[M2-007]

Hello everyone,

I am new to this BMW forum. I am actually new to BMW period. I have never driven one nor sat in one. For some reason I always had the impression that BMW is very costly to maintain and it is built mainly for the rich. Since I belong to the American bottom 99% I never thought about getting a BMW.

While I was searching for a reliable but fun to drive sports car. The upcoming Toyota Supra Turbo seems to be a good candidate (German engineering with Toyota reliability). But it doesn't offer a manual transmission so I don't want it. During my google searches for a fun to drive sports cars the M2 kept showing up in my searches so it got my attention. All car reviews gave the M2 very high rating for it's performance including the highest reliability rating from Consumer Reports. I went to BMW dealers near my house to buy a M2, but the M240i got in the way. Which led me to this forum seeking for your advice.

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. The base price of the M2 is about $10K more than the M240i. Factor in the M240i discount and the $5k over MSRP for the M2, the price difference is $19K between a M240i and a M2 for my situation. And 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. But something bothers me. If it is such a no brainer why do most people buy the M2??? There must be a reason but I couldn't figured it out using logic reasoning.

Could you share your reasoning why you bought the M2 instead of the M240i?

Thanks for sharing.

[Prudhvionline]

There are quite a few listed on sale online. If you don't mind a slightly used one you have lot of options which are reasonably priced. At this point you do not have to wait for an M2 unless you want a 2018 model or with particular options.

[3Si]

Keep in mind an equally equipped M240 will be very close to an M2 (without any discounts). A base M2 is basically fully loaded.

As far as performance, in a straight line, sure there are videos that suggests the M240 will eventually pass the M2 if you race long enough. But if straight line performance is what you are looking for, there are plenty of better options than a BMW. On a road course is where a true M car will shine.

[Bluenose-2er]

I would say the M240i is about 85% as good as the M2... but then, I am biased

You can likely find an M2 allocation somewhere else sooner and at MSRP if you are willing to travel a bit to pick it up, and do the legwork to find it. Also, make sure you are comparing apples to apples. M2 comes very well appointed at base, so make sure the M240i build is comparable to make the comparison.

Yes, there is a reason they have excess supply of M240i and it takes a long hike to get an M2. Those simple facts are very telling.

That being said, it depends on what you are looking for. M2 is more hard core, and to me is much more attractive... and will likely hold it's value better. On the flip side, if you are leasing the M2 terms suck! After you nail down the price difference, look at the lease payment difference and make sure you know what you are getting into. M240i has more options to customize what you get... including xDrive if you like that kind of thing. Some people are all goo-goo over the new B58 engine in the M240i... to me the N55 in the M2 is a great engine too, tried and true and reliable.

I have zero regrets I went M2... and the M240i was available while I could still cancel my M2 order. This is the perfect car for me... balanced, beautiful, rare, great sounding and very fun to drive.

Good luck!

[caman]

I traded a auto M235i for a man M2. Waited about a year for the M2. No regrets.

M235i was a great car but the M2 is in different league in terms of handling, power delivery and overall performance.

M2 is best vehicle I've owned.

[ModestV8]

M2 unless you don't want to spend 10k and will accept a base M240i. Like someone said, theres a thread here that shows an M2 is basically a M240i optioned out but more.

[DocB]

Have you seen an M2? It is a totally different beast. You should also never pay more than MSRP. Go to a different dealer.

[DOMs335D]

I think they are different personalities. The M2 is much more raw and has that M handling, not to forget the all important M differential.

I would ask around because you can definitely get the M2 at MSRP, if you're dealer is selling you a spot a year out at above MSRP he is not very trustworthy. Here in Vancouver you can get allocations later in the year for MSRP.

Just search around and get the M2 for the price you want to pay!

[termigni]

M2 is in a different league.

[nomade30]

Never pay over MSRP. If you want it now, you could pick up a used m235 for almost half the price while you wait for an allocation.

[MrKepan]

Don't know where you are located, but if you want to do Performance Center Delivery in SC, theoretically you can go to any US dealer and place an order. There might even be an allocation right now.

[Motivate]

The M240i would be "90%" as good as the M2 if you only use it as a daily commuter and make that occasional straight line acceleration. There is a video somewhere online that shows the M2 and M240i elevated on lifts and you can clearly tell one is build like a sports car and the other like a regular car.

In short acceleration, under 100 mph I believe, the M2 should win. That's plenty for everyday driving. The M2 is also a much better car on the track or twisty roads.

Like others have said, if you add all the extra features that the M2 has to the M240i as options, you are going to be right over $50k pre discounts. Now the other stuff that can't add to the M240i are the M2's exterior is a completely different animal, the wheels are better, the brakes are better, the overall car's frame stiffness, tracking ready suspension, e-diff (dealer options?), cooling system, exhaust etc. You have to lay out all of these things and see what you really want. It's up to you at the end of the day. The M240i is a great car for many, some just want more.

[stren]

I've driven both, manual in both. The M2 is just hardercore, if it didn't exist, then the 240i would be a great choice. 5k over MSRP at this point in time is BS, and likely they are just telling you that to try and push you over the fence to a car that they can sell you today. Like others have said yes the 240i is 10K cheaper, but comes with a lot less and personally I would option it up to M2 prices anyway. The M2 at MSRP is a bargain but you have to wait and you have more limited colors/interiors. The only other reasons to get a 240 over the M2 is if you have a sensitive back or are not an enthusiast or need AWD or want to lease it.

As for maintenance and repairs - yes BMW's are expensive to repair compared to an asian economy car and they are not that reliable. But you are talking about buying new and BMW give you free maintenance and warranty for the first 3-4 years. The only things not really covered are tires and brakes. After that make sure to pay to extend the warranty because in my experience it is worth it. Having said that the M2 has a proven engine that has been out for ~7 years and doesn't have major issues, while the 240 has a much newer engine with unknown reliability.

Also bear in mind the residual when you come to sell it. The M2 value should stay higher than the 240 which if you check the classifieds for prices of lightly used 235i's will tell you is not great.

Personally I would say that the M2 is the best BMW you can get today not only in performance and fun but in terms of cost of ownership too.

[Ktmdriver]

First off the 99% wont be looking at new Supra Turbos. Entry level 4 bangers will be 40K and a full boat twin turbo V-6 will easily be in the 70K range or higher ADM added, (otherwise known as the look at me I am the first on the block to have this xyz car and I paid 20k of additional dealer markup). FYI we don't envy those owners, we just laugh.

Second the M2 is a non comprising sports coupe designed to fit a certain type of demographic. It would be beneficial if you test drove either car as you have never even sat in the marque.

Don't automatically discount the DCT transmission without trying it first. Yup the manual purists like I was previously, immediately kibboshed the 7DCT when the M2 was ordered until I actually drove one.

The M240 was a non-starter for me when I was shopping for sports cars. M cars are more than your everyday point a to b conveyance. Drivers will nitpick small stuff and big stuff in the full M line. You have to justify to yourself why you would want one over the other. And what if any compromises you are willing to live with or without.

Comparison thread:

http://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1365805

[Dav3]

I own both, AT m240i and MT M2. As much as M240i owners love to disagree, the two have nothing in common except the interior and a few other minor things

If you're looking for a comfortable yet very fast daily commuter go m240i 100%

If you're looking for a fun weekend car, go for the M2. MT if possible.

[akkando]

I don't know where you're located but you can probably find a dealer reasonably close to you willing to sell you the car at MSRP. I traveled 400 miles to get mine because I couldn't get one for a reasonable price near me and I didn't want to wait a year.

Perhaps make a post in the pricing part of the forum with your location asking for a lead on an MSRP car or allocation near you. Some dealers do check the boards and people here keep tabs on who's selling cars at MSRP. Check the classified section of the board for used M2s.

Pricing forum here http://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=643

As others have said a m240i with similar options will be about the same price as the M2 before discount, but maybe you don't want to spec it with many options? The m240i comes with the adaptive suspension which you might prefer, the b58 engine is probably more tunable and it's more efficient, the option for AWD, less up front cost probably but may not hold it's value as well. Also there might be a USAA discount for both cars if you have access to that.

I bought the M2 so, the upsides of the M240i couldn't lure me away from the M2..... No regrets

[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.

[Rock Sweden]

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

[Tumbleweeds78]

I guarantee you that the dealer doesn't even have an available allocation. They can't just order you one unless they have an allocation. Sounds like a tactic to get you into the M240.

[doug_999]

There is nothing wrong with the 240 - as noted, just about as fast (if not faster) and can be had for a very nice discount.

I went with the M2 because I prefer the looks and yes, I love this car.

However, as noted, nothing wrong with the 240 and 235 and I bet you could find a used one with stick for an amazing deal. Please remember however that unless you purchase that used one from a BMW dealer, the free maintenance does not transfer (MY 2015 and higher I believe). Also, 2016 and lower had 4 years/50K of maintenance including the clutch and wiper blades - I think the new one is 3/36 (excluding the clutch and wiper blades - oops, I mean brakes )

So... find yourself a used 235 or 240 and see how you like it. Don't spend a ton and if it suites your style, kick it up to the M2 down the road.

[strato58]

I cant speak for the 240I but I had the 235I and the M2 feels very different. Not speaking about the motor. Everything else is quite different. If the 240 is like the 235 other then engine Id get the m2. But you should test drive both and make your own decision

[DivideBYZero]

I have an M235i and an M2. Totally different animals, the M2 is a weapon. The M235 is a fast 2 series.