M240i Reliability: Analysis Of BMW's Sports Coupe

If you’re considering buying a used BMW M240i, reliability is probably one of your top concerns. In short – the M240i is fairly reliable for a performance BMW coupe, but still comes with a higher ownership cost than rivals from Japan and Korea.

In this detailed guide, we’ll cover common problems, maintenance costs, longevity, and what actual M240i owners say about the car’s dependability. You’ll get the full picture on the M240i’s strengths and weaknesses to help decide if it’s the right fun luxury coupe for you.

Overview of the BMW M240i

First introduced for 2017, the M240i is BMW’s high-performance variant of the 2 Series coupe and convertible. It’s meant to deliver an exhilarating driving experience in a compact, driver-focused package.

Under the hood lies a turbocharged 3.0L straight-six engine that produces 335 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels via an 8-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission. The M240i rockets from 0-60 mph in just 4.2 seconds – impressively quick for the segment.

Complementing the strong powertrain is an adaptive M suspension, M Sport brakes, and a mechanical limited-slip differential for enhanced grip and control around corners. The exterior also gets aggressive styling touches like redesigned air intakes, a new rear diffuser, and large exhaust tips.

Inside, the M240i comes well-equipped with Dakota leather seats, navigation, a Harman Kardon surround sound system, and iDrive infotainment. Opting for the $2,500 M Performance Package adds performance goodies like an adaptive M suspension, M Sport brakes, and a new M Sport differential.

So in terms of performance, luxury, technology and driving dynamics – the M240i ticks all the right boxes. But does this sports coupe also deliver on reliability?

Common BMW M240i Problems

While the M240i has proven to be more dependable than past performance BMWs, it still has some vulnerabilities new owners should look out for. Here are some of the most common issues:

Oil Leaks

One annoyance many M240i owners deal with is oil leaks from various points – particularly as the car accumulates miles. Some problem areas include:

Valve cover gasket – The rubber gasket sealing the valve cover is prone to shrinking and drying out. This allows oil to drip down the sides of the engine. Replacing the gasket and seals runs around $650-850.
Oil filter housing gasket – This gasket is also made of rubber and leaks are common after 60k miles. Repairs cost $400-500.
Oil pan gasket – Expect to replace this gasket sometime after 80-100k miles. Oil will drip down under the car. Fixing it requires dropping the subframe and runs $850-1100 in labor.

Water Pump & Thermostat Housing Leaks

Coolant leaks are another annoyance on the M240i as the water pump and thermostat housings wear:

The electric water pump tends to fail prematurely – sometimes before 50k miles. Replacement costs around $450 in parts.
Plastic thermostat housings are prone to cracking and leaking coolant. The housing costs $150-200 to replace.

Suspension Wear

While the M240i’s suspension provides a well-balanced ride, some components do wear quicker than expected:

The lower control arms tend to loosen over time, causing clunking noises and sloppy handling. Replacing them runs around $600-800.
Shocks and struts may need replacing as early as 40-50k miles if driven hard. Plan for $600-800 in replacement costs.
Tie rod ends wear out and cause wandering and instability at highway speeds. They cost around $300-500 to repair.

What Do M240i Owners Say About Reliability?

Looking at reviews and forums from actual M240i owners gives you an even better idea of the car’s real-world reliability:

Most owners agree the engine and transmission are solid with no major inherent flaws. The BMW B58 straight-six stands out for its smooth, powerful delivery.
The electronics cause more headaches than expected. Common gripes are glitchy Bluetooth, bad sensors, electrical shorts, and infotainment issues.
Oil leaks continue to be a weak point on BMWs. Valve cover and oil filter housing leaks are annoyances many put up with.
Suspension components like control arms and tie rods wear faster than owners would like for a performance car. Cheapening out on these parts hurts the handling.
Brakes, pumps, belts and other maintenance items fail earlier than expected. The M240i seems to require more upkeep than rivals.
Almost everyone suggests purchasing an extended warranty. Repair costs are high out of warranty.

So in summary – owners confirm the M240i offers incredible performance and driving dynamics for the money, but the higher maintenance costs are real. If budget is tight, Japanese alternatives like the Supra 2.0 or used Porsche Cayman may be smarter.

What Repair & Maintenance Costs Should I Expect?

The M240i still requires normal maintenance like any car, along with a few weak spots that frequently need attention. Here are the typical costs:

Service Interval

Oil change – $80-120 every 10,000 miles
Tire rotation – $20-40 every 10,000 miles
Brake fluid flush – $120 every 2 years
Coolant flush – $150 every 4-6 years
Spark plug replacement – $250-350 every 60k miles

Common Maintenance Costs

Set of tires – $600-900
Brake pad replacement – $300-450
Brake rotor replacement – $400-600
Battery replacement – $200-300
Transmission fluid change – $350-500
Rear differential fluid change – $120-180

Unscheduled Repairs

Water pump replacement – $450 in parts
Thermostat replacement – $150-250
Valve cover gasket replacement – $650-850
Oil pan gasket – $850-1100
Control arm replacement – $600-800
ABS module replacement – $1200-1800

As you can see, parts and labor rates are higher than average, even for routine items. And major issues like engine or transmission repairs can easily top $5,000 in some cases.

While maintenance costs are not outrageous for a luxury performance car, they’re still 30-50% higher than maintaining something like a Honda Accord or Toyota Camry.

How Does M240i Reliability Compare to Rivals?

The M240i goes toe-to-toe with other sporty compact luxury coupes and roadsters like:

Porsche 718 Cayman – More reliable and better built overall but much higher maintenance and repair costs.
Alfa Romeo 4C – Good performance but reliability is dismal – more trips to the shop.
Toyota Supra 2.0 – Toyota/BMW reliability is better but less powerful base engine.
Audi TT RS – On par with reliability but parts/labor are more expensive than the M240i.
Chevrolet Camaro SS – More rugged and cheaper to own but worse interior quality and tech.
Mazda MX-5 Miata – Far more reliable and hassle-free but less practical as a convertible only.

The M240i balances performance, luxury, technology, and driving dynamics in an appealing way – but you pay for it in lower reliability versus mainstream brands.

How Many Miles Can I Expect from an M240i?

Properly maintained M240i coupes can easily exceed 100,000 miles. With regular maintenance and proactive repairs, reaching 150k and beyond is also attainable.

For context, here are some mileage benchmarks for the M240i:

Many owners report reaching 50,000 miles with minimal issues besides basic wear items. This aligns with the end of the factory 4 yr/50k mile warranty.
By 75-80k miles, more significant repairs are common – leaking gaskets, suspension components, water pump, etc. This is where neglected maintenance catches up.
Around 100-120k miles is when major repairs often stack up – timing chain, valve cover, oil pan gasket, possibly transmission service.
Reaching 150k+ miles means you’ve dodged any major mechanical issues while staying diligent on preventative maintenance. These high-mileage M240i’s become rare.

So in summary – staying proactive on maintenance and repairs is key to extracting the most miles from an M240i. Letting issues pile up leads to big bills down the road.

Best Practices to Maximize Reliability

Here are some tips to help keep your M240i running smoothly into high mileage territory:

Follow the maintenance schedule in the owner’s manual – don’t delay oil changes, flushes, filters, plugs, etc.
Change transmission and differential fluid at least every 60k miles to avoid premature wear.
Use quality synthetic oil like Shell or Castrol – it flows better when cold.
Watch for leaks and address them early before they drip onto other components.
Clean the valves with walnut blasting around 60k miles to remove carbon buildup.
Upgrade weak suspension components like control arms to better aftermarket versions.
Keep electronics protected from water damage to avoid shorts and corrosion.

The M240i’s complex engine and technology make regular maintenance paramount. Falling behind leads to a slippery slope of cascading issues – so stay ahead of problems.

Is the BMW M240i Reliable Enough?

The M240i coupe provides an intoxicating blend of power, handling, refinement and technology in an attainable package for driving enthusiasts. While reliability trails behind mainstream brands, it avoids major systemic issues if properly maintained.

Expect more frequent – and more costly – trips to the dealer than something like a Toyota 86 or Mazda Miata. The high-strung engine, leaks and electronics will keep you on your toes. An extended warranty is a smart buffer once the factory coverage expires.

But fans of the M240i’s driving excitement say the smiles per mile are well worth the occasional headaches. If you prioritize driving engagement over rock-solid reliability, the M240i delivers on its promises. Just budget accordingly for the increased ownership costs.

Conclusion

The BMW M240i occupies an appealing middle ground between the practicality of a standard 2 Series coupe and the serious performance of an M2. You get tremendous power and handling without the finicky nature of a full-fledged M car.

While not quite as bulletproof as a Japanese sports car, the M240i offers strong reliability for a European performance coupe. Stay diligent on preventative maintenance and repairs to maximize longevity and enjoyment. Overall, the M240i succeeds as an accessible and reasonably reliable way to experience BMW’s ultimate driving machines.