Too all car mag reviewers this is NOT an M car. It is an M performance model. I know the new BMW designations are quite confusing but stop comparing the M235i as if it's an M2. It's not supposed to be as stiff as an M car because guess what? It's not.
AMG = M
AMG > M performance models and IS models.
Now that things are in clear perspective. The M235i does really well against a full bred AMG car.