M240i ownership

[Gooner11]

Hi all,

I’m looking at leasing one shortly and wondered what owners thought of the car. It’ll be used for limited work trips and a trip through urope when we can. My most recent cars where a Cupra 300 and mk 7.5 golf R.

Cheers

J

[smashy]

You may want to head over her a thriving helpful community https://www.babybmw.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=74

[Tea Pot One]

I had an M240i convertible for 2 years ... 2017 to 2019. Awesome car. Best bit is the engine but the steering is light and suspension bouncy unless you spec adaptive. I had the std suspension and it made me 'drive it' as opposed to feel planted. It was a great car but the suspension and light steering let ot down.

I own an X3 M40i now and the steering and suspension in that is far better than the M240i ... that said the weight is massive compared and the M240i is a very capable car, but you just have to work it a bit more. It feels almost over engined for the suspension. I liked that is a mad way though as it was more fun.

Engine sounded great and wasn't bad on fuel either ... I ended up at about 27.5mpg over 8000 miles and a lot of commuting so a. lot better than my previous A45 AMG FL or the Z4 35iS that went before it and only managed 21.5mpg for the same routes the M240i got 27.5 !!!

[Down on the Farm]

Good evening gooner,

I've had my M240i auto now for over a year and I am fairly pleased with the whole experience.

My car was an ex demo car and has lots of lovely kit:

ZF 8 speed auto
Adaptive suspension
Electric memory seats with lumbar
Electric folding mirrors
Reversing camera
Rear park distance control
Harmon Kardon
Idrive 6 with touchscreen
Heated seats
Heated steering wheel
Enhanced Bluetoothg
Extended interior lighting
40:20:40 split rear seat
M sport seat belts (yuk)


For me the stand out experience is the 3l straight 6 engine coupled with the ZF8 gearbox

The drivetrain feels really capable, rich and refined with loads of power. Probably too much power for me to be honest as you can't really wring it out before you are into serious speeds and this in some way detracts from the driving satisfaction overall but it is still a bit of an occasion to savour.

I find it economical considering the performance on offer. Pootling around town probably 28-30 mpg

Have had over 40 mpg on a long run and have bettered that on a motorway. My usual mix urban and A roads I can achieve 35 mpg.

In my view the adaptive suspension in comfort mode is refined and soft enough for everyday cruising, but in sport mode it is definitely firmer but a little jiggly. Would prefer a bit stiffer for pushing on.

I must mention the memory seats. The standard manual offering is awkward to use as you have to shift your body weight to get the right height and rake and is far from ideal. It was essential for me to get the memory electric seats which can store two different positions on two key fobs. Lumbar support is an extra by the way. As are folding mirrors.

The build quality seems top notch and a nice place to be. Mine is mineral grey with red leather.


Now getting down to the actual handling, you are always aware that you are driving a powerful rear wheel drive car and you have to be careful when applying the throttle especially in the wet. It won't feel as planted as your golf by any means, but it is fun. I am not a quick driver and the handling does fall apart a bit as you press on, it's definitely not the last word in that respect, it's competent enough but is not ultimately rewarding in the way the Cayman is.

Exhaust sounds great outside, so I am told, but is a little too muted inside.

I was originally looking to buy a Cayman but said I wouldn't have another 2 seater as they never got used much and I wanted the extra practicality. The M240 is a 4 seater and the rear seats are not a bad space to sit. The boot is a healthy 390l litres too.

Looked at the M2 also and was a little more than I was willing to pay, very nice but probably a bit too focused for my needs. I also wanted something I could enjoy but fly under the radar and not too flash.

Hope that helps some. Best have a decent test drive as we all like different things.

Edited by Down on the Farm on Thursday 21st May 23:16

[Tea Pot One]

I forgot to mention the exhaust rattle ! On start up the spring for the exhaust valve can play a slightly 'cheap' tune ... I put up with it on mine as there doesn't seem a cure but the noise goes once moving.

Just something to be aware of !

[Don Phil]

Tea Pot One said:

I forgot to mention the exhaust rattle ! On start up the spring for the exhaust valve can play a slightly 'cheap' tune ... I put up with it on mine as there doesn't seem a cure but the noise goes once moving.

Just something to be aware of !

Our M140i had this after about a year. Got worse in the winter of year two to the point it was doing it loud, all the time. BMW fixed it under warranty with a new spring and it's not come back since.

[Gooner11]

Thanks for the info guys. The deals about at the minute seem too good to pass up.

[timbo999]

Only thing to add is if you buy a convertible, spend the extra £400 or so on the wind deflector, transforms the experience with the top down... 80 plus is airy rather than drafty.

[JackReacher]

They are good cars, but don't expect it to deliver weekend car type thrills. Engine is the highlight and once moving it is noticeably quicker than a Golf R. I've recently tried a few Golf R estates as I need more space, and they just dont feel as quick or sound as good. Suspension is poor on the m240i (much better on the Golf) and depreciation is pretty bad compared to some rivals due to the numbers produced.

Overall, I've never gelled with mine like I had hoped, perhaps expectations were too high. Get an older Cayman if you can live with an older car and only 2 seats, or an M2 if you need extra practicality.

[JackReacher]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

What I mean is that it is not the sort of car (for me at least), that I will grab the keys just to take it for a drive down a good b road for the sake of it. It's just not got that edge to the handling or steering that makes me want to do that. There is no doubting the straight line pace, and while that is entertaining at times it's not enough for me. Like you say, a decent suspension spring and damper set would help, as would a mechanical locking diff, but they would fix the steering. In some respects these weaknesses make it a better daily driver. My old 987 Cayman was much slower in straight line, but a lot more engaging to drive.