Modern technology and higher safety requirements have made it almost difficult to duplicate the simplicity and feel of sports vehicles from the 1980s, 1990s, and earlier. However, the 2022 BMW M240i, although still hefty and technologically advanced, does a decent enough job of preserving the essence of a vintage sports vehicle.
The new 2er combines agility and personality, exactly like some of your favorite BMW models of the past, while also delivering innovative active safety features, standard all-wheel drive, and a contemporary transmission. The M240i is no E46, but it reminds us why those old BMWs were so popular in the first place.
Design
The M240i’s small rear deck, slight lip spoiler, and 19-inch wheels give it virtually ideal proportions from the side. The only thing preventing the 2er from reaching the “golden ratio” is its extended schnozz, which has too much front overhang.
It’s much more difficult to look at when you get a clear shot of the M240i. The headlights are crisp, and the kidneys are normal-sized in comparison to the M3 and M4, but the detailing on the bottom half of the bumper is completely off. The triangular vents on each corner cut like a hot knife through the otherwise smooth, harmonious design. The primary vent behind those kidneys is plagued by the same problem, and it’s encircled by crinkled sheet metal that curves upward toward the hood line with no clear ending.
This tester has the Shadowline treatment ($400), which replaces the typical matte silver highlights with gloss black, as well as Mineral White paint ($550). However, if you’re willing to spend more, it’s worth it to splurge on BMW’s new Thundernight Metallic purple ($550), which is one of the most beautiful colors available on any vehicle today. Aside from that, the M240i’s 19-inch wheels provide a massive footprint, and the rear end is considerably cleaner than the front, with a distinctive taillight design, a substantial black diffuser, and sharp stylistic cues.
Even if you don’t like the outside design, it is distinctive. Meanwhile, the borrowed interior components of the M240i are unsatisfactory. All of the components from its larger brothers are carried over, with the exception of one or two 2-specific signals, such as triangular stitching on the door panels and an LED lighting signature with M colors. The console and door panels are lined with soft black plastic, the shifter is piano black, and the seats are covered in Tacora Red leather. At least it looks and feels elegant, but it’s an exact duplicate of other BMW interiors.
The good news is that, unlike the equivalent Porsche 718 Cayman or Toyota Supra, the BMW 2 Series offers a rear seat. However, the back of the BMW 2 Series is not a good place to be. The bench is exceedingly snug – much narrower than in the previous generation – and jumping into the second row is a job in and of itself. Even with an automatically moving front seat on the passenger side, the aperture is narrow and access is difficult.
The 2 Series, on the other hand, never feels suffocated from any of the two front buckets. Headroom and legroom are both abundant and best-in-class, and, as with virtually all BMW interior designs, there’s nothing too heavy in the center console to obstruct elbow room. The seats themselves are fantastic, having just the right amount of bolstering and cushiness to support your buttocks and back over long distances. The Premium option adds heated front seats and a heated steering wheel for $2,750.
Technology and interconnection
The M240i’s basic screen is a 10.3-inch center display with neighboring analog gauges. The $2,750 Premium package, which our tester had, includes the Live Cockpit Pro and its 12.3-inch digital cluster, as well as navigation and a head-up display.
The user interface is still iDrive 7, rather than the updated iDrive 8 available in models such as the BMW iX. The new system is far superior than iDrive 7, yet this configuration is still adequate. The home screen layout is sleek and straightforward to use, with the exception of some digging for particular options, and the rotary dial in the center console makes it easy to explore while driving. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are two more significant advantages of this technology.
The bad news is that some of these features, such as the aforementioned digital instrument cluster and baked-in navigation, are not free. Unless you choose the M240i trim, the basic touchscreen in the 2 Series is an 8.8-inch display.
Handling and performance
Base 2 Series cars are powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and come standard with rear-wheel drive, which, as Clint Simone discovered, is a winning combination. The M240i, on the other hand, has a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine with 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, linked to a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. Unfortunately, not even the basic model comes with a handbook.
However, the M240i’s massive power compensates for the absence of a row-your-own shifter. This mid-level M model has just 20 horsepower less than the original M2 Competition and accelerates to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds. And this vehicle is insanely fast off the line, with zero turbo lag and a flat torque curve that allows for maximum twist at around 2,000 RPM.
The eight-speed automatic transmission is fast, with shifts akin to a dual-clutch and clever downshifting in Sport and Sport Plus modes without requiring the driver to flick the paddles. BMW’s outstanding xDrive all-wheel-drive technology, along with those sticky summer tires, ensures this vehicle has plenty of traction, both off the line and in the curves.
And it’s on the twisties that the M240i truly shines. The suspension calibration makes this 2er seem dynamic and composed, with unusually well-composed body motions. BMW M series are known for their ability to corner swiftly, but the M240i seems to outperform some of its brothers.
The steering, on the other hand, is a tad mild for my tastes and lacks some input. That’s a problem with most current BMWs, but at least the tiller is precise and fast, making the M240i simple to toss about with fury. While you’re finished, the standard M Sport brakes give plenty of stopping power – though they might be a little grabby when cruising about town.
Economy on gasoline
Despite being a six-cylinder, the BMW M240i features one of the most fuel-efficient engines in the category, providing 23 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined. The turbo four in the Audi TT trails the BMW on the highway by a smidgeon, producing 31 mpg, but it equals the 2 Series with a combined 26 mpg. The six-cylinder Supra 3.0 only gets 25 combined, and even the Cayman with a flat-four only gets 24 combined. The M240i’s six-cylinder engine, like others in the class, requires premium gasoline, making it significantly more expensive at the pump.
Toyota’s four-cylinder Supra 2.0 is still the most fuel-efficient alternative in the class, with that model returning a combined 28 mpg. However, in terms of context, this Supra is more than 100 horsepower less powerful than the M240i and does not compete directly with this version of the 2 Series. So a more efficient Supra is available, but it isn’t quite as speedy.
