mode, the steering got way heavier but in the bends, it still moved around, the same as when it was in comfort. When I say move around, I mean, you’re going through a sharp bend, the car is stable and it’s turning but you can wiggle the steering wheel without it changing direction, so it’s not sharp which is a shame.
CRA1G said:
I went from a M240 Auto to a M2 Dct which I still have,other than the appearance i generally preferred the 240 which has the better gearbox for daily use imo. I have the New M240 X Drive Auto arriving in Jan which should be interesting...
The M240i auto has the ZF 8 speed auto (which is pretty much taking over the World of performance cars!), which is a "softer" gearbox than the M2's DCT, and better suited to daily, plodding along driving.When it comes to high speed/extreme/track driving, the M2's DCT comes into it's own. and edges out the M240i's gearbox.
The M240i's gearbox has been superbly matched to the engine, and under initial acceleration, the M240i actually has the edge over the DCT M2, which takes a bit longer to get into it's stride.
The DCT M2 hits it's stride higher up the rev range, and when it does, the M240i (in standard tune), simply cannot keep up (it's not massively slower, but it is noticeably slower - TBF, the last thing BMW want is for the cheaper model to match their full blown ///M version).
For everyday driving, the M240i's lower end acceleration is far more usable than the M2's higher end acceleration.
That's not to say the M2 is useless for everyday driving - Far from it!, it's a highly accomplished all rounder in reality, it's just that the M240i auto actually does the "mundane" stuff, a little bit better, simply because it's not so extreme.
It has to be noted that the M3/M4 and M5 have all switched from DCT gearboxes to ZF 8 speed auto's, and I would be surprised if the M2 Competition's replacement didn't follow suit, and also use the ZF 8 speed auto.
Should that happen, then the M2 could be the best of both Worlds: Fantastic as a high speed/high performance car, and just as fabulous when it comes to the job of dealing with the mundane, every day, boring traffic duties.
MitchT said:
I'm guessing those are the reason why this car looks a little lower than usual. It really transforms the look - it's almost 4 Series like in its stance. What sort of difference does this mod make to the insurance?
The lowering springs on my old M140i made naff all difference to my insurance through Flux and Chris Nott. Neither seemed to like spacers though.Theres many pros and cons for either car the truth being most modern M cars are now too big and too fast for the average person to drive properly.
If you think back to the e46 and e92 M cars, in the N/A habitat you'd have to wind them up to get in the powerband and you'd be able to extract and control the power by actually driving the cars and being in the right gears.
The turbo cars are much easier to go fast and it's the added torque which really does make them a handful. Especially the s55 engine in anything other than dry conditions you really will break traction and with the torque coming in relatively low it can get very twitchy for the average driver who doesn't expect this.
Now onto the M lites I think BMW struck gold with these cars if im honest. Especially the B58 variants, the engine is nice and strong and the power comes in early and carries most of the way to the red line. In either manual or Zf guise again they are perfectly suited. As mentioned above too, they are 9/10th of an M car for the average person and to be honest a birds package will soon rectify the suspension and diff.
Now you mention traction and this is one thing I recall when a friend had a 240 cab running mp4s on a damp day he floored it in first and second and the car didn't break traction I was very impressed with the way the car put the power down. I think BMW did a very good job setting these cars up from factory.
If you think back to the e46 and e92 M cars, in the N/A habitat you'd have to wind them up to get in the powerband and you'd be able to extract and control the power by actually driving the cars and being in the right gears.
The turbo cars are much easier to go fast and it's the added torque which really does make them a handful. Especially the s55 engine in anything other than dry conditions you really will break traction and with the torque coming in relatively low it can get very twitchy for the average driver who doesn't expect this.
Now onto the M lites I think BMW struck gold with these cars if im honest. Especially the B58 variants, the engine is nice and strong and the power comes in early and carries most of the way to the red line. In either manual or Zf guise again they are perfectly suited. As mentioned above too, they are 9/10th of an M car for the average person and to be honest a birds package will soon rectify the suspension and diff.
Now you mention traction and this is one thing I recall when a friend had a 240 cab running mp4s on a damp day he floored it in first and second and the car didn't break traction I was very impressed with the way the car put the power down. I think BMW did a very good job setting these cars up from factory.
GTEYE said:
I think the desire often comes from wanting the "top" model in a range, which is as much about trying to impress friends/family/neighbours.
The sad reality is they don't care. Buy the car that best suits your needs.
The actual sad part is this condescending, hateful opinion. Why do you assume that just because someone has bought something nice that it must be to impress others? You've got no idea why they've bought it.The sad reality is they don't care. Buy the car that best suits your needs.
There's nothing wrong with wanting the top model in the range and it could be completely unrelated to "showing off". It could just be that they want the ultimate expression of what the manufacturer was capable of producing for that particular model. The fact is the M cars are objectively betters cars - more powerful, handle better, brake better, maybe have more expensive options, like carbon stuff, whatever. They are objectively the better machines. That's why they cost much more and they lap tracks far more quickly. For some people, they want to experience the ultimate expression of what, BMW in this case, was able to produce for that model.
It feels like you need to have a really thick skin to buy a halo car these days. All anyone ever thinks when they see you is you must be having a mid life crisis, be a douchebag who likes showing off, or you're clearly compensating for lack of prowess elsewhere in your life. Sad.
david-j8694 said:
GTEYE said:
I think the desire often comes from wanting the "top" model in a range, which is as much about trying to impress friends/family/neighbours.
The sad reality is they don't care. Buy the car that best suits your needs.
The actual sad part is this condescending, hateful opinion. Why do you assume that just because someone has bought something nice that it must be to impress others? You've got no idea why they've bought it.The sad reality is they don't care. Buy the car that best suits your needs.
There's nothing wrong with wanting the top model in the range and it could be completely unrelated to "showing off". It could just be that they want the ultimate expression of what the manufacturer was capable of producing for that particular model. The fact is the M cars are objectively betters cars - more powerful, handle better, brake better, maybe have more expensive options, like carbon stuff, whatever. They are objectively the better machines. That's why they cost much more and they lap tracks far more quickly. For some people, they want to experience the ultimate expression of what, BMW in this case, was able to produce for that model.
It feels like you need to have a really thick skin to buy a halo car these days. All anyone ever thinks when they see you is you must be having a mid life crisis, be a douchebag who likes showing off, or you're clearly compensating for lack of prowess elsewhere in your life. Sad.
But as the OP has found, for normal road use, something a couple of rungs down the ladder has suited him better as a road car.
If you regularly tour the autobahns or frequent trackdays then the real M car may well be the car to buy. But for most people, dreary commuting and shopping duties likely account for 90+% of their driving, and in which case, the slightly easier going nature of something like the M240i makes it easier to live with day to day.
I've known people skip straight past something like the M240i to an M2C/M3 or M4 - but the point is just because it costs more doesn't necessarily mean it'll fit into their lifestyle better.
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff