[supernova72]

Actually even the new ones are hard to find with a manual trans when I look at Auto Trader.com or Cars.com.

Of ~370 M235i's available maybe 20 are 6MT. In additional in the last few weeks the verts are really showing up in inventory. I'm a coupe person however.

Guess I'll to stick with my E46 M3 until something I can afford becomes available (can't afford to order new) Cheers.

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by supernova72

Actually even the new ones are hard to find with a manual trans when I look at Auto Trader.com or Cars.com.

Of ~370 M235i's available maybe 20 are 6MT. In additional in the last few weeks the verts are really showing up in inventory. I'm a coupe person however.

Guess I'll to stick with my E46 M3 until something I can afford becomes available (can't afford to order new) Cheers.

I have a manual 235 - stick with your E46 M3 - it's a much better car.

[Alpine F31]

I totally gave up on trying to find a 6MT on a dealers lot. I've never seen one. I did find some online that were in other States but not equipped exactly as I wanted, especially the colors. I'm glad I ordered one. It's the first time I ever did and of course it's exactly how I want it.

You may have to give it a year or so before a decent selection of used manual trans cars become available second hand. Best of luck.

[Lucky13]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

I have a manual 235 - stick with your E46 M3 - it's a much better car.

I owned 3 E46 M3's all manual and it was not a much better car, how many E46 M3's did you own to give that opinion?

[supernova72]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

I have a manual 235 - stick with your E46 M3 - it's a much better car.

I'm hoping the M235i is very comparable to the E46 M3. The performance numbers look pretty close.

Congrats on your M235!

[supernova72]

Originally Posted by Alpine F31

I totally gave up on trying to find a 6MT on a dealers lot. I've never seen one. I did find some online that were in other States but not equipped exactly as I wanted, especially the colors. I'm glad I ordered one. It's the first time I ever did and of course it's exactly how I want it.

You may have to give it a year or so before a decent selection of used manual trans cars become available second hand. Best of luck.

_____

I was hoping to do a "refresh" this spring since my E46 M is approaching 95K miles but I see your point. I've only seen two so far within 1K miles of Seattle WA. E46 has been such a great car. 333HP from a 3.2 NA motor. Pretty amazing!

[angelbones]

If you're looking for a late model (I guess they're all late model) M235, why not consider doing ED. It may be cheaper than buying used. You'll spend more driving a 1000 miles to get one that is only somewhat what you want, or alternatively, pay a high price to ship it to you. Of course, you may get lucky and find one in your area, but why deprive yourself of something you want. If it's about spending the money to go and stay and travel, etc., treat it as one day trip, do it in winter, when airfare is cheap, and it will more than make up for it. Furthermore, while this might be speculative, what if something happens to your present BMW and you have to spend money fixing that. YOLO, so I would suggest ordering it around October or so, so that you can tack on typical year end discounts when it arrives in December.

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by Lucky13

I owned 3 E46 M3's all manual and it was not a much better car, how many E46 M3's did you own to give that opinion?

I've owned 4 other BMWs - this is the worst one I have owned - it is too squishy and bouncy on the chassis side, and the engine isn't as responsive as other BMWs I have had.

By extrapolation, the E46 M3 (widely considered one of the best BMWs ever) would be a better car.

I simply gave the man my opinon...

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by supernova72

I'm hoping the M235i is very comparable to the E46 M3. The performance numbers look pretty close.

Congrats on your M235!

Experience-wise I think you have the potential to be disappointed.

There's much less induction noise and the ride leaves a lot to be desired in my opinion. My dad owned a Z$MC with the same engine the you have in your E46 M3 (which I drove extensively over a 5 year period), and the experience was far better in terms of response, pantomime, and general smiles per mile.

I would make sure you test drive the 2er plenty before switching - just a suggestion.

[DanG]

Seattle BMW has a stick 2015 M235i in stock. It has been there a few months. They are even offering a discount.

[Alpine F31]

dmboone25, maybe you should consider selling yours to the OP. Sounds like you're not too happy with it and at the same time, it's a used M235i 6MT, exactly what the OP is looking for. Win win!

[nachob]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

I've owned 4 other BMWs - this is the worst one I have owned - it is too squishy and bouncy on the chassis side, and the engine isn't as responsive as other BMWs I have had.

By extrapolation, the E46 M3 (widely considered one of the best BMWs ever) would be a better car.

I simply gave the man my opinon...

I could see that It might be dissapointing to go from e46 m3 for many. The m3 is riotous and special. M235i is special in a
very different softer way. Make sure you drive before buying. I almost preordered M235 but didn't because the dropped Alcantara cloth interior and forced comfort buttons. Good thing because I was planning Ed.

I don't have 1M anymore so switching now is different but if I owned clean E46 M3 not sure I wouldn't go that route unless you want something fast and softer.

[JRMorgan]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

I've owned 4 other BMWs - this is the worst one I have owned - it is too squishy and bouncy on the chassis side, and the engine isn't as responsive as other BMWs I have had.

By extrapolation, the E46 M3 (widely considered one of the best BMWs ever) would be a better car.

I simply gave the man my opinon...

You're not being sarcastic by any chance? I really like my 135i now but it's getting old and I want to go back to 6MT. However from driving the 335i loaner I must say that car is very bouncy and the steering doesn't feel like BMW steering at all. It's a nice car and as I've gotten used to it I can have fun with it but its nothing like my 135i at all.

[JRMorgan]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

Experience-wise I think you have the potential to be disappointed.

There's much less induction noise and the ride leaves a lot to be desired in my opinion. My dad owned a Z$MC with the same engine the you have in your E46 M3 (which I drove extensively over a 5 year period), and the experience was far better in terms of response, pantomime, and general smiles per mile.

I would make sure you test drive the 2er plenty before switching - just a suggestion.

Ok so you are not being sarcastic. I remember following your journey into the 235i and you were very excited when you got it. It seems the newer BMWs are highly sound insulated. I can barely hear the engine in the 335i. When I do it sounds like an electric motor of sorts. Also while the entirety of the automotive press is in love with that 8AT IMHO it doesn't hold a candle to the DCT.

Now I'm really lost about what car to buy. I guess I'll milk the 135i until the M2.

[Hasek9339]

Op what's your budget?

[supernova72]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

I've owned 4 other BMWs - this is the worst one I have owned - it is too squishy and bouncy on the chassis side, and the engine isn't as responsive as other BMWs I have had.

By extrapolation, the E46 M3 (widely considered one of the best BMWs ever) would be a better car.

I simply gave the man my opinon...

Thanks for the feedback. I had not heard of the soft suspension until now. Sounds like I better drive one first!!

[supernova72]

Originally Posted by nachob

I could see that It might be dissapointing to go from e46 m3 for many. The m3 is riotous and special. M235i is special in a
very different softer way. Make sure you drive before buying. I almost preordered M235 but didn't because the dropped Alcantara cloth interior and forced comfort buttons. Good thing because I was planning Ed.

I don't have 1M anymore so switching now is different but if I owned clean E46 M3 not sure I wouldn't go that route unless you want something fast and softer.

Full Disclosure--I have not driven the M235i yet. I was going on all the postive reviews I had seen from C&D and the life. Things like "best BMW currently offered.." etc etc.

Maybe I'm drinking the Koolaide. Better go drive one.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by supernova72

Thanks for the feedback. I had not heard of the soft suspension until now. Sounds like I better drive one first!!

And, therein lays the problem! Most of the ones in stock or used for loaners are likely "No Line" models with lowest level chassis and run flat tires, and not equipped with the Track Handling Package which is putting indelible smiles on so many faces. You can't just drive any 2 Series and make a generalization...either find a M235, try Sport vs. Comfort settings, and allow for powertrain if you want a 228i or see if you can find a THP 228i somewhere.

[supernova72]

Originally Posted by angelbones

If you're looking for a late model (I guess they're all late model) M235, why not consider doing ED. It may be cheaper than buying used. You'll spend more driving a 1000 miles to get one that is only somewhat what you want, or alternatively, pay a high price to ship it to you. Of course, you may get lucky and find one in your area, but why deprive yourself of something you want. If it's about spending the money to go and stay and travel, etc., treat it as one day trip, do it in winter, when airfare is cheap, and it will more than make up for it. Furthermore, while this might be speculative, what if something happens to your present BMW and you have to spend money fixing that. YOLO, so I would suggest ordering it around October or so, so that you can tack on typical year end discounts when it arrives in December.

that would be my dream but never really considered it since I'm constrained on a final price in the lower 40's vs. mid to high 40's (pre-sales tax)

Saw the ED thread and really tempted me but given a new one would be 50k ish with premium and tech I just didn't think I should even go there given I have a budget.

[supernova72]

Originally Posted by DanG

Seattle BMW has a stick 2015 M235i in stock. It has been there a few months. They are even offering a discount.

I did look at a estorial blue on there a while back. Thinking it would be gone even at $52k??

Thank for the tip. My budget is less than that

[JRMorgan]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

And, therein lays the problem! Most of the ones in stock or used for loaners are likely "No Line" models with lowest level chassis and run flat tires, and not equipped with the Track Handling Package which is putting indelible smiles on so many faces. You can't just drive any 2 Series and make a generalization...either find a M235, try Sport vs. Comfort settings, and allow for powertrain if you want a 228i or see if you can find a THP 228i somewhere.

The M235 comes in only one form. But as for loaners oddly I've gotten Msport and Sport line models but the problem is that all of them are X drive which means no proper sport suspension.

[nachob]

Originally Posted by supernova72

Full Disclosure--I have not driven the M235i yet. I was going on all the postive reviews I had seen from C&D and the life. Things like "best BMW currently offered.." etc etc.

Maybe I'm drinking the Koolaide. Better go drive one.

Yeah man! Drive it. I was drunk on kool aid but drove it and at first it was a huge dissapointment on so many levels when coming from an M car.

Seriously, lowering your expectations will make you love it. When I was going into it they were selling it as a 1M killer so that led to serious dissapointment. Now that I have been kool aid free it's back on the consideration list.

Let us know what you think!