[x233]

Originally Posted by doug_999

For an apples to apples comparison, it
Is not. The comparison is about two things that perform similar with one having a lower price and thus being a better value.

Doug, while your point may certainly be valid for a lot of people, and m235/m240 is a very good car for what it is, but that is still more from a material/mundane perspective. On the other hand, you probably noticed that quite a few current M2/M2C owners are actually former m235/m240 owners. Which means there must be things in m235/m240 that people look for and don't find, and there is a different dimension to value, and perception of value, involved in this case.

[grinch]

Originally Posted by Tag

$10k for...

• s55 Engine (More hp/tq)
• Retuned Throttle Response, M Steering and Stability Control
• CF Strut Brace and Reinforced Bulkhead
• M Front/Rear Suspension with Forged Aluminum Components
• M BBK
• eLSD
• M1/2 Programmable Steering Buttons
• M Front Seats
• M Stitched Seat Belts
• CF Trim
• Quad Exhaust
• M Mirrors
• Wider F/R track, aggressive styling

#M2cValue
#WorthIt

Booommm

[NEfan508]

Originally Posted by grinch

Booommm

Is it just me? I like the "sleeper" look

Badges/Decals, loud exhaust, and wild colors just don't do it for me

0-60 in 5 seconds is fine, mid 300hp plenty as a daily around here, combine that with X drive it's a great New England car

But I got the M2C, I got it in clean boring AW, will remove the rear badge, it's for me, no need to advertise what it is/capable of

In short, I can see someone getting this over the M2

Pic, my father and my son in front

[Teargas415]

+1 I’m a big fan of the sleeper look.

[doug_999]

Originally Posted by x233

Doug, while your point may certainly be valid for a lot of people, and m235/m240 is a very good car for what it is, but that is still more from a material/mundane perspective. On the other hand, you probably noticed that quite a few current M2/M2C owners are actually former m235/m240 owners. Which means there must be things in m235/m240 that people look for and don't find, and there is a different dimension to value, and perception of value, involved in this case.

Well, its technically not my point - it was the video at the beginning of this thread. The point being that if you want to compare the cars from a performance perspective, the M240 is a better value.

To me, my cars are more than just performance - they are about looks as well and the M2 blows away the M240 in that category. But that's me

[AlpsRider]

Originally Posted by FiatMultiplaAkrapovic

Owned both.

M240i is a great car, true sleeper. But the comparison with the M2 starts and ends on drag speed performance.

Completely different driving experience, different styling and bypasser perception.

A bone stock M240i is a really really bland car. A bone stock M2 is still special.

I totally agree with your comment. I owned an M235i for over 3 years. It was a great car after I upgraded the incredibly undersized tires. That being said, the M235/240 just can't compete with an M2 overall. It's a great car if you never push it's limits. That is when the comparison falls apart. The suspension difference is night and day. While the M240 is based on the basic 2 series suspension. The M2 has basically a shorter wheel base version of the M4 suspension. If you are going to change the parts on a M240 to improve it, you may as well just get an M2. If you will never push the car to it's cornering limits or more than 70%, you might just be happy with a M240.

[Poochie]

As previously mentioned, it's really how you spec the 240i that really makes it stand out to one's taste.

Maybe I'm getting old (31) but I'm beginning to appreciate subtle but sporty vehicles, like how BMWs used to look, right up to the E92.

All the fanfare of modern M cars (loud burbles, darken taillights, bumper fangs, etc) are beginning to make one look like a overgrown teenager or that dude deep in his mid-life crisis, who cruises the high schools a little too much.

Of course that's just my opinion..

[buckybadger]

It's like comparing a 3 series with M3.

Is that even a discussion, provided that money is not a concern.

[five3three]

I don't think anybody ever claimed buying an M car or an AMG car was ever about value. There are much better value buys. I bought it because I wanted it and liked the overall package.

[.2pdk]

Originally Posted by NEfan508

Is it just me? I like the "sleeper" look

Funny, that's why I got the M2 over something flashier...

[City_Blue]

There is a “declining marginal return” when it comes to automotive performance. Think of it this way: if you take any very good car (eg., a M240), it takes a lot of money to marginally improve its overall performance. Similarly, a 911 costs roughly twice as much as my M2, but it doesn’t perform twice as well.

What this means is that no great cars are a “good value.” In every case, you could get almost as good a car for a lot less cash. But while they’re not a great value, great cars are simply...great cars. And if you love cars, you want to enjoy greatness.

[.2pdk]

Originally Posted by City_Blue

There is a “declining marginal return” when it comes to automotive performance. Think of it this way: if you take any very good car (eg., a M240), it takes a lot of money to marginally improve its overall performance. Similarly, a 911 costs roughly twice as much as my M2, but it doesn’t perform twice as well.

What this means is that no great cars are a “good value.” In every case, you could get almost as good a car for a lot less cash. But while they’re not a great value, great cars are simply...great cars. And if you love cars, you want to enjoy greatness.

Great first post.

[farcus]

Why spend 50k for m240 when you can get a new 2018 M2 for 51-52k? That's what I did. But I think vs the M2C, the price range would be a big stretch. However, it depends if you want a real M car or just a M Tuned/Optimized car.

[devo]

trying to find value in a high performance car is a futile exercise. emotion should be the motivational factor.

[M2C89]

Not to beat a dead horse, but value is in the eye of the beholder. You either want a real M car and recognize that a sports car is not intended for practicality or value; or you're fine with settling for less for whatever reason that may be.

To say something is of better value than another you need to compare apples to apples, and we're talking apples and oranges here. Especially so when you're comparing the M240 to the M2C and further more, the future M2CS.

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by Tag

$10k for...

• s55 Engine (More hp/tq)
• Retuned Throttle Response, M Steering and Stability Control
• CF Strut Brace and Reinforced Bulkhead
• M Front/Rear Suspension with Forged Aluminum Components
• M BBK
• eLSD
• M1/2 Programmable Steering Buttons
• M Front Seats
• M Stitched Seat Belts
• CF Trim
• Quad Exhaust
• M Mirrors
• Wider F/R track, aggressive styling

#M2cValue
#WorthIt

Perfectly said.

Don’t forget that the 235/240 are quite squishy and floaty as well.

[doug_999]

Originally Posted by M2C89

Not to beat a dead horse, but value is in the eye of the beholder. You either want a real M car and recognize that a sports car is not intended for practicality or value; or you're fine with settling for less for whatever reason that may be.

To say something is of better value than another you need to compare apples to apples, and we're talking apples and oranges here. Especially so when you're comparing the M240 to the M2C and further more, the future M2CS.

Not trying to start a fight, but plenty said the OG M2 was not a real M car. Was an open deck after all right?

Does the letter M make it a M car? If so the M240 is certainly a M car. So is the M550 and the Z4 M40i...

It if is not the letter? What is it? Is it the hand built engine? Ugh, don't have that either...

Maybe it is the differential? Does that make it a M car?

My take? Doesn't matter what it is called - you buy what you like and today, there is no such thing as a "real" M car. #marketing

[frosty2k]

Tested an M240i back to back with an OG M2 when the M240 first came out. Tried them both on the same loop near the dealership side streets, and a bit of highway.

240 was very fast, sort of what I expected an electric car to be like, with a huge rush of power from a standstill. Problem was it didn't feel like the chassis or suspension setup could handle the power. I couldn't use much of the power other than in a straight line, or it didn't react in a way that made me feel confident to do so.

Switch to the M2 and it felt like I'd been driving it for years. Super buttoned down, and didn't care what I did, it would just point and go. Put down my deposit for the M2 that afternoon. (Now M2C since timing and life issues)

The 240 is great if you're just stoplight racing but if you're actually interested in pushing the limit in corners, the M2 is no comparison.

[M2C89]

Originally Posted by doug_999

Not trying to start a fight, but plenty said the OG M2 was not a real M car. Was an open deck after all right?

Does the letter M make it a M car? If so the M240 is certainly a M car. So is the M550 and the Z4 M40i...

It if is not the letter? What is it? Is it the hand built engine? Ugh, don't have that either...

Maybe it is the differential? Does that make it a M car?

My take? Doesn't matter what it is called - you buy what you like and today, there is no such thing as a "real" M car. #marketing

I totally understand your point and I'll entertain a response, because I agree to a certain extent that the name is arbitrarily set by BMW. There is a lot to do with branding here, but it's not everything.

What makes it a real M car is the total package, not just any single component. Everything that's different about the M2 is what makes it better, faster, more expensive, more prestigious, etc.

In the case of the M2, it is the pinnacle of performance of all the 2-Series. Everything else is an inferior version, like it or not, not just because of the name. The M240i is a lesser car. No one can argue that. That is an objective truth and it's not called an M2 because it's not as good, no one can argue that.

Ultimately, BMW decides what a real M car is, and what isn't. The M240i will NEVER be or almost be comparable to an M2. Additionally, my opinion is that for something to be comparable in value, it has to offer the same benefit / performance / reward, etc. Otherwise you have to recognize that you're paying less, but also getting less.

It's a great alternative for those who do not have the means or care to get the better version. And that's why I said value is in the eye of the beholder, maybe some people don't care to pay more to get more and they're fine with the M240i.

[Poochie]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

Perfectly said.

Don't forget that the 235/240 are quite squishy and floaty as well.

I never heard of a "squishy and floaty" handling BMW until I visited this forum. I always knew throughout its history that all BMWs are revered as great handling vehicles.

After all, their motto is not "The Ultimate Squishy Machine"

That's like saying an iPhone XR is garbage compare to an iPhone XS. They're both part of the same model, architecture and ecosystem. One just has subjectively better but different parts from each other, that set them apart and serves different purposes, demands, and demographics.

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by Poochie

I never heard of a "squishy and floaty" handling BMW until I visited this forum. I always knew throughout its history that all BMWs are revered as great handling vehicles.

After all, their motto is not "The Ultimate Squishy Machine"

That's like saying an iPhone XR is garbage compare to an iPhone XS. They're both part of the same model, architecture and ecosystem. One just has subjectively better but different parts from each other, that set them apart and serves different purposes, demands, and demographics.

Try a 235 out - that is an accurate description of the respective handling abilities.

I had one for ~17 or 18 months, and it remains the worst BMW I have owned (I am on #7 now, 12 total in the family.

To borrow your analogy - human and chimp DPA is what, 99% the same...are you similar to a chimp? I know I'm not....

so...I guess the "shared parts" argument doesn't hold a lot of water. Or to use your point of reference even more specifically, I would hazard a guess that a 235 shares parts with the 2 series minivan too. I wonder if the minivan is the ultimate driving or squishy machine? I am not sure that comparison is something you really want to hang your hat on.

[Ceramic Rabbit]

I drove the cars back to back on track at the BMW Performance Driving school and while the m240 is obviously the better value on paper, even if the performance is exactly the same the feel and attitude of the cars are totally different.

Getting in and starting the M2 feels fucking awesome like you are starting something badass, powerful, and dangerous. Starting the m240 feels tame and normal in comparison.

There is just so much more to the experience than performance figures, and when you consider those intangibles the M2 is probably the best value car you can buy