[rrman]

Hi all,

Have been lurking for a few years but finally got a 2021 M240i xDrive.

• Mineral Grey
• Cognac
• Premium Enhanced
• Adaptive LEDs
• H/K stereo delete (from Premium Enhanced)

No, I didn't ask for the H/K stereo delete. Apparently, quite a few BMW's made year that normally have the H/K stereo in certain packages had it deleted. There were not enough H/K stereos because of Covid.

My last two cars were 2013 Golf R and 2017 Golf R. I had a hard time deciding between the 2016 M235i and MK7 Golf R last time.

Went with the M240i this time instead of waiting for the Mk8 Golf R to change it up. Considered the 2022 M240i but I prefer the classic styling.

Looking forward to learning from this forum -- already have quite a bit.

[Kernel Kurtz]

Congrats on the new ride! You will love it.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by rrman

...finally got a 2021 M240i xDrive..

My last two cars were 2013 Golf R and 2017 Golf R.

I'll be interested in your take on which of the cars you enjoyed more when it comes to understeering.

[rrman]

Originally Posted by dradernh

I'll be interested in your take on which of the cars you enjoyed more when it comes to understeering.

I now understand what less plowing or less understeer feels like. You don't even need to be going that fast to notice the difference. This was definitely one of the things that popped out at me after a couple of drives.

Nod to the M240i on being more balanced for sure.

[aerobod]

Originally Posted by rrman

I now understand what less plowing or less understeer feels like. You don't even need to be going that fast to notice the difference. This was definitely one of the things that popped out at me after a couple of drives.

Nod to the M240i on being more balanced for sure.

With the Mk7 Golf R the understeer can be quelled a lot by changing the ABS & Haldex adaption for “Starting vibration reduction” from ‘Strong’ to ‘Deactivated’ and “Acoustic Measure, Wiring Logic” from ‘Standard’ to ‘Increased Traction’ using VCDS or similar software. This makes the car much more like the Audi RS3 in it’s understeer feel (i.e. a lot less) due to not disconnecting the rear diff most of the time, as opposed to running FWD most of the time and only engaging the rear diff after front wheel slip.

One of the effects of changing this adaption is that the MK7 R can then do lift-off oversteer at will on the limit, which makes it a lot more entertaining.

[Ajowhan]

Congratulations! Amazing color combo for sure! (I have the grey +Cognac too)

[rainfall]

nice, have fun!

[KennyFSU]

[rrman]

Originally Posted by aerobod

With the Mk7 Golf R the understeer can be quelled a lot by changing the ABS & Haldex adaption for “Starting vibration reduction” from ‘Strong’ to ‘Deactivated’ and “Acoustic Measure, Wiring Logic” from ‘Standard’ to ‘Increased Traction’ using VCDS or similar software. This makes the car much more like the Audi RS3 in it’s understeer feel (i.e. a lot less) due to not disconnecting the rear diff most of the time, as opposed to running FWD most of the time and only engaging the rear diff after front wheel slip.

One of the effects of changing this adaption is that the MK7 R can then do lift-off oversteer at will on the limit, which makes it a lot more entertaining.

Interesting, never knew you can do that. I did a few basic coding like turning off soundaktor but not any "advanced" coding.

[rrman]

Originally Posted by Ajowhan

Congratulations! Amazing color combo for sure! (I have the grey +Cognac too)

Was yours a custom order?

This was the first one I saw in that color combo in stock in 6 months of looking within 300mi of me. Most dealers only stock black/white with black/red interior for the most part. There's the odd grey one but not with cognac.

[Ajowhan]

Originally Posted by rrman

Was yours a custom order?

This was the first one I saw in that color combo in stock in 6 months of looking within 300mi of me. Most dealers only stock black/white with black/red interior for the most part. There's the odd grey one but not with cognac.

Nope, as a matter of fact, it wasn't actually my first choice of colors. I actually always wanted a white on red bmw if not a black on red.. This one happens to pop up about halfway when I was planning a trip to Santa Barbara and I decided to check it out for fun..

The color combo grew on me as soon as I saw it first hand lol, cant imagine having a red interior now

[NateEsq.]

Congrats! I just bought a '21 black on black 240i (RWD) here in CA as well. I pick it up tomorrow. It's replacing my trusty '15 435i M Sport.

I love Cognac interior, and I absolutely would have got it but as we all know choices are super slim right now!

[BlueberryPie]

Originally Posted by rrman

I now understand what less plowing or less understeer feels like. You don't even need to be going that fast to notice the difference. This was definitely one of the things that popped out at me after a couple of drives.

Nod to the M240i on being more balanced for sure.

Can you share any more thoughts on the driving experience compared to your MK7 R? I'm strongly considering replacing my 2015 R with an M240i xDrive.

[freakystyly]

Obviously this ad didn't age well...

Mk7 R is nice but still very FWD biased.

I was cross shopping a pre-LCI R as well and decided on the full RWD.

[rrman]

Originally Posted by BlueberryPie

Can you share any more thoughts on the driving experience compared to your MK7 R? I'm strongly considering replacing my 2015 R with an M240i xDrive.

Both cars are great and I could be happy with either car.

Driving wise though, the M240i is superior in almost every way. Some driving thoughts:

• Engine - M240i is much better for street driving. Peak torque is available at a lower rpm and is more linear and not as peaky. I often get caught flat-footed in the R when in normal mode if you are not ready to shift or pop it into Sports. The R Sports mode is too aggressive for normal driving. With the M240i, power is always there even in comfort mode.
• M240i is much more neutral -- noticeably less understeer
• Transmission -- the ZF shifts fast, I notice no delays compared to the DSG when using the paddles for manual shifting
• Suspension -- the M240i seems more compliant without sacrificing handling.

The Golf R is tough to beat for practicality, value, and still very good driving fun. I will do a more detailed comparison after I have had the M240i for 3 or 4 months so I can do a proper review. The only thing I miss about the R is the form factor.

For you, sounds like practicality of a hatch is not a huge issue so go for it!
I get the feeling that you may always be wondering, and maybe have regrets, if you don't experience the M240i for yourself. At least that's what happened to me when I chose the Golf R over the M235i 5 years ago

[aerobod]

Originally Posted by rrman

Engine - M240i is much better for street driving. Peak torque is available at a lower rpm and is more linear and not as peaky. I often get caught flat-footed in the R when in normal mode if you are not ready to shift or pop it into Sports.

Yes, the biggest drivetrain difference I would say, generally needed 50% more revs in the lower half of the rev range in the R than in the M240i in a given gear (both manuals) to be close in acceleration.

Below 3,000RPM the R was anemic, the M240i accelerates better from 2,000RPM. At highway speeds of 120km/h in 6th gear the R needed to drop to 4th to match the M240i in 6th gear for acceleration.

[RGM330i]

I had a 2014 Golf R, now drive a 2018 M240i. For me......the M240 is superior in just about every performance category....a more balanced, complete performer. I have also owned 5 Porsche Caymans 2008 S, 2012 Cayman R, 2014 Cayman, 2016 Cayman, 2019 Cayman. Surprising to me, the M240 compares well to the Caymans. The negatives in the M240 comparison are drives a bit heavier, drives a bit more 'top heavy' (higher CG), steering feel not quite as good. On the other hand......brakes are pretty close.....very progressive with lots of feel, acceleration and late brake/powering out of turns, the M240 is better....cannot replace the torque down low. I did not look forward to drivingthe Golf R but always did my Caymans and now the M240. My two cents.....As a reference point......I drove Go Karts competitively for several years and judge cars in terms of how they feel 'seat of the pants' (which is literal in Go Karts...).