[p912guy]

The m240i sounds like an interesting build. Yes it appeals to a much smaller demographic with the brown top, but Mineral White with a brown top and brown (I forget the actually BMW color name) Dakota Leather makes for a good looking car. I have only seen the brown top on Mineral White and it is a nice departure from the much more common White (Alpine or Mineral) with a black top. Let us know what you decide and post pictures no matter what. Good luck with your decision.

[samej]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

Completely respect that, but great example of why these kinds of requests for opinions can't really help with the fundamental decision for the OP. My choice in configuring my order was diametrically opposite to your priorities, neither objectively right nor wrong, of course. OP must realize their own personal preferences regardless of how many forum members feel one way or the other. If OP takes a quiet moment, one of those cars is calling his name more than the other...go with your gut!

I totally agree Sportstick. If I weren't coming from my F30 when I bought by 2 I would have been very very tempted by the 230. Drove a 230 coupe back to back with the 240 vert in my test. In my case it was a passion for the engine that decided it for me. The 230 very very nice, and back to back vs the vert felt much nimbler. The 6 was calling my name, as you say!

[mr_clueless]

go with the one you liked better during the test drive.

everyone's tastes/preferences are different.

personally, in bmw's city drive, i drove both a 230 and 240 back to back and preferred the 230.

[Luddy]

My two cents...I have only owned the 28 or the 30 of every BMW I have had. This time I decided to go with the bigger engine version and I have had 0 regrets.

It is probably more power than you need regularly but it is fun to do the occasional zippy acceleration. I also personally think the sound of the inline 6 is great with the regular m performance exhaust. I don't auto cross or anything where I have heard the 230 could be more nimble or tossable due to balance.

I don't think you could go wrong with either but I feel if you lean at all towards the 240 you should go that route.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by Luddy

My two cents...I have only owned the 28 or the 30 of every BMW I have had. This time I decided to go with the bigger engine version and I have had 0 regrets.

It is probably more power than you need regularly but it is fun to do the occasional zippy acceleration. I also personally think the sound of the inline 6 is great with the regular m performance exhaust. I don't auto cross or anything where I have heard the 230 could be more nimble or tossable due to balance.

I don't think you could go wrong with either but I feel if you lean at all towards the 240 you should go that route.

Similar thought process but I'm a huge believer that most of the US, not wide open no speed limit places, if the car is not spending lots of time at the track for DD the best thing you can do is always get whatever is one short of true M. 240, 340, 550, etc.

Don't get me wrong some will like an M more but for most folks looking for a livable DD that's the sweet spot.

[bimmerfile]

Originally Posted by mkrawec

I'm going to make a decision between two cars this weekend assuming they're both still available. Both cars are about $46.5K before tax and fees. I'm going to purchase with my own financing. Both cars are new............................................... .................................................. ....

I've owned both, so here's my 2 cents.
My 8 month old 2015 228xi convertible was recalled in mid-2016 due to environmental damage during the shipping process prior to delivery and I was offered the option of ordering an identically equipped 2016 228xi cabrio at no charge or upgrading to a different model/option level and paying the delta between the 2016 228xi and whatever else I may decide on.
While I had been completely satisfied with the 228xi cabrio, I opted for ordering a new 2016 M235xi cabrio and paying the $10K (Cdn) diff between the 2 models.
And while the 228xi had met all my wants and needs, I've never regretted going for the upgrade. Both are great cars.
That said, if you can get a new M240i ragtop for the same price as a new 230i ragtop, you'd be crazy not to go for the M240i.

[Transfer]

It's the vert. 240 or go home. Coupe is more of a debate.

[3rdcoast228i]

There are also still some new 2017 verts in my area that are being discounted heavy.

M240i would make more sense at the same price point and basically same options. A little more gas use and slightly higher insurance premiums but, M240i is going to depreciate slower so it's kinda a wash.

[Saberwalk]

My $.02, depends on what you get with Msport. The 240 comes with the variable M Sport suspension, which will allow you to have a Jekyl/hide mobile. Comfort for those rough roads, sport and sport + when you want to go vroom. If the 230 had the track handling package, I think it would be a closer decision, but i did not see THP listed in the OP.

[VIN240i13]

Originally Posted by mkrawec

2017 m240i convertible 8AT mineral white/brown top

Not a fan of white convertibles with brown tops, the spouse used to own a 2014 Mustang convertible with the same color combo. For whatever reason the brown rag top was a dirt magnet, it just never looked clean. She eventually had it dyed black before selling it.

If the color combo is not a problem for you then I would agree with the majority of messages to your response and pull the trigger on the 2017 m240i.

Whatever you do, do not settle on either choice because you feel you need to make a decision this weekend, unless your 100% sure these are your final two selections.

[CE750Jockey]

The 240 because I've never heard a single person say, "I wish I had less power and a less attractive sounding engine. So I wish I'd bought the 230 over the 240". If you go with the 240, you'll have no regrets. If you go with the 230, you might.

Let us know what you decide and what made you pick which. I'd wager you'll pick the 240 because of the power and sound, which you mentioned in your first post, and are usually the two things that sway people on the fence.

[Mr Carrots]

240, although not in that color scheme!

[mkrawec]

Thanks everyone for all your helpful advice. I drove to the dealership last Friday with my wife. The two cars were side by side with their tops up. Visually I preferred the gray msport 230i with the black top and silver wheels over the mineral white 240 with brown top and orbit gray (black) wheels. If I was going to buy a car that day I was leaning 230. The dealer said we should drive the 230 first. My wife and I took turns driving the 230 and we both liked it a lot. We got back to the dealership and parked the 230.

The dealer started the white 240 when I was standing behind the car -- game over! I didn't need to have the 240 but I needed to have the 240, but not that one. My wife didn't like the dark interior that both cars had (black dakota). Since my wife gets to decide the interior I said we we're now looking for a 240 in mineral gray. My wife saw the cognac interior on a leather sample in the dealership and said that's what the interior would be. At this point I'm thinking we'll need to order a car and pay a lot more plus the wait. The dealer checked to see if there were any gray m240s with cognac interiors and the options I wanted (PDC, premium package, driver assist, HK sound). I already knew there was one about 50 miles away at a different dealership but they were asking a lot more than I wanted to pay. I had set the top of my new car budget at $48K before tax and fees. The dealer said they could do a transfer but it was going to cost $4K over my max budget number. I said I appreciated the work they'd done to find the car, but I wasn't willing to go over my budget. The sales person said let me check with my sales manager. The sales manager came over and made another offer that was $2K over my max and he said that there was nothing more that he could cut. I thanked him and my sales person and said I'm not going over my max number. I said I'd keep an eye on their inventory and asked them to keep me in mind if they get any exec demos later this year when the 2019s show up.

When we got home I had an email from my sales person asking if we had a Costco membership indicating there might be a rebate for that. I replied yes and shortly after that she sent me a quote on the gray 240 for $47900 but I would need to finance thru BMW to get the costco rebate. I accepted and will pick up my car this Friday. Thanks again for all your insights -- this thread really helped me with my decision.

[Mr Carrots]

They should go down to about 10% off MSRP on new cars, then if you can get corporate or other incentives you can get a few thousand more off. check around to see if anyone is offering corporate, I signed up with both AARP and Passport unlimited for corporate discounts for the last 2 BMW's I bought and saved $5k total for it.

Get them to agree on MSRP discounts FIRST before you add the incentives on top of it, or they may be sketchy and try to include your incentive as part of the 8-10% off that you should be able to get standard

Good choice on the grey 240

[p912guy]

Congratulations. Sounds like you received a good deal and on a car which spoke to your heart. Can't beat that.

[Ron Jeffries]

Well played! I wish I had that kind of guts but when I want a new car I just roll over and let them do their will.

Nice car, nicely done.

[Luftwaffe1O1]

Go for the 240. Its not even a question.

[CE750Jockey]

The sound, the power...gets 'em almost every time. Congrats. You're gonna love it.

[N757AF]

240i.... hands down. Don't go half way!

[MuskieFan]

Congrats on the deal OP. Post pics when you get it!

[VIN240i13]

Originally Posted by mkrawec

When we got home I had an email from my sales person asking if we had a Costco membership indicating there might be a rebate for that. I replied yes and shortly after that she sent me a quote on the gray 240 for $47900 but I would need to finance thru BMW to get the costco rebate. I accepted and will pick up my car this Friday. Thanks again for all your insights -- this thread really helped me with my decision.

Excellent, glad things worked out for you... check your rate from BMW, they sometimes are VERY flexible when it comes down to the final rate.

[mkrawec]

Thanks everyone for all your advice. Very happy with the car and my dealer experience. Here are some pictures of the car right before I drove off.