[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by PLF69

It's a shame they fucked up the HVAC/infotainment/drive mode controls..

It is. I've still got a blue manual one coming in.

[PLF69]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

It is. I've still got a blue manual one coming in.

I've been very tempted to get one as they perform quite well for track days (lower weight helps a ton) + I could load the dogs in the back witch is a no go in the 3 series but they came to be available too late.

I do own a 2021 Atlas Cross Sport that has physical HVAC controls and I find the infotainment controls already way more distracting and dangerous vs the BMW.

I was hoping maybe vw falls back to physical because of all the complaints but I honestly doubt it, I don't see there products the same way as before, I loved my past Tiguan and Touareg but now it's all "how can we build cars Americans will find semi-premium for the cheapest cost possible" The R built in Germany is really the last of its kind..

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by PLF69

I've been very tempted to get one as they perform quite well for track days (lower weight helps a ton) + I could load the dogs in the back witch is a no go in the 3 series but they came to be available too late.

I do own a 2021 Atlas Cross Sport that has physical HVAC controls and I find the infotainment controls already way more distracting and dangerous vs the BMW.

I was hoping maybe vw falls back to physical because of all the complaints but I honestly doubt it, I don't see there products the same way as before, I loved my past Tiguan and Touareg but now it's all "how can we build cars Americans will find semi-premium for the cheapest cost possible" The R built in Germany is really the last of its kind..

I've had a couple of Mk7 GTI's, the first with a smaller screen with physical buttons. I was worried about the second with only a touch screen, but it works great.

I know the Mk8 and ID4 have issues, but I'm hoping it's not as bad as people who are just in and out of many different cars all day find it to be. The over the air updates have been having small improvements so far.

Or it could all just suck. We'll see.

[Lightngsvt]

I've never been. big VW guy, but this Golf R is pretty impressive. For $10k+ less than the M240 it seems like a good value and is more practical. Plus the biggest advantage is you can get a manual! I have to agree that the infotainment and lack of buttons is unforgivable though.

In a vacuum, the rear of the M240 doesn't look that bad in pics. However, when parked by the other two cars... Wow , it is short, fat, and frumpy! I get the complaints now. But from the front the M240 is clearly the best looking of the bunch, sporty, aggressive, and premium looking.

[2011ninja]

Now the Golf R has a sunroof and significantly enough more hp than GTI and AWD to differentiate between the two cars:

Now I'm interested all over again

I've seen posts of people taking delivery in Florida and Canada.

I wonder if the VW dealers have allocation issues like the G80.

[PLF69]

My biggest problem with the M240i and future M2 is that it is now basically a two seater. What was great of the last gen was that you could rip around the track with 911's, 718's and pick up two full adults on the way home.

It's not a problem if your ok with that, wich most will be but I think it was a great perk that really made the utility of BMW's stand out. They've now placed the 2 series in a realm outside S3, Golf R and A35/45 practicality.

[SN1P3]

Originally Posted by PLF69

My biggest problem with the M240i and future M2 is that it is now basically a two seater. What was great of the last gen was that you could rip around the track with 911's, 718's and pick up two full adults on the way home.

It's not a problem if your ok with that, wich most will be but I think it was a great perk that really made the utility of BMW's stand out. They've now placed the 2 series in a realm outside S3, Golf R and A35/45 practicality.

I personally like that they've distinguished themselves as a true coupe. Some, myself included, want a sporty 2 seater with track capabilities without entering Porsche price range.

[dereksM3]

As a previous Golf R MK7 owner and 340i M-Sport owner I wouldn't buy either really (meaning 240i). The MK7 is soleless as mentioned, the MK8 is better with the new diff but the looks/interior is ehhh. The S3 is old architecture and unfortunately doesn't get the nice rear diff (yet). The 240i just doesn't quite have the looks in my opinion even though the B58 is a marvel. I would consider splurging for the upcoming RS3 and spend the extra $10k or so for that 5cyl, rear diff, awesome looks, and nicer interior. Not to mention it will leave all 3 of these cars well behind and a simple tune turns them into 10sec pocket rockets.

[kumizi206]

I actually wanted a Golf R before I looked at the 240. They were supposed to be at dealers in November but I think VW screwed up the launch. Needed a car asap.

My MK7 did 0-60 in 3.5 with just an APR tune. The utility of the hatchback is nice. I could never drive a pickup so

[EXE46]

Originally Posted by dereksM3

As a previous Golf R MK7 owner and 340i M-Sport owner I wouldn't buy either really (meaning 240i). The MK7 is soleless as mentioned, the MK8 is better with the new diff but the looks/interior is ehhh. The S3 is old architecture and unfortunately doesn't get the nice rear diff (yet). The 240i just doesn't quite have the looks in my opinion even though the B58 is a marvel. I would consider splurging for the upcoming RS3 and spend the extra $10k or so for that 5cyl, rear diff, awesome looks, and nicer interior. Not to mention it will leave all 3 of these cars well behind and a simple tune turns them into 10sec pocket rockets.

RS3 competes with the M2, that's the more fair comparison and I would rather have an M2 than the Audi. When G87 X drive arrives we can compare then.

[stefan]

Originally Posted by SN1P3

I personally like that they've distinguished themselves as a true coupe. Some, myself included, want a sporty 2 seater with track capabilities without entering Porsche price range.

it's better than a tiny 4 door. So with forward facing child seats, my M2 is much much easier than my Golf R was. The door opening was small to begin with, with a high rear seat bench. And to make it worse the door doesn't open very far.

I'd rather have a coupe than a pointless 4dr.

[carmanIII]

Originally Posted by TheStanman

Is it confirmed that the M240i uses overboost during launch control? I still would have expected bigger difference from a roll. Seems odd.

Haven't heard that comment anywhere except on this review. I wonder if its more about the M240i transmission kick-down on the roll race?

[MoeMuc]

There is no extra boost in LC Mode with the B58. I think the reason for the closer rolling race is very simple - just look at 3:08 in the video - the m240i pulls until he shifts, then he falls back - looks pretty much like a missed shifting point to me. After owning an M340i and having driven the Gold R as a loaner, I am pretty sure that the performance advantage of the m240i should be even bigger at higher speeds…I am very sure.

I think the figures shown in the thread I linked below confirm that too - the M240 is very close to the RS3.

G42 2022 M240i Dragy fun: 0-60 and 1/8 mile (vs RS3 and Supra times) https://g42.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1885638

In other words: it might have been less close if you took Thomas out of the equation

[Lightngsvt]

I think I'm misunderstanding something? The M240 is an automatic, how could he miss a shift? If the others are DCT's, then the M240 would shift slower, but it shouldn't be that great of a difference. I guess he could've Shifted to soon.

[MoeMuc]

Originally Posted by Lightngsvt

I think I'm misunderstanding something? The M240 is an automatic, how could he miss a shift? If the others are DCT's, then the M240 would shift slower, but it shouldn't be that great of a difference. I guess he could've Shifted to soon.

Yes, it's an automatic transmission, but as you can see in the video, he changes the gears manually by using the paddles. And it makes a difference changing gears at 6000, 6500 or 7000 RPM or even running into the rev limiter.

[FrankieNuo]

Originally Posted by malibuboats91

I drove a 2016 S3 for 5.5 years. Sticker was $49,990 and I paid around $42k for it new. It was a great little car, especially with a United Motorsport tune, but BMWs are on a whole different level. I drove VWs and Audis for my whole driving career (14 years / 5 cars) and I don't know that I'll ever go back, especially considering a similar spec'd 2022 S3 is around $57k now and my pretty loaded M340xi wasn't much more.

Smart man, dabbled in the vw/Audi brand once in my life and never again. PURE TRASH.

[tahoebimmer]

Originally Posted by FrankieNuo

Smart man, dabbled in the vw/Audi brand once in my life and never again. PURE TRASH.

I'm not an Audi/VW fanboi, but we've had some fantastic vehicles from them. Our 2011 Touareg TDI was great and was used for towing and off-road. Our 2021 SQ7 is spectacular and versatile (except for the MMI system which has been widely criticized). We leased a 2015 A6 3.0 and didn't want to give it back but the residual was too high.

I've never been a fan of the A3/S3 platform. It definitely doesn't compete with the 230/240's. I'm not sure what they are thinking there pricing it so high in S form.

I feel like BMW offers a better value proposition with the 230/240's and the engine, interior and electronics are much better.

[EDWYER]

R got owned haha

[CDN-Driver]

View from Car and Driver:

[Hendo741]

Originally Posted by CDN-AWD

View from Car and Driver:

Likely comparing the S3 to the 230, not the 240 given the starting price listed. The video posted is about the S3 and M240, therefore the picture is kind of pointless. As someone who owns an 8V RS3, the new M240 is very close in all aspects to the outgoing RS3 and its unlikely that the S3 even comes close to the M240 in any aspect unless 4 doors are an absolute requirement.

If I had to choose between my 18 RS3 and 22 M240 the only reason I would even consider the RS3 is that it is tunable out of the box and doesn't require jumping through hoops like sending an ECU to Russia and what not. If those were even I would choose the M240 and B58 over the RS3 and 2.5 5 cyl all day. The B58 is a proven monster, and at the end of the day the S3/RS3 are just faster version of the A3. The M240 just feels more a sports car than the Audi, but is just as capable of a daily.

S3 wouldn't even be in the conversation. I think if we had to give an honest rank it would be:

A3<230<S3<M240<=RS3<M2C/S

[EDWYER]

Originally Posted by CDN-AWD

View from Car and Driver:

Very poor argument, but good try.

[kumizi206]

Originally Posted by FrankieNuo

Smart man, dabbled in the vw/Audi brand once in my life and never again. PURE TRASH.

How does a Land Rover owner call Audi trash?