BMW M240i

Core summary

The G42 M240i puts a straight-six into a compact two-door coupe. It is not the four-door 2 Series Gran Coupe, and it is not an M2.

The G42 M240i occupies a useful space between an ordinary compact coupe and the more specialised M2. Its six-cylinder engine is central to the appeal, but so is the fact that it remains a car a buyer may use every day.

Cariary would judge it as a small grand tourer as much as a performance purchase. The right question is whether its seating, access and driving character fit your routine, not whether its badge carries the most motorsport associations.

History & generations

BMW introduced this 2 Series Coupe generation in 2021. The G42 is distinct from the preceding F22 and from the four-door 2 Series Gran Coupe. Sharing the number 2 does not make those cars mechanically or practically identical.

This guide uses the launch M240i xDrive as its specification reference. Market and model-year variants should be checked individually, especially when a seller omits the drivetrain designation.

Body, platform & design

The black coupe photographs show the G42's two-door profile, relatively upright front and compact rear deck. The front, rear-quarter and direct rear views are of the same documented model type, with the M240i badge visible in the rear images.

Try the long front doors in a narrow space and climb into the rear yourself. A coupe can be attractive precisely because it accepts compromises, but those compromises should be chosen consciously.

Engine & drivetrain

BMW's launch specification for the M240i xDrive lists a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six, 275 kW/374 PS and 500 Nm, with an eight-speed automatic. The quoted 0–100 km/h time is 4.3 seconds. These are dated metric figures, not a claim about every country's horsepower label.

Evaluate response at normal road speeds as well as a brief acceleration demonstration. On a used example, establish whether engine or gearbox software has been modified and whether maintenance records match the car's use.

Trim differences

An M240i is not an M2, and an M Sport appearance package on a lower-powered 2 Series is not an M240i. Verify the full factory designation rather than identifying the car only by wheels or badges.

Also check drivetrain, seats, assistance equipment and infotainment for the actual year. A photo of a later dashboard should not set expectations for an earlier car.

Interior & seating

Four seats make the Coupe more flexible than a strict two-seater, but rear access is still through the front doors. Try it with the driver correctly positioned; moving the front seat unrealistically far forward gives a misleading impression.

Check the boot with your normal luggage and confirm how the rear seats fold on the car being considered. For a daily driver, storage and ease of carrying a weekend bag can matter more often than maximum acceleration.

Efficiency & range

A six-cylinder performance coupe needs a realistic fuel and tyre budget. Use consumption figures from the correct market and test cycle, and expect your driving pattern to matter. Short cold journeys and enthusiastic use will not reproduce a best-case touring result.

Compare insurance quotations before committing. The affordable purchase price of a used example can hide running costs that remain tied to its performance and original value.

Safety & equipment

Inspect tyres, brakes and alignment, particularly if the car has been modified or used hard. For xDrive, ask a specialist about the suitability and consistency of the tyre setup rather than mixing replacements casually.

Check recalls by VIN and verify assistance features on the actual vehicle. Powerful acceleration is not a reason to shorten following distances or test limits on public roads.

Strengths

The M240i combines a compact two-door format with a straight-six, a combination that gives it a clear identity. It can appeal to an owner who wants performance without choosing the most focused model in the range.

The best fit is a driver who enjoys the coupe format while still wanting some rear-seat and luggage flexibility. Those practical limits are easier to accept when they are rarely tested.

Considerations

The rear seats and long doors are the first compromises to assess. If adults regularly occupy the back, a four-door alternative may make life much easier even when the coupe looks more appealing.

For used cars, look beyond cosmetic condition. Modified software, non-standard suspension or an inconsistent service record deserve careful investigation, not automatic acceptance as enthusiast upgrades.

Recommended use

The G42 M240i suits solo or two-person commuting, weekend travel and buyers who want a six-cylinder coupe without making every journey about track capability.

It is less suited to frequent rear-passenger access or bulky family loads. In those circumstances, test a performance sedan rather than trying to solve a body-style mismatch with more options.

Rivals & related

The Audi S3 or RS 3 offers a different, more passenger-accessible performance format, depending on body and market. A BMW M340i tests whether four doors are worth the larger footprint, while the M2 tests whether a more specialised model is genuinely wanted.

Compare comfort, access and ownership costs on the same basis before ranking the cars by power.

FAQ

Is the G42 M240i the four-door Gran Coupe? No. Is it an M2? No. Does every advertisement establish xDrive? No; verify the exact version and market.

Is 374 the US horsepower figure? The launch reference used here is 374 metric PS. Can adults use the rear? Fit is individual, so test it with the normal front-seat position rather than assuming comfort from the seat count.

Sources & updates

The manufacturer references below identify the dated specifications used in this guide. Cariary buying assessments are editorial analysis, not a claimed first-hand road test or a diagnosis of an individual vehicle. Photographs have individual source links and licence credits. Confirm equipment, ratings and campaign status for the exact production date and original market before buying.

• BMW 2 Series Coupe G42 introduction, July 2021 →
• Photograph — Black BMW M240i xDrive G42 Coupe front and side →Damian B Oh; CC BY-SA 4.0
• Photograph — Black BMW M240i G42 Coupe rear and side →Damian B Oh; CC BY-SA 4.0

Last editorial review: September 20, 2026. Specifications remain market- and model-year-specific.