Europe doesn’t really do dedicated muscle cars as Americans. But in spirit, we know which ones the Americans would call if it were in their hometown. BMW for instance makes some brawny cars out there, and with the 2 series, while catering as an entry model to the lineup and affordable at the same time, aesthetic and drivability still has the touch of higher model BMW. While it may not look resemble a bully, its muscularity comes from the brains of the engineers. Its M division have packed all sorts of bells and whistles under its hood, making sure you can jab the adrenaline-rushing throttle to a passive cruise in the city.
Powered by a 3.0L turbocharged engine 6-cylinders, the M240i coupe boasts mighty numbers of over 335 horses and 369 pound feet of pulling power. Blending power with the acclaimed German’s attention to detailing the cabin alongside abundance of features, the 2020 BMW M240i starts at $45,800.
Carrying over essentially unchanged from its previous iteration, the 2 series sees introduction to Advanced Safety Features and Parking Sensors as standard.
Features
vehicle bio
base price
$45800
bodystyle
2dr Coupe
passenger capacity
4
drivetrain
RWD
engine type
displacement
183 cu.in.
horsepower
335 hp @ 5500 rpm
torque
369 lbs.-ft @ 1520 rpm
transmission
8-speed shiftable automatic
chassis
frame type
Unibody
suspension front
Independent front strut suspension w/anti-roll bar
suspension rear
Independent rear multi-link suspension w/anti-roll bar
brake rotors (f/r)
59.9/61.3
dimensions
wheelbase
105.9 in.
length
175.9 in.
width
69.8 in.
height
55.4 in.
curb weight
3519 lbs.
ground clearance
5.1 in.
capacity
passenger volume
89.6 cu ft.
cargo volume
12 cu ft.
payload capacity
785 lbs.
performance
zero to 60 mph
5.2 sec.
fuel economy
city/combined/highway
21/24/30 mpg
highway range
411 mi.
warranty
basic warranty
4 yr. / 50000 mi.
drivetrain warranty
4 yr. / 50000 mi.
powertrain warranty
48 months. / 50000
corrosion warranty
12 yr. / unlimited
roadside assistance
4 yr. / Unlimited
Pictures
exterior
interior
Colors and Styles
Alpine White
Vehicle images are guides only and may not reflect the model's exact specifications/features– exact specifications/features should be confirmed with the seller.
Competing against the Bavarian pocket rocket are the luxury packs from the big guns like Mercedes with its C-Class, and the Audi A5. These coupes belong in the same price bracket and deliver great drivability. Where does the kidney-grilled 2-door stand against these guys? Let’s find out.
2020 BMW M240i front three quarter view
2020 BMW M240i rear three quarter view
6.5/10 Features
7.0/10 Engine and Performance
5.2/10 Fuel Economy
5.5/10 Interior
7.5/10 Exterior
7.5/10 Safety
2020 BMW M240i Features
6.5/10
The coupe comes in a single trim. Starting at $45,800, the lineup is offered in two drivetrains costing $2000 apart where one is the standard RWD while the xDrive which is an AWD configuration which requires automatic transmission.
Powering the M240i is a 3.0L turbocharged engine (335 hp and 369 lb.-ft) and is mated to a standard 8-speed automatic transmission with an optional 6-speed manual. The performance variant offers plethora of features as well as advanced safety functions.
Trim
M240i
MSRP
$45,800
Key
Features
LED Headlights
Aerodynamic kit
Rear spoiler
Aluminum Hexagon interior trim with Estoril Blue highlight
4-way power lumbar support for front seats
SiriusXM Satellite Radio with 1-year All Access subscription
3-spoke leather-wrapped multi-function M sport steering wheel
Rear-view Camera
3.0-liter BMW M Performance Turbocharged inline 6-cylinder 335-hp engine
Sport exhaust system
We recommend
While the coupe already receives a host of standard technology and safety features, put in the extra $2000 and get the xDrive variant where you’d drive with an AWD system with excellent drivability.
2020 BMW M240i Engine and Performance
7.0/10
“Acceleration, braking and handling all combine to make the BMW 2 Series an inspiring performer. With the available M Sport adaptive suspension, the poised handling doesn't come at the expense of comfort. There's a great seat-of-the-pants feel, which instills confidence.” -edmunds
Engine
Tucked behind that iconic kidney-grille is a 3.0L turbocharged 6-cylinder engine married to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The duo churns out 335 horses alongside 369 lb-ft of torque, propelling the rear wheels of the coupe.
Oh, this small light-weight, enthusiastic and spirited coupe has little to none to give you anything to complain about. The commute in the city, or cruise along the highway, the Beemer is an everyday car. The sonorous pleasing rev of the engine intensifies its athleticism and its turbocharged performance in the mix with smooth and responsive 8-moving cogs most certainly pastes a smile on your lips while tickling a bone or two when you jab the throttle on track.
Along with the competition, the Beemer boasts a good number out in its output; mind you, this is an M packaged performance unit while the rest of the similarly priced coupes still possess the gusto to rival the Beemer.
Models
BMW M 240i coupe
Cadillac ATS coupe
Alfa Romeo Giulia
Audi A5 2.0 TFSI Premium Sportback
Mercedes C300 4Matic
Jaguar XE
Lexus IS 300
MSRP
$45,800
$38,995
$38,195
$44,200
$43,400
$46,235
$40,660
Engine
3.0L i6
2.0L i4
2.0L Turbocharged Inline-4 cylinders
2.0L i4 Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded
Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4, 2.0 L
2.0L, Turbocharged, Inline-4 cylinder engine
2L I-4 Turbocharged
Transmission
8 Speed automatic
8 Speed automatic
8-speed automatic transmission
7-Speed Automatic S Tronic Dual-Clutch
9G-TRONIC 9-Speed Automatic
8-speed Automatic
8-Speed Automatic
Horsepower
335 hp@ 5500rpm
272 hp@ 5500rpm
280 hp @ 5200 rpm
252 hp@ 5000rpm
255 hp @ 5800 rpm
247 hp @ 5500 rpm
241 hp @ 5,800 rpm
Torque
369 ft-lbs@ 1520 rpm
295 ft-lbs@ 3000rpm
306 lb.-ft. @ 2000-4800 rpm
273 ft-lbs@ 1600rpm
273 lb.-ft. @ 1800 rpm
269 ft-lbs. @ 1300 rpm
258 lb-ft @ 1,650 rpm
Acceleration
Um, what did we say about gusto? Well apparently in straight-line speed it’s the M240i that stands broad-shouldered. Zipping the 0-60 miles per hour in 4.4s, the Beemer rapid fast while clipping the quarter-mile in 12.7s. Its rivals take more than a second in both the tests. While this is a great feat for a 6-cylinder, you have to commend its rivals with a smaller 2.0L 4-cylinders dispensing equally good performance for their displacement size.
Models
BMW M 240i coupe
Cadillac ATS coupe
Alfa Romeo Giulia
Audi A5 2.0 TFSI Premium Sportback
Mercedes C300 4Matic
Jaguar XE
Lexus IS 300
0-60 MPH
4.4 sec
5.3 sec
5.5 sec
5.7 sec
5.5 sec
6.3 sec
6.9 sec
Quarter mile
12.7 sec
N/A
14.1 sec @ 100 mph
N/A
14.1 sec @ 99 mph
15.0 sec
15 sec*
Engine
3.0L i6
2.0L i4
2.0 Liters
2.0L i4 Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded
2.0L
2.0L
2.0L
Emission
(Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)
N/A
N/A
NA
6.5
TBD
6.3*
NA
Ride and Handling
Now comes the fun bit about the coupe. Sporty in sprit, the M240i has excellent drivability with great cornering capability and maneuverability due to its small size. Handling around corners is an absolute joy to take, plus tossing it around bends and curves is a work of breeze on the coupe. The M steering feels really good under control and is exceptionally responsive with great road feedback. Fun and spirited best describe the athletic coupe.
The best thing about the coupe is its adaptability; tame it the way you want, it delivers precisely what you need – comfort and sporty are two of the extremes this car gets right. This coupe caters to the cruiser and the hooligan inside you. Its suspension is engineered with precise detail; bumps and potholes are glided over with ease, and the coupe allows little to none body roll.
Braking
Its impressive performance carries over to its stopping power as well. The M240i encompasses of M tuned braking that takes a brilliantly fast 103ft. to come to a standstill from 60 mph. Its brake feel is composed and stays consistent. Its close equivalent, the Alfa Romeo Giulia, another performer by the Italian manufacturer, takes 20ft. further to come to a standstill that is in no means a dull feat but not as great of course.
Model
BMW M 240i coupe
Cadillac ATS coupe
Alfa Romeo Giulia
Audi A5 2.0 TFSI Premium Sportback
Mercedes C300 4Matic
Jaguar XE
Lexus IS 300
Brake Front (in.)
13.4
12.6
13
13.3
13
12.8
13.1
Brake Rear (in.)
13.6
12.4
12.5
13
11.8
12.8
12.2
Curb Weight (lbs.)
3519
3418
3521
3704
3500*
3500 lbs
3583
60-0 MPH (ft.)
103
N/A
124
N/A
153ft
184 ft*
TBD
2020 BMW M240i Fuel Economy
5.2/10
Clearly the M badged BMW 2 series is a great performer but also manages to remain a tad efficient going by how far it is from its rivals. It gulps 21 miles per gallon in the city while staying around 30 miles on a single gulp in the highway. The coupe’s rivals are not that distant ahead, with mostly hovering around mid 24s in the city and 33s on highway, while being 24 combined.
Model
BMW M 240i coupe
Cadillac ATS coupe
Alfa Romeo Giulia
Audi A5 2.0 TFSI Premium sportback
Mercedes C300 4Matic
Jaguar XE
Lexus IS 300
MPG (city)
21
22
24
24
22
24
21
MPG (highway)
30
30
33
34
33
34
30
MPG (combined)
24
25
27
27
26
28
24
2020 BMW M240i Interior
5.5/10
“The 2 Series uses interior components from larger and more expensive models in the BMW lineup. The design and quality of materials are close to identical, and as a result, the car exceeds entry-level expectations.” -edmunds
Seating and Comfort
What would you expect from a BMW cabin? The athletic M240i basically answers that question in style; using materials from the high-end models of the manufacturer, the cabin exceeds its class. Black leather sport seats with M-steering wrapped in leather make up the interiors. With seat adjustments and quality upholstery, you’re placed comfortably inside with but the rear takes a hit due to the sloping roofline and the compact size of the coupe, deeming it unfit and cramped for adults; the kids would love it back there though!
The cabin is neatly designed and appropriately placed with abundant tech and conveniences. Noise isolation is very well taken care of; you’d barely hear what the outside world is going through but the noteworthy point is its constant engine humming, which quite frankly is more pleasing to the ears than otherwise.
Models
BMW M 240i coupe
Cadillac ATS Coupe
Alfa Romeo Giulia
Audi A5 2.0 TFSI Premium Sportback
Mercedes C300 4Matic
Jaguar XE
Lexus IS 300
Passenger capacity
4
5
5
5
5
5
5
Front Headroom(cu.ft)
40.5
40.1
38.6
39.4
37.6
37.1
-
Front Shoulder room
54.4
56.1
55.7
54.1
55.3
-
56.7
Front Legroom
41.5
42.4
41.3
42.3
NA
-
44.5
Rear Headroom(cu.ft)
37.0
36.5
37.6
NA
35.1
37.1
-
Rear Shoulder room
53.4
53.6
54.5
51.1
55
-
56.1
Rear Legroom
33.0
35.1
35.1
33.5
NA
-
35.1
Infotainment System
The iDrive system on the BMW measures 6.5” with an intuitive interface and easy controllers. The interface does take a bit of time to get used to, but the iDrive is better than most in the class segment. The infotainment system includes some of the following features –
BMW ConnectedDrive Services
7-speaker sound system with CD Player
Onboard Hands-Free Communications System
AM/FM Radio
Bluetooth
Sat Navigation
USB Input
Interior Features
Features include in the interior are –
10-way power front sport seats; including 2-way power side bolsters, 1-way manual headrests and thigh support; driver memory for exterior mirror and seat positions
60/40 split fold-down through-load rear seats
High-gloss Black interior trim with Pearl Gloss Chrome highlight
SensaTec upholstery
Folding rear-seat headrests
Cargo Volume
While being sporty, the coupe also shows off some practicality, even though it isn’t by much. At an average 13.8 cubic feet, you’d be able to pack a suitcase or two and places it amongst the bottom of the list. The Audi A5 takes the crown here for the most copious boot space in the field followed at a distant by the Jaguar XE.
Model
BMW M 240i coupe
Cadillac ATS coupe
Alfa Romeo Giulia
Audi A5 2.0 TFSI Premium sportback
Mercedes C300 4Matic
Jaguar XE
Lexus IS 300
Cargo Volume (ft.3)
13.8
10.4
13.0
21.8
12.6
16.1
10.8
2020 BMW M240i Exterior
7.5/10
“The 2020 2-Series channels BMW’s past style in all the right ways.” -thecarconnection
Size and Dimension
Sitting 5” from the ground rolling on four 18” double-spoke bi-color wheels on four corners, the curvy BMW M240i blends simple aesthetic with a sporty aerodynamic body kit. Compact, narrow and short, meet the iconic BMW chrome-accented kidney-grille making up the front fascia, LED headlights to flank the BMW insignia sitting in the center. Mesh grilles sit across the bumpers with more pronounced design over the face. Its detailing continues over the headlight with a hard-line running across it under which sit the lamps.
This coupe sits tamed on the tarmac when not moving but a look at the front has a bit of menace to it, thanks to the grilles, while the whole framework has looked like it awaits being released from its leash. Its straightforward design continues all throughout the character lines found on the sides, to the rear of the body. Over the roof lies a shark fin, while the rear consists of an athletic spoiler and mono sport exhaust pipe on either sides.
Model
BMW M 240i coupe
Cadillac ATS coupe
Alfa Romeo Giulia
Audi A5 2.0 TFSI Premium sportback
Mercedes C300 4Matic
Jaguar XE
Lexus IS 300
Curb weight (lbs.)
3519
3418
3521
3704
3500*
3500 lbs
3,583
Length(in)
175.9
183.6
182.6
186.3
184.5
183.9
184.3
Width(in)
69.8
72.5
73.7
72.6
71.3
77.4
71.3
Height(in)
55.4
54.8
56.5
54.6
56.3
55.8
56.3*
Ground clearance (in)
5.1
N/A
NA
N/A
3.8
-
5.3
Wheelbase (in)
105.9
109.3
111
111.2
111.8
111.6
110.2
Track width (in) F/R
59.9/61.3
60.3/61.7
61.3/63.9
62.5/61.7
61.5/60.9
62.8/62.4
60.4/61*
Exterior Features
Some of the features included in the exterior are –
Aerodynamic body kit
Rear spoiler
Chrome-line exterior trim
18” alloy wheels
LED fog lights
LED headlights
Sport kidney-grille
2020 BMW M240i Safety
7.5/10
Included standard safety features in the BMW are impressive and in abundance. While the Government safety data is yet to be completed, the manufacturer has carefully crafted the coupe with a host of precautions and sensors in case of any destructive event. Some of the features are -
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
Seat-mounted front side-impact airbags
Driver's and passenger's front airbag supplemental restraint system (SRS) with advanced technology: dual-threshold, dual-stage deployment
Front and rear Head Protection System (HPS)
Knee airbags for driver and front passenger
Automatic-locking retractors (ALR) on all passenger safety belts for installation of child-restraint seat
LATCH attachments for child-restraint safety installation
Coded Driveaway Protection
Anti-theft alarm system
2020 BMW M240i Competition
BMW M240i vs Audi A5
The M packaged BMW 2 series is far more sporty and athletic compared to the poised and refined luxury coupe by Audi in its A5. The M420i packs more punch and power, handles like an athletic sports machine alongside comfort. However the Audi A5 offers opulence and plush quality along with comfortable ride while being a tamed hooligan, plus excellent storage and spacious rear seats. Since both are priced along the same lines, it depends on your priority; you have two extremes here with both different purposes. Competitive and technologically rich? Or luxurious and plush? Your call.
BMW M240i vs Mercedes C-Class
The Mercedes C300 is an engaging coupe with great driving dynamics and is feature rich. It provides efficient powertrain, plush seating and upscale interior quality. Like the Audi A5, the Mercedes is more attuned towards luxury and opulent ride, but at the same time the silver arrow has enough grip to cater the enthusiast as well. It has better seating space as well. The BMW M240i is all about sports package fused with the Bavarian’s excellent technology and driving experience. Once again it all depends on your preference whether you want opulence or sports.
2020 BMW M240i Final Verdict
The M240i is a hooligan placed on the track; it is fun and spirited while remaining tamed when not needed. It comes with a handful of features alongside technology and a powerful machine under the hood. It is rapid, swift and handles nimbly. Its steering is exceptionally responsive and feels great in your hands.
While not being the most efficient amongst its rivals, its powertrain does provide good returns. You wouldn’t buy the M240i for its practicality or the rear seats so clearly the car is designed for fun and occasionally is pragmatic. Why would you want the BMW M240i? So you’d enjoy a small sized, BMW with M badged performance kit alongside an abundance of technology-a bit of an upgrade over its normal 2 series in all frankness.