Easty-5 wrote: ↑Mon May 29, 2017 9:42 pm
So, the most pertinent question - how does it compare to the MR?
If I was to sum it up in one word, refined!
To try and pick out some main differences though...
Steering, not bad, I can't say I'm a big fan of the electric setups but it's definitely been tweaked compared to say my old 4 series diesel, compared to the zed, it's too light and lacks feel.
Ride, on non adaptive dampers (didn't like them on the 4) is very good, it's fairly stiffly sprung but rides well on the mpss tyres, I. E. Makes the zed feel like a lotus after!
Handling, again good with a decent amount of grip even in full tc off mode it'll put the power down well but when pushing on I think some stiffer arbs would help and a bit more camber, compared to a standard zed I think most people would be quicker in the 240 as its a more compliant neutral setup.
Brakes, very good actually, well balanced, when pushing on pads will give up, I believe the m4 sport pads drop straight in there. Compared to a standard zed, definitely better.
Noise, not bad on cold start, could be noisier when driving, it's very quiet with the windows up. I've removed the air intake blanking plug and silencer and you cam hear the spool now which is quite nice. Clearly bmw reserved the noise here for the M2 etc. For me just needs the MPE compared to zed, it needs more noise!
Engine, torque, torque and more torque! It feels a bit old skool, there is some lag lower down which is quite like, gives character, coming on boost in 2nd gives a good old shove! Runs out of steam after 6k though. On the road it's ideal, on track I'd take the s54 all day long even if I think it's probably slower in a straight line. (that's before it's mapped, once mapped I think it will be a bit of a monster on the road)
Interior etc it's actually really well finished off, I expected it to feel a bit of a downgrade compared to the 4, I actually can't tell much difference? Obviously compared to the zed it feels like a bentley with all the new techno gear etc.
Overall feeling, excellent road car, with some very minor tweaks I imagine it to be basically 75% of an m car with 140 quid a year road tax and easily 35mpg if you need it too. Closing points, they seem quite rare (always nice) if you don't need the extra space of a 4, go for a 2, it's a much nicer sized car (e46 M3 size) even if your after a diesel, I'd go 220d rather than 420d. It sits perfectly next to the zed for me, I was concerned they might be too similar or it would make the zed feel dated, not at all, 2 completely different cars that compliment each other well.
That might have turned in to a ramble...