BMW M240i X Drive / M2 X Drive?

[edyvw]

It absolutely does not upset the car's balance. M2 can really use xDrive with all the power it has. The M2 can go either way but I would personally never get a G42 without xDrive.

But it will introduce understeer regardless that it is best balanced vehicle.
The problem that B/S 58 has is A LOT of torque very low, which gets people in trouble.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

That is my hope. I want to snag a last production year or next to it. I lean toward the M2x, but if it's going to be a nightmare vs the 240x, dunno. Also of course price. I presume it will tip in at around $75K the way I want to option it vs $65K, which isn't enough delta to discourage me UNLESS the PM/parts issues down the line are significantly different.

It looks like BMW is going to be dropping an M2 X Drive car late next year for the US market. I am considering trading my EV6 GT in on an M2 X or M240i X drive (depending on price, as I do not want to break $80k for this, delivered, and I think the M2X could be close. I plan on fully optioning either), in late 2027-8.

Reason for trade: I now have a second car, which makes owning M/RS/AMG cars practical, because I am not putting 30K miles on them per year. I would also like something super cool that I can keep for 15-20 years and while outdated, it will still harken back to an era. Kindof like if you could have a 2003/2004 Terminator today, or an E36 M car. Etc. Having a second car allows me to enjoy it on good days and keep miles within reason. It's also a HUGE factor for maintenance, as 30K/year in any higher end ICE vehicle is nuts unless it's a Lexus, and their performance line is garbage.

Part of why I have avoided cars and gone with wagons/SUV's has been ground clearance. However, the BMW twins mentioned have absolutely absurd skidplates that are the lowest part of the car. My reason for ground clearance issue is gravel roads that sometimes have a "ridge" graded into them. I am 100% confident this plate would flatten the heck out of it. I went to the dealer and checked it out and it was SOLID. Like, I'd hold it in front of myself and let you shoot it with a .22 if spalling could be mitigated and money were involved. This along with an HONEST 5" ground clearance (to this plate, more everywhere else) makes the car viable for my AO. Conversely, the Mustang GT I browsed had well under 5" ground clearance, and that to some felt plastic nonsense.

So my questions are...

-Will the full-on M car hold value better? I suspect it will.
-Do the US market M2's or M240i's have the 48v mild hybrid system? Is it planned?
-Are there any known issues with these? I figured with them being S/B58 and ZF8 based, probably not?
-Has BMW incorporated dual injection into both B and S58 engines by now? I have heard conflicting things.
-Is there too much of an M Tax on the full on M2 cars? The dealer told me not really, but that sounds like something they'd say.


In favor of the M240i X:

-Likely more comfortable for less than perfect roads (maybe?)
-Cheaper
-Cheaper to own and insure

In favor of the M2 X:

-May hold value better as a full-on M car.
-Will perform near identical to my EV6 GT.


I feel like late 2020's is as far as I want to wait to get something like this. I feel like by 2030, everything will be hybrid, etc. and we will have entered another era of even worse nanny state nonsense. By 2027 IIHS is demanding top speed limiting things to get their top rating, and Acura (and others) already limits the top speed to 112/113 on all of their vehicles except the Integra at this point already (Yes, even the MDX-S). This is my chance to get this era's 1987 Buick GN, or the prior 429 CJ, etc. You can never go back in time and do that, and you always say "Dang man, it sure woulda been sweet, even if it's slower and more finicky than what I have today..." So this is my insurance against being my Dad, who did NOT buy a new 429CJ Mustang OR a 1987 Buick GN.

Cribbed this photo of the skidplate from a YT vid. It starts right after the front bumper tuck, and is the lowest part of the M2 I looked at the other day. This body style will be around until 2029 model close.

View attachment 306504

The biggest issue with the B/S 58 is the cooling system. These engines have multiple cooling circuits along with all the radiators to keep heat in check. More connections mean more failure points where long term owners find themselves chasing leaks. They're expensive to work on because of all the hoses and lines in the way.

Dual fuel injection.
Cooling system for intercooler and cylinder head.
Cooling system for engine block.
Additional water pumps for both systems.
https://g87.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2118027

Below is a comparison of the S58 vs S55. Torque comes on a little later with the S58.

 

[Ws6]

I'd get an F22 M240i or an F87 M2 Competition. The new models have appalling interior ergonomics and the exterior styling was inspired by either Lego or Minecraft. The new M240i xDrive is a porker, weighing the same as my C43.

I actually like the current looks.

The biggest issue with the B/S 58 is the cooling system. These engines have multiple cooling circuits along with all the radiators to keep heat in check. More connections mean more failure points where long term owners find themselves chasing leaks. They're expensive to work on because of all the hoses and lines in the way.

Dual fuel injection.
Cooling system for intercooler and cylinder head.
Cooling system for engine block.
Additional water pumps for both systems.
https://g87.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2118027

Below is a comparison of the S58 vs S55. Torque comes on a little later with the S58.

View attachment 306803

That honestly looks like a deal killer for a car kept beyond lease. In 10 years when you cant buy any of that stuff, you'll be cruising ebay hoping to luck into NOS repair items. I may rethink this bmw thing. I want a car I can keep and enjoy for 15+ years. My P7B is neat like that. I want a performance equivalent.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

I actually like the current looks.

That honestly looks like a deal killer for a car kept beyond lease. In 10 years when you cant buy any of that stuff, you'll be cruising ebay hoping to luck into NOS repair items. I may rethink this bmw thing. I want a car I can keep and enjoy for 15+ years. My P7B is neat like that. I want a performance equivalent.

BMW parts are around for a lot longer than 10 yrs. When you get into 20-25 yrs some things can get hard to find.

 

[Ws6]

BMW parts are around for a lot longer than 10 yrs. When you get into 20-25 yrs some things can get hard to find.

I hear you, but I have a 2011 crown vic and you cannot buy oem:

Intake manifold
Shocks or struts
Seats or seat covers


Probably a bunch of other stuff, and this is a fleet vehicle still in service with many cab and police entities. So I remain very skeptical of some low production M cars parts availability.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

I hear you, but I have a 2011 crown vic and you cannot buy oem:

Intake manifold
Shocks or struts
Seats or seat covers


Probably a bunch of other stuff, and this is a fleet vehicle still in service with many cab and police entities. So I remain very skeptical of some low production M cars parts availability.

Google parts for the E46 M3 (1999-2005) and the E46. You'll see that still there is a lot available 20 yrs later.

 

[Ws6]

Google parts for the E46 M3 (1999-2005) and the E46. You'll see that still there is a lot available 20 yrs later.

Just did. Thats wild. Control arms. Oil filter housing. Intake manifold. All readily available. This is very surprising and put me back on course for this. I know it will be engine out service, but whatever. As a second vehicle its not like it will imposition me.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Just did. Thats wild.

Even dealer parts.

https://www.getbmwparts.com/v-2005-bmw-m3--base--3-2l-l6-gas

 

[Ws6]

Even dealer parts.

https://www.getbmwparts.com/v-2005-bmw-m3--base--3-2l-l6-gas

Absolutely nuts. Is this just those models though as an abberation, or is this basically anything bmw? Where im going with this, is id like to snag this as a last hoorah before ev and hybrid replace it all. Id like to just hang onto it somewhat indefinitely, but dont want a paperweight due to some stupid $200 part last seen fetching $3200 on ebay 5 years ago.

 

[MCompact]

Absolutely nuts. Is this just those models though as an aberration, or is this basically anything bmw? Where I'm going with this, is id like to snag this as a last hoorah before ev and hybrid replace it all. Id like to just hang onto it somewhat indefinitely, but don't want a paperweight due to some stupid $200 part last seen fetching $3200 on ebay 5 years ago.

I've owned my 1995 E36/5 since new and the availability of parts has never been an issue. As a matter of fact, I just rebuilt the cooling system- all hoses, all plastic fittings, radiator and water pump. Every part was available from BMW.

 

[02SE]

I still enjoy taking our 2010 M6 6-speed out for drives.

I say buy what you want.

 

[edyvw]

I actually like the current looks.

That honestly looks like a deal killer for a car kept beyond lease. In 10 years when you cant buy any of that stuff, you'll be cruising ebay hoping to luck into NOS repair items. I may rethink this bmw thing. I want a car I can keep and enjoy for 15+ years. My P7B is neat like that. I want a performance equivalent.

You can ALWAYS buy spare parts for BMW. BMW is not Honda or GM. They have parts in production at least 25 years after model is discontinued.

 

[edyvw]

Absolutely nuts. Is this just those models though as an abberation, or is this basically anything bmw? Where im going with this, is id like to snag this as a last hoorah before ev and hybrid replace it all. Id like to just hang onto it somewhat indefinitely, but dont want a paperweight due to some stupid $200 part last seen fetching $3200 on ebay 5 years ago.

Parts are not as expensive on BMW as people think.
But M models have unique stuff. For example, rear wishbones for my 328i are $51 by Lemforder (OEM). BMW ones (made by Lemforder) are $182 per piece.
M model (I have those) is now $632 for all 4 wishbones. That is TRW (OEM), while the BMW ones would be more.
But this is the effect of tariffs. I paid those TRW's 4 years ago $59 a piece. TRW's come with a scratched M sign. If you buy BMW, you get, well, unscretched wishbone
Some time ago, I posted here that the thrust arm for the BMW 7 series was only like $10 more expensive than for the 2005 Nissan Sentra my wife owned some 12 years ago.
But with M models, you get possibly ceramic brakes, etc, etc. So yeah, some parts will be more expensive.

 

[Ws6]

But it will introduce understeer regardless that it is best balanced vehicle.
The problem that B/S 58 has is A LOT of torque very low, which gets people in trouble.

Way less than my current car, but still decent, which is why I like those engines in part. It won't feel like giving up so much in the power and delivery.

 

[edyvw]

Way less than my current car, but still decent, which is why I like those engines in part. It won't feel like giving up so much in the power and delivery.

I am talking about RWD issues.
Hence, the introduction of xDrive.

 

[edyvw]

To add on this parts thing. Right now current M2 is new. The aftermarket cottage industry (nothing matches the Euro car aftermarket cottage industry) still did not catch up. But expect in a few years, OEMs to introduce spare parts.
Some things you want to stick to OE, like hoses. And that is where you will have to bite the bullet, considering the complexity of the cooling system in the current M models. For example, I can completely refresh the cooling system for like $350 on my BMW using OE stuff. But on B/S58, it is really overkill cooling system. Which is good, on track.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Absolutely nuts. Is this just those models though as an abberation, or is this basically anything bmw? Where im going with this, is id like to snag this as a last hoorah before ev and hybrid replace it all. Id like to just hang onto it somewhat indefinitely, but dont want a paperweight due to some stupid $200 part last seen fetching $3200 on ebay 5 years ago.

This is standard with all modern BMWs. Sure there's the "M-tax" for certain parts but they'll be available for a long time. After all the M2 shares the drivetrain with the M3/M4.

 

[Ws6]

This is encouraging. I know it won't be cheap, but it will be viable. Good enough. Id love to have a 30 year old M car in great shape. For example, a minty E36 or 46 will still get attention and be a sweet ride today.

 

[Jmlo96]

I personally have a 2024 M240i that’s rear wheel drive. I purposely ordered it that way for less complexity. I have also driven a 2024 M2 around the BMW track in South Carolina. The M240i is a better daily driver. It’s quiet, gets better MPG but livens up when you want it to. The B58 is more low end torque where the S58 is more top end power. The M2 is definitely a lot more lively and sporty feeling. I don’t think you can go wrong with either choice personally. I’d still pick the M240i again if I had to.

 

[edyvw]

This is encouraging. I know it won't be cheap, but it will be viable. Good enough. Id love to have a 30 year old M car in great shape. For example, a minty E36 or 46 will still get attention and be a sweet ride today.

IDK, compared to other cars of the same age? You would be surprised. I think with BMW, more is figuring out how to maintain, and it starts with how Germans build cars. They build cars thinking the owner will be involved, will pay attention. So, they build stuff in mind that they need regular maintenance etc. If you understand their philosophy, it is not expensive.
But one thing came to my mind, and that is the skid plate you mentioned. You mentioned the skid plate is serious stuff. The steel skid plate on my BMW is smaller than one on my Sequoia, for obvious reasons, but it is at least 2lbs heavier. That tells you about design and engineering.

The problem with the BMW image is 3rd or 4th owner, little Johnny from down the street, who wants a BMW. I am a member of several Facebook DIY BMW groups, and the questions I see there make you wonder how these people reached adulthood.