[Madmatt]

Hello everyone! I'm a long time lurker, first time poster. After searching in vein for past 26 month (yes, 2 years 4 months!) for a replacement for my aging 2003 Infiniti G35 6MT, I just yesterday pulled the trigger on a 2016 M235i.

This isn't just my first BMW, but my first new car in 13 years! Truth be told, I had never really considered BMW's until I read the glowing review in Consumer Report. The more I looked into it, the more interested in it I grew over the past few months. A bad experience with a snobby local dealer while browsing last year for a used M4 left a sour taste in my mouth as well so I wasn't in a rush to dip my feet in the Bavarian waters once more.

Up until this point I had always had my eyes on either a Lexus RC350 F Sport or an as yet unreleased 2017 Infiniti Q60 Coupe, the successor to the earlier G35/G37's. I wasn't impressed with the performance of the Lexus and the Infiniti is anyone's bet since it wont be out until the end of the summer. I do love the styling on it though.

On a whim, I stopped off at a different dealership during my lunch break and saw a M235i in person. Truth be told, it seemed far smaller than I was expecting and not nearly as aggressive as I had hoped but the more I viewed it the more it grew on me. After an initial, rather tame, test drive of an xDrive model I was left very interested indeed. A few more weeks passed and I continued to research my options and began to explore what sort of price I might end up with. More negotiations led to a second test drive and this time I got to take her out on my own and really unleash all that these beauties are hiding under their hoods.

2 minutes into the drive through some twisty open roads and I was hooked and had a smile imprinted on my face for the whole day. A brief jaunt on the highway just reinforced how much this car could really move.

From that point on it was really a done deal. I just had to figure out where and from whom I was going to do business with. Ended up ordering from a dealership out of state but since I am doing a Performance Center pickup that really didn't matter. I got a more than fair deal and minutes after I sent in my deposit I had a production number that I could begin obsessing over as my car gets built and eventually shipped over for my meeting with it in Spartensburg.

I am so excited to be joining the BMW community, and hope to be both an active and engaged forum poster. Thanks for having me!

Here is my build:

M235i Coupe (auto)
Black Sapphire Metallic
Black Dakota Leather
Aluminum Hexagon Trim w/ Black high-gloss highlight
18" double-spoke 436M wheels w/ non-runflat mixed summer tires
Technology Package
Driver Assistance
Cold Weather
Harmon Kardon

I'm hoping for a production date by the 2nd week in May, from what I am being told. Fingers crossed, going to be a painful wait. I'm already looking at mods (performance and cosmetic) and checking this forum nearly every hour to absorb all the info and details I can!

Madmatt

[Xiaoxi]

Congratulations. You'll love the car!

[1LegitM235i]

Congrats and welcome to the 2ers community! Keep us posted on your delivery.

[B_Rice]

Congrats!

[drexplode]

Congrats and now load up on some m performance accessories that are installed at the port!

[XutvJet]

Nice. Why no 6MT this go around?

[M235iguy]

Congrats! I waited 2 years to finally get my M235ix. I always Look forward to driving anywhere at a moments notice! if you're planning on a M exhaust with M Diffuser, get it now as well as M Grilles and maybe a M Spoiler.

[Madmatt]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

Nice. Why no 6MT this go around?

Good question! This is something I struggled with for quite a long time. I was concerned about the lack of driver engagement in exchange for performance.

However after taking two test drives both with the 8-speed automatic and paddle shifters I was convinced that the automatic was the best choice and represented the newest technology which was also something I wanted with this car.

I realize that many people still swear by a manual transmission and until recently I was right there with them but I have to say I was extremely impressed with the smoothness of this new automatic 8-speed. Were I a bit younger I might have gone ahead and opted for the manual but I've never actually owned a car with an automatic and thought it might be interesting to give it a whirl.

I will say that if I end up ever upgrading to an M2, which is definitely on my radar in a couple of years, I would probably go ahead and consider the manual.

Madmatt

[qnet]

Congrats, I think you're going to really like the car. I got the 8-speed also. All my performance cars have been manuals but I wanted to try something different also, and don't regret it.

[sublimegolf]

How exciting... You're gonna love it!

[xantdieselx]

Congrats!

[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by Madmatt

Good question! This is something I struggled with for quite a long time. I was concerned about the lack of driver engagement in exchange for performance.

However after taking two test drives both with the 8-speed automatic and paddle shifters I was convinced that the automatic was the best choice and represented the newest technology which was also something I wanted with this car.

I realize that many people still swear by a manual transmission and until recently I was right there with them but I have to say I was extremely impressed with the smoothness of this new automatic 8-speed. Were I a bit younger I might have gone ahead and opted for the manual but I've never actually owned a car with an automatic and thought it might be interesting to give it a whirl.

I will say that if I end up ever upgrading to an M2, which is definitely on my radar in a couple of years, I would probably go ahead and consider the manual.

Madmatt

Prior to ordering my 6MT M235, I was dead set on getting a 2013/2014 Lexus ISF which also has a stellar 8AT. After numerous test drives and right before I was going to drive 5 hours to get one, I just couldn't give up the Man Pedal yet (41 y/o, was driving a slightly modded 2012 WRX at the time) and driving the auto reminded me too much of my old 2003 G35 5AT which I installed Bell Works paddle shifters on (owned that stellar car for 7 years). Then I test drove an M235 8AT because NO ONE stocks 6MT M235s. The 8AT, just like the one in the ISF, was absolutely stellar. I really had second thoughts, but ultimately stuck to my guns. I can't fault anyone for going with the 8AT. It's faster, quicker, safer (you can't mis-shift), and it's what BMW uses in their factory M235 race cars.

The 6MT in this car is really good and offers a great connection between with the driver and car without a ton of NVH (unlike Nissan/Infiniti's 6MTs). It's terribly easy to drive and "feels" faster than the 8AT though we all know it's not. It also suffers from more lag on shifts since boost can't be maintained on shifts. The 8AT is almost CVT-like in how it maintains momentum. It's pretty amazing.

[chattanooga240]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

The 6MT in this car is really good and offers a great connection between with the driver and car without a ton of NVH (unlike Nissan/Infiniti's 6MTs). It's terribly easy to drive and "feels" faster than the 8AT though we all know it's not. It also suffers from more lag on shifts since boost can't be maintained on shifts. The 8AT is almost CVT-like in how it maintains momentum. It's pretty amazing.

This, and I do everything in my power to buy up every 6 speed race car that has come out. Driving them both, I just could not get over that I could not out shift the AT, it's just way too advanced.

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

Don't get caught up in the AT/MT, RWD/XI swirl...Just enjoy the car you ordered OP and good luck with the wait

edit: And get yourself a good set of snows with those summer tires you ordered.

[Tony88]

Congrats! My car just finished production on the 1st and is currently on a ship on its way to the US! I still have about a month or so for delivery here in Alaska. The wait really kills as you are now finding out lol. I also spent 2 years waiting to order this car and finally said enough is enough! Good luck with the wait!

[Madmatt]

Thanks everyone. It's not even been a week yet and the wait is already killing me. But to help offset the time I am already researching my first batch of mods to do. Ordered a ODB2 cable and have all the E-SYS software now figured out so will be able to do some custom coding once I get her home.

And today I just picked up a brand new Valentine-1 Radar Detector. What's the point of having this much acceleration, speed and torque if I can't ever cut it loose?

[Madmatt]

Latest update, I have my date for PCD! It's a bit later than I was hoping for but based on my production number they said the earliest they can schedule me is June 23. So that's the day I locked in with and the day I will finally meet my new car!

I will have to ease the pain of waiting by planning my mods. I already received my new OBDII cable and have all the coding software setup. I picked up a new Valentine 1 Radar Locator on Monday so thats all ready. I'm thinking next about a JB4 tuner and maybe a set of the very nice looking BMS Chrome Exhaust caps. Depending on how they look in person I may also want to replace the mirror caps with gloss black painted ones... Guess I need to start planning for a set of Winter wheels and tires as well... Maybe a new intake??

Any other first round mod suggestions? Not really a fan of Carbon Fiber, so keep that in mind.

[gruzfix]

Maybe the reason for the schedule is the engine change to M240i and the B58 engine - In Germany you cannot order a M135i nor a M235i anymore... Maybe you should ask your dealer to make sure that you get the B58 engine?!

[Tony88]

Lol you sound exactly like me! First thing I did was order the OBD 2 cable and I just received my new Valentine 1 last week!

Have you looked into a supplemental gauge setup?

I am personally looking at the AWRON vent gauge but it's very expensive. I just think it looks too cool to pass up! Others have the P3 cars vent gauge and it has most of the same functionality but in a more conservative package for less than a quarter the price so that's a plus. Also some others have Bluetooth enabled OBD2 transmitters to a tablet of some sort that seems to work good too if you don't want to lose all or half of a vent.

To me some sort of expanded gauges is very important considering our cars don't have any way of showing water/oil temps.

[Madmatt]

Tony88, that vent gauge unit looks amazing but you were right about the price!

That might be a bit much to invest in gauges when I can do, as you say, a much cheaper option of getting a Bluetooth enabled OBD2 module and stream to a tablet or droid phone running the Torque app.

For the price of that vent plugin I could get the JB4 and a new intake and maybe a few other goodies... Of course once I do get those goodies I would need the additional gauges even more. Never ending circle isn't it?

[BentZero]

Originally Posted by Madmatt

Tony88, that vent gauge unit looks amazing but you were right about the price!

That might be a bit much to invest in gauges when I can do, as you say, a much cheaper option of getting a Bluetooth enabled OBD2 module and stream to a tablet or droid phone running the Torque app.

For the price of that vent plugin I could get the JB4 and a new intake and maybe a few other goodies... Of course once I do get those goodies I would need the additional gauges even more. Never ending circle isn't it?

I like my iSaddle and torque setup and it's pretty crucial to my drives. I like knowing when my oil temps have hit 200°. However, I do plan on a more permanent solution at some point in time, but it's pretty far down my list now.

[Moel]

Congrats! You'll absolutely love it!