Nowadays, there are more BMW M models than ever before, and that is largely because BMW has effectively diluted the M badge. The “most powerful letter in the world” used to be reserved for flagship models featuring bespoke, motorsport-bred engines, but now the letter’s presence in a model’s name often suggests little more than a performance-oriented trim.
Indeed, there are far more M-branded models than full-fledged M cars in BMW’s lineup, and the unspoken truth is that the gap between the two is smaller than the badge suggests. On the used market, the “lesser” M-branded model is often the smarter purchase for buyers who want genuine performance without sacrificing everyday livability.
The Final Year Of This BMW Generation Is A Used-Market Sweet Spot
Why The F22 2 Series Still Appeals To Enthusiasts
If you are going to buy a BMW specifically for its performance, it had better be a compact coupe. Weight is the antithesis of performance, so the lighter the car, the better it can accelerate, brake, and handle. Even BMW’s most compact models have gotten heavier over the years, but the F22 2 Series (2014–2021 model years) remains among the lighter modern BMW coupes you can buy.
Of course, when you opt for God’s intended configuration, rear-wheel drive, you also keep weight to a minimum, with RWD F22 models weighing around 3,406 pounds. The final model year, 2021, is particularly appealing because it offers the newest and most refined version of an established platform.
The Used-Market Price Gap Makes A Compelling Case
Depreciation is both a gift and a curse, so the key is finding the sweet spot where value is maximized without having to settle for an older, higher-mileage car. Late-model F22 2 Series models fit that description, with 2021 examples now roughly five years old. Depreciation has erased a substantial portion of their original sticker prices, yet many examples still have fewer than 60,000 miles.
Everyone wants a good deal, and shopping in this age range can deliver substantial performance without requiring buyers to pay the premium for a newer M-branded model or a full-fledged M car. One specific F22 configuration delivers on that promise and so much more.
The 2021 BMW M240i Coupe Delivers Nearly Everything Enthusiasts Want
The 2021 BMW M240i Coupe is a special car that provides an ideal blend of performance and everyday usability without requiring buyers to stomach the purchase price of a full-fledged M model.
The B58 And Six-Speed Manual Are The Ideal Combination
The magic that makes the M240i so special to driving enthusiasts is the combination of the B58 turbocharged inline-six and the six-speed manual transmission. In stock configuration, the M240i produces 335 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, but the B58 is also known for delivering substantial performance gains with relatively simple modifications.
The three-pedal engagement pairs perfectly with the B58, creating a combination that is increasingly difficult to find in modern luxury performance cars. Despite its considerable tuning potential, the engine’s stock output is already more than sufficient for spirited street driving, and the car never feels slow or inadequate compared with many modern sports cars. The M240i offers everything a modern performance car should: usable power, driver involvement, and luxury-level refinement.
The M2 Costs Considerably More Without Being The Better Daily
According to Kelley Blue Book, the Fair Purchase Price of a 2021 BMW M240i RWD Coupe is $26,500, while that of a 2021 BMW M2 is $46,800. The M240i xDrive Coupe commands a higher price of $33,100, illustrating how drivetrain choice affects its value. While the M2 carries more clout and is undoubtedly the more aggressive platform, the M240i makes a stronger case as an everyday street car.
It offers a better balance of comfort, performance, and usability for considerably less money. Seriously, there is a $20,300 price difference between the two, and the M2 is difficult to justify at that premium for buyers who prioritize everyday driving. That money could instead go toward maintenance, repairs, tires, and other expenses over the next five to seven years.
The M240i Has The Tuning Potential To Punch Above Its Weight
While the B58 is excellent in stock form, its modification potential is essentially irresistible once you realize how easy it is to extract more power.
Simple B58 Upgrades Can Deliver Serious Power
Full stop, few modern performance platforms offer a better return on investment than the B58. It has become a king of aftermarket tuning, and parts support has continued to grow since its introduction in vehicles such as the Toyota GR Supra for the 2020 model year. The appeal is clear: with a relatively small investment in the right modifications, you can push the M240i beyond 400 wheel horsepower.
That puts it within striking distance of a current-generation BMW M2 in terms of straight-line performance, making it a brutally quick daily-driven street car. Even at this power level, reliability is not necessarily compromised, provided the car is properly maintained and tuned. However, the addictive nature of boost means your fuel budget and tire replacement intervals could easily become victims of your decision.
A Well-Spec’d Example Shows What Makes This Car Special
To further drive the point home, we found a recent Bring a Trailer sale featuring what many enthusiasts would consider the “perfect-spec” F22 M240i. This example sold in April 2026 for $35,500 with only 10,000 miles, making it an exceptionally low-mileage example.
Finished in Estoril Blue over Coral Red, it featured a six-speed manual, a slick-top roof, and desirable performance upgrades, including the M Performance limited-slip differential and exhaust, a Dinan midpipe and springs, and an M Performance shift knob. Reportedly garage-kept throughout its life, this F22 M240i was an exceptionally clean example that delivered much of the BMW M2 experience for more than $10,000 less.
The Newer M240i Loses The Manual That Makes This One Special
The F22 M240i really was the sweet spot of modern compact BMW coupes. If you want a similar experience in a new BMW, however, its exact formula simply no longer exists.
The G42 M240i No Longer Offers Three Pedals
The 2027 BMW M240i Coupe starts at $53,600 and produces 386 horsepower from a turbocharged inline-six. However, one of the older generation’s key selling points, the third pedal, is no longer available. That decision might still feel like a shock to enthusiasts, but the shift toward automatic transmissions was hardly unexpected, even in BMW’s most performance-focused compact models.
Despite the improvements the newer generation offers, losing the six-speed manual leaves a significant gap in the enthusiast formula that the newer M240i cannot fill. If you want a modern, compact BMW coupe but refuse to compromise on the three-pedal experience, the used F22 generation remains the answer.
Sources: BMW, Classic.com, Bring a Trailer
