[midwest 340xi 6sp]

Originally Posted by m5lvyn

I've had an e46 M3, e93 M3 and just sold my e92 M3 which were all kept as weekend cars. Placed an order for an M235i last week to be used as all in one daily/ sports car.

Couldn't afford an M4 and after driving the m235i it felt like a baby m4 (not as raw or refined with spec/ finishings) but nearly half the price! Which is what pushed me towards ordering one.

The S65 V8 with the exhaust mod is by far the best sounding car I've owned and the only reserve i have with the m235i is the exhaust noise. Hopefully the MPE sorts that out though.

After driving the e92 m3 and m235i back to back its clear the 235i isn't an M car, it doesn't have that xfactor you feel when driving it. However its size, handling and power delivery makes it a super fun car to drive and more usable day to day power wise. Plus the technology and interior cabin is miles ahead now on the latest bmws compared to even th previous gen.

I agree with this....Especially at cold start-up...Still get goose-bumps thinking about it. The S65 is a very special, special motor.

BTW, I have MPE on my M235i and love it...Its not a V8, but an I6 from BMW with the right exhaust sounds damn sexy

[Anderw]

If we promise to take all the M badges off will you leave our little 2 series forum in peace ??

[verbs]

Originally Posted by Alpine F31

Ah but it is different. "M Sport" is a trim line, like "Sport" "Modern" and "Luxury". BMW doesn't offer a 235i, but they do have an M235i. Why not embrace it for what it is? It's the middle child between the fantastic 228i and the yet to be released M2. What's wrong with that???

While the M-Sport line on the 335i is technically a trim line, it does have some performance elements to it. I mentioned this earlier here: http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showp...1&postcount=18

I think for a time my M-sport trim was the only 335i line that could recieve the MPPK kit too.

Your comment that the M235i is the middle child between the 228i and the M2 proves my point.

My 335i M-sport is the middle child between the 328i and the M3.

There's really not much of a difference between where my 335i M-sport sits and where the M235i sits in the pecking order of their respective series.

I do embrace the M235i for what it is. An amazing car that's even more fun to drive than my current car, but tries to milk the prestige that true M cars have built over the years in a effort to generate more sales.

It's called ///Marketing.

[MikeT]

You know, I'm beginning to suspect that the reason that this sad thread keeps going on and on and on is that some owners of various non-M 3-series & 4-series cars are, deep down, just a wee bit resentful that the 235i has an M badge. Yes, I'll say it. There's a bit of badge envy going on here.

Like the German above said, take it up with Munich. AFAIK, no one here held the BMW board hostage and demanded that an M badge be affixed to this car. They call it an M235i. It wasn't our idea. Try to diminish it all you want, but any literate kindergartener can tell you that it's a real letter M. It's on there whether you like it or not.

[Anderw]

Originally Posted by MikeT

You know, I'm beginning to suspect that the reason that this sad thread keeps going on and on and on is that some owners of various non-M 3-series & 4-series cars are, deep down, just a wee bit resentful that the 235i has an M badge. Yes, I'll say it. There's a bit of badge envy going on here.

Like the German above said, take it up with Munich. AFAIK, no one here held the BMW board hostage and demanded that an M badge be affixed to this car. They call it an M235i. It wasn't our idea. Try to diminish it all you want, but any literate kindergartener can tell you that it's a real letter M. It's on there whether you like it or not.

I could only imagine the Sh*t storm the first part of that comment is gonna start hahahaha !!!!!!! I'm with you to many people are taking this personally no one on her named it , I'm sorry to whoever it offends but it's neither here nor there. It's the cars name there is no changing that fact , there will be a m2 so that will be the "true" M car of the 2 series , but who cares

The m235i has cooling upgrades along with a upgraded crank shaft and the obvious bump in tuning over any "msport package" so it is not just a 235i msport ,,,, it is a M performance line (which is new to America but not to the world)... It's pretty simple I'm sure it will invade the 335i next so a m335i is sure to stir up more arguments....


The m2 will have a even further upgraded n55 from the m235 maybe better turbo setup or something ... So does that mean it is not a "true m" ... The 1m shared the n54 and that caused a fuss now many rejoice at the mention of its name .. I love the thing always have ... I think we are forgetting we are all BMW enthusiast here and it's a good thing that there are still Bmws that appeal to us being made in the non m capacity ... Go and drive a m235i it doesn't matter what it's called , it's Fun! And with some mods even more fun!
Installing my H&Rs next week and I'm very excited!

[Kiwi]

BMW has the right to call it's cars how they see them like the M235 which is just that a M235. An M2 is another type of 2 series with it's own name being an M2 so why does some of these members get bent out of shape over a M badge. I mean an M Sport just has an M badge installed no number or set of numbers after the M side badges which start at 116 upwards.

It's what is after the M badge that makes the difference not the M on it's own.

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by Kiwi

BMW has the right to call it's cars how they see them like the M235 which is just that a M235. An M2 is another type of 2 series with it's own name being an M2 so why does some of these members get bent out of shape over a M badge. I mean an M Sport just has an M badge installed no number or set of numbers after the M side badges which start at 116 upwards.

It's what is after the M badge that makes the difference not the M on it's own.

Well clearly BMW gets it to some degree or the side badges would not be removed for the 2015 MY in NA.

[BMWZ4]

Originally Posted by red-sauerkraut

Well clearly BMW gets it to some degree or the side badges would not be removed for the 2015 MY in NA.

My (Canadian build) '15 came with side badges....

[Steve80bk]

The m235i isn't exactly mass produced. Therefore, I doubt there is any "milking" of the m badge. Not like we see these parked on every street like the 3 series is. I've seen 2 in total since its been released in NY. And must we say again this isn't the first "m" badged car thats not a true m.. I've driven the 435i m sport, 335i m sport rwd and xdrive with dhp, and the m235i. Went to test drive the 3 series and wound up trying them all out and leaving with a different idea in mind altogether. I guess that fake m badge Germany put on the car influenced me so heavily I changed my mind. Or maybe it was the fact that the car is friggin awesome, simple n plain.

[Supernaut]

Originally Posted by MikeT

You know, I'm beginning to suspect that the reason that this sad thread keeps going on and on and on is that some owners of various non-M 3-series & 4-series cars are, deep down, just a wee bit resentful that the 235i has an M badge. Yes, I'll say it. There's a bit of badge envy going on here.

Like the German above said, take it up with Munich. AFAIK, no one here held the BMW board hostage and demanded that an M badge be affixed to this car. They call it an M235i. It wasn't our idea. Try to diminish it all you want, but any literate kindergartener can tell you that it's a real letter M. It's on there whether you like it or not.

Exactly. I have no problem with people disagreeing with BMW's decision to expand the reach of the M badging, but pious and patronizing lecturing of fellow owners is obnoxious. I have yet to see an M235i owner here that doesn't get the M Performance concept and is shocked that they don't have a "real M car". It seems to be the the rest of the crowd that is having difficulty with BMW's stratification.

Originally Posted by red-sauerkraut

Well clearly BMW gets it to some degree or the side badges would not be removed for the 2015 MY in NA.

The US cars have the badge delete on their build sheets, but apparently not the rest of the world. We whine better here.

[3.0L]

For those considering a debadge, why not just remove the "35i" on the trunk lid?

[WWM]

The car is called M235i, so that is what I call it.

Mxxxi means one thing and Mx means something else. Just like Sx and RSx mean different things. Just like F-Sport and F mean different things. Just like R and RS and RS-GT mean different things. This is not difficult to understand.

[3.0L]

Originally Posted by Supernaut

Exactly. I have no problem with people disagreeing with BMW's decision to expand the reach of the M badging, but pious and patronizing lecturing of fellow owners is obnoxious. I have yet to see an M235i owner here that doesn't get the M Performance concept and is shocked that they don't have a "real M car". It seems to be the the rest of the crowd that is having difficulty with BMW's stratification.

The US cars have the badge delete on their build sheets, but apparently not the rest of the world. We whine better here.

+1. Exactly!

I knew what I was getting, too. If I had wanted a full M car, I would've bought one!

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by BMWZ4

My (Canadian build) '15 came with side badges....

I guess just US then.

[bimmerfile]

Originally Posted by Alpine F31

Hmmmmm. So, when friends ask you "what model BMW is this?" what are you going to say?

Anyone who knows BMW and the 2 series will not need to ask you what the model is.
Anyone who doesn't know BMW or the 2 series could give a rats ass as to the marketing nomenclature given the model - suffice to tell them it's a BMW 2-series.

[j2dad5389]

Reviving an old thread because it had me curious..do guys you think our M235i's are subject to the "M Tax"? When people ask what car I have when I bring it in for service the first thing I say is 235i instead of adding the M. Brings back nightmares of bringing in my M4 for service lol

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by j2dad5389

Reviving an old thread because it had me curious..do guys you think our M235i's are subject to the "M Tax"?

No, we only have to pay the BMW Tax. The additional M-Tax is reserved for the more-special cars. I'm sure an SA can explain it in more detail.

[Zyzzthetic]

Originally Posted by MrBallooKnot

I hear (read) this statement but I'm not sure I get the controversy.

This has been discussed many times I'm sure. I've read many of the "pissing matches" and still don't get the fuss and I'm not trying to start anything.

I do understand branding and that an M2 is imminent. My question is more about why it's such why it the M235 seems so controversial.

Please be respectful. I just want to know why people get so fired up about it.

Story time:

Few weeks ago I was washing my car at a local wand wash. I live 2 KM away and usually dry it at home, but I decided to do it there. My car is Black Sapphire Metallic so obviously the sexiest looking colour for precisely 20 minutes after a wash.

Not trying to stereotype, but a washed up younger dude (possibly homeless) wearing true religions in 2020 walks up to me and points at the M240i badge trying to be smart-ass,

"Is that an M2 or just M package?"

I respond to him and tell him its at m240i and its from their M-Performance line up right below the M2.

"How much HP?"

I respond with 335 HP/369 Torque.

"So it's not a real M"

I just ignore him. He then walks up to the car wash manager beside me and asks him if they're hiring.

Lol

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by Zyzzthetic

My car is Black Sapphire Metallic so obviously the sexiest looking colour for precisely 20 minutes after a wash.

Same reason I bought black for a number of years: nothing looked sharper immediately after a perfect detail.

A friend with a deep purple Peugeot once told me his car was even harder to keep looking clean. I didn't believe it, so we had a face-off. We cleaned and polished our cars equally in his driveway, left them out for six hours, and then examined them. It wasn't even close - he was right.

Then I couldn't take it any longer. It didn't have to rain to ruin the job because fog, pollen, crap, and fairy dust worked just as well. Friends would laugh when I'd turn off a street because the sprinklers were on in the median (hey, they didn't just spend $150 on a detail, they drove minivans and never washed them!). Nothing like today's aids was available for keeping a black car clean between washes. The clear coats on black BMWs showed...every...little...scratch. And so forth, and so on.

From there I went to white, which is the best for not showing dirt (my 2¢, of course). I'd previously owned a white XKE in the Texas Panhandle, where keeping a car clean isn't possible. I wanted white for my M240i for that reason but finding the build I wanted was already (almost) impossible so I had to settle for Estoril Blue. I like the color just fine; white would still have been better.

[Lucky13]

Originally Posted by dradernh

Same reason I bought black for a number of years: nothing looked sharper immediately after a perfect detail.

A friend with a deep purple Peugeot once told me his car was even harder to keep looking clean. I didn't believe it, so we had a face-off. We cleaned and polished our cars equally in his driveway, left them out for six hours, and then examined them. It wasn't even close - he was right.

Then I couldn't take it any longer. It didn't have to rain to ruin the job because fog, pollen, crap, and fairy dust worked just as well. Friends would laugh when I'd turn off a street because the sprinklers were on in the median (hey, they didn't just spend $150 on a detail, they drove minivans and never washed them!). Nothing like today's aids was available for keeping a black car clean between washes. The clear coats on black BMWs showed...every...little...scratch. And so forth, and so on.

From there I went to white, which is the best for not showing dirt (my 2¢, of course). I'd previously owned a white XKE in the Texas Panhandle, where keeping a car clean isn't possible. I wanted white for my M240i for that reason but finding the build I wanted was already (almost) impossible so I had to settle for Estoril Blue. I like the color just fine; white would still have been better.

Silver shows dirt the least, just traded our Mineral White X1 on a silver X3 and my M235 is silver and I’d definitely put Mineral White behind silver for showing dirt. I’ve owned 17 BMW’s including 3 black one’s which were horrible especially in the spring with pine pollen.

[TonM3]

Originally Posted by Lucky13

Silver shows dirt the least, just traded our Mineral White X1 on a silver X3 and my M235 is silver and I’d definitely put Mineral White behind silver for showing dirt. I’ve owned 17 BMW’s including 3 black one’s which were horrible especially in the spring with pine pollen.

I went from an e46 M3 to an M240.
nobody would ever claim an e46 M3 is anything less than a shinning example of an M car, yet the M240 is faster in a straight line, handles better and feels more nimble despite the softer damping.
The M240 feels like a modern version of the E46.
And it is a stick shift, which in my humblebrag opinion makes it more of an M car than most full on M automatics (DCT is automatic).

[damianbmw12]

Originally Posted by Zyzzthetic

Story time:

Few weeks ago I was washing my car at a local wand wash. I live 2 KM away and usually dry it at home, but I decided to do it there. My car is Black Sapphire Metallic so obviously the sexiest looking colour for precisely 20 minutes after a wash.

Not trying to stereotype, but a washed up younger dude (possibly homeless) wearing true religions in 2020 walks up to me and points at the M240i badge trying to be smart-ass,

"Is that an M2 or just M package?"

I respond to him and tell him its at m240i and its from their M-Performance line up right below the M2.

"How much HP?"

I respond with 335 HP/369 Torque.

"So it's not a real M"

I just ignore him. He then walks up to the car wash manager beside me and asks him if they're hiring.

Lol

Originally Posted by Zyzzthetic

Story time:

"Is that an M2 or just M package?"

I respond to him and tell him its at m240i and its from their M-Performance line up right below the M2.

"How much HP?"

I respond with 335 HP/369 Torque.

"So it's not a real M"

I just ignore him. He then walks up to the car wash manager beside me and asks him if they're hiring.

Lol

That is a good story. Guys at work who knew I had /sold my E46 M3 track car have said "nice new M". Being an honest guy who likes to educate non car types I let them know it's a poser with some bolt on M performance parts. Most don't care or understand, but they sure do love my Long Beach blue ride, as do I.