[bucketfoot]

I'm considering moving from my X1 to an AWD M235 or M240.

I know the engine is the biggest difference between the two, but what other key differentiators are there?

One thing that I do with the X1, and would continue to do with this, is running HPDE with NASA Rocky Mountain.

Are the things that I want to make sure the car has or specific things I need to watch out for in a used vehicle?

The biggest drawbacks I see in this move would be losing the rear hatch and the steering. My X1 is one of the last of the hydraulic steering models and going to the no-feeling electric steering of these will definitely be a disappointment.

Appreciate any insights people can offer!

[BimBimM2]

Originally Posted by bucketfoot

I'm considering moving from my X1 to an AWD M235 or M240.

I know the engine is the biggest difference between the two, but what other key differentiators are there?

One thing that I do with the X1, and would continue to do with this, is running HPDE with NASA Rocky Mountain.

Are the things that I want to make sure the car has or specific things I need to watch out for in a used vehicle?

The biggest drawbacks I see in this move would be losing the rear hatch and the steering. My X1 is one of the last of the hydraulic steering models and going to the no-feeling electric steering of these will definitely be a disappointment.

Appreciate any insights people can offer!

I am surprised at the lack of responses, but then again I can't intelligently speak about comparing the X1 to the M240i myself; they are two different types of cars altogether.

I am sure you will enjoy your HPDE a lot more with the M240i since it is such a fun, fast little machine. It loves to be tossed about, especially the RWD variant. I have never considered the X1 to be a sporty car by any stretch but I am sure its size makes it quite fun.

At this point in BMW's product evolution, I would consider the M235 and M240 as wildly different cars. The B58 in the M240i is rock solid compared to the N54 of your M235. Try to focus on the M240 if you are going after this car. The older the N platform gets the more troubles you invite.

[bucketfoot]

Originally Posted by BimBimM2

comparing the X1 to the M240i myself

I guess confusion could be part of this...

I'm not looking for comparisons with the X1, I'm looking for what is different (other than the engine) between the M235 and M240!

[overcoil]

first generation X1 are really ideal vehicles.

On the 235 I think the spark plugs need to be changed around 35,000 after that they lose some of their punch.

Check wheels to make sure not a bunch of wheel weights attached all around the inner barrel, check underside of front overhang for scrap damage, check for wear on front seat bolsters, oil filter housing leaks, radiator hose attachments to overflow-tank, rear battery compartment for any moisture and full flat tire kit and towing hook, make sure trunk release works, charge pipe if ever replaced.

[bucketfoot]

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

first generation X1 are really ideal vehicles.

I never regretted it before and I guess I really don't now, but I probably wouldn't be considering a change if I had bought the 35i instead of the 28i (or at least had the sport seats especially for HPDE).

The combination of a JB4 and H&R lowering springs really transformed the car.

Thanks for the info on things to look out for!

[bucketfoot]

Originally Posted by BimBimM2

I have never considered the X1 to be a sporty car by any stretch but I am sure its size makes it quite fun.

I manage to surprise a lot of people with the X1. Last time out I had a guy in a Type R come ask me what I was doing differently as he could pull me in the straights, but I'd be on his tail by a turn or two.

Originally Posted by BimBimM2

The B58 in the M240i is rock solid compared to the N54 of your M235.

Isn't the M235 the N55, which from what I have read has been a quite reliable engine. Now that said, the B58 has been pretty solid so far and definitely has a power/torque advantage.

[rainfall]

Well, although the X1 is the smallest from the series "X", is a much bigger car than the 2 series. Here are a couple of differences

- The driving position is about a foot lower, so you 'feel' the speed a lot better (have you gone go kart?).
- The 2 series has an almost perfect 50/50 weight distribution, so cornering feels a lot more natural (more noticeable in the rwd version)

As you could imagine, the trunk space is smaller in the 2 series. But if you don't have like 3 kids and one car, you should be fine. P.s.: I have one kid, wife and one more car in addition to my 2 series.

You are in a biased forum, just know that =)

[morphomeman]

You are not getting responses because, apart from the engine, there are next to no differences between the 35 and the 40, apart from the year-to-year tweaks that you get with all models, most of them related to electronic conveniences of various sorts. Overall, this car has changed remarkably little in the 7 model years since its inception.
The major differences are within the model, between manual and automatic transmissions and 2 vs. 4 wheels powered. Here the differences are all of opinion, nothing empirical.
Oh, and then there is the 4 vs. 6 cylinder thing, but you are looking only for the 6, I presume.

[Feddersen]

From a technical point of view your X1 is based in the E90 3 series. The M235i/M240i are based on the F30 3-series. So it is a generation newer compared to your X1.

We have a F30 335i (N55 engine) and a F22 M240i (B58 engine). Go with the M240i if the budget allows. The drive train is much better than the N55-drive train. For the most fun at HPDEs I suggest at least the M-performance suspension or the adaptive suspension.

[FCBuff]

Steering response when driving spiritedly in sport mode is great. I don't have any real problem with it then. It is only when driving on the highway in comfort mode that it is noticeable. I am used to it now and don't even think about it anymore. Don't lose too much sleep over the steering.

M235 is better value! M240 is the current model, slightly better engine. Get what fits your pocket book. Both are great cars.

[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by BimBimM2

At this point in BMW's product evolution, I would consider the M235 and M240 as wildly different cars. The B58 in the M240i is rock solid compared to the N54 of your M235. Try to focus on the M240 if you are going after this car. The older the N platform gets the more troubles you invite.

The M235 has a factory modified version of the N55, not the N54. Modifications include a forged crank, auxiliary oil coolers, and a tune that adds an additional ‐2psi. It also includes the forged rods and rod bearing from the M3/M4 S55 motor.

I would argue that in the long term, the N55 will be the cheaper motor to maintain. The B58 is stellar, but I do question the liquid to air intercooling, the extra cooling pumps, and the rear mounted timing chain and VANOs system over the long term. The N55 is simple in comparison.

Yes, the B58 in the M240 does make more power than the N55 found in the M235, but it's very easy to add power and both motors are essentially limited to around 400whp on pump gas. The B58 does have a closed deck block but the open deck of the N55 has never limited its ability to make big power if that's your thing.

Beyond the motors, there's not a whole that's different other than some changes to the interior throughout the years.

I would be a hard pass on the AWD though. A rwd M235/240 with an LSD is amazing. Get winter tires if you need them. The front diffs in the AWD cars do not have a good track record.

[Poochie]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

I would argue that in the long term, the N55 will be the cheaper motor to maintain. The B58 is stellar, but I do question the liquid to air intercooling, the extra cooling pumps, and the rear mounted timing chain and VANOs system over the long term. The N55 is simple in comparison.

All good points and I have to a agree; a manual, RWD with mechanical LSD is as old-school as any modern BMW will ever be again.

I have a M340i with the new B58TU and the car itself is a monster, you can feel it has more grunt than the N55 in the M2 but it burns an excessive amount of oil.

I had three different N55s vehicles and they never ate oil like the M340i does. I mean a full quart every 2,500 miles, no exaggeration.

And it's not just my car, it's very common amongst most owners:

https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=25548138

Just over 2000 miles and my M340i already needs a quart of oil https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1645079


Not sure if this oil burning issue is limited to the B58 Technical Update in the M340i or its also prevalent amongst all B58 like the M240i but I would take note of this ad it can feel very unsettling, although the motor runs fine.

[aerobod]

Originally Posted by Poochie

I have a M340i with the new B58TU and the car itself is a monster, you can feel it has more grunt than the N55 in the M2 but it burns an excessive amount of oil.

I had three different N55s vehicles and they never ate oil like the M340i does. I mean a full quart every 2,500 miles, no exaggeration.

And it's not just my car, it's very common amongst most owners:

https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=25548138

Just over 2000 miles and my M340i already needs a quart of oil https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1645079


Not sure if this oil burning issue is limited to the B58 Technical Update in the M340i or its also prevalent amongst all B58 like the M240i but I would take note of this ad it can feel very unsettling, although the motor runs fine.

Our 2017 M240i has not burnt any measurable oil between standard BMW change intervals of 15,000km. In contrast the 135i with N54 we had burnt 1 litre every 5,000km or so.

With other new BMWs we have owned, all but the M240i needed top ups in the first 20,000km during engine break-in, but other than the 135i then didn’t consume any measurable amount between oil changes.

[Poochie]

Originally Posted by aerobod

Our 2017 M240i has not burnt any measurable oil between standard BMW change intervals of 15,000km. In contrast the 135i with N54 we had burnt 1 litre every 5,000km or so.

With other new BMWs we have owned, all but the M240i needed top ups in the first 20,000km during engine break-in, but other than the 135i then didn't consume any measurable amount between oil changes.

Thanks for confirming that it's not prevalent in the M240i because it's well-known issue in the M340i B58 TU.

I can personally attest to this fact..

[9t2hoo]

Originally Posted by aerobod

Our 2017 M240i has not burnt any measurable oil between standard BMW change intervals of 15,000km. In contrast the 135i with N54 we had burnt 1 litre every 5,000km or so.

With other new BMWs we have owned, all but the M240i needed top ups in the first 20,000km during engine break-in, but other than the 135i then didn’t consume any measurable amount between oil changes.

Ditto

[bucketfoot]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

I would be a hard pass on the AWD though. A rwd M235/240 with an LSD is amazing. Get winter tires if you need them. The front diffs in the AWD cars do not have a good track record.

I run AWD with winter tires on my X1 and would do the same on a 2.

If I was going to go the RWD route I be much more likely to go with a Camaro or Miata (opposite ends of the spectrum I know).

[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by bucketfoot

I run AWD with winter tires on my X1 and would do the same on a 2.

If I was going to go the RWD route I be much more likely to go with a Camaro or Miata (opposite ends of the spectrum I know).

AWD won't be beneficial to track driving compared to RWD and an LSD, that is for sure.

The difference between the way the rear end feel with and without the LSD is dramatic. I ran the open diff for two years and then added the LSD. It feels like adding 500lbs over the rear axle. Prior to the LSD, I always felt the front and rear axles were at odds with one another. I could not imagine racing these cars competitively without an LSD. BMW definitely neutered the M235/240 without giving it a true LSD as stock, likely to keep the car from being too close to the N55 M2.

The AWD adds over 120lbs in the worst possible place (the front half of the car).

AWD will be more prone to understeer for a variety of reasons.

You have very limited to suspension mods with AWD.

You can't add the LSD to the AWD, thus you're going to have a compromised rear axle.

I live in a hilly area of Kansas City. Yes we to have topography in Kansas City I get around fine in my RWD M235 with an LSD on winter performance tires. It would be a snow cat if I ran true snow tires.

[bucketfoot]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

AWD won't be beneficial to track driving compared to RWD and an LSD, that is for sure.

Track driving is a very small portion of the use of the vehicle, so overall needs comes first.

I've been tracking my AWD X1 for 4 years now and have become familiar with both the advantages and disadvantages of AWD. I am not willing to get a dedicated track or summer use car, thus the AWD M235/240 would be a great compromise vehicle.

Tracking the car was not even a thought when I bought my X1. This definitely falls into a case of if I had known then what I know now...

Not that I regret getting the X1, in fact it is actually quite enjoyable to track a car that people absolutely do not expect to see and constantly shocks at how well it performs.

Ultimately if I find a good enough deal I'll pull the trigger on a "2". If not, I will continue to be quite content with my X1

[adamangelovich]

The main difference between the 2016 m235 and the 2017 m240 is the engine. The m235 uses the n55 and the m240 uses the b58. The b58 is the engine that is used in the new m340, z4 and Toyota Supra. It's more torquey throughout the rev range. The n55 seems to be more tunable if you want very high horsepower but if Toyota is using the b58 I would trust the reliability of that motor more. The 2018 m240 has some minor tweaks such as a 8.8 touch screen, new headlights, and I believe slightly different kidneys. The 2019 m240 adds color and rim options.

[morphomeman]

I doubt that reliability had anything to do with the engine choice in the Supra. Fact is, the Supra is largely identical to its BMW twin Z4. BMW would never have used an older engine in a new higher-end vehicle and it would have been extremely uneconomical for the Toyota to have a different engine popped in, especially given that these are both very low-volume models.
But that makes me ask if BMW is using the N55 in any of its newer models, or has it simply transitioned to the newer engine across the board? The latter would make sense, again for reasons of cost savings to the company.

[XutvJet]

The B58 replaced the N55. The N55 can't meet current emissions regulations, specifically in the EU. The B58 was also designed to be modular. The reason why it has closed deck block is not because BMW had plans to make the B58 a huge HP motor. Rather the block is shared with the turbo diesel variants and closed deck blocks are common in turbo diesels.
It's a strong block but the open deck N54 and N55 blocks are plenty strong (800hp).

[B58togo]

Originally Posted by adamangelovich

The main difference between the 2016 m235 and the 2017 m240 is the engine. The m235 uses the n55 and the m240 uses the b58. The b58 is the engine that is used in the new m340, z4 and Toyota Supra. It's more torquey throughout the rev range. The n55 seems to be more tunable if you want very high horsepower but if Toyota is using the b58 I would trust the reliability of that motor more. The 2018 m240 has some minor tweaks such as a 8.8 touch screen, new headlights, and I believe slightly different kidneys. The 2019 m240 adds color and rim options.

That is not so. Stock turbo to stock turbo, the B58 is capable of making significantly more horsepower. Original B58 can easily make 435-440 whp, running E30 on the stock turbo/stock HPFP. Now that we're seeing the Supra (B58TU) HPFP being retrofitted to the earlier B58's, as well as aftermarket pump offerings from XDI and Dorch, the gap will widen even more.