[VIERsr]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

Today I finally drove the new M240i on some nice roads around Zurich and I must say I was overwhelmed.
I honestly admit that my expectations were not too high, in this era of digital and autonomous driving and especially after driving the new Audi RS3 I was expecting an artificial and soulless experience, but fortunately I was wrong.

First of all we have to be aware of what we are driving and what era we are living in, forget the M logos here and there, this is not and does not want to be an M-car, so the reference point is the F22 M240i and not the M2/M2C (I know them all very well). And it's 2022, the nostalgics can stop reading.

I won't spend a word on the styling, it's a subjective matter and everyone has their own opinion, and we're all right.
I can only say that the car looks much better in real life, I've seen it in black and Brooklyn gray and really liked both, it definitely deserves to be seen and judged in person, it's not a photogenic car (as well as the G8x). And it finally has a good appearance on the road thanks to the wide wheels with aggressive offset, compared to the narrow, flat wheels of the old F2x.

The interior is quite familiar, it's basically a G2x only with cheaper door panels, but you don't get that feeling of sitting in a "poorer" 3-series like on the old F2x, it feels much more premium and the M seats are simply beautiful. I'm not a fan of the digital cluster (and this is definitely not one of the better ones), but I can deal with it.
I'm not very good at describing tech stuff like infotainment, audio system, driving assistances, LED setups, and so on, so I'll leave that part to someone more knowledgeable than me.

What I appreciated the most was the driving experience, it's something really rare - maybe unique - these days and in this segment.
Basically, you can clearly feel that YOU are driving the car, and not the car is driving you (RS3...), it's definitely the most analog experience you can have for this money today. Again, remember it's 2022 and most of the cars out there are computer driven.

The chassis - despite the weight and all-wheel drive - is perfectly balanced, the car turns really well at low and medium-high speeds leaving you with good feedback of what's happening under the tires. And the lateral grip is immense, a big step forward compared to the old M240i.
It's not a light car but I can say that it masks its weight very well, it would probably suffer on the track but that's not its purpose.

In comfort mode the suspension and steering are quite soft, good for city driving but for sporty driving it's better to switch to sport or sport+ mode (honestly in sport+ I found the throttle unnecessarily reactive and the gearbox abrupt), the suspension becomes firmer but not stiff, I must say that here the roads are more than perfect though.
It's never a nervous car, but sometimes the suspension response is a bit harsh, probably because the car I was driving had overinflated tires for no reason (245/255 PS4S btw).

The car has a ton of straight-line traction, but you can really feel that it's a rear-wheel biased AWD system, obviously you can't smoke the rear tires like a RWD but you can have some fun, especially in the wet. The overall feel is closer to a RWD than an AWD and the torque transfer from the rear to the front is very predictable and well tuned (the RS3 is much much more different in this but it would deserve a separate chapter).

The steering is by far Bmw's best EPS in a non-M car, you can still feel some artificial feedback, but compared to the old F2x the improvement is more than huge. And I really appreciate the lack of interaction from the front axle, you never feel like you're driving an all-wheel drive car from the steering (again, RS3...).

The ZF8 is as brilliant a gearbox as always, on this car the tuning is perfect (only in some extreme circumstances is there a bit of lag), smooth in comfort mode, really quick in sport and sport+. Of course it's not as sharp as the DKG (though much better in auto mode), but it's really hard to complain on a car like this unless you're a stick lover. In that case there's nothing you can do about it unfortunately.

B58 is a great engine as we all already knew, there is always plenty of power from 2000rpm to almost 7000rpm, with only a slight turbulag but not as much as the RS3 (which is quite faster though). The power delivery is bold but gentle, the Audi 5-pot is definitely angrier and more engaging.

The sound, despite the OPF, is quite loud from the outside (more than my ex M2C!), but barely noticeable from the inside, probably due to great sound insulation. The fake engine noise makes the cabin come alive and sounds less fake than the old F-series, if you don't like it (like me) you can reduce it to a lower level, but then the car will be really quiet.

I won't give you the satisfaction of comparing it with my former M's because that would open a pointless debate, they are different cars with different purposes with different targets, I can only say that compared to the old M240i the improvement is huge.
But yes, the old M2 was obviously much more fun.

In short, the car is a real gem, I had a lot of fun considering I wasn't driving an M-car, in this era of videogame-car it exceeded my expectations, it is definitely the best non-M car I've driven from Bmw and starting from this point, considering how brilliant the G82 is and how incredible the S58 engine is, I can only imagine what kind of beast the G87 will be.
Unfortunately after seeing at the dealer the new iDrive 8 with the full display on the new 2-series MPV (sorry I can't remember the exact name), I have to say that it is something really inappropriate on a sports car for my taste

[beamer-dreamer]

thanks for such a well thought out review.. this makes me so excited for my car to eventually get here... mine is also a Black with Shadowline, and bi-color wheels

[PNW240]

Well written, and much appreciated!

[Golddog]

Great write-up. Thank you for taking the time to post this.

[zipstic]

Thanks for posting. I agree that the car looks much better in the flesh than it does in photographs.

[XC3LLR8]

If all things were equal (price, specs) which would you pick over the M240i or the new RS3?

[VIERsr]

Originally Posted by XC3LLR8

If all things were equal (price, specs) which would you pick over the M240i or the new RS3?

This is a good question.
On its side the RS3 has more exclusivity (it's still an RS) and that fabulous and unique 5-cylinder, but the driving - although much improved over the old one - is still too front-biased for my taste and its gimmick 'AWD torque rear' is awkward.
So yes, I'd probably go for the M240i, unless I need 4 doors.
The point is that here the RS3 is about 10k CHF more expensive than the M240i, and I really can't justify such difference (the Audi will depreciate less though).
Just my opinion.

[BigKutta]

Now I'm really looking forward to the G87

[gottacatchemall]

Echo the OP on the ZF8 and S58. Both are fantastic and the strong points of the car. However, the steering feedback is minimal to none and braking is underwhelming.

[Caggs]

Great review. Really well written and perfect perspective to avoid the peanut gallery to pounce on this review.

[Game]

It really is a great car and even better daily driver. Fun when you want it, comfortable when you want it. If it were available in MT, it'd be a home run.

Thanks for sharing.

[Germanauto]

Thanks for the writeup but most reviews seem to disagree with you OP. Everybody says that while highly competent and reasonably good to drive, it's not an analog car. That's a bold claim to make.

Regardless, this car bodes well for the M2. I'm sure the eventual RWD 240 will be great as well.

[trey100]

The new M2 is going to be great.

[solstice]

Yup, it’s a really good car. It makes the best of the unavoidable modern weaknesses combined with the strengths as the venerable B58 and the latest Xdrive version, the result is the best non M I’ve driven since the E series. I truly enjoy driving it which I can’t say of any non M F-series car. Needless to say my wife adores it (it’s hers) and she hated all our BMWs after the E60

[NHRef]

Thanks for the thorough evaluation!

Regarding the comment, "It's not a light car but I can say that it masks its weight very well, it would probably suffer on the track but that's not its purpose," are you suggesting the car would not be suited to racing? Or perhaps referring to occasional on track driving schools?

[solstice]

Originally Posted by NHRef

Thanks for the thorough evaluation!

Regarding the comment, "It's not a light car but I can say that it masks its weight very well, it would probably suffer on the track but that's not its purpose," are you suggesting the car would not be suited to racing? Or perhaps referring to occasional on track driving schools?

I know it was for the OP but to me this car doesn’t feel like it belong on the track. Everything that makes our M3 feel like it does isn’t there but as the OP says it’s not the intention. This is a street car, a very good one. Not to say it wouldn’t be a blast to take it to it’s limits on the track without worrying about the law

[wspalding]

Originally Posted by NHRef

Thanks for the thorough evaluation!

Regarding the comment, "It's not a light car but I can say that it masks its weight very well, it would probably suffer on the track but that's not its purpose," are you suggesting the car would not be suited to racing? Or perhaps referring to occasional on track driving schools?

The car isn’t for those that are serious about track days, but with my tuned F22 I had Porsche 911 cars waving me by during HPDE events, admittedly in a novice group. I’m confident the G42 will generate a lot of smiles for the occasional HPDE enthusiast.

[VIERsr]

Originally Posted by gottacatchemall

Echo the OP on the ZF8 and S58. Both are fantastic and the strong points of the car. However, the steering feedback is minimal to none and braking is underwhelming.

I found the brakes with the cooling package and high performance tyres good enough for road driving, pedal feel isn't that good though, but it's what you should expect from a street car with no track orientation.
Note that the wider hi-performance front tires help a lot with braking power and steering feel, most of the reviews I've read so far were based on cars with all seasons or narrow runflat tires (225 instead of 245).
But again, it's not an M-car and you shouldn't expect exceptional braking.

Originally Posted by Germanauto

Thanks for the writeup but most reviews seem to disagree with you OP. Everybody says that while highly competent and reasonably good to drive, it's not an analog car. That's a bold claim to make.

Regardless, this car bodes well for the M2. I'm sure the eventual RWD 240 will be great as well.

Yes, most of the review compared this to the OG M2, some even to the Cayman (!), I find it is quite pointless, of course M2 and Cayman give you a better driving experience, no doubt about it.
Anyway for some reason they forgot that this is the replacement for the F22 M240i xDrive, and the improvement over that is tangible in every way.
And when you consider what the competitors are offering, this is the most engaging, analog experience you can have right now for this money. Of course you can't compare it to a Cayman, price and purpose are on another level, but when you consider that in Europe the M240i is priced between the Audi S3/MB CLA 35AMG and the RS3/CLA 45AMG, from my perspective the Bmw is worth every penny and offers the best driving experience overall (although it's not a perfect car).

Originally Posted by NHRef

Thanks for the thorough evaluation!

Regarding the comment, "It's not a light car but I can say that it masks its weight very well, it would probably suffer on the track but that's not its purpose," are you suggesting the car would not be suited to racing? Or perhaps referring to occasional on track driving schools?

Well, on the road even if you drive fast but within the limits of common sense, a good chassis can mask the weight, but on the track you can not override physics and I guess the limits come out in the form of fading and overheating of brakes and tires.
But for occasional track driving it should be ok with proper brake pads and fluid without expectations of setting a track record

[playswcars]

For future reference, what roads did you test it on?

[VIERsr]

Originally Posted by playswcars

For future reference, what roads did you test it on?

I started in Seefeld and drove to Pfannenstiel and the surrounding area.

[playswcars]

Originally Posted by VIERsr

I started in Seefeld and drove to Pfannenstiel and the surrounding area.

I know the area, some great roads!

[BobHen]

Nice review. I agree with all of your points. I took a test drive and ordered one the same day. I also ordered mine in black sapphire with red brake calipers. It's going to be a daily for me so I don't need M2/track performance but want driving fun. Should be here in 6-weeks or so.

Maybe I’m old but I agree about those video game dashboards. I ordered mine with standard dials. All the info I need to see is there with a quick glance at the tachometer or the speedometer and then eyes back on the road. If dials are good enough for Porsche, well…

Bob