[midwest 340xi 6sp]

Originally Posted by BMW335iOn18s

I'm part of the group that bought an M235i because they wanted a modern E46 M3. It IS bouncy, but very far from soft. It's stiff and bouncy. I'm sad my car doesn't sound like an e46 M3, nor is it as responsive, but it's a much better car in many other ways. If they made the car louder stock, it would be a lot more fun, though an N55 will never sound like an S54. If I could get a new E46 M3, I would, but I can't. So until I can afford a used one in addition to a BMW for DD, my M235i will do. It's fast, it's comfortable, it handles extremely well, and it comes with 4 years of worry free driving. To be honest, it has faster steering and a Bentley interior as well as similar throttle response to the U.S. S52 powered E36. If the U.S. E36 M was worthy of an M badge, so is my M235i. Obviously, It's a much more rational and reasonable purchase, but we as enthusiasts think more with our hearts than our brains sometimes. Hopefully within the next 6 years I'll be able to afford a new real M car and an 06 ZCP to take out on sunny days.....until then, I will enjoy the M235i!

Edit: the M variable steering on the M235i is nothing like a base 328. Unless that 328i has the M variable steering option installed as well...it's a very very tight and quick steering rack.

Its not just the steering rack on 328 - its the low resistance tires too..Thats how BMW has gone for the bread & butter 3 crowd.

Softer and more flex towards EPA. I get it and their sales are better than ever too. So I can't fault them for delivering share holder value via their top seller.

The e46 M3 is my favorite of em all too...But it was like the the first love for me, as it was the first M car I ever owned.

That said, I never found the S54 sound that glorious...I did not like the rasp and it had a mechanical sound that just didnt resonate with me.

I think the Mpe in my M235i sounds as nice or nicer frankly.

Neither compare to an S65 at start-up