[petay135]

Originally Posted by BigKutta

Awesome. I dont recall the rear end and fenders of the F22 being so aggressively wide. Wonder how wide the rear of the G87 will be.

My understanding is that it will be the same as the M240i.

BMW don't want to make the same expensive mistake they made with the previous M2 where it ran a bespoke body. They didn't expect that car to be much more than a niche model. They were wrong.

This time out they have put the wide hips on the whole range to avoid expensive re tooling for the M2.

[02M3ForMe]

The G87 M2 mule shows even wider fenders than the G42. I think they’re going to make the same “mistake”.

[M2PDX]

Originally Posted by ihbase

And thanks to Portland BMW for making the car available. Every transaction I have with that dealer has been a positive experience.

I have encountered terrific staff in parts, service, and sales.

-Michael

edit to add: 02M3ForMe provided some great photos.

PM me who you worked with there.

[Stef]

This certainly looka better than the equivalent previous 2 series iteration. I cannot wait to see the new M2!

[yabo2c]

It looks great in black! Thanks for the photos and the review. Anxiously waiting for mine to come in!

[Tag]

I love the kidney grilles, the unbroken waist line that goes from the hood to the rear, the clean flush door handles, the really nice side profile, still has the Hofmeister kink and really like the aggressive rocker panels.

That said, I'm not a fan of the lower front bumper or the entire rear. Those triangles ruin an otherwise nice front end. The rear of the car is perplexing. It's rather flat looking dead on, but looks better on an angle. The taillights are too small in relation to how wide it is. The diffuser fins are also too short and thin looking. I just hope these are all addressed on the G87, fingers crossed.

[vampire81]

Nice write up
Thanks for sharing your experience with us.

[F2DR1VER]

Looks great. I'm wondering how it looks with a black kidney grill.

[VIERsr]

Originally Posted by Remonster

Except the new BRZ has a great looking rear end and this.....does not.



I don't doubt at all that this probably drives better than the F22. Everyone I know who owned an E82 135i and moved up to F22 M235i (or F30 340i like I did) immediately regretted the 'upgrade' and we couldn't wait to get rid of those newer cars. The latest G cars feel pretty great in both everyday driving and more spirited conditions. My one main gripe against G series non-M cars is the steering feel which is definitely better than equivalent F chassis vehicles.

This is very true. Having owned the 1M and M2C and driven many E82/E90 and F22/F30's I can say that the new ones were an overall improvement, but the steering wheel feedback on the F series is crap and the front end feel is horribly worse (especially with big wheels and low sidewall tires), slightly better on the M cars but still not that great.
With the G series, both non-M and M cars, the improvement in steering feel is huge, you can finally feel again what is going on under the front wheels, exactly what I missed the most on my M2C.
After driving the new M3 G80 (such a fantastic car...), I am very confident that the new M2 will be great.

[petay135]

Originally Posted by 02M3ForMe

The G87 M2 mule shows even wider fenders than the G42. I think they’re going to make the same “mistake”.

Impossible to say until the camo comes off imo.

[maxdriver]

Originally Posted by F2DR1VER

Looks great. I'm wondering how it looks with a black kidney grill.

There is a $400.00 option that blacks out the grill and the 2 triangles-looks great.

[yanks1]

yes extended Shawdowline for $400... also blacks out the side mirrors

[MHF30]

Still not a fan of the rear design, namely the taillights but otherwise looks nice. I think we've entered an era where BMW cars looks better in person than they do in photos.

[solstice]

Originally Posted by MHF30

Still not a fan of the rear design, namely the taillights but otherwise looks nice. I think we've entered an era where BMW cars looks better in person than they do in photos.

That era started with The Bangle cars, I.e. after the E39, E46

[02M3ForMe]

Updated impressions.

Thanks to BMW Portland for providing the car to me again for a more thorough evaluation in better conditions.

This car’s steering is actually quite remarkable. The combo of G-generation steering with the M240i’s shorter wheelbase and undoubtedly better tuned assistance yields probably the best steering I’ve experienced in a BMW in a long time. I believe it’s better than that of my old M2C. It’s got a sporty, firm weight at speed, even in Comfort (my preferred setting). It’s got a “quick” ratio. It’s precise as heck. I was legitimately impressed, and that’s after having spent significant time recently in the G82, 992 911 C2S, and Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio. It’s been a long time since I drove the M340i and M440i, and while I recall enjoying the tighter feel of those cars over their F-gen predecessors, I don’t remember them being as good as this.

The grip in the dry is quite good. While I couldn’t quite manage M2C pace, it got pretty close. When I thought I was nearing the edge, I turned in harder, accelerated a bit more, and the car just held, with the steering getting tighter and sharper, seemingly asking for more. This car was equipped with all-season Pirelli rubber (Cinturauto P7) with a 500 wear rating; I’m eager to learn how the car performs with PS4S or PZero.

As I mentioned in my original impressions, the suspension is softer than that of the M2, but it’s closer than I originally gave it credit for. I prefer the M2C’s setup for its rock-solid, confidence-inspiring firmness, but I think the M240i is way better tuned for “fun daily driver” duties.

I was able to exercise the powertrain a bit more. This is a car that feels better when you keep things in the midrange, versus the typical high-strung M character of older M cars that encourages living life near redline. The powerband is very healthy in the middle (very healthy!), and the transmission keeps up better with the action. The delta between the ZF8 and DCT become more apparent the more you ramp up your driving. Again, keeping things “in the middle” yielded the best experience.

The exhaust gave me a nice outright “bang” after a particularly aggressive downshift following a higher intensity section; it looking forward to properly uncorking it.

This car is fantastic. It over delivers in many ways, from the drive, to the amenities, to the M2-like fenders and hood and overall proportions. If this car had a manual transmission option, it’d be an instant classic. I don’t care what the G87 M2 looks like, I’m convinced.

Speaking of looks - it gets better to my eye every time I see it.

[yabo2c]

Originally Posted by 02M3ForMe

Updated impressions.

Thanks to BMW Portland for providing the car to me again for a more thorough evaluation in better conditions.

This car's steering is actually quite remarkable. The combo of G-generation steering with the M240i's shorter wheelbase and undoubtedly better tuned assistance yields probably the best steering I've experienced in a BMW in a long time. I believe it's better than that of my old M2C. It's got a sporty, firm weight at speed, even in Comfort (my preferred setting). It's got a "quick" ratio. It's precise as heck. I was legitimately impressed, and that's after having spent significant time recently in the G82, 992 911 C2S, and Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio. It's been a long time since I drove the M340i and M440i, and while I recall enjoying the tighter feel of those cars over their F-gen predecessors, I don't remember them being as good as this.

The grip in the dry is quite good. While I couldn't quite manage M2C pace, it got pretty close. When I thought I was nearing the edge, I turned in harder, accelerated a bit more, and the car just held, with the steering getting tighter and sharper, seemingly asking for more. This car was equipped with all-season Pirelli rubber (Cinturauto P7) with a 500 wear rating; I'm eager to learn how the car performs with PS4S or PZero.

As I mentioned in my original impressions, the suspension is softer than that of the M2, but it's closer than I originally gave it credit for. I prefer the M2C's setup for its rock-solid, confidence-inspiring firmness, but I think the M240i is way better tuned for "fun daily driver" duties.

I was able to exercise the powertrain a bit more. This is a car that feels better when you keep things in the midrange, versus the typical high-strung M character of older M cars that encourages living life near redline. The powerband is very healthy in the middle (very healthy!), and the transmission keeps up better with the action. The delta between the ZF8 and DCT become more apparent the more you ramp up your driving. Again, keeping things "in the middle" yielded the best experience.

The exhaust gave me a nice outright "bang" after a particularly aggressive downshift following a higher intensity section; it looking forward to properly uncorking it.

This car is fantastic. It over delivers in many ways, from the drive, to the amenities, to the M2-like fenders and hood and overall proportions. If this car had a manual transmission option, it'd be an instant classic. I don't care what the G87 M2 looks like, I'm convinced.

Speaking of looks - it gets better to my eye every time I see it.

Thank you so much for the written review. I am beyond excited to receive my first BMW ever (2022 M240i)

[MHF30]

Originally Posted by solstice

That era started with The Bangle cars, I.e. after the E39, E46

True, definitely some exceptions along the way, but the E38 and E39, and E46 were beauties.

[solstice]

Originally Posted by MHF30

True, definitely some exceptions along the way, but the E38 and E39, and E46 were beauties.

Yes, don’t get me wrong my E60 is one of my favorite BMWs but the smooth elegance and perfect dimensions of the 3,5 and 7 was lost in favor of modern,edgy styling and spaciousness.

Talking about the E46 coupe. The G42 M240i has similar pleasant sport coupe dimensions/geometry IRL. I’m sure the measurements are larger but to the eye it’s very pleasing. Great looking car IRL.

[yanks1]

my 2006 E46 330ci with 6 speed manual w/sports pkg & wheels was my favorite car. Sure hope my new M240i helps bring back some of those memories

[Lightngsvt]

Beautiful E46! What a gorgeous, all-time classic design the E46 (coupe/cab) was. I had an E46 M3 cab, what a car that was! If the G42 can be mentioned alongside the E46 than it is a winner.

[VIERsr]

Originally Posted by 02M3ForMe

Updated impressions.

Thanks to BMW Portland for providing the car to me again for a more thorough evaluation in better conditions.

This car’s steering is actually quite remarkable. The combo of G-generation steering with the M240i’s shorter wheelbase and undoubtedly better tuned assistance yields probably the best steering I’ve experienced in a BMW in a long time. I believe it’s better than that of my old M2C. It’s got a sporty, firm weight at speed, even in Comfort (my preferred setting). It’s got a “quick” ratio. It’s precise as heck. I was legitimately impressed, and that’s after having spent significant time recently in the G82, 992 911 C2S, and Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio. It’s been a long time since I drove the M340i and M440i, and while I recall enjoying the tighter feel of those cars over their F-gen predecessors, I don’t remember them being as good as this.

The grip in the dry is quite good. While I couldn’t quite manage M2C pace, it got pretty close. When I thought I was nearing the edge, I turned in harder, accelerated a bit more, and the car just held, with the steering getting tighter and sharper, seemingly asking for more. This car was equipped with all-season Pirelli rubber (Cinturauto P7) with a 500 wear rating; I’m eager to learn how the car performs with PS4S or PZero.

As I mentioned in my original impressions, the suspension is softer than that of the M2, but it’s closer than I originally gave it credit for. I prefer the M2C’s setup for its rock-solid, confidence-inspiring firmness, but I think the M240i is way better tuned for “fun daily driver” duties.

I was able to exercise the powertrain a bit more. This is a car that feels better when you keep things in the midrange, versus the typical high-strung M character of older M cars that encourages living life near redline. The powerband is very healthy in the middle (very healthy!), and the transmission keeps up better with the action. The delta between the ZF8 and DCT become more apparent the more you ramp up your driving. Again, keeping things “in the middle” yielded the best experience.

The exhaust gave me a nice outright “bang” after a particularly aggressive downshift following a higher intensity section; it looking forward to properly uncorking it.

This car is fantastic. It over delivers in many ways, from the drive, to the amenities, to the M2-like fenders and hood and overall proportions. If this car had a manual transmission option, it’d be an instant classic. I don’t care what the G87 M2 looks like, I’m convinced.

Speaking of looks - it gets better to my eye every time I see it.

Just imagine how much better the handling can be with a proper tire setup, 245/255 PS4S will be a night and day difference from all round 225 all seasons runflat.

[Lightngsvt]

Originally Posted by VIERsr

Just imagine how much better the handling can be with a proper tire setup, 245/255 PS4S will be a night and day difference from all around 225 all-season runflat.

I was wondering the same thing since he said this car was close to M2C capabilities as it sat. Makes me less worried that mine has the A/S (until summer). It's sounding like with proper rubber this car could be an equal to the M2C.