M3 driver tests M235i

mjposner · 04-19-2014, 06:45 AM

Drove a new M235i six speed yesterday and I have to say it was very nice. THe sport seat and steering wheel felt very good. Clutch was light (perhaps too light), and shifter was bit rubbery (I drive a dct so perhaps I am rusty). Car felt small, like my E36 325 more than my E46 M3. Plenty of leg room, less leg width. Nice sized trunk. Weather was terrible, poring rain, wet streets and traffic, so I could not open the car up. Felt quick but not neck snapping. Car was 48k as tested, but no nav. Small screen without nav is sad. Overall I really liked the car and may consider getting one as my warranty expires on my E93.

Delnari · 04-19-2014, 09:10 AM

Nope, your impressions of the manual are spot on. Go drive the automatic and see if your opinion changes a little.

spmd11 · 04-19-2014, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjposner

and shifter was bit rubbery (I drive a dct so perhaps I am rusty).

Now, wait a minute... I thought the new shifter was a big improvement on the new M235i and thus NOT rubbery?

mjposner · 04-20-2014, 07:04 AM

Would not buy an auto so that is not an option (and I have driven the zf8 speed in a Jag and it is great for an autobox). I also missed 3rd twice, almost going into 5th gear. Possibly a short shift kit and heavier shift knob would help.

http://www.ebay.com/bhp/zhp-shift-knob

golf4501 · 04-20-2014, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjposner

Would not buy an auto so that is not an option (and I have driven the zf8 speed in a Jag and it is great for an autobox). I also missed 3rd twice, almost going into 5th gear. Possibly a short shift kit and heavier shift knob would help.

http://www.ebay.com/bhp/zhp-shift-knob

I have not noticed any issue on upshifts. I have gone to 4th coming out of 6th and missing 5th on down shifts. Mainly because the gears are so short.

th1rd3y3 · 04-21-2014, 04:50 PM

I've done the 2nd to 5th shift 3 times since I got the car on Thursday. The gearbox certainly isn't bad, but I'm used to my STI with a shortthrow and full shifter bushings. That thing, while notchy, was extremely precise with quick short throws. The M235 is not so much.

Delnari · 04-21-2014, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by th1rd3y3

I've done the 2nd to 5th shift 3 times since I got the car on Thursday. The gearbox certainly isn't bad, but I'm used to my STI with a shortthrow and full shifter bushings. That thing, while notchy, was extremely precise with quick short throws. The M235 is not so much.

Here, Here! The WRX with the upgraded bushings and STi short shifter was much better than the M235i manual, IMO. When I traded the WRX in I told the SA to take it out for a drive. He came back and said I see what you mean about the shifter difference, the automatic is your better choice in the M235i. Don't think I can go back to a manual in BMW even if I switch out to the M2 in a couple years.

oscr972 · 04-22-2014, 12:58 PM

Quote:

mjposner Would not buy an auto so that is not an option (and I have driven the zf8 speed in a Jag and it is great for an autobox). I also missed 3rd twice, almost going into 5th gear. Possibly a short shift kit and heavier shift knob would help.
http://www.ebay.com/bhp/zhp-shift-knob

Isn't this the shifter knob that's standard in the M235i? It looks the same....or is the standard one un-weighted?

04-19-2014, 06:45 AM	#1
mjposner Brigadier General 898 Rep 3,071 Posts Drives: 2020 Z4 40i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Southwest Florida iTrader: (3)	M3 driver tests M235i Drove a new M235i six speed yesterday and I have to say it was very nice. THe sport seat and steering wheel felt very good. Clutch was light (perhaps too light), and shifter was bit rubbery (I drive a dct so perhaps I am rusty). Car felt small, like my E36 325 more than my E46 M3. Plenty of leg room, less leg width. Nice sized trunk. Weather was terrible, poring rain, wet streets and traffic, so I could not open the car up. Felt quick but not neck snapping. Car was 48k as tested, but no nav. Small screen without nav is sad. Overall I really liked the car and may consider getting one as my warranty expires on my E93. __________________ Previous BMW: 16 M4, 13 M6; 14 M235i, 12 BMW M3; 11 BMW M3; 08 BMW M3; 08 BMW Z4M; 04 X3; 02 M3 Convertible; 02 M3; 00 M Roadster; 94 325 convertible; 92 325i Convertible; and 85 635csi My Car Photo Blog: http://carfisheye.blogspot.com/
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04-19-2014, 09:10 AM	#2
Delnari Major 256 Rep 1,040 Posts Drives: 2014 MG F22 Auto Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Alexandria, VA iTrader: (2)	Nope, your impressions of the manual are spot on. Go drive the automatic and see if your opinion changes a little. Last edited by Delnari; 04-21-2014 at 07:33 PM..
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04-20-2014, 07:04 AM	#4
mjposner Brigadier General 898 Rep 3,071 Posts Drives: 2020 Z4 40i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Southwest Florida iTrader: (3)	Would not buy an auto so that is not an option (and I have driven the zf8 speed in a Jag and it is great for an autobox). I also missed 3rd twice, almost going into 5th gear. Possibly a short shift kit and heavier shift knob would help. http://www.ebay.com/bhp/zhp-shift-knob __________________ Previous BMW: 16 M4, 13 M6; 14 M235i, 12 BMW M3; 11 BMW M3; 08 BMW M3; 08 BMW Z4M; 04 X3; 02 M3 Convertible; 02 M3; 00 M Roadster; 94 325 convertible; 92 325i Convertible; and 85 635csi My Car Photo Blog: http://carfisheye.blogspot.com/
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04-21-2014, 04:50 PM	#6
th1rd3y3 Private First Class 31 Rep 199 Posts Drives: '20 M340i xDrive Join Date: May 2013 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	I've done the 2nd to 5th shift 3 times since I got the car on Thursday. The gearbox certainly isn't bad, but I'm used to my STI with a shortthrow and full shifter bushings. That thing, while notchy, was extremely precise with quick short throws. The M235 is not so much.
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