[akkando]

Good comparison video here, but quite long.

[Grayson1098]

If you don't intend to modify/track then the M240i would be fine.

I like the M2 because racecar

[Motivate]

Originally Posted by Rock Sweden

http://www.caranddriver.com/features...p-2017-feature

While he's at it,
http://www.caranddriver.com/features...d-more-feature

Interesting that the M235i is faster than the M240i. The M2 around the track is much faster and that OP, is the difference. As others have said, if you only care about going straight fast, M240i is all you need. Or there are other options out there too.

[V.Smurf]

I bought the M2 as I just loved the style of it - I couldn't find a better looking "pocket rocket" on the market, and while cars like the Audi TT provide some degree of styling challenge, I don't believe anything can match that squat look that it wears so well

The proportions are perfect - in particular the wide "hips" of the car give it a perfect stance in my opinion ... and the quad exhausts round out the look of the beast. It just looks fantastic, particularly in LBB which is the colour that I selected.

I test drove an M140i (the dealer didn't have an M240i that I could sample) so that I could get a feel for the difference in performance, and while it was a fun car, it didn't offer the exhaust burble and other noises that came from the M2 during my test drive.

I don't think that the style of the M240i works quite as well - I guess if the M2 didn't exist, it probably would be pleasing, but when I look at the regular 2er, the presence of the car lacks something ... the M2 just has panache!

The only problem is the wait ... another two months until mine arrives

[Artemis]

I'll answer your question by using your own words:

Your finding #1:

Originally Posted by M2-007

most of the reviews I have seen said the M240i is as fast as the M2 and 99% as good as the M2. As a logical choice it should be a no brainer to pick the M240i.

Your finding #2:

Originally Posted by M2-007

The dealers near me have plenty of M240i in stock and they are willing to sell it to me $4000 below MSRP. They don't have a manual M2 in stock but willing to order one for $5000 over MSRP, and it will not arrive until summer next year.

Conclusion:
Either the market is crazy/irrational or there must be something peculiar about the M2.

I think that the M2 is worth its salt. Get it and don't look back. You won't find comments stating "Buying my M2 was a mistake - I should have ordered an M240i".

But as others kindly recommended: if dealers charge over MSRP, look elsewhere.

[TT1351]

FWIW, I liVe in Massachusetts, found a Performance Edition M2 manual at Schomp, in Colorado, paid sticker, no additional fees, sticker price out the door. Of course I had to pay shipping, the sales manager and his team were great to work with, love it and loved the experience. Well done Schomp BMW of Highland Ranch.

[zhp2m3]

I have the m235 and M2. Love the m235, but get the M2. Those hips...

[M2-007]

Thank you much for all your feedback and recommendations. With your info I am now 100% sure which one I should buy.

[GOLFFRR]

Originally Posted by Doctor///M

@BMWDavid GOLFFRR hook this guy up. Never pay over MSRP. Don't be afraid to look out of state OP. The paperwork is minimal and a good dealer gets it done efficiently.

OP feel free to shoot David a buzz at bmwdavid@icloud.com I just don't know how are current allocation stand at this moment. Those M2s seem to be very very hard to come by which is why most dealers are likely charging a premium add that on top of the tough programing for those its tough to get screaming deals on those at this time. Anywho see what David can do for you and hopefully we have something open

[strato58]

Originally Posted by Grayson1098

If you don't intend to modify/track then the M240i would be fine.

I like the M2 because racecar

I would think the opposite because the new engine is at its lowest power output and the N55 in the M2 is tweaked. You could much easier get more power from the new engine if you are prefer that. The suspension is a different story. It would be mega expensive to turn the 240 suspension into an M2. Dont think it would fit, thus the beautiful hips. And the looks are stunning on the M

[strato58]

Originally Posted by akkando

Good comparison video here, but quite long.

Fun comparison and im not surprised the new engine is equally quick. The true test would be with a proper driver on a road course. I would suspect the m2 would walk away due to much better suspension

[akkando]

Originally Posted by strato58

Fun comparison and im not surprised the new engine is equally quick. The true test would be with a proper driver on a road course. I would suspect the m2 would walk away due to much better suspension

Probably.

Look at the smiles on their faces though when they get in the M2 after the M240i........... In some ways, that's all that matters.

[c1pher]

Me personally, if I couldn’t have an M2, I’d look at a 2011-2013 135i or 135is instead. This is what I did, put a tune on it, and better tires. It gets you a lot closer in performance to where the M240i/M2 is while paying half as much. Plus it just has a sexy back end. Front is not as nice as the 2series though.

[strato58]

This is the reason...

[rich8566]

Here's my two cents. I've owned both. First was the M235i with a manual transmission. I drove that car for almost 3.5 years and I loved every second of it. Then I got an opportunity to build an M2 with a relatively short delivery time - less than 3 months. I put almost 50,000 miles on the 235i and the car was super reliable, pretty powerful, handled well and had the adaptable suspension. Now I've been in the M2 for 5 months and nearly 7,000 miles. I absolutely love the car and the drive. The power is great, the handling is great, the noises it makes are great. The suspension is not adjustable, so the comfort aspect goes away with the M2.

Which car is better? They are both great. The 235i is a fabulous every day driver and it works pretty well on the track too. The M2 is more raw and more aggressive and it works great on the track. No comfort mode on the suspension is fine, but may not be fine for everyone. Here are photos of both:

[strato58]

Im not sure why but I find the M2 more comfortable then the 235I. I think its the seats. My M235I had the fake leather. M2 is more firm but more comfortable.

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by M2-007

Thank you much for all your feedback and recommendations. With your info I am now 100% sure which one I should buy.

[OSee]

I’m going M2. Will probably track the thing 1 or 2 times a year. If that.

The flat looking 235/240 just don’t do it for me. The proportions are all off.

Depreciation on the 235/240 is also going to be dramatically worse. I realize that cars aren’t investments and you’re technically up once they knock off $5k at the dealership but then simply driving the car off the lot knocks off another $10k. You own that. Meanwhile 2016 M2s have depreciated about 10% at worse.

If you’re going 240i do yourself a favor and lease it.

[rouxeny]

I drove a M235 (probably a '15 or '16) model on a test drive. I thought it was a nice looking car, and was somewhat disappointed by the interior. On the drive, the thing that struck me the most was that the car didn't feel special. The E93 M3 I had at the time always felt special when I was starting it. Admittedly, it drove mostly like a regular 3 series at low speeds, but the whole experience made it seem like something different. The M235 felt very blah.

The M2 has that same special feeling as the M3. From the exterior, to the interior, to the rumble when it starts, to how it handles. Pretty much everything.

[thaalrasha]

M240 advantage:
Comfort
straight line perf

M2:
Handling
LSD
Look
Sound

Because the car feels much more "raw" you can have more fun even at legal speeds on twisties, drop down a few gears and you'll feel the torque and hear exhaust screaming while enjoying throttle steering... even if you're not drifting or pushing very hard, the LSD is so brilliant.

[SeanWRT]

2 series had been pretty enough until m2 came out.

To me, the look alone disqualifies M240i. With 50k to spend, it would be m2 or outside of 2 series to find its alternative.

[horsepower_and_hounds]

I waited 4.5 months back in early 2014 for my fully loaded MG M235i and it was the best & exciting car I had ever owned, drove the hell out of it for 23k mi but then I couldn't shake the M4 lure..... so I traded it in on a used low mile M4. Fully modded it, 502hp at rear wheels....a beast of a machine. Drives in the mtns etc the car was flawless and sometimes scary but I always missed something about my M235i. Think it was its secure size and nimbleness.

Well the M4 was totaled in an accident and I am now waiting on a M2, I could have gotten a new M4 cheap and the next day but......the cycle has come full circle. I will see if it lives up to is hype