[rainfall]

I was looking at CPO cars that are in the same price/size range of 2-3 year old 2 series (today it would be the 2015 M235i), and I didn't really find other options.

Here are some options I considered:

- VW Golf R (but it is hard to find, I'm not a huge fan of AWD)
- Audi S3 (not a fan of AWD)
- Mercedes CLA coupe (the rear is ugly AF and is AWD)
- Infiniti Q60 (wheelbase too long for my taste, price would be a hard one too)
- Lexus RC 350 (heavy AF and lazy transmission)
- Subaru BRZ (loud interior and poor torque curve)
- Mazda Miata (I need a larger trunk)
- Mustang GT (my garage is only 8' wide, so it would be annoying to park it every day)

Having 6MT option is a huge plus, not many of these above offer 6MT option.
RWD is a huge plus
I will daily drive it, so having relatively low miles (under 30k) is important.

Is there something else I should look at?

[mh4k]

I cross shopped the mustang, RS3, GLA45, CLA45, A45, Volvo S60 Polestar, and 435i. If you want RWD and Coupe there’s only really the Mustang, ToyoBarus, C class or 4 series. Most of these cars are more nicely equipped and comfier but if you want a handling car the 2 series is best in class.

[rainfall]

I don't mind being coupe or hatchback (frankly hatchback would be better), but RWD is definitely better for my taste.
the A45 is a lot prettier than the CLA45 ,but unfortunately this one doesn't come to the US. I think americans have a *thing* against hatchbacks.

[Toxophilite]

I was looking for something that was AWD so some of the options listed were my top pics. I was cross shopping the m240i xDrive with the audi s3, rs3 and S4. I looked at the mercedes amg c43 (and a couple of C450) and considered a wrx. I ultimately went with the m240i. The mercedes interior was beautiful to look at but rubbish to use. The subaru was just too common for me. There are tons of subarus where I live. The audi was not bad but it just didn't feel as fun as the m240i to drive and while the interior was nice, the bmw felt more well put together.

[Maynard]

Short answer - not really; but lots of nearby variants if your tastes go a little off of the 2. I cross shopped several on your list, and none could really compete - a few had superiorities (like Miata for the atheletic track-shoe feel) but then more compromises than I wanted. The CLA felt like a slug, but I wasn't trying the AMG version (good luck finding one of those on cpo, and bring a compression tester - I think they push over 320hp out of a 2.0).

You don't mention the Nissan Z cars - they have MT w/ rev matching, and around 300hp, but fairly close quarters - more sports car than sport coupe (I needed winter versatility and couldn't deal with 2 cars, or I might have considered these more). You might also consider older but well-cared for cars to broaden your search (i.e. s2000? older 3 series coupes, etc).

[Ron Jeffries]

It's all a matter of taste. I really liked the Golf R, but it was too small for my aging body and I felt it was too low for snow. Not that the M240i is much taller.

In fun per dollar, the Miata is tops in my book. Again too small for me now tho.

[Questofthetune]

Same boat- honeslty my father in law is one of the top Shelby mechanics so I think my next will be a loaded up mustang gt premium. He’s just too good of a hookup to pass down. And I really like the toggle switches and the ac seats.

[p912guy]

I know it's not RWD, but you did say you preferred a hatch so I'd also take a look at a MINI Cooper S JCW. You'll find it has a bit of the BMW feel inside and is a hoot to drive. It would also fit your garage well.

[USA-RET]

FWIW, our second car is 2015 MINI S with a JCW tuner. The car is blast to drive. Plenty powerful and just Go-Kart fun. Interior, while not quite to the 2 series, it is very nice indeed (we opted for cloth sport seats and they are very BMW like- just not power). Super MPG's (getting 37 around town/highway avg). Very BMW like in operation and appointment (after all it is a BMW product).

The F56 (2dr), appears small, but has plenty of front passenger room and w/ the rears folded, I was able to take home a 55" flat screen from Costco in the box. Back seat is usable for two more fairly svelte and agile types, but who wants to haul passengers anyway.

We like ours so much that we will be trading next year for a 2019 and I will be adding the Dinan Stage 1 to that car ASAP after purchase. In fact if dealer will do it,I'll have them install it at delivery.

Go drive one. Drive the S model, put it in "Sport", move the Auto shifter to the M/S position and have fun. If the have a JCW model you can test drive that as it will show performance of the S model w/ the JCW tune added (w/o the stiff suspension and extra stuff I didn't want nor wished to pay for).

So you know, when I ordered mine, there was no Dinan support for a Tuner, I had to pay the big buck$ for the JCW factory tune. W/ Dinan now fully supporting MINI again, you can for $900 add their tune (which I'd wager is better) and still keep full warranty coverage on you car)
I actually shopped replacement cars for my 2015 C7 hoping to find one that responded like our MCS. I did in the M240i.

[bimmerfile]

If the size of the 2er, the handling and performance (of probably the best handling BMW to come along in a long time) are smack-dab in your wheelhouse, then the short answer is NO.

[Outrun]

I would definitely add a Porsche Cayman to your list, it was a top contender for me but I needed XDrive and wanted somewhat usable back seats, so I got the M235. Very happy with my decision!

[USA-RET]

Originally Posted by Outrun

I would definitely add a Porsche Cayman to your list, it was a top contender for me but I needed XDrive and wanted somewhat usable back seats, so I got the M235. Very happy with my decision!

and add about $15K more to comparably equip.

[champignon]

If you can live without CPO, look at a later year (2012 or 2013) 1- Series.

Hydraulic steering, way better than the EPS on the 2-Series.

Analog dash without the distracting nonsense, plus you get an oil temperature gauge.

These have already depreciated a lot, so whatever you spend on maintenance and repairs should be offset by less depreciation during your ownership period.

[Dylan86]

Originally Posted by USA-RET

and add about $15K more to comparably equip.

Don't forget the long term maintenance cost between a P car and BMW. Different leagues on all accounts!

[CO_Steve]

Originally Posted by Outrun

I would definitely add a Porsche Cayman to your list, it was a top contender for me but I needed XDrive and wanted somewhat usable back seats, so I got the M235. Very happy with my decision!

Well my last new Porsche went 22k miles before the engine blew up out of warrantee so I'm hoping my M235 isn't in the same league.

[aaaaah]

Honestly, not really anymore. There is really no other car that fits the small, 300hp+, 6MT, RWD bracket from the factory.

[Mr Carrots]

Not really, stock at least. The golf R/S3 is limp stock but a lot of fun with just a simple ECU flash tune.

Maybe in 3 years time our car will be as fun as it deserves to be too :/

The BRZ is a hilarious lawnmower engined meme ricemobile that doesn't deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as the 2

The new GT is sweet tho, same with the new Ss/2ss

[Dylan86]

Originally Posted by aaaaah

Honestly, not really anymore. There is really no other car that fits the small, 300hp+, 6MT, RWD bracket from the factory.

For under $50k USD, that is! And which is why I had such a hard time finding a car within or even above its price category. I never felt like spending $20k more would bring me $20k more in performance, still can't find anything worth sweating over..

[Rayscott]

Best deal anywhere. Have no desire to drive anything else in it's league.

[stevenvillatoro]

I looked at many other highly-regarded cars, of course. But I ruled out those others so rapidly that I couldn't even call it 'cross-shopping'.

There is simply nothing else on the market like the 'just right' 2 Series... the one car that ticked all the boxes for me.

[Mjpgolf1]

Originally Posted by Mr Carrots

The BRZ is a hilarious lawnmower engined meme ricemobile that doesn't deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as the 2

I couldn’t agree more. The BRZ and whatever the little scion thingy is called that is built on the same platform are absolute garbage throw away cars. Build quality is on par with LEGO cars I put together as a child and they ride like complete trash. I don’t usually like to bash on other brands but these cars definitely don’t deserve to even be mentioned when talking about the 2 series.

[aerobod]

Originally Posted by Ron Jeffries

It's all a matter of taste. I really liked the Golf R, but it was too small for my aging body and I felt it was too low for snow. Not that the M240i is much taller.

The M240i compared with the Golf R is slightly smaller inside in most if not all dimensions, according to my tape measure on both of the cars we own and from the published specs. Headroom is specified as the same (1018mm), the R seems to have 10mm more when both don't have the sunroof. The R is about 20mm wider armrest to armrest, steering wheel to backseat is 70mm more in the R. Ground clearance in the R is only 3mm less than the 130mm in the M240i and overall height is just over 50mm more, width without mirrors 30mm or so more, length is 177mm shorter, though.

The R is very capable in all snow conditions, especially when fitted with slightly larger 225/45-18 winter tyres that give 11mm more ground clearance, the same size of winter tyre I've also fitted to the M240i.