M240i or 370Z?
Discussion
HI everyone.
Looking to change away from brand new hot hatches into a used RWD "sports car". Budget is around the £20k mark with some wiggle room for the right car.
The majority of what I'm coming across are either low mileage M235i and mid mileage M240i along with a smattering of 370Zs.
From what I can see online, the M240i is the nicer car overall in terms of build and quality but a little boring in the driving dynamics and the 370z is the opposite. Little bit pants in terms of quality but a much better drive.
I'm coming from an i30N so would like a similar level of involvement and not too fussed about MPG or ride quality. There'd also be a couple of track days each year to factor in to the running costs.
Which one would you pick?
Looking to change away from brand new hot hatches into a used RWD "sports car". Budget is around the £20k mark with some wiggle room for the right car.
The majority of what I'm coming across are either low mileage M235i and mid mileage M240i along with a smattering of 370Zs.
From what I can see online, the M240i is the nicer car overall in terms of build and quality but a little boring in the driving dynamics and the 370z is the opposite. Little bit pants in terms of quality but a much better drive.
I'm coming from an i30N so would like a similar level of involvement and not too fussed about MPG or ride quality. There'd also be a couple of track days each year to factor in to the running costs.
Which one would you pick?
Had the same dilemma last summer and I looked at all the same options as you along with Porsche Cayman's and even older 911's.
I couldn't stretch my budget to a nice 911 or Cayman S without worries about bore scoring so in the end I bought the BMW 240i and I do love it, no regrets at all, it's a fantastic drive and I chose a manual which is the less desirable option but I didn't want an auto. I was looking at the 370Z Nismo but a drive in the 240i confirmed it was the car for me.
The only negative of mine is that it came with run flat tyres which aren't great, I will be going for normal tyres when I wear the run flats out.
I couldn't stretch my budget to a nice 911 or Cayman S without worries about bore scoring so in the end I bought the BMW 240i and I do love it, no regrets at all, it's a fantastic drive and I chose a manual which is the less desirable option but I didn't want an auto. I was looking at the 370Z Nismo but a drive in the 240i confirmed it was the car for me.
The only negative of mine is that it came with run flat tyres which aren't great, I will be going for normal tyres when I wear the run flats out.
I've had a couple of 370z's and now drive a M235i although mine is lightly modified (and for sale shortly 
)
Stock for stock I'd take the Nismo, if you can live with the lack of space they really are a rewarding car to drive and manuals are more readily available if that's what you are after, whilst slower than the 240 they are much more fun
Modified the 240 is a beast but I'm really not a fan of the B58, i find the engine characterless, dull and unrewarding, its like a diesel ie stonking midrange but little reason or inclination to push it to the redline, the VQ in the 370 is a hoot and pretty much the opposite
) Stock for stock I'd take the Nismo, if you can live with the lack of space they really are a rewarding car to drive and manuals are more readily available if that's what you are after, whilst slower than the 240 they are much more fun
Modified the 240 is a beast but I'm really not a fan of the B58, i find the engine characterless, dull and unrewarding, its like a diesel ie stonking midrange but little reason or inclination to push it to the redline, the VQ in the 370 is a hoot and pretty much the opposite
Between the two I would (and did) go for the 370Z.
In terms of performance the BMW may be a little faster, handling wise the 370z is more fun, more sports car like if not quite as accomplished. I find the M240 to look a bit, well, underwhelming. Standard BMW 2 door saloon, not a sports car. But that is my opinion. The 370Z will likely be more reliable if not better built. That isn't to say the quality is poor - it definitely isn't - just a different emphasis on product quality/reliability rather than on perceived quality/feel.
Have you looked at 987.2 Cayman with the 2.9 engine? You may get something in budget but a little older/higher miles that would possibly give you the best of both worlds?
In terms of performance the BMW may be a little faster, handling wise the 370z is more fun, more sports car like if not quite as accomplished. I find the M240 to look a bit, well, underwhelming. Standard BMW 2 door saloon, not a sports car. But that is my opinion. The 370Z will likely be more reliable if not better built. That isn't to say the quality is poor - it definitely isn't - just a different emphasis on product quality/reliability rather than on perceived quality/feel.
Have you looked at 987.2 Cayman with the 2.9 engine? You may get something in budget but a little older/higher miles that would possibly give you the best of both worlds?
When you say 370Z I take it you mean the Nismo model, if it is out of that or the M240i then I'd take the Nismo every time.
It's a great steer & the engine is very good & engaging, the M240i isn't as good dynamically but the blown 3.0 has a nice amount of low down torque as well as cheaper tuning potential.
Gen1's are a little more raw with a fair bit less sound deadening(I also think they look better/more aggressive, the downside is finding one that isn't white) & a slightly stiffer setup:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009093...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103280...
Gen2's have better NVH & a slightly less aggressive look but more colour choice, you won't be disappointed with either.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102279...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104141...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103310...
It's a great steer & the engine is very good & engaging, the M240i isn't as good dynamically but the blown 3.0 has a nice amount of low down torque as well as cheaper tuning potential.
Gen1's are a little more raw with a fair bit less sound deadening(I also think they look better/more aggressive, the downside is finding one that isn't white) & a slightly stiffer setup:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009093...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103280...
Gen2's have better NVH & a slightly less aggressive look but more colour choice, you won't be disappointed with either.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102279...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104141...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103310...
I haven’t ever driven the BMW so this is a one sided review. I had a new 370z Nismo (2019 model). Proper analogue sports car in a digital world. Looked stunning, cornered like it was on rails, naturally aspirated big lump of an engine, great rev match for those of us who aren’t driving gods - loved it. Got me in trouble with the plod, ended up selling to fund a house purchase with a huge chunk of negative equity. Regret selling ever since 
BMWs are ten a penny, go for the Z!
BMWs are ten a penny, go for the Z!
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