The small performance coupe is a rare breed these days, but BMW hasn’t abandoned the formula. With the updated 2 Series Coupe, the German carmaker continues to offer something refreshingly traditional in a market leaning ever-harder into SUVs and electrification.
As the flagship for the non-M lineup, the M240i xDrive sits just beneath the full-fat M2, combining an inline-six turbo with all-wheel drive in a compact, stubby two-door body. With the MY25 update you get some fresh paint options, subtle styling tweaks, and BMW’s Operating System 8.5 infotainment arrangement – a Linux-based architecture unlike the Android-based 9.0 as featured in the 2025 M235i Gran Coupe.
2025 BMW M240i xDrive: Specifications
Engine: 3.0-litre turbo inline-six
Output: 285kW@5800-6500rpm / 500Nm@1900-5000rpm
Gearbox: eight-speed auto
Drive type: All-wheel drive
Wheels: F: 19×8.0, 225/40 R: 19×8.5, 255/35
ANCAP: Not tested
Tare weight: 1658kg
Power-to-weight: 5.81:1 (kg:kW)
Official consumption: 8.0L/100km
Our consumption: 9.5L/100km
Fuel tank/Fuel type: 52L/95 RONPower efficiency: 35.62kW:L/100km
0-60km/h: 2.13 seconds*
0-100km/h: 4.24 seconds*
0-100km/h: 14.79 seconds*
60-110km/h: 2.81 seconds*
1/4 mile: 12.47 seconds at 183.1km/h*
Max acceleration: 1.059g*
100-0km/h braking: 36.94m in 3.00 seconds*
Max deceleration: -1.354g*
Decibel at idle (/sport mode): 46*
Peak decibel at 60-100km/h: 92*
Starting price: $102,100*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different
2025 BMW M240i xDrive: How much does it cost?
Well, it’s not the cheapest option around, starting from $102,100 (excluding on-road costs). This test example features the M Sport Pro option ($1900) which includes Shadow Line trim, red-painted brakes, gloss black rear spoiler and M seat belts. It’s also coated in Brooklyn Grey metallic ($1700) paintwork, and features 19-inch M light alloy double-spoke ‘893’ wheels ($2800).
All up, you’re looking at a $110k-plus car by the time you add on-roads. But, you do get an all-in-one package in terms of practicality, luxury, and hugely capable performance. Whether that justifies the price or not, let’s see.
2025 BMW M240i xDrive: Interior & packaging
Step inside and the M240i’s cabin feels like a driver’s space first and foremost. The seating position is low and snug, with M Sport seats offering plenty of lateral support without being overly aggressive, while providing a perfect driving position.
A coupe profile naturally limits rear headroom compared with a sedan or hatchback, but legroom is actually quite decent. So long as you’re not a basketball player, you should be able to find reasonable levels of comfort back here. There’s even climate vents in the back of the centre console.
BMW has dressed up the interior with new details for 2025. A flat-bottom M steering wheel with red centre marker and tri-colour stitching adds a motorsport touch, while new leather trim options, including Vernasca with red accents, help sharpen the premium and sporty feel. Ambient waterfall lighting around the centre air vents provide a modern flourish, although it feels more fancy than functional.
The big change is the integration of iDrive 8.5. This incorporates a 12.3-inch gauge cluster and 14.9-inch central touch-screen all on a single curved panel. These present sharp graphics and mostly fluid menu flow, and they’re packed with apps and settings, including QuickSelect allowing you to shortcut directly to common functions.
However, BMW’s decision to fold nearly everything into the screen comes with drawbacks. Making simple climate adjustments is now fully digital, which means diving into the screen — not ideal while driving. During my time in this test car the screen crashed and reset itself on one occasion, while driving, potentially proving there is some ECU overload going on. It’s a shame as the old physical climate controls were simpler and more intuitive on the move, and rarely crashed or failed. Why fix something that’s not broken?
That said, BMW hasn’t stripped all tactility away. The rotary controller is still present on the centre console, and it remains one of the best ways to navigate a busy infotainment system without taking your eyes off the road. It comes with handy jump-to main menus buttons.
There’s also a quality feel to the touchpoints, from the CraftedClarity crystal gear selector to the hydraulic-like climate vent adjusters. These touches remind you that while this is the entry point to BMW’s six-cylinder performance line, it’s still a premium product.
Practicality isn’t forgotten. Storage cubbies are sensibly placed with big door pockets, cup holders, and the centre console is deep enough for those loose items like wallets and phones. Up at the back the boot measures 390L, which is larger than you might expect and certainly makes the M240i viable for weekend road trips without having to travel lightly.
2025 BMW M240i xDrive: Powertrain & handling
With 285kW and 500Nm, the 3.0-litre turbo inline-six ‘B58’ engine feels muscular right across the rev range. At low speeds, torque delivery is immediate and effortless (max is available from 1900rpm), making light work of urban traffic and highway overtaking.
Push harder, and the engine builds speed with a relentless surge, spinning out to its redline with a smooth but purposeful sing. It has a wide operating window; lazy when you want it, alive and energetic when you need it. And that’s what makes this engine so special compared with smaller four-cylinder options.
We timed 0-100km/h in 4.24 seconds, 0-200km/h in 14.79 seconds, and the quarter mile in 12.47 seconds at 183.1km/h. Make no mistake, this is excitingly fast, and it compares well to more serious and much more expensive options in the sports car class.
The ZF-based eight-speed automatic gearbox pairs perfectly with the engine as well. Shifts are smooth and consistent in Comfort mode, then sharp and decisive in Sport. The calibration is so good you rarely feel the need to override it with the paddles, though they’re on hand for those who want a more direct connection.
What really sets the M240i xDrive apart is how it translates that power to the ground. With all-wheel drive, it feels unflappable, even when the weather turns ugly. On wet roads, where older rear-drive models might have struggled to deploy this much torque cleanly, the M240i simply grips up and goes. You can lean on it hard out of corners without fear of lighting up the rears, which means more of the engine’s potential is accessible more of the time.
That said, this traction and composure come at the cost of some traditional playfulness. The old M235i could be coaxed into oversteer, giving drivers a taste of the classic BMW rear-drive balance, while this new model is safer, more confidence-inspiring, and faster across the ground, but perhaps less interactive at the limit. For purists, there’s always the M2.
With the M240i you do get an M Sport differential at the back and it does steer from the rear in Sport mode to some degree when driven with aggressive enthusiasm. But as far as full tail-out drifting goes, this is not what this vehicle is about. It’s about accessible performance while blending in BMW’s superb steering and rear-push characteristics.
Chassis balance is excellent as well. The steering is light but accurate, with enough feedback to place the car precisely. Body control is tight thanks to the suspension’s ability to keep the coupe flat through corners while still offering perfect compliance to soak up bumps.
BMW has clearly reworked its suspension philosophy in recent years as the ride comfort with this is firm but far from punishing, even on Australia’s crappy country roads. You get adaptive M suspension as standard as well which brings a certain level of flexibility.
The result is a car that blends everyday usability with real drive engagement. It’s not quite as raw or hardcore as the M2, but it’s also less tiring and more approachable. In many ways, it hits the sweet spot for buyers who want performance without the constant demand and concentration required of more serious options.
As for fuel consumption, it won’t break the bank. Officially it consumes 8.0L/100km on the average cycle, which betters almost every competitor – including the little Toyota GR86 auto (8.8L/100km). And in the real world you can actually get close to that official figure. Although, our test included more fun than purpose, so our result was about 9.5L/100km. Still not bad for the performance return.
2025 BMW M240i xDrive: Key attractions/reasons to buy
- Brilliant inline-six turbo: Smooth, torquey, and rev-happy – it defines the car and sounds bloody awesome.
- Superb all-weather grip: xDrive system gives confidence and performance, even in the soaking wet.
- Balanced handling: Taut but totally liveable, with adaptive technology helping to broaden versatility.
- Cabin packaging: Plenty of space inside for a coupe and a usable boot. This could be used as a daily driver, no worries.
- Rare formula: Turbo straight-six in a cute four-seat coupe format. Show me alternatives. I’ll wait.
2025 BMW M240i xDrive: Key considerations before you buy
- No rear-drive option: Enthusiasts may miss the playful character of the old rear-drive M235i.
- Tech quirks: The large touch-screen can glitch, and reliance on menus for almost every setting can be more distracting than traditional physical controls.
- Close to M2 territory for performance: Not really a bad thing on the M240i’s part, but the flagship M model isn’t a huge stretch in price.
2025 BMW M240i xDrive: Video
How does it rate against its rivals?
- Price
- Quality look & feel
- Interior tech
- Powertrain performance
- Ride & handling
- X factor (does it stand out in its class?)
Final word
Yes, the lack of a rear-drive option might disappoint some hardcore drivers, and the new infotainment system isn’t flawless. But judged as a whole, this is a deeply satisfying coupe to drive because it blends speed, refinement, and character in a way few cars at this level can. For drivers who still value the old-school appeal of an inline-six petrol in a small two-door, the M240i xDrive certainly delivers the goods.
