What sets a BMW apart from its competitors? Is it the oversized kidney grills, Hofmeister kinks, or overabundance of M badges? We think it’s the exhaust noise from their inline-six engines. Inherently velvety thanks to their balanced cylinder arrangement, every time we fire one up on a cold start, the piercing intake noise makes us envision the M1 Procar at the Nürburgring or M4 GT3 at Le Mans. The melodic rise and meteoric fall of the rev needle conduct the German orchestra, and it’s equally stimulating in their race cars as it is here in the M240i, now featuring an M Performance Exhaust.
Canadians can now equip their M240i, M340i, and M440i with an M Performance Exhaust for $3,000. It used to be a part of the aftermarket dealer process, but you can now integrate the exhaust option into your factory order. While it does significantly turn up the volume on this 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six engine, don’t expect it to sound like an M2. That’s loaded with an entirely different twin-turbo S58 engine after all, known for its mid-range baleful howl reminiscent of individual throttle bodies.
Cold starts now fill the cabin with more treble and gravitas, emitting the same amount of bass as the standard unit but with the volume dial up a few notches. There is more timber and intensity on engine idle, but it’s not outrageously reverberant and is still easier to live with than the M2. There is no dedicated exhaust button, but engaging the Sport, Sport Plus, or Sport Individual modes unlock its full vocal range. You can also switch off the artificial piped-in cabin noise in the IconicSounds menu, but it says a lot when the M240i sounds just as good without the speaker trickery.
Notably, the M Performance Exhaust does not eject those raspy burbles and pops like prior M Exhausts – it seems like everyone, including us, is tired of them crackling down our streets. Noise pollution for the immature, but we have to admit that we used to be entertained by them, particularly the British culprits wearing the SVR badge. Nevertheless, the exhaust genuinely adds more theatre and acoustic emotion to the drive, and we can’t recommend it enough. It’s covered by warranty as well.
The heightened sense of occasion makes the M240i an even better and more capable all-rounder. The engine already produces an exceptional 382 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, making you wonder why you need the extra thrust of the M2. The inherent smoothness and overall sense of refinement of this powerplant cannot be understated. Maximum torque is available right at 1,800 rpm, so you can simply floor the go-fast pedal, let the gearbox and traction control systems find the optimal gear and grip level, and watch the scenery begin to blur as the tidal surge of Bavarian torque flows into the tarmac.
The rear-biased AWD system means the M240i is immediately more engaging and rewarding to drive than an Audi S3 or Mercedes-AMG CLA 35. Power oversteer is the name of the game, and it only takes a quick input of steering lock, throttle, and deliberate weight transfer to get this M240i swinging its tail. Whereas other front-biased cars require purposeful chassis manipulation to get any rearward action, the M240i hands it to you on Easy Mode and backs up your street heroics with a stable chassis and a clever stability control system.
Don’t be afraid of the M Enhanced Track Package ($3,500) even if you aren’t frequenting the racetrack. It comes with an adaptive suspension that readily softens the ride, making it a more comfortable daily companion than the M2. The larger brakes offer incredible stopping power, too, and the pedal feel is amazingly sensitive and linear, mimicking the level of bite you would get from carbon ceramics.
The only weak point with the M240i is the exterior styling. Subjective, yes, but the awkward mix of polygons and kidney grills with the squinty headlights and Fruit Gusher taillights doesn’t blend well. Its silhouette and geometric muscle are tense, unrelaxed, and unfinished. If you can’t get over the looks, we’d implore you to check out the Z4 M40i or the Toyota GR Supra, both of which use the same powertrain and arguably have more curb appeal.
Besides, as the driver, it’s the interior that matters more, and the M240i employs one of the more visually attractive and ergonomically useful steering wheels in circulation. Thick grips with physical buttons and dials offer quick user access, and a red stripe at the 12 o’clock position provides visual tracking. The paddle shifters feel plasticky, and we’d prefer more premium, metallic ones as replacements, but they do their job. And who can ask for more when there’s a whole dedicated panel of buttons on the center console, with specific ones offering instant access to each driving mode, and a rotary dial to match. It makes a Mercedes interior look egregiously unergonomic and touchscreen-reliant. We just hope future BMWs don’t stray too far from this layout.
Perplexing looks aside, the M240i xDrive is still one of the more engaging, balanced, and capable sports cars on the market. Its speed is undeniable, its drivability will make heroes of novices, and the absorbent ride makes it a compelling candidate for a one-car garage. Choose a fun colour from the BMW Individual palette, check the box for the M Performance Exhaust, and let the inline-six rise to its stratospheric rev limiter. That’s what sets this BMW apart.
Specifications:
Model: 2026 BMW M240i xDrive
Paint Type: Thundernight Metallic
Base Price: $62,900
Price as Tested: $80,350
Wheelbase(mm): 2,741
Length/Width/Height (mm): 4,537 / 1,838 / 1,390
Engine: 3.0-litre turbocharged inline six-cylinder
Horsepower: 382 hp @ 6,500 rpm
Torque: 369 lb-ft @ 1,800 rpm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Engine & Drive Configuration: Front engine, AWD
Observed Fuel Consumption (L/100km): 11.9
Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S; 255/35ZR19
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