[siliconvalley]

I've been reading about the crooked seats in the m2, where they are offset 1" to the left ( http://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1227410 and golfertilltheend mentioned "I have an M235i and can confirm that the seat is not quite square with the chassis." ). Does the m235i have this same issue? I think it might really bug me since my m3 is perfectly straight. Thanks!

I'm cross shopping the m2, m235i, and 435i. I'm trying to save some money by not going full m4.

I'd love the hud and 650 watt stereo in the 435i but am concerned it would feel slow and floaty after driving an e92 m3 for 3 years.

The m235i and m2 also only have a 350 watt stereo available, which is a bummer. My m3 has an 850 watt stereo and I LOVE it. Even the m4 only goes up to 650 watts. On the m235i and the m2 I could live without the hud, and potentially install and aftermarket stereo, but I'm concerned the electronics would get messed up and maybe be unsafe or an expensive repair. I guess I could live without the hud but I'd really like it.

Lastly, my m3 is too bumpy even in comfort mode. It might be due to the zcp. I don't track the car, but might want to, but I sure as hell love accelerating pedal to the metal getting on freeways and passing, cornering like mad on twisties, and drifting corners in m dynamic mode. If the m235i's comfort mode is really non bumpy, and sport+ really crazy fast whereas the m2's comfort mode is really bumpy, that might push me towards the m235i.

And I do know about the presently limited availability of the m2, and the terrible residual and money factor on it for leases.

Thanks everybody!

[Cpdbeemer]

Interesting! I have never heard of this and never noticed in my M235i tbh.

I also compared the 435i and the M235i, as I am sure many others on this forum did. The 435i is a great car, no doubt. But for me I prefer a car that is more 'lithe', a little quicker and lighter. Just my preference and the cars I have driven historically (track and road cars).

The m235 ride is firm in comfort but definitely not harsh and it can be dialled up in sport or sport plus. I am now looking at an M2. I was concerned about the ride as I use the 'lil bimmer as my commuter, on some rough city roads. But feedback on the M2 on this forum is the ride is not overly harsh.

[jaboyd]

Yes the HK stereo in the 2 series is a disappointment. There are a few things that can be done to improve it (see other posts on stereo) but if you're an audiophile it will NOT replace the other systems.

Ride and handling are always tradeoffs, even with adaptable suspension. The M235 is a nice step up from the basic BMWs but not as edgy or firm as the M2. If absolute cornering speed and handling are your goal...its the M2, if not the M235 is a great choice bc of the flexibility. IMO unless you really like or need the 4 series (style, size, luxury), the 2 series is a great match as a DD with a very sporty and toss able feel.

M2 is a distinctive car, rare, bulked-up, more power - especially at higher rpm/speed, and something to covet. It is actually well priced for the features compared to a loaded M235. I find for DD use that the combo of torque delivery, nimble handling and adjustable suspension
and light wt makes the M235 a well rounded car (like E36 M3). However if pushed to 8/10ths you'll notice that suspension, while good, is not as supportive as an M car, and the power over 5k rpm is not as strong.

Boils down to personal preferences and intended use.: DD - M235, Sporty/exclusive/track - M2.

[delvec03]

I was doing the same with 228 and 428. inside, it's the same car...like.. 1/2 inch difference. 2's and 4's also pretty much have the same engine. thus same engine in the 4 means more weight means slower. so it's really all up to personal preference and which exterior you like better.

m2 is in its own league for obvious reasons.

good luck!

[kdog26372]

I don't find the pricing good on the M2 which you'll pay full sticker for vs. an M235i which can be had for $1k under invoice. In addition if getting the 8 speed auto this is a free option for the M235i whereas the DCT is a couple grand option. Plus lease rates suck on the M2 if that's something you'd be doing. Actual negotiated prices of same optioned M2 vs M235i is closer to $8k difference which is worth it to some and not to others.

M2 I don't believe has adaptive suspension, so there is no comfort ride so to speak, its just one suspension setting and although I've not driven it, it would have to be at least as firm/harsh as driving in the M235 all day in the sport setting. I like the adjustability of the M235 as I'm not a track guy and some roads around Chicago aren't so great. The M2 will shine when pushing the limits as it's designed for a track and has similar straight-line performance of stage 1 tuned M235i, with much better suspension, brakes, wider track, and is lighter. It's simply a better car, but at a price that only you could answer if it's justified. Terry from BMS has tested JB4 on the M2 and got no extra power on 91 octane and minimal on 93. Takeaway in terms of tuning was the M2 is just a tuned n55 from the factory with little to be had above how it comes. Best bet is to see if you can drive around in a local forum member's stage 1 tuned m235i and then the M2 and see if the M2 stands out.

HK stereo can be made to sound pretty good. A long write up in the electronics forum goes over the process (Dr. Strangelove). Essentially you disconnect the harsh center speaker, install new JL speakers in the back and for me this sounds pretty good and was $100 and 1/2 of time. Others have also added Eton speakers in doors for another $250 and this sounds even better. There are amp options out there, but they are substantially more $ and most reports show disappointment with results. The power is more than enough, the speakers appear to be the weak link not the amp. It's a small car, you don't need 800 watts, but in stock form the HK sounds bad/harsh and you'll see why when you take out the speakers, they are garbage mini-magnet paperweights, you'll need to swap some speakers to get it sounding good.

Can't go wrong with any of those car choices. Good luck.

[siliconvalley]

Wow, thanks everybody for the kind, friendly and useful replies. You all rock!!! 😄

[Benandluna]

M235i all the way unless you want an m2 and m4. In the Bay Area I'm seeing cars built at 45-50k msrp with a price 4-6k under that.

If save your cash and upgrade the speakers yourself. As for the ride, as suggested tossing the car in sports vs comfort is a nice option

[OpenAir]

I have a 228i cab and have been driving a 435i coupe since Wednesday this week and I can say that my tuned 228 pulls harder than the 435. The ride of the 435 is nicer on the highway, but I prefer my 228 for the other 90% of the time.

The HK system in the 435 blows away my HK...full EQ w/surround and what appears to be more power. All in all, I want my 228 back!

[virtguy]

I saw that Motor Trend video the day it came out, and I immediately went out to see if my M235 had the 'crooked' seat. I had never noticed it, and couldn't notice it after specifically trying to. I got in the back seat for a different angle and couldn't see it, either. Finally I took a picture and it looks straight to me.

So it doesn't feel crooked at all, and I can't see that it's crooked in any way. I certainly don't feel like I'm pointing toward the headlight. Either the M2 is different or it's too slight for me to notice.

As for the audio, the HK system in my 2013 335i was much better than the HK in the 2 series, which wasn't much better than the base audio in the 2 series, so I didn't bother with it.

[MikeT]

I had never heard of the so-called 'crooked seat' issue until a few weeks ago. I checked the seat in my '15 m235i every which way with a level. It's not crooked.

[moldcad]

Let me tell you what my theory is about the "crooked" driver's seat. In the early M235i models (well - not only 2014, but also 2015 which I have), the seat was in-line with the car axis - but dues to space limitation, the pedals were (and still are - this hasn't been changed for obvious reasons) offset a bit to the left. This makes the driver to twist his position slightly to the left, so his legs reach the pedals (including the left foot to rest comfortably on the dead pedal). This - especially with shorter drivers like me, whose seat is positioned relatively close to the pedals - made the left thigh rest over the left seat bolster rather then rest along it, which in long journeys caused a real fatigue, or even pain and blood circulation problems in the left leg.

BMW must have recognized the problem so in the M2 (and possibly 2016 M235i/228i) they twisted the driver's seat so that the driver''s left leg can comfortably "aim" towards the dead pedal while his thigh does not need to cross the left bolster line. This might be the reason the M2/2016 2-series owners see what the call "crooked" driver's seat...

[RoundelM3]

Well...the wife's new 2016 228i convertible doesn't seem to have any sort of "offset" seat that I can detect. Perfectly comfortable, same as my 2013 335i. Both are M-Sports with the sport seats and 8AT. Maybe it's just the 6MT cars?

[Forzaaddict]

Maybe the Motor Trend journalist is optically challenged ?

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by virtguy

I saw that Motor Trend video the day it came out, and I immediately went out to see if my M235 had the 'crooked' seat. I had never noticed it, and couldn't notice it after specifically trying to. I got in the back seat for a different angle and couldn't see it, either. Finally I took a picture and it looks straight to me.

So it doesn't feel crooked at all, and I can't see that it's crooked in any way. I certainly don't feel like I'm pointing toward the headlight. Either the M2 is different or it's too slight for me to notice.

As for the audio, the HK system in my 2013 335i was much better than the HK in the 2 series, which wasn't much better than the base audio in the 2 series, so I didn't bother with it.

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If you cannot see that seat cocked slightly left, then you need to seriously look again.

Very clear to see in your picture !

[virtguy]

Originally Posted by red-sauerkraut

If you cannot see that seat cocked slightly left, then you need to seriously look again.

Very clear to see in your picture !

It's pointed toward the middle of the footwell. Where should it be pointed to be considered "straight?"

For comparison sake, this is the seat in my old 335i. Is it crooked, too? Is this the start of seatgate?

[pz619]

Fun fact, m4 is also crooked. #seatgate

[Nahlem]

Harman Kardon is just junk in the 2 series they might as well call it "Base stereo" about how good it is. One of the options i do regret choosing for my 2er :-)

Crooked seats i don't have them on my or at least i can't notice it on mine but mine is an MY2015 so don't know if they started making crooked seats after that.

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by virtguy

It's pointed toward the middle of the footwell. Where should it be pointed to be considered "straight?"

For comparison sake, this is the seat in my old 335i. Is it crooked, too? Is this the start of seatgate?

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Haha well putting safety aside.

The entire fucking seat needs to be mounted 1+ inches to the left, and not canted left, off center. But that would be unsafe. 🙃

Look at your picture. Forget the steering wheel... The seat is mounted inward, and turned slightly outward.

See how the seat is canted to the left? If now zoom in ! That is what that journalist is referring to.

[ORIGIN M.]

It is what it is... Next /

[pz619]

Enhance.... Enhance.... Enhance.

[siliconvalley]

lol @ #seatgate :-D nice hahaha.

[chihao]

who says the M2 seats are crooked? that one tester from one of the videos?