[CarsAndGuitars]

M240i = Goldilocks

[GWIZ]

Originally Posted by buckybadger

M240i of M2 over base 230i any day.
The base version is going to be slightly lighter and nimble, but overall not as exciting as the more powerful variants in different driving conditions.

It would appear that the SmokingTire guys find the 230i the more exciting of the G42 options.

[buckybadger]

Originally Posted by GWIZ

It would appear that the Smoking Gun guys find the 230i the more exciting of the G42 options.

The smoking guys must be smoking something. I find their reviews somewhat random at times. They didn't really like the M2C, which is a universally praised cars and we all know what a ride it is! Let them enjoy the 230i!!

[BMthusiast]

Originally Posted by desertspotter

For me, the mayor caveat for the 230i it's the B48 engine sound, it's not really good.

Have you heard the B48 roar equipped with FI Exhaust?.... It's a beast!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lO7T95MOiVI

[desertspotter]

Originally Posted by Kuato2084

Have you heard the B48 roar equipped with FI Exhaust?.... It's a beast!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lO7T95MOiVI

honestly not.
But as per video title is not only the catback what is change in that car
BMW G20 330i B48 Fi EXHAUST Catback + Catless DownPipe Popping Sound

[BobHen]

My previous car was a 2019 BMW 330i xdrive with the 4-cylinder. And yes that car was plenty fast enough and sporty enough for most people in most situations. So the 2022 230 should be even more so. I thought long and hard wondering if an M240i would be too much for my everyday needs. Well, it is not.

The 230i is no doubt a really wonderful, sporty car. However, the M240i has a performance premium that cannot be denied. The M240i will absolutely amaze and put a smile on your face every time you push it. There is a specialness about the car that 95% of reviewers as well as most owners realize.

Only YouTube reviewers trying very hard to be different would pick a 230 over an M240i.

And just for the record, I’m 70 and love the performance of the M240i. So the M240i’s performance is not just for younger folks.

Bob

[ThesaVeliona]

Originally Posted by donnyfontaine

🤢🤮

Relax, they didn't even unveil it. Don't judge a book by it's cover

[GWIZ]

I gravitated toward the M240ix at first for its outright quickness but concluded that its weight compromised my key driving fix: communicative handling, especially at the limit. In M Sport specs the 230/240 have the same top end -- 155mph -- so no difference there. I think the SmokingTire reviewers make reasonable comparisons between the 230/240x. Regardless of its total power output, the M240ix has an additional 352 pounds of weight to lug around over the 230i, which they point out has consequential effects on the 240: brake fade, understeer, and loss of agility. I'm all for driving BMWs with heaps of torque and horsepower, so long as the power source doesn't create a weight penalty that dilutes the brand's namesake handling magic. BMW's weight/balance/handling black-art engineering is what's kept me loyal to the brand, though it's become apparent that the potency of their handling sorcery is generally weaker in the heavier cars.

[BrawnyCh]

Ehhhh....I mean they're objectively correct and all I'm sure (though I've never driven the 230). But...

-No AWD on the 4 cylinder is a deal breaker for many parts of the country.

-I'm guessing the AWD 4 cylinder won't be nearly as fun.

-Budget isn't really the determining factor on cars like this-for most people. The G42 in any guise is not a rational purchase. If you wanted rational you would have bought a Camry or a RAV4 or some shit.

The G42 is a daily driver that is fun. And more power is more fun more of the time.

It's not all that often that I can attack a windy road. But I can stomp on the go pedal every time there's a bit of open road in front of me. And every time I do I get a big stupid grin on my face. I just don't think the 230 is going to give me that.

[donnyfontaine]

Originally Posted by BrawnyCh

Ehhhh....I mean they're objectively correct and all I'm sure (though I've never driven the 230). But...

-No AWD on the 4 cylinder is a deal breaker for many parts of the country.

-I'm guessing the AWD 4 cylinder won't be nearly as fun.

-Budget isn't really the determining factor on cars like this-for most people. The G42 in any guise is not a rational purchase. If you wanted rational you would have bought a Camry or a RAV4 or some shit.

The G42 is a daily driver that is fun. And more power is more fun more of the time.

It's not all that often that I can attack a windy road. But I can stomp on the go pedal every time there's a bit of open road in front of me. And every time I do I get a big stupid grin on my face. I just don't think the 230 is going to give me that.

yea if it wasnt for the 6cyl i prob wouldve bought a WRX or GR86. or considered going back to the S3. the power in this car is what sets it apart in this class, theres already a few good options that handle decently with low power

[soflacarguy]

Listen - the 230i is a great vehicle and it has its place. The Smoking Tire is generating more views by taking a controversial perspective. It's almost click bait material and here's why, imho:

1. The M prefix, as in "M-Lite" 240, is classified so for many reasons. Outside of the 2.0 4 vs 3.0 6, the m240 gets additional helper struts to support the front axle hubs, adaptive dampers and bigger summer tires. Plus, all of the extra "M" upgrades that were optional on the 230i are standard equipment for the M240i.

2. 0-60 (as per C&D) is 5.1 vs 3.6. That's not even S3 or Golf R territory for the 230. That's more-so comparable to GTI and Miata velocity. Fun cars, albeit, but slower than anything Ive owned since 2012. The m240, however, is the fastest car Ive yet to park in my garage.

3. The B48 is really nice. The B58 is special. Spectacular even.

4. M240 will likely retain higher resale value and will always be more sought after.

I'm sure I missed other points. These 2 cars will be compared often, but I believe it's silly - just as silly as comparing the m240 to the new m2 will be - but it's obviously going to happen lol.

[azuki]

Didn’t bmwblog also praise 230i as well vs m240? If you want power get the m240 or m2. If you want daily driver get 230i

[MPR]

I wouldn't take the 240 out of the daily driver category, it just makes it a more fun daily driver.

[azuki]

Originally Posted by MPR

I wouldn't take the 240 out of the daily driver category, it just makes it a more fun daily driver.

Lol u guys are hilarious!

[caycep]

I have a 228i, but ended up being suckered in by BMW and journalists in grabbing an M2C (I suspect the original customer backed out of the order).

M2C is good. Still love the 228i...front end does feel lighter, noticeably.

[azuki]

thats what makes this 2 series special. i just watched their m240i video, and they iterate several times: "this car is very fast." thats the theme for that variant, and i appreciate what bmw can achieve.

ill never try to drive fast (hell my previous car is a '21 elantra n-line at 201hp), hence the 230i. i hope bmw releases an all electric 2 series, i would be interested in m2 for that one.

[matmanx1]

It's interesting to read everyone's opinions. I've got the B48 in my 2021 JCW Mini Countryman and I happen to think it's a great motor. It feels plenty strong (the variant used in my car is 301hp 330tq) and coupled with short initial gearing makes the car pull hard in the low to mid speeds which is where I am using it on a daily basis.

My average speed on my commute to and from work is about 45mph. This is a mixture of back roads and some 4 lane divided highway and there I get up to 70 or 75 for brief periods. In all situations the power on hand is more than plenty and even in the relatively heavy (3700+ lbs) Mini Countryman with AWD I am still averaging over 27mpg.

I've experienced the B58 a couple of times and no doubt it is an extremely good motor. But I reckon in the real world for the way that most of us drivers are using our cars the B48 in the 230i is plenty quick enough, fun enough and has the added bonus of being lighter and more efficient than the B58.

I don't think you can make a bad choice here between the two, really. To me it's just two different versions of "great" depending on what's most important to you.

[GWIZ]

It seems to me the TheSmokingTire reviewers made an honest evaluation of the car. Their conclusion is not at all controversial. It's just… their conclusion. I see no evidence either guy has an ax to grind one way or another with BMW. And Zack is an E46 M3 owner, which is one helluva reference vehicle to inform his opinions.

They reviewed the M240ix previously and gave it a fair and positive evaluation as well. Having given both cars a thorough shakedown, they evidently prefer the overall performance of the 230i. This is no surprise -- they peg the 230i as the better driver's car that's more fun due to its outstanding agility, compliant balance, fade-averse brakes, and disciplined high-speed form among other reasons discussed in the video. At 14:20, Matt, after slicing through a series of bends, simply exclaims, "This car rules!" I get where he's coming from.

His excitement and the two reviewers' unanimous final conclusion make perfect sense to me; that's why I drive a 230i with M Sport and LSD. It comes with a performance premium exclusive to its lighter weight. And despite its modern architecture, there is an uncomplicated purity to the way it drives, which harkens to BMWs from the analog era: E30/E36/E46. Vintage Bimmer DNA is unmistakably baked into this model.

That's my reference point and likely why I enjoy this car so much. I get my kicks from slaying serpentine roads in a vehicle that is composed at speed and has a balanced, controllable chassis. For this, the 230i delivers in spades.

[EXE46]

They haven't reviewed the M240i RWD yet and thus shouldn't make the final judgment until then.

[azuki]

Originally Posted by GWIZ

It seems to me the TheSmokingTire reviewers made an honest evaluation of the car. Their conclusion is not at all controversial. It's just… their conclusion. I see no evidence either guy has an ax to grind one way or another with BMW. And Zack is an E46 M3 owner, which is one helluva reference vehicle to inform his opinions.

They reviewed the M240ix previously and gave it a fair and positive evaluation as well. Having given both cars a thorough shakedown, they evidently prefer the overall performance of the 230i. This is no surprise -- they peg the 230i as the better driver's car that's more fun due to its outstanding agility, compliant balance, fade-averse brakes, and disciplined high-speed form among other reasons discussed in the video. At 14:20, Matt, after slicing through a series of bends, simply exclaims, "This car rules!" I get where he's coming from.

His excitement and the two reviewers' unanimous final conclusion make perfect sense to me; that's why I drive a 230i with M Sport and LSD. It comes with a performance premium exclusive to its lighter weight. And despite its modern architecture, there is an uncomplicated purity to the way it drives, which harkens to BMWs from the analog era: E30/E36/E46. Vintage Bimmer DNA is unmistakably baked into this model.

That's my reference point and likely why I enjoy this car so much. I get my kicks from slaying serpentine roads in a vehicle that is composed at speed and has a balanced, controllable chassis. For this, the 230i delivers in spades.

your journalism is pure poetry
have been recently reading about m2 (well, technically the 2 series exterior/interior design history...since this will be my first bmw). I can see why power lures its target audience and the thrills one can achieve with more hp. one day I can picture myself in one, but baby steps for now.

[Hap]

Originally Posted by BobHen

My previous car was a 2019 BMW 330i xdrive with the 4-cylinder. And yes that car was plenty fast enough and sporty enough for most people in most situations. So the 2022 230 should be even more so. I thought long and hard wondering if an M240i would be too much for my everyday needs. Well, it is not.

The 230i is no doubt a really wonderful, sporty car. However, the M240i has a performance premium that cannot be denied. The M240i will absolutely amaze and put a smile on your face every time you push it. There is a specialness about the car that 95% of reviewers as well as most owners realize.

Only YouTube reviewers trying very hard to be different would pick a 230 over an M240i.

And just for the record, I’m 70 and love the performance of the M240i. So the M240i’s performance is not just for younger folks.

Bob

Very Cool write up and agree with you Bob. I had a 2020 M240i and liked it good. Now I am at a place to return to a fun car! I am going with the extended wait and the M240. Plus I am 66 and my real

name is Bob.
Its all coming together if I only could get an Allocation !

Hap

[donm527]

I hope journalists start getting access to the RWD 240i soon and can see reviews. I wonder if they will find the driving experience better than the 230i with the reduced weight without the X-Drive making the twistys more fun but the power of the M240i.