[dy444]

Originally Posted by dy444

I only got mine yesterday and I've driven it twice so not exactly a representative cross-section of driving or mileage. It is the 3rd BMW I've had with electric steering following a succession of E platform cars with the old system. The first with electric steering was an F32 and the second an F82. The F32 steering was very vague indeed, the F82 was better and my initial impressions of the G42 are that it is similar to the F82 or maybe a tad better. I agree that none are as good as the best of the E platform cars but it is imo much better now than it was on the early F platform cars. I think having the wider tread of the 893 wheels helps though.

I've found that I've got used to it and kind of mentally tune it out. I also think it's become a bit of a reviewer's trope to say "new BMW therefore steering a bit vague" because the early cars with the system were worse than the current ones. It's kind of what everybody has come to expect a BMW review to say so they say it and I'm not sure we're getting a truly objective analysis of it as I suspect there is some confirmation bias in there. It could be that other makes have similar issues but it's not highlighted to the same extent.

At the end of the day though it's down to individual preference and what you feel you can live with and what you can't.

UPDATE. Took it out for it's first proper run today. A round trip of about 120 miles with plenty of 60 and 70 mph roads and I can see what you mean. The steering feel in comfort is not as good at those speeds as my F82 was. It's not terrible imo and it certainly isn't a show stopper for me but it is noticeable coming from the F82. I would say though it's definitely better than the 2016 F32 I had was.

[Jashue]

I don't dislike it per se... But in the year I've owned, I've at times struggled to define it against the car I thought I was buying— and that has been a long and interesting road.

The M240 is too heavy to be a sports car, but it's got elements of a sports car.

The M240 is too light to be a muscle car, but it has elements of that kind of car too. It's actually pretty brutal in that respect.

It has elements of a luxury car too.

Can it rightfully be classified as a small GT car? I think so.

To really enjoy it, one needs to accept it for what it is— possibly the best daily driver one could ever realistically hope for (and that qualification should change from person to person). I'm constantly nagged by the fact that it falls so terribly short from the kind of car that could serve as a weekend track toy. I want it to be more playful. If it were though, it probably would not be so livable.

The driver's seat of the G42 is actually a wonderful place to be. It's not everything, but it is my happy place.

[jaypr9]

I don't track but I love this car and I always wonder why people say this car cant be tracked with a few modifications it seems like this car is more than capable of being a track car.

This guys car has only tires, brakes, rear seat delete and a wing I believe and Mischa which all he does is track cars on his channel was having a damn good time with the m240i.

[Jashue]

Originally Posted by jaypr9

I don't track but I love this car and I always wonder why people say this car cant be tracked with a few modifications it seems like this car is more than capable of being a track car.

This guys car has only tires, brakes, rear seat delete and a wing I believe and Mischa which all he does is track cars on his channel was having a damn good time with the m240i.

Yeah, I've seen that video. Already been liked and saved. Watched it quite a few times! The owner of that car used to post here quite a bit, but got irritated with someone one day and hasn't been back (or if he has, I haven't seen him).

Anyway... the car certainly CAN be tracked— and tracked very well. But anyone that's driven it knows that that it feels like "a little big car" that's got tons of power and holds the road extremely well. What it ISN'T, as I said before, is playful.

It could be my age! Younger people might not get where I'm going from. At 55, I came of age driving Integra GSRs and Honda Preludes. They weren't anything like their contemporaneous BMWs, but they were super toss-able and lots of fun. The 1 and 2 series coupes are what the Prelude might have evolved into if the brass at Honda had any courage. I got frustrated and jumped ship to BMW and have hardly looked back. With all cars getting so big and heavy though, our options are really drying up. I might wind up getting a MX-5 for a weekend toy. Imagine dailying and G42 and playing with an MX-5? Weird...

[TJZ67201]

How do you people still not understand this car? It’s a mix between a sports car and a luxary coupe…

It’s not supposed to be one or the other exclusively. There are compromises when mixing Sport with Luxary as they are both completely different characteristics. The M240i is BMW’s answer for how to mix the 2 in a small form factor for the price. Don’t like it? then get a different car and stop bitching

[El SID]

I will agree with previous comments that 225 width tires can be overwhelmed by a 3700 lb automobile. I recently installed a set of Apex forged VS-5RS 19X9 square. I mounted 255 width tires on all four corners. A wider tire up front really transforms the ride and handling. I can feel that the turn in is lots sharper. The square stance also provides more neutral handling.

[emcee1011]

Hate it, wish I never bought it. If I wanted a daily driver I'd buy a Prius.

[apez]

Originally Posted by El SID

I will agree with previous comments that 225 width tires can be overwhelmed by a 3700 lb automobile. I recently installed a set of Apex forged VS-5RS 19X9 square. I mounted 255 width tires on all four corners. A wider tire up front really transforms the ride and handling. I can feel that the turn in is lots sharper. The square stance also provides more neutral handling.

I am no expert, but the difference between the stock square all season non ZTK run flats and the VS-5RS 19x9 with PS4S is absolutely astounding.

That said with how little I actually drive I often wonder if I should have just waited and gone for a M2 for the manual transmission. But then I also don't have a track nearby so that would be a waste.

[El SID]

Originally Posted by apez

I am no expert, but the difference between the stock square all season non ZTK run flats and the VS-5RS 19x9 with PS4S is absolutely astounding.

That said with how little I actually drive I often wonder if I should have just waited and gone for a M2 for the manual transmission. But then I also don't have a track nearby so that would be a waste.

I went through a similar thought process. My car is paid off already. The proposition of scratching another check for the difference plus tax, license , tint , PPF, and $3000+ for another set of Apex wheels doesn’t make financial sense.I’m not quite sure that I would derive that much more pleasure from the increased power and stiffer suspension on public roads. I will re-evaluate in 18 moths

[BG42]

I hate the lack of after market support or at least the feeling. Dinan has an exhaust for g87 already we got teased like a year ago and still nothing. Otherwise the car is awesome for what it is a fun daily driver.

[XC3LLR8]

Originally Posted by BG42

I hate the lack of after market support or at least the feeling. Dinan has an exhaust for g87 already we got teased like a year ago and still nothing. Otherwise the car is awesome for what it is a fun daily driver.

The S58 needs an exhaust because they sound like

[XC3LLR8]

Originally Posted by Jashue

Yeah, I've seen that video. Already been liked and saved. Watched it quite a few times! The owner of that car used to post here quite a bit, but got irritated with someone one day and hasn't been back (or if he has, I haven't seen him).

Anyway... the car certainly CAN be tracked— and tracked very well. But anyone that's driven it knows that that it feels like "a little big car" that's got tons of power and holds the road extremely well. What it ISN'T, as I said before, is playful.

It could be my age! Younger people might not get where I'm going from. At 55, I came of age driving Integra GSRs and Honda Preludes. They weren't anything like their contemporaneous BMWs, but they were super toss-able and lots of fun. The 1 and 2 series coupes are what the Prelude might have evolved into if the brass at Honda had any courage. I got frustrated and jumped ship to BMW and have hardly looked back. With all cars getting so big and heavy though, our options are really drying up. I might wind up getting a MX-5 for a weekend toy. Imagine dailying and G42 and playing with an MX-5? Weird...

I've been on the track with a Miata, SS 1LE, Lamborghini, Ferrari, and a GT3. I can honestly say I had no more fun in any of the cars than I did the Miata (Ohlins, tires, wheels, brakes, etc.). Combine that with a much lower cost of consumables and there's something to be said for a momentum car!

I personally think the G42 makes for a terrible track car, and that's exactly why I love it!

[In Extremis]

Originally Posted by TJZ67201

How do you people still not understand this car? It’s a mix between a sports car and a luxary coupe…

It’s not supposed to be one or the other exclusively. There are compromises when mixing Sport with Luxary as they are both completely different characteristics. The M240i is BMW’s answer for how to mix the 2 in a small form factor for the price. Don’t like it? then get a different car and stop bitching

I mean that’s what any M car is also in theory. They do slap Motorsport badges all over this car.. and although a new M2/M3/M5 are quicker, they still seam to suffer from vague steering. What gets to me is that I know BMW knows how to set the car up nicely but they choose not to (anymore).

I’m trying to get myself used to it though, I can’t afford to daily a 911. So that leaves me with the alternatives of a RS3 or a muscle car.

[In Extremis]

Originally Posted by dy444

It's kind of what everybody has come to expect a BMW review to say so they say it and I'm not sure we're getting a truly objective analysis of it as I suspect there is some confirmation bias in there.

That is actually part of it. There is definitely a real issue, but I’m focused on it from hearing about it over and over.

[Ninjageezer]

Originally Posted by emcee1011

Hate it, wish I never bought it. If I wanted a daily driver I'd buy a Prius.

simple sell it .

[M3PGH]

Just picked a 240 xi with my son and drove it 300 miles back home .His not mine
I was really impressed by the car
and this is coming from a guy that have/ had a bunch of M cars , AMG , Porsche
I think at the price range , it is one, if not not the best choice out there for a young person that want a decent mix of sportiness , some luxury, and very good technology
power is plenty
steering is normal BMW
ZF transmission is very responsive , very close to G80 tuning

[cennis]

Originally Posted by XC3LLR8

It could be my age! Younger people might not get where I'm going from. At 55, I came of age driving Integra GSRs and Honda Preludes. They weren't anything like their contemporaneous BMWs, but they were super toss-able and lots of fun. The 1 and 2 series coupes are what the Prelude might have evolved into if the brass at Honda had any courage. I got frustrated and jumped ship to BMW and have hardly looked back. With all cars getting so big and heavy though, our options are really drying up. I might wind up getting a MX-5 for a weekend toy. Imagine dailying and G42 and playing with an MX-5? Weird...

I've been on the track with a Miata, SS 1LE, Lamborghini, Ferrari, and a GT3. I can honestly say I had no more fun in any of the cars than I did the Miata (Ohlins, tires, wheels, brakes, etc.). Combine that with a much lower cost of consumables and there's something to be said for a momentum car!

I personally think the G42 makes for a terrible track car, and that's exactly why I love it!

I’m 55. First three care were two GTIs and an Integra, I get where you are coming from. I have a pristine low miles 03 Miata with a Flyin’ Miata suspension (and a BMW bike, R1200R). Pretty happy with the current garage.