Some might say the BMW 2 Series has become a little confused in recent years, with front and all-wheel drive options, and two and four door choices. Thankfully the M240i xDrive Coupé stands out as an icon across the range.
Powered by the renowned six-cylinder turbocharged B58 engine, it sits above the four-pot boosted 230i and below the brutal beast that is the M2. Based on the G80 M3 CLAR platform, it delivers 285kW and 500Nm, and is capable of getting to 100km/h in 4.3 seconds.
Pricing for the M240i starts from around $113,093 drive away, with our test car being closer to $119,000 with all its options and extras. In its latest update, the front grille has been blacked out, with an M badge now included in the lower front bumper.
The rear tail lights have been given some tint and there’s a very subtle black spoiler on the boot lid. The rear bumper incorporates two trapezoidal exhaust outlets. Inside, the steering wheel has been made a little sportier with a red centre stripe and flat bottom.
The centre console has been cleaned up with the removal of the small gear shifter, replaced with a crystal styled toggle switch that’s easy to use. The head-up display is large and clear, with plenty of customisation on offer.
Wireless phone charging is available behind the cupholders but, as noted in a lot of cars nowadays, when the phone is doing duties as a music player and navigator, holding charge through these units is difficult at best.
Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are included and work well within BMW’s iDrive 8.5, which of course comes with plenty of its own apps and maps to explore. The car remains driver-focused, with the front seats looking and feeling sporty and supportive.
They’re heated, and offer plenty of adjustability. Shorter occupants might find the headrests don’t adjust enough. The seats are also a little slow in allowing access to the rear seats, the latter being decent enough for smaller occupants.
There are air-conditioning vents back there, along with a fold-down armrest. We were also able to install a forward-facing child seat for our eight-year-old using the top anchor points, and ISOFIX connectors are also included.
Boot space is a reasonable 390-litres, which is more than enough for a small family weekend away. The second row seats can be folded down for more space, and there is also access to the boot through the centre armrest.
On the road, it doesn’t sound the same as the more raucous M2, but its rear-biased all-wheel drive, and Michelin Pilot Sport 4S rubber do a good job. It still has a subtle power bulge in the long bonnet and provides cues that this is a capable performance car.
The optional 19-inch wheels on our test vehicle didn’t hurt the cause, and nor does the range of colours. You can opt for Arctic White, M Brooklyn Grey Metallic, Zandvoort Blue, Fire Red Metallic, M Portimao Blue or this reviewer’s pick, the purple Thundernight Metallic.
Pretty bits aside, the car behaves well on various road surfaces and features four driving modes. These include Eco Pro, Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus, with Comfort being our pick for most duties.
Sport and Sport Plus are good for those more adventurous drives. There are several different screens available too, depending on your mood. Sport can display live data from the engine, with it and Sport Plus disabling the car’s inbuilt Stop/Start function.
The long nose can take some getting used to when driving and positioning the car, but the M240i comes with cameras to assist in those tighter situations. All round visibility is notable for this car, probably due to it not being a convertible.
The M-styled side mirrors are a decent size too, with rearward visibility also quite good. Safety tech isn’t too intrusive, aside from the one time the collision warning scared the crap out of me.
It detected some cars ahead, on a bend, audibly warning before trying to stop the vehicle, as a result. Thankfully, this was a one off. At low speeds the brakes can feel a bit touchy, which incidentally was also the case in the 230i.
While the M240i is capable and compliant on mundane runs to the shops, or school drop offs, it really shines on those adventurous trips. Thanks to the all-wheel drive system, it’s the sort of car you can take up your favourite mountain road with just a bit more confidence.
Switch to using the paddles for your gear shifts and the car really comes into its element. Finding the right road, with no local traffic to contend with, the B58 provides the soundtrack for that perfect, grin inducing moment.
You’ll even get some pops and bangs once the engine comes up to temperature. When you’re not listening to the exhaust notes (sorry, couldn’t help myself), there’s a decent Harman Kardon audio system for tunes and podcasts. It could do with a little more bass though.
Backed by a 5-year unlimited kilometre warranty, it’s the kind of car that leaves you not wanting to give the keys back. We blame the xDrive setup and that glorious turbocharged straight six up front. The balance is great, the car looks good and it’s a decent all-rounder.
So, if you think an M240i would look good in your driveway, check out the BMW Australia website, or talk to your local dealership. To get a low rate finance quote, talk to Australia’s best reviewed car finance broker; Credit One.
To see a great range of vehicles for sale, check out OnlyCars.com.au.
Our test vehicle was provided by BMW Australia for independent review purposes. Exhaust Notes Australia has not been paid to review this vehicle.
