BMW M240i - Does it live up to the HYPE? 🤔

[@JBCTR]

My first time reviewing a BMW and I thoroughly enjoyed filming this one! Do you want to see more reviews like this one? 😁

[@DraXkor]

JB CTR Your editing style and camera angles are nice, but you should really inform yourself about the cars before reviewing ... 1. Not a twin turbo, just twin scroll, so 1 turbo with 2 intakes. The water intercooler for it sits behind the middle grill. On the side there is only an additional cooler for the motor to get more surface, but only on the right side, other side is empty. 2. First thing you realize optically are the silver (ferric grey) mirror caps and maybe inlays in the bumper (way more obvious on the 140) also the special M wheels if configured. 3. M brakes can be fitted on any 1/2 series optionally, M Performance models just have the standard 4. 2 series is a coupe and not a hatch, and with 335/340 hp is way hotter than other ‘hot hatches’, so ‘warm hatch’ is a really weird description. How much hotter does it get? If you want to keep the ‘hot’ for an M2 for example: that’s not a hatch, but a proper sports car. 5. With AWD they are even way quicker 6. Sound changes when you go into sport mode (louder, valve open, overrun crackling), but Interior also has a sound module. I actually think the car sounds even better with it being deactivated. 7. Informing yourself of the possible options for the car to be able to explain those a bit, would be a good addition. 8. When you put the car into sport mode in the video, you only changed the gearbox. 9. Steering is unfortunately a bit numb because it’s electrical, but the car communicates well at the limits. Seeing the bottle on the back barely moving at all, means you probably didn’t come close to really using it. No offense, but I think to correctly review a sports car, you should have the needed skills and at least use the car properly once. Pushing a car on straight lane is not what’s it about in my opinion and doesn’t give you a real insight on the driving performance. The closer you get to the limits the more you experience the differences between cars and can tell how they really perform. Just my 2 cents, not supposed to sound arrogant. Just wanted to clear a few things up and maybe help improve future reviews.

[@andrewtaylor6138]

Sascha B why did you just write the bible??

[@markrhoden68]

@@DraXkor on the later editions of my m140i there are two small radiators in both sides...maybe it's an upgrade to the shadow edition

[@DraXkor]

Mark Rhoden That’s due to the OPF (otto particle filter) that has been added in summer 2018 due to the new regulations. With the new filter, the motor can’t breath as freely anymore, so heat is more of a problem and additional cooling is necessary.

[@BrianBaileyedtech]

I think that the XDrive version that I have addresses the steering issue at the front end that you mentioned. AWD is actually awesome - no loss of power - I don't know how BMW did that - but they did! I had a 328 10 years ago and I loved it - but this machine is the BEST CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED!!

[@alphazoomii9408]

Currently having fun with my 135i and the size of the car is a blast. Now most cars seem huge and annoying to drive.

[@racey1979]

I was cringing watching you paddle through all that mud and then climbing into your new car 8-D. Best upgrade I made to mine was Birds B2 suspension, it has completely transformed the car and improves the steering feel a lot. Expensive but worth it. M4 lower control arms are supposed to be a good upgrade too but not done that myself. LSD on shopping list too.

[@noohall9213]

I absolutely will be getting this car, (LOVE) it....... my wife has a sport,18d, Not two big, not to small, smack bang right in the middle . In my opinion best series bmw make ie the 2............ thanks for video, your chuckles & smile on face said it all. 2002 those who remember.

[@eitanrapp]

I’ve owned this car for a month. Loving it. As someone who’s not taking it on a track - I find myself wishing it had 4-wheel drive as the torque is immense and those rear wheels easily lose traction when you put foot and the road surface is the slightest bit uneven. Too bad x-drive isn’t available in South Africa. My next car will likely be the golf R

[@JBCTR]

Eitan R The Golf R is a stunning car. Very different to the Beamer. No X drive available here in the UK either. There’s certainly demand for it on these models, so maybe we’ll see it in years to come :)

[@28dalu]

Warm it's not I run mine on super ul 0 to 62 is 4.5 seconds that's on par with all amg mercs costing over 70 grand.it's red hot quick 👍

[@effectgoods5147]

@Chris a45 is garbage compared to this

[@effectgoods5147]

@Chris it's got the B58 engine from the Supra which makes it .2 sec slower than the M2 Competition (has the outgoing m4's S55 engine) which just handles better. Unless you're going to track it, the B58 will be faster in the straight line. It will actually succeed the tuning capabilities of the M2 competition. And Mercedes a series is just trash they have no way to compete with the performance of the straight 6.

[@effectgoods5147]

@Chris and why pay over 40 grand for a used M2 or AMG when you can get the m240 which does offer AWD and has option LSD and m brake package for 27k

[@effectgoods5147]

@Chris you must not live in my country then where they offer xdrive

[@effectgoods5147]

@Chris I'm finding out that the United States has xdrive on these models while some countries like the U.K. don't have that as an option. We have the 235 and 240 xdrive but unfortunately don't even have the M140 hatchback which looks really cool.

[@markus8484]

I‘m driving currently a m240i LCI. The sound inside the cabin is not enhanced. Its artificial and comes out of the speakers. BMW calls this Active Sound System. This can‘t be turned off officially but can be coded out with bimmercode or similiar apps. I put an M Performance Exhaust under it and now it sounds good from the outside as well. However, if you are buying an m240i in the EU you to have to struggle with an OPF (Filter for petrol cars) and now you can‘t fit an M Performance Exhaust any more...sadly enough.

[@JBCTR]

Markus Z Useful info here. Thanks!

[@sveeny]

Fck the totalitarian European Union.

[@drivelinetime]

It is enhanced sound of the engine, yes it is helped by the speakers, but that is taken from the engine note in development and 10% bass is added. Nothing more

[@racey1979]

I honestly cannot hear any additional sound coming from the speakers in my m240i LCI. It shows up on Carly and you can code numerous adjustments to the settings. I have tried every setting now including turning it on/off and the volume up/down but doesnt make a bit of difference, it sounds exactly the same in the cabin. Its either broken or doesnt have it ?? All I know is, the b58 is an incredible engine and is definitely by far the highlight of the car, I often turn the radio off so I can hear it.

[@sveeny]

@@racey1979 I have an M2 and you can pretty clearly hear it when switching between sports and comfort mode. Also I have the bimmerlink app to toggle it on/off but in my opinion the easiest way to hear the difference drive modes. I can hear it very clearly but its not so much of a nuisance to me like it is for others.

[@aor3200]

Have to say i test drove F22 M240i Xdrive today first time ever and i can relate your feelings. Performance and acceleration is just so amazing. I want one. Quick. Now.

[@nicogm9882]

Same man, drove one 2 weeks ago and made the decision pretty quick, picking it up next week😂

[@nicolasoria1349]

One of the best reviews I've seen of this car. Cheers mate

[@JBCTR]

Very kind, thank you!

[@nick-sn4ol]

5:23 lotus evora in the back with an audi tt behind , love it

[@ShogunsDojo]

keeps calling a coupe a hatch? or are you referring to the 1 series as a platform? In all seriousness though, great video Johnny. I own a 230i and used to have a mk7 eco boost with 123hp. what i've noticed is that whilst my car isn't a 240, mine has 2.0 twin scroll turbo engine with 252hp, the chassis opens up the more confident you become with it, by the end of my first week with the car i was getting the tail out on some of the clearer but more twisty areas near me. Seems to be a chassis that takes time and confidence to reveal itself compared to the instantly familiar and fun fiesta. as you begin to get the bmws towards their limit they do become more communicative, although i doubt I'd want to push a 240i that far on public roads.

[@Gr8mate13]

I have the M235i remapped with down pipe intercooler it goes straight to 317kw you dont need at lot more

[@saucysimpson259]

I own an M140i and i absoloutely adore it. Traded in my RS3 for it and i’ve never looked back

[@saucysimpson259]

No i have oyster leather. rs3 was a great car but it was pnly good in a straight line. one you started pushing, the front end always pushed wide. bmw also sounds so much better inside

[@colinsmith1176]

A "warm hatch"? Why would you classify this as a hatch? There's no hatch. Its got a proper boot. It's a coupe.

[@ChipZilla69]

I owned a Melbourne red M235i and traded it in for a 2018 M240i, it's such an amazing car, it puts a smile on my face every day. You can pick a demonstrator up with only a couple k miles for around 30k.

[@richardggeorge]

Have they been reliable? The JD Power reliability score are very good in the USA (at the top, or close to top of small car luxury class)

[@ChipZilla69]

@@richardggeorge i had a cam cover failure that let coolant in which caused an injector to fail. All sorted under warranty. Apart from that nothing.

[@richardggeorge]

@@ChipZilla69 wow. That's actually pretty bad failure. Was that in the m235i or M240i? I am trying to decide if paying the extra AUD$10,000+ is worth it.

[@ChipZilla69]

@@richardggeorge that was the m240. Brilliant car don't let it put you off. Power is intoxicating.

[@carl9184]

This may be a little bias but I don't believe many cars within this price bracket will keep up with this car from a rolling start. When in sport mode you can put the car in chassis configuration which stiffen up the chassis and steering which may help with that front end feel. In sports plus .. The exhaust then comes to life !

[@JBCTR]

Carl Price I think you might be right to be fair. It’s a bloody quick car for this price point.

[@DraXkor]

Exhaust noise is completely identical in Sport and Sport+. Steering automatically stiffens in Sport, Gas is more responsive, harder damper setting is optional, but you need the optional adaptive dampers for it. The harder steering improves the steering feel, but being electric, it’s still a bit numb, which is the biggest disadvantage of the 1 and 2 series. Lowering the car and putting spacers on actually improves it a bit. Car is still a bargain and the only car in the segment with an R6.

[@carl9184]

@@DraXkor Theres alot more drama in sports + over sport mode I can assure you. The gear set up is totally different in sport+ mode so the exhaust pops and bangs that little bit more .

[@DraXkor]

Carl Price You‘re right, the gear changes differ a bit from sport IF your gearbox is still in D. The added sound is only due to different revs, higher shifts etc. though. They are the same when the gearbox is in S. When I’m going into Sport+, I also put the gearbox into S and shift manually to have more control, so I never realized the difference in D.

[@lewisratford2908]

Awsome cars. Performance bargain of the century. Amazing engine and has the understated but purposeful looks for those who have grown out of the fast and furious looks. They aren’t perfect as the rear end seems a bit out of odds when pushed hard..having said that you will be covering ground seriously quickly. Interiors dated and dull as ditchwater. Other than that it’s hard to fault for the money.

[@steve37ist]

Has it got run flat tired on it. Because i had a 120i M sport that had the, on and felt like that but i wouldnt say a little unresposive id say a lot unresponsive so much i got rid of it after 3 months.

[@eddieb27]

stephen moore they come with Michelin super sports fitted. Great tyre.

[@UltimoHJF]

M sport brakes can be spec’d onto most bmw part of m sport plus package

[@dmt2]

Put it in sport plus and firm up the suspension and the steering certainly doesn’t feel vague!

[@DownShiftThrottle]

Warm hatch? With 340hp? Warm?

[@tomyates5075]

FalconXE302 Moo-ing 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@Bestwick1983]

It's definitely in the "hot hatch" segment (despite being a coupe) as it fits nicely under the hyper hatch segment (M2, RS3, A45, etc)

[@BeginningGardening]

What is the music at the start of the video?

[@mudguardrider8211]

Good video mate. I previously owned a Mk7 ST and sold that for a M135i. I now have a MK8 ST with performance pack. The 135 was an absolute weapon. I had a tuning box for it and took it to 370bhp. Apart from being an absolute missile on tap it felt I dare say it "uninspiring" to drive. 100mph was way to easy to reach and it felt like it was actually trying to kill you. I found it very refined though and a bit of a jeckle and Hyde motor. The MK8 I find is more focused. In reality the BMW is a much more refined and different animal however I missed the feedback that I had from the ST. The MK8 is far more refined that the Mk7 so Ford have got that right. I find the fiesta easier to live with but do miss the 8speed ZF auto. BMW was doing around 200 miles to a full tank and averaging 21mpg. Tyres were an astonishing £170 each aswell 🤦‍♂️. M135i was a tool but required respect. The fiesta is more driver focussed and easier to have fun. To be pushing the 135 on you'd be doing break neck speeds and find yourself in a serious accident.

[@JBCTR]

MudGuardRider Great to hear from an owner of all three cars! Your experience echo’s mine pretty much. Only thing I’d say is that the MK8 tyres are going to be about the same price if you stick with super sports 😔

[@celestialbeing290]

@mudguard rider, sounds like downgrade. From BMW to a ford . Financial crisis

[@mudguardrider8211]

@@celestialbeing290 it is a downgrade to an extent however it lacked the rawness that a hot hatch should have. Was nothing to do with a financial crisis in fact the fiesta cost me 4k more (as new)

[@joebannister4327]

Two intercoolers for the turbos? Urm...

[@saucysimpson259]

Joe Bannister It only has 1 Twin Scroll turbo

[@Bestwick1983]

He's probably confused by the engine coolant system and water-to-air cooler system.

[@ferrygti8867]

i drive bmw M2 (370hp ,500NM) and yes the M240i ore M235i is also a great care and beautiful and fast :-) love all 3//// and nice review

[@JBCTR]

ferry cornu Thanks! The M2 is a serious piece of kit. Very nice.

[@ferrygti8867]

thanks !

[@UnverifiedUser10]

Great review Mcfly! Thanks!

[@DrivenGermans]

Slap an m performance exhaust on that bad boy and it’ll sound like an m2, maybe a down pipe as well.

[@Vqrdict]

What about a Remus?

[@DrivenGermans]

@@Vqrdict Putting pretty much any nice valvetronic exhaust on the m235 and m240 will make it sound like the m2.

[@Vqrdict]

Awesome ! Do you need the full exhaust system or would the back box do a good job

[@DrivenGermans]

I would get a full exhaust at least cat-back to start off with. It may be more expensive than just a muffler, but it will put a smile on your face.

[@Vqrdict]

Jace Cole does a Cat Back exhaust system still have the Carylitic converter? Another words will my car still be legal and pass MoT

[@bobstarr]

jb, bang on review. i own one and agree the one weakness is the feel of the wheel. i used to own a nissan 350z to compare it to. the rest of the car is more than i expected for the money. :)

[@HansDelbruck53]

I'm planning to buy one of these, with the steering wheel on the correct side, in the near future.

[@JBCTR]

They're great cars. I'm confused about your steering wheel comment however. This car has the 'optimum' steering wheel configuration ;)

[@HansDelbruck53]

@@JBCTR Not for this side of the pond.

[@expatcentral]

Hope you changed your shoes before getting in after walking around in the mud!

[@heckyl69]

FYI, the Awd m240i is FASTER than the rwd. Transmission loss... Lol.

[@Vqrdict]

What year is the AWD?

[@LearnAboutFlow]

Yeah, this car almost feels like a fwd car thanks to the weird steering/front end - very strange given the capabilities of the rest of package. I assume they will correct it now that the new 3 series is out.

[@JBCTR]

David Weber Let’s hope so!

[@michaelelliott4975]

Can it be left in sport mode full time, to disable the start stop feature? I think if you live in an area with light commute traffic, start stop is no big deal. I live in SF Bay Area and commutes stink.

[@metalfight1234]

Start stop can be disabled by hitting the button above the push to start

[@garymorris801]

It looks fab better than the fiesta st????????

[@JBCTR]

Gary Morris Completely different cars. Both hilarious fun. M140 for luxurious feel, crazy speed and twitchy bum moments. Fiesta ST for driver involvement and the ‘fun factor’ is easier to find at legal speeds on the road.

[@jmacca4493]

I think it would be unfair to even compare the two. M240i is in a different league with regards to price/performance. That being said these can be picked up pre reg delivery miles for close to 27k

[@ChipZilla69]

I've never driven a Fiesta ST but since I'm on my 2nd mliight car I can tell you it's fantastic. I would say the beamer is a bit more grown up than the fiesta and is much more powerful. If you are not used to rear wheel drive it's a totally different experience, very fun but it does get twichy on the back end but is controllable.

[@delboy2596]

M240's come shod with MPSS and they need a fair amount of heat in them. Which isn't always easy this time of year. this might explain the vague front end.

[@JBCTR]

Del Johnson My ST also has MPSS’s on, and the front end is never vague. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@eddieb27]

I’ve fitted some winter tyres to my m240. Much better ride, and miles more grip obviously at this time of year with them on.

[@Gr8mate13]

Is this guy 5 ft tall

[@smilepermile888]

Great video JB! These really are great value for money right now. Its a bit unfortunate that they get frequently stolen+crashed and therefore, the insurance costs go up :/ The Toyota Supra will most likely have this B58 engine, so it would be cool to see how that car compares to the M240i you drove. But if money wasn't so much of a priority, I'd go for the M2 as it has chassis components borrowed from the M3/M4, so it would have better traction and front end grip.

[@anx1300c]

There's no "most likely" about it. The Supra does have the B58.

[@smilepermile888]

@@anx1300c WOW. You must be fun at parties. I'm glad I wasted your time with your arrogance 😂

[@joetaka7620]

@@anx1300c Who cares? Whats the difference Einstein?

[@Bestwick1983]

Technically the Supra gets the latest B58 revision with significant changes to the fuel system. The M240i has the original revision.

[@DaleSteel]

Outright acceleration you'd go for 4 wheel drive not rear wheel drive completely opposite to what you said. Apart from that it was a good video so 👍👍👍

[@JBCTR]

Dale Steel Only off the line from a standing start. In perfect conditions, RWD could potentially be quicker off the line too due to transmission losses. But I am talking theory here, referring to two cars with exactly the same power. Glad you enjoyed the video 😁

[@DaleSteel]

@@JBCTR a few years back you'd of been correct. Now new engines produce that much torque that it mitigates Any extra weight or drive train loss purely because a 2 wheel drive simply cannot deal with all the torque. A perfect example.. my cla 45 is 370 bhp 4x4. It weights the same as my m4 which is mapped to 540bhp. The CLA trumps it all the way to 100. Only then will the m4 come back making use of its extra CUBIC CAPACITY and bhp. Unfortunately there is absoloutley no advantage to RWD Any more other than outright fun.

[@Line-vw5io]

@@JBCTR 4wd is faster from start.

[@germanengineering204]

@@JBCTR Great video but x drive, and all wheel drive in general are always faster of the line in any conditions!✌

[@CarObsession]

Great review mate!

[@craigh2430]

Hey mate, love the channel, looking forward to the next videos. Looking for your opinion. How much room is there in the back? Kid on the way, looking to upgrade the Cooper S.

[@JBCTR]

Craig H Hey, glad you are enjoying them. The backseats are relatively spacious. Headroom is slightly impeded by the roof and I would fancy trying to put a baby seat in the back every day. 5 door 140 would probably be the better bet 👌🏼

[@craigh2430]

@@JBCTR thanks for your opinion. Unfortunately I don't think they do that model in USA? You know much about the 5 door S3?

[@celestialbeing290]

Can't beat a rwd.

[@Saif0412]

Yeah, gives you rhe scare, 4 wheel drive too safe, not much throttle modulation

[@ChipZilla69]

That is basically my car, same color wheels and everything. Haven't even watched the video yet.

[@peterwatson9047]

Those blue brake calipers (and the bigger brake disks) are or were optional on all the lower models that are in 'm sport' trim. I've got them on my 230i and I've seen the same blue brakes on 220d 's and the like.

[@Naashil]

Do you like your 230i?

[@peterwatson9047]

I like it a lot, had it on two year finance which has just ended so I paid the balance to keep it.

[@Naashil]

@@peterwatson9047 i was affraid about the sound of a 4c... but thank's for your answer ;-)

[@peterwatson9047]

@@Naashil I've only ever had four cylinder cars. The 230i exhaust is a quiet system.

[@paullovesey4863]

The USA and European Continent get an X-Drive option in all ?40i’s - why does the UK get treated differently?

[@LJ-1496]

Cool video! I love channels like yours on the ‘smaller’ side.. it’s channels like this that genuinely inspire me to make my own, just can’t muster up the courage haha!

[@JBCTR]

Luke Jennings I umm’d and arr’d for far too long before starting. I really regret not starting sooner! Grab a cam and get started 😎

[@mc82]

Having driven a BMW M140i a few times, they're an excellent car, however I found the chassis subject to a reasonable amount of flex, it wasn't as stiff as I expected.

[@jmacca4493]

240i comes with a rear strut brace which the 140i does not

[@terimaaa2361]

@@jmacca4493 3 door 140i does

[@badboygto]

get some negative camber -1.5 front n rear then it will stick like shit on a blanket :)

[@trancemusic8805]

Song?

[@XMG3]

Great video, but maybe do some research on the cars first before you start reviewing it. Yes the engine sound is enhanced, BMW's been doing it since 2013 with the active sound design, pre-recorded engine noise fed from the speakers.

[@stevencox921]

The exhaust sound is not enhanced you idiot

[@johnschauder]

How much HP does the M240 have?

[@hartsickdisciple]

It's rated at 335 or 340 horsepower. That said, all turbocharged BMWs for the past decade or so have had very underrated advertised horsepower and torque outputs. These cars tend to dyno close to 330 horsepower at the rear wheels. They make between 375 and 390 at the crank, stock. That's backed-up by the fact that they run high 12's in the 1/4 mile, with a trap speed in the 109-110 range. That's too fast for a 3,500 lb car with 340 crank horsepower.

[@jarvismroemloudpipes6113]

Good detail buddy, love it👍

[@JBCTR]

Jarvis Loud Pipes Cheers mate!

[@jakebaldwin9713]

“Warm hatch” nah it’s a 335hp sports coupe. Warm hatch my arse that what you call a zetec fiesta

[@24bellers20]

It’s not a hatch!

[@scottfromengland2303]

Rear wheel drive cars do sometimes give us less front end feedback

[@richardggeorge]

Apparently the anti roll bars are softer in the rear (compared with the front ARB) to reduce a open diff single wheel spin. So crap it didn't come with an LSD as standard

[@marvalouslegend30]

Says it's " really fast"

[@kevcahill89]

What? A new intro? I've forgotten your name already!

[@JBCTR]

Kevin Cahill 😂😂

[@Easycooking422]

Love this car

[@robm1283]

Is somebody thinking of swapping the ST for a 140 or 240?

[@JBCTR]

Somebody? Probably. Not me though 😎 there’s plenty more fun to come in the Fiesta before I think about changing!

[@RyguyCC]

I am, a focus though, not fiesta.

[@tomfidler2170]

forgot you were alex goi

[@DMoney2776]

Finally

[@jpce9999]

first time reviewing a bmw and u start it off stepping in mud before you hop in... k ...