[m42g42]

The purpose of this post is not to start a flame war - just to lay out my thoughts and experience with the G42 platform.

On paper, the BMW M240i is supposed to be the better performance car, and in many ways it is..But not in my opinion. Let me explain...

Exactly a year ago I ordered a rwd, m sport and dynamic handling 2024 b48 230i coupe when it was new among shortages last year. So I could not test drive a m240i . Since then I put a JB4 tune on my 230i. Recently I had a chance to drive a 2024 m240i xdrive...

Please note I am comparing it with a 230i RWD, equipped with dynamic handling and M sport pack, with JB4 Map 1.

First, the CONS, since they stood out to me the most:

The car feels more heavier and sluggish to change direction. The extra 500lb+ is noticeable, especially when driving solo (as I often do).

Acceleration up to 60 mph is almost identical to my 230i.

Acceleration from 60 mph to 100 mph in the higher revs shows more power at higher RPMs, but not enough to push you into the seat.

The brakes feel slightly inadequate for this car. During a downhill run, I had to slam on the brakes, which didn't bite hard as mine and I had to push the pedal down a bit more.
The steering wheel is much heavier, probably due to the xDrive system, but it didn’t translate to better steering feel.

The two main PROS:

The torque is very noticeable. Burnouts and peelouts are easy because the M240i delivers a lot of torque to the wheels in first and second gear at 4,000-5,000 RPM which means a constant torque curve throughout. Contrast that with the the 230i begins to run out of steam.

There is a bit more power past 60 mph, and the speedometer climbs faster, but the added weight hides much of this, so perception-wise, it wasn’t as impressive as expected.

For the M240i, I was expecting a borderline supercar and got a quick coupe instead. However it was incredibly smooth and quiet in comfort, and way more aggressive and "locomotive" - like power in sport. However, the difference in responsiveness past 4,000 RPM was not as dramatic as I anticipated

The 230i, by comparison, (and this is due to the jb4), the car lurches fast past 1,500 RPM and that power holds until redline. However you have to hold the car in higher revs to get the most of it. While the car doesn't feel like it WANTS to beat 5,000+ RPM (the M240i does), the 230i feels most comfortable at 4,000-5,000 RPM. It also feels more confident in the corners.

Sometimes I wonder if my performance itch would be scratched if I ordered an unoptioned M240i RWD with sunroof delete instead... But still I would be jumping into a car sight unseen.

Of course, if I had a m240i I realize I could tune a it to be faster than a 230i could ever be, but then I'd need to upgrade the brakes.. Which leads me to thinking... is a faster m240i really necessary?

Thoughts?

[AlexC2er]

Originally Posted by m42g42

The purpose of this post is not to start a flame war - just to lay out my thoughts and experience with the G42 platform.

On paper, the BMW M240i is supposed to be the better performance car, and in many ways it is..But not in my opinion. Let me explain...

Exactly a year ago I ordered a rwd, m sport and dynamic handling 2024 b48 230i coupe when it was new among shortages last year. So I could not test drive a m240i . Since then I put a JB4 tune on my 230i. Recently I had a chance to drive a 2024 m240i xdrive...

Please note I am comparing it with a 230i RWD, equipped with dynamic handling and M sport pack, with JB4 Map 1.

First, the CONS, since they stood out to me the most:

The car feels more heavier and sluggish to change direction. The extra 500lb+ is noticeable, especially when driving solo (as I often do).

Acceleration up to 60 mph is almost identical to my 230i.

Acceleration from 60 mph to 100 mph in the higher revs shows more power at higher RPMs, but not enough to push you into the seat.

The brakes feel slightly inadequate for this car. During a downhill run, I had to slam on the brakes, which didn't bite hard as mine and I had to push the pedal down a bit more.
The steering wheel is much heavier, probably due to the xDrive system, but it didn’t translate to better steering feel.

The two main PROS:

The torque is very noticeable. Burnouts and peelouts are easy because the M240i delivers a lot of torque to the wheels in first and second gear at 4,000-5,000 RPM which means a constant torque curve throughout. Contrast that with the the 230i [...]

You are comparing apples to oranges with rwd and xdrive. I’ll just say one thing. It is not 500 lbs heavier, the 230i is 3450ish. Rwd 240i is just about 3700.

[Ricochet48]

Originally Posted by m42g42

Acceleration up to 60 mph is almost identical to my 230i.

Map 1 of on a JB4 with a RWD B48 is not going to come anywhere close to even a stock B58 with xDrive that runs a 3.6 second 0-60. Stock it's 5.1...

3.6 seconds is literally supercar times from a few decades ago. Same time as a 2007 911 GT3, Viper SRT-10, LFA, or more recently a 2019 M4 CS.

Yes it's heavier, but unless you're tracking often straight line speed is more useful (and xDrive if you live where it rains/snows a lot). The S58 though is pointless to me as it has extra power that's not needed and gets garbage MPG.

The B58 is the prefect mix of the two imo.

[Pentland]

Not this *hit again.

Has the OP just set up a new profile?

OP - please SEARCH.
Others - don’t feed the troll.

[VegasG42]

Expecting Super car performance for $52,000? Hmm

And just curious, how are you able to do burnouts and peel outs, in the xdrive that you tested?

My xdrive won't break traction, to do burnouts or peel outs. It will only do a massive GT-R style launch

[Rdurty2]

Originally Posted by VegasG42

Expecting Super car performance for $52,000? Hmm

And just curious, how are you able to do burnouts and peel outs, in the xdrive that you tested?

My xdrive won't break traction, to do burnouts or peel outs. It will only do a massive GT-R style launch

Don’t feed the troll

[kudos]

Ah yes, let me compare a RWD with a tune to a AWD without a tune. Very comparable.

[VegasG42]

Originally Posted by Rdurty2

Don’t feed the troll

I had some free time, I couldn't help myself

[m42g42]

Originally Posted by AlexC2er

You are comparing apples to oranges with rwd and xdrive. I’ll just say one thing. It is not 500 lbs heavier, the 230i is 3450ish. Rwd 240i is just about 3700.

-Yes, I agree I am comparing apples and oranges.

-Today I did a 0-60 run with map2 and I ran 5.0 seconds flat. Of course I am not denying that's it's a full second slower than a M240i, and I would be surprised with any other outcome.

-There is a video where people weigh a g42 m240i and a 220i (granted, not a 230i but same engine). This is the information from their video:

1701kg (3750 lbs)
vs
1520.5kg (3352 lbs)

I found that when I turned sharply at a standstill I was able to chirp the tires a little on a M240i which I wasn't able to do on a 230i yet.

[AlexC2er]

Originally Posted by m42g42

-Yes, I agree I am comparing apples and oranges.

-Today I did a 0-60 run with map2 and I ran 5.0 seconds flat. Of course I am not denying that's it's a full second slower than a M240i, and I would be surprised with any other outcome.

-There is a video where people weigh a g42 m240i and a 220i (granted, not a 230i but same engine). This is the information from their video:

1701kg (3750 lbs)
vs
1520.5kg (3352 lbs)

I found that when I turned sharply at a standstill I was able to chirp the tires a little on a M240i which I wasn't able to do on a 230i yet.

Idk where are you getting the weight. But every source is saying that the g42 230i weighs 1600kg. 3519lb. Are you sure that is the g42 not the f22?

[Kay.Say]

Originally Posted by AlexC2er

Idk where are you getting the weight. But every source is saying that the g42 230i weighs 1600kg. 3519lb. Are you sure that is the g42 not the f22?

Herein lies the issue, he’s relying on a source for weights of the 220 according to his response … not the 230. The unbiased comparison continues.

[darkvader0]

Haha I dunno. Sounds accurate, reasonable and fair to me. The B48 version is supposed to be better balanced, and definitely lighter. Sounds like you bought the right car m42g42 for you.

I agree about the brakes too. I was surprised they didn't "bite" like I expected, or even as much as my previous car(s). But for me I bought this car specifically for the engine. I just happened to love the car that it was wearing. :P

[Dinosoar]

I am of the mind, the 230 handles better, the 240 is quicker. That is the fundamental difference.

Thing is, you cannot take weight out of the 240 but you can tune the B48 for power...you can add tires and brakes to both. It is not fair to compare RWD to XDrive, nor a tuned car to a untuned car. BUT, again, you cannot get that weight out of the 240, but power can be added to the 230...that is why, IMO, the 230 is ultimately a better performance platform.

[sikotic]

Originally Posted by Dinosoar

BUT, again, you cannot get that weight out of the 240, but power can be added to the 230...that is why, IMO, the 230 is ultimately a better performance platform.

If the 230i was the better performance vehicle, then all the world records wouldn't be coming from the M240i..

And you can lose weight in the M240i by weight reduction, just like anyone does on any car

[LivingInSalt]

I got a 230i as a loaner and it was a pretty dreadful experience vs the 240i

[bucketfoot]

I've got the 230i and hold no illusions that it is anywhere close to the performance of the M240.

[Littlecoupe]

I was in a 430i convertible rental for a week and I missed the B58 every day, not for just performance, but also sound. Side note, the 4 series sure is soft compared to the M240i.

[Antique-ace]

Back in June I drove a 230i RWD loaner daily for a full week while my M240ix was at the dealership to address the well-known "rear suspension thump" problem. While the 230i is a nice coupe (and I enjoyed driving it much more than the I4 I previously had for a loaner), IMO it was not more fun to drive or superior to my M240ix in any aspect whatsoever (except for slightly better gas mileage).

[hxrly]

I wanted xDrive so I knew the car was going to be heavy, but I hated that I couldn't option out the sunroof on the 240i. A no sunroof RWD 230i with LSD is an excellent choice and probably even more fun.

At the same time, the B58 is one of the best, if not the best engine you can get in any car south of $60k, so getting it is a no-brainer. Once you get these cars tuned (proper tune, not JB4), the difference in performance is significant.

[Ricochet48]

Originally Posted by hxrly

I wanted xDrive so I knew the car was going to be heavy, but I hated that I couldn't option out the sunroof on the 240i. A no sunroof RWD 230i with LSD is an excellent choice and probably even more fun.

At the same time, the B58 is one of the best, if not the best engine you can get in any car south of $60k, so getting it is a no-brainer. Once you get these cars tuned (proper tune, not JB4), the difference in performance is significant.

FYI 2025's have a moonroof delete option (US).

[Mr. Jonathan]

You should read the reviews between the 4 cylinder (b48) & 6 cylinder (b58) supra. I think you will find similar comparisons (engine performance).

[MPR]

I remember another guy a while ago trying to justify that the 230 was the better car. Maybe it’s him or another guy with buyers remorse trying to cope. I’ve been there and it sucks.