[Machinebuilder]

I have been reading on the boards looking at a buying a M240 rwd 6mt or a M2 rwd 6mt. This is to replace a 2012 335ix awd 6mt coupe. I ended buying a 2019 M440ix awd 6mt and wanted to let others know it is available. I have been torn between the M240 rwd or M2 rwd 6mt. I wanted a manual in awd like my current car because I live in the snow belt and didn't even know a awd 6 mt came in the 4 series so I was thrilled BMW still makes it. I like the driving dynamics of 4 wheel drive as you can give it gas without the back end losing traction in bad weather. Granted the 4 series is larger ( more GT and less sport car ), not as fast and not as nimble as the 2 series but every car is a compromise. I was also considering a Golf R and WRX as they have 4wd with a 6mt. I test drove a few cars and here are some thoughts. There are very few 6 mt cars to choose from in general so your selection is limited. I loved the hunkered down looks of the M2 but the suspension is stiff and not adjustable. Reminded me of older M3's before adjustable suspensions. If you are young or have a good back or good roads its fine but its really stiff compared to other models these days. In a dealer test drive you can't tell if a M240 or M2 is faster as they both pull in any gear but the M240 absorbs bad roads much better. I test drove the automatic M240ix and its great daily driver. Nice crisp shifts, comfortable and super fast. If you have alot of traffic to deal with or have someone in your house that doesn't drive a manual it would make a great car to have. I will post photos later.

[dradernh]

Good choice, I think, esp. if traveling to the White Mountains is a regular trip for you in the winter.

I suspect that, given the choice, you wouldn't choose an M2 when it was snowing heavily in Boston and even more heavily all the way up to Jackson, NH during a Friday after-work journey. That doesn't sound like fun at all, no matter what tires you'd have on the car.

[VasWander]

I sold my 6mt 335xi and bought a 6mt M240i. Love the car but would really like an M2 Comp & a 4runner to better cover my bases 4 seasons. Problem is I have a one car garage and no other parking. Thanks for 440ix info will check out. Cheers.

[Machinebuilder]

Yes a M2 Comp & a 4runner would be a great combo. Both serious capable cars for what they do.

[bmtespar]

I turned in a 4 series convertible for my 2 series convertible. They are two very different cars which sounds strange to say but it is what it is. The 4 series (especially the convertible), as you said, is much more a gt car than a sports car. It was very heavy and not very exciting to drive. I did have a useable back seat in the 4 series but only had people back there 3 or 4 times in 3 years. I love the size of the 2 series and it's sporting nature. You are also correct in that every car has some compromise. For me, it was the loss of heads up display and top view cameras going to the 2 series but it had a much different purpose which I think is understandable. Congrats on your purchase and happy driving.

[silvercas]

Originally Posted by bmtespar

I turned in a 4 series convertible for my 2 series convertible. They are two very different cars which sounds strange to say but it is what it is. The 4 series (especially the convertible), as you said, is much more a gt car than a sports car. It was very heavy and not very exciting to drive. I did have a useable back seat in the 4 series but only had people back there 3 or 4 times in 3 years. I love the size of the 2 series and it's sporting nature. You are also correct in that every car has some compromise. For me, it was the loss of heads up display and top view cameras going to the 2 series but it had a much different purpose which I think is understandable. Congrats on your purchase and happy driving.

When you had a 4 series convertible it was a 428 convertible and you are comparing it to the 230 convertible, right? Have you compared a 435/440 convertible to a 230 convertible. Asking as I dont feel the generalizing of the 4 series convertible being a GT is accurate. Test driving 235/240 against the 435/440, yes the 4 series are bigger cars, but they were just as exhilarating to drive and pep as the 235/240.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by silvercas

I dont feel the generalizing of the 4 series convertible being a GT is accurate.

It's always a matter of one's perspective, isn't it?

In early 1985, I bought a Euro-spec, gray market E24 M635CSi and used it to run all over the West. Although it was a little lighter and had a little less power, in so many ways it was very much like the M240i I drive today. I think of both of them as GT cars.

[Dylan86]

Love having the RWD Coupe, and a Colorado on the side. If anyone has the ability for a second vehicle as a DD/runner/everything sans coupe, then it's a no brainer. Best thing I ever did when it came to handling the balance of 12mo/yr driving needs.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by silvercas

When you had a 4 series convertible it was a 428 convertible and you are comparing it to the 230 convertible, right? Have you compared a 435/440 convertible to a 230 convertible. Asking as I dont feel the generalizing of the 4 series convertible being a GT is accurate. Test driving 235/240 against the 435/440, yes the 4 series are bigger cars, but they were just as exhilarating to drive and pep as the 235/240.

This is such a personal matter, but after attending a BMW Driving Experience with 2, 3, and 4 available to drive, the 3 and 4 felt quite large and relatively ponderous to me. I only wanted to get back in the 2 for the purposes of this purchase, which was for a personal entertainment/fun car. The 4's sheer mass and size drained much of the exhiliration for me. It did quite feel as a "Grand Tourer" and a good one, but that wasn't what I was seeking at the time. I wound up adding a 3GT to our fleet as a "family car", but however one classifies the 2 vs 4, to me, they are certainly quite different in feel and purpose, even without considering the power differences of a 4 vs 6 cylinder engine.

[bmtespar]

Originally Posted by silvercas

When you had a 4 series convertible it was a 428 convertible and you are comparing it to the 230 convertible, right? Have you compared a 435/440 convertible to a 230 convertible. Asking as I dont feel the generalizing of the 4 series convertible being a GT is accurate. Test driving 235/240 against the 435/440, yes the 4 series are bigger cars, but they were just as exhilarating to drive and pep as the 235/240.

I hear what you are saying but a bigger better engine might help with acceleration but it won't help with handling characteristics. In most bmw cars, most report the smaller engine is a slightly better handling car.

[bmtespar]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

This is such a personal matter, but after attending a BMW Driving Experience with 2, 3, and 4 available to drive, the 3 and 4 felt quite large and relatively ponderous to me. I only wanted to get back in the 2 for the purposes of this purchase, which was for a personal entertainment/fun car. The 4's sheer mass and size drained much of the exhiliration for me. It did quite feel as a "Grand Tourer" and a good one, but that wasn't what I was seeking at the time. I wound up adding a 3GT to our fleet as a "family car", but however one classifies the 2 vs 4, to me, they are certainly quite different in feel and purpose, even without considering the power differences of a 4 vs 6 cylinder engine.

I attended a day driving school at BMW SC and had the exact same experience. The 340i was good but the 240i was amazing on the track doing the exact same driving drills. As a matter of fact, that was sold me on the 2 series and when I decided this would be my next car.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by bmtespar

I hear what you are saying but a bigger better engine might help with acceleration but it won't help with handling characteristics. In most bmw cars, most report the smaller engine is a slightly better handling car.

Exactly! You just summed up the value of weight distribution to front end dynamics!

[Machinebuilder]

Four wheel drive with a 6 speed manual -

[734jeant]

Gorgeous car!

[Machinebuilder]

Type 440I XDRIVE (USA)
Series F32 (4 Series)
Body Type COUPE
Engine B58M
Colour MINERALGRAU METALLIC (B39)
Upholstery LEDER DAKOTACOGNACAKZENT BRAUN(SW (LCRY)

[silvercas]

Originally Posted by skiwhmts

Type 440I XDRIVE (USA)
Series F32 (4 Series)
Body Type COUPE
Engine B58M
Colour MINERALGRAU METALLIC (B39)
Upholstery LEDER DAKOTACOGNACAKZENT BRAUN(SW (LCRY)

AWESOME color combo. My F33 https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...1#post24677521

[XutvJet]

Be careful slamming the 1-2 shifts hard with the AWD, especially on cold transmission fluid. The syncros in the 6MTs don't like a lot of hard 1-2 shifts and the AWD is much harder on the gearbox because of all the extra traction and no where for the power to be released (i.e., wheelspin).

In the snow, a 2 series on proper winter/snow tires is better than AWD. I've done it for 3 years now in my M235 6MT on winter performance tires in Kansas City which typically 18 to 30 inches of snow (total) in the winter. My prior car was a 2012 WRX (for a frame of reference) and the M235 is better in all situations than my WRX was (used Conti DWS06 in the winter) except on very steep inclines. My M235 still makes it but it can take a bit of time.

[Machinebuilder]

Thank you XutvJet. I won't be slamming the gears. In your area that may work fine but in Worcester MA where I am near it averages 64 inches of snow per year and where I drive is 75 to 115 inches per year as I am a skier plus alot of ice and hilly terrain. And one of my previous cars was a Subaru Outback XT 6 mt stage 2 as a reference. Any rear wheel car will not compare to a 4 wheel drive SUV. The problem is both the M235 or 440IX will not be good as they don't have enough ground clearance.

[mcompact]

Beautiful car! I'm extremely fortunate in that I have the Wrangler and a DD with Quatrac 5 tires that let me keep RWD BMWs on my side of the garage. It's looking like the replacement for my 2er will be a two seat coupe. but if not, next up will be a M2C.