[bimmercar]

If cost was not an issue, which car is more fun for everyday driving? M235i or F80 M3?

[Transfer]

F80 or E92?
If F80, the size difference compared to M235i is enormous. Both M3s have power that is too much for the street and that gets frustrating unless you can go to the track frequently. This is one reason why I sold my glorious E90 M. For 0-100 driving the M235i is great and certainly costs 20-30k less than a new M3. The M cars do have that extra special feel though and are really top tier if you're all about having the best.

[bimmercar]

Originally Posted by Transfer

F80 or E92?
If F80, the size difference compared to M235i is enormous. Both M3s have power that is too much for the street and that gets frustrating unless you can go to the track frequently. This is one reason why I sold my glorious E90 M. For 0-100 driving the M235i is great and certainly costs 20-30k less than a new M3. The M cars do have that extra special feel though and are really top tier if you're all about having the best.

It would be F80 M3 for comparison since I would be leasing a new one. The F80 definitely has more power but also bigger, i really interest to know how both cars translate to everyday city and highway commuting. aka which is more fun on street?

Another reason for F80 is that it has 4 doors and is more practical for carrying people and cargo

[och]

They are too different, if anything M235 has to be compared with M4. For me, the M4 is just too much, so I went with M235.

If you're looking at a 4 door, the new M3 may seem more practical, but its still a true M car, so its going to have a very stiff ride and will be useless in cold weather, plus all kinds of clearance issues and so on.

Really none of these cars is well suited for commuting as primary vehicle. They are both fun summer toys, but you better have a second car for daily duties. Or just get 335/550 with M package and call it a day.

[EternalVendetta]

Originally Posted by och

They are too different, if anything M235 has to be compared with M4. For me, the M4 is just too much, so I went with M235.

If you're looking at a 4 door, the new M3 may seem more practical, but its still a true M car, so its going to have a very stiff ride and will be useless in cold weather, plus all kinds of clearance issues and so on.

Really none of these cars is well suited for commuting as primary vehicle. They are both fun summer toys, but you better have a second car for daily duties. Or just get 335/550 with M package and call it a day.

Why isn't the M235i well-suited as a DD? I ask because I just ordered one and plan to make it my only vehicle.

[moldcad]

I voted for the M235i and you know what? - if such a poll ever crossed your mind at all, it means you probably are one of those "bimmer purists" who usually drive mostly on their own, and certainly do not even consider a "cargo" being transported (perhaps one or two of your friends, a girlfriend if she understands your passion - yes, but a "cargo"? C'mon, man). So - assuming I'm right in the above statement (I'm myself an example of such a driver) - why would you choose M3 (especially the 8x, a huge car) over the agile couple - a quintessence of bimmerness? The only reason that comes to my mind is "in order to impress your friends or girlfriend, provided she can distinguish between the M3 and the M235i". No other reason exists, believe me - you don't track your new M3 on an everyday basis (older and especially prepared for track use cars serve that purpose), so you would end up in the very same way of using the M3 as you would if you bought an M235i. And is so, I'll tell you some more: even though I've driven lots of cars during the 44 years of my driving experience, I swear I have yet a lot to learn in order to use my M235i potential at least in some 75% (if someone tells you otherwise, he is a professional sports driver or he is lying). So, what would you gain with M3 instead of M235i? Well - even more to learn in order to use its potential, only this time under more stress about hurting your even more expensive (and much larger, thus even more difficult to drive 3/4, not to mention 9/10) toy, and intimidated even more by how much you need to learn...

So again: since you mentioned the M235i at all means your car doesn't need 4 doors or cargo space. Stick to it - this clever little coupe is extremely rewarding day after day day and month after month of using it closer to its real potential, which warrants a grin on your face and - after you finally master her one day - a great feeling of satisfaction...

[bimmercar]

Originally Posted by och

They are too different, if anything M235 has to be compared with M4. For me, the M4 is just too much, so I went with M235.

If you're looking at a 4 door, the new M3 may seem more practical, but its still a true M car, so its going to have a very stiff ride and will be useless in cold weather, plus all kinds of clearance issues and so on.

Really none of these cars is well suited for commuting as primary vehicle. They are both fun summer toys, but you better have a second car for daily duties. Or just get 335/550 with M package and call it a day.

I was thinking of either a 340xi with THP, or M235xi or M3 (plus winter beater), problem is, for an 340i, i would have to wait 2-2.5 months. none of the 335xi on the lots has DHP. I wanted to know, in street driving, if the M3 is making a significantly more fun driving experience than a M235

[pikcachu]

Originally Posted by bimmercar

If cost was not an issue, which car is more fun for everyday driving? M235i or F80 M3?

easy... you buy both and put the M3 engine on the M235

[bimmercar]

Originally Posted by pikcachu

easy... you buy both and put the M3 engine on the M235

hahaha, this is better idea than a M2!

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by EternalVendetta

Why isn't the M235i well-suited as a DD? I ask because I just ordered one and plan to make it my only vehicle.

It's perfectly fine as a DD but I'd consider going with aftermarket wheels and tires. I for one am getting very annoyed with constantly bending my rims and dealing with BS. You could, for instance, downsize to a 17" BBS SR and get a higher profile PSS tire. I'm going to do that next time around. Yes there's a TINY sacrifice in handling that you'd be hard pressed to notice, but the handling is much better than not being able to keep the car on the road or driving with a vibration from a less than perfect rim.

[Cyberdemon]

This has come up a lot, and really you should test drive both cars to get a feeling of which you think will be more enjoyable.

I test drove both, and went with the 235. The main reasons in my logic were:

-The M3 has more power than I could ever use on the street (safely). Power is intoxicating, but having come from a 500+hp Corvette before this, power isn't fun if you can't use it. It's the - "Fun to drive a slow car fast vs fast car slow" logic.

-The M3 was much stiffer, even with the adaptive dampers in comfort mode. I test drove one over some broken back roads and it was frankly uncomfortable. Here in NY the roads are generally sh*t, so the more compliant ride of the 2 series was a benefit.

-The M3 was a more practical car with 4 doors, a real back seat and trunk. The flip side for me is my wife has a truck (which can tow my bike and cargo when needed) and the 2 series is practical enough for two people without kids who just want to go on a weekend getaway or to the beach.

-The 2 series is generally more affordable, though the lease rates on the M3 made it very compelling from a lease perspective.

Either way, I would try driving both back to back. That's what I did and it helped solidify me on the softer car since I'm using it for daily driving, not for track work.

[W///]

Originally Posted by bimmercar

I was thinking of either a 340xi with THP, or M235xi or M3 (plus winter beater), problem is, for an 340i, i would have to wait 2-2.5 months. none of the 335xi on the lots has DHP. I wanted to know, in street driving, if the M3 is making a significantly more fun driving experience than a M235

I didn't bother answering the poll because the cars are pretty different. If I absolutely had to pick between the 2, then probably the M3. Like I've said before, I'm a giant fan of the M235i. However, it just cannot compare to the proper M's.

That's why I'm going in between the M235i and M3 by getting an M2 (most likely). If you can wait, then that would be my choice.

[bimmercar]

Originally Posted by Cyberdemon

This has come up a lot, and really you should test drive both cars to get a feeling of which you think will be more enjoyable.

I test drove both, and went with the 235. The main reasons in my logic were:

-The M3 has more power than I could ever use on the street (safely). Power is intoxicating, but having come from a 500+hp Corvette before this, power isn't fun if you can't use it. It's the - "Fun to drive a slow car fast vs fast car slow" logic.

-The M3 was much stiffer, even with the adaptive dampers in comfort mode. I test drove one over some broken back roads and it was frankly uncomfortable. Here in NY the roads are generally sh*t, so the more compliant ride of the 2 series was a benefit.

-The M3 was a more practical car with 4 doors, a real back seat and trunk. The flip side for me is my wife has a truck (which can tow my bike and cargo when needed) and the 2 series is practical enough for two people without kids who just want to go on a weekend getaway or to the beach.

-The 2 series is generally more affordable, though the lease rates on the M3 made it very compelling from a lease perspective.

Either way, I would try driving both back to back. That's what I did and it helped solidify me on the softer car since I'm using it for daily driving, not for track work.

Yes, the reason I was thinking M3 was because with the lease quote I got, the M3 is not much more per month than a M235xi loaded.

I have driven both last year M235i and M3 at BMW UDE Car Control Clinic, and I didn't feel much difference between the two in terms of putting down the power on the short track. But the M3 is good at roasting rubber there when we did WOT.

I consider the M3 only for the 4 doors over M235 and the slight bump in monthly payment

[den525]

I'd pick the M4 any day of the week if money wasn't a factor! I don't think there's anything the m235i is better at lol but unfortunately I can't justify paying 70% more... Or get one not fully optioned...

So yea I love the m235i but yea M4 so much better

[Hemisedan]

4 doors would be a killer for me. My wife has a RAV 4, so I don't need a 4-door car. There's no kids involved, plus the grandkids are 1,000 miles away, and I just think that a performance car is, and should be a 2-door car. I grew up looking at 4 door cars as either, sale men's cars, or daddy's car. Granted, times have changed and there are many high performance 4 door cars, or Coupe' type where you have to really look for the rear door handle. Just my opinion, of course.

[Cyberdemon]

Originally Posted by Hemisedan

4 doors would be a killer for me. My wife has a RAV 4, so I don't need a 4-door car. There's no kids involved, plus the grandkids are 1,000 miles away, and I just think that a performance car is, and should be a 2-door car. I grew up looking at 4 door cars as either, sale men's cars, or daddy's car. Granted, times have changed and there are many high performance 4 door cars, or Coupe' type where you have to really look for the rear door handle. Just my opinion, of course.

Well, that is why they make the M4 after all.

Performance sedans are great for when you want 1 car to do it all.

[2msport]

Originally Posted by EternalVendetta

Why isn't the M235i well-suited as a DD? I ask because I just ordered one and plan to make it my only vehicle.

BS. The 235 is a fantastic DD. Just read one review. They all say the same thing. Great performance car when you want it. Flip the switch and it turns into a very comfortable DD. Very few compromises if you can live with two doors.

[och]

I would not go with aftermarket rims, ever. They have larger bore than hub diameter and cause nothing but vibrations.

Also I would not go with xdrive BMW unless its an SUV. The awd system just kills the whole driving experience of a BMW and raises the car to the point where it looks ugly. Winter tires are much better than awd with all season tires anyway.

[och]

Originally Posted by 2msport

BS. The 235 is a fantastic DD. Just read one review. They all say the same thing. Great performance car when you want it. Flip the switch and it turns into a very comfortable DD. Very few compromises if you can live with two doors.

Its a great DD during the summer. During NE winters, when we have mountains of ice on the roads, its not going to be practical, and you'll end up scraping the living crap out of your bumpers, underskirts, etc.

My 235 is purely a summer car for me, as we also have an X5, X1 and a mazda 3 beater, and I still went with 235 over M4. I think the M4 is just way too much for street driving, and replacing tires/wheels on M4 is going to be way more expensive than the 235. For a toy car the 235 is just orgasmicly perfect. Way better than a 335 coupe that I had a few years back.

[sstarrx3]

If cost is not an issue I would go Cayman S, unless you have to have a back seat. I really see no reason to buy a true M car when you can have a Porsche Cayman S for the same money.

[2msport]

Originally Posted by och

Its a great DD during the summer. During NE winters, when we have mountains of ice on the roads, its not going to be practical, and you'll end up scraping the living crap out of your bumpers, underskirts, etc.

My 235 is purely a summer car for me, as we also have an X5, X1 and a mazda 3 beater, and I still went with 235 over M4. I think the M4 is just way too much for street driving, and replacing tires/wheels on M4 is going to be way more expensive than the 235. For a toy car the 235 is just orgasmicly perfect. Way better than a 335 coupe that I had a few years back.

That all makes sense. Being in Cali I forget what winter really means.

[Sabjimenez]

Originally Posted by 2msport

That all makes sense. Being in Cali I forget what winter really means.

what's winter?