[Turbo_435i]

I have the money to get an M3/M4, but decided against it.

my reasons for choosing the M235i are below :


M235i:

1. more nimble
2. feel more attached to road while driving.
3. cheaper
4. just as comfortable as M3/M4
5. suspension / bumps / tires more forgiving
6. lil quieter on startups (not dealbreaker, just saying,lol)
7. feels lighter, even if its not.
8. feel more in control, smaller car.
9. better visibility thru front window, M3/M4 lil tighter.
10. cost to own, gas, tires, etc cheaper.
11. insurance lil cheaper, but not by much
12. not as hard to get, M3 pain in the ass to even find.


M3/M4

1. rides rough
2. more powerful, but not necessarily needed for daily driver.
3. feels detached from road, almost like you're on a ride.
4. cost more
5. insurance lil more
6. harder to find, with options wanted.(fewer)
7. not good daily driver, prob great track car though.
8. louder startup ( no flames, just sayin)
9. gas , tires, etc more expensive.



prob a few more things im missing from both categories, but i drove both BACK TO BACK........ drove the M4, then M235i, then M4 again.......


and the M235i just felt "fun" vs the M4, dont get me wrong, the M4 felt fun too...... but in a way thats like.....fuck man..... this is alot of car for daily use, and feels heavier, and more detached from road...whereas the M235i felt tossable, fun, nimble, and more in control, and rode smoother, vs the M4.


I actually love the M3/M4's, but for a car that I'm gonna drive day in and day out, im choosing the M235i, and adding couple performance parts.....tune and maybe downpipe, and it will be just as quick at acceleration as the M3/M4, without all the added cost, discomfort that comes with the higher end M3/M4.


This is my take on the differences of all the cars, and yes, i know some ppl prefer the M3/M4 for various reasons, but im sticking with the M235i.

[G-Mann]

No M235ix?

Deciding what car to get is half the battle if not more. Sounds like you did your homework. M2 is a year out not sure if that is an option to consider?

[Turbo_435i]

Originally Posted by G-Mann

No M235ix?

Deciding what car to get is half the battle if not more. Sounds like you did your homework. M2 is a year out not sure if that is an option to consider?

i really wanted the xdrive 235i, for the awd 0-60 acceleration, but im torn for the tossability of the rwd. cost isnt that much more for xdrive either.

i live in miami, and problem is, nobody has xdrive 235i's here to even test drive

[DanG]

The extra cost of owning an x car just isn't worth it in Florida.

[angelbones]

If you're in Florida don't waste your time or money on an x-drive. Adds weight, lowers mpg, and penalizes acceleration (albeit only slightly on all counts but just saying). You'll be very happy with a RWD, and any performance enthusiast will tell you that a RWD is more fun. For those with AWD, don't get me wrong there are real world advantages outside of winter driving, but just not worth it in warm weather states.

[MEBII]

I totally agree with your analysis. But, to play the devil's advocate, your analysis is practicality vs emotion. The problem is a Camry is more practical. Buying a BMW is about embracing emotion.

[MikeT]

Originally Posted by schybrid

I have the money to get an M3/M4, but decided against it.

my reasons for choosing the M235i are below :


M235i:

1. more nimble
2. feel more attached to road while driving.
3. cheaper
4. just as comfortable as M3/M4
5. suspension / bumps / tires more forgiving
6. lil quieter on startups (not dealbreaker, just saying,lol)
7. feels lighter, even if its not.
8. feel more in control, smaller car.
9. better visibility thru front window, M3/M4 lil tighter.
10. cost to own, gas, tires, etc cheaper.
11. insurance lil cheaper, but not by much
12. not as hard to get, M3 pain in the ass to even find.


M3/M4

1. rides rough
2. more powerful, but not necessarily needed for daily driver.
3. feels detached from road, almost like you're on a ride.
4. cost more
5. insurance lil more
6. harder to find, with options wanted.(fewer)
7. not good daily driver, prob great track car though.
8. louder startup ( no flames, just sayin)
9. gas , tires, etc more expensive.

Good analysis. I came to the same conclusion. The best description came, I think, from Autocar UK: " 90 percent of the M4 for 58 percent of the cost." 90 percent of the M4 is still more than enough car for me.

[midlifecrisis]

I've just sold my E90 M3 and my 235i Cabrio is on the way. I went back and forth before finally deciding in the 2. In the end, I elected to preserve natural and financial resources. I leased it, so if I change my mind I can go back to the M car in 3 years.

[evanescent03]

I think you make a lot of good points. if money were free, I would be keeping my f80 M3 as my daily driver. it is just fine for a DD even with two kids in diapers. it's actually what I think is the perfect car unless you get harsh winters. It does come at a steep cost though. $75k for my M3 was worth it at the time and still is worth it, but I decided I don't want to pay that much anymore. 7months and 7500mi into ownership and in trading it out. I go through a lot of cars which is partially just a personal "flaw" and I'm definitely not getting out of it because I thought it suck in any way. I can just use the $500/month savings for other stuff and be having almost as much fun.

85% of the m3 for 57.9% of the cost. the % is my actual number of each build. funny how close that is to the figure above!!

I don't regret the m3 at all but I'm also quite excited about the m235i! getting mine white or blue, no sunroof, manual trans and maybe parking distance/camera ..

the savings will keep you from regretting the m4. enjoy your 2!!

[caycep]

Originally Posted by MEBII

I totally agree with your analysis. But, to play the devil's advocate, your analysis is practicality vs emotion. The problem is a Camry is more practical. Buying a BMW is about embracing emotion.

That being said, the OP stated that the m235i was more nimble and in-control...

[evanescent03]

did the m4a u drove active or passive suspension? in comfort they're really not bad at all (MHO). never drove the passive suspension tho.

[Turbo_435i]

The 19" rims on the M4 did it no favors in kush ride quality, but I never expected it too. The M4/M3's are setup for a lot harsher suspension vs the M235i.

The 235i felt like I could drive it casual if needed, and romp on it and make me smile if needed too. The M4 just felt extremely powerful to use on daily streets etx..... I could see myself getting into a lot of trouble with it......


Don't get me wrong though.... The M235i can get me in just as much trouble..... But the M4 power just seemed so much more seamless and smooth..... Hence not knowing ur hitting 100mph extremly quick.....

[kd0t]

If money weren't an issue, I'd definitely be in a M3 right now. Something about owning a true M is just so gratifying.

Who cares about practicality.. Neither cars are true exotics in which you can't daily drive.

[tke743]

Originally Posted by schybrid

I have the money to get an M3/M4, but decided against it.

my reasons for choosing the M235i are below :


M235i:

1. more nimble
2. feel more attached to road while driving.
4. just as comfortable as M3/M4
5. suspension / bumps / tires more forgiving
7. feels lighter, even if its not.
8. feel more in control, smaller car.

M3/M4

1. rides rough
2. more powerful, but not necessarily needed for daily driver.
3. feels detached from road, almost like you're on a ride.
7. not good daily driver, prob great track car though.

Great write-up.

I would add that, to me, the m235i just feels like the right size for a BMW (I was coming from a '04 330i ZHP).

I distilled your list down to the things I decided on. For me the M3 was functionally the same price, but the above were the deciding factors. It wasn't even close for me. The only thing that kept the M3 in the running was the practicality of the rear doors. (Hint BMW, you should have made a m235i GC.)

[jskrilla]

Originally Posted by evanescent03

I think you make a lot of good points. if money were free, I would be keeping my f80 M3 as my daily driver. it is just fine for a DD even with two kids in diapers. it's actually what I think is the perfect car unless you get harsh winters. It does come at a steep cost though. $75k for my M3 was worth it at the time and still is worth it, but I decided I don't want to pay that much anymore. 7months and 7500mi into ownership and in trading it out. I go through a lot of cars which is partially just a personal "flaw" and I'm definitely not getting out of it because I thought it suck in any way. I can just use the $500/month savings for other stuff and be having almost as much fun.

85% of the m3 for 57.9% of the cost. the % is my actual number of each build. funny how close that is to the figure above!!

I don't regret the m3 at all but I'm also quite excited about the m235i! getting mine white or blue, no sunroof, manual trans and maybe parking distance/camera ..

the savings will keep you from regretting the m4. enjoy your 2!!

Main reason why i choose the M235i xdrive great points. You save a ton! and for what a .20 with the Mperformance exhaust difference 0-60 if that? The thing is a little rocket. Love the fact no one knows about it, makes it more unique. I still get that itch for the M3...got 2 more years to go... that itch may grow further.

[tke743]

Also toss in that M3's are relatively common, I've yet to see an M235i in the wild (outside of track days). Kind of cool to have the "what is that?" car.

[gaijin]

OP: excellent analysis. You will not regret the decision of going with the M235i.

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

I'm not surprised OP --- I was in a similar boat back when I got my M235xi.

I've owned both previous generation M3's and know very well how special of a car they are. But after driving this generation? I just couldn't pull the trigger over the 2.

The M3/M4 has gotten too big, felt disconnected and less toss-able vs the 2. A beast no doubt, but it's lost a little something vs e9x imo and certainly vs e46.

Enjoy your new ride and post some pics when you get it.

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

Originally Posted by DanG

The extra cost of owning an x car just isn't worth it in Florida.

Agreed! No way I'd get Xdrive in the sunshine state..

[mosport1]

We just took delivery of our M235 6sp m, eight weeks ago,, love it,,,
and just returned from a two week road trip through Germany and Switzerland.
I rented an M4 though SIXT and after that we are so much happier with
the 235,,the sound and feel are much better and the money we saved
we can go back to Europe next year,,,the M4 is nice but not for the $$.
and will never own a car with paddles,,,, who cares if it's a couple 10ths quicker

[pit1]

Great analysis. I recently participated in the traveling Ultimate Driving Experience in NJ. Drove M235 xdrive, M3 and M4 all day through car control clinic. Through most exercises the difference was negligible. Then we hit the autocross track. Practiced in the 2, then little competition in the M4. The choice was clear, M235 was more predictable, intuitive and engaging.

No doubt the M4 would show its superiority in a larger track but my preference was clear, even if price was no object. My only complaint with the M235 was the excessive body roll, but that can be addressed.

Now, the question. M235 or M2? Assuming it'll be all of what I love about the M235, with a sharper edge. Price will tell. But I can honestly say, even if the M2 nears M3 price...I'd still choose the little brother.