[Edslittleworld]

I hope this has not been posted before, so here goes...

I own both a 2017 M240i coupe and a 2020 Miata GT. I like my BMW for the performance and ride quality, but I like the Miata for the open-air experience. If the convertible version of the M240i is close enough to the coupe version...I may consider a consolidation of my two current vehicles. Has anyone experienced both the coupe and convertible version to know?

[dradernh]

"M240i Convertible vs Coupe Performance"

What is your definition of "performance"?

[Edslittleworld]

Originally Posted by dradernh

"M240i Convertible vs Coupe Performance"

What is your definition of "performance"?

I'm referring to both qualitative and quantitative factors like handling, acceleration, MPG, ride comfort, rigidity, etc. I suspect it to be noticeably worse in the convertible due to the added weight and open-top body structure. Right?

BTW: We have the same basic M240i configuration.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by Edslittleworld

I'm referring to both qualitative and quantitative factors like handling, acceleration, MPG, ride comfort, rigidity, etc. I suspect it to be noticeably worse in the convertible due to the added weight and open-top body structure. Right?

BTW: We have the same basic M240i configuration.

FWIW...I've had my coupe for 7 years. I had a 2 Series convertible once as a loaner and asked never to have that happen again. Thick and lower header at the top of the windshield blocked my forward vision. It felt bulkier. It was certainly noisier. The top was up the entire time. I couldn't wait to return it.

[Ron Jeffries]

i think you'll notice little difference in performance and come in, you can put the top down!

[Lucky13]

I can speak for E46 M3 coupe and convertible which is I owned at the same time. The convertible was 300 lbs heavier and did not handle anywhere near as good as the coupe. It rattled and the top was loud. I’ve owned 6 BMW convertibles and wished I owned one now. If you don’t ever expect to go to a track its maybe 85-90% as capable, losing power isn’t as noticeable as the handling loss.

[raddoc]

My '20 230i XDrive 'vert felt sluggish with boggy steering compared to my new M240i MT6 'vert. M240i also has Pilot Super Sports, not run flats plus adaptive suspension. The M240i drives more like my '09 911S cab when pushed hard, but is much more comfortable.

[Ajowhan]

IMO, if you are not looking to track/race your car. A convertible come close enough to do the job. Its still fun enough to take to canyons

[msej449]

Firstly, the obvious advice is to try the convertible out in similar conditions and see for yourself (I mean a weekend loaner, not just a couple of hours, or a day at an abslute minimum).

My previous convertible was a Lotus Elise 111S, something that was probably near to your Miata in terms of handling:



It's pointless to compare the Miata to an M240i convertible in terms of power/weight, steering and handling because like the Elise, the Miata is always going to win that competition. So you sort of need to wipe that out of your mind and make sure you really are comparing the coupé to the convertible as apples-to-apples i.e. without the Miata experience colouring your expectations.

Personally, I think that the convertible version has the edge over the coupé, even here in England, where (like today) it's rains a lot.



It's easy to unfold/fold the roof, even on the move at speeds up to 30mph and this represents a big advance over having to stop the car and manually do this (unless yours is the motorised Miata model). It means that I have the roof down a lot more than in the Elise, often in autumn and spring when the weather is variable, and as you know from your MIata, this makes many otherwise uninteresting drives more enjoyable.

I test drove both the coupé and convertible and I couldn't hear any significant difference in the noise levels. With the top down, the Wind Deflector makes a huge difference in reducing cabin turbulence. With it, I can have a sensible conversation at freeway speeds when it was impossible in the Elise above 40mph.

For me, the biggest handling issue with the M235i in either form is the steering, which is just as neutral in stock form whichever model you go for. After that, it's the open differential - again both models benefit from the retrofit MP LSD. After that, it's the tyre choice and compromises that always have to be made. A very long way after that came the relatively minor differences arising from the reengineering needed for the convertible.

I could have afforded to buy an M2 and I can definitely see why someone would opt for that over an M240i Coupé if outright handling was their #1 buying criteria. But once you've compromised on an M240i vs an M2 because of other factors (like practicality, ride, etc.) then for me, the small compromise in handling of the convertible over the coupé is greatly outweighed by the enjoyment factor of the convertible.

I'm not trying to trash the coupé here - it's certainly the right choice for many people. Just saying that if handling had been my #1 and only priority, I'd have gone for an M2. And that once other factors came into play, I preferred the convertible over the coupé. But of course, all this is dependent on how you weight all the various buying factors.

Addendum: The convertible has a smaller rear widow than the coupé and this made having the reversing camera and PDC a must for me. If I was to be honest, this is the main practical advantage of the coupé over the 'vert, not the handling. You do have to go back to your learner driving days in the 'vert and be rigorous about using the mirrors more when reversing with the roof up. But I@m guessing you're used to this with the Miata.

Hack motor journalists always throw in the 'torsional rigidity' phrase into any convertible review. They even do it with a Rolls-Royce Dawn versus the RR Wraith without ever having even driven the two cars. It makes them sound like they are Ph.D. Mech. Eng. grads. I often wonder how many of them would talk about 'the extra weight from greater strengthening for torsional rigidity obviously compromises the handling' if no one had ever mentioned the idea. Hence the recommendation to go try it for yourself.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by Edslittleworld

I'm referring to both qualitative and quantitative factors like handling, acceleration, MPG, ride comfort, rigidity, etc. I suspect it to be noticeably worse in the convertible due to the added weight and open-top body structure. Right?

BTW: We have the same basic M240i configuration.

Got it!

Not having owned or been in a convertible F22, I can't help with any personal experiences. Out of curiosity, I looked for and found a few F22 convertible reviews. There wasn't much specific detail in any of them, although this Edmunds long-term review might be of use if you haven't already read it: https://www.edmunds.com/bmw/2-series...erm-road-test/.

[cristo]

(Vert = F23)

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by cristo

(Vert = F23)

Thanks!

[TAZ007]

Originally Posted by Edslittleworld

I hope this has not been posted before, so here goes...

I own both a 2017 M240i coupe and a 2020 Miata GT. I like my BMW for the performance and ride quality, but I like the Miata for the open-air experience. If the convertible version of the M240i is close enough to the coupe version...I may consider a consolidation of my two current vehicles. Has anyone experienced both the coupe and convertible version to know?

As a current owner, I can tell ya I do not notice a difference between the F22 and F23 (in the 6 cylinder versions at least). Yes, the F23 is heavier, but I notice no less body stiffness or roll in spirited driving.

The most important factor, which was mentioned below, is what is your main purpose for it. Assuming its' a DD; then nothing beats folding the top and enjoying the beautiful day.

I have owned a Miata and Eclipse GST Spyder and the M235/M240 is roomier, more efficient, and more engaging to drive than the other two.

[jliuod]

I too have a 21' m240i coupe and a 19' Miata RF. To me there is no substitution for the Miata in terms for its open air feel and the pure raw handing on the road(mine has suspension mods). Yes, it is not as powerful as the M240i, but when it comes to the "fun" factor nothing comes close. i have had many "fast" cars and I always came back to a Miata. This is when you can drive a slow car fast and have a blast.

That said, I enjoy my m240i as well in a different way. I ordered it with a 6 speed manual. It is much more engaging in driving than my 19' S5. For long tips, the m240i wins hands down. It has both comfort and performance.

If you could keep both your m240i and the Miata. There is no one car that will have the attributes on both the m240i and the Miata.

[Rocky58]

The other thing is the convertible has much less trunk space with the top down. You have to do a lot of jigsaw puzzle packing on road trips. It all depends on what you want to do with it. It does handle a little less well than the coupe IMO and I agonized over this for a long time but finally went with the F23 because I watched too many movies with people having fun in convertibles as a kid. I would buy the vert if I had to do it over again.

[Udayan]

I don't know if you can watch Youtube european vids but if it is the case you can follow this link :

The guy is making some comparisons between M2, and the M240i coupe and convertible.


Udayan

[donkim]

We've had a couple of Miata's in the past and recently purchased a 17 230i vert. For us the Miata was a fun car for a short drive but we found it to be cramped, noisy, (seemed nosier w/the top up), and the acceleration wasn't quite enough for me. When we started looking for a replacement "fun" car after selling the last Miata we drove a few 128 & 135 convertibles. Was impressed w/the car overall but every car we found for sale at the time were somewhat cosmetically tired. We started looking at the 2 series and found a Melbourne red w/moonlit top and black interior w/red piping. Absolutely love the car so far. The performance is great w/the auto, seems to be a great combination. The suspension is softer than I'd prefer but it does ride very well and we find the vehicle quiet w/the top up much more so than the Miata. The back seat is small but is additional space the Miata does not have and we find the trunk roomy for a vert and the folding rear seat is another bonus. We installed a set of Yokohama non run flats and very happy so far overall. Doesn't have a back up camera but I'll be adding one along w/a front camera shortly. Obviously, the 2 cars don't directly compete w/each other but for our use the 2 series fits very well.

[an1y]

Can't really compare to coupe, but can compare to 124 Spider abarth, which is pretty much ND Miata but with more torque. m240i convertible for sure way quicker and luxurious to be in. Can't say it is as engaging as fiata or felt as light ( it is twice heavier lol) but for sure level of comfort is way higher. And you can use it for travel somewhere. Only down side was - heating is less efficient in bigger bmw comparing to small interior of miata/fiata.

I almost bought Mercedes c43AMG convertible, it had really cool tech like - Little wing on windshield to make air go above heads of passengers and rear screen was built in behind rear seats which you can lower same way as side windows. And it had heaters with little fans built into the frontal seats itself. It had less lag than m240 and sound better, but was more expensive with way higher mileage and too big for my taste after driving tiny car for two years))

But it still pretty fun to drive, I can fit my family inside and go on distanced travels))

[BEM-S4]

I've owned both the coupe and convertible M235. If you need a back seat for anything the coupe is MUCH better in that regard. From a performance perspective, if you're a track rat get the coupe otherwise for public roads, weekend fun etc. the difference is negligible and more than worth it for top down motoring.