[Db750]

Originally Posted by supernova72

Oh boy, I have not actually driven a M2235i no. Never owned a non NA car either but sounds like I better drive the turbo car first. Full disclosure---started out looking for an E92 M3 6MT car but not sure "I need a V-8". Ha.

It basically came down to a 2009-2011 M3 6MT for the same price as a 2014 M235i. I was blown away on how the E92 prices have held up.

I think what you need to do before you go any further is test drive both cars. I have both of the cars you are currently considering in my garage; 2013 M3 Comp Package for me, and 2015 M235i for the wife. Both of our cars have pretty much all options, and neither are the 6mt.

I LOVE both cars. The M235i is really an amazing car, and it is my first pick out of any non-M BMW offered today by a long shot. Having said that there are several things that are VERY different coming from an E46 M3 that I can not communicate to you over a forum such as steering feel, throttle response, power delivery, and that x-factor that most bmw's have to some level or another.

The steering feel in the M235i is just bad; there really is no other way to put it. Coming directly out of an M3 (e46 or e90) you will immediately notice a huge difference, but after you get used to the lack of feel it is very precise and direct. Just no feel. This really is my friends and my biggest complaint about the car, but sadly that is the way pretty much all new cars are, and the M235i is much better than any other bmw I have tested in the last few years such as 3/4, 6, etc.

The only similarities the motors have in your car and a 2 is that they are both 6 cyl. From there it is night and day. The e46 has razor sharp throttle response and builds power as the revs shoot up. It does this at pretty much any speed so long as you are in the right gear. The M235i on the other had does have a bit of throttle lag, but it is one of the best turbo motors I have driven as far as response and power delivery. It reminded me of the F10 M5 I rented in that regard - not absolute power, but the way the power is delivered and the response the motor has rolling at 45 MPH in 2-3 gear. The M235i is surprisingly fast 0-60 and has a ton of torque! This is ver fun. According to my V-box it is faster than both my e92 m3 and presumably my friends e46 as I am able to beat him in a race. The torque is very fun!

Bottom line is you need to test drive the car. Seriously, I would not go any further without doing so! Look forward to hearing your thoughts!

[Steve80bk]

I didnt read everyones posts above so maybe it was mentioned, but try to find one that doesn't fall inside the lines of the fuel pump issues. Even if they resolve it fast, no need to have to potentially deal with any issues.

[pocoyo_3]

I would recommend getting in touch with David Aviles at Steve Thomas BMW. He will be able to set you up with a great deal on a new M235i. If you have 2 months you can order a car to your precise spec.

Are you going to sell the M3. Do let me know if you are.

[supernova72]

Originally Posted by Xiaoxi

You can keep it under 50k if you got rid of the premium pkg. I used to have premium pkg in an F30 and don't miss it one bit.

My configuration was offered at $44k before taxes. If you trade in the E46 you could take a good chunk off the final $50k.

Thanks for the tip on premium delete!

[adema24]

For 2016 models (which all newly configured cars are despite showing 2015 on the online new car configuration) the m235i will come standard with comfort access, auto dimming mirrors, and alarm. IMO this makes the premium package useless, unless you want leather seats.

Basically what I'm saying is get the cold weather package, manual, and moonroof delete and you'll be outta there with 45-46k msrp.. Haggling will get it down another 2k or so. Look for a Drive For Team USA event near you which will take another 1k off the price.

So you could essentially get a new car with everything you want for a little over $40k.

[supernova72]

Originally Posted by Db750

I think what you need to do before you go any further is test drive both cars. I have both of the cars you are currently considering in my garage; 2013 M3 Comp Package for me, and 2015 M235i for the wife. Both of our cars have pretty much all options, and neither are the 6mt.

I LOVE both cars. The M235i is really an amazing car, and it is my first pick out of any non-M BMW offered today by a long shot. Having said that there are several things that are VERY different coming from an E46 M3 that I can not communicate to you over a forum such as steering feel, throttle response, power delivery, and that x-factor that most bmw's have to some level or another.

The steering feel in the M235i is just bad; there really is no other way to put it. Coming directly out of an M3 (e46 or e90) you will immediately notice a huge difference, but after you get used to the lack of feel it is very precise and direct. Just no feel. This really is my friends and my biggest complaint about the car, but sadly that is the way pretty much all new cars are, and the M235i is much better than any other bmw I have tested in the last few years such as 3/4, 6, etc.

The only similarities the motors have in your car and a 2 is that they are both 6 cyl. From there it is night and day. The e46 has razor sharp throttle response and builds power as the revs shoot up. It does this at pretty much any speed so long as you are in the right gear. The M235i on the other had does have a bit of throttle lag, but it is one of the best turbo motors I have driven as far as response and power delivery. It reminded me of the F10 M5 I rented in that regard - not absolute power, but the way the power is delivered and the response the motor has rolling at 45 MPH in 2-3 gear. The M235i is surprisingly fast 0-60 and has a ton of torque! This is ver fun. According to my V-box it is faster than both my e92 m3 and presumably my friends e46 as I am able to beat him in a race. The torque is very fun!

Bottom line is you need to test drive the car. Seriously, I would not go any further without doing so! Look forward to hearing your thoughts!

Thanks for the valuable feedback! Owning both cars really drives (Ha) home the differences.

I will drive both then even if I can't find a 6MT E92.

I love my E46 and the "raw" element of a motor that cranks out 333HP from a 3.2L with no blower or turbine. Old school in today's world...

[supernova72]

Originally Posted by pocoyo_3

I would recommend getting in touch with David Aviles at Steve Thomas BMW. He will be able to set you up with a great deal on a new M235i. If you have 2 months you can order a car to your precise spec.

Are you going to sell the M3. Do let me know if you are.

Thanks. I recently sent a note to David and the reply I got was "I have some great leases right now". I said not interested in lease but a purchase and there was no reply (hmm). Or maybe I misinterpreted his note to me??

[DanG]

One thing I found was increasing the front wheel width really helped with the steering feel. I put 18 x 8 BBS CH-Rs all around.

I also had an E46 M3 and I don't miss it with my M235i. I also got rid of it at 100K because it was driving me crazy with repair costs. I also don't like being stranded which happened when it blew the water pump and when the alternator died.

[DBinOC]

I am coming from an E36 and don't find the steering feel to be overly missing. It's certainly much better than the Mark VI Golf R I had.

No, the M235i is not as "raw" as the E36 and E46, but that torque! 90% of peak torque is available at 1300 rpm or something silly and it's just a hoot to drive. I'm still breaking it in and haven't gotten over 4500 RPM...I can still move pretty smartly through traffic as needed.

For a new car at this price point, I really don't see any other RWD competitors in terms of refinement, efficiency, and driving fun. If you're OK with AWD, you may want to look at the Mark VII Golf R or Audi S3. If you're OK with a little less refinement and efficiency, the Mustang and Camaro are also as good as they've ever been. As a 12-year E36 M3 owner looking to get something new, this was the one car that checked all the boxes for me.

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

Originally Posted by DBinOC

I am coming from an E36 and don't find the steering feel to be overly missing. It's certainly much better than the Mark VI Golf R I had.

No, the M235i is not as "raw" as the E36 and E46, but that torque! 90% of peak torque is available at 1300 rpm or something silly and it's just a hoot to drive. I'm still breaking it in and haven't gotten over 4500 RPM...I can still move pretty smartly through traffic as needed.

For a new car at this price point, I really don't see any other RWD competitors in terms of refinement, efficiency, and driving fun. If you're OK with AWD, you may want to look at the Mark VII Golf R or Audi S3. If you're OK with a little less refinement and efficiency, the Mustang and Camaro are also as good as they've ever been. As a 12-year E36 M3 owner looking to get something new, this was the one car that checked all the boxes for me.

Ex E92 and E46 M3 owner here...As has already been well pointed-out, the M235i is night and day different than either previous generation M car.

If you don't test drive it first that is a huge mistake. It's an extremely tossable and fun car.

Let us know your thoughts after you get behind the wheel. I don't want to taint you with mine (other than I love the M235xi I have) and I don't regret not getting the latest gen m3/m4.

[supernova72]

Originally Posted by Midwest M235i

Ex E92 and E46 M3 owner here...As has already been well pointed-out, the M235i is night and day different than either previous generation M car.

If you don't test drive it first that is a huge mistake. It's an extremely tossable and fun car.

Let us know your thoughts after you get behind the wheel. I don't want to taint you with mine (other than I love the M235xi I have) and I don't regret not getting the latest gen m3/m4.

Thanks again. I have a test drive for an M235i lined up for this weekend. I still need to located an E92 M3 6MT however. Appreciate all the helpful comments!

[supernova72]

Originally Posted by DBinOC

I am coming from an E36 and don't find the steering feel to be overly missing. It's certainly much better than the Mark VI Golf R I had.

No, the M235i is not as "raw" as the E36 and E46, but that torque! 90% of peak torque is available at 1300 rpm or something silly and it's just a hoot to drive. I'm still breaking it in and haven't gotten over 4500 RPM...I can still move pretty smartly through traffic as needed.

For a new car at this price point, I really don't see any other RWD competitors in terms of refinement, efficiency, and driving fun. If you're OK with AWD, you may want to look at the Mark VII Golf R or Audi S3. If you're OK with a little less refinement and efficiency, the Mustang and Camaro are also as good as they've ever been. As a 12-year E36 M3 owner looking to get something new, this was the one car that checked all the boxes for me.

Thanks again and sorry for the delay. I have found one locally in Seattle to test drive which I hope to do this week. I appreciate your follow-up and thoughts. I keep thinking it "checks all the boxes" as well. Sort of a modern day E46

[opfreak]

careful, 'free' maintenance doesn't transfer on some 2015s to 2nd owners.,

[DanG]

Originally Posted by opfreak

careful, 'free' maintenance doesn't transfer on some 2015s to 2nd owners.,

The maintenance doesn't transfer on any 2015s to second owner.

[supernova72]

Originally Posted by DanG

The maintenance doesn't transfer on any 2015s to second owner.

OP here:
Just to be clear. Free maintenance is different that transferring the warranty right? Sorry for the LAMO question. Maint more than just oil changes? Be cool to have that at any rate.

[alz0rz]

Originally Posted by supernova72

OP here:
Just to be clear. Free maintenance is different that transferring the warranty right? Sorry for the LAMO question. Maint more than just oil changes? Be cool to have that at any rate.

Correct, the warranty still goes with the car. BMW did away with transferring the pre-paid maintenance for any 2015 car. The maintenance covered everything except tires.

[supernova72]

Originally Posted by alz0rz

Correct, the warranty still goes with the car. BMW did away with transferring the pre-paid maintenance for any 2015 car. The maintenance covered everything except tires.

Thanks for the info. Good to know. I'm still sorting out my E46 M3 getting it ready to consign locally. I figure that will motivate me to pull the trigger on a 2014 M235i.

[DanG]

Originally Posted by supernova72

Thanks for the info. Good to know. I'm still sorting out my E46 M3 getting it ready to consign locally. I figure that will motivate me to pull the trigger on a 2014 M235i.

You may want to see what you get in trade in first before you consign it. In Washigton you only pay the 9.5% sales tax on the difference between your new car price and your trade in. So there is a 9.5% penalty for selling it yourself. I have found that the penalty usually negates the extra cash you get selling it yourself or through consignment.

[5plus2]

Originally Posted by DanG

You may want to see what you get in trade in first before you consign it. In Washigton you only pay the 9.5% sales tax on the difference between your new car price and your trade in. So there is a 9.5% penalty for selling it yourself. I have found that the penalty usually negates the extra cash you get selling it yourself or through consignment.

Good point on the 9.5% penalty. Trading it in also saves a ton of hassle. Here is the link on the free maintenance coverage non-transferable on the model year 2015 or later vehicles sold or leased by an authorized BMW center on or after July 1, 2014. I saw a joke on a different forum that is hilarious: BMW cannot even afford its own maintenance. So they changed the policy. LOL.

Anyway, if we think that market has priced the non-transferability in, it should hurt the re-sale value of model year 2015 and later. This means that the 2015 model would be cheaper, other things being equal. But it is very hard to make a comparison and quantify how much cheaper indeed. Also in terms of depreciation, what is the difference though between the 2014 model year (one year old) and the 2015 model year (6 months old)? I would say: roughly 20% depreciation for the 2014 year and 15% for the 2015 year?

[pocoyo_3]

Originally Posted by supernova72

Thanks. I recently sent a note to David and the reply I got was "I have some great leases right now". I said not interested in lease but a purchase and there was no reply (hmm). Or maybe I misinterpreted his note to me??

David can work the deal with either a lease or a sale. It just happens that the lease rates are great right now. I would keep trying as David tends to be very busy but he will set you up with a great deal.

[alexc93]

Not sure if this is out of your price range & I know you aren't looking for black but BSM is much easier to maintain than a jet black. It is worth checking out the smaller dealership websites occasionally as they often don't list on the cars.com websites etc.

Germain BMW in Naples, FL have a 2015 BSM/Black 6MT M235i (tech, premium, HK) in stock for $50k which I am sure you could negotiate just below the $50k mark.

Hope this helps. A good friend of mine works at this dealer as a tech and can find you a sales person if you need. Since the car is new you could more confidently buy without seeing and have it transported or possible dealer trade? not sure if thats a thing anymore.

http://www.germainbmw.com/new/BMW/20...1fd4f373a5.htm

[rich8566]

Originally Posted by supernova72

My E46 6MT is nearing 100K miles with 2 months and I've had little luck locating a 2014 M235i 6MT (trying to keep it below a 100K). Tons of autos out there however.

2014 model yr mostly due to pricing being more in my wheelhouse. 6MT's are hard to find in the Seattle WA area.

I've widened my search to CA, OR, ID, CO, & AZ (here, Auto Trader, Cars.com, etc.).

Trying to stay away from black exterior. White and Silver 1st two choices.

Starting to wonder if it's time to bit the bullet and go for a 2015 "new" or slightly used. Thoughts?

I have a 2014 Estoril Blue M235i with a 6 speed manual. Loaded except for parking assist. Not sure I could part with it though since I love driving it so much.