Manual version of M235i Review

Paul-Bracq-BMW · 02-25-2014, 08:05 PM

THE review we have all been waiting for: the M235i in 6MT guise!

By Autocar magazine: http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/...t-drive-review

Wheelwright · 02-25-2014, 09:19 PM

"occasionally notchy stick pot" that's all they had to say about this gearbox's quality.

As far as I am concerned BMW can shove it up their collective ass their "gearbox borrowed from M3/M4" marketing bullshit.

Paul-Bracq-BMW · 02-25-2014, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wheelwright

"occasionally notchy stick pot" that's all they had to say about this gearbox's quality.

As far as I am concerned BMW can shove it up their collective ass their "gearbox borrowed from M3/M4" marketing bullshit.

As always with reviews, different journalists will have different opinions of the same car (see steering feel). So in the end it's better, if you get the chance, to test the car yourself to see if the gearbox feels right to you. As for me I've always liked the feel of my E21 MT better than the ones of the latter BMW's I've driven. About the "Borrowed From" thing, if it's true (same gearbox) then why not mention it in their marketing? If it's not, that's another story....

Paul-Bracq-BMW · 02-25-2014, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul-Bracq-BMW

As always with reviews, different journalists will have different opinions of the same car (see steering feel). So in the end it's better, if you get the chance, to test the car yourself to see if the gearbox feels right to you. As for me I've always liked the feel of my E21 MT better than the ones of the latter BMW's I've driven. About the "Borrowed From" thing, if it's true (same gearbox) then why not mention it in their marketing? If it's not, that's another story....

Have to admit that the best MT I've driven was the Honda S2000. Honda seems to know how to make proper MT for their sports cars (Integra R, Civic R, S2000, NSX etc...)

Esteban15 · 02-25-2014, 11:33 PM

manual is slower period...I see not attraction but each to their own selection..enjoy

asus389 · 02-25-2014, 11:58 PM

Who makes the MT for the M235i? Also, my e90 is notch too. Has been since day 1. Still fun though.

tuco44 · 02-26-2014, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esteban15

manual is slower period...I see not attraction but each to their own selection..enjoy

Slower, maybe; but who cares, the manual is so much more fun and involving for a driver. I clearly see the attraction.

numbersguy · 02-26-2014, 07:05 AM

Slower shifts would make a difference on the track, not on the street. Rowing your own gears means the tranny's always in sport plus mode if that's how you like it.

Devon K · 02-26-2014, 07:55 AM

Best of both worlds: manual with rev-matching. Coming soon to an M235 near you.

TunedM2C · 02-26-2014, 07:56 AM

Is this the same shifter as found in the 1M? My 1M had the best shifter of all the BMW's I've owned in the past.

unintelligible · 02-26-2014, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Devon K

Best of both worlds: manual with rev-matching. Coming soon to an M235 near you.

Source? I thought this feature was going to be exclusive to M cars?

Bahuba · 02-26-2014, 08:01 AM

I tested the M235i with the manual (see my earlier post) and although it is a bit notchy, it is less so than the 135 which I drive. I'd take the M235 6-spd over my current 135.

Devon K · 02-26-2014, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unintelligible

Source? I thought this feature was going to be exclusive to M cars?

Thought someone might pop in with that question.... There have been 2 Q and A sessions with senior BMW personnel where the question of whether the 2's manual did rev-matching came up and the answer in both cases was not "no" but "not yet". I remember this very clearly because rev-matching is something I would really like - but I don't have links. I am pretty sure at least one of the Q and As was posted here.

unintelligible · 02-26-2014, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Devon K

Thought someone might pop in with that question.... There have been 2 Q and A sessions with senior BMW personnel where the question of whether the 2's manual did rev-matching came up and the answer in both cases was not "no" but "not yet". I remember this very clearly because rev-matching is something I would really like - but I don't have links. I am pretty sure at least one of the Q and As was posted here.

OK, gotcha. I would like to see it as well but I'm guessing I'll be ready to sign my next lease before it's offered and as it stands I'm leaning ZF8 right now. Too bad considering even the new Mini has it.

tommy · 02-26-2014, 08:34 AM

I'm surprised they didn't at least make the manual more attractive than the one in the 228. Guess they're going for pushing the M Performance mods on everyone.

I'd agree, Paul. If Honda can do a manual so well, it does make you wonder why the Ultimate Driving Machine can't at least tie them on that score.

IZAGLO · 02-26-2014, 11:48 AM

Finally, a manual review..Love it!! As i will ONLY by a performance car with a M/T.
Had a chance to see the M235i yesterday in Black...What a beauty, very fresh. We still have a 2009 135i sitting in the driveway(my son's now) and i have to say the M235i looked better from the front, WAY better from the side, but from the rear...not so much. The 135i with its bumped out fenders and smaller stance made the rear end looked stealthy ///the M235i looked ok but the fenders had no flair and the tires looked small on the rear from behind..Need WIDER tires back there at least. But overall loved the interior and 2 out of the 3 sides looked great. So sexy from the front and side though..Folks buying this car coming from the 135i should be very very pleased. Folks like me who want flarred fenders and wider meat in the rear with MORE M touches will have to wait like me for the M2.....or M4... But i am waiting as my little Miata has torn through NJ winters and still plowing through the havoc on the pot hole laiden roads....Can't wait for the M2...

335BOY · 02-26-2014, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esteban15

manual is slower period...I see not attraction but each to their own selection..enjoy

Slower..all you racers crack me up.. 2/10s of a second to 62 mph. Is that important? AT is way to boring .

IZAGLO · 02-26-2014, 12:29 PM

indeed^^^ after a half hour driving with paddles and all i can feel is....get me back into a car that i am FULLY engaged in. As long as traffic is not a concern 6/M/T all the way..

M.barnes · 02-26-2014, 01:47 PM

Ooh the feeling of a clunky gear box, I feel so connected

dmboone25 · 02-26-2014, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M.barnes

Ooh the feeling of a clunky gear box, I feel so connected

Maybe I am just not familiar, but what is meant by "cluncky"?

Hard to hit the next gear? Lack of smoothness?

BTW - it sucks how the manual is cheaper in other places, but not here in the US. Hate that it has become the "no cost" option...

italia · 02-26-2014, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmboone25

BTW - it sucks how the manual is cheaper in other places, but not here in the US. Hate that it has become the "no cost" option...

I agree with you. At least it's offered as an option though. I had four new (manual trans) BMW's from 1985-2000 and then spent the past 14 years in (manual trans) Porsche, Audi, and a Nissan 370Z (don't ask). With Audi not offering a manual in the S3 coming out this year, I'm looking at BMW again. Audi has pretty much said its days of manual trannies are almost done in the US.

templarklimek · 02-26-2014, 02:51 PM

Sadly, for some of us the manual tranny is the emotional connection to the car/driving experience. Speaking for myself, if/when the manual dies I stop buying sports cars.

What baffles me somewhat is the DCT crowd egging on the demise of the stick. Manuals should eventually be treated like convertibles, its about attracting the customer with the pleasure of the driving experience.

02-25-2014, 08:05 PM	#1
Paul-Bracq-BMW Moderator 4097 Rep 1,973 Posts Drives: 1981 323i, sports M5, LSD Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	Manual version of M235i Review THE review we have all been waiting for: the M235i in 6MT guise! By Autocar magazine: http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/...t-drive-review Attached Images __________________ 1981 323i, 143 Kashmir-Metallic, 0094 Pergament, Sports M5, LSD.
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02-25-2014, 09:19 PM	#2
Wheelwright Captain 463 Rep 779 Posts Drives: M235i (6MT fakerich edition) Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Canada, Oak Ridges iTrader: (0)	"occasionally notchy stick pot" that's all they had to say about this gearbox's quality. As far as I am concerned BMW can shove it up their collective ass their "gearbox borrowed from M3/M4" marketing bullshit.
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02-25-2014, 11:33 PM	#5
Esteban15 Banned 1 Rep 132 Posts Drives: 2012 Volvo C30 Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Beverly Hills, Ca iTrader: (0)	manual is slower period...I see not attraction but each to their own selection..enjoy
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02-25-2014, 11:58 PM	#6
asus389 Captain 68 Rep 639 Posts Drives: 11 E90 328i Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 328i [0.00]	Who makes the MT for the M235i? Also, my e90 is notch too. Has been since day 1. Still fun though.
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02-26-2014, 07:05 AM	#8
numbersguy Private 5 Rep 71 Posts Drives: 2013 535i Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: So Cal iTrader: (0)	Slower shifts would make a difference on the track, not on the street. Rowing your own gears means the tranny's always in sport plus mode if that's how you like it.
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02-26-2014, 07:55 AM	#9
Devon K Lieutenant 38 Rep 570 Posts Drives: TBD Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Best of both worlds: manual with rev-matching. Coming soon to an M235 near you.
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02-26-2014, 07:56 AM	#10
TunedM2C Brigadier General 829 Rep 4,190 Posts Drives: 2016 LBB M2 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Earth iTrader: (2)	Is this the same shifter as found in the 1M? My 1M had the best shifter of all the BMW's I've owned in the past.
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02-26-2014, 08:01 AM	#12
Bahuba Private First Class 20 Rep 179 Posts Drives: MR 2014 M235i Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Ottawa, Canada iTrader: (0)	I tested the M235i with the manual (see my earlier post) and although it is a bit notchy, it is less so than the 135 which I drive. I'd take the M235 6-spd over my current 135.
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02-26-2014, 08:34 AM	#15
tommy Benz Interloper 4 Rep 295 Posts Drives: 2002 Benz C230, 1990 CRX ZcSi Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Westwood, NJ iTrader: (0)	I'm surprised they didn't at least make the manual more attractive than the one in the 228. Guess they're going for pushing the M Performance mods on everyone. I'd agree, Paul. If Honda can do a manual so well, it does make you wonder why the Ultimate Driving Machine can't at least tie them on that score.
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02-26-2014, 11:48 AM	#16
IZAGLO Mbira 30 Rep 1,011 Posts Drives: Sedonna Red 09 135i SOLD Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Garage cleaning Brake Dust iTrader: (3)	Finally, a manual review..Love it!! As i will ONLY by a performance car with a M/T. Had a chance to see the M235i yesterday in Black...What a beauty, very fresh. We still have a 2009 135i sitting in the driveway(my son's now) and i have to say the M235i looked better from the front, WAY better from the side, but from the rear...not so much. The 135i with its bumped out fenders and smaller stance made the rear end looked stealthy ///the M235i looked ok but the fenders had no flair and the tires looked small on the rear from behind..Need WIDER tires back there at least. But overall loved the interior and 2 out of the 3 sides looked great. So sexy from the front and side though..Folks buying this car coming from the 135i should be very very pleased. Folks like me who want flarred fenders and wider meat in the rear with MORE M touches will have to wait like me for the M2.....or M4... But i am waiting as my little Miata has torn through NJ winters and still plowing through the havoc on the pot hole laiden roads....Can't wait for the M2... __________________
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02-26-2014, 12:29 PM	#18
IZAGLO Mbira 30 Rep 1,011 Posts Drives: Sedonna Red 09 135i SOLD Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Garage cleaning Brake Dust iTrader: (3)	indeed^^^ after a half hour driving with paddles and all i can feel is....get me back into a car that i am FULLY engaged in. As long as traffic is not a concern 6/M/T all the way.. __________________ Last edited by IZAGLO; 03-03-2014 at 09:34 AM..
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02-26-2014, 01:47 PM	#19
M.barnes Captain 41 Rep 598 Posts Drives: 123d Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Rugby, uk iTrader: (0)	Ooh the feeling of a clunky gear box, I feel so connected
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02-26-2014, 02:51 PM	#22
templarklimek templarklimek 142 Rep 868 Posts Drives: 15' X6M, 12' R8 V10, Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Houston Texas iTrader: (0)	Sadly, for some of us the manual tranny is the emotional connection to the car/driving experience. Speaking for myself, if/when the manual dies I stop buying sports cars. What baffles me somewhat is the DCT crowd egging on the demise of the stick. Manuals should eventually be treated like convertibles, its about attracting the customer with the pleasure of the driving experience.
	Appreciate 0 Quote