[Dylan86]

Normal thoughts, for this car. It is one that can check all of the boxes for most people who want a sporty DD capable car.

The thing is, as well, is that most people (I'd suggest 90%) can't utilize 100% of the stock m235/40's capabilities as it is, so if anything is "more" desirable, it's just the "want" factor in most cases. Some would prefer a lighter, more capable chassis that allows them to drive faster, easier (like a Caymen S, Lotus, Mazda, etc), or for some, it's a bragging rights thing to have an M or P car. To me there is value in saving up front costs to a higher spec'd model, to use toward mods to make the car more suitable, for the end user (me). BMW tries to make a car for "all" buyers, but there's often something missing. Sometimes it's steering feel, or suspension damping. Good news is there are remedies for those, and greatly enhance the already "capable" car, to be much more capable..

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by Dylan86

Normal thoughts, for this car. It is one that can check all of the boxes for most people who want a sporty DD capable car.

The thing is, as well, is that most people (I'd suggest 90%) can't utilize 100% of the stock m235/40's capabilities as it is, so if anything is "more" desirable, it's just the "want" factor in most cases. Some would prefer a lighter, more capable chassis that allows them to drive faster, easier (like a Caymen S, Lotus, Mazda, etc), or for some, it's a bragging rights thing to have an M or P car. To me there is value in saving up front costs to a higher spec'd model, to use toward mods to make the car more suitable, for the end user (me). BMW tries to make a car for "all" buyers, but there's often something missing. Sometimes it's steering feel, or suspension damping. Good news is there are remedies for those, and greatly enhance the already "capable" car, to be much more capable..

For a non track car many if not most are best w second highest version of car. 340 vs M3, 240 vs M2. C43 vs 63. RS3 is one of xception I can think of.

Again, non track DD incorporating things like drivability, comfort, maintenance costs, price of tires etc.

[morphomeman]

As I have noted here before, the 2 is the successor to the older 3, a match in almost all dimensions. So if, like me, you held onto that old E46 for a dozen years, waiting for its match to arrive, the 2 is for you. Yes, yes, the steering on the E46 was better, but overall this is a better car and much more versatile, even the xdrive, especially if you live in a colder climate and don't relish driving with your heart in your mouth on snowy hills, even once a year.
Age is irrelevant. The car costs fifty bucks in mob-speak, so the buyer will always skew older, on that factor alone.
As for parents giving children fifty-buck gifts as a reward for doing well, I won't go there. All my kids have advanced degrees and I never gave them an effing dime as a reward for doing the right thing. They had learned that it was expected.

[nikman011]

48 years old, been driving Sonata (3 of them) over the past 25 years, bought my m240ix sept 1st 2017, no regrets. I drove my parents 320i (83-88) as a daily and the only thing I liked about it was that it was a BMW, but with no power. When the M3 came out I wanted one bad, but never could afford to spend that kind of money, so no go. Flash forward to 2017, August 14th, my wife says "Hey, you ever going to buy a BMW?" response "Naw, they don't have a car I would want for less than 90 grand"
But the I go online because basically my wife just told me "You can buy a BMW if you want", so I look at used options (M3), and that's when I find the m240i, and damn if I were going to pass in that. Stop at the dealer on the 16th of August, they find a new 2017 with everything I want, sept 1st I drive that F()KER off the lot. Have added Dinan Stage 1, mid pipe, exhaust, and tomorrow springs/bumps then in Jan Stage 2, and intake, then whatever else Dinan makes for it.
It's my daily, maybe 100 miles a week, that's all I drive, that or I take the bus, ....... best last petroleum burning vehicle I plan on owning

[stevenvillatoro]

Originally Posted by nikman011

I drove my parents 320i (83-88) as a daily and the only thing I liked about it was that it was a BMW, but with no power.

Hahaha. I had a falling-out with BMW, thanks to a 1978 320i (bought new). Whenever it wasn't in the shop, it'd do a sloth-like 0-60 in the mid-11s range (with a good tailwind).

It took me 40 years to even glance at a BMW again without cursing. But now - having lifted my lengthy BMW moratorium - I'm a happy (OK, ecstatic) new (63 yo) M240i owner. It was well worth the wait!!

[beMtroubleYou]

I am 33. 235 tho.

[jdgamble]

44 years old. 3 small kids. Just sold my 09 Carrera and got a 17 M240i. Screw demographics.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by stevenvillatoro

Hahaha. I had a falling-out with BMW, thanks to a 1978 320i (bought new). Whenever it wasn't in the shop, it'd do a sloth-like 0-60 in the mid-11s range (with a good tailwind).

It took me 40 years to even glance at a BMW again without cursing. But now - having lifted my lengthy BMW moratorium - I'm a happy (OK, ecstatic) new (63 yo) M240i owner. It was well worth the wait!!

Hey Steve....we are the same age, and way back when, I bought a new 1977 320i (Anthracite over tan cloth), so we pretty much had the same car. I didn't have anywhere near the quality issues you are implying...mine was quite bulletproof, other than that mysterious 57mph vibration they all seemed to have. I don't recall the numbers, but I also don't recall thinking the car was slow, although perhaps you had an automatic versus my stick? If you take a look at the specs, I think you will find that the current 2 Series is indeed a slightly larger car than was our 3 Series in the 70s, but it does somehow "feel right", even if a bit nostalgic!

[stevenvillatoro]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

... I bought a new 1977 320i ...mine was quite bulletproof... I also don't recall thinking the car was slow, although perhaps you had an automatic versus my stick?

I stand factually corrected on the 0-60 time, but morally vindicated. C&D got 9.6s on a 1980 MT-spec test here:

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...trumented-test

To your point about the AT version, I found this 1982 MY test from AutoWeek, which stated a 0-60 time of, "two weeks." (Article sub-headline: "BMW's 2002 replacement wasn't exactly bad, it was just slow... especially with air and an automatic.")

http://autoweek.com/article/car-revi...#ixzz4zIHecu6O

Finally, to your comment that yours was bulletproof - it's ironic that the guy who bought mine loved it, and never had another problem with that over the course of many years.

[RotorOver]

Going on 52 and my first BMW. Came out of of a 2001 Lexus IS300 that I drove since new for over 15 years. Fell in love with the M240i on the test drive after 6 or so months on an M2 waiting list. For me, it’s an awesome DD yet leaps and bounds in performance over the Lexus. I’ve also enjoyed moding the car, which I never thought I’d be into. While a great car stock, the common mods on the market make it even better.

Like the IS300 at the time, you can’t beat the value for the money in the M240i. With a couple of cost effective mods you are beyond stock M2 performance while rocking adaptive dampers and the B58 motor that has all kinds of potential. I don’t think you will regret the decision to go for the M240i.

[msej449]

I'm 63 and swapped a 330d xDrive Touring for a RWD M235i Convertible. Which is something of a contrast. I've had Porsche Carrera 4S for a short while (didn't do anything for me) and a Lotus Elise 111S (great car) for 4 years. My first BMW was a 320i Touring back in 1989.

The M235i and I daresay the current M240i is the only thing in the BMW line-up that's close to my original first E30 in terms of a comfortable daily drive + lightweight + smooth 6-cyl + sporty + 2 passengers if needed + luggage capacity if needed.

Glad I went for the Convertible as I've found we have the top down much more than I expected. And compared to the like-putting-up-a-tent manual roof on the Elise, the 20-second electric folding fabric roof is a luxury.

Frankly, I can see us keeping this car indefinitely. It's the first car for years where I can't think of what would be better for the price. Only thing I'd still like is a Rolls-Royce Dawn or Wraith, and I'd still keep the M235i in the garage even then.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by msej449

I'm 63

Originally Posted by stevenvillatoro

I'm a happy (OK, ecstatic) new (63 yo) M240i owner.

1954 was a very good year!

[DaleHeinz]

I'm 39 with an M240Xi as my daily. I commute 75-100miles road no trip a day and was a bit apprehensive about getting the M2 I had my eye on. Read up a bit more on the M240, and it seemed much more in tune with what I was looking for. The M Adaptive suspension is great. Somewhat comfortable when I want it, and stiff and grippy when I put her in sport+. I put a Dinan midpipe and Stage 1 tuner on her. She growls and is much faster now. I paid $49K, and after $2k in Dinan mods, I have. $50K AWD car that can go 0-60 in 3.9-4.0 sec, run a 1/4 in about 11.9-12.1, handles about as well if not better than any car in its class, looks damn sharp, hold 4 adults around town, and has given me more smiles while driving than any car I've ever owned. Not too mention, there are not a lot around my area. It's fun to drive something that is a little more rare than all the other sports cars.

Albeit, I have had more than my fair share of warranty issues so far, but I have been treated very well by BMW as a result. This car seems to be the BMW that many have been waiting a long time for. I can see why.

[wjones14]

Originally Posted by BigKutta

So, I'm a long time BMW owner and have been growing the BMW size over time. E46, F10, X5 etc, and I still miss my e46.

I am in my 40s and was thinking someday a sports car (likely a Porsche) would be nice, and I keep reading that the 240 is the bomb. The more I read about it, I'm thinking I'd love to own one for fun. Am I crazy? Whats the average age of the 2 series owner?

I bought mine at age 60. First BMW for me. Is it the bomb? Well, it did fit my narrow criteria:

• RWD
• Stick shift
• Capable enough for HPDE track days once per year
• At least 300/300 horsepower/torque numbers
• $50K budget

After almost 3 years of ownership, I'm not at all displeased with the car. But not sure it's the bomb either. To me it's more luxury than sport. And now I realize that while I appreciate the luxury and nice interior, it's really the sport part that I'm more interested in. I want a car that's more racy. Something where you can hear the exhaust even with the windows shut. Something that snaps you back in the seat on 1-2 and 2-3 shifts. For me I think that is either a Camaro SS 1LE or Mustang GT with the Performance Pack Level 2.

[JerryW235]

Bought our first BMW, an M235i, at 65. Had nothing but small sports cars and coupes back in the late 60's up through 1987. Then we bought a boat and it was SUV's, mini vans and a pick up for use as tow vehicles and kid haulers. Then after about a year of retirement, both my wife and I thought it would be fun to have a small "toy" to drive around. Still have an F150 for towing and an MDX for grocery getting, but we take the BMW whenever we want to enjoy the drive.

[RacerDad]

I'm 47. I bought this car to replace my 2000 Celica GT-S that my son now drives. I bought that car new in 2000. We typically hold on to our cars for 8-10 years, sometimes longer. It would have been easy to buy a Corolla for daily driver, but I want to enjoy my car. I plan to keep the BMW at least four years, longer if it remains reliable.

[rich8566]

Originally Posted by BigKutta

So, I'm a long time BMW owner and have been growing the BMW size over time. E46, F10, X5 etc, and I still miss my e46.

I am in my 40s and was thinking someday a sports car (likely a Porsche) would be nice, and I keep reading that the 240 is the bomb. The more I read about it, I'm thinking I'd love to own one for fun. Am I crazy? Whats the average age of the 2 series owner?

I'm not really qualified to answer your question since I no longer have my 235i, but I bought it in early 2014 when I was 55. Earlier this year I got rid of it and picked up a '17 M2.

[rich8566]

Originally Posted by wjones14

I bought mine at age 60. First BMW for me. Is it the bomb? Well, it did fit my narrow criteria:

• RWD
• Stick shift
• Capable enough for HPDE track days once per year
• At least 300/300 horsepower/torque numbers
• $50K budget

After almost 3 years of ownership, I'm not at all displeased with the car. But not sure it's the bomb either. To me it's more luxury than sport. And now I realize that while I appreciate the luxury and nice interior, it's really the sport part that I'm more interested in. I want a car that's more racy. Something where you can hear the exhaust even with the windows shut. Something that snaps you back in the seat on 1-2 and 2-3 shifts. For me I think that is either a Camaro SS 1LE or Mustang GT with the Performance Pack Level 2.

I loved my 235i, but I needed to move on to the M2 for the reasons you cited above.

[BigKutta]

Thank you all for your awesome replies! I didnt mean to flake on this thread but TG happened.

Anyway, I dont really care if I'm too old for this car (I'm clearly not!!), its just that I'm getting the sports car itch, and feel like I no longer need to lug around car seats and children everywhere. I think in the next 2 years I'm going to get a fun car to be my daily driver. I was thinking an M5, or even a P 718 or 911, but then I thought I wouldn't enjoy them. First, I'm a BMW guy, and second I want to have fun with a car, at every turn. Yes, I did love my e46 and want that feeling back, and then some. The M240 or M2 are intriguing because they will allow me to have fun without overspending on a toy, and drive a true drivers car.
I'm about 1-2 years away, so will be lurking this board with envy in the meantime!!

[stevenvillatoro]

Originally Posted by BigKutta

I'm about 1-2 years away, so will be lurking this board with envy in the meantime!!

Like you, I was 1-2 years from buying my next car, having just bought a 2017 Mazda3 that served my needs well.

But that strategy became history, after I test drove the irresistable M240i. At that point, my 1-2 year plan became 1-2 weeks until ordering the M240i.

Life in the fast lane?

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by BigKutta

Thank you all for your awesome replies! I didnt mean to flake on this thread but TG happened.

Anyway, I dont really care if I'm too old for this car (I'm clearly not!!), its just that I'm getting the sports car itch, and feel like I no longer need to lug around car seats and children everywhere. I think in the next 2 years I'm going to get a fun car to be my daily driver. I was thinking an M5, or even a P 718 or 911, but then I thought I wouldn't enjoy them. First, I'm a BMW guy, and second I want to have fun with a car, at every turn. Yes, I did love my e46 and want that feeling back, and then some. The M240 or M2 are intriguing because they will allow me to have fun without overspending on a toy, and drive a true drivers car.
I'm about 1-2 years away, so will be lurking this board with envy in the meantime!!

I think you'll find it's a bit of a Goldilocks car, especially in 240 guise. Just right in a lot of important areas and not truly bad at anything. It's a very livable sports coupe.

[albertw]

I'm closing in on 70, and I still enjoy running the twisties at around twice the corner advisory speed. The bikes are a bit more fun than the Corvette, but only when the weather is good. I decided to contract to one car because (i) I need the space in my hangar, and it's a hassle shuttling cars when I want to work on the Corvette, (ii) the Corvette is getting a bit unreliable - I had to cut my last three trips short because of diff and trans leaks, and (iii) the absence of any safety features in the Corvette besides front airbags, should I screw up.

Since I'm also replacing my daily driver, the only other cars I considered were the RS3 and ATS. The latter was the top choice based on the road tests, but it doesn't fit me (not enough room to stretch out my legs - if only the steering wheel came back a few more inches). It would have been an easier choice if the M240i didn't look a bit goofy from some angles. If the RS3 came with RWD, that's probably what I would have ordered, because at test drive speeds it has better steering feel than the M240i. Unfortunately there's no way to find out before buying how either car will feel at 8/10s, where steering feel actually matters.