Allow us this one, please. Because while this test is skewed in just about every possible way for comparing a pair of BMW 2 Series - new versus used, standard versus modified, rear- versus four-wheel drive - it was impossible to resist pitchingagainst old M235i. As far back as the 1 Series Coupes, the baby BMWs have always occupied their own space, even in a small coupe market so sparsely populated.
Which, as it turns out, is very smartly. The steering is more direct than the memory says an old 2 Series was, cutting out any mush and giving the 240i a willingness to turn that belies its kerbweight. The xDrive feels as smartly configured here as in other installations, feeling for all the world like a RWD BMW most of the time - it's the back axle pushing you out of a bend, maybe just overspeeding a tad, never the front pulling the car around.
The weight most certainly counts against it, too, despite the sorted suspension. Where an M3 or M4 remains, it has 510hp and 479lb ft to credit for that. An M240i, with 'just' the 374hp and 369lb ft - and only 85kg in its favour - inevitably never delivers quite the same thrill. Perhaps it doesn't need to, as a mere M Performance car - but so adept is the chassis now that xDrive almost feels surplus to requirements.
Even with sufficient miles to put another suspension refresh on the cards, plus Birds' own forged 19-inch wheels , the B2 immediately impresses with its taut pliancy. As standard, the 235i could do both crashy and floaty within yards of each other, and the Birds' Bilsteins near enough eradicate that - without a mode or setting in sight, too.
If it looks better or not is subjective. But it‘s 200kg heavier than the old M240i and that’s just too much to be as sporty as the old one.
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