I drove an M-235i today - pleasantly surprised !!!

[dreamsongs]

My friend just got an M 235i and I took it for a spin. I was quite impressed at the handling and responsiveness of the car. It was significantly faster than my current 335i which is a 2013 model. For starters I loved the transmission on Manual mode, much better than mine. The shifts were very quick almost like a DCT. And even though the car weighs around 3,500 lbs it didn't feel heavy on the road at all. It handled great and was as much speed as I need for city and highway driving.

I've been planning on getting an M4 for ED next summer but I got a new job and I'll be travelling a lot more. Meaning, I'm debating the whole M4 thing all of a sudden. I priced out my M4 around 78k with the options I want. The M 235i would run me around 50k. But if I hardly will be driving the new M4 after next summer I'm not so sure anymore and I'm also getting a lot of pressure from the wifey...

So now I feel I've waited 3 years, drove a 335i until the new M4 came out and now I may not be able to get one. Or rather....it wouldn't be wise to get one. Now I'm considering getting an M 235i so I have something fun to drive when I'm home.

I really hate decisions like this. I feel I won't be really happy no matter what I do...

[OrangeD1sco]

Wait for the M2!

[yaymitch]

Originally Posted by OrangeD1sco

Wait for the M2!

Ditto!!

[dreamsongs]

Originally Posted by OrangeD1sco

Wait for the M2!

But my lease on my current car is up in November this year. The M2 won't be out then I don't think !

[solstice]

An M235i sounds like the reasonable choice, just don't fool yourself into that it's almost an M4. Huge difference here in every way, except maybe the most important, fun factor. Here the difference is more subjective and might not be worth the premium for you.

[chillindrdude]

+a bazillion.

seriously, wait.

but follow your heart....money be damned, as long as your loved ones are taken cared of (college fund, life insurance, etc) spend away! you can't take money with you to the grave.

[dreamsongs]

Originally Posted by solstice

An M235i sounds like the reasonable choice, just don't fool yourself into that it's almost an M4. Huge difference here in every way, except maybe the most important, fun factor. Here the difference is more subjective and might not be worth the premium for you.

Yes I know, I wish I didn't. I've had 2 M3's before so I know the performance of a real M car.

I tested this M 235i today with my wife and I drove it like a lunatic with the approval of my friend who insisted I push it to the limit. It was much faster than expected, maybe cause I wasn't expecting much....I loved it in manual mode and the handling was awesome. It was just a tight spirited little tank.

It really put a smile on my face but I think I f*cked myself over cause my wife said after the ride - "do you really need more power than this honey" ?...
That was code for - do you really need an M4 ?

I should've gone alone damn it.....

[chillindrdude]

Originally Posted by dreamsongs

Yes I know, I wish I didn't. I've had 2 M3's before so I know the performance of a real M car.

I tested this M 235i today with my wife and I drove it like a lunatic with the approval of my friend who insisted I push it to the limit. It was much faster than expected, maybe cause I wasn't expecting much....I loved it in manual mode and the handling was awesome. It was just a tight spirited little tank.

It really put a smile on my face but I think I f*cked myself over cause my wife said after the ride - "do you really need more power than this honey" ?...
That was code for - do you really need an M4 ?

I should've gone alone damn it.....

the reply should have been, "yes! when we were shopping for engagement rings, did I ask if you really need more carats that this honey?"


it's funny, I was at a local C&C this morning and was having the exact opposite conversation with another BMW enthusiast. he wished his M235 had more.

[dreamsongs]

Originally Posted by chillindrdude

the reply should have been, "yes! when we were shopping for engagement rings, did I ask if you really need more carats that this honey?"


it's funny, I was at a local C&C this morning and was having the exact opposite conversation with another BMW enthusiast. he wished his M235 had more.

I guess it's cause I wasn't expecting much and I knew it wasn't a real M car. Maybe I had low expectations knowing it's a step down from a 3 series and it took me by surprise....

It's only slightly lighter than a 3 series but it felt a lot quicker and agile...

[8600RPM]

Just glad I don't have a wife who exerts pressure over what car I want. Yikes. Frankly sounds like you are trying to talk yourself into getting a 2 series rather than waiting one

[RocketBoots]

Have you test driven an M4? If not, you should.

I test drove an M235; it's a fun car. Very good for what it is. The 8-speed auto is very well mated to that chassis. But the M4 is a very different car, even from the M235. I'd say the M235 is closer to a 335 than an M4. In nutshell, the M4's handling/chassis and punch separate it from the M235 IME.

[IMrMark]

Originally Posted by OrangeD1sco

Wait for the M2!

THIS

Originally Posted by dreamsongs

But my lease on my current car is up in November this year. The M2 won't be out then I don't think !

regardless of this. Lease extension or long term rental.

[ewr777]

I havent drive nothing M in my live. I order an M3 for ED this June. I can say my 08 535i was fast, can even imagine how fast the M3 will be.

[nicknaz]

Op the 235 is just like your 335 with a MPPK and PSS tires. Same engine, same gearbox. I think the difference is mostly in your head. You can make your 335 like that with $3k worth of tires + power kit (or do you have a base suspension or xdrive car?)

I have a 2013 335 (staggered 19s, option 704 suspension and sport 8at) and an f80 m3 (dct, passive suspension, 18s) and there is such a huge difference between the cars.

If the 235 is enough for you then that is great because you saved a lot of money.

[RowanBuds]

Originally Posted by dreamsongs

But my lease on my current car is up in November this year. The M2 won't be out then I don't think !

If the release date is published, and you can secure an allocation I don't think it's out of the question to get your lease extended on the 335 until the M2 arrives, as long as it's under 6 months. For full disclosure, my experience doing this is not with BMWFS leases, but other manufacturers.

If the M2 is not a realistic option, I think you're making the wise decision and considering the M235i. To play devils advocate, though, if you aren't going to drive it much, and are buying it not leasing, maybe it would make sense to go with the F8x. The M cars typically retain value better than non-M BMWs, and low mileage ones always demand a premium. Plus, the way my mind works, I'm always willing to spend more on my weekend toy than my daily transportation.

If you're driving it infrequently, only you can decide if the M makes you feel different, and the M235 doesn't, you've gotta go M. Though if both feel equally special, it may not be a bad idea to save 20k+.

[mkoesel]

You have a 2013 E93 335i, right? So, the M235i is a much lighter car, and that's probably a big reason why it feels so fast to you.

I agree with the others that you should hold out for the M2. The only reason people are currently measuring the M235i against the M4 is that there is no M2 yet. Once the M2 is here it is going to make the M235i feel like a drive in an M4 makes a 4 Series feel today.

[Andrew115]

If the 2s had a hud my interest would be much higher. I am spoiled I guess. A HUD is a must for me now.

[F450]

If you want a fast, compact german car and are more comfortable spending $50k than 70-80k then I'd recommend the GLA45 AMG over the M235i. Faster, better brakes and more fun. Or wait for the M2.

[nicknaz]

M3 is $60k with euro delivery and the 2.0l amg cars are $55k with comparable equipment.

235 curb weight is around 3550lb just like the 335 sedan. Are people putting them on scales and finding very different weights from what is published?

I guess i am skeptical since i drove the 235 when shopping for my 335 and didn't see much of a difference

[Brindle101]

Originally Posted by dreamsongs

My friend just got an M 235i and I took it for a spin. I was quite impressed at the handling and responsiveness of the car. It was significantly faster than my current 335i which is a 2013 model. For starters I loved the transmission on Manual mode, much better than mine. The shifts were very quick almost like a DCT. And even though the car weighs around 3,500 lbs it didn't feel heavy on the road at all. It handled great and was as much speed as I need for city and highway driving.

I've been planning on getting an M4 for ED next summer but I got a new job and I'll be travelling a lot more. Meaning, I'm debating the whole M4 thing all of a sudden. I priced out my M4 around 78k with the options I want. The M 235i would run me around 50k. But if I hardly will be driving the new M4 after next summer I'm not so sure anymore and I'm also getting a lot of pressure from the wifey...

So now I feel I've waited 3 years, drove a 335i until the new M4 came out and now I may not be able to get one. Or rather....it wouldn't be wise to get one. Now I'm considering getting an M 235i so I have something fun to drive when I'm home.

I really hate decisions like this. I feel I won't be really happy no matter what I do...

There is no comparison between that car and the M4. You really need to drive an M4 and then decide.

[Arcades]

I would say wait, but if you are in need of a car right away and you don't mind having the M235i, then just pull the trigger.

Although, I'd still get the M4 It isn't that you won't drive it much, but it's a true M car, sadly the M235i isn't a true M. Or... M2 like some people here have already mentioned. I still want my M4

[The Automotive Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by dreamsongs

But my lease on my current car is up in November this year. The M2 won't be out then I don't think !

You can extend your lease up to six months if you place an order for a new BMW.