What We Like
That lovely soundtrack with the top down
Performance isn't far off from the M2
Good looks and rewarding drive
What We Dislike
Lack of rear headroom with the roof in place
The fact that the car that you see here produces more torque than its stronger and faster BMW M2 sibling, while being over $50,000 cheaper, makes it an intriguing proposition.
While many M purists would say that the M240i here isn't a 'true blue' M car, and they wouldn't be wrong at that, this topless car with a new name is anything but negative.
Stop beating around the bush. Spit it out, pal
Sitting at the king's throne in BMW's 2 Series Convertible range (since there isn't an M2 Convertible in Singapore), the soft-top M240i now sports some 14bhp and 50Nm of torque more over its predecessor, the M235i. This puts the new convertible just half a second slower than the BMW M2, which is really negligent in real world driving conditions.
Of course having an M2 gives you the necessary boasting rights when you're at a house party or at the usual pub with the boys, but it's when you realise you have to fork out more than $50,000 that you'll appreciate having a car like the M240i.
So it's really just about the price?
It's more than that, actually. The 3.0-litre in-line six engine, like the BWM M140i, has been tweaked for a sweeter drive. With 340 horses and 500Nm of twisting force sent to the real wheels via a quick-shifting eight-speed gearbox, the M240i will happily climb through the revs and swallow the century sprint in a zippy 4.7 seconds.
When you're door-handling the car like a fugitive on the run, the difference between the convertible and its predecessor is minimal, to be quite honest. Going through a series of bends, the convertible feels cheekier than its M140i brother, with a slight tendency to slide out should you decide to exit a bend too early, too fast.
That said, the M240i Convertible undeniably provides a rewarding drive with its muscular engine and confidence-inspiring handling. Little correction is necessary and you get to enjoy ample steering feedback, which is of essence when you're carving corners at illegal speeds.
I won't feel any differences then?
The subtle but important differences start to surface when you're around town as well as when you're performing overtaking manoeuvres. As with the M140i hot hatch, the M240i doesn't feel like it has been forced induced.
While many M purists would say that the M240i here isn't a 'true blue' M car, and they wouldn't be wrong at that, this topless car with a new name is anything but negative.
Stop beating around the bush. Spit it out, pal
Sitting at the king's throne in BMW's 2 Series Convertible range (since there isn't an M2 Convertible in Singapore), the soft-top M240i now sports some 14bhp and 50Nm of torque more over its predecessor, the M235i. This puts the new convertible just half a second slower than the BMW M2, which is really negligent in real world driving conditions.
Of course having an M2 gives you the necessary boasting rights when you're at a house party or at the usual pub with the boys, but it's when you realise you have to fork out more than $50,000 that you'll appreciate having a car like the M240i.
So it's really just about the price?
It's more than that, actually. The 3.0-litre in-line six engine, like the BWM M140i, has been tweaked for a sweeter drive. With 340 horses and 500Nm of twisting force sent to the real wheels via a quick-shifting eight-speed gearbox, the M240i will happily climb through the revs and swallow the century sprint in a zippy 4.7 seconds.
When you're door-handling the car like a fugitive on the run, the difference between the convertible and its predecessor is minimal, to be quite honest. Going through a series of bends, the convertible feels cheekier than its M140i brother, with a slight tendency to slide out should you decide to exit a bend too early, too fast.
That said, the M240i Convertible undeniably provides a rewarding drive with its muscular engine and confidence-inspiring handling. Little correction is necessary and you get to enjoy ample steering feedback, which is of essence when you're carving corners at illegal speeds.
I won't feel any differences then?
The subtle but important differences start to surface when you're around town as well as when you're performing overtaking manoeuvres. As with the M140i hot hatch, the M240i doesn't feel like it has been forced induced.
Turbo lag is down to a minimal, thanks to the extra torque that is available at lower revs. It's also because of this that allows the car to feel more eager and confident to merge into highways and overtake slower-moving vehicles.
Suspension is firm, but never harsh. Despite the growing number of road works here, the car manages to soak up bumps and lumps of bad tarmac without making you and your occupants feel queasy.
Roof up or roof down?
The idea of getting a convertible is having a choice to soak in the sun while driving. Personally, we would take the Coupe over the Convertible. But, individual tastes aside, the M240i Convertible lets you have the best of both worlds.
Taking about 20 seconds and up to a speed of 50km/h for the roof to operate, via a touch of a button on the centre stack, you get to enjoy the mesmerising in-line six soundtrack with the top down.
It's also during this time when the rear passengers will be the most comfortable because with the roof in place, headroom may be slightly compromised for the average Singaporean adult.
I have the moola, mate. M2 or M240i?
In a way, there's a familiar sense of engagement and communication behind the wheel of both the M2 and the M240i. Both of them will neither leave you tired nor flustered.
If boasting rights are important to you at house parties or gatherings at the usual pub, the $300,800 (as of 9th January 2017) M2 is a must.
But if you're like us, where piloting an intriguing and understated car will easily satisfy our hunger, the $247,800 (as of 9th January 2017) M240i should be right up your alley.
Suspension is firm, but never harsh. Despite the growing number of road works here, the car manages to soak up bumps and lumps of bad tarmac without making you and your occupants feel queasy.
Roof up or roof down?
The idea of getting a convertible is having a choice to soak in the sun while driving. Personally, we would take the Coupe over the Convertible. But, individual tastes aside, the M240i Convertible lets you have the best of both worlds.
Taking about 20 seconds and up to a speed of 50km/h for the roof to operate, via a touch of a button on the centre stack, you get to enjoy the mesmerising in-line six soundtrack with the top down.
It's also during this time when the rear passengers will be the most comfortable because with the roof in place, headroom may be slightly compromised for the average Singaporean adult.
I have the moola, mate. M2 or M240i?
In a way, there's a familiar sense of engagement and communication behind the wheel of both the M2 and the M240i. Both of them will neither leave you tired nor flustered.
If boasting rights are important to you at house parties or gatherings at the usual pub, the $300,800 (as of 9th January 2017) M2 is a must.
But if you're like us, where piloting an intriguing and understated car will easily satisfy our hunger, the $247,800 (as of 9th January 2017) M240i should be right up your alley.
