Going back down memory lane, I remember my brother Brenwin Naidu dropping me off at school in a mustard BMW M4. The year was 2016. It was one of the cars he had been testing at the time, as a motoring journalist.
Back then you could pick one up for just over R1m. Today, inflation and other economic factors means that R1m represents a different category altogether.
In 2023, that sum gets you into a BMW M240i xDrive coupé coming in at R1,050,000. The manufacturer gave us a unit to evaluate recently.
Looks-wise, it is very easy to get excited about. Our car was coated in a rich purple colour, with black wheels and an abundance of carbon fibre elements. It is wider in stance and boxier in shape than its predecessor. The platform is based on the 3-Series.
The M-specific side mirrors are an excellent touch, which I admired. The front design incorporates wider kidney grilles, though not as in-your-face as the vertical types seen on the M3 and M4. The front grille has active slats, opening and closing automatically, balancing aerodynamic and cooling functions.
The rear styling execution might divide opinion, with its compact lighting clusters and trapezoidal exhausts. I like the funky, somewhat odd flavour these shapes bring. This is not your average Beemer that takes itself too seriously.
Inside the cabin one feels at home, thanks to the familiar BMW layout. User-friendliness is a strong suit, with a slick infotainment system and uncomplicated layout.
The sporty front seats are comfortable. Space is surprisingly decent, despite it being a compact car. Taller adults may struggle at the back however.
The M240i rides on bundled Michelin Pilot Sport 4S performance tyres. Sizing is 245/35/19 at the front and 255/35/19 at the rear.
Grip is excellent, with the all-wheel drive system proving its benefits in Johannesburg rain during the week we had been testing the car.
The rear-biased xDrive system is supported by a fine-tuned M Sport suspension, M Sport braking system and an M Sport differential at the rear.
The engine is powered by a 285kW 3.0-litre, in-line-six turbocharged engine, which develops 35kW more than the previous model. Torque is 500Nm.
The car is paired up with an eight-speed automatic transmission, able to perform the 0 to 100km/h dash in 4.3 seconds. It is responsive, with plenty of torque-rich shove whenever required.
In summary, the M240i xDrive is a skillful all-rounder. Great to look at, engaging to drive and blessed with sprinting abilities befitting the athletic look, it is undoubtedly one of the most desirable perfomance cars of the moment.
