About the BMW 2 Series
CarLover purchased this BMW 2 Series used for $57,700 (including all on-road costs) in 2022. CarLover would buy this car again because: “It has great styling that harkens back to an age when BMWs had a restrained, elegant design with a focus on the right proportions. Given the performance on offer, it is decent value for money with excellent driving dynamics, and with the automotive industry transitioning to electric vehicles, the smooth engine and transmission combination are a fitting send-off for those looking to buy their last ICE performance car. “
How reliable has your car been? Tell us about any issues.
The car has been mechanically reliable with the caveat I have only owned it for three months. As with other modern BMWs, the M240i has a Condition Based Servicing (CBS) system. This allows the car to monitor the condition of various components such as the brake pads, as well as the quality and level of fluids such as engine oil, and then provide an estimate as to when (and in how many kilometres) they would need to be replaced.
The CBS system also means the days of manually popping open the bonnet and getting your hands dirty by using the dipstick to check engine oil levels are a thing of the past. The driver can ask the car to measure engine oil via the infotainment system, and the convenience of doing this can be a form of preventive maintenance to further improve long-term reliability.
There are two software issues worth mentioning, however.
The iDrive 6 infotainment system has advanced Spotify integration, with an in-built ‘app’ appearing when an iPhone is connected to the system via Bluetooth or USB. This connection can be finicky, and a recent update to the iOS Spotify app introduced a bug that removed the connection entirely. This was fixed in a later version of the Spotify app.
I also updated the native maps from the 2018 version that came with the car, to the latest 2022 maps. Unfortunately, this has introduced a GPS issue where the car gets confused as to its location, often thinking that it is on a side road left of its actual position. Reinstalling the maps did not fix the problem, and an appointment with the BMW experts at my local dealership may be necessary.
Both of these issues can be avoided by updating the infotainment system to use wireless Apple CarPlay (available via a paid software update), however the functionality of the iDrive based Spotify app and native GPS remains superior.
For example, the iDrive Spotify app allows the driver to search for a specific song, a feature unavailable via CarPlay. Meanwhile, the native GPS is able to show navigation directions and lane information within the instrument cluster.
What do you think of the ownership experience with your car?
Apart from the software niggles above, the rest of the ownership experience has been fantastic.
The previous owner purchased a BMW Service Inclusive package which is valid until 2028, and ensures basic maintenance such as an oil change and general vehicle check are covered for the foreseeable future.
Are you happy with the price and features of your car?
Given the standout performance and style on offer, I’m happy with the amount I paid and the features of the M240i.
Being at the top of the regular 2 Series range, the M240i has most equipment that’s optional on other variants as standard. This includes excellent hexagonal adaptive LED headlights with automatic high-beam, a good 12 speaker Harman Kardon stereo, heated seats and an 8.8-inch widescreen infotainment system sporting BMW’s intuitive iDrive 6 infotainment system.
If safety is a critical consideration, the M240i (and the F22 2 series in general) is underwhelming with regard to the advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) on offer. There is only a basic camera-based AEB system that does not work at highway speeds, and blind-spot monitoring is not available, even as an option.
Adaptive cruise control, which would make the car ideal for long highway cruises, was an option on the M240i, however it is difficult to find a suitably equipped example.
What do you think of the performance and economy of your car?
The B58 has achieved near-iconic status as one of the best BMW six-cylinder engines to date, and it’s easy to see why, with rapid acceleration, minimal turbo lag and a sonorous exhaust note.
Inline six-cylinder powertrains have traditionally been more refined and balanced compared to their three and four-cylinder siblings, and the B58 is no exception, offering excellent refinement, with the engine never sending undue vibrations into the cabin or feeling harsh or strained.
Just as impressive is the ZF eight-speed automatic transmission. With 500Nm of torque from the engine to play with, the transmission is never caught flat-footed, and has an ability to always be in the correct gear. Gearshifts are imperceptible, and whilst the M240i is equipped with paddle shifters these are not necessary given the quality of the transmission.
Fuel economy is acceptable given this performance envelope. Urban fuel economy during my time with the car has averaged 9.5L/100km, while highway fuel economy with the cruise control activated can easily dip below 7.5L/100km.
What do you think of the technology in your car?
The technology on offer is surprisingly good given the age of the car.
The iDrive 6 infotainment software may be two versions behind the latest OS 8.0 infotainment found in the latest BMWs such as the iX, however it remains easy to use and looks great on the crisp, high-resolution 8.8-inch widescreen display.
One feature I have found to be very handy is the car’s connectivity with the MyBMW app. The app allows you to send navigation destinations directly to the car (sharing via Apple or Google Maps is also possible), and also allows you to remotely lock the car, flash the headlights, sound the horn or ventilate the car by running the fan, making it ideal for hot summer days.
The app also includes readouts of the car’s odometer and when the next service is due, as well showing you the car’s fuel level – perfect for helping you decide when the cheapest time to fill up is!
The car retains an ideal mix of touch and physical controls which help ergonomics greatly. All air-conditioning and other HVAC functions can be manipulated via buttons, and the rotary iDrive control knob remains an ergonomic way to control the infotainment system.
Unfortunately, the car does not include a digital instrument cluster, but I appreciate the elegant, classical twin-dial look of the analogue gauges that are not overwhelming, don’t cause eye strain, and more importantly, aren’t a distraction from driving the car. The mid-life facelift for the F22 2 Series Coupé introduced a backlit version for a cleaner, ‘semi-digital’ appearance that includes navigation directions and a digital speedo, in a seamless, hidden until lit panel.
BMW was one of the first manufacturers to offer wireless CarPlay in its vehicles, but lost a lot of goodwill by offering it as a subscription service, before changing tack and making it permanently available via software update.
What do you think of the ride comfort and handling of your car?
The M240i features an adaptive suspension setup that allows the car to strike a great balance between ride comfort and handling.
The suspension and other performance parameters can be changed through different driving modes, consisting of Eco Pro, Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus. In Eco Pro and Comfort modes, bumps and cracks in the road are noticeable, but never uncomfortable and do not upset the ride of the car at speed.
As expected, Sport and Sport Plus modes stiffen the suspension for a firmer ride that isn’t ideal for the typical pockmarked and pothole-rife Australian road, and the ride in these modes can occasionally be uncomfortable.
Regardless of the suspension setting, the car never feels loose and does not wallow about in corners.
I have previously owned an R56 Mini Cooper, and whilst the M240i is not as nimble or playful as that car, it has excellent, GT car handling characteristics ideal for long, sweeping bends and flowing roads.
An important contributor to the handling is the Variable Sports Steering system that the M240i is equipped with.
This changes the steering weight based on speed and driving mode, with the steering weight becoming heavier in Sport mode and at higher speeds, providing the driver with added confidence. At lower speeds, the steering becomes significantly lighter to aid parking and manoeuvrability.
In all conditions, the M240i retains an overall sense of confidence and solidity without having hyperactive or arcade style steering that other cars may be afflicted with.
Do you have any additional comments about your car?
In many ways, the M240i is in a class of its own.
No other manufacturer offers a compact, rear-wheel-drive sports car that is practical enough to comfortably fit adults in the rear seat, has a large boot, and yet retains a desirable two-door coupé silhouette.
Cars like the M240i won’t be around for long, so if you’re in the market for one, now’s a good time to buy. The M240i is the spiritual successor of cars like the ‘Neue Klasse’ BMW 1600 and 2002, and a stellar example of BMW at its traditional best – a manufacturer of compact sporting coupés.