CPO M3/M4 vs New M240i!?

[WarrENDeatH]

So, in the next month or so I'm going to try my best to get into a new BMW. I'm completely undecided what it may be, but I want it to be performance oriented.

My current car, my Mustang, is too raw. Not luxurious. Gas is horrendous. I'm getting a bit tired of my manual. So, I'm looking for something my wife can drive as well.

The option is a CPO M3/M4 for around mid 50s, or a fully loaded M240i. Pros and cons to every option. I worry the M3/M4 will be beaten to hell, or won't have that 'new' feeling. But then again, it is a TRUE M experience.

What does everyone think here!?

[Sleeper]

Originally Posted by WarrENDeatH

So, in the next month or so I'm going to try my best to get into a new BMW. I'm completely undecided what it may be, but I want it to be performance oriented.

My current car, my Mustang, is too raw. Not luxurious. Gas is horrendous. I'm getting a bit tired of my manual. So, I'm looking for something my wife can drive as well.

The option is a CPO M3/M4 for around mid 50s, or a fully loaded M240i. Pros and cons to every option. I worry the M3/M4 will be beaten to hell, or won't have that 'new' feeling. But then again, it is a TRUE M experience.

What does everyone think here!?

1. Go drive both.
2. Realize this thread was pointless.
3. ...
4. Profit.

[WarrENDeatH]

Originally Posted by Sleeper

1. Go drive both.
2. Realize this thread was pointless.
3. ...
4. Profit.

I love responses like this. Every thread is made with the same idea. Of course, go drive it. I've driven both.

I'm just asking for everyone's opinion. If you didn't have one, easily don't post. I'm sorry to offend your sensibilities.

[BoostedTerp]

Get the M3/M4. The 240 is certainly fast but the M3/M4 has a certain cachet and every time you see one you won't regret it or think what if.

[nicknaz]

you mentioned wanting less raw, more luxurious. I think a CPO M5 (~$62k) would be right on for what you are looking for

No thanks on 240. Pretty much no way I'd get that car. Would wait it out for an M2 at that point

[allen3ybq]

Certified M3/M4 all day long

[WarrENDeatH]

Originally Posted by BoostedTerp

Get the M3/M4. The 240 is certainly fast but the M3/M4 has a certain cachet and every time you see one you won't regret it or think what if.

Originally Posted by nicknaz

you mentioned wanting less raw, more luxurious. I think a CPO M5 (~$62k) would be right on for what you are looking for

No thanks on 240. Pretty much no way I'd get that car. Would wait it out for an M2 at that point

Originally Posted by allen3ybq

Certified M3/M4 all day long

Thank you for all these replies. I've honestly never considered an M5. I'll have to add that to the list.

Just removed the M240 from that list. Unless a glowing amount of people recommend it. I definitely loved it. But it didn't give me that feeling the M4 did.

[///M4ster Yoda]

M5 is a land Yacht. Maybe the M5s of yore but the latest versions are YUGE.

M3/4 is the sweet spot.

M240 is for chicks and older gentlemen

[HighlyMedicated]

M3/4 for sure lol, its certified preowned so has warranty so even with problems which there shouldn't be you are covered! 2 series?? Thats for 16 year old girls !!

[WarrENDeatH]

Originally Posted by ///M4ster Yoda

M5 is a land Yacht. Maybe the M5s of yore but the latest versions are YUGE.

M3/4 is the sweet spot.

M240 is for chicks and older gentlemen

Originally Posted by HighlyMedicated

M3/4 for sure lol, its certified preowned so has warranty so even with problems which there shouldn't be you are covered! 2 series?? Thats for 16 year old girls !!

Jesus...the woman comments have made me never want to even open a browser with M240s on them. Hahahha


That being said I've seen A LOT of women driving them...interesting.

[solstice]

The M240i is a fun car, great size for a sporty coupe. I think it could fit your situation very well. The M4 and M2 both have DCT and BMW's DCTs are highly performance focused and not nearly as smooth as for example the VW groups equivalents when puttering around town, parking lots, start from standstill etc. The lsd also adds to a rawer feel in these scenarios when the clutches engage and disengage. You will learn to make much/all of this a non issue over time but for more casual drivers as your wife it could be an issue.

My wife really disliked driving my DCT car. It's a pity since we will buy her a coupe next and I would like to get the M2 due to the much superior HW but it's a no-go since she wants an auto and the DCT is out so we are looking at the 240 and 440 instead, and other cars outside BMW. It's not a knock on the DCT, I wouldn't want it any different but it might not be the refined change you are looking for.

[///M4ster Yoda]

Originally Posted by solstice

The M240i is a fun car, great size for a sporty coupe. I think it could fit your situation very well. The M4 and M2 both have DCT and BMW's DCTs are highly performance focused and not nearly as smooth as for example the VW groups equivalents when puttering around town, parking lots, start from standstill etc. The lsd also adds to a rawer feel in these scenarios when the clutches engage and disengage. You will learn to make much/all of this a non issue over time but for more casual drivers as your wife it could be an issue.

My wife really disliked driving my DCT car. It's a pity since we will buy her a coupe next and I would like to get the M2 due to the much superior HW but it's a no-go so we are looking at the 240 and 440 instead.

The 340/440 is a great car for the wifey. Mine has one currently. She loves it.

[JTO24]

I'd say out of the two, CPO M3/M4. I do like the idea of the CPO F10 M5, if you don'd mind a bigger car. They are on my short list, as well.

In the 2-series case, I'd go M2 all day. In fact, I have a deposit down on my local dealer's next allocation for one.

[Conn 10m]

I can speak from first hand experience. I owned a 240i auto for about 7 months and sold it for an M3 comp pack.

To me the main difference was stability. At high speeds(80+) it felt very light and did not inspire confidence. The interior is to close to the M2, nothing special.

The good points were the smoothness of the engine, its size and the gearbox. The M3 obviously is on a different level, as it should be. More stable at speed more tech, HUD and the driving modes etc. DCT takes a while getting use to. Oh and the sense of occasion, I actually like the sound, especially on the CP version.
Strangely, the mpg seems to be about the same, which is good.
If you can afford it, go for the M car.

[Sleeper]

Originally Posted by WarrENDeatH

I love responses like this. Every thread is made with the same idea. Of course, go drive it. I've driven both.

I'm just asking for everyone's opinion. If you didn't have one, easily don't post. I'm sorry to offend your sensibilities.

Here's my opinion: the M3/M4 as it's better in every single way as a daily driver, track car, commuter, weekend car... whatever you want to do with it.

A test drive of both would have showed you that in about 10 seconds.

Sorry my original response was a short, early summary of the general consensus this thread will produce.

[allinon72]

The M240i is a nice car, but it's not an M car. Best case is you'll be wanting an M2 badly. Worst case you'll be regretting your decision on not getting an F80/82 because the 240i blends in with the rest.

[gatorfast]

CPO M3/4 no question about it.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by ///M4ster Yoda

M5 is a land Yacht. Maybe the M5s of yore but the latest versions are YUGE.

M3/4 is the sweet spot.

At the performance center, going from M4/5/6 during the drag race/stop box exercise, I have to say, the M5 was a super nice place to be.

if OP wants luxury and less raw (i.e. more isolation) the 5er is a winner

[///M4ster Yoda]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

At the performance center, going from M4/5/6 during the drag race/stop box exercise, I have to say, the M5 was a super nice place to be.

if OP wants luxury and less raw (i.e. more isolation) the 5er is a winner

I've driven F10 5er's but not the M5. Not a fan. Large and disconnected from the road. I'm sure the M5 is better but you can't hide the girth.

When the wifey and I were at thermal for M school they didn't have any M5s only M2/3/4s. We both liked the M2 (wife more so) but I can't get past the cheap feeling interior.

It's obviously all about individual preference and I prefer something less ginormous. To each his own.

[nicknaz]

Yup agreed. Preference indeed

The m5 they had when I was there was a very highly optioned version with full leather as well as comp pack. It was pretty awesome in my books.

Big car, big motor, long distance autobahn missile.

I wouldn't get an m5 over m5 personally, but i think its definitely worthy of a look, especially in heavily discounted CPO form

[JamesGames]

Let me see if this makes it easier for you;

Buy an M240i and weeks later, start the could've, would've, should've, what if I got the M3 / M4 CPO.


Buy an M3/M4 CPO and never think about the M240i and what could've been.

[RickFLM4]

Macan S