[Evilmoretea]

I've heard from a lot of YouTube personalities that the 230i might actually be a more fun to drive, drivers focused car due it it's lighter weight and RWD. M240i is only available in Xdrive in my location.

I guess just curious what the forum's opinion is. Anyone that have driven both or even just M240i owners. Is the M240i pointy and dynamic enough. I don't really care about straight-line speed as much as I care about carving up a twisty road.

Cheers!

[donm527]

Haven't driven either but maybe the M240i RWD wiil give that same feeling that the 230i does. I really hope reveiwers can get their hands on a RWD M240i and compare them.

[KJ10]

Depends on what you are used to driving. I just got my M240 Xdrive and it feels plenty dynamic enough for me. Steering and throttle response both feel good to me. Handles well in a straight line and in the curve's and the power comes on very strong.

[Evilmoretea]

Originally Posted by KJ10

Depends on what you are used to driving. I just got my M240 Xdrive and it feels plenty dynamic enough for me. Steering and throttle response both feel good to me. Handles well in a straight line and in the curve's and the power comes on very strong.

Do you have the adaptive suspension or the M sport suspension?

[KJ10]

Originally Posted by Evilmoretea

Do you have the adaptive suspension or the M sport suspension?

I believe you can only get the adaptive on 240 in US. So adaptive I guess.

[BobHen]

My 2022 M240i xdrive is extremely pointy, extremely powerful, extremely fast and extremely planted in tight curves at speed. You need to keep checking the speed in a straight line or around curves because you will always be going faster than you think you are. It’s that good.

I had the 4-cylinder turbo that’s in the 230 in my 2019 BMW 330i xdrive and it’s plenty fast for everyday driving along with some sporty fun but it’s just not the B58 turbo.

Depends on what you want, some everyday sporty fun with the 230 or something pretty dynamic and pretty special with the M240i, especially for the price.

Bob

[Dinosoar]

I have a 230 MSport and L-O-V-E that car. In short, I chose better handling over better speed. Saved a ton a cash too, but that was less my purpose, though still cool.

While I am sure the M240 handles well as a street car, no way in can move and stop better than a 230 MSport just based on the comparative weights. I did down-content my order, and left off the roof, and installed lighter wheels. I also recognize that the handling differences are only really a thing closer to each car's limit...something not recommended on the street, IMO. Nonetheless, I feel the 230's handling is more usable to me than all that power. I don't track my BMW, so, there's that.

I did notice, that the 2023 230 while still available with the M Sport equipment, no longer has the M Sport brakes. No bueno!

[Evilmoretea]

Originally Posted by Dinosoar

I have a 230 MSport and L-O-V-E that car. In short, I chose better handling over better speed. Saved a ton a cash too, but that was less my purpose, though still cool.

I did notice, that the 2023 230 while still available with the M Sport trip, no longer has the M Sport brakes. No bueno!

I'm thinking the same, handling over speed. And in the UK it does have the M sport breaks with the right option.

I went 230i in the end and looking forward to delivery next year!

[donnyfontaine]

i've bought the slightly less fast version of cars and always end up regretting it. got the M240 this time around and have zero regrets and there isn't really much more i'd want out of a car

[Hapbob]

I had a 240i (2020) convert.
Awesome fun car to drive.
Had to sell it and I didn’t want a convertible any longer . Summer very short here !
Went to buy another…no 240i’s so drove the 230.
It was fine and to be honest if I hadn’t been driving a 240 I would have bought it.
I just knew I wanted the 240..so ordered it and waiting 6 months.
The B58 motor is a work of engineering that I appreciate and need to be satisfied.
Hap

[Winrya]

I love the 2 series. Looks, interior, tech. However, by a mile the best bit is the b58. After years of vag 888 4 cylinders, I’m like a kid at Xmas every time i drive it. 3 months in the magic of a straight 6 has not faded one bit

[XC3LLR8]

For an individual purchase Randy Pobst chose a 4 cyl Camaro 1LE over the SS 1LE for track use due to the feel of less weight, so there's something to be said for throwing less mass around corners.

However, neither the 230 or 240 are track cars, actually both make horrible track cars (with the exception of 1 or 2 laps), so that leaves their fun limited to the street for 99% of the owners. With the B58 you have nearly 50/50 weight distribution, so handling isn't exactly suffering.

"More fun" is always subjective. There are always exceptions, but I'm confident the vast majority of 230 buyers fall into one of two categories: 1) they are not driving enthusiasts (most middle-aged women), and 2) their finances simply do not support the 240. And before you reply with hate mail, please re-read the bold.

[StolenLexus]

Originally Posted by XC3LLR8

There are always exceptions, but I'm confident the vast majority of 230 buyers fall into one of two categories: 1) they are not driving enthusiasts (most middle-aged women), and 2) their finances simply do not support the 240. And before you reply with hate mail, please re-read the bold.

As someone with a 230i on order, I'd say I fall into BOTH categories.

I definitely don't consider myself an 'enthusiast' and the 230i is just hella more affordable lol.

My only experience with the B58 was driving an M440i at a UDE event. While it was quick as hell, I don't know if it'd be worth the $10K+ premium for me.

[XC3LLR8]

Originally Posted by StolenLexus

As someone with a 230i on order, I'd say I fall into BOTH categories.

I definitely don't consider myself an 'enthusiast' and the 230i is just hella more affordable lol.

My only experience with the B58 was driving an M440i at a UDE event. While it was quick as hell, I don't know if it'd be worth the $10K+ premium for me.

Well said, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that!

For me the acceleration leaving lights in the 240 is addictive. I've had cars with a lot more power, but they simply couldn't hook-up like the 240. If that's not your thing, then there's absolutely nothing wrong with that and the 230 would be the wiser choice.

[vicxxz]

I've had two 4 series with the 4-cyl engine, and that drivetrain is simply underpowered IMO. My old Audi 4-cyl had better power. My '22 M240i has therefore been an enormous step up. Granted, I've never driven a RWD BMW, so ignorance is bliss

[XC3LLR8]

Originally Posted by vicxxz

I've had two 4 series with the 4-cyl engine, and that drivetrain is simply underpowered IMO. My old Audi 4-cyl had better power. My '22 M240i has therefore been an enormous step up. Granted, I've never driven a RWD BMW, so ignorance is bliss

Sure you have - xDrive is RWD for dummies.

[LivingInSalt]

uh no

[emcee1011]

"Fun" is so subjective and shouldn't even be up for discussion as every driver is different. Statistically, the M240 is and should be superior.

Either way I personally think the 230i is the same as the BRZ/GT(GR) 86. Very underpowered RWD sports car that can barely get out of its own way. How much fun can you really have with a 200-something horsepower sports car nowadays?

Maybe it's more fun to throw around in corners but how many people are really ripping their cars that hard on a track?

[MPR]

If you're any level of enthusiast or driving dynamics type of person, you have to go 240. If you don't, you'll be wishing you did for your X years of 230 ownership.

I made a car buying mistake back in 2010 and will never settle on a car again; I was shopping for a 335 and settled on a 328xi. At the time I was tired of my current car, could hardly afford a 335, and was having trouble finding one. I ended up selling the 328 after 8 or so months.

If you're on the edge of affordability, maybe postpone your order and save up your Xmas bonus + tax return, if applicable?

[cjh]

A majority of owners on this forum seem to be M240i owners, who do have amazing cars that are worthy of their praise. But as someone who has a lot of seat time in an M340i and who has test driven two M240s before buying my 230i, the 230i is way underrated and lives in the shadows of its more powerful sibling. It's such a playful car that strikes a great balance of power and handling. No, it definitely won't beat an M240 in any race, nor will it sound as good, but it also is by no means a car that feels slow or lacking excitement. I pretty much had my mind made up on an M240 until I test drove a 230 that happened to be on the lot in the spec I was otherwise looking for, which I ended up going home with. It also was $44K after options and sips gas...it almost feels economical.

Quite different cars and driving experiences, neither is bad.

[BlueLEDz]

I'm coming from a 20 year old Honda, the car just won't stop running. But I want a new luxury car that is fun to drive. The 230 checked the boxes for me; the right size, the red interior and almost double the HP as what I'm currently driving. Plus it has the bells and whistles that I care about.

[Coconut]

Drive both and see if the 230i is enough for you.