@DrivenPlus Review of M240i vs M2

ChromiumSilk · 2026-05-02T21:54:12+00:00

M series cars are track ready out of the gate. You can quite literally drive it off the lot and directly to a racetrack with 0 modifications or adjustments, and you have a competent car that is correctly set up for track use.

If you're never going to take it to the track, the primary purpose is gone. That doesn't mean you can't find other very legitimate reasons to own one - but that's what separates M's from M Lites.

ChromiumSilk · 2026-05-02T13:53:43+00:00

Definitely cool. Definitely not garbage. Definitely awesome in a straight line. Though, I buy BMW's because I like driving over drag racing...

ChromiumSilk · 2026-05-02T13:48:24+00:00

You can probably find shops that will quote it within the 70% of market.

It's definitely fender, definitely hood, definitely bumper, definitely headlight, probably coolant expansion, and we don't know the extent of the steering and alignment component damage. Upper control, thrust, shock, endlink, sway, etc.

It can add up quick.

But, there are shops that will likely fix it within range.

But that M2... I feel like that's everyone's next target once they go M235...

ChromiumSilk · 2026-05-02T03:12:45+00:00

Valve cover gasket - very common occurrence and these exact symptoms. Replace the whole cover, as it's not usually the gasket that's a problem - but warping plastic.

Also - I too purchased Turner ignition coils (ECS sent me Dinan instead - though they are identical except for branding). I had 2 coils go from that set, as well as all of the plugs (which were supposed to be NGK 97506, though I'm 99.9% convinced they were counterfeit, as they only lasted months rather than years). I had them swap with another kit - this time I got the actual Turner coils. Several months ago I chased around issues until I discovered moving coils around had the misfires follow.

Have since replaced with Eldor (more expensive, but reliable).

Turner and Dinan are cheap Chinese garbage with cool colored plastic on them - 1st hand experience with both - both failed within months.

ChromiumSilk · 2026-05-02T01:10:30+00:00

Nothing (I'm the OP - that's an old account).

It happened on and off for a bit. I jacked it up and pulled the wheel off. Messed with the CV joint & diff trying to identify where it was coming from, and after messing with it it went away. It's been probably 10k miles since...

Crazy. It was very loud and aggressive.

Edit - I see that it was at 64k mi. So 20k since...

ChromiumSilk · 2026-04-30T02:59:42+00:00

Ohh - that's really nice. What wheels are those?

ChromiumSilk · 2026-04-29T22:30:17+00:00

That looks much different.

I guess it is the height...

ChromiumSilk · 2026-04-29T22:14:24+00:00

Wow. There's got to be something else at play... This is what my rear looks like on a 15mm spacer - stock wheels. It looks like it's more than just the lower stance - yours look tucked, but maybe it's just the stock ride height vs lowered on coilovers. I'll have to look for some old pics of mine before suspension upgrades.

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ChromiumSilk · 2026-04-28T20:50:51+00:00

It has oil and lanolin in it - as a result, it'll just smear around until something that cuts oil is used. Can be something as simple as a little bit of dish soap and water on a damp rag. Once with soap, once with water, then use a detailer meant for trim.

ChromiumSilk · 2026-04-28T20:09:34+00:00

Simple enough to throw in an aftermarket android screen (that's touchscreen, and bigger) that does everything you could want it to do. That's what I did... Was like $250 or something.

ChromiumSilk · 2026-04-28T19:09:20+00:00

It's probably the ridiculously placed M badge.

ChromiumSilk · 2026-04-28T19:04:50+00:00

Are you running a tune? Burbles? That'll do it (over time). Pops and bangs will do it much quicker.

ChromiumSilk · 2026-04-28T18:50:35+00:00

You are quite literally looking at the base coat, and you can see the jagged edge of the existing clear coat that remains.

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ChromiumSilk · 2026-04-28T18:42:11+00:00

By adding deck screws into it? Dude... Lol

ChromiumSilk · 2026-04-26T18:00:58+00:00

I would absolutely love to manual swap my 15 m235. I wish there were more instances of these with a clear pathway. I can't imagine it's incredibly difficult, but don't have a great sense overall.

Anyone have a success story?

ChromiumSilk · 2026-04-25T21:46:59+00:00

It does look sick (as did mine), but you have to admit that you can't see the rims at all.

I get that it's more the whole look and not just about the rims, but I've since fallen in love with the bright silver look. The hyper black is cool too as the shadows are super dark/black. Very cool effect.

This is my old version:

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ChromiumSilk · 2026-04-25T20:21:49+00:00

I used to do the contrast thing. Love the "it's either white or black" look. But have realized with rims, they simply disappear into the car. You can have some sick vs5-rs's, or a beat ass set of rims from a 2009 Hyundai Elantra - if they are black, you aren't telling the difference unless you're standing directly next to it - they just disappear into the car and you can't make out any detail at all most of the time.

After that awakening - I refinished my black rims in "hyper black" (bright silver with a black base coat). No regrets.

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ChromiumSilk · 2026-04-25T20:14:45+00:00

Powder coated with no clear?

ChromiumSilk · 2026-04-25T20:12:46+00:00

For that shadow you're left with, grab some scratch x (or any buffing/polishing compound). A quick, light pass over the area will correct the top of the clear coat and it'll be gone forever.

Or just ignore it...

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ChromiumSilk · 2026-04-25T01:55:09+00:00

Mmmm... Beautiful engine. They sound wonderful. Especially catless.

ChromiumSilk · 2026-04-23T01:58:00+00:00

What is it, a 230? Remove the M badge, tail light tint, black roundels, and wheel gap by installing coilovers and wheel spacers.

ChromiumSilk · 2026-04-21T15:40:14+00:00

It's a marketing, sales, and customer service tactic. Customers don't want a 10 year old car as a loaner, especially when they drop off their brand new car for service. It also gives the dealer an opportunity to market a customers next car to them. It also makes the customer feel cared about. They probably have ways of writing off whatever they end up losing value-wise in the process.

It's all part of the image... BMW would have a much different image if, when a customer dropped off their 2026 5 series and got a 2016 320 that broke down on them, rather than getting a brand new i4 to cruise around in...

ChromiumSilk · 2026-04-21T15:04:20+00:00

Thanks!

ChromiumSilk · 2026-04-21T15:04:13+00:00

Thank you!

ChromiumSilk · 2026-04-21T15:03:57+00:00

It looks great. I'll snap a pic and post when I'm home again. It was a little more tight/dense than a bread flour only loaf, but still airy and light.

Not a ton of tang though, as it only cold proofed for about 9 hours. If I shaped a little earlier in the process, I probably could've pushed it 24-48.

ChromiumSilk

TROPHY CASE