BMW M240i xDrive | PH Video
The M240i ticks a lot of boxes on paper. Find out how it does on film...
It's a common problem. You've grown up, possibly without realising it, and progressed far enough along the journey of life to find yourself with a blossoming family. And that brings all kinds of joy, of course - but at the same time some predictable limitations. More often than not, the kind of car you buy must reflect the growing numbers at the dinner table. Unless you're wealthy enough to have a fleet - and probably a nanny on tap to give you the breathing space to enjoy trips out in two-seaters - the pressure to compromise on driving pleasure and chase practicality is inevitable.
So, if the time with your Porsche Cayman or Alpine A110 has run its course, but your desire to drive something exciting and pleasurable hasn't, what choice do you have? If your available funds are around £45,000, we'd argue the new BMW M240i xDrive is a worthy contender. It's based not on the 1 Series and 2 Series Gran Coupé platform (which is predominately front-wheel drive) but on the CLAR platform that underpins the current BMW 4 Series. What you get, then, is the same longitudinally-mounted B58 3.0-litre straight-six as the M440i xDrive, right down to the available power output of 374hp. That, for the record, is more than a Cayman S.
If you're thinking that's all well and good but the M240i's xDrive drivetrain will be neutering the fun, you might be surprised. Sure, it isn't going to emulate the dexterity of a rear-wheel-drive mid-engined car, but all that power and its considerable torque (369lb ft) is sent rearwards as a rule. It's only when the rear tyres run out of ideas that the M240i will call upon its front axle to dig you out, which means the potential for fun remains. And while the extra components add 205kg to the car's mass - which stands at a considerable 1,765kg - like the latest M3 and M4, the M240i xDrive has an uncanny ability to disguise its portliness well.
It's also refined and easygoing when you're not barrelling around and, crucially, has the selling points of four useable seats and a generous boot. Is it the answer to your prayers, then? Watch our latest video to find out, and don't forget to like and subscribe to the PistonHeads channel to get alerts for all our forthcoming content.
king E39 M5 weighed less than 1800kg 
I love a fairly light, manual sports car just as much as everybody on PH, in fact I own one!
But the simple fact is that 99% of buyers of an M240i X don't care about the weight. And to be honest, most people, me included, can't tell the difference in normal day to day driving. And this makes up for 99% of driving time. To be brutally honest, who doesn't want to be in comfort and safety while sitting in a traffic jam on the M3?
Chris
I love a fairly light, manual sports car just as much as everybody on PH, in fact I own one!
But the simple fact is that 99% of buyers of an M240i X don't care about the weight. And to be honest, most people, me included, can't tell the difference in normal day to day driving. And this makes up for 99% of driving time. To be brutally honest, who doesn't want to be in comfort and safety while sitting in a traffic jam on the M3?
I agree though, much more engaging than some PH vids. Someone at PH has been looking enviously at Carwow's YouTube stats...
I agree though, much more engaging than some PH vids. Someone at PH has been looking enviously at Carwow's YouTube stats...
I love a fairly light, manual sports car just as much as everybody on PH, in fact I own one!
But the simple fact is that 99% of buyers of an M240i X don't care about the weight. And to be honest, most people, me included, can't tell the difference in normal day to day driving. And this makes up for 99% of driving time. To be brutally honest, who doesn't want to be in comfort and safety while sitting in a traffic jam on the M3?
This, imho, is the best looking BMW in a long time. Absolutely lovely looking in fact! Love the launch colour too!
Probably a cracking daily driver and one of the nicest car to live in day to day. Yes it is heavy, but so what. I doubt a 300kg lighter M240i xDrive would be a better road car!
Again, not commenting on the 200kg 4x4 drivetrain statement, which probably is wrong.
What I was trying to denounce, was that no post so far, mine included, was about how great this car looks (again, imho) or what a cracking real world, small but practical 4 seat coupe/2 door limousine it is!
The only reason people could get into a previous-gen M135/140/235/240i for such low prices was because BMW were churning them out like there was no tomorrow. Go to a dealer today and order a new M240i and you're probably looking at a 9 month wait.
This, imho, is the best looking BMW in a long time. Absolutely lovely looking in fact! Love the launch colour too!
Probably a cracking daily driver and one of the nicest car to live in day to day. Yes it is heavy, but so what. I doubt a 300kg lighter M240i xDrive would be a better road car!
Again, not commenting on the 200kg 4x4 drivetrain statement, which probably is wrong.
What I was trying to denounce, was that no post so far, mine included, was about how great this car looks (again, imho) or what a cracking real world, small but practical 4 seat coupe/2 door limousine it is!
Yes it's a bit heavy but so is everything nowadays.
Yes it's expensive but so is everything nowadays.
I don't think it's as good looking as the outgoing M240i but it isn't ugly in the same way the M4 is. The lights front & rear look a bit too small, and the body lines don't match up with the places they should do, in order to create flow and a uniform over all appearance, but it's not 'terrible'.
I can't see why it won't sell by the shedload, although xDrive doesn't interest me personally as I prefer RWD, it will probably actually sell to a wider market than the current outgoing M240i, as the majority of buyers will probably see AWD as a bonus, and lets be honest only a minority actually want to feel the rear end moving around.
Not for me, but a pretty decent offering compared to some other models in the BMW line up.
I love a fairly light, manual sports car just as much as everybody on PH, in fact I own one!
But the simple fact is that 99% of buyers of an M240i X don't care about the weight. And to be honest, most people, me included, can't tell the difference in normal day to day driving. And this makes up for 99% of driving time. To be brutally honest, who doesn't want to be in comfort and safety while sitting in a traffic jam on the M3?
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff