The BMW M240i Convertible is the bimmer that puts the F in FUN

BMW M240i Convertible

These are not good times for high-performance sports sedans, much less sports coupés. People want crossovers and SUVs, and all the German carmakers have responded.

For BMW, this is something of a tough pill to swallow, because the Bavarians invented the sports coupé and brought it to America back in the 1970s with the magnificent 2002. Many iterations have followed, with convertibles and four-doors added to the pack.

These have always been fun-to-drive, yet relatively practical, cars. And give the BMW M-Sport high-performance treatment, the fun becomes excessive. So who cares if all people want are crossovers? That just means more cars like the BMW M240i for the rest of us.

BMW sells both proper M-cars and vehicles that live a notch lower on the price and performance ladder. So in the 2-Series realm, there's the M2 — a stonking machine — and the M240i, which replaces the wonderful M235i. We got our hands on the M240i convertible recently and were able to see how it does the job of serving up open-air motoring fun during some spirited driving in suburban New Jersey.

The M240i replaces the M235i in BMW's lineup. I richly enjoyed the hardtop a few years ago.

Read the review here.

But BMW has also rolled out the spectacular M2 — the 2-Series given the high-performance M-Sport treatment. It's insanely good.

Read the review here.

The new M240i occupies a rung below the M2. It's what you might call "near high-performance," versus the M2's full-on performance orientation. Out test car was the convertible version.

Basically, the engines aren't hugely different. The M2 and M24oi are running turbocharged inline 6-cylinder units of 3.0-liters each, but the M2 cranks out more horsepower. Beyond that, the M2 has a limited-slip differential, which makes for more surefooted handling at speed, and has a stouter suspension.

Bottom line: The M2 is something of a track weapon, while the M240i likes winding country roads.

See the rest of the story at Business Insider