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Today marked my first opportunity to truly experience the new Bmw M240i on the winding roads surrounding Zurich, and the impression it left was profound. In an automotive landscape increasingly dominated by digital interfaces and autonomous driving features, and particularly after my recent drive in the new Audi RS3, I admittedly anticipated a somewhat sterile and detached driving experience. Fortunately, my preconceptions were thoroughly overturned. It’s crucial to understand the context of this vehicle and the current automotive era. Despite the subtle M badging, this isn’t intended to be a full-fledged M car. Therefore, the appropriate benchmark is its predecessor, the F22 M240i, rather than the M2 or M2 Competition. And let’s be clear: this is a 2022 vehicle, so those clinging to pure nostalgia might want to adjust their expectations.
Exterior styling is inherently subjective, and personal opinions will naturally vary – all of which are valid. My observation is that the car possesses a significantly stronger presence in person than in photographs. Having seen it in both Black Sapphire Metallic and Brooklyn Grey, I found both colors highly appealing. It undeniably warrants an in-person evaluation to fully appreciate its design, as it, much like the G8x M3 and M4, isn’t particularly photogenic. The wider wheels and more aggressive offset contribute significantly to its road presence, a welcome departure from the somewhat narrow and flat wheel setups of the previous F2x generation.
Stepping inside, the interior environment feels largely familiar, echoing the G2x 3 Series design language, albeit with more cost-effective door panel materials. However, unlike the F2x, there’s no sense of sitting in a diminished or “poorer” version of a 3 Series. The cabin ambiance is noticeably more premium, and the M sport seats are genuinely striking. While I personally am not an enthusiast of digital instrument clusters (and this particular iteration isn’t among the most visually compelling), it’s a feature I can readily adapt to. My expertise doesn’t lie in evaluating technological aspects such as infotainment systems, audio quality, driver assistance technologies, or LED lighting configurations, so I’ll defer those assessments to individuals with more specialized knowledge.
BMW M240i Front View
What truly resonated with me was the overall driving experience, a quality that is becoming increasingly scarce – perhaps even unique – within this vehicle segment today. The defining characteristic is the palpable sense that YOU are in command, actively driving the car, rather than feeling like a passenger being driven by the vehicle’s systems (a stark contrast to the RS3, for example). It delivers arguably the most analog driving feel available in a car at this price point in 2022, a time when computer-driven dynamics are increasingly prevalent.
The chassis, remarkably, maintains exceptional balance despite the car’s weight and all-wheel-drive configuration. Turn-in is sharp and responsive across a range of speeds, providing reassuring feedback about the interaction between tires and road surface. Lateral grip is significantly enhanced compared to the previous M240i, representing a notable step forward in handling prowess. While not a lightweight vehicle, it effectively masks its mass, performing admirably in dynamic driving scenarios, though perhaps track performance would reveal its weight more noticeably – but that’s not its intended domain.
In Comfort mode, the suspension and steering exhibit a compliant and relaxed character, well-suited for urban driving. However, for more spirited driving, Sport or Sport+ modes are preferable. (In Sport+, I found the throttle response almost excessively sharp, and the gearbox shifting a touch too abrupt). In these sportier modes, the suspension firms up, but without becoming overly rigid. It’s worth noting that the roads in my testing area are exceptionally smooth. The M240i never feels overtly nervous, although occasionally the suspension response can be slightly firm, possibly exacerbated by the test car’s tires being overinflated (running on 245/255 Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, by the way).
BMW M240i Side Profile
Straight-line traction is abundant, yet the rear-wheel-drive bias of the all-wheel-drive system is clearly discernible. While you can’t readily induce rear tire smoke like a purely rear-wheel-drive car, playful moments are certainly attainable, especially in wet conditions. The overall driving feel leans closer to a rear-wheel-drive car than a typical all-wheel-drive system, with torque transfer from rear to front being both predictable and finely tuned. (The RS3’s all-wheel-drive behavior is considerably different, a topic deserving of its own dedicated discussion).
The steering system represents BMW’s finest iteration of electric power steering (EPS) in a non-M car to date. While a degree of artificial feedback is still present, the improvement over the previous F2x generation is substantial. I particularly appreciate the minimal interference from the front axle; the steering feel doesn’t betray the fact that you’re driving an all-wheel-drive vehicle (again, in stark contrast to the RS3…).
BMW M240i Interior View
The ZF 8-speed automatic transmission remains a benchmark of excellence. Its tuning in the M240i is virtually flawless. It delivers seamless shifts in Comfort mode and lightning-fast responses in Sport and Sport+. While it may not possess the razor-sharp immediacy of a dual-clutch transmission (DCT) in manual mode (though it surpasses DCTs in automatic operation), it’s difficult to find fault with it in a car like this, unless you are an unwavering advocate for manual transmissions. In that case, unfortunately, there’s no alternative offered.
BMW M240i Engine Bay
The B58 engine is, as widely acknowledged, a remarkable powerplant. It delivers ample power across a broad rev range, from 2000 rpm to nearly 7000 rpm, exhibiting only a slight degree of turbo lag, less pronounced than in the RS3 (although the RS3 is demonstrably quicker overall). Power delivery is both assertive and refined, whereas the Audi’s five-cylinder engine possesses a more aggressive and visceral character.
BMW M240i Dashboard and Infotainment
The exhaust sound, despite the presence of an Otto Particulate Filter (OPF), is surprisingly robust from the exterior – louder than my previous M2 Competition! However, it’s quite subdued within the cabin, likely due to effective sound insulation. The synthesized engine noise enhances the auditory experience inside, and it sounds more natural and less artificial than the systems in older F-series BMWs. If, like myself, you find artificial engine sounds undesirable, it can be reduced to a lower level, but the cabin then becomes very quiet.
BMW M240i Wheels and Brakes
I won’t indulge in direct comparisons to my former M cars, as that would lead to a somewhat unproductive debate. They are fundamentally different vehicles designed for different purposes and target audiences. I will state that the improvement over the previous F22 M240i is substantial. However, the older M2 was undeniably more engaging and fun to drive. In summary, the new M240i is a genuine gem. Considering it’s not a full-fledged M car, it provided an unexpectedly enjoyable experience. In this era of increasingly digital and detached “video game” cars, it surpassed my expectations. It stands out as the best non-M BMW I’ve driven. Given the brilliance of the current G82 M4 and the exceptional S58 engine, the potential of the upcoming G87 M2 is truly exciting to contemplate. My only reservation stems from seeing the new iDrive 8 system with its full-width display in the new 2 Series MPV (I can’t recall the exact model designation). For my personal taste, such a system seems somewhat out of place in a sports car.
BMW M240i Rear View
BMW M240i Driving on Road
BMW M240i Dynamic Driving
