BMW M240i xDrive | The Core of BMW Driving
Over the last couple of years, BMW has been criticized as drifting away from its core values. Front-wheel drive cars, big grilles, no Hofmeister Knick. But the new 2 Series might still be what we all expect from BMW.
We’ve talked about the new 2 Series before and how nice it is but that’s no wonder. The 2 Series was conceived on a shortened platform shared with the 3 Series. That also means that the architecture allows it to put every engine in the 2 Series as it did in the 3 Series. That also includes the M3 engine being able to sit inside the M2 but that’s for next year. Right now, the M240i is the top of the line with the same straight-six as the M340i.
Thundering in München
The visual changes on the M240i are small compared to the regular 2 Series. The front remains unchanged. The M240i does get the M wing mirrors and towards the back, there are 2 rectangular exhausts with a small lip spoiler on top. Very subtle changes but then again, the 2 Series was already a car with great styling elements. The power dome in the hood and the big flared arches being examples of that. The rear tail lights are too far apart but that mostly has practical reasons to get more stuff into the trunk.
And probably the best new thing about this 2 Series is the all-new color introduced called Thundernight Metallic. It’s this deep purple color that turns quite dark at night but shines brightly when the light hits it right. It may be a bold choice but when you’re buying a small sporty coupé, you’re allowed to make bold choices like this. You won’t be disappointed.
Driving spirit
A straight-six at the front and power mostly going to the rear. That is the recipe for this M240i. Why do I say mostly to the rear? Well because this M240i is fitted with xDrive, which is an all-wheel drive system that pushes power predominately to the rear wheels to retain that sporty driving feel.
And it’s not just marketing stuff, it feels very nicely rear-wheel biased. You can feel it, especially when you’re pushing early out of a tighter corner, that the back starts stepping a bit out. And thanks to the xDrive system, it never takes you too far out of shape.
The adaptive M suspension is a must really, driven by the standard M sport suspension in the 220d, the adaptive one is equally stiff in its sportier setting but it is way more comfortable in its comfort setting. It doesn’t juggle you around as the standard suspension does, retaining the precise nature when comfort is desired. If you’re planning to drive this car a lot, you’ll want to add the adaptive suspension to the options you need.
Then there is the B58 straight six, we’ve already talked about this engine in the M440i and it’s no different here. Pushing 374 hp and taking it to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds. The straight six is something fundamentally BMW and this B58 is one of its finer straight-sixes in recent years. Providing a characterful and great-sounding engine whilst also really working on the efficiency side of the engine. Our average consumption came up to 8.5L/100 km with a highway run as low as 7.0 L/100km. Very impressive to see, as a lot of smaller cars with smaller engines come close to these kinds of figures.
Classic BMW
Inside, the cabin has evolved over the years. But ever so slightly, which is nice actually. A lot of manufacturers have tried to reinvent their interiors for the sake of it leaving behind a confusing and overcomplicated mess. But BMW’s interior updates have always been small evolutions that retain certain ergonomic spots (most notably an iDrive selector which is still the easiest way of navigating without having to look away from the road) that keep the cabin familiar whilst introducing a newer, higher quality look each time. And the M240i cabin looks as premium for a small BMW as it has ever been.
The seats are the same ones as the ones in the 220d we reviewed and they are similarly hard when you get into them but for some reason, they are never uncomfortable. Weirdly it’s a great, comfortable seat with decent support. There are no materials that feel like they cheapened out on some parts, it’s everything you can expect from a BMW. The only controversial bit seems to be the illuminated M striping which you either love or hate.
Note: just after we test-drove this car a small LCI which introduced a curved display and removed the larger gear selector as shown here was released:
BMW still nails it
In times when a lot of cars are getting duller and duller, even the safer xDrive M240i still provides the driving pleasure that makes you want to go out for a drive without a destination set. The engine sings and you’re sitting in a cabin that’s as luxurious as it has been in BMW’s smallest coupé. Starting from 58.025 € for the RWD version and 60.475 € for the xDrive it puts it into a very attractive spot with price/performance that makes its Full-AMG/RS competitors sweat a bit. This M-light version of the 2-Series hits the mark.
