[Bob406]

I havn't really bonded with my 340i Touring and am wondering about a 240i, maybe manual as I'm not in love with the auto box.
I've had BMW's of various types for 30+ years ( along with other interesting stuff ) and maybe am just too set in my ways but I feel more involved with a manual.
Any thoughts? ( most of my driving is country and A roads )

[creepy coupe]

Really enjoying my M240 11000 mile since March. Mines an auto, as I hate BMW manuals. But each to their own.

[Sasquartch]

Whatever works for you

No right or wrong - at least we still have a choice, it wont be many years before manual gearboxes will be a thing of the past

[Buttons]

a good size 4 door auto to a small 2 door manual - thats quite a change!

[ViRUS_RiP]

Yup ^

So assuming size doesn't matter to you now, you don't need the extra space the touring can offer?

[Ronstein]

Had a Touring, looked at and tried out an M240i, bought a 530d!! No rhyme or reason, just what felt right at the time.

[JustChris]

Make sure you're happy with the pedal box area Bob.

I loved my M235i BUT I have size 11 feet and at time the offset of the pedals was very uncomfortable!
EDIT: Just want to check, the M2340i is auto only I think so just checking you know this and I assume are looking at Approved Used.

[XK140]

If I was going to venture into the M140i/240i arena again then I would probably go better and look at an M2.

The suspension on the 140/240 was rather a let down to me,it can be resolved by spending on aftermarket parts but it should be better out of the box IMO.

[creepy coupe]

Originally Posted by XK140

If I was going to venture into the M140i/240i arena again then I would probably go better and look at an M2.

The suspension on the 140/240 was rather a let down to me,it can be resolved by spending on aftermarket parts but it should be better out of the box IMO.

Have you driven an M2? Because the dampers are even worse than the mlites. Which you can spec adaptives for. Which you can't on an M2. Pre comp pack M2's are a bit fidgety.

[NotGotABimmer23]

The manual is a pain in the ass. Offset pedals, notchy, rubbery and with a habit of doing weird things with the rev matching.

[XK140]

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

Have you driven an M2? Because the dampers are even worse than the mlites. Which you can spec adaptives for. Which you can't on an M2. Pre comp pack M2's are a bit fidgety.

Never driven an M2,just assumed for the extra money they would be a lot better,just shows how wrong you can be.

My mlite had adaptive dampers,but both settings were poor IMO.

So my revised opinion is get an mlite but have £2k ready for new springs and dampers.

[djcowlin]

What don't you like about the 340i?

[Bob406]

All interesting stuff, obviously I will drive both auto and manual, my local stealer has a grey one coming in which is the right spec with auto. The pedal layout does worry me because my 996 wrecked my back :-(
I don't use the load carrying capability as much as I thought I would and I don't really need 4 doors.
My oldest daughter has a 116d and the auto box in that seems much smother.
I'm only just starting to drive again after a major operation so it may be a week or two before I can do much running around after cars!

[JNW1]

Originally Posted by XK140

Never driven an M2,just assumed for the extra money they would be a lot better,just shows how wrong you can be.

My mlite had adaptive dampers,but both settings were poor IMO.

So my revised opinion is get an mlite but have £2k ready for new springs and dampers.

If budget allows I don't think a manual M2's a bad shout and from what I understand the LCI version (so circa September 2017 onwards) received some subtle chassis tweaks (albeit they weren't publicised by BMW). Therefore, assuming one's in budget, I'd say to the OP have a drive in an M2 and also an M240i and see what you think....

[s1wnw]

I have had both a M135 with lsd and a 335i touring. The M seemed quicker and much keener to spin wheels etc. I needed the extra space so the touring is doing a good job for my family. If I didn't need the space i would have kept the m135i. I have size 11 feet too and the pedals in the smaller car are a real pain. both cars are manuals too.

[NISFAN]

Modern 'family' cars are just not as involving, period....so if you think that it's because it doesn't have a third pedal you are likely to be disappointed further.

Plus a drive by wire, dual mass flywheel, clutch delay valved, rubber bushed shifter, auto rev matching, manual is a truly wretched thing, to be avoided at all costs. BMW have successfully managed to make an automatic 'the drivers choice' when it comes to all things B58 powered, thanks to the above.

[Steven1077]

I wouldn't want an M2 with a bad back

[creepy coupe]

Originally Posted by Steven1077

I wouldn't want an M2 with a bad back

The ride put me off with a good back. As a daily driver. I think they are a poor choice. Also thinking ahead. No one wants a leggy M car.

[Chompers]

New M240i is only available with 8AT. If buying via PCP then new is the only way to go. Done 7.5k in my demo now and it's fantastic. Will be a tough car to replace come the new year.

[Karlj]

15k in my '18 240i Manual. If I could go back and spec the auto, I probably would. My daily driving is perfectly suited for a manual, but the strange behavior of the box is a real let down. For example, even with all the systems as 'off' as they can be, if you shift up at the redline like you'll want to in the B58, it has a tendency to over-rev the engine own its on (as if you've flat-foot shifted). It also feels like the flywheel weighs about 30t when waiting for the engine to rev down sometimes - especially bad in 2nd when you've just had a burst of sideways, but want to shift back up to 3rd for sensible 30mph driving. The clutch is much heavier than I'd like, but you get used to it - although the excess pedal travel is forever annoying.

On the flip side, there are definitely moments where all systems off, you can heal-toe yourself and have a blast. The longer gears suit the torque perfectly IMO, with 2nd taking you above motorway speed - with the added bonus of shifting less, so you don't notice how dodgy the box feels sometimes.

The rest of the car is great. I did not enjoy how heavy my old M4 felt on the road, especially when it started to get unsettled. I never found a damper setting that felt right for "shitey british road with potholes and cyclists", but the non-adaptive/passive suspension works a treat on country lanes. Some people have complained about body roll, but its light enough thats it doesn't adversely affect handling. If you lived in Germany or were tracking it, I'd definitely look at swapping for something stiffer though.

The steering feel, in my opinion, is quite a bit worse than the M4, which is saying something. I also miss having an LSD (will eventually get around to fitting the M-Perf. diff).

All that said, I can't think of a car I'd rather have right now. M2C is heavier, wider, and has the S55 which sounds bad to my ears. Maybe a Cayman, but that's all.

[Tengocity]

OP, you said you haven't bonded with your car, but how much is really the gearbox, and how much is just that it's not really all that great a car to drive?
Not that it's bad, but no standard F30 car is all that much of a drivers car compared to previous versions.

[dizzy619]

Terry has a point OP I haven't really bonded with my 340i touring either.. I'm not convinced all the hype is deserved.