[bman5150]

I’m getting another car in the next 8-10 months. The 2022+ m240i is high on my list of choices. However, none of the dealers in Central Ohio have one I could check out/test drive. In fact, they don’t even have a 230i I could at least sit in to see if I like the interior and overall look of the car. Best I can tell, the closest dealer with a new or used 2022+ m240i is two states away.

Is this the to be expected for this car? I’m going to have a hard time pulling the trigger on one if I can’t even test drive one. Also toying with the idea of an m2 but those too are very difficult to find anywhere.

[AWcoupe]

I think it’s fair to say that finding one sitting on a dealership’s lot as inventory is wishful thinking at this point. However, not impossible if you are diligent in your search. By constantly scouring local dealers websites I discovered a freshly delivered 240 at my nearest dealer and went there the next day. Salesman didn’t even know it showed up! He grabbed the key and then informed me they took a deposit earlier. Still checked it out, sat in it, etc.
Another one popped up at the dealer where I bought my 2 previous cars and I was lucky enough to snag it. Found out it was a customer order who passed on it for whatever reason. My gain. This is in CT at high volume stores. Car is amazing and worth the leg work tracking one down.

[Cwatt79]

You should be able to find a 230i on a nearby lot before too long. When I decided I wanted a G42 in November, I test drove a 230i at one of my local dealers, then purchased one off a dealer lot 80 miles away which was the exact spec I was looking for. Probably won't find a M240i on a lot unless you stumble upon a cancelled order, but as you said, you'll get a very good idea of what you're in for with a 230i, particularly if you can test one with the M Sport/Shadowline/Dynamic Handling packages.

[LivingInSalt]

4 hour drive too much?

https://www.bmwusa.com/certified-pre...53CM05P8D03572

[SlowG42]

I was able to buy my car off the lot in Canada, but was already second in line calling only a few hours after it was posted. You just have to look constantly and likely not going to get every single option you want… or order and wait. I’d never seen this car in person even before buying and have 0 regrets.

[ryo-]

sit in a 3 series since the interior is pretty much the same. just beware that the MY22 and MY23 interiors are slightly different as they have removed some things, specifically the little cubby on the left side of the steering wheel (if that matters to you).

[bobkat09]

Looks like the build time is down to around 3 months

Much better than my 5 month wait last year

[XC3LLR8]

What's the list of cars you're considering?

Many on here ordered their M240's and waited 6+ months w/o ever sitting in one (including me) and had zero regrets at arrival...or even after 10 months of ownership.

[vicbmw]

Originally Posted by bman5150

I’m getting another car in the next 8-10 months. The 2022+ m240i is high on my list of choices. However, none of the dealers in Central Ohio have one I could check out/test drive. In fact, they don’t even have a 230i I could at least sit in to see if I like the interior and overall look of the car. Best I can tell, the closest dealer with a new or used 2022+ m240i is two states away.

Is this the to be expected for this car? I’m going to have a hard time pulling the trigger on one if I can’t even test drive one. Also toying with the idea of an m2 but those too are very difficult to find anywhere.

Last year when I planned to order my M240i at my local BMW dealer, I asked for the salesperson to let me know when an M240i that someone had ordered would be at their dealership so I could look and inspect it. I saw one while it was in dealer prep, and they let me inspect and sit in it. I never needed to drive one because all of the reviews were so favorable that I just wanted to see and inspect one before ordering... After seeing the car live I ordered one right away and have been enjoying the M240i for the past 9 months. It's the most fun to drive and the most comfortable car that I've ever owned!! There's plenty of room for my 6 foot frame, and the ergonomics are just right for me... Good luck with your choice!

[maggies_dad]

at least recently from what I've seen availability has been in waves... back in Jan & Feb when we were looking only a handful of dealers had a spec we wanted on the lot, fast forward to last month and there were 3-4 cars I would have happily taken within 100 mi, now it's back to slim pickings again... and I've noticed the builder on BMW USA has gradually become more and more restrictive on how you can build a car (I know the builder with the dealer is different) at least for the 230, I guess possibly because we're getting close to MY24 but to my knowledge there aren't many changes when compared to MY23, at least as compared to MY22 vs MY23

[perfectlyfrank]

I had already ordered my M240i, but I drove an M340i at BMW Ultimate Driving Experience in Tampa in December. I figured I would get the general idea. It was a pretty cool and free event. There is one coming up in Cleveland in July. https://driving.bmwusa.com/cities

[G42UPRA]

Take this with a grain of salt but I think production has been ramping up and you might start seeing dealer ordered M240i's soonish.

My dealer told me they have two dealer ordered 240s in production right now and planned to arrive in the next month or two. Previously they haven't been able to get dealer allocations.

[tehandyb]

A dealer near me also just got two coming next month that aren't spoken for. Unfortunately not my perfect spec though, so I'm still waiting it out

[FunnyUsername]

Originally Posted by ryo-

sit in a 3 series since the interior is pretty much the same. just beware that the MY22 and MY23 interiors are slightly different as they have removed some things, specifically the little cubby on the left side of the steering wheel (if that matters to you).

The 3 series backseat is way better. Head doesn't touch the ceiling and there isn't a weird plastic thing in between the two rear seats.

That said I went with a 2 series because cheaper and driving other people is overrated.

[heelsmj]

Originally Posted by XC3LLR8

What's the list of cars you're considering?

Many on here ordered their M240's and waited 6+ months w/o ever sitting in one (including me) and had zero regrets at arrival...or even after 10 months of ownership.

Not only have I never sat in one. I have never seen one. Mine should arrive in a month. However, I have been driving a 2020 M340 so I know I am going to love the drivetrain. If I had never experienced a BMW close to the M240 would I have just orders it blind? Maybe not.

In south Florida it is impossible to find an M240 on a lot. It’s a 6 month wait at least for one. You may be able to see a 230 but even those move very quickly.

[jakek66]

It's sporadic. Since we bought our 2023 230i in October, the (pretty high volume) dealer has only received 1 230i since and no M240i. They did have a M240i on order though, so did other dealers by me so it's opened up a little at least if you are OK waiting a couple months.

We are taking that M240i allocation so we will have bought 67% of their 2 Series sold in 2023 model year.

[Bandit009]

I found mine by luck checking the dealership near me. They had a fully spec’d one that someone decided not to move forward with. I bought that one because it has the wheel and oil cooler package and xdrive. They had two rwd 240’s there as well that were cheaper but they were minimally spec’d and I wanted xdrive for the acceleration. They let me drive the one I bought around the block and the engine won me over. I bought on the spot. Now that dealership has no m240i’s.

[zgood4u]

Originally Posted by bman5150

I’m getting another car in the next 8-10 months. The 2022+ m240i is high on my list of choices. However, none of the dealers in Central Ohio have one I could check out/test drive. In fact, they don’t even have a 230i I could at least sit in to see if I like the interior and overall look of the car. Best I can tell, the closest dealer with a new or used 2022+ m240i is two states away.

Is this the to be expected for this car? I’m going to have a hard time pulling the trigger on one if I can’t even test drive one. Also toying with the idea of an m2 but those too are very difficult to find anywhere.

I just saw there is a 2023 Brooklyn Grey one at Carmax in Columbus Sawmill w/3k on the clock

[cannockwolf]

Spoke to my dealer today (should get mine within two weeks now) and he is telling prospective customers 12 months now due to the popularity

[Jonesymx29]

Honestly if you're going new, I would find a car with ID8 (we're not starting this debate) and see if you like how it looks and feels. The moment I sat in my car, I loved it. I like newer tech and ID8 makes a lot of competitors look old-fashioned.

The B58 is one of the best ICE engines of all time, so you're not going to go wrong there.

[donnyfontaine]

Originally Posted by Jonesymx29

Honestly if you're going new, I would find a car with ID8 (we're not starting this debate) and see if you like how it looks and feels. The moment I sat in my car, I loved it. I like newer tech and ID8 makes a lot of competitors look old-fashioned.

>we're not starting this debate

>because I personally liked it

ID8 is going to be dated in the BMW lineup in less than a year and the curved screen and removed gear shift are terrible. they raced to cut cost since physical buttons cost more $$, while still bumping up price. anyone buying new doesn't really have a choice tho since there are no new '22s left, so not sure how the infotainment conversation is relevant at all. if you buy new you're getting idrive 8

[Jonesymx29]

I only shared what I did because it was one of the things that won me over, considering I'd never sat in a car with iD8 and was worried if I'd like it or not. The OP mentioned availability for ordering/cars on lots, so I shared my experience. I'd say that's relevant because if they don't like iD8 and can't find a lightly-used car to their liking with iD7, then they might have to scratch this car off their list.

I figure we all can read what people have to say on this forum and make our own conclusions from it.

Sorry that wasn't clear!