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      05-10-2014, 02:25 PM   #1
Jerich0
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Who has driven an M235i and 435i M-sport side to side?

Just wondering... I have my M235i arriving in about a week, but my dealer offered me an 435i M-sport at a reasonable price... They don't have it here now...So I can't test drive it...

I have only driven the M135i and 335i M-sport... the M135i felt alive and powerful! Exciting! The 335i felt meh... just cruising along good power but nothing to write home about even a bit boring not edgy at all like the M135i... the engine sound is very different too much better in the M135i

So whats your experience....???

Thanks!
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      05-10-2014, 02:30 PM   #2
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M235i all the way. The 435 is much softer all around and doesn't have the same engaging characteristics that the 2 has. The 4 is more of a touring car.
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      05-10-2014, 02:48 PM   #3
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I drove a 435 and it felt ok to me. It was more roomy, lower to the ground, and a bit better interior (more luxurious I suppose). When I drove the 235i it was quite exciting. I was originally looking at a 4 series and didn't care much for the 2. After seeing it online and some research it was growing on me. I went in for a test drive and that was it.
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      05-10-2014, 03:09 PM   #4
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Drove them both, each six-speed.
I think it's a much tougher decision which is superior.
To me the 435 is like an Aston Martin. 435 would be my choice for any kind of long highway cruise. I drive often between Wash D.C. and north Philly and the temptation for my next car to be a 435 is very strong. The 435 interior if done right looks best to me.

The 235 however is so easy to squeeze through traffic and obstructions.

The 435 rear sub-frame is aluminum and I'm really curious how it benefits the ride.
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      05-10-2014, 03:20 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jerich0 View Post
Just wondering... I have my M235i arriving in about a week, but my dealer offered me an 435i M-sport at a reasonable price... They don't have it here now...So I can't test drive it...

I have only driven the M135i and 335i M-sport... the M135i felt alive and powerful! Exciting! The 335i felt meh... just cruising along good power but nothing to write home about even a bit boring not edgy at all like the M135i... the engine sound is very different too much better in the M135i

So whats your experience....???

Thanks!
JC
Sorry, but I find that a very strange thing for your dealer to do. Your new [factory ordered and built] car arrives in a week, but would you like this completely different model instead? Weird!
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      05-10-2014, 04:09 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by notime View Post
Drove them both, each six-speed.
I think it's a much tougher decision which is superior.
To me the 435 is like an Aston Martin. 435 would be my choice for any kind of long highway cruise. I drive often between Wash D.C. and north Philly and the temptation for my next car to be a 435 is very strong. The 435 interior if done right looks best to me.

The 235 however is so easy to squeeze through traffic and obstructions.

The 435 rear sub-frame is aluminum and I'm really curious how it benefits the ride.
Exactly. I agree with this. Basically if you want a nice, fast and sporty cruiser, go with the 435i. If you want something that's even more fun to drive, sportier, more nimble, and don't need as much room in the back, get the 235i. Don't let a few thousand dollars influence your original gut decision.
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      05-10-2014, 04:24 PM   #7
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I have had M235i for a couple of weeks and the engine in Comfort or Sport modes is making a booming noise when under light load between 2000 and 3000rpm. It can be annoying depending on my mood. My M235i has 6-speed manual, it should be quieter with 8-speed auto because of more ratios. Regardless, I think a regular non M-Sport 435i should be a better cruiser.
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      05-10-2014, 08:52 PM   #8
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I have tried 435 before I bought 228i while overall it is a very nice and quite quick car (sorry, my "fast" has become quite high lately) but the 4 series is not as nimble and agile as 2 series. If you don't need trunk space and don't have passengers in the backseat for long haul very often, I think you are better off with M235i.
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      05-10-2014, 09:24 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by uke92dude View Post
Sorry, but I find that a very strange thing for your dealer to do. Your new [factory ordered and built] car arrives in a week, but would you like this completely different model instead? Weird!
The dealer probably has someone else inquiring about purchasing the M235i and thought he could swing the OP over to the 4 series.

My personal opinion is the only reason you would get a 435i over a M235i is for prestige(4>2), or you need the extra size of the 4 series. The 2 series is much more fun to drive and way more lively. It's a sports car while the 4 series is a cruiser.


PS- OP, where did you drive an M135i?
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      05-10-2014, 11:45 PM   #10
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I have driven both cars. Unfortunately not back to back. But within a week or so of one another. I am also contemplating which to get. The 435 has a nicer interior for sure, especially now that Black /Oyster is available. The instrument cluster is nicer and so is the Sound system, and if your into HUD thats available too.

Initial impressions were that the M235 feels more intimate and I love the mic'ed in engine noise and the fact that it has all the goodies already in place for the sport oriented driver. For example Michelin PSS non RFT, the MPPK as well as the DHP system. Don't you love all the acronyms.

Each time I drive the 435 I would feel that somehow the eDiff has been tuned to actually work the way you would think it should. That I can always rotate the 435 easier. But not with the M235. Maybe with the M235, the limits are just higher than I can easily acheive on the street? The 435 is definitely a bigger car and it in some situations feels it, but it is still very tossable.

I would love to compare a 435 Msport with PPK, DHP, Msport Brakes and possibly MPE to see if I can create my own M-Performance M435. And drive it back to back with the M235. I have a strong feeling they would be very similar in overall pace.

The only thing missing would be the Michelin PSS and that could be added later. The weight diff is only 80 Lbs.

Would it then be as fun to drive as the M235? If so, you would then get the better interior, sound system 19in wheels and in my opinion the cars looks better. The only major drawback is the car is larger but still very planted and has very little body roll.
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      05-11-2014, 10:57 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FunRevn View Post
I would love to compare a 435 Msport with PPK, DHP, Msport Brakes and possibly MPE to see if I can create my own M-Performance M435. And drive it back to back with the M235. I have a strong feeling they would be very similar in overall pace.

The only thing missing would be the Michelin PSS and that could be added later. The weight diff is only 80 Lbs.

Would it then be as fun to drive as the M235? If so, you would then get the better interior, sound system 19in wheels and in my opinion the cars looks better. The only major drawback is the car is larger but still very planted and has very little body roll.
Here is another drawback. Once you make your "M435", it will be $12k more than the M235i. Then when you add your premium package, tech package, hk audio etc, it will only be $2k-$3k cheaper than a bare bones M3, which I'm sure most would rather have.
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      05-31-2014, 11:51 AM   #12
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Do not get a 4-series without extensive test driving. It kinda sucks IMHO.
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      05-31-2014, 12:16 PM   #13
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Just drove a 435i and 428i at the Un4gettable event. Loved much about the car...powertrain/chassis/brakes.....but the steering was a major turnoff....numb/isolated, no matter Comfort to Sport+. Haven't driven a 2 yet, but hoping its much better!
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      06-01-2014, 09:07 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by basiluf View Post
Here is another drawback. Once you make your "M435", it will be $12k more than the M235i. Then when you add your premium package, tech package, hk audio etc, it will only be $2k-$3k cheaper than a bare bones M3, which I'm sure most would rather have.
Not really. I can afford a barebones M3, but I don't like stripper cars. They always smell funky by the end of the night. Beside, you can get a 4 well under msrp, so the difference in price is larger than on paper. The 2 for me is all about size and character. If size of car wasn't an issue, I would get the 4. It's too big, even if it is better looking.
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      06-01-2014, 09:29 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hyperzulu View Post
Not really. I can afford a barebones M3, but I don't like stripper cars. They always smell funky by the end of the night. Beside, you can get a 4 well under msrp, so the difference in price is larger than on paper. The 2 for me is all about size and character. If size of car wasn't an issue, I would get the 4. It's too big, even if it is better looking.
I feel 100% the same. Not trying to brag or anything but I could probably afford any BMWs this side of M5s/M6s. However, the M235i is perfect for my DD needs. That is, until the M2 shows up
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      06-01-2014, 11:15 AM   #16
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I did the drive event before taking delivery of my car. I can tell you the 435 is not slouch, and was pleasantly surprised how fast it felt. At the end of the day though, the biggest difference you will feel is the size, its a bigger car and I feel even though the 435 is lower and wider that that m235 just handles better.
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      06-01-2014, 12:11 PM   #17
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We are toward the end of our European Delivery trip picking up three cars: a 228i, an M 235i, and a 428i. The 428i looks pretty nice because it is wider and lower thus making it look sleeker. We drove all over the place and while our buddy had no problems parking his car, the smaller profile of the 2 series make it more maneuverable. It was more agile and fun. We took it up to about 150mph in all the cars. If you want a bigger, nicer cruiser, get the 4.
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