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BMW M2 Forum > BMW M2 Discussions > Had a 2020 m240i AWD loaner while my 2018 M2 was in for warranty work

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      02-17-2020, 05:26 PM   #1
Poffman
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Had a 2020 m240i AWD loaner while my 2018 M2 was in for warranty work

Had the M2 in for service and they gave me a 2020 m240i, thought ya'll might be interested to hear what I thought.

My M2 - 2018, M-Performance Exhaust, DCT, 18k miles had it since new.
The m240i - 2020 (40 miles when I took it !!), AWD, M Performance Exhaust, 8 speed automatic.

My brief thoughts on the 3 days I had it... I'll leave aside things like resale value and maintenance because that's been beat to death.

Suspension - The M240i suspension is a little better in terms of comfort while in town, but at speed on the highway I found it to be awful on Seattle freeways. The M2 is tight but feels confidence inspiring, on the M240i in the 99 tunnel at 60-65 mph for example I was being bounced around like crazy. This really surprised me, I expected it to be more comfortable all the time. It felt like a cheaper M2 in that regard, not like a more luxurious M2.

Chassis - The M240i felt 'fine' but is clearly not as planted, I felt like I could throw the car around but it's not as confidence inspiring as the M2. The M240i is fine for most people i'm sure, but I wanted a gokart and that's what the M2 is for me.

Engine/Power - M240i was surprising with the B58, that engine in modes up through sport has really nice low end pull but is lacking in the higher end. In sport plus that problem is gone and it gave me grins all day. Curious from a dig what would happen, but I suspect the m240i is right there with the m2 in terms of speed. The M2 feels a lot more violent when it accelerates, and the m240i is clearly tuned to be on the smoother side.

Transmission - M240i transmission was very smooth, 8 speed is nice and when compared to the 7spd DCT in the M2 most people would probably prefer it. It felt nice, shifted smoothly and quickly, and didn't chatter/clunk around at all in low speed like the M2 does. Of course the DCT shifts faster and in theory holds more power, curious to see how this transmission does longer term.

Sound - The M240 I had was equipped with the M Performance exhaust, and I was a big fan of the sound. Very smooth, good tone, and no drone at all (it was new so maybe it'll start droning..). I really like the valvetronic on the M2 allowing me to be quiet or loud, but the M240i would be just fine as a DD sporty car.

Steering - This is where the M2 absolutely dominated the show for me. I found the sport+ setting in the M240i to be less stiff than i'd like. Sport+ in the M240i was close to the comfort setting in the M2. M2 wins this area for me by a wide margin, as expected. Will see about a RWD M240i next time it's in if they'll let me

I have my own biases of course driving and owning an M2. Overall I was really expecting a significantly more refined M2 for the price point this cars in before driving it. I found it to be in some ways an 'almost there' sports car (suspension, steering, chassis) which was a little disappointing, and in others (i.e. transmission, b58, etc) it delivered the 'luxury' I expected.

We could debate til the cows come home what is the better car, all in all I'm glad I bought the M2, and I can see why people buy an M240i. There's a clear division between these cars when BMW was making them of the focus, and the M2 is the focus I wanted them to have in building a car. I would really suggest anyone that's on the fence to drive both. While that might sound obvious, i'm amazed how many people don't.

The main thing I took away from this experience personally, was that when the S58 hits the M2, I'll consider filling my empty garage bay with one...
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      02-17-2020, 06:06 PM   #2
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Coming from an M235i to the M2, I think your thoughts were right on target. It only took me one test drive to know I wanted the M2.

By the way, what did you have done that took three days? I have had three services and never waited more than two hours for any of them.
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      02-17-2020, 06:06 PM   #3
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Fun read! What dealership did you go to out of curiosity (since you're local?)
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      02-17-2020, 06:10 PM   #4
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Fun read! What dealership did you go to out of curiosity (since you're local?)
I use BMW Seattle. Much better service than Bellevue.
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      02-17-2020, 06:18 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DanG View Post
Coming from an M235i to the M2, I think your thoughts were right on target. It only took me one test drive to know I wanted the M2.

By the way, what did you have done that took three days? I have had three services and never waited more than two hours for any of them.
I've had really fast service from them as well! This took a little while longer because they replaced my M-Performance exhaust. It had a rattle when I first got it and they did the bushings, became much worse about a week ago and they needed a day to get the exhaust in stock after diagnosing a loose valve actuator. Once I had it back there was a new noise which turned out to be a rattling heatshield which took another day since I had picked it up about 5pm and they closed at 6.

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Originally Posted by Moflow View Post
Fun read! What dealership did you go to out of curiosity (since you're local?)
Glad you liked it! I go to Seattle, and work with Dylan Ossinger, I've also heard countless good things about Alex Long. Once it's out of warranty/free maintenance I will do it myself, but for now that's the only place I go.
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      02-17-2020, 06:48 PM   #6
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I completely agree with your assessment. Another thing that is not apparent in 3 days is that the 2 series front end eats front tires for lunch. My M235i front tires lasted about 50% less than my M2. I think the problem is not enough negative camber and small tires. The 2 series M240/M235 has a weird front end setup.
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      02-17-2020, 07:27 PM   #7
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I have opposite circumstance and share the same take away. I've owned an M240 for 3.5 years and have test driven the M2 and M2C on several occasions. I prefer the M2/M2C over the M240 for all the reasons stated by the OP. Unfortunately for me the M2 was not out yet when I was looking for a new car and the wait list was reportedly 1 year. I wish I would've waited...
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      02-17-2020, 07:52 PM   #8
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I only had an M240i as a loaner for a day and agree with the overall assessment. My limited recollections:
I really liked the power of the engine, but since every car I've owned since 1981 was a manual, the automatic transmission, although smooth, really let me down on the total driving experience. Even in Sport/Sport+, the standard exhaust was fairly muted compared to my standard M2 exhaust.
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      02-17-2020, 11:30 PM   #9
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the m240i xdrive will probably shine once you start going 400whp+ and you have that awd traction.
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      02-18-2020, 12:05 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TemjinX2 View Post
the m240i xdrive will probably shine once you start going 400whp+ and you have that awd traction.
That sounds like a dynamic combo, if the brakes could also keep up..
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      02-18-2020, 07:35 AM   #11
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Lucky duck, I always get 330i nonsense
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      02-18-2020, 07:36 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Poochie View Post
That sounds like a dynamic combo, if the brakes could also keep up..
That 2NH upgrade
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      02-19-2020, 08:43 AM   #13
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The M240 would have likely felt a bit more composed, sporty, and firmer steering with staggered summer tire setup like you find on the RWD models. The Xdrives are equipped with a narrow and dismal 225 square run flat all season tire setup that has much lower handling limits than the optional Pilot Super Sport setup. The AWD also negatively impacts steering feel and handling limits too. Regardless, the M2 is still the better car from a performance standpoint.
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      02-19-2020, 09:15 AM   #14
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225 square run flat
Oof.
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      02-19-2020, 10:46 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by XutvJet View Post
The M240 would have likely felt a bit more composed, sporty, and firmer steering with staggered summer tire setup like you find on the RWD models. The Xdrives are equipped with a narrow and dismal 225 square run flat all season tire setup that has much lower handling limits than the optional Pilot Super Sport setup. The AWD also negatively impacts steering feel and handling limits too. Regardless, the M2 is still the better car from a performance standpoint.
Good point, there are several factors you could in theory change. I am sure you couldn't fit 275/35 on the rear of that thing though
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      02-19-2020, 01:05 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Poffman View Post
Good point, there are several factors you could in theory change. I am sure you couldn't fit 275/35 on the rear of that thing though
Definitely not getting 275s in the back of the M240/235.

Though I don't notice an issue with straight line traction or handling running ~370whp/400wtq and an LSD with my square 245/35R18 MP4S setup. I also added 30% stiffer Dinan springs to the rear axle (only) to quell a lot of that bounce you described in the M240. I would have really preferred a passive shock option because I don't find the adjustable shocks to be particularity good in Comfort or Sport, but the Dinan springs did help quite a bit.

I'm currently hating life running winter performance 225/40R18s on my M235. The difference in handling, steering effort and feel, braking, ride quality (overly soft now) etc. is so terrible. It's like a different car and feels much like the XDrives I've driven in the past.
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      02-19-2020, 01:37 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by XutvJet View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Poffman View Post
Good point, there are several factors you could in theory change. I am sure you couldn't fit 275/35 on the rear of that thing though
Definitely not getting 275s in the back of the M240/235.

Though I don't notice an issue with straight line traction or handling running ~370whp/400wtq and an LSD with my square 245/35R18 MP4S setup. I also added 30% stiffer Dinan springs to the rear axle (only) to quell a lot of that bounce you described in the M240. I would have really preferred a passive shock option because I don't find the adjustable shocks to be particularity good in Comfort or Sport, but the Dinan springs did help quite a bit.

I'm currently hating life running winter performance 225/40R18s on my M235. The difference in handling, steering effort and feel, braking, ride quality (overly soft now) etc. is so terrible. It's like a different car and feels much like the XDrives I've driven in the past.
Thanks for the insight, good to hear the springs were helpful. I was really surprised at that in particular.
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      02-19-2020, 03:08 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BeastieBombRacing View Post
Lucky duck, I always get 330i nonsense
Yea they gave me an X1, X2, and 330i.
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      02-19-2020, 04:14 PM   #19
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My effin dealership wouldn't even give me a loaner; they barely gave me a shuttle ride. Meanwhile, my buddies gave him an M3 loaner!!
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      02-19-2020, 04:57 PM   #20
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I have always just waited for my BMW. Usually doesn’t take more than two hours. Haven’t had a loaner for more than ten years.
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      02-19-2020, 08:53 PM   #21
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Quote:
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I have always just waited for my BMW. Usually doesn't take more than two hours. Haven't had a loaner for more than ten years.
I usually take the shuttle to and from downtown for work. They offered it last minute since it was going to take extra time. I have a great relationship with the crew there, a bunch of good people.
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      02-19-2020, 08:54 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by akkando View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by BeastieBombRacing View Post
Lucky duck, I always get 330i nonsense
Yea they gave me an X1, X2, and 330i.
Last time I got an x3 m40i 🤷🤷
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