[The Automotive Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by SOM3

Hmm that may be right but this weapon you speak of will be much slower.

But much more balanced. It's not about all about Power, Jeremy Clarkson.

[Jockey]

Originally Posted by Rev ///Me

But much more balanced. It's not about all about Power, Jeremy Clarkson.

No, sorry. Balanced is pretty much THE adjective to describe the M3.

Both the M3 and the 235 are very well balanced cars. However, one is more balanced towards the track and the other towards a daily driver.

[r3dbimmer89]

The choices are subjective to each individual buyer. The author placed the M4 last, but he did so by placing more weight on refinement and value than I would. I was close to ordering an M235i but decided to wait for the M3 because for me, it did offer that much more rawness in the extra $20k.

Most American sports cars (i.e. C7 Corvette) offer way more performance per dollar than mostly all European sports car but I still would rather get a Ferrari or Porsche. There is a market for every choice and for me, refinement and value are things that I am not looking for when car shopping. Thus, the author and myself would disagree on the outcome of this article 100%. To each is own...it's your hard earned money...do what pleases you..

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by IEDEI

the only thing the M235 is....is the modern 135i. Nothing more....nothing less.

Correct.

The 135is was the best car for the money.

[Jockey]

Originally Posted by red-sauerkraut

Correct.

The 135is was the best car for the money.

Yep, no doubt

[Crisp]

People don't go for the M235 just because it's cheaper. They go for it because to them, it's more fun and they actually prefer it over the M3/4. YES, this is true and not BS made up because they can't afford the M3/4.

Here's an example:

I really want the M235 over the M3. However, my fiancé really likes the size of the F30/F80. As a result, I'm going for the M3. This is going to be her daily driver and our road trip car/track toy. I would much rather track the M235 and also daily drive it, because it is a much better daily car (for me), however, she wants the extra space. I actually dislike it because of the extra space.

So it's not always about $$. Yes, people do prefer the M235 over the M3/4, even though they can afford both. Hell, I'm buying the M3 and I wish it was the M325 instead.

[tke743]

Originally Posted by Crisp

So it's not always about $$. Yes, people do prefer the M235 over the M3/4, even though they can afford both. Hell, I'm buying the M3 and I wish it was the M325 instead.

Seconded. I can afford the M3, but it is a little to hard edged for my daily travels. Don't get me wrong, on a track it is a superior car, but in the real world, and for what I need/want the M235i is better. This is exactly the same logic that applied when I bought my 330i ZHP over a e46 m3. That said I adding the port installed LSD, and now I'm just waiting on dates from my local dealer.

[Crisp]

Originally Posted by Malbolge

underwheeled looking, the M235i is a nice car in person, pics don't do it justice. Imagine what the M2 will be like once it's out (or 2M?).

Speaking of the M2... I believe this is going to be the car that will piss off 1M owners. That should be the point where the 1M's start to see 'normal' depreciation.

[colin_e90]

If they ever bring the new body style 1 series to the states that would be truely amazing. When I recently visited Germany and Austria I saw tons of diesel 1 series. I gotta say that the 1 has that nice small peppy look and feel to it but with plenty of space in the rear and plenty of boot space due to the five door hatchback body. I really hope they make an equivalent 1 series to the m2. Because through out my trip through Europe it seems that most of all the bmw's i saw were 1 series hatchbacks. 1 series hatchback equivalent to the m2 will be a major game changer.

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by DarkstarZero

After driving the M235, M4, and having owned every M3 - a 228 manual with track handling package and the BMS tune is the real drivers car and what I would take to the track, even if money was not a factor.

Until an M2 is available, I agree wholeheartedly.

[basiluf]

How does everyone's local dealer stock like like between the M235i and M3/M4? I stopped by the south location of our local dealer yesterday, and they had 1 AY M3 inside and 1 BS M4 parked outside for sale. There weren't any M235i available. I checked their website, and between the two delaerships they have 4 M4s available and 1 M3, with 0 M235i available. Are the M3/M4 going to be discounted soon if they are already sitting on the dealership floor?

[tke743]

Originally Posted by basiluf

Are the M3/M4 going to be discounted soon if they are already sitting on the dealership floor?

Already happening. I was offered $1500k over invoice on an M3 without trying.

[imserious]

This article demonstrates how BMW's move toward turbos allows tuners to easily match performance of higher priced models.

The M2 with a tune will be the car to beat.

[mvallido]

For years, I have saved enough money to buy an M3 and I was waiting for the return of the 6 cylinder M3. Thought this was the year that I would buy the M3 because I love 4 door BMWs. When I saw the specs for the M235i and what comes with the price, it only took me 5 seconds to decide. No regrets at all. I love my EBII M235i!

[Philipangoo]

I have a FBO F30 335 that shares the same engine as the m235i and to you people thinking a JB tuned N55 can compete with a stock S55 ....you are dreaming.

I have driven the new M4 and trust me there is a noticeable difference in power and delivery., The S55 clearly had more instant power and pull. My buddy who was running 40% Ethanol in his F30 335 FBO echoed the same opinion. The F8Xs powertrain is it's clear strength. To think the engines are equal is pretty off base.

[SOM3]

Originally Posted by Crisp

People don't go for the M235 just because it's cheaper. They go for it because to them, it's more fun and they actually prefer it over the M3/4. YES, this is true and not BS made up because they can't afford the M3/4.



So it's not always about $$. Yes, people do prefer the M235 over the M3/4, even though they can afford both. Hell, I'm buying the M3 and I wish it was the M325 instead.

It's not always about money but 95% of the time IT IS. If you put M4 and M235 in front of people and let them pick free of charge what do you think will happen. 99.9% will pick M4 no doubt. A moron or two will take M235 not knowing anything about cars.

You theory is pretty much dead in a water.

I will also add that if you are short then M235 may appeal to you a little more. I'm 6'2" and 2 series is just too small for me.

[SouthernBoy]

Alpina B4 looking good!

[angler]

Originally Posted by red-sauerkraut

Correct.

The 135is was the best car for the money.

I think the 135 was the best car for the money as I made mine into a 135is with more choices getting there.

[w3rkn]

Originally Posted by SOM3

It's not always about money but 95% of the time IT IS. If you put M4 and M235 in front of people and let them pick free of charge what do you think will happen. 99.9% will pick M4 no doubt. A moron or two will take M235 not knowing anything about cars.

You theory is pretty much dead in a water.

I will also add that if you are short then M235 may appeal to you a little more. I'm 6'2" and 2 series is just too small for me.

Dead in water..?

Odd.. if you gave me a M4, I would take it to the dealer and trade it in on a M235i..

Coincidentally, I would rather own a M2, than a M4 and so would most people... the only people who want a M4, are the people who want lux... not top performance..!

[DML]

M4 creeping closer to 911 dollars... 2 makes much more sense as BMW has lost it's price way.

[tke743]

Originally Posted by SOM3

It's not always about money but 95% of the time IT IS. If you put M4 and M235 in front of people and let them pick free of charge what do you think will happen. 99.9% will pick M4 no doubt. A moron or two will take M235 not knowing anything about cars.

You theory is pretty much dead in a water.

I will also add that if you are short then M235 may appeal to you a little more. I'm 6'2" and 2 series is just too small for me.

I think you miss the point. This is not an apples to apples comparison. The things I want are more closely tied to the M235i. I am looking for a daily driver I can take to the track, not a track car that I can drive daily. The M235i fits this better. I think the review in the op showed that is the criteria they were using too. If it was just a lap time rewiew, yes the M3/M4 would win. Again not apples to apples.

The two are functionally the same price for me and I chose the M235i.

On your second note, I too am over 6' and I prefer a car closer to the size of the e46 (which this is) and not the e60 sized M3/M4

[bladeomatic]

Originally Posted by e92ben

M235i is an amazing car. It's just the 2 series feels so so so cheap. Cheaper than the old 1 series did which I liked a lot also.

Hmmm…


I've never heard one person say this, ever.

Virtually every magazine review of the 2 series says exactly the opposite…that the 2 series feels upgraded in almost every way to the 1 series.