The BMW M2 is overkill—its cheaper sibling is all the sports car you really need

Published Aug 7, 2026, 2:45 PM EDT Tyler is an automotive journalist and content contributor at How-To Geek with over three years of experience covering the automotive industry. His work focuses on delivering clear, well-researched, and engaging content that helps readers better understand the vehicles they drive and the technology behind them. Before entering automotive media, he spent five years as an academic editor, developing a strong foundation in research methodology, factual accuracy, and structured analysis. This background informs his journalistic approach today, ensuring that every article balances technical insight with accessibility for a broad audience. Tyler specializes in automotive journalism, content strategy, and SEO-driven publishing, with a particular interest in performance, reliability, and the cultural role of cars. He approaches automotive writing with a distinct philosophy: vehicles should be engaging and expressive, not merely functional tools. This perspective shapes his coverage and allows readers to connect with cars beyond basic specifications. The problem with high-performance cars is that the version at the top of the lineup isn't always the one that makes the most sense. Manufacturers spend years perfecting their flagship models, adding sharper handling, more power, and track-focused upgrades, but those improvements often come with compromises that make them harder to live with every day. For many enthusiasts, the sweet spot is actually found one step down the lineup. It delivers nearly all the speed and excitement you want on public roads, while being more comfortable, more affordable, and easier to enjoy every day. In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from BMW and other authoritative sources, including the EPA and Car and Driver. The M240i is the M2 alternative that most people actually want A more livable coupe with plenty of power The M2 is a pretty fantastic car, delivering blistering acceleration and effortless handling that makes it a champion around a track. Starting at $69,000, though, it doesn't come cheap. As good as it is, if you aren't tracking it often, you're likely not getting much value by opting for the fully-fledged M model. For thousands of dollars less, you can get an M240i, which delivers very similar performance, especially if it spends most of its time on public roads. Springing for the M2 is a waste for most people Models Starting MSRP 230i $42,200 M240i $53,600 M2 $69,000 The 2-Series Coupe comes in three distinct forms. The 230i is the entry-level model, with a turbocharged four-cylinder under the hood. The M240i kicks things up a couple of notches, and it features a turbocharged inline-six. The M2 features an even more powerful twin-turbocharged inline-six, and comes with a ton of track-focused upgrades. While there is no denying that the M2 is the ultimate version of the 2-Series, we think that most buyers will find the M240i delivers everything that they want and more for a lot less money. The M2 comes with a ton of upgrades, from wider front and rear tracks to a stiffer chassis. It was clearly designed to dominate tracks. This does, however, mean that it is a lot stiffer and a lot less forgiving to live with than the M240i. You will feel every bump in the road, and it takes a lot more effort to drive. Most people would be better off saving themselves a couple thousand dollars and sticking with the M240i, which is closer than you'd think in terms of performance but is much easier to live with day-to-day. In terms of acceleration, the M240i actually matches the M2 Exceptionally quick while still feeling comfortable Credit: BMW Just as much as we think the M2 is overkill for most people, we think that the M240i is an overachiever. BMW has achieved some engineering magic with their little coupe, and it is much quicker and sharper than you would expect. It manages acceleration that will pin you to your seat, razor sharp handling, and a comfortable ride, all while somehow still getting reasonable fuel efficiency. Finding flaws in the M240i is a difficult exercise Engine 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six Transmission 8-speed automatic Horsepower 382 HP Torque 369 LB-FT Driveline RWD or AWD 0-60 MPH 3.6 seconds Top speed 155 MPH Under the hood of the M240i sits BMW's legendary B58 turbocharged inline-six. It is an engine that has become famed for its power and durability as much as its seemingly magical fuel efficiency. The M240i sends power to the rear as standard, with the German brand's rear-biased all-wheel drive system, xDrive, being optional. Power is sent through an impeccably quick eight-speed automatic. While the M2 does get a manual, it isn't a particularly satisfying stick shift, and we actually think the 2-Series feels better with the ZF automatic. BMW claims that the xDrive M240i will get up to 60 miles per hour in 4.1 seconds. That matches their claimed time for the M2. However, Car and Driver has tested both, and they managed a zero-to-60 run in 3.6 seconds in the M240i and 3.5 seconds in the M2. This proves that if you're driving on public roads, the M240i is more than quick enough. The M2 is a fantastically sharp car, thanks to the tuning of BMW's M division. If you plan on daily driving it, and you won't track it often, it can feel a little too sharp, though, with its stiff suspension rattling you a bit. In our eyes, the M240i finds the perfect middle ground, delivering excellent driving dynamics without compromising comfort. Overall, the M240i is the better pick for daily driving A more practical pick with a luxurious cabin Credit: BMW The M2 is one of the most impressive sports cars on the market today, there is no denying that. In most ways it is a better sports car than the M240i. However, the gap between the two isn't large, and it doesn't automatically justify the $15,400 difference in price. We covered how close they are in terms of street performance, and the gap doesn't get much bigger when comparing their interior comfort and luxury. The M240i comes equipped with everything you could want Front row headroom 39.8 inches Front row legroom 41.8 inches Second row headroom 35 inches Second row legroom 32.2 inches Cargo capacity 13.8 cubic feet The M240i might not come with all the fancy M badges or heavily bolstered bucket seats, but it still manages to find a fantastic balance between comfort and sportiness. It is sleek and the build quality is fantastic, and you get flares of contrasting red and blue throughout. The trim can be customized, and you can get anything from open pore wood to carbon fiber on the dashboard. The M2 might feel a little more race-car inspired, but the M240i is a little more comfortable. BMW doesn't skimp on interior tech in the M240i either. A long curved panel of glass spans across the dashboard, with a 12.3-inch gauge cluster and 14.9-inch infotainment screen sitting behind it. The system can be controlled via touch inputs, a control pad, or voice commands, which BMW hopes makes up for the lack of physical buttons. A seven-speaker sound system is standard, but a 12-speaker Harman/Kardon unit is optional on all models. The M2 is great, but the M240i is more than enough for most people Choosing between these two versions of the 2-Series really comes down to you. We've reiterated a couple of times that we think the M2 is fantastic, we just think the M240i is almost as good and a lot cheaper. On the road, they're nearly as quick and as sharp as each other, and unless you're driving at the limit, and you're a particularly good driver, you're not going to notice the difference in performance. For most people, the M240i just makes more sense.