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Read the WELCOME ALL BMWFANATICS post.
YozTruly’s F22 M240i
- Thread starter YozTruly
- Start date
No a few good guys there..its more my problem with these Car salesman in general . They need to be realistic..dont even think they know what cars they selling or the background of their inventory
Sabretooth tiger
///Member
Yep the R44 is not a good place to speed on. I found out the expensive way.
So I got the license renewal letter in the mail recently. That means a year has passed since I got the car and its time for a long overdue update .
THE VERDICT:
TLDR!!!! This is a lovely piece of machinery. I have enjoyed every single day of my ownership so far and this car has got me M2Comp curious.
The Good:
The Bad:
Why no mods:
Back to the Verdict:
I plan to keep this car the foreseeable future - it truly is an amazing car with little to dislike. Ultimately, I will want to separate my daily from my play car so I see a garage queen F87 M2Comp in my future and probably something fuel conscious car to balance performance and daily duties with different cars. The M240i is the perfect in-between car and BMW has perfected the car. I sometimes wonder if they meant this or it came out perfect by accident. My M2Comp want is not because I have conquered the B58, far from it, it’s more to do with the M2 being well . . . the M2.
THE VERDICT:
TLDR!!!! This is a lovely piece of machinery. I have enjoyed every single day of my ownership so far and this car has got me M2Comp curious.
The Good:
- This little guy gets a lot of attention, including from myself. I am sometimes shocked at how good this car looks. One car wash and the long beach blue pops in all its glory.
- It is an effortless car to drive, park and manoeuvre. Even my wife has not had any complaints (including about how low the car is compared to our ex-Q3).
- Nice balance of tech-to-old school feel. Enough so that I do not know what the newer platforms offer that I’m missing out on. That said, 360 degree camera would probably help, the car has a long nose.
- The power! This car is plenty quick. One giant stab at the pedal and it’s gone. (My preference is 1 downshift at the paddles + accelerator stab = more instantaneous power).
The Bad:
- Throttle Response in comfort: I suspect this is to do with drive modes but the throttle feels a little lazy in comfort mode. The car doesn’t seem to move when accelerator pedal is pressed. I’m talking a few mm of pedal movement here but it is noticeable, especially if you come off the pedal and on again, e.g. over speed humps or at take off from traffic lights. I thought it was my driving style as I prefer light throttle inputs at take off in traffic but my wife raised this too. The is not an issue in Sport or Sport+ hence I think it is a drive mode issue.
- I had a “rear tail light failure” error message come up. The error would reset when the car is switched off but came back up a few times. I booked the car in at BMW but the error resolves itself before I took the car in. I still had them have a look and they told me it’s a bad connection. I decided to leave it for now as the error disappeared. Till today I have not had the error again, it has been 4 months now. I did check on overseas forums and it seems to be a known F22/87 2 series issue, including the error disappearing. I will get a new cluster if it ever comes back.
- Low coolant error. On a random Saturday I got a low coolant error message. Quickly went to BMW to get a top up. I got worried when I had less than 250 ml left in the bottle after the topup. The following Monday I booked in the car at BMW. I decided to get them to do the next service while at it. At this point I had driven around 10k km and CBS was due in another 6k km. BMW said they can’t pick up any coolant leaks so a bit of a relief. The coolant issue hasn’t returned yet, it’s been 3 months and I cannot see anything in the garage although I can smell what seems to be burnt coolant when I run the heater. I am thinking of sending the car back to BMW to investigate this thoroughly. Am I overreacting? I see @Nishcat_M140i seems to have found the cause and solution to this.
- Road Rash: I wash the car myself. Admittedly I am not doing anything special nor am I using special products so I might as well be taking it to the car wash but I like that I get to inspect the car as part of the car wash. The car hasa few scratches on the from rims from touching kerbs I guess - not ideal but it is what it is. What I’m more worried about is the car has pick up some road rash (see photo below). This is a black solidified liquid, I believe it to be bitumen. I have no clue how and when this happened as I don’t recall driving newly surfaced roads. I’m looking for ideas on how to get rid of this. I’m also toying with the idea of paint correction and ceramic coating. Anyone know where to best do this in Cape Town and appropriate cost?
Why no mods:
- Performance Mods: I have no plans to do any performance mods. The way I have used this car does not qualify me to do any. The car has been driven like a princess around suburban Cape Town. Once in a blue moon I have toggled it to Sport+ and gave it the beans. It’s partly due to my laziness to drive out to the popular hooning roads and partly because I spend a fair share of my time annoying motorists as I pedal around Cape Town on 2 wheels. I did have an occasion to go to Franschhoek earlier this year where I bonded with Sport+ a little. Massively fun but I am not skilled enough just yet.
- Exterior Mods: BMW did a great job with the exterior combos on the long beach blue M240i. The car comes with Cerium Gray (grey) exterior touches including the kidney grill surround and the M240i badge. The rear diffuser is grey and the mirror caps are black. I have looked around for mod ideas and I cannot find ones that would make the car better, except possible a carbon front splitter. I am on the fence on this and have it on my cart for over 7 months now. If I could find an aggressive rear diffuser in gloss grey, I think I would go for it and the carbon front splitter. I have no chance of finding cerium grey kidneys with dual slats. I find the OEM+ boot spoilers a touch too aggressive and they all come in black or carbon, I do not think it would suit the car. For now, the car lives its life in complete OEM spec and I do not hate it one bit.
Back to the Verdict:
I plan to keep this car the foreseeable future - it truly is an amazing car with little to dislike. Ultimately, I will want to separate my daily from my play car so I see a garage queen F87 M2Comp in my future and probably something fuel conscious car to balance performance and daily duties with different cars. The M240i is the perfect in-between car and BMW has perfected the car. I sometimes wonder if they meant this or it came out perfect by accident. My M2Comp want is not because I have conquered the B58, far from it, it’s more to do with the M2 being well . . . the M2.
msm
Well-known member
Your verdict mirrors my feelings about my current M240i. Since I put it up for sale a few weeks ago, I managed to test drive the newer G series cars a bit. Honestly, although they were better cars, I think the F22 M240i is still the better BMW that balances the old and new perfectly well.
I also used to own a F82 M4 and flat out that car was amazing - but the B58 is not far off in real world conditions. Maybe dialed up to 80%, but yet so much comfier all around as a daily.
For me, the M240i feels like an evolution of a E46 M3 - enough added performance, enough added comfort, not as big as the 4 series coupe (which has grown a bit too large), not as compromised as a full M car (which take nothing away from, is still epic as a weekend warrior).
In fact, after driving some of the newer stuff, I’m in 2 minds about getting rid of mine - I do believe it is the perfect coupe.
Funnily enough (and subjectively), I think BMW screwed up a bit by putting the B58 in the F22 chassis and didn’t realise the little Frankenstein monster it created!
I also used to own a F82 M4 and flat out that car was amazing - but the B58 is not far off in real world conditions. Maybe dialed up to 80%, but yet so much comfier all around as a daily.
For me, the M240i feels like an evolution of a E46 M3 - enough added performance, enough added comfort, not as big as the 4 series coupe (which has grown a bit too large), not as compromised as a full M car (which take nothing away from, is still epic as a weekend warrior).
In fact, after driving some of the newer stuff, I’m in 2 minds about getting rid of mine - I do believe it is the perfect coupe.
Funnily enough (and subjectively), I think BMW screwed up a bit by putting the B58 in the F22 chassis and didn’t realise the little Frankenstein monster it created!
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Nishcat_M140i
///Member
Excellent write up bud. You've summed up everything perfectly and accurately.
Having owned an F22 M240i for the 3 years that I did, I can honestly say its one of the best balanced good value for money performance cars you can buy in this age. Its a car I truly miss (my old car is actually for sale currently).
I wanted to replace it with the M2C, but at the same time the 8Y had just come out and I wanted to try the daza platform. Within the first month of owning the RS3, I absolutely regretted my decision, hence why I kept that car for only 6 months. It was a very powerful car I can't deny that, but it just wasn't for me as I find Audi's to be extremely boring eventually (no offense to those who own them). Most times, I would use my mom's X3M Comp because I missed the feeling of driving a BMW when I had that car.
When I sold it, I was looking at getting into an F80 M3 Comp LCI 2, but having driven my uncle's G80 Xdrive as well as the mom's X3M Comp, I was immediately put off getting an S55, because the S58 was that amazing. I might be biased, but I preferred the B58 over the S55 as well. And then the M140i came up for sale, and I ended up taking it as it was the car I initially wanted before the M240i.
Having owned both, the M240i and now the M140i, they are technically the same car, just in different body shapes. In terms of handling, I would say the 240 handled slightly better and it felt a bit more sportier being a coupe and IMO, it looked better. However, from a practicality and resale point of view, thats where I would say the 140 takes the cake. If I had to choose between my 240i and the 140i, I would choose to stay with the 140 since its something I've always wanted.
In terms of the coolant leaks, its something we unfortunately cannot avoid. The B series BMWs in particular are unfortunately prone to these issues. I just don't understand why BMW used such shitty cheap materials in their cooling systems. With the 240, the car was still under warranty so BMW covered it all at the time. On the 140, I had to replace the entire cooling system last year when I bought the car, and I had to do the same with my daily driven F30 320i (B48). The expansion tanks weren't replaced on both cars which means the cap wasnt replaced either. I had done some research and one of the common leaks on these cars are broken expansion tank caps. I inspected my cap and it was cracked. I replaced it last week and ever since, there hasn't been any loss of coolant ever since and I've done about 250kms on the 140 ever since. Hopefully it was something as simple as that and it doesn't reoccur again.
The B58 is indeed a very special engine, I can't deny that. It would be very difficult to replace the M140i, especially considering its the last of its kind in terms of hot hatches. Its a car I plan on keeping long term. Initially I would like to add a G87 next to it in the stable.
Having owned an F22 M240i for the 3 years that I did, I can honestly say its one of the best balanced good value for money performance cars you can buy in this age. Its a car I truly miss (my old car is actually for sale currently).
I wanted to replace it with the M2C, but at the same time the 8Y had just come out and I wanted to try the daza platform. Within the first month of owning the RS3, I absolutely regretted my decision, hence why I kept that car for only 6 months. It was a very powerful car I can't deny that, but it just wasn't for me as I find Audi's to be extremely boring eventually (no offense to those who own them). Most times, I would use my mom's X3M Comp because I missed the feeling of driving a BMW when I had that car.
When I sold it, I was looking at getting into an F80 M3 Comp LCI 2, but having driven my uncle's G80 Xdrive as well as the mom's X3M Comp, I was immediately put off getting an S55, because the S58 was that amazing. I might be biased, but I preferred the B58 over the S55 as well. And then the M140i came up for sale, and I ended up taking it as it was the car I initially wanted before the M240i.
Having owned both, the M240i and now the M140i, they are technically the same car, just in different body shapes. In terms of handling, I would say the 240 handled slightly better and it felt a bit more sportier being a coupe and IMO, it looked better. However, from a practicality and resale point of view, thats where I would say the 140 takes the cake. If I had to choose between my 240i and the 140i, I would choose to stay with the 140 since its something I've always wanted.
In terms of the coolant leaks, its something we unfortunately cannot avoid. The B series BMWs in particular are unfortunately prone to these issues. I just don't understand why BMW used such shitty cheap materials in their cooling systems. With the 240, the car was still under warranty so BMW covered it all at the time. On the 140, I had to replace the entire cooling system last year when I bought the car, and I had to do the same with my daily driven F30 320i (B48). The expansion tanks weren't replaced on both cars which means the cap wasnt replaced either. I had done some research and one of the common leaks on these cars are broken expansion tank caps. I inspected my cap and it was cracked. I replaced it last week and ever since, there hasn't been any loss of coolant ever since and I've done about 250kms on the 140 ever since. Hopefully it was something as simple as that and it doesn't reoccur again.
The B58 is indeed a very special engine, I can't deny that. It would be very difficult to replace the M140i, especially considering its the last of its kind in terms of hot hatches. Its a car I plan on keeping long term. Initially I would like to add a G87 next to it in the stable.
Thanks @MR_Y !
Since you have made the hard decision to sell it, it say go ahead with the sale. If it truly bothers you down the line you can try get another one.
This is something I ask myself, how much better can the full M’s be. This gives me a slight idea. Although we all know a M is a M, we can’t rationalise our way out of it.
BMW makes my favourite coupes. I can’t recall one I didn’t like.
A massive F-u to the bean counters! IT’s commendable that they went on the realise a full M after that.
Thanks mate!
Lol, I think you are entitled to find Audis boring. I had a 2.0 155kW Q3 that I never fell in love with. The car was quick but didn’t inspire confidence, granted it is a tall car. I was similarly bored when I drove a Golf 7 GTi.
The 140i is legendary. It has so much more street cred than the 240i. I guess it’s because there are a lot of hatchbacks to directly compare it to. The 240i is a lone wolf in that regard. Luckily for me I don’t need the practicality just yet - the backseats on my car have been used once and that was for a 3km trip 😂. I prefer to ignore resale at this time. The car will sell for what it sells for.
I am hoping it’s that simple. The initial checks from BMW came back negative for leaks but this could be because they put minimum effort. I will definitely book it in again for a more thorough check. I’ll also inspect my cap hoping I’ll find the issue there. I have done over 1500 - 2000 km since the refill but something is nagging me as to why would coolant just disappear if it’s not leaking.
Keep it for as long as it feels special to you and then let go when the time comes. That’s my plan atleast - while I keep 1 eye on the F87 M2Comp. The OG M2 doesn’t have special bits in terms of interior it’s to get me interested even though it’s engine rated (at least on the internet) as being better than the S55 - a sentiment you share I guess.
Nishcat_M140i
///Member
My advice is, if your car is out of warranty, have it looked at an RMI.
They tend to find problems quicker than BMW do.
AshG108
///Member
@YozTruly - bro, take a drive to @Xcede Performance, ask Ashley to do pressure and leak test for you and see if there is anything. Then next time you book it in, then you can TELL them what needs to be done rather instead of them not finding anything again. for it to lose coolant and smell, something is amiss.
Thanks @AshG108 . I’ll give Xcede a call.
Salt
///Member
For what it's worth, the one leak I had now was the intercooler which sits inside the intake manifold...thus you'd never be able to see it no matter how or from which angle you look in to the engine bay. The only reason BMW found it is because they had to remove the intake manifold to get to the oil filter housing.
Update on the cooling system:
The good:
Took the car to Master M about a month ago. Asked them to do a pressure test on the cooling system. System lost a bit of pressure confirming a leak, though minor. They couldn’t see anything though and advised that they suspect the leak to be around the oil filter housing.
Although they assured me it’s not urgent, I decided to get it sorted. Turns out the coolant seals has become brittle and a small leak had developed there.
Over the last month I have turned on the heater to full blast as often as I can and I have not picked up the smell. So crossing fingers that it’s sorted!
The bad:
Master M are likeable people. The owner/ lead tech knows his way around BMWs, especially the F22. I believe he owns one and is part of some 2 series club in CPT and is a former BMW tech.
Unfortunately, my overall experience with this repair was no great, two things stand out:
1. No communication/updates. The reason for poor comms was because their front desk lady was on leave - I understand this but there was a substitute who should have been able to do the bare minimum.
2. Overpromising. There are some basics we agreed on that they have not delivered. Dropped the car off on Wednesday, 08h00. We spent that whole day engaging Innovation with no success. Following day, 08h00, I gave the go ahead but they needed to take photos as they go so I can fight innovation later. No photos till today. Other overpromise was to get the car back by Friday (didn’t happen and no updates until I 1 hour before closing).
The Ugly: Innovation
To paraphrase @TurboLlew, with the aftermarket warranties: You walk around the whole Summer as if you are clothed, only to find out you are naked when the winter comes.
I spent the whole day arguing with Innovation that the cooling system runs through the oil filter housing to get to the oil cooler / heat exchanger. The leak is at the interface between the oil filter housing and the cooling hoses. Their argument is the oil filter housing is not part of the cooling system and therefore is not covered. It will only be covered if the car overheated. Funny people! I ended up paying for the repair myself.
Anyway, I’m happy that I am no longer smelling coolant and enjoying the car!
The good:
Took the car to Master M about a month ago. Asked them to do a pressure test on the cooling system. System lost a bit of pressure confirming a leak, though minor. They couldn’t see anything though and advised that they suspect the leak to be around the oil filter housing.
Although they assured me it’s not urgent, I decided to get it sorted. Turns out the coolant seals has become brittle and a small leak had developed there.
Over the last month I have turned on the heater to full blast as often as I can and I have not picked up the smell. So crossing fingers that it’s sorted!
The bad:
Master M are likeable people. The owner/ lead tech knows his way around BMWs, especially the F22. I believe he owns one and is part of some 2 series club in CPT and is a former BMW tech.
Unfortunately, my overall experience with this repair was no great, two things stand out:
1. No communication/updates. The reason for poor comms was because their front desk lady was on leave - I understand this but there was a substitute who should have been able to do the bare minimum.
2. Overpromising. There are some basics we agreed on that they have not delivered. Dropped the car off on Wednesday, 08h00. We spent that whole day engaging Innovation with no success. Following day, 08h00, I gave the go ahead but they needed to take photos as they go so I can fight innovation later. No photos till today. Other overpromise was to get the car back by Friday (didn’t happen and no updates until I 1 hour before closing).
The Ugly: Innovation
To paraphrase @TurboLlew, with the aftermarket warranties: You walk around the whole Summer as if you are clothed, only to find out you are naked when the winter comes.
I spent the whole day arguing with Innovation that the cooling system runs through the oil filter housing to get to the oil cooler / heat exchanger. The leak is at the interface between the oil filter housing and the cooling hoses. Their argument is the oil filter housing is not part of the cooling system and therefore is not covered. It will only be covered if the car overheated. Funny people! I ended up paying for the repair myself.
Anyway, I’m happy that I am no longer smelling coolant and enjoying the car!
AshG108
///Member
Hey dude,
Sorry about that, but that fact that it is solved...take it as school fees. I had a warranty on my M135i which i never used because many of the preventative items would just be too much of a hassle.
And on your acceleration being slow in 'Comfort', maybe you need to do an adaptations reset. Google it but mostly it is swtich the ignition on ONLY, dont start that car. hold down the accelerator until you feel the button under being pressed and hold this for about 10-15 seconds (IIRC) and then release the accelerator and switch the car off. Lock it and unlock it and start it up and the accelerator adaptations should be reset and will adapt to your driving style afterwards. Feels like a new car once this is done. If you hoon it, the car will adapt to this and become a bit jerky as it will be hooning it all the time in that mode lol.
Sorry about that, but that fact that it is solved...take it as school fees. I had a warranty on my M135i which i never used because many of the preventative items would just be too much of a hassle.
And on your acceleration being slow in 'Comfort', maybe you need to do an adaptations reset. Google it but mostly it is swtich the ignition on ONLY, dont start that car. hold down the accelerator until you feel the button under being pressed and hold this for about 10-15 seconds (IIRC) and then release the accelerator and switch the car off. Lock it and unlock it and start it up and the accelerator adaptations should be reset and will adapt to your driving style afterwards. Feels like a new car once this is done. If you hoon it, the car will adapt to this and become a bit jerky as it will be hooning it all the time in that mode lol.
The biggest issue I think is taking it to the wrong shop. I am on innovation and it’s mostly been hassle free for me as I have mentioned on here before.
My car gets worked on at Xflow Performance. They are RMI approved and on the Innovation dealer list. They have a dedicated person (Olivia) that deals with innovation and Alister is there as the tech to explain to them in detail the issue.
I only phone to ask for progress etc. everything else they take care of by them and innovation. As mentioned a bit over 50k in repairs has been paid for by innovation for something I paid some 13k if I’m not mistaken.
Of the top of my head
Valve cover and gasket with labor
New radiator and fluids with labor
Brake pads with labor including disks
Charge pipe with labor
Downpipe (mine got blocked) with labor
New battery with labor
2 services (full paid for by innovation)
There was a full set of coils but I can’t remember if they paid for that or I did. Same with 1 step colder spark plugs.
Some preventative maintenance/upgrades I did:
7.5 inch VRSF race intercooler
Carbon clean
Hybrid turbo and recon
Xcede custom software
8k services (in between the 15k innovation ones)
Turbo inlet pipe upgrade
Diff mounts
Next in December is diff and trans service.
Early next year it’s upgraded fuel pump, diverter valve and I will potentially pay for a new water pump and thermostat along with coolant pipe and reservoir just because I don’t like being stuck on the side of the road.
Having aftermarket warranty didn’t stop me from doing preventative maintenance.
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Wrong shop May be the correct thing here. Kinda falls into the overpromising category. My first preference was Excede but they are literally on the other side of town from me. I know better now though.
One of the factors for choosing them was location. They are less than 3 km from my place. Anyway, I will do better homework next time, especially for something “non-urgent”. Funny enough, this repair was slightly more expensive than the cost of the cover.
