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      03-20-2017, 09:46 AM   #1
gregzimm
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Comparing the M2 with the M240i

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I have seen a few posts about comparing the M240i and the M2. Here is my comparison of similarly configured M240i and M2. I tried to make this as apples to apples comparison as possible. If you add the options to the M240i that are standard on the M2, the M240i build list price is higher. But, you can negotiate a discount on the M240i and you can't on the M2. You can also lower the cost of the M240i by removing options which you can't on the M2.

M2
  • $52,500 Base Price
  • $700 Long Beach Blue
  • $995 Destination
  • $1,400 Executive Package
  • $300 Apple CarPlay
  • $55,895 Total

M240i
  • $44,450 M240i Base
  • $700 Estoril Blue
  • $995 Destination
  • $1,450 Black Dakota Leather
  • $700 Cold Weather
  • $950 Driving Assistance Package
  • $700 Driving Assistance Plus
  • $1,950 Navigation Package
  • $500 Wireless Charging WiFi Hotspot
  • $300 Apple CarPlay
  • $875 Harman Kardon Sound System
  • $2,500 Limited Slip Differential
  • $56,070 Total

Here is what you get on the M2 that you don't with the M240i for the same money.
  • 30 more horsepower
  • M-tuned exhaust quad tailpipes (One of the best sounding standard "M" exhausts)
  • Track-ready cooling system
  • More aggressive body styling with flared fenders
  • M-developed electric power steering with Servotronic
  • Lightweight front and rear subframe
  • Aluminum suspension control arms and wheel carriers
  • Twin-tube gas-pressure shock absorbers
  • Brakes from the M4
  • Electronic LSD versus the mechanical LSD on the M240i
  • 19" wheels with Michelon Pilot Super Sports versus 18" run-flats or $0 cost all-season tires
  • 14-way power front seats with 4-way lumber versus 4-way power and 2-way side bolsters in the M240i
  • Alcantara and blue stitching interior treatments
  • M gauges

Let me know if I have missed any differences between the cars.

Last edited by gregzimm; 03-20-2017 at 11:36 AM..
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      03-20-2017, 09:55 AM   #2
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Wow, nice! Two things jumped out at me:

- The power steering being a different system (I didn't know that but makes sense);

- The seats - why doesn't the M240i get 14-way adjustable as an option?
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      03-20-2017, 09:58 AM   #3
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There is no LSD on the M240.
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      03-20-2017, 10:02 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by David1 View Post
There is no LSD on the M240.
It's optional and on the OP's list for US$ 2.5k.

Cheers
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      03-20-2017, 10:11 AM   #5
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Nice work. However, I would think the flared fenders and wider tires on the M2 would increase aerodynamic drag rather than decrease it. Also, the limited slip differential on the M2 is mechanical, with electronic controls.
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      03-20-2017, 10:17 AM   #6
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What about interior trim options on the 240?
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      03-20-2017, 10:20 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bartginger View Post
Also, the limited slip differential on the M2 is mechanical, with electronic controls.
??????

Every LSD is mechanical, they all need actual physical moving parts to work.

The electronic controls are what makes the M2's an eDiff so the OP is right.

As far as drag just compare the two CDs and you'll see M2 is higher due to design. Whether or not those are because of flares is up for debate.

Last edited by gmzanatta; 03-20-2017 at 10:35 AM..
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      03-20-2017, 10:34 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gmzanatta View Post
??????

Every LSD is mechanical, they all need actual physical moving parts to work.

The electronic controls are what makes the M2's an eDiff so the OP is right.

As far as drag just compare the two CDs and you'll see M2 is lower due to design. Whether or not those are because of flares is up for debate.
You mean higher right? M2 = .35 and M240 = .33
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      03-20-2017, 10:35 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PackPride85 View Post
You mean higher right? M2 = .35 and M240 = .33
Oops yes, post has been edited.

PS: it's such a high value it hurts
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      03-20-2017, 10:39 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gmzanatta View Post
??????

Every LSD is mechanical, they all need actual physical moving parts to work.

The electronic controls are what makes the M2's an eDiff so the OP is right.

As far as drag just compare the two CDs and you'll see M2 is higher due to design. Whether or not those are because of flares is up for debate.
I thought electronic limited slips were not actual differentials; just electronic application of individual or multiple brake(s) to control over-application of the throttle and simulate the effect of a mechanical differential. I have been wrong before in my life and certainly could be again here.
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      03-20-2017, 10:41 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bartginger View Post
I thought electronic limited slips were not actual differentials, just electronic application of the individual brake(s) to control over-application of the thr throttle and simulate the effect of a mechanical differential. I have been wrong before in my life and certainly could be again here.
Brake application is called torque vectoring and has nothing to do with the diff (plus it's expensive!).

This is a whole different beast, where inside the eDiff you have clutch packs that can control wheel spin at each wheel very precisely. It can still torque vector like above in addition to the eDiff control.
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      03-20-2017, 10:52 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bartginger View Post
I thought electronic limited slips were not actual differentials; just electronic application of individual or multiple brake(s) to control over-application of the throttle and simulate the effect of a mechanical differential. I have been wrong before in my life and certainly could be again here.
If you really want to understand diff's, check these videos out.

Engineering Explained: Differentials
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      03-20-2017, 10:58 AM   #13
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I have an M2 and M140i

B58 engine of the M140i is perfect in throttle response maybe even better then the M2.

But active sport steering is not my liking. The M2 steering is much much better.
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      03-20-2017, 10:59 AM   #14
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The M in M2 is very different than the M in M240i.

The M in M2 is Motorsports.

The M in M240i is Marketing.

But great comparison review. The 240 is a better value overall, but I suspect the M2 will hold it's resale better. Both will make you smile every time you drive it. The bottom line is if you are doing such a comparison, you don't really want an M car.

The same comparison can be done for the 540 vs M5 and 340 vs M3. Most of it is marketing and a good amount is emotion.

Go with the car which provides more of the items you want/need in a car. In 6 months there will be another 2 series which tops both.

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      03-20-2017, 10:59 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gmzanatta View Post
Brake application is called torque vectoring and has nothing to do with the diff (plus it's expensive!).

This is a whole different beast, where inside the eDiff you have clutch packs that can control wheel spin at each wheel very precisely. It can still torque vector like above in addition to the eDiff control.
Well said, though I would not actually call our electronical M diff an E Diff, because the E82 135i had something called an E Diff at that time and that was more kind of torque vectoring as I recall.

McLaren also make use of TV 'diffs'. I though Porsche too(?), some models.

Cheers
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      03-20-2017, 11:02 AM   #16
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back on topic and away from diffs (although my S4 had torque vectoring and it's pretty awesome although because audi isn't as balanced and setup as well as a BMW it needs it.)

Why would anyone buy a M240i over an M2? Is there any reason whatsoever to pay more for less? A lot less. I don't understand that at all. The only thing I could think of is you can get the m240 in awd. that is super appealing to me in Canada and through our winter. Other than that I don't see any logic or reason in that pricing structure. you pay more for an inferior car with less equipment, lower quality equipment and it doesn't look even close to as nice.
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      03-20-2017, 11:03 AM   #17
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The active diff of the M2 is good but not perfect.

It gives the outside wheel some more rotation to get front better turned it. It works. But if you make slide with almost no steering lock the diff sometimes doesn t know what to do.

The best is always a pure mechanical diff. No electronic or brake interference! Then you have no surprises.
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      03-20-2017, 11:41 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bartginger View Post
Nice work. However, I would think the flared fenders and wider tires on the M2 would increase aerodynamic drag rather than decrease it. Also, the limited slip differential on the M2 is mechanical, with electronic controls.
All the sources I have found state the drag for the M2 is less as well as reducing lift by 35 percent over the M240i. If true that is a win win for the M2.
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      03-20-2017, 11:43 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by quikM2 View Post
back on topic and away from diffs (although my S4 had torque vectoring and it's pretty awesome although because audi isn't as balanced and setup as well as a BMW it needs it.)

Why would anyone buy a M240i over an M2? Is there any reason whatsoever to pay more for less? A lot less. I don't understand that at all. The only thing I could think of is you can get the m240 in awd. that is super appealing to me in Canada and through our winter. Other than that I don't see any logic or reason in that pricing structure. you pay more for an inferior car with less equipment, lower quality equipment and it doesn't look even close to as nice.
I can see five reasons why someone would go for a M240i although I prefer the M2:

1) It's available (and discounted)
2) you can affordably lease the M240i because the residuals aren't insanely low
3) you can get it in AWD which has proved quite popular
4) you want more daily drivability.
5) you want the ability to configure the car including colors and options.

The last two will be debated, but many of the side-by-side reviews note the more compliant ride and the list of options unavailable on the M2. Obviously, the folks on this thread disagree, want the features in the M2 unavailable on the M240i, and are willing to wait for them. That said, with these five reasons I can see why some folks would prefer the M240i. Let's not be haters.

Last edited by STK; 03-20-2017 at 11:49 AM..
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      03-20-2017, 11:49 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Advevo View Post
The active diff of the M2 is good but not perfect.

It gives the outside wheel some more rotation to get front better turned it. It works. But if you make slide with almost no steering lock the diff sometimes doesn t know what to do.

The best is always a pure mechanical diff. No electronic or brake interference! Then you have no surprises.
But let's be clear, the diff in the M2 is an M differential - whereas the add on available for the M240i is not. I LOVE my eLSD! If the electronics are contributing to how it behaves, more power to them.
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      03-20-2017, 11:50 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Aronis View Post

The M in M2 is Motorsports.

The M in M240i is Marketing.
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      03-20-2017, 11:59 AM   #22
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Let's be honest, m2 doesn't have 30HP more. Just about the same power and a lot less in tuning potential. 240 is more drivable in the city and has AWD as an option. M2 should dominate on the rest.
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