[PDM5]

Originally Posted by wdc330i

I've owned an E46 M3 and now own an M240i. Caveat: They were/are convertibles. The M3 was a stick; the 240 is an auto.

Overall, I've owned four E46s, a Z3, an E91, and a couple of X5s.

I bought the 240 because I missed my M3--both the convertible aspect and the sportiness/handling/power.

While I loved my M3 (it was my daily driver on bad city roads), it was difficult to live with until I made a few changes. I swapped out the 19-inch wheels with Michelin summer tires to 17-inch wheels with Michelin A/S tires. That made a world of difference in comfort. So, this might be a first/cheaper move, if you are having livability issues. Also, of course, check all your suspension components for wear.

My M3 was the last of its model, so a bit younger than yours. Still, it's a car that's showing its age, especially when it comes to electronics. I had things that were starting to break, although nothing serious when I sold it in 2012. I sold it because it was a third car, and we earmarked the funds for a house project. That was a mistake I regret.

I haven't had the M240 long enough to fully crystallize an opinion. But it does feel similar to the M3 in important ways. Power: Similar to the M3, but available at lower RPMs. Handling: Has the tossable, go-kart feel. Road feel: Yes. Plenty. LOL. You feel that you are on 18-inch, low-profile summer tires. And the ride is a bit jiggly, which I attribute to tires and the short wheelbase, and no real top.

Steering feel: Quite different. Lighter, especially if you don't have Sport mode selected. It heavies up with Sport, but still has a somewhat disconnected feeling. Nothing I can't live with, but it might disturb some purists. For me, it's worth it to have everything else about the car be more modern.

Most immediately, I'm coming from a RWD E91. The M3 steering was lighter than the E91, but both have that famous BMW connected feel.

Limited slip differential: My M3 had one; my M240 doesn't, but I may add one later. The M3 inspired such confidence in its abilities. I'm not sure yet about the M240. TBD.

Both cars put on a smile on my face to drive. In that way, they are very similar.

YMMV.

Yeah I've gone down to 18 inch wheels with super meaty tires on my summer setup to alleviate some of the harshness. It's also my fault for putting coilovers on it, but it wasn't like the car was ever soft in the first place. I absolutely loved the rawness/harshness when I first bought it, but I feel like I've aged 20+ years since then. I was a diehard "old school is the best!" only a couple of years ago. Now, I'm a 57 year old stuck in a 31 year old's body

[wdc330i]

Originally Posted by PDM5

Now, I'm a 57 year old stuck in a 31 year old's body

Yep. I'm 56 and feel it (knees). Hence no stick this time. I would only get a stick for a third/weekend car.

[Rayscott]

Go for it, sound like you are convinced. Good luck finding the one you want.

[BEM-S4]

Since you're looking 235 vs 240 that's preowned unless you manage to find a leftover. Should be a lot more available soon as leases start to expire. Summer / Fall I'd anticipate a lot more than now.

[griz31]

At 28, I think I'm still looking for that rawness. The 235i looks great, has wonderful creature comforts, and can transform with the push of some buttons. It is an excellent car but may lack some of the connection or emotion in favor of comfort and daily drive ability.

[Lucky13]

I owned 3 E46 M3's, 2002, 2003 and 2004 all with manuals. Almost 3 years now on my 2014 M235 manual and I love it. The E46 had a much stiffer suspension with pro's and con's, could beat the hell out of you on rough roads but was really buttoned down in handling. I like the adjustable suspension better but the firmest setting is less than the E46. The engines are so different it is hard to compare, E46 was a blast to rev to high rpms but then again you had to rev to high rpms to have fun. M235 makes up for it with loads of torque so its a more usable engine around town at lower speeds. Bottom line is both are great but they are really quite different.

[Benandluna]

Originally Posted by supernova72

I did the exact move 16 months ago. The torgue (vs HP) of the M235i will blow you away. The M235i is not as raw IMHO but once in sport mode it drives comparable.

Not that MPG is a goal of yours but I'm getting 20.5 in my M235i vs. 18mpg in my E46 M3. You won't get as many "thumps up" but I kind of like the sedate look of it. The 6MT car has hill hold which in Seattle WA is a cool feature.

That's the exact same mileage I get! In sports mode all the time and tuned.

[DanielGr]

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

What do you think about 235 steering difference between COMFORT and SPORT?

Much prefer fast driving with the steering in comfort - the sport is too artificially heavy

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

First thing that always hits me about the E46 when I drive it about once a month, aside from how far back dad has his seat, is how heavy the steering feels until you get the car moving at speed. In the 2er it really tightens up at speed.

Yeah - that's one thing that blew my away the first time I drove my E46 properly as to how sweet the steering became at speed

[Beartato]

I owned an E36 M3 for years before I moved overseas for a few years. I left it with my parents. When I came back I bought a 2015 Golf since I thought I was old and wiser and was done with performance driving (but still wanted something "fun"). Last winter I visited home, with the intent of getting the M3 running so I could sell it. Well with some tinkering and a new battery I got it running and it was like falling in love all over again. While I knew this could never be a DD, I knew my Golf's days were numbered. At the time I didn't know the 2 Series even existed, but after some research 2 months later I took delivery of a new 2016 M235i spec'd how I wanted (6spd, no sunroof, silver). Years of sitting in the California desert took its toll on the M3, but one day I'll restore it to its past glory. Mechanically the car is good, but the interior plastic and exterior paint is faded and most of the interior panel glue has failed.

Between the two the M3 was more raw, but the M235i makes a better DD.

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

First thing that always hits me about the E46 when I drive it about once a month, aside from how far back dad has his seat, is how heavy the steering feels until you get the car moving at speed. In the 2er it really tightens up at speed.

One thing I did not mention before, and take this with a grain of salt because I haven't driven an M of the vintage we are talking about in quite some time so can't give you a direct comparison, I find it a bit twitchy at very high speeds on the highway. It's not horrible but since I have other options if I'm heading out on the turnpike I take one of the other cars. If your daily commute includes long highway cruising stretches I'd maybe look at something else.

This! I felt like I was getting seasick driving home for the first time (it's about two hours of freeway to/from the dealer). I do have to say, however, my commute is 14 miles of highway and you get use to it. I haven't tracked the M235i but I use to track the M3 and I can say I have reasonable confidence the M235i would do just as well even with its numb steering. The feedback is there when you really push it, from what I can tell on the road.

[PDM5]

I swung by Sterling BMW as I was in the area this morning and I'm glad I did. They had a Mineral Grey m235i there and that color looks great. I was worried I wouldn't want another grey car, but man does that color suit the m235i. Pictures do not do the f22 ANY justice. Glacier silver also looks great in person and I don't think pictures can capture how nice that color is as well.

[PDM5]

I'm finding so many CPO'd auto m235i's locally around here that are decently priced. Where are the decently priced manuals?! Save the manuals!

[B58togo]

Originally Posted by quadpipes

This is not exactly on point, but I am lucky enough to drive both an E92 M3 and an F22 M235i. Although the HP ratings are different, the torque numbers are similar.

The real difference that you will feel with the power plants, is the difference between the non turbo S54 in your E46 M3 and the turbo N55 in the M235i (or turbo B58 if you get the M240i) regarding when the torque kicks in and how long the engine pulls.

The torque in the non turbo S54 (and in my non turbo S65 V8 M3) comes on more slowly, is much more linear and pulls longer. The torque in the turbo N55 (or B58) comes on much sooner (after a very slight lag), is a kick in the pants but does not pull as long.

And, of course, there is the glorious sound from the non turbo engines, and the muffled (and electronically enhanced) sound from the turbo engines.

I love both cars but for different reasons.

First world issues for sure. But a definite difference. Good luck!

How are the torque numbers similar? An e92 M3 is lucky to make 250-260 lb ft at the wheels, while the N55 in the F22 makes an easy 320, and the N55 is making its torque much, much lower in the rev range.

[quadpipes]

Originally Posted by B58togo

How are the torque numbers similar? An e92 M3 is lucky to make 250-260 lb ft at the wheels, while the N55 in the F22 makes an easy 320, and the N55 is making its torque much, much lower in the rev range.

Not sure the origin of your numbers, but the published torque numbers between the S65 (E92 M3) and N55 (F22) engines vary by a little more than 10%. So, similar.

And you actually supported my point (thank you) that despite the close torque numbers, the engines perform very differently over their entire rev range.

Here is what I said earlier, "The torque in the non turbo S54 (and in my non turbo S65 V8 M3) comes on more slowly, is much more linear and pulls longer. The torque in the turbo N55 (or B58) comes on much sooner (after a very slight lag), is a kick in the pants but does not pull as long."

I feel it in the seat of my pants every time I drive my cars back-to-back.

Which, back to the OP's original post, is similar to what one would experience between the non turbo S54 in the E46 M3 and the turbo N55 in the F22 M235.

[Dylan86]

Originally Posted by PDM5

I'm finding so many CPO'd auto m235i's locally around here that are decently priced. Where are the decently priced manuals?! Save the manuals!

They're in our Garage's, still

[PDM5]

Originally Posted by Dylan86

They're in our Garage's, still

Lol, so true!