BMW M2, M240i

[IceGamer]

Interesting thread...

I'm currently considering buying a '24 mustang gt premium pp and I'm cross shopping with several other vehicles, one being a M240.

Short background, I currently have a '21 Stinger GT2 awd tuned to around 500bhp that runs mid 11's. It's been a really good car and I dont' have any issues with it, instead I'm just kind of bored with what I feel like is the lack of "soul" (for lack of a different term) as it's just too generic feeling to me now. Prior to the Stinger I owned an '18 Camaro 2ss and I feel like I really just miss the v8 and exciting exhaust that I can't get on the v6 tt platform.

With all that said I still am considering another 6cyl tt platform, although the more I consider it the more I feel like I probably just need to get another v8...

In general, would most of you consider v8 or a 6cyl tt platform more fun to daily drive on the street (not the track/autocross/dragstrip)?

Almost all BMWs these days are somewhat generic. Fantastic AT, no drop in performance in consecutive runs, almost instant torque and HP ... If you're looking for a 'tool' that does exactly what it's meant for buy a BMW or if you have the money to spend buy a Porsche - they're just better.

But since you want some fun in daily driving I don't think there is much in this world that can beat a manual V8.

My next car will be a manual. I'm tired of auto transmission's. They're perfect for commuting but since I don't have to daily the car anymore it has turned into a burden... It's almost like driving an electric car - they're really fast but that wears off in minutes and then there's not much left ...
If you need a car that does it all and doesn't break the bank - M240.
If joyriding is what you're looking for - GT/Dark Horse.

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[ChitownStang]

I think right now, I would go the route of a 2025+ G87 M2 because you can get one for 5% off MSRP.

But I can be swayed. If Granger Ford started doing 4% under invoice on the Mustang DH, I would go that route.

When I was shopping them 6 months ago o could get $3k off $67k M2
I got $4k off my $67k DH

 

[Dave2013M3]

One thing I learned watching a video on the M2 was that there is no oil dipstick, you check it on the screen, and the oil filter is hidden behind the engine, would not be easy to service, have to take it to dealership. they say checking the oil that way is more accurate than a dipstick. Interesting , I think all BMW's might be that way.

Electronic oil level has been on BMWs I believe since 2008. It has gotten better over the years. The oil filter isn't that hard really.

 

[Cz_Ziemniak]

Short background, I currently have a '21 Stinger GT2 awd

Stingers are incredible road trip cars, love em.

Only real issue is parts availability, and the lack luster engine durability.

Was told by the dealer that at 100K miles, the engine head bolts stretch enough that they need typically need heads done. Guess what happened at 100K just before warranty expired?

Later on the alternator went out and needed a new one. Thats an engine out job. NICE.

As for parts availability, they wont sell certain parts separately, like for instance the outer tie rod. You want that? fuck you, buy the entire steering rack for 2G. Only supplier for those outer tie rods is a custom fab shop in poland that CNC's them.

The Stinger would be the perfect GT car if it weren't for dumb shit like this. Its such a smooth and comfortable ride, and they're properly quick too.

 

[DavidinGA]

Stingers are incredible road trip cars, love em.

Only real issue is parts availability, and the lack luster engine durability.

Was told by the dealer that at 100K miles, the engine head bolts stretch enough that they need typically need heads done. Guess what happened at 100K just before warranty expired?

Later on the alternator went out and needed a new one. Thats an engine out job. NICE.

As for parts availability, they wont sell certain parts separately, like for instance the outer tie rod. You want that? fuck you, buy the entire steering rack for 2G. Only supplier for those outer tie rods is a custom fab shop in poland that CNC's them.

The Stinger would be the perfect GT car if it weren't for dumb shit like this. Its such a smooth and comfortable ride, and they're properly quick too.

Thanks. I'm at about 48k miles on mine and definitely want to replace it before my warranty ends at 60k.

Did you tune your stinger when you had it? What did you replace the stinger with?

 

[Cz_Ziemniak]

Thanks. I'm at about 48k miles on mine and definitely want to replace it before my warranty ends at 60k.

Did you tune your stinger when you had it? What did you replace the stinger with?

It wasn't tuned, and we never replaced it. Work was done under warranty including the engine work.

Still have it, though not mine, it was my parents who bought it new as per my recommendation.

Fingers crossed it will make it to 200K. Its relatively trouble free otherwise. But if it starts eating coolant again, we'll know what it is, hahah.

 

[AlloyPony]

Everything BMW/MINI we've ever had has been junk. Terrible build quality and engineering. And dealers are fewer and farther between which makes all the repairs more of a hassle. I now avoid anything from Europe like the plague.

 

[Cz_Ziemniak]

Everything BMW/MINI we've ever had has been junk. Terrible build quality and engineering. And dealers are fewer and farther between which makes all the repairs more of a hassle. I now avoid anything from Europe like the plague.

The difference between BMW and Mini is that atleast BMW's have some room to work on them.

When something breaks on a mini, and it will, you will be cursing and swearing the whole time. Something as simple as a thermostat is buried underneath mountains of plastic.

They're also super fucking annoying, lmao. Always beeping and booping at you.

 

[AlloyPony]

The difference between BMW and Mini is that atleast BMW's have some room to work on them.

When something breaks on a mini, and it will, you will be cursing and swearing the whole time. Something as simple as a thermostat is buried underneath mountains of plastic.

They're also super fucking annoying, lmao. Always beeping and booping at you.

Truth speech. Wife bought another new one last year and amazingly it's only had one recall so far. But that car is constantly pissed off about something. BEEP BEEP BEEP. Too close to the wall in the McDs drivethru, cat just walked behind the car, seat belt isn't on, oil change due in 6,000 miles, washer fluid is going to be low soon, which driver profile do you want to use, etc. etc. etc...

 

[MarkS650GT10]

yeah it is interesting to research other cars & watch youtube videos on them, but yeah i am staying with mustangs. plus the nearest bmw dealer is over an hour away. did see using the bmw website build that a GT premium lines up close to the 240i rwd in price and if you go M2 that lines up close to dark horse premium. plus the GT just sounds lots better than any 6 cylinder.

 

[TVMADoc]

Just curious if anyone here has driven or owned one of the 2 Series BMW's with the straight 6, M2 or M240i ?
Watched a Raiti's rides youtube video last night on his M2 review and he liked it and compared it to the Dark Horse, about the same price and he did say the Dark Horse tremec was better for the manual shifter. think I would miss the sound of the V8 though, the 6 cylinder did have a lots of pops and bangs when letting off the throttle. thanks! also do you all think the M2 is worth the extra money over the M240i ?

Ms are great performers, but as a current owner of an e90 M3 they can eat you alive in maintenance. While it has been relatively reliable, you WILL have sensor failures, etc. and ANY part from BMW will run at least $1000 even if you do the wrench work yourself. They are overbuilt, and I'd never want one with FI.

That's why my son went for the Mustang. Turbo BMW is just asking for trouble.

 

[TVMADoc]

yeah it is interesting to research other cars & watch youtube videos on them, but yeah i am staying with mustangs. plus the nearest bmw dealer is over an hour away. did see using the bmw website build that a GT premium lines up close to the 240i rwd in price and if you go M2 that lines up close to dark horse premium. plus the GT just sounds lots better than any 6 cylinder.

I agree. The newer BMWs, even the Ms, sound like vacuum cleaners. Give me the V8.

 

[TVMADoc]

Why? 25 is same hp
M4 is a bigger chassis and cost $20k more without CS.i disagree.
I was at $67k for an M2
Not interested in AWD

I agree. The M M3/4s are also a bit bloated (even my e90 is a bit too fat). The M2 gets back to the more manageable weight of the e46 Ms. It's actually a nice chassis if you can deal with the slightly smaller interior. You just can only make up so much for extra weight, and it will destroy tires quickly at the track. Why not go lighter for nearly the same power? Who cares if people think you "couldn't afford the M3".

 

[TVMADoc]

There's no

I had an S550 Mustang GT, had a 2024 S650 on order I ended up with a G87 M2. I love the thing, and yes it definitely is worth the extra dough for the M2 vs. the M240i. If you want a manual there is no choice. My car is a sunroof car with no carbon and I weighed in at right at 3800lbs. BMW left the forged wheels and the LiPo battery for the M3/4. With the forged wheels and LiPo battery the car would weigh in the 3740lbs area.

There's no comparison between an M/ product and the M packages. People often buy those, increase the boost and brag that their car is "better". Ms are all around the handling, and the standard chassis has few parts in common with the M/ products.

Still, BMW with a turbo...I already have enough headaches thinking about the rod bearing clearance and the plastic gears in my throttle body actuators-I really wouldn't want a ticking time bomb with a BMW turbo thrown in as well as I keep my cars until they aren't repairable (as evidenced by the 2003 Honda).

 

[TVMADoc]

I have driven both, the B58 engine in the 240 is exceptional, cheap, reliable, easy to tune and can generate around 460hp with ease (stage 1) at the wheels. Much cheaper than a M2...

However, the M2 is much more of a race/track car than the 240i. The S58 can be tuned to around 700hp with relative ease and has better everything, cooling, brakes, aero and all that. However, it's pretty stiff for an average joyride and less suited as a daily.

Both have vastly superior (build) quality over the Mustang though. Nicer materials, better paint jobs, less gaps etc.

Nonetheless, both cars are significantly smaller than a Mustang but not that much lighter. If BMW wouldn't have priced the M3/4 out of orbit they would be the fitting equivalent.


Long story short, test drive the cars. The M240i is the best bang for buck but doesn't come with a manual.
The M2 is just a beefier and more expensive M240i. Both cars are too small for my liking. The seats are much! smaller that in the 3 series although it's the same seat (not the bucket) on paper.

The Dark Horse is the most fun car if it's used as a daily and would be my choice if I had to choose between the three. MT, V8 would be my deciding factors.

All above accounts for the German/EU versions of said cars.

Don't know how the Mustangs will fare (this is our first), but keep in mind that BMW loves to use cheap plastic that degrades at about 5 years. Expect that most trim parts will need to be replaced if you keep the car...and there is a LOT of plastic under the hood where heat will degrade it faster. BMW loves to use plastic gears in things like throttle body actuators.

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