M or not an M?
The answer does not matter to car enthusiasts.
But it will matter to badge enthusiasts. Or to marketing geeks.
The
M235i is an excellent car. If I buy one, that pesky "M" will have zero/nada/nothing to do with it.
The people who believe fervently that the M235i is not an M risk significant damage to their egos if they buy an M2/3/4 and get trounced by a slightly better driver in a _235i.
Sorry.