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Based on BMW’s latest CLAR platform, the G42 M240i is a highly capable performance coupe. Push the car hard on a fast road or track, however, and a few handling flaws rise to the surface.
As we find on the vast majority of performance cars, the G42’s suspension settings are conservative by design. This leads to understeer at the limit of grip. Meanwhile, soft rubber bushes fitted at the rear contribute to the M240i’s imprecise responses.
The great news is that bolt-on upgrades from Suspension Secrets cure these handling issues. In this G42 M240i suspension tuning guide, we’ll explain how correcting camber and uprating bushes achieves BMW M car-like handling performance.
G42 M240i Suspension & Handling Overview
The second-generation BMW 2-Series Coupe arrived in autumn 2021, the M240i straight-six turbo model producing 374hp. With that amount of power, it made sense for BMW to offer its xDrive all-wheel-drive system in many markets including the UK.
The G42 wheelbase is longer and wider than the F2x wheelbase, with much of the technology shared with the 4-Series. Up front there's an independent, double-wishbone setup with coil springs and an anti-roll bar. While the rear axle is five-link and also boasts an anti-roll bar.
This layout forms solid foundations which can be exploited with well-chosen M240i suspension upgrades.
M240i Suspension Limitations
When driven hard on the road or track, the G42 chassis's inherent issues come to the fore. These include...
- Front end understeer/push
- Poor body control during quick transitions
- Instability during heavy braking
- Dull throttle response
- Non-existent steering feedback
All combined, these handling issues affect driver confidence and enjoyment. Coupled with high levels of engine power, the M240i can feel unruly - even with the xDrive system aiding traction.
Common Handling Problems (And How To Fix Them)
The BMW G42 M240i suspension upgrades covered in this guide allow you to achieve the following...
1. Increase front camber and significantly reduce understeer
2. Improve the clarity and weight of steering communication
3. Reduce unwanted geometry change caused by soft factory bushes
4. Stabilise rear toe under load and increase traction on corner exit
5. Enhance overall handling precision and consistency
Once these improvements have been made, the M240i will feel far more stable, precise and responsive at higher speeds. It will also transmit grip levels to the driver with greater clarity, boosting overall confidence.
BMW G42 M240i Suspension Geometry & Alignment Setup (Top Tip)
A full suspension geometry alignment is essential after installing new suspension parts. By correctly adjusting camber, toe, and caster (where available), alignment ensures you maximise grip, stability, and tyre life.
Benefits of an M240i Geometry Setup
- Sharper steering response
- Increased cornering grip
- Improved rear traction
- Enhanced braking stability
A professional alignment is the single most cost-effective handling upgrade you can make.
Essential G42 M240i Suspension Upgrades
This section covers essential BMW G42 M240i suspension upgrades that serve as a great first step to unlocking dramatically improved handling improvements. These upgrades form the basis of the Suspension Secrets Kinematics Kit and are the ideal starting point for both road and track-focused builds.
Adjustable Camber & Caster Plates
In standard form, the G42 M240i does not offer enough front camber adjustment to achieve effective Fast Road or Track suspension geometry settings. This makes it difficult to significantly reduce the amount of understeer experienced at fast cornering speeds.
The G42 M240i adjustable camber plates from Suspension Secrets allow additional negative camber to be dialled into the front axle, significantly improving front-end grip and steering feel.
Why G42 M240i Camber Plates Matter
- Reduce understeer
- Sharpen turn-in
- Increase steering feedback
- Improve tyre wear on track
Suspension Secrets camber plates also increase caster angle, providing dynamic camber gain as steering lock is applied. As well as further improving turn-in response, caster also enhances steering feel and weighting. An added bonus is that Suspension Secrets camber plates are fully compatible with aftermarket coilovers that use the OEM top mounts.
Solid Front Control Arm Bushes
One of the most significant weaknesses of the G42 chassis is the front bushes.
BMW fitted soft rubber, oil-filled bushes in the front lower control arms. Under braking and cornering loads, these bushes flex. That deflection changes suspension geometry dynamically, which is why the car can feel slightly vague under heavy braking or initial turn-in.
Replacing them with Suspension Secrets Solid Front Control Arm Bushes eliminates that unwanted movement.
Solid Bushes Improve
- Braking stability
- Steering precision
- Consistency under load
- Front end confidence
The steering feels more direct. The car holds its geometry instead of moving around on soft rubber. For fast road cars, this is one of the most worthwhile upgrades you can make.
Adjustable Rear Toe Arms
With front-end grip and response improved, it's time to turn attention to the M240i's rear axle.
During extensive road and track testing, we identified rear toe instability as the main cause of rear-end nervousness on corner exit. This is caused by the arm's factory-installed soft rubber bushes.
Suspension Secrets Adjustable Rear Toe Arms offer:
- Greater adjustment range than OEM arms
- Independent optimisation of camber and toe
- Solid mounting to eliminate flex/increase stability under load
- Improved straight-line traction.
Unlike the rubber‑bushed factory arms, our solid-mounted toe arms maintain consistent geometry during acceleration and high-speed cornering.
Suspension Package Explained
The G42 M240i suspension upgrades described above are ideal for fast road cars that also take part in trackdays.
If you are looking to unlock even more handling performance from your BMW on circuit, you will need a comprehensive suspension upgrade package. Thankfully, Suspension Secrets manufactures the perfect kit...
Full Kinematics Kit
G42 M240i Kinematics Kit includes:
- Suspension Secrets Adjustable Rear Toe Arms
- Suspension Secrets Adjustable Camber Arms
- Suspension Secrets Adjustable Rear Traction Arms
- Suspension Secrets Solid Rear Control Arm Bushes
- Suspension Secrets Solid Front Offset Caster Bushes
All Suspension Secrets products have a Lifetime Warranty (including the bearings) and can be shipped internationally free of charge.
BMW G42 M240i Suspension FAQs
Why does the G42 M240i understeer when pushed hard?
BMW sets up the car with conservative camber and road-focused geometry from the factory. This limits front-end grip at higher cornering loads, leading to predictable but noticeable understeer at the limit.
What causes the vague steering and instability under braking?
Soft, oil-filled rubber bushes in the front control arms flex under load. This movement alters the suspension geometry dynamically, reducing steering precision and braking stability.
Why can the rear feel nervous on corner exit?
The factory rear toe arms use compliant rubber bushes, allowing toe changes under acceleration. This affects rear stability and traction when applying power hard.
What are the most effective first upgrades?
Adjustable camber plates, solid front control arm bushes and adjustable rear toe arms deliver the biggest improvements in grip, steering feel and stability.
Is a geometry alignment really necessary after fitting parts?
Absolutely. A professional suspension alignment ensures camber, toe and caster are correctly set, maximising grip, stability, tyre life and overall handling performance.
Developed and manufactured by Suspension Secrets, these G42 M240i suspension upgrades unlock a new level of handling performance.