[maxiedaniels]

I'm getting rid of my 2006 350z 6MT (stock), and I'm considering getting the m235i (haven't decided which transmission). I had previous test drove the Audi S5 and while I think the car is beautiful, I was sorely disappointed in the feel of the car. I realize the numbers say it's pretty fast, but there was no thrown-back-into-the-seat-feeling at all.

Will I love the m235i in comparison to the old 350z? I'm stuck between thinking the m235i is a great idea, or thinking that I should wait 6 months til the residuals *hopefully* drop on the M2....

[supernova72]

I'm 6 months into having mine and it puts a smile on my face everyday. Very impressed with the acceleration. I chose a 6MT car and love it. Having said that it took my a while to find one (used).

Even with spirited driving and commuting as a DD I'm getting 21 ish mpg.

[M235iguy]

Coming from a 370z, I absolutely love my M235ix. it obviously has a lot more torque. I was solely after an awd car. It came down to a STi or a M235ix. Very happy with the M235i. I chose the automatic and its very quick with xdrive.

[doccyber]

Yes. You will. The experience is intoxicating. I had test driven a 370z a while back and while it's a very capable car it is not anything close to the M235 IMHO.

[Mywifes335]

I can't speak from owning a 350Z, but I've driven a NISMO Z and G37 before and I can tell you that the 235i is more plush. However, it corners better and is a helluvalot quicker...especially around town.

[M2ALEX]

Its a big step up from the 350z/370z. Its a lot more stable than the 350z. I remember it being so easy to kick the rear out.

[J-Ho]

Originally Posted by maxiedaniels

I'm getting rid of my 2006 350z 6MT (stock), and I'm considering getting the m235i (haven't decided which transmission). I had previous test drove the Audi S5 and while I think the car is beautiful, I was sorely disappointed in the feel of the car. I realize the numbers say it's pretty fast, but there was no thrown-back-into-the-seat-feeling at all.

Will I love the m235i in comparison to the old 350z? I'm stuck between thinking the m235i is a great idea, or thinking that I should wait 6 months til the residuals *hopefully* drop on the M2....

I came from a 350z myself (2005 enthusiast trim), and I gotta say that the m235i is a nice step up. Car feels lighter (its actually heavier), much more on-demand torque, handles nicely, and the best part is that it has a semi-functional back seat & trunk!

[StarMan]

Another Z guy here. Had a 370z Nismo edition. Sold it and got the M235i-Automatic version, by far the best auto vehicle i have ever driven (great manual mode and super quick shifts).

I do miss the stick shift, and my next car after the M235i i'll probably go back to stick (assuming stick shift still exists in newer cars a few years down the road), but i don't regret my decision at all

It's slightly quicker, but "feels" a lot quicker than my Nismo Z.

I had the honor to ride in a manual M2 this morning and my, that thing pulls hard! Sure you can tune an M235i to be faster than a M2, but then you're risking warranty.

If you are buying new, be patient and get the M2 (Expect to pay full MSRP). If you are looking to save $$ buy yourself a pre-owned M235i.

[maxiedaniels]

Okay what did I do wrong... I test drove an automatic m235i today (non xdrive).... Felt kinda underwhelmed. It was obviously fast but didn't wow me. Could this be due to it being automatic? Has anyone experienced that? I know my Z isn't that fast but it felt like the 235 wasn't pulling as hard. :/

Maybe it's cause I'm used to a less sound deadened car?

[Mosstradamus]

Did you put it in sport + and move the stick over to sport shift? M235i pulls way harder than a 350Z (brother used to have one and I drove it quite often, now own M235i)

[overcoil]

Originally Posted by maxiedaniels

Okay what did I do wrong... I test drove an automatic m235i today (non xdrive).... Felt kinda underwhelmed. It was obviously fast but didn't wow me. Could this be due to it being automatic? Has anyone experienced that? I know my Z isn't that fast but it felt like the 235 wasn't pulling as hard. :/

Maybe it's cause I'm used to a less sound deadened car?

To me if your under 4000rpm not SPORT mode for drivetrain then I can understand why coming from the Z you weren't blown away.
As for handling fast corners the 235 to me is one of the best cars I've driven, you can take the car right up to a four wheel drift and back with great confidence.

[maxiedaniels]

Originally Posted by Mosstradamus

Did you put it in sport + and move the stick over to sport shift? M235i pulls way harder than a 350Z (brother used to have one and I drove it quite often, now own M235i)

I had it in Sport, not Sport+ (dealer told me the only difference is traction control). I was using the paddles for part of the drive... Is that different?

[omega145]

The difference between sport and sport+ is not that drastic. Might want to go on another test drive with a salesman who doesn't mind if you punch it. The M235 is a much quicker car than an 06 350Z unless it has some major power mods.

[Mosstradamus]

Originally Posted by maxiedaniels

I had it in Sport, not Sport+ (dealer told me the only difference is traction control). I was using the paddles for part of the drive... Is that different?

If you slide the stick to the left you will be in sport shift mode which keeps the car at higher rpms but if you were using the paddle shifters it really wouldn't matter. I agree with Omega, test drive it again and just go for it! You should definitely feel a difference bt 235i and Z.

[Mywifes335]

The Manual mode shifts fast, but the auto will shift quicker than any human
Can with a stick.

Try test driving it again. If it's not your cup of tea, stay with Nissan and get the Infiniti Q50 (or whatever it's called now, I can't keep up with the nomenclature revisions) with the twin turbo, 400hp (Nissan horses) V6.

Stats don't lie, the M235i outperforms the Z in every category, especially in acceleration...by a pretty wide gap.

Not sure what else to tell you...

[XutvJet]

The 8AT M235x was tested by Car & Driver to do 0-60 in 4.4 seconds and 12.9@108 using launch control. The 8AT RWD M235 has been tested to go 13.0@108 and the 6MT has been tested to go 13.3@107mph. The VQ35DE 350z 6MT was tested to go 13.8@102mph. A decent driver at the strip and under good DA conditions should be able to beat mag time by a couple tenths and 1-2mph for any of these cars. The M235 makes around 305-310whp/320-330wtq stock and the 6MT Z like yours typically sees 240whp/230wtq. FYI, I owned, modded, and raced Nissan/Infiniti VQ series motors for 13 years.

With that said, yes, the M235, regardless of tranny or drivetrain is much quicker and faster than your 350z. It is far more refined and more quite, which can fool the butt dyno.

If it were me, I'd try and 6MT (though they are extremely hard to find). Though it's slower, it's a far more engaging and fun drive, and actually "feels" faster.

[wjones14]

Originally Posted by maxiedaniels

Okay what did I do wrong... I test drove an automatic m235i today (non xdrive).... Felt kinda underwhelmed. It was obviously fast but didn't wow me. Could this be due to it being automatic? Has anyone experienced that? I know my Z isn't that fast but it felt like the 235 wasn't pulling as hard. :/

Maybe it's cause I'm used to a less sound deadened car?

Originally Posted by Mywifes335

Stats don't lie, the M235i outperforms the Z in every category, especially in acceleration...by a pretty wide gap.

Not sure what else to tell you...

No doubt the M235i pulls a lot harder than the 350Z. It's the refinement of the M235i that fools you. My '05 Mustang also felt like it pulled harder than the M235i. The Mustang was loud, and it reared back with all this drama, while the BMW insulates you from the mechanicals.

I test drove a 435 hp 2015 Mustang GT 6-speed, and was also sort of underwhelmed - that exhaust is way too quiet and the more refined build quality loses the visceral feel the car used to have.

[Mywifes335]

Originally Posted by wjones14

No doubt the M235i pulls a lot harder than the 350Z. It's the refinement of the M235i that fools you. My '05 Mustang also felt like it pulled harder than the M235i. The Mustang was loud, and it reared back with all this drama, while the BMW insulates you from the mechanicals.

I test drove a 435 hp 2015 Mustang GT 6-speed, and was also sort of underwhelmed - that exhaust is way too quiet and the more refined build quality loses the visceral feel the car used to have.

In all fairness... When my Evo had just bolt-ons, it put down 308awhp and 299awtq on a mustang dyno. My (on map 2 pump gas) M235i put down 325/345 on a similar dyno and it felt slower. Now it's putting down considerably more on Map 7 on race fuel and meth... The Evo, by memory, still felt quicker.

Solution: find the biggest fuckin hill you can and ride down the fucker on a skateboard. FAST.

[maxiedaniels]

Originally Posted by Mywifes335

Solution: find the biggest fuckin hill you can and ride down the fucker on a skateboard. FAST.

Hahahahhahaaha exactly what I'm thinking.

Just to be clear, I don't at all question the fact that the m235 is significantly faster than the 350z. I'm just trying to figure out why I didn't feel satisfied. I drove the CLA45 AMG today too... 4.1 0-60, just felt too cushy or something. Trust me, I feel stupid over this, it makes no sense.

I'll go test drive the m235 again, hopefully in 6MT.

[M2ALEX]

The EVOX may be faster. AWD launch off the line creates a more significant punch than a RWD. Also, think about how much lighter the EVO X is. You should have felt the difference when opening and closing the driver/passenger side doors.

[junx]

you will love the m235i. it reminds me a lot of my old e46 m3

[G-Mann]

Sounds like you are answering your own question with the test drives. The manual will be more fun to launch then the auto and perhaps give you the feel you are after.

I've owned a 350z and a G37s and neither compared performance wise and feel to the m235i.

Not sure if you mentioned other cars you are considering, not a whole lot of rwd options in the m235i's class at its size and price point.