BMW M240i X Drive / M2 X Drive?

[Ws6]

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.

2 days ago, I noted the temp gauge needle on my p71 falling a bit during long hill descents. This led to me hooking up my data logger and noting temps hovered around 172-176f. Spec for that car is 192-195. This led to me replacing the thermostat and data logging again, and noting a return to proper temp. This is the level of attention I pay to things. Maybe BMW can suit me. Others typically have not, as I want more precision than their typical customer base.

 

[Ws6]

This is why I lean hard to a true M car.

 

[edyvw]

2 days ago, I noted the temp gauge needle on my p71 falling a bit during long hill descents. This led to me hooking up my data logger and noting temps hovered around 172-176f. Spec for that car is 192-195. This led to me replacing the thermostat and data logging again, and noting a return to proper temp. This is the level of attention I pay to things. Maybe BMW can suit me. Others typically have not, as I want more precision than their typical customer base.

BMW will throw CEL for literally anything. Evens mallest discrepancy in O2 sensor, it will warn you. Same goes for anything that can be measured.
Good thing is that factory diagnostic softwares for BMW are easy and freee to download or there are some really capable OBD's like ProTool (they are basically BMW factory software "translated" to regular language) that can pick up anything, or code anything. Your BMW will have some features turned off due to the US laws, but you can easily turn them on with ISTA or ProTool.

 

[Marcozi]

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.

I can verify your statement with my experience!! I went from a 2001 330Ci to the M240i. I felt so unqual'd to drive the m when I got it so I did some HPDE with the national capital (Summit Point) and Tar Heel (VIR) chapters.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

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.

I would too! My only fear, because I'm naturally a fearful individual when it comes to $$, is that turbo engines are likely to have been tuned by the PO who leased the car so 2nd owners are getting a ragged out drivetrain sold by an unscrupulous dealership. Consequently, I don't trust CPO with M cars because the original owner is likely a "good customer" so the dealership is encouraged to look the other way when it comes to aftermarket modifications.

 

[97prizm]

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 M cars do hold their values especially if they're a manual transmission. Unfortunate BMW won't offer the awd and manual transmission. I doubt an m240i which is a much lower spec with a few upgrades will compared to the M2. I don't know what percentage of new M3's are being optioned with awd but if you search you might get an idea of what the prices or resale is like

 

[MCompact]

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.

I think that with BMW and Mercedes the “One step down from the top” philosophy is often valid In my case the C43 is slower and less track capable than the C63, but overall the C43 is a better everyday driver.
That said, I still regret selling my E24 M6…

 

[Ws6]

I think that with BMW and Mercedes the “One step down from the top” philosophy is often valid In my case the C43 is slower and less track capable than the C63, but overall the C43 is a better everyday driver.
That said, I still regret selling my E24 M6…

I agree, hence I am looking at the M2x instead of M3x. Also, the smaller vehicle with greater ground clearance is a boon for me. I do the same thing with computers/graphics cards. Currently running a 4080S.

 

[Ws6]

Well, my former roommate bought a 2026 M3 last week, so I will follow his ownership experience (Same S58, albeit he chose manual) and see what I think, come 2028 or so. Really nothing else out there aside from another EV even remotely turns my head, although a GLC63AMG may be on the table if MB stops putting stupid tiny 4-bangers in their -63s, rofl! They say they will...

 

[Ws6]

Is the ofh no longer an issue?

 

[edyvw]

Is the ofh no longer an issue?

View attachment 311974

I am nit sure OE is aluminum. Unless hey changed it. Composite is problematic bcs. people over tighten cap when changing filter.

 

[Ws6]

I am nit sure OE is aluminum. Unless hey changed it. Composite is problematic bcs. people over tighten cap when changing filter.

Thats a BMW shop manual.

 

[edyvw]

Thats a BMW shop manual.

So they probably updated part.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Is the ofh no longer an issue?

View attachment 311974

Only the gaskets like all the rest. It's a shame only the 'S' engines get the metal housing. Just trying to save money.

 

[edyvw]

Only the gaskets like all the rest. It's a shame only the 'S' engines get the metal housing. Just trying to save money.

That is why all B48/58 enthusiasts go aluminum. I thought it is aftermarket part. Didn’t know they go from factory with alu one in S.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

That is why all B48/58 enthusiasts go aluminum. I thought it is aftermarket part. Didn’t know they go from factory with alu one in S.

Yep and they roll the dice that the aftermarket casting isn't so cheaply done that pieces fail or the housing doesn't fit plumb with the block.

 

[edyvw]

Yep and they roll the dice that the aftermarket casting isn't so cheaply done that pieces fail or the housing doesn't fit plumb with the block.

S58 should be interchangeable? Or it has different design? I know oiling system is different with two pick up lines.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

S58 should be interchangeable? Or it has different design? I know oiling system is different with two pick up lines.

Different design.