[caycep]

Something from the opposite perspective...

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/201...15-bmw-m235xi/

[williesm]

Thanks. I read the review and many people don't understand why this car exists. Why an Awd Auto 2 series not entirely sporty?
I just ordered my M235ix and cannot wait for its arrival. But I do have to admit, my circumstances are very unique That made the M235ix not only the best choice but practically only option. First off I live in the Northeast and winter has its brutal moments and weekend ski trips require an Awd. That said, I don't have a garage and space only available for ONE car. (Yes i would much prefer a new mustang and a winter beater, or a Subaru Sti i can enthusiastically tune and play with,) but name a sports car that's AWD and can be shared with the wife... making it automatic and a comfortable alternative. Rules out the STI and i prefer not to be in the 3series mold. I am very glad bmw thought of my situation and made a car for me.

[Zooks527]

Originally Posted by williesm

Why an Awd Auto 2 series not entirely sporty?

If you press on the gas in an M235xi while you're in a corner, the car tends to go where you point it, instead of sliding the rear end out the way an M235i would.

Having the car go where you point it is apparently considered to be a bad thing.

[M_Proper]

This guy obviously doesn't know what he's talking about. I have an IS350 F-Sport and the auto in that car isn't in the same league as the 8AT in the 235i. I mean not even close.

It won’t automatically upshift — I ran against the rev limiter for five long seconds to prove that to myself — and it shifts almost exactly when you request it. It’s probably the equal of the very responsive automatic in the Lexus IS350 F-Sport, and that’s saying something.

He lost all credibility when he said that.

[mike@x-ph.com]

While i agree that BMW is not listening to consumers ( well hardcore consumers), comparing the M235i to a Honda, Mustang is a clear evidence that this guys has no clue what he is talking about.
This car is not designed to have the best gas mileage, comfort, performance,etc... It is designed to have a nice combination of everything so drivers can enjoy it on the street and on the track.
I do agree that the price should be cheaper.

[den525]

This guy.... I mean I agree to this somewhat... I don't get the awd... No offense to the NA market especially places with snowy winter but I just don't agree with awd in this car it's so not "bmw".

The article is junk anyway... Comparing this car to the old 135i day and night difference in my opinion.

Pure BMW bashing nothing more.

[StephanieDiane]

"I want to love this BMW, but I cannot. On a daily basis, I’d rather operate my Accord, which returns nearly half again the 21.6mpg that Greg’s car shows in daily service, has better visibility, weighs three hundred pounds less, and drives like it weighs six hundred pounds less."

He's insane. I'd like to know what Accord he has - perhaps he mentions that somewhere and I missed it. I went from an Accord V6 to the m235 and it is SO much more fun to drive. It responds faster, better, and feels more agile. Rear visibility out of the Accord was WORSE. I was thrilled that I could back the 235 into a parking spot. He's on crack. He sounds like a bitter old man.

Three weekends in a row I have hit 28+ mpg highway driving. The V6 Accord barely matched that, just fyi. 21 vs 24 city on average between the two. I don't know much about cars or even BMW for that matter, but I can compare these two cars directly, and again I say, he's on crack. There is no comparison.

[scrape1]

Originally Posted by StephanieDiane

"I want to love this BMW, but I cannot. On a daily basis, I’d rather operate my Accord, which returns nearly half again the 21.6mpg that Greg’s car shows in daily service, has better visibility, weighs three hundred pounds less, and drives like it weighs six hundred pounds less."

He's insane. I'd like to know what Accord he has - perhaps he mentions that somewhere and I missed it. I went from an Accord V6 to the m235 and it is SO much more fun to drive. It responds faster, better, and feels more agile. Rear visibility out of the Accord was WORSE. I was thrilled that I could back the 235 into a parking spot. He's on crack. He sounds like a bitter old man.

Three weekends in a row I have hit 28+ mpg highway driving. The V6 Accord barely matched that, just fyi. 21 vs 24 city on average between the two. I don't know much about cars or even BMW for that matter, but I can compare these two cars directly, and again I say, he's on crack. There is no comparison.

I think it's a review driven by nostalgia. I would never pick an accord over an M235 in any form. But, there is no question in my mind that the 2 lacks some of that old school BMW feel. He talks about the E46 330i. I drove that car. Sounds to me like the guy is missing the naturally aspirated engine and communicative steering. I do too. More so than I imagined I would when I bought my 2. But that's no reason to trash an otherwise excellent car. His point does seem to be that while many people love what BMW is selling these days, it's not for him, but he does in in a way that makes him sound bitter.

[335BOY]

Originally Posted by StephanieDiane

"I want to love this BMW, but I cannot. On a daily basis, I’d rather operate my Accord, which returns nearly half again the 21.6mpg that Greg’s car shows in daily service, has better visibility, weighs three hundred pounds less, and drives like it weighs six hundred pounds less."

He's insane. I'd like to know what Accord he has - perhaps he mentions that somewhere and I missed it. I went from an Accord V6 to the m235 and it is SO much more fun to drive. It responds faster, better, and feels more agile. Rear visibility out of the Accord was WORSE. I was thrilled that I could back the 235 into a parking spot. He's on crack. He sounds like a bitter old man.

Three weekends in a row I have hit 28+ mpg highway driving. The V6 Accord barely matched that, just fyi. 21 vs 24 city on average between the two. I don't know much about cars or even BMW for that matter, but I can compare these two cars directly, and again I say, he's on crack. There is no comparison.

Youre not having enough fun!

[BMW335iOn18s]

They guy makes some ok points, but honestly I think he's an idiot. I hope I don't get another infraction, but this guy really deserves being called names, LOL. I mean, first of all he says the lexus automatic transmission is better? The lexus tranmission WAS OUTDATED 10 YEARS AGO when it was launched! It doesn't have torque converter lock up until higher speeds and because of this, it drives like a car from the 90's AT BEST. Ok, and second of all, my family has owned not only a 2003 330i back in 2003, and a 2005 X3 in 2005 with a similar drivetrain, but my first car was a 330ci sport, just about 5 years ago. Around the same time, I also owned an e36 5 speed 328i that i wanted to build as a project car. The reason I bring is up is that my family has owned an example of every 3 series other than the E30 and E21, and I am extremely familiar with them all. His 330i sport comes NO WHERE close to the M235i in ANYTHING! Ok, if you say the M235i is softer than a 135i i'll agree with you. It's more comfy and a better all around car to be honest (e9x/e8x on run flats were PUNISHING). But seriously, the E46 weighs just as much, the M54 sounds like a moaning cat with marbles shoved down its throat, wasn't super responsive, and only revved to 6500, and the built quality in the E36/E46 is downright flimsy to say the least. The steering rack is slow, unless you get an M3. The E46 was a SWEET car in its time, but it's dated, and at its core it's just an updated E36. Now, the E36 still retained the throttle-cable (rather than drive-by-wire), felt really small and light, and is extremely responsive and fun to drive because of this. If I had to describe the 2 series, I would call it a modern day E36. It weighs a little more, but they drive really similarly, except the F22 feels much more planted and has an extremely nice interior and is a fantastic place to be every day. If that guy prefers his 2 door family car over a BMW, good for him. I will say that generally when I find out someone drives an Xi BMW, especially an automatic one, i tend to see them as less of an enthusiast, but I still think that saying an Accord is better is still downright stupidity and a blatant display of bias. Sorry for the rant...

[StephanieDiane]

Originally Posted by 335BOY

Youre not having enough fun!

Long, boring highway drives to visit family. I've had better times. Hah.

And yet, still more fun than the Accord!

[overcoil]

THE TRUTH ABOUT CARS Jack Baruth wrote "My old Audi S5 felt more alive to operate despite the V-8 hanging out over the front wheels and I suspect the current V-6 car is even better in that regard."

Has anyone driven an A5 or S5? After test driving those cars, the front ends felt so outdated compared to a BMW I was scared to buy any Audi product thinking they would sell such outdated feeling cars. The Honda comments I can't even understand.

[zkeeper]

Some folks would not be happy if you hung them with a new rope.

[angelbones]

This was Posted yesterday on Bimmerfest. I won't rehash, but feel free to read my take on the article.
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=837870

[F3RGY33]

He is racking up page views. Mission accomplished. I think he would have enjoyed a RWD M235i more but it seems like he had his mind made up before even sitting in the seat.

[WWM]

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

THE TRUTH ABOUT CARS Jack Baruth wrote "My old Audi S5 felt more alive to operate despite the V-8 hanging out over the front wheels and I suspect the current V-6 car is even better in that regard."

Has anyone driven an A5 or S5? After test driving those cars, the front ends felt so outdated compared to a BMW I was scared to buy any Audi product thinking they would sell such outdated feeling cars. The Honda comments I can't even understand.

I owned an old S5 with the 4.2 V8 and it was an absolute bore to drive. If one thinks that car is better to drive than the M235i I wouldn't listen to anything they had to say about cars.

This review is a troll job in the attempt to garner attention for an irrelevant website.

[hangover]

TTAC is still around is shocking... Outside of the one paragraph relating the 2 to the 'stand it's a total joke.

[krhodes1]

Originally Posted by StephanieDiane

"I want to love this BMW, but I cannot. On a daily basis, I’d rather operate my Accord, which returns nearly half again the 21.6mpg that Greg’s car shows in daily service, has better visibility, weighs three hundred pounds less, and drives like it weighs six hundred pounds less."

He's insane. I'd like to know what Accord he has - perhaps he mentions that somewhere and I missed it. I went from an Accord V6 to the m235 and it is SO much more fun to drive. It responds faster, better, and feels more agile. Rear visibility out of the Accord was WORSE. I was thrilled that I could back the 235 into a parking spot. He's on crack. He sounds like a bitter old man.

Three weekends in a row I have hit 28+ mpg highway driving. The V6 Accord barely matched that, just fyi. 21 vs 24 city on average between the two. I don't know much about cars or even BMW for that matter, but I can compare these two cars directly, and again I say, he's on crack. There is no comparison.

Jack Baruth has a 1 year old or so Accord Coupe V6 with stickshift. He's a semi-pro racer and also writes for Road & Track. I think he is actually a pretty gifted writer generally, and VERY entertaining. But he also is a complete rabble-rowser in my opinion who just loves to play to his audience. TTAC is a weird bunch of "car enthusiasts" who generally do not like German cars, preferring beige mid-size sedans and Ford Crown Victorias. I find there to be a strong thread of jealous "I can't afford that, so I will just hate it and say I would never buy one" on TTAC as well.

[caycep]

Originally Posted by krhodes1

Jack Baruth has a 1 year old or so Accord Coupe V6 with stickshift. He's a semi-pro racer and also writes for Road & Track. I think he is actually a pretty gifted writer generally, and VERY entertaining. But he also is a complete rabble-rowser in my opinion who just loves to play to his audience. TTAC is a weird bunch of "car enthusiasts" who generally do not like German cars, preferring beige mid-size sedans and Ford Crown Victorias. I find there to be a strong thread of jealous "I can't afford that, so I will just hate it and say I would never buy one" on TTAC as well.

I generally agree...yet he likes Audi's generally, and has good writeups on the ND Miata and F80 M3...who knows....

[opfreak]

different strokes for different folks people.

I'm days away from ordering a 235, but how many here would be ripping Consumer reports if they didnt like the 2 series? But given that they (CR) do like it, they are being used as proof that its (2 series) good.

Drive what you like.


"Life's simple, you make choices and you don't look back."