The most bizarre thing I find about this generation is that it grew in size dimensionally almost in every way but has less rear seat room than the prior generation 2 series coupe....
I think BMW have got the exterior design right. I love it, particularly in Thundernight . Though not at all elegant like my Husband's Stinger GT, it does look tough and ready for business. We test drove the car and were blown away by the driving dynamics. July 22 build onwards now have the excellent new idrive 8. We are in the process of ordering this car fully optioned in Thundernight Metallic with Cognac interior.
It’s a sport coupe not a sports car. If you want a sports car go buy the Supra. I have had my M240i since February and love it. I was looking at a Supra as well and I’ve had a dedicated sports car before and they suck to use for normal driving. I’m pretty much done with tracking cars. I just want a car that can do every day and once and a while go for a drive.
I agree with you, it’s a sports coupe. No a track car, not a old car with “steering feel”. That said, their assessment is correct(bigger, heavier, more digital, etc). However they should understand this car makes a lot of sense based on demand. If you want to feel more connected to the experience, buy an M2 or go off the deep end with a lotus or something. As a daily, this M240i is very good. Also the looks are subjective, but they grow on you. Seeing a couple in person, I believe it looks great. It’s a very progressive design. It’s very aggressive and real presence.
Andrew, as someone who will be picking up his 240i next week, you are 100% correct with your statement. The only reason these guys knock it is because they have to keep justifying their GR86 purchase. At least that car comes with extra silicone in the oil pan and pickup.
@@MrTurborush- I found that the 230i was fantastic and only 3500lbs or less. Smaller engine and quick for daily driver. Only issue was no manual. Otherwise great and no need to spend more for the M240. However I traded mine for a X3 and find it perfect as daily. I like the four door and sitting position higher. Very comfortable smooth and fast enough. Costs more but worth it. Options can hurt the price point.
This was such a great discussion of the impact of technology and how it removes that driver connection to the car, amazing insights! And I love the exterior design critique also. Great, philosophically-grounded discourse!
I have an early build 2021 M340 now with 22,000 miles. I also test drove the first (demo unit) M240 my dealer got. The M240 is slightly sharper, but it’s 80% “synthetic” - digitized to feel that way, including the transmission shifts. The real props should go to BMW’s software programming department. They are pure genius. The M340 is 9.5/10ths as quick and I had the car in the mountains recently. One could argue it’s a better deal since the weight is almost the same and you get a useable backseat and larger trunk. The problem is with all these cars is while you are basically the fastest car on the road, most of the time you are basically in an “airplane.” In particular, I find it is hard for me to gauge what speed I can enter a turn or do a quick left hand or right hand turn at say 8 or 9/10ths. Corner entry is a problem for me due to lack of steering feel / disconnection. Once in the corner, you can get the rear end to dance / step out by throttle input. That’s much easier to modulate, and is very good. Again, most of the time you are the fastest car on the road, but I’m not really sure you want to be in the twisties because of the disconnection. You need to concentrate harder than you might need to in a Honda Civic to maintain a quick pace.
I ordered a 230i after sitting in the back seats. I’m 5 foot 8 inches and I can sit comfortably in the back seat. It’s just big enough so that is isn’t a useless rear seat. It is a little cramped but I think I could sit in the back for a good while without feeling cramped. This car isn’t tiny, nor is it really big either. It is a great daily for most enthusiast and has just enough space for when you need it.
I have this problem in my Supra too, even with it's squirely rear end. While it's definitely a more handful in the corners than with xdrive, i'm constantly doing way more than I think I'm doing. In 3 seconds I'm speeding on just about any road. And then I put it in normal and it's getting 30+ mpg. It's so incredibly engineered. Yet somehow I wish I was still driving my S2000.
The shortcut to turn of the driver assistance programs is to hold the green circle button (next to the hazard lights switch) for a few seconds. The green light should go off and the instrument cluster should read "Intelligent Safety deactivated". This turns off Blind Spot Monitor, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Warning, and Pedestrian Warning.
I feel like this is like the perfect daily driver for like a car person who doesn't want to always drive a manual and wants a fast car that can be driven year round. Then just pickup like a miata or an S2000 as a fun weekend car when you want the full analog experience.
Late to this but I happen to be looking now and this describes me to a T lol. I figured I’d let my current car carry me for another 5-10 years and add a corvette later for fun but now I’m getting antsy and want the compromise now.
@@disambigujasonme too. I don't know why, but I've never really considered a BMW before. Started researching this model and it sounds almost perfect for me. Except not a big fan of the front end and mo ventilated seats and it's kind of lacking on color choices and options. I currently drive a Challenger 1320 which I custom ordered. I like it and it's a rare trim, but not the greatest in the winter in NW Ohio and mileage sucks. I was waiting to see what the new Charger Sixpack would offer and it looks decent, but it is a huge car and I wanted a lighter car than my Scat not heavier. I will probably keep it though since it may be the last of the hemi V8's and hard to give up the 0% financing.
@@Mrbobcat7dude same! Never really liked BMW, like at all, but this one struck a chord with me. I’m only interested in the purple or the red so I’m happy with colors. Your setup sounds sweet though. That said, I ended up passing on this. My current car is almost paid off and frankly it’s cheaper to just get a used vette now and keep the daily 🤷🏼♂️
@@disambigujason sounds like a plan. I tend to trade in too often usually like every 2 or 3 years, but kept my last stang 5 years and that really helped with trade equity. Btw I'm partial to the red and purple too if I were to get one although I like green and dark blue too. My current ride is Sinamon stick.
Your opinion is spot on. I currently own this car and an M2 just prior. The fun factor and feeling is far different. The straight line speed is nothing short of impressive and would smoke the M2, but it is not the enthusiast machine it used to be. Going to get rid of it for something more practical in the near future.
I loved the older 2 series's style and dimensions. It was PERFECT in every angle. This one looks like they took a lot of i8 styling cues and added them to the 2.
"It's too digital" - that's why i sold my F10 535i BMW after 6 months. The car was devoid of feel even though it was fast. I felt weird driving that car. It's almost as if the car didn't want my hands on the wheels and it should be an self driving car.
Great discussion at the beginning. BMW means it when they say these are 'M Performance' models. They're standard BMWs that deliver M perf for when you want it but still disconnected enough to be a comfortable traffic commuter on avg roads. Full M cars are still the only true BMW M experience, at the expense of daily comfort in some cases.
This is how I see it. The M240i is not meant to be a sports car; It's a fast, capable daily driver. Comparing it to the driving experience of the previous gen M2 is not a good comparison. The previous gen M2 was also far more communicative and raw than the previous gen M240, which is probably what they should be comparing it to.
M240 is a winner. It will be appreciated much more over time as electric engines roll out and younger executives want a great driver with speed. Love the review
There's something compact about it. The back seat. I have a 2017 2 Series and I fit perfectly in the back seat as a 5'9 adult. In the new two series my head's hitting the ceiling and it's way more cramped in the back. Big mistake as far as I'm concerned. Having a true two plus two makes it fun and relatively practical if you want to bring somebody along.
@@JacesOwnWorld According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the average age-adjusted height for American men 20 years old and up is 69.1 inches (175.4 centimeters) during the years 2015 to 2016. That’s about 5 feet 9 inches tall. This number comes from data published in December 2018.
Hold down the button next to the hazard button (car with green circle) for about 5 seconds. Lane assist and all other assistance will be turned off. Also, with the transmission tap the gas peddle and it will rev limit down shift, up to two gears. So fun to drive with that option.
When I ordered mine - I told my husband its gonna be my affordable mini GTR - same formula! Selling my 2014 M235i - the 2 series is the best daily driver for me.
the sound dampening in the new bmws is insane. it is ridiculously quiet and when you are in both the new 3 series and 2 series alike with the windows up in comfort and even sport mode. no road, wind, or noise from the engine/exhaust can really be heard all that much when the cars are stock. i think this is the main reason many report of not feeling like they are going as fast as they are, and/or not getting the same satisfaction from going fast. very interesting problem to have lol
Good point...you see many of these reviews where they're always complaining about the road noise and overall noise inside the car. Well, you can't get everything you want unless you have 6-figures to spend.
This is a trend since electric cars have been coming on the scene, the modern car is so good it doesn't feel like you're driving anymore, really just a video game feel. You can only really use like 200 horse power (in a small sedan) on the streets, anymore and you're speeding everywhere.
As someone who owns this car, and compared it to other vehicles in this segment, I couldn’t disagree more. The car is brilliant. The vehicle can cruise comfortably and with a push of a button, turn into an all weather high performance car. Also consider this is the M lite. Furthermore, everyone who approaches me loves the styling.
But have you spent much time in a performance-oriented BMW model before they went to electronic Power Steering (EPS)? BMW does many things well, but EPS is not one of them. Just numb steering feel.
I was really amazed by the look of it when I saw it live for the first time. Pictures/Videos doesnt do justice to it. Last time I had that was with Mercedes cls. On paper I was like: Uh that doesnt work! And then i was floating beside one on the Autobahn and thought: Wow! Same for the m240i.
Hilarious how close you were when you said there should be a button to turn all the assists off. That green circle button in the centre next to the hazards, hold that down for a few seconds, all assists off 👍
To your point at 18:07, most aircraft have a big red button which turns off the autopilot. Cars should definitely have the same ability to disable their automation.
I'm waiting for bmw to say to Toyota: "you know how we helped you with the Z4/supra? how about helping us with your 86 platform and we'll make a 2002 or Z3 or something"
This car ticks all the boxes for me. Fast, relatively small and nimble yet with decent trunk size, great automatic transmission and plenty of safety features. As a casual driver that doesn't really have to drive but wants to hit the road every once in a while for fun this is IT! Just not in white. Looks way better in purple and black.
Truly enjoy your reviews. Follow you on TV, TH-cam, and Podcast. Excellent reviews and perspectives. I haven't even driven this car but really wanted to like it just as you both referenced. I have a 2016 340i and love the B58 engine. Everything you said just makes common sense why this is a technical and digital marvel to do what it does so well. That's just it though, when it's that far removed from the analog feeling, true driving enthusiasts will gravitate towards past cars to get that experience. Keep up excellent work!
BMW makes 2 series as perfect sized compact car. People rave about compact size. Makes next version much bigger. Has longer wheelbase than e46 3 series. Why do cars have to keep getting bigger???
The button to turn of safety controls you referenced is there. It is the button with an image of a car with a green halo around it. You can configure it so that one press turns all assistance off and the halo around the car turns red to indicate the assist features are off
*I've realized something after watching this, ...motoring journalists are vastly disconnected from the average everyday driver who would buy one of these. I'm a car enthusiast and have driven some cars I've seen reviewed online and completely disagree with their criticisms. I can't really trust anything on the news and now I feel I can't trust car reviews online either until I drive them.*
I agree with the guy with the long hair, the car doesn't have a good angle at all. The previous 2 series looked better, but the taillights on both generations just look cheap. But I guess it is BMW's entry level car, so they have to save money somewhere.
Some of the design choices that you've pointed out is actually why I'm happy Toyota slapped this B58 inside their Supra. It looks a lot better, it's lighter and it's a proper sports car. This M240i albeit fast, doesn't feel like anything when you drive it and it's a really big car.
The lane assist is in the menu tree, or, press the button that is a car with a green circle around it, and hold it until the screen shows you "All Off". So yes... there is a big button, but it's green!
I've had a 2016 228i, 2018 M2, and just bought a 2024 M240i. I do really like the M240 especially over the M340i I had but as they said in the vid the car is a bit numb compared to the other 2ers I've had. Also I was able to turn off lane assist but the options are buried, the new iDrive is way more cumbersome
I’m dying over here with you asking for a big button, while at the very same moment seeing the green circle illuminated on your dash at 18:43 “ITS RIGHT THERE” he shouts backwards through time.
I've got an Evora 400 and pick this as the daily to that. It has the B58 and a known quality transmission, comfort , a proper trunk and rear seats that are adequate by my standards. It's this or an RS3 and realistically the RS3 is much more expensive. . It's also good in snow and rain which I think would matter to Uthan gentlemen. The lines and vents are challenging but they've grown on me. The car is gimmicky but for once, I'm going for the gimmicks and they're unavoidable anyway on everything. The weight is a bummer but the reported fuel economy is excellent. I get 27MPG at highway speeds up to 80 in my Evora and I'd expect to equal or better that. But it's a shame to waste a Lotus on the slab even though the Evora is surprisingly capable of it. The whole B58/ZF drivetrain is a major plus. Did I already mention that the weight is disappointing? Steering feel is hard to find anywhere and might be annoying to me but I have a Lotus. So what's a better idea? It's not the Dodge haha and we're in between M2s, which will be expensive too daily. Love the Evora, it makes everything else feel numb by comparison. That car is a keeper. And there are very few "slightly used" M2s. There's supposed to be an RWD version coming. Maybe that one's yours? Shame about the steering but going the the MK8 R doesn't help although it does save some money. This car is polarizing but it slots in for me. : German Challenger? Touche! Now which would you rather have? I hate it that you don't like the color combo on your car. My spec is mineral white over red with shadowline pack. For that long bonnet Goth look that is growing on me and a bit of added drama. Some of your colleagues say new to new a base RS3 is worth stretching into if you can find one but it will cost.
Progress is no longer progress, in any case AWD, grossly overweight and the lack of a manual is a non starter for me off tops. If we are honest Cadillac now builds the ultimate driving machines with the Blackwings
Why is this car so heavy? A 2000 - 2005 Buick LeSabre, which was a 6 passenger family hauler sedan with a 3.8L V6 engine, 18 gallon fuel tank and 18 cubic foot trunk weighed between 3567 and 3591 pounds, depending on which trim level you chose (stats taken from Buick spec sheets). Think about that: a big early 2000s American land yacht actually weighed LESS than this 2022 M240i, which is supposed to be a driver's oriented sports car.
@@BobsGT235 AWD is 55 Kg - you can check the spec between the RWD and AWD - and this still puts the RWD model at 1635 Kg dry weight , which is 150kg more than you would expect from a car in this range. I would assume it's due to the chassis being more torsionally stiff without the exotic materials that would allow this car to be in the 60.000 pricepoint. Also - sound insulation - if you test drive it , when you open the door you feel that there is a lot of stuff between the body and the inside of the car , and most of it is probably sound insulation materials.
@@BobsGT235 LOL... you do realize that they had emissions systems such as catalytic converters back in the early 2000s, right? Safety systems are mostly electronics, so that should add negligible weight. Wheel size has increased over the years; IDK how much more that adds to overall vehicle weight.
Press and hold the car symbol surrounded by green circle in center of dash for 3 seconds. Might also have to go to lane keep assist setting and turn off steering intervention.
17:37 BMW only offers lane departure warning with the G42, not lane keep assist. The steering wheel will vibrate to warn you when the vehicle is leaving a lane, but the feature cannot turn your steering wheel.
That's not true actually, it does not have Lane centering, it is not offered with a BMW driver's assistant professional package, but it will definitely Yank on the steering wheel if you were drifting over the lines, and with the most recent update it can steer around slight corners. Definitely not cool for a new model it should have Lane centering, so that is rather disappointing...
@@misterdragzon exactly. Yeah it will try to prevent you from going over lane markings and push you back into your lane, but sadly not center you in your lane like a Honda sensing or Toyota safety sense. And it was not even an option which is absurd🤷🏻♂️
The curb weight for an awd challenger is 4,000 pounds, not 5300, that’s the gross weight (the maximum the car is rated to weigh, as in loaded with people and cargo)
I'd been hoping this design would grow on me. It has a little, but the white just exaggerates its flaws. It isn't terrible, but the M2C easily keeps its crown as the best looking 2-series, and there's zero chance of the new M2 taking that away. Knowing how I felt about going from a rwd 228i to my current previous-gen M240i xDrive, which in my experience was a BIG step down in driving fun and engagement much of the time, I just can't see getting one of these. At this size, 3,871 pounds is _absurd_ and inexcusable.
Fantastic review as usual. I almost brought the previous generation which I too think is more attractive, as a second car. I do not like the new head and taillights here at all, but I try not to be too caught up in simple appearance if the overall car is great. The main problem I have with BMW is their expensive after warrantee and maintenance pricing structures and with that much complex technology crammed into their vehicles you will pay the price.
@@werdnaeel8533 Within the warrantee period you might not feel the pinch as much but attempting to do maintenance yourself might void some warrantees. In my experience (I had a 3series), things like the 12volt battery for example was not included in warrantee and not only ended up costing $400 to replace (6yrs ago) but the installer had to then call in to BMW to "reset" the system. Also, I wanted to swap my wheels/tires out for more tradition tires because the run flats were hard and not too compliant, expensive and wore out pretty fast and that became a full-on drama with sensors etc. that made it pointless. That and developing creaks and I ended up getting rid of it for a Lexus.
I know you guys need to do these reviews to survive but I'll keep on looking for a pre 74 2002,(roundie), that I can tinker with and attempt to regain some of my lost youth. At almost 4000lbs that's just about 2 of the original "driving machine".
I may be in the minority, but I think this body style is attractive. I think it looks good from all angles. I agree that white is not the best color for this one. Actually, not many cars look good in white imo. And thank you BMW for not putting the ridiculous, ugly, oversized, beaver grill on this one!
Painfully I agree with you guys in this. Just purchased the new 230i - even with RWD and the smaller engine, it’s not analog enough. The disconnect is noticeably painful. I do miss my E30. Maybe I’ll buy an OLD Boxster! I’m selling the 2022 230i. Not what I hoped it would be. Sad.
Would you opt for this (2022 model year) or a Mustang GT (2022)? I don't need a 4 door and will not be tracking it or trying to reclaim my youth racing it. Just looking for something that is fun to drive and won't kill my lower back.
It's the best looking modern BMW I think. Still not as nice as the previous version, the lights are too small and pushed too far to the edges of the panels, but hey, it's a lot nice than the awful3/4 series. If you follow the A pillar, and C pillar lines down to the wheels, the previous version went directly to the centres of the wheels, and it looked just right. This design, the lines go in behind the front wheels making the nose look too long, and the rear is not quite correct either, it looks slab sided. It's a performance bargain though, if you like Xdrive (I prefer RWD personally, slower from a standstill, but a lot more fun). It's only faster than the OG M2 from a standstill, the OG M2 has better suspension, a wider track, and looks much nicer.
As someone who spent 10 years driving a modded 135i, I have not yet been able to bring myself to move to a 2 series, because every one I've driven, including the M2, has felt numb. Like sex with a condom. It gets the job done, but that's about it. The problem really is that BMW has not yet figured out how to do EPS well. I really want to love these cars, but the EPS kills it for me, because for all the things BMW does well, EPS is not one of them.
Agreed, too much technology can ruin the true driver experience. Wait until the 2023s come out .... they'll all have the ID8 system, which is next level tech.
17:37 the little green button beside the hazard lights, hold it down, ignore the screen, hold it down until the green ring disappears. It's so annoying.
It's not just technology bc Porsche still manages to make their cars pretty fun . BMW doesn't give a shit about engagement / steering feel anymore.. plus most are oversprung and underdamped compared to the old machines
My 3 Series has a car with a green/yellow light around it above the HVAC? Press that and it will show you the options to turn Driver Assistance down or off?
The only saving grace is if the new M2 brings it to the E92 M3. But I found even the previous gen M2 to be too disconnected from the road, so I'm not really hopeful.
Agree with you on the M2. I test drove and automatic one last week and it felt like there were a hundred layers between me and the road. I'm now curious if a manual transmission can change that substantially enough to make the driver actually feel something.
@@eliv8468 That's because they don't want to. The man in charge of that is on record taking pride in how much 'unwanted' road feedback he and his team have been able to remove from the steering experience.
@@speeddemonRS3 F series looks very dated now. Also not sure what reviews you saw, I've watched pretty much every G42 review and don't think I've heard a single reviewer say the F series M240i was more fun than the G42, especially considering G42 comes with a M differential standard now. F87 more fun, yes, but not F22.
@@BMWWolf the new m2 isn’t out yet so explain? G87 hasn’t even been unveiled yet. I think it’s likely to be more numb than the e46 but they won’t mean it’s bad.
That title though. And thanks a lot for saying the front of the car looks like that Goth girlfriend wearing black lipstick. I used to like the front of this car, even in white, but now, I can't unsee that. 😂🙂🙃
I agree with Todd, NOT a good looking car and also not the Ultimate Driving Machine anymore which is why I no longer buy BMWs after owning 3 since 2002. my 2002 540i was the best car I ever owned.
Stop calling it a Supra engine. The Supra has a BMW engine. 🤦♂️
🤡
Thank you these car reviewers gottta know this at least
Amen brother!
I know it’s really annoying how they kept saying that. BMW deserves the credit for the b58.
Agreed. The B58 is way better than anything Toyota could ever make so call it a B58 to give BMW credit.
The most bizarre thing I find about this generation is that it grew in size dimensionally almost in every way but has less rear seat room than the prior generation 2 series coupe....
🤦
I was going to agree for a moment... then I was reminded of the new design 🤦♂️
I agree, but I never really wanted the first series. This one is on point!
I think BMW have got the exterior design right. I love it, particularly in Thundernight . Though not at all elegant like my Husband's Stinger GT, it does look tough and ready for business. We test drove the car and were blown away by the driving dynamics. July 22 build onwards now have the excellent new idrive 8. We are in the process of ordering this car fully optioned in Thundernight Metallic with Cognac interior.
Biggest problem is the height. Went from being able to fit a 6ft adult to not happening.
It’s a sport coupe not a sports car. If you want a sports car go buy the Supra. I have had my M240i since February and love it. I was looking at a Supra as well and I’ve had a dedicated sports car before and they suck to use for normal driving. I’m pretty much done with tracking cars. I just want a car that can do every day and once and a while go for a drive.
4000lb small car?
I agree with you, it’s a sports coupe. No a track car, not a old car with “steering feel”. That said, their assessment is correct(bigger, heavier, more digital, etc). However they should understand this car makes a lot of sense based on demand. If you want to feel more connected to the experience, buy an M2 or go off the deep end with a lotus or something. As a daily, this M240i is very good. Also the looks are subjective, but they grow on you. Seeing a couple in person, I believe it looks great. It’s a very progressive design. It’s very aggressive and real presence.
Andrew, as someone who will be picking up his 240i next week, you are 100% correct with your statement. The only reason these guys knock it is because they have to keep justifying their GR86 purchase. At least that car comes with extra silicone in the oil pan and pickup.
@@MrTurborush- I found that the 230i was fantastic and only 3500lbs or less. Smaller engine and quick for daily driver. Only issue was no manual. Otherwise great and no need to spend more for the M240. However I traded mine for a X3 and find it perfect as daily. I like the four door and sitting position higher. Very comfortable smooth and fast enough. Costs more but worth it. Options can hurt the price point.
This was such a great discussion of the impact of technology and how it removes that driver connection to the car, amazing insights! And I love the exterior design critique also. Great, philosophically-grounded discourse!
I have an early build 2021 M340 now with 22,000 miles. I also test drove the first (demo unit) M240 my dealer got. The M240 is slightly sharper, but it’s 80% “synthetic” - digitized to feel that way, including the transmission shifts. The real props should go to BMW’s software programming department. They are pure genius. The M340 is 9.5/10ths as quick and I had the car in the mountains recently. One could argue it’s a better deal since the weight is almost the same and you get a useable backseat and larger trunk. The problem is with all these cars is while you are basically the fastest car on the road, most of the time you are basically in an “airplane.” In particular, I find it is hard for me to gauge what speed I can enter a turn or do a quick left hand or right hand turn at say 8 or 9/10ths. Corner entry is a problem for me due to lack of steering feel / disconnection. Once in the corner, you can get the rear end to dance / step out by throttle input. That’s much easier to modulate, and is very good. Again, most of the time you are the fastest car on the road, but I’m not really sure you want to be in the twisties because of the disconnection. You need to concentrate harder than you might need to in a Honda Civic to maintain a quick pace.
Golden words: "you are basically in an “airplane.”"
@@andycalifornia426 "The Ultimate Flying Machine."
I ordered a 230i after sitting in the back seats. I’m 5 foot 8 inches and I can sit comfortably in the back seat. It’s just big enough so that is isn’t a useless rear seat. It is a little cramped but I think I could sit in the back for a good while without feeling cramped. This car isn’t tiny, nor is it really big either. It is a great daily for most enthusiast and has just enough space for when you need it.
I have this problem in my Supra too, even with it's squirely rear end. While it's definitely a more handful in the corners than with xdrive, i'm constantly doing way more than I think I'm doing. In 3 seconds I'm speeding on just about any road. And then I put it in normal and it's getting 30+ mpg. It's so incredibly engineered. Yet somehow I wish I was still driving my S2000.
That last sentence says volumes about modern cars.
You're not going to trade a Supra for a no torque Honda. 🤣
The shortcut to turn of the driver assistance programs is to hold the green circle button (next to the hazard lights switch) for a few seconds. The green light should go off and the instrument cluster should read "Intelligent Safety deactivated". This turns off Blind Spot Monitor, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Warning, and Pedestrian Warning.
Can you turn off just the Lane Departure and Lane Keeping Assist
@@TheTransporter100Nope, all goes off together. Unless there's some software/app hack to change that.
It’s called individual, and yes you can do that
I feel like this is like the perfect daily driver for like a car person who doesn't want to always drive a manual and wants a fast car that can be driven year round. Then just pickup like a miata or an S2000 as a fun weekend car when you want the full analog experience.
Late to this but I happen to be looking now and this describes me to a T lol. I figured I’d let my current car carry me for another 5-10 years and add a corvette later for fun but now I’m getting antsy and want the compromise now.
@@disambigujasonme too. I don't know why, but I've never really considered a BMW before. Started researching this model and it sounds almost perfect for me. Except not a big fan of the front end and mo ventilated seats and it's kind of lacking on color choices and options. I currently drive a Challenger 1320 which I custom ordered. I like it and it's a rare trim, but not the greatest in the winter in NW Ohio and mileage sucks. I was waiting to see what the new Charger Sixpack would offer and it looks decent, but it is a huge car and I wanted a lighter car than my Scat not heavier. I will probably keep it though since it may be the last of the hemi V8's and hard to give up the 0% financing.
@@Mrbobcat7dude same! Never really liked BMW, like at all, but this one struck a chord with me. I’m only interested in the purple or the red so I’m happy with colors. Your setup sounds sweet though.
That said, I ended up passing on this. My current car is almost paid off and frankly it’s cheaper to just get a used vette now and keep the daily 🤷🏼♂️
@@disambigujason sounds like a plan. I tend to trade in too often usually like every 2 or 3 years, but kept my last stang 5 years and that really helped with trade equity. Btw I'm partial to the red and purple too if I were to get one although I like green and dark blue too. My current ride is Sinamon stick.
Your opinion is spot on. I currently own this car and an M2 just prior. The fun factor and feeling is far different. The straight line speed is nothing short of impressive and would smoke the M2, but it is not the enthusiast machine it used to be. Going to get rid of it for something more practical in the near future.
I loved the older 2 series's style and dimensions. It was PERFECT in every angle. This one looks like they took a lot of i8 styling cues and added them to the 2.
yep, sucks.
I’m headed to the 1 day M school held at Thermal in August, so the timing of this review was great. Keep up the good work!
Thought you were holed up in Zihuatanejo, Mexico, with Red?
"It's too digital" - that's why i sold my F10 535i BMW after 6 months. The car was devoid of feel even though it was fast. I felt weird driving that car. It's almost as if the car didn't want my hands on the wheels and it should be an self driving car.
Great discussion at the beginning. BMW means it when they say these are 'M Performance' models. They're standard BMWs that deliver M perf for when you want it but still disconnected enough to be a comfortable traffic commuter on avg roads.
Full M cars are still the only true BMW M experience, at the expense of daily comfort in some cases.
This is how I see it. The M240i is not meant to be a sports car; It's a fast, capable daily driver. Comparing it to the driving experience of the previous gen M2 is not a good comparison. The previous gen M2 was also far more communicative and raw than the previous gen M240, which is probably what they should be comparing it to.
To turn all lane assists just press the button a little longer. They are on, individual or all off
M240 is a winner. It will be appreciated much more over time as electric engines roll out and younger executives want a great driver with speed. Love the review
There's something compact about it. The back seat. I have a 2017 2 Series and I fit perfectly in the back seat as a 5'9 adult. In the new two series my head's hitting the ceiling and it's way more cramped in the back. Big mistake as far as I'm concerned. Having a true two plus two makes it fun and relatively practical if you want to bring somebody along.
Same car and height as you but tbh my head still scrapes the top of the ceiling in my car as well.
I was 5’9” in middle school 🤣. That’s no adult size haha
@@JacesOwnWorld According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the average age-adjusted height for American men 20 years old and up is 69.1 inches (175.4 centimeters) during the years 2015 to 2016. That’s about 5 feet 9 inches tall.
This number comes from data published in December 2018.
So did this car get a bigger trunk or where did all the extra space go?
@@toddsmith8608 I think the roofline was lowered. Because the car is physically like 3 inches longer.
Hold down the button next to the hazard button (car with green circle) for about 5 seconds. Lane assist and all other assistance will be turned off. Also, with the transmission tap the gas peddle and it will rev limit down shift, up to two gears. So fun to drive with that option.
When I ordered mine - I told my husband its gonna be my affordable mini GTR - same formula! Selling my 2014 M235i - the 2 series is the best daily driver for me.
I really like the design! When you made the GTR connection I immediately realized this is the JDM inspired BMW. I appreciate the unique styling.
I wouldn't go that far. The older 2 series were definitely more jdm-esque.
the sound dampening in the new bmws is insane. it is ridiculously quiet and when you are in both the new 3 series and 2 series alike with the windows up in comfort and even sport mode. no road, wind, or noise from the engine/exhaust can really be heard all that much when the cars are stock. i think this is the main reason many report of not feeling like they are going as fast as they are, and/or not getting the same satisfaction from going fast. very interesting problem to have lol
Good point...you see many of these reviews where they're always complaining about the road noise and overall noise inside the car. Well, you can't get everything you want unless you have 6-figures to spend.
This is a trend since electric cars have been coming on the scene, the modern car is so good it doesn't feel like you're driving anymore, really just a video game feel. You can only really use like 200 horse power (in a small sedan) on the streets, anymore and you're speeding everywhere.
As someone who owns this car, and compared it to other vehicles in this segment, I couldn’t disagree more. The car is brilliant. The vehicle can cruise comfortably and with a push of a button, turn into an all weather high performance car. Also consider this is the M lite. Furthermore, everyone who approaches me loves the styling.
But have you spent much time in a performance-oriented BMW model before they went to electronic Power Steering (EPS)? BMW does many things well, but EPS is not one of them. Just numb steering feel.
Bc the people that see it is ugly dont want to talk to you... confirmation bias!
@@johncannon3593 I owned the E46 M3 Comp. Not my first BMW rodeo.
I was really amazed by the look of it when I saw it live for the first time. Pictures/Videos doesnt do justice to it. Last time I had that was with Mercedes cls. On paper I was like: Uh that doesnt work! And then i was floating beside one on the Autobahn and thought: Wow! Same for the m240i.
Hilarious how close you were when you said there should be a button to turn all the assists off. That green circle button in the centre next to the hazards, hold that down for a few seconds, all assists off 👍
Amazing analogies as always. You guys are absolute pros!
To your point at 18:07, most aircraft have a big red button which turns off the autopilot. Cars should definitely have the same ability to disable their automation.
I'm waiting for bmw to say to Toyota: "you know how we helped you with the Z4/supra? how about helping us with your 86 platform and we'll make a 2002 or Z3 or something"
The most underrated guys on YT.
Thank you. We appreciate you watching!
This car ticks all the boxes for me. Fast, relatively small and nimble yet with decent trunk size, great automatic transmission and plenty of safety features. As a casual driver that doesn't really have to drive but wants to hit the road every once in a while for fun this is IT! Just not in white. Looks way better in purple and black.
Button next to hazard lights button turns off safety systems.
What a great timing! I’ve rented m235i and going to spend the whole day with it tomorrow. Will watch this video prior.
Upd: oh, no! It’s a new one!
Truly enjoy your reviews. Follow you on TV, TH-cam, and Podcast. Excellent reviews and perspectives. I haven't even driven this car but really wanted to like it just as you both referenced. I have a 2016 340i and love the B58 engine. Everything you said just makes common sense why this is a technical and digital marvel to do what it does so well. That's just it though, when it's that far removed from the analog feeling, true driving enthusiasts will gravitate towards past cars to get that experience. Keep up excellent work!
Glad to have you watching. Thank you!
BMW makes 2 series as perfect sized compact car. People rave about compact size. Makes next version much bigger. Has longer wheelbase than e46 3 series. Why do cars have to keep getting bigger???
The button to turn of safety controls you referenced is there. It is the button with an image of a car with a green halo around it. You can configure it so that one press turns all assistance off and the halo around the car turns red to indicate the assist features are off
*I've realized something after watching this, ...motoring journalists are vastly disconnected from the average everyday driver who would buy one of these. I'm a car enthusiast and have driven some cars I've seen reviewed online and completely disagree with their criticisms. I can't really trust anything on the news and now I feel I can't trust car reviews online either until I drive them.*
You guys need to do a video on the 230i. True it’s only a 4 popper but it’s rwd and much lighter. I’d love to see what you guys think
I agree with the guy with the long hair, the car doesn't have a good angle at all. The previous 2 series looked better, but the taillights on both generations just look cheap. But I guess it is BMW's entry level car, so they have to save money somewhere.
Just bought a 2023 230i and am happy as a clam. My tech at BMW did know how to defeat the lane assist however.
I agree with everything you said but for those that have never driven an older model this is probably a perfect driving machine
Some of the design choices that you've pointed out is actually why I'm happy Toyota slapped this B58 inside their Supra. It looks a lot better, it's lighter and it's a proper sports car. This M240i albeit fast, doesn't feel like anything when you drive it and it's a really big car.
The lane assist is in the menu tree, or, press the button that is a car with a green circle around it, and hold it until the screen shows you "All Off". So yes... there is a big button, but it's green!
I've had a 2016 228i, 2018 M2, and just bought a 2024 M240i. I do really like the M240 especially over the M340i I had but as they said in the vid the car is a bit numb compared to the other 2ers I've had. Also I was able to turn off lane assist but the options are buried, the new iDrive is way more cumbersome
17:33 glowing green halo in soft focus is your “turn off all assistance” button. At least that’s the case in my Z4 M40i.
I’m dying over here with you asking for a big button, while at the very same moment seeing the green circle illuminated on your dash at 18:43
“ITS RIGHT THERE” he shouts backwards through time.
The button to turn off lane assist is right in the middle. It’s the button with the circle around the car.
I've got an Evora 400 and pick this as the daily to that. It has the B58 and a known quality transmission, comfort , a proper trunk and rear seats that are adequate by my standards. It's this or an RS3 and realistically the RS3 is much more expensive. . It's also good in snow and rain which I think would matter to Uthan gentlemen. The lines and vents are challenging but they've grown on me. The car is gimmicky but for once, I'm going for the gimmicks and they're unavoidable anyway on everything. The weight is a bummer but the reported fuel economy is excellent. I get 27MPG at highway speeds up to 80 in my Evora and I'd expect to equal or better that. But it's a shame to waste a Lotus on the slab even though the Evora is surprisingly capable of it. The whole B58/ZF drivetrain is a major plus. Did I already mention that the weight is disappointing? Steering feel is hard to find anywhere and might be annoying to me but I have a Lotus. So what's a better idea? It's not the Dodge haha and we're in between M2s, which will be expensive too daily. Love the Evora, it makes everything else feel numb by comparison. That car is a keeper. And there are very few "slightly used" M2s.
There's supposed to be an RWD version coming. Maybe that one's yours? Shame about the steering but going the the MK8 R doesn't help although it does save some money. This car is polarizing but it slots in for me. : German Challenger? Touche! Now which would you rather have? I hate it that you don't like the color combo on your car. My spec is mineral white over red with shadowline pack. For that long bonnet Goth look that is growing on me and a bit of added drama.
Some of your colleagues say new to new a base RS3 is worth stretching into if you can find one but it will cost.
Progress is no longer progress, in any case AWD, grossly overweight and the lack of a manual is a non starter for me off tops. If we are honest Cadillac now builds the ultimate driving machines with the Blackwings
100% agreed
Why is this car so heavy? A 2000 - 2005 Buick LeSabre, which was a 6 passenger family hauler sedan with a 3.8L V6 engine, 18 gallon fuel tank and 18 cubic foot trunk weighed between 3567 and 3591 pounds, depending on which trim level you chose (stats taken from Buick spec sheets). Think about that: a big early 2000s American land yacht actually weighed LESS than this 2022 M240i, which is supposed to be a driver's oriented sports car.
Safety systems, AWD, emissions, much larger wheels and tires, etc. that the old lump Buick didn't have.
@@BobsGT235 AWD is 55 Kg - you can check the spec between the RWD and AWD - and this still puts the RWD model at 1635 Kg dry weight , which is 150kg more than you would expect from a car in this range. I would assume it's due to the chassis being more torsionally stiff without the exotic materials that would allow this car to be in the 60.000 pricepoint. Also - sound insulation - if you test drive it , when you open the door you feel that there is a lot of stuff between the body and the inside of the car , and most of it is probably sound insulation materials.
@@BobsGT235 LOL... you do realize that they had emissions systems such as catalytic converters back in the early 2000s, right? Safety systems are mostly electronics, so that should add negligible weight. Wheel size has increased over the years; IDK how much more that adds to overall vehicle weight.
The stock wheels are not forged and weight a lot.
There's no Subaru STi or Mitsu Lancer EVO anymore, and have no hope of bringing an awd coupe, so upgrade to this m240 for tarmac.
With the way things are going, a 2 series might one day be the same size as an old 7 series.
I can't wait for these B58 cars to get cheap in the next 20 years and you can strip them out and make an absolute weapon for the track.
Gas will be inaccessible in 20 years tho
@@Mark-rt6fy run it on corn😂😅
Press and hold the car symbol surrounded by green circle in center of dash for 3 seconds. Might also have to go to lane keep assist setting and turn off steering intervention.
17:37
BMW only offers lane departure warning with the G42, not lane keep assist. The steering wheel will vibrate to warn you when the vehicle is leaving a lane, but the feature cannot turn your steering wheel.
That's not true actually, it does not have Lane centering, it is not offered with a BMW driver's assistant professional package, but it will definitely Yank on the steering wheel if you were drifting over the lines, and with the most recent update it can steer around slight corners. Definitely not cool for a new model it should have Lane centering, so that is rather disappointing...
It does have lane keep assist. It's an option whether you want it to intervene or not.
@@MugatuJag Thank you. TIL
@@misterdragzon exactly. Yeah it will try to prevent you from going over lane markings and push you back into your lane, but sadly not center you in your lane like a Honda sensing or Toyota safety sense. And it was not even an option which is absurd🤷🏻♂️
Spot on review
White is the ideal color for this car because it makes the black grille and accents stand out.
How much of the lack of engagement is from the X drive? I know you guys generally say the X drive numbs them some.
The curb weight for an awd challenger is 4,000 pounds, not 5300, that’s the gross weight (the maximum the car is rated to weigh, as in loaded with people and cargo)
I think you hit the nail on the head.
'the things it can do'.
So, you're just a passenger guiding a wheel.
To be honest, styling-wise, I'd take a beaver-teeth 4 series over this incongruous mess of lines and angles with a normal-sized grille.
I'd been hoping this design would grow on me. It has a little, but the white just exaggerates its flaws. It isn't terrible, but the M2C easily keeps its crown as the best looking 2-series, and there's zero chance of the new M2 taking that away. Knowing how I felt about going from a rwd 228i to my current previous-gen M240i xDrive, which in my experience was a BIG step down in driving fun and engagement much of the time, I just can't see getting one of these. At this size, 3,871 pounds is _absurd_ and inexcusable.
Fantastic review as usual. I almost brought the previous generation which I too think is more attractive, as a second car. I do not like the new head and taillights here at all, but I try not to be too caught up in simple appearance if the overall car is great. The main problem I have with BMW is their expensive after warrantee and maintenance pricing structures and with that much complex technology crammed into their vehicles you will pay the price.
I am thinking about getting the new M240i as my first BMW. How is maintenance with BMW? Should I just do it myself at a good shop?
@@werdnaeel8533 Within the warrantee period you might not feel the pinch as much but attempting to do maintenance yourself might void some warrantees. In my experience (I had a 3series), things like the 12volt battery for example was not included in warrantee and not only ended up costing $400 to replace (6yrs ago) but the installer had to then call in to BMW to "reset" the system. Also, I wanted to swap my wheels/tires out for more tradition tires because the run flats were hard and not too compliant, expensive and wore out pretty fast and that became a full-on drama with sensors etc. that made it pointless. That and developing creaks and I ended up getting rid of it for a Lexus.
We need a 0 series
M040i
Thanks for the informative video I would like to ask your opinion about getting m240 or m440 if I don’t care about rear seats
I know you guys need to do these reviews to survive but I'll keep on looking for a pre 74 2002,(roundie), that I can tinker with and attempt to regain some of my lost youth. At almost 4000lbs that's just about 2 of the original "driving machine".
I may be in the minority, but I think this body style is attractive. I think it looks good from all angles. I agree that white is not the best color for this one. Actually, not many cars look good in white imo. And thank you BMW for not putting the ridiculous, ugly, oversized, beaver grill on this one!
718 t or s is the answer.
Fun to drive
I like these. Make mine purple.
Now that the M2 is out... the M240 is gorgeous.
im that new customer they are building for. all the shit you guys are bitching about? i love. on order, cant wait for it to get here
great video. this title is epic lol
Painfully I agree with you guys in this. Just purchased the new 230i - even with RWD and the smaller engine, it’s not analog enough. The disconnect is noticeably painful. I do miss my E30. Maybe I’ll buy an OLD Boxster! I’m selling the 2022 230i. Not what I hoped it would be. Sad.
Would you opt for this (2022 model year) or a Mustang GT (2022)? I don't need a 4 door and will not be tracking it or trying to reclaim my youth racing it. Just looking for something that is fun to drive and won't kill my lower back.
It's the best looking modern BMW I think.
Still not as nice as the previous version, the lights are too small and pushed too far to the edges of the panels, but hey, it's a lot nice than the awful3/4 series.
If you follow the A pillar, and C pillar lines down to the wheels, the previous version went directly to the centres of the wheels, and it looked just right.
This design, the lines go in behind the front wheels making the nose look too long, and the rear is not quite correct either, it looks slab sided.
It's a performance bargain though, if you like Xdrive (I prefer RWD personally, slower from a standstill, but a lot more fun).
It's only faster than the OG M2 from a standstill, the OG M2 has better suspension, a wider track, and looks much nicer.
As someone who spent 10 years driving a modded 135i, I have not yet been able to bring myself to move to a 2 series, because every one I've driven, including the M2, has felt numb. Like sex with a condom. It gets the job done, but that's about it. The problem really is that BMW has not yet figured out how to do EPS well. I really want to love these cars, but the EPS kills it for me, because for all the things BMW does well, EPS is not one of them.
is it me or does the dashboard layout look better in this version versus the facelifted version with the square ipad screen
I actually like it, especially from the rear.
Yes Yes YES! "Show me how it corners!" - We need to all shout this at these cars.
Agreed, too much technology can ruin the true driver experience. Wait until the 2023s come out .... they'll all have the ID8 system, which is next level tech.
Such a better car than any SS or 5.0
Great video. Do a 230i RWD for comparison!
Lmaooo he instantly turned into a BMW driver real quick driving up behind that guy making him switch lanes and getting impatient 😄
In Germany the car is available as rear wheel drive too
17:37 the little green button beside the hazard lights, hold it down, ignore the screen, hold it down until the green ring disappears. It's so annoying.
I never had that goth girlfriend experience in highschool. = ( That's why I'm so messed up. I have to get it out of my system.
This channel should be called small talk
It's not just technology bc Porsche still manages to make their cars pretty fun . BMW doesn't give a shit about engagement / steering feel anymore.. plus most are oversprung and underdamped compared to the old machines
HEY guys there’s a green circle with a car in it’s center, in the center of dash below the screen press hold for 3 secs all aids turn off ☺️
Exactly.
My 3 Series has a car with a green/yellow light around it above the HVAC? Press that and it will show you the options to turn Driver Assistance down or off?
Maybe BMW will bring in 1-Series into US??
One can only hope.
I'm not so sure about the 2002 coming back, especially since many other parts of the world still get the 1 Series, and the M140i is a tiny beast.
Me a goth girl: what i lied about? Pretty car though
No way. I love it! Except for the trans. Which is going to make me wait for the M2.
The only saving grace is if the new M2 brings it to the E92 M3. But I found even the previous gen M2 to be too disconnected from the road, so I'm not really hopeful.
Agree with you on the M2. I test drove and automatic one last week and it felt like there were a hundred layers between me and the road. I'm now curious if a manual transmission can change that substantially enough to make the driver actually feel something.
Unfortunately they haven’t gotten any better at tuning their electric power steering.
@@eliv8468 That's because they don't want to. The man in charge of that is on record taking pride in how much 'unwanted' road feedback he and his team have been able to remove from the steering experience.
If you were to do a direct comparison; you would find that the F22 chassis M240i has much better rear seating room. Also, this new one is Fugly!
Rear seat room aside you will find the G42 better in every other way.
@@redsiricerG42 is ugly compared to the last generation, and F series was more fun to chuck around according to all reviews!
@@speeddemonRS3 F series looks very dated now. Also not sure what reviews you saw, I've watched pretty much every G42 review and don't think I've heard a single reviewer say the F series M240i was more fun than the G42, especially considering G42 comes with a M differential standard now. F87 more fun, yes, but not F22.
I would always choose any Miata over the M240i... any day.
E46 M3 was an amazing car, my hope is the G87 M2 lives in that space.
I’m cynical about this. Those that have driven the new m2 have said it’s numb
@@BMWWolf the new m2 isn’t out yet so explain? G87 hasn’t even been unveiled yet.
I think it’s likely to be more numb than the e46 but they won’t mean it’s bad.
@@6SpeedTA95 there are a few reviews of pre-production M2's on youtube now
@@Kneeanderthal People are reviewing a car they haven't driven or even fully seen yet. Hard pass from me sir.
@@6SpeedTA95 except they did drive it?
That title though. And thanks a lot for saying the front of the car looks like that Goth girlfriend wearing black lipstick. I used to like the front of this car, even in white, but now, I can't unsee that. 😂🙂🙃
What i hear is....the car is so good. Its too good.
"It's 2 inches longer, there is NOTHING compact about this car!" 2 inches. Relax.
I agree with Todd, NOT a good looking car and also not the Ultimate Driving Machine anymore which is why I no longer buy BMWs after owning 3 since 2002. my 2002 540i was the best car I ever owned.