BMW M240i (G42)

A compact coupe with a big six

The BMW M240i xDrive is the fastest version of the G42 generation 2 Series Coupe, which BMW introduced in 2021 and which reached the UK in 2022. Our catalogue lists a 3.0L turbocharged inline-6 petrol (B58) engine producing 369 bhp and 500 Nm, with 0 to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds and a 250 km/h maximum, sent through all four wheels. We have not driven this model for this article. This is a desk-researched ownership guide built from BMW Group's launch press material, a PistonHeads used buying guide published in February 2025 and the government recall check, and any pattern described below is a report from those sources, not our own experience.

BMW quotes 374 PS, which converts to about 369 bhp, and PistonHeads prints 369, which matches our catalogue figure. The two numbers describe the same output in different units, and you may see both in adverts. The PistonHeads guide also carries a warning that power and weight data is hard to pin down and should be treated as relative. Its author notes that some independent testers have recorded quicker 0 to 60 mph runs than the official 0 to 62 mph figure.

What BMW changed for this generation

According to BMW's launch material, the new Coupe was longer, wider and had a longer wheelbase than the car it replaced, with the M240i xDrive receiving wider tracks than the other models, 19-inch M alloy wheels as standard, additional front axle struts and a model-specific version of the M Sport suspension. The B58 engine gained 34 hp over the outgoing M240i, and BMW fitted the eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission with paddles and Launch Control as standard. The torque figure of 500 Nm is available from 1,900 rpm to 5,000 rpm, which explains why the car feels strong at low revs.

The change that matters for ownership is weight and drivetrain. PistonHeads reports a kerb weight with driver of 1,765 kg, which was 205 kg more than the previous rear-drive car, and points to the all-wheel-drive hardware as part of the reason. In return for that weight you get traction and security in poor weather, and PistonHeads describes the previous rear-drive M240i as LSD-free and says it could be a handful in the wrong conditions. BMW made a light update in mid-2024 with a new steering wheel design and some additional technology, so check which version you are looking at.

Engine and gearbox checks

The B58 has a good reputation, but the PistonHeads guide reports a slight tendency towards coolant loss. In the M240i the loss has often come from the expansion tank cap, and replacing the cap and its seal has reduced top-ups for some owners. Other B58 engines have leaked from the water pump or from the oil filter housing and heat exchanger area. The guide recommends checking the level about once a month and warns that the level sensor can be slow to report a problem, so do not rely on the dashboard alone. On a viewing, check the coolant level on a cold engine, look around the filler cap and under the front of the engine for crusty residue, and ask whether any cooling parts have been replaced.

The only transmission is the ZF eight-speed automatic, with Sport Plus, Sprint and Launch Control modes. The guide describes it as quick in normal use but reluctant to drop to a lower gear at high revs, even when you want extra engine braking. Many owners use the paddles to avoid unnecessary gear changes. That is a character trait rather than a fault, but test the car in both automatic and manual modes and note any hesitation or harsh shifts. Exhaust flap rattle was a problem on the previous M240i, but the guide says its authors are not aware of it on the G42.

xDrive, differential and brakes

The system is rear-biased. The rear axle with its M Sport differential receives the drive by default, and when slip is detected an electronically controlled clutch sends a proportion of the power to the front. The guide describes the handling as noticeably rear-biased while giving extra front-end grip and security in poor conditions. Optional adaptive dampers improve the ride in Comfort mode and were considered a cost-effective upgrade, so look for cars that have them.

The M Sport brakes have four-piston fixed calipers at the front and single-piston floating calipers at the rear. Testers disagreed about the pedal, with some finding it over-assisted and jerky in town and others finding it lacking initial bite. Try several stops from different speeds. The guide also mentions that stones can lodge between a brake disc and its dust shield, producing a loud scraping noise and possible disc damage if they are not removed promptly. A faint thump from the rear on and off the throttle was reported by a single owner in the United States and was cured by work on the transfer case, so listen for rear-end noise on the test drive and ask whether any driveline work has been done.

Electronics, trim and body

PistonHeads calls the cabin beautifully put together and spacious enough to be a genuine adult four-seater, with leather upholstery, heated front seats and a digital driver display carried over from the 3 Series. The guide lists a series of small electrical annoyances reported by owners, including inconsistent response from the digital key and Comfort Access, a dash and radio that stay on after leaving the car, false tyre pressure warnings, Android Auto disconnections and a door-open warning that appears when the door is closed. Restarting iDrive by holding the volume button for 30 seconds usually fixes the last of those, but not always permanently. Test every function before buying, including the wireless charger, the USB-C port and the driver aids.

There are also noises to look for. Some cars have an iDrive rattle behind the dash, a steering column creak, a clattering rear parcel shelf or creaks from the roof, and the guide says rubber seal treatment normally cures the roof noise. Headlamp condensation has affected quite a few cars, and one owner in the United States received an adaptive light fault that was a defective unit replaced under warranty. One forum post reported a faulty sunroof motor. The guide mentions that the bonnet and front wings are aluminium, so a poor repair will be harder and more costly to fix, and it is worth checking panel gaps and paint for signs of past accident damage.

Recalls and paperwork

PistonHeads lists several recall actions that affect this model: a software recall in February 2023 concerning windows and the sunroof closing when the digital key was removed, a January 2023 recall for rear seat-back cover panels that might break when the side airbags deploy, and a July 2021 recall for seatbelt retractors that locked too early. Do not assume the list is complete. Enter the registration in the DVSA recall service before you buy, and ask the seller for evidence that each action was completed by a BMW dealer.

Also look for a complete service record. BMW's service plan pricing in the guide does not separate different 2 Series models, so ask the dealer or independent garage for a current quote that matches your exact car. If you buy from an independent, make sure that servicing is registered in the BMW history so there are no unexplained gaps.

Is it worth buying?

The PistonHeads author calls the M240i xDrive a superb year-round car for UK roads, with the main concerns being small electrical and trim issues and the need to watch the coolant. The verdict also points out that when new the car competed in price with hot hatches and compact performance saloons, so it is worth comparing it to those alternatives. We cannot quote a current used price, so check several recent adverts and compare mileage, options such as adaptive dampers and the head-up display, and paint colour.

The strongest example will have a documented service history, a cold-start coolant level that has not dropped, all recall work completed, a quiet cabin with working electronics and four matching tyres in good condition. If the car has been modified, ask for details. If it fails several of those checks, walk away or negotiate hard.