THE LARGEST BMW 2-SERIES FORUM ON THE PLANET
2Addicts
2Addicts
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
2Addicts | BMW 2-Series forum BMW 2 Series (F22) Forum BMW 2 Series Coupe and Cabriolet (F22/F23) General Forum 335i M Sport versus M235i?

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      01-21-2014, 02:43 PM   #1
AgentCircus
Aviator
35
Rep
210
Posts

Drives: X3
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: New Jersey

iTrader: (0)

335i M Sport versus M235i?

I'm torn between the two. I can get the F30 335i M Sport w/ all the options I want this Friday, or I can wait 2-3 months and get the M235i.

What's making me hesitate?
1. M235i looks like it'll handle better, but how much better? Will it be noticeable on the street?
2. Acceleration 0-60. They are close, but with the tuned N55 in the M235i it edges it out. Not really too concerned about this as I am about handling and steering feel. But I want BMWs latest and greatest if you know what I mean.
3. Exhaust sound. Videos of the M235i using its launch control and taking off just sounds sweet. I haven't heard the 335i in person, but I also read that it sounds pretty nice.
4. M235i is the new, hot thing. I can get one for $500 over invoice, so I'll end up paying about $25 less than the 335i. BUT the 335i will be loaded to no end, as I'm getting that below invoice and there are tons of 3-series incentives piled on top of that.

What do you think? Should I go for the more spartan "drivers car," or get some of the performance with the 335i and enjoy all the refinement that goes with it.

Thanks!

Last edited by AgentCircus; 01-21-2014 at 03:56 PM..
Appreciate 0
      01-21-2014, 02:54 PM   #2
golf_234
Captain
318
Rep
905
Posts

Drives: E46, E90, F30
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Santa Monica

iTrader: (0)

M235i All Day!!! No question for me. Just love everything about its ideology. The only factor I could see being at hand would be sedan vs. coupe. Everything is a win on the 2. Test drove a 335i the other day, and it was cool, but kind of a dog in comparison to my 1er and what I expect the 2 to be.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      01-21-2014, 03:02 PM   #3
golf_234
Captain
318
Rep
905
Posts

Drives: E46, E90, F30
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Santa Monica

iTrader: (0)

This just does it for me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?featur...&v=lQ2YmBc2ZG8
__________________
Appreciate 0
      01-21-2014, 03:08 PM   #4
bimmerfile
Colonel
bimmerfile's Avatar
621
Rep
2,069
Posts

Drives: 2019 BMW X2 F39
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: GTA, Canada

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by AgentCircus View Post
I'm torn between the two. I can get the 335i M Sport w/ all the options I want this Friday, or I can wait 2-3 months and get the M235i.

Thanks!
Dude;
Stick with your 320i until you figure out what you really want without needing anyone else's opinion.
__________________
2019 X2
Appreciate 0
      01-21-2014, 03:18 PM   #5
AgentCircus
Aviator
35
Rep
210
Posts

Drives: X3
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: New Jersey

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by golf_234 View Post
Haha. I was watching that last night! I almost wish the M235i wasn't coming out until later to take it out of the equation. I'm just tired of car shopping so being able to get into a car in the next few days versus few months sounds amazing. Looking into an M3/M4 in 3 years, so maybe the 335i will quench my thirst in the meantime. Either one will be light years ahead of my 320i.
Appreciate 0
      01-21-2014, 03:20 PM   #6
AgentCircus
Aviator
35
Rep
210
Posts

Drives: X3
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: New Jersey

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by bimmerfile View Post
Dude;
Stick with your 320i until you figure out what you really want without needing anyone else's opinion.
Good advice. But once the 320i gets over 5k miles I'm going to have a hard time not rolling over negative equity. I'm in the perfect time period to switch out now that I have 3350 miles. I know I'd be happy w/ either one, just want to see if I'm going to missing anything substantial by not going with the M235i.

I don't need anyone else's opinion to make a decision, but the more information and feedback I can get from owners the more informed my decision will be.
Appreciate 0
      01-21-2014, 03:34 PM   #7
Red Bread
Major General
United_States
4462
Rep
9,160
Posts

Drives: Smog machines
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Austin, TX

iTrader: (0)

Having owned an E82 135i and had a number of E9x loaner cars, I'd posit that the F3x will handle better, feel more stable and have a smoother ride than the F22 due to the longer wheelbase.

The one big possible exception for the F22 M235i though is that it doesn't come with Run Flats, so if it's actually tuned for that, it could possibly make up for the shortcoming of the shorter wheelbase and out handle a stock F3x and possibly even have better suspension tuning, not the slow compression, fast rebound BMW has used since switching non M cars to RFT's.

Just remember that roughly the same weight spread across the F32 wheelbase of 110.6 vs the F22 105.9 with the same basic width should give the F32 more stability but the F22 more ready turn in.
Appreciate 0
      01-21-2014, 04:09 PM   #8
czarmar
Private
3
Rep
97
Posts

Drives: 1999 323i
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Chicago, IL

iTrader: (0)

That's an impressive deal to get a loaded 335i M Sport for the same price as an M235i. Most of the ways I build it the 335i is about $6-7K more based on MSRP for both. I'm really torn as well because the M235i looks brilliant, but I think the sedan will be more practical for my needs, and sadly the M235i is a heavy little bugger. There's not much of a apparent weight penalty to get the 335i.
What I do see is the $7K difference and the fact that the M235i is the hot new thing.

I just wish BMW had bestowed a better color palette for the F80 M3. The lack of a desirable color makes me lean towards saving the money, plus I don't see why I should pay $2900 to have a DCT.. How I wish that EBII/MCB/etc was an available option rather than smurf blue.
__________________

1999 323i with 292K miles
Appreciate 0
      01-21-2014, 04:31 PM   #9
AgentCircus
Aviator
35
Rep
210
Posts

Drives: X3
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: New Jersey

iTrader: (0)

After incentives and dealer discount it ends up being $2250 below invoice on the 335i, which is what brings the payments so close. The best I can get on the M235i is $500 above invoice, (and that's only because I worked another deal on an X5). There are no incentives at all on the 2 right now either.

Practical side: Get the 335i.
After hearing that exhaust in the Autospy vid: M235i!

I'd take an M3 in any color (except black)! But speaking of colors, not sure if you've used the 2-series builder on BMWs site. But if you choose orange for the 228i, it doesn't let you choose M Sport! I guess they didn't want a 228i looking better than than the M235i! And orange isn't even available on the M235i...
Appreciate 0
      01-21-2014, 04:47 PM   #10
golf_234
Captain
318
Rep
905
Posts

Drives: E46, E90, F30
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Santa Monica

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by czarmar View Post
That's an impressive deal to get a loaded 335i M Sport for the same price as an M235i. Most of the ways I build it the 335i is about $6-7K more based on MSRP for both. I'm really torn as well because the M235i looks brilliant, but I think the sedan will be more practical for my needs, and sadly the M235i is a heavy little bugger. There's not much of a apparent weight penalty to get the 335i.
What I do see is the $7K difference and the fact that the M235i is the hot new thing.

I just wish BMW had bestowed a better color palette for the F80 M3. The lack of a desirable color makes me lean towards saving the money, plus I don't see why I should pay $2900 to have a DCT.. How I wish that EBII/MCB/etc was an available option rather than smurf blue.
Let's be honest for OP it is a win-win. I still have a feeling, if you get that 3, every time you see a 2 you will think, what if I had gone for it. But maybe vise versa will apply too.. Hard to say. I personally think almost all bmws wear alpine white best anyway, but that's just me.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      01-21-2014, 04:52 PM   #11
GFK007
Captain
371
Rep
769
Posts

Drives: 2014 m235i
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Westchester, NY

iTrader: (0)

I was in the exact same spot, and I finally pulled the trigger on the m235i.

335 is a fantastic car, but the steering is painfully numb, and from what I can tell based on the reviews I have read, the 2 steering seems to be an improvement, although not ideal.

The m235i has a great exhaust note, and will most likely be a great car for both highway and back country journey's.

There are so many 3's on the road, even though most are bare bones 328i's, but to the untrained eye, an M sport 3 is just another 3.

That said, the 3 is probably better looking, but I wanted to go in a new direction.

Time will tell if I made the right call.
__________________
MG on CR M235i, mods to come...

(gone but not forgotten) 2011 e90 M Sport - M-Tech Carbon Diffuser, OEM Carbon Trunk Spoiler, 20% tint, black reflectors, black OEM grille, LUX white Angel Eyes.
Appreciate 0
      01-21-2014, 05:02 PM   #12
jmcphillips1
Captain
jmcphillips1's Avatar
59
Rep
667
Posts

Drives: 2012 128 Coupe
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Alabama

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
What part of Alabama are you in? I'm up in Cullman between Birmingham and Huntsville
__________________
Current Daily Driver: 2015 X4 35i
Retired: 2012 128i Coupe M-Sport
Retired: 2009 X6 35i
Retired: 2003 X5 4.6is
Retired: 2006 330i Post September
Appreciate 0
      01-21-2014, 05:09 PM   #13
golf_234
Captain
318
Rep
905
Posts

Drives: E46, E90, F30
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Santa Monica

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by GFK007 View Post
I was in the exact same spot, and I finally pulled the trigger on the m235i.

335 is a fantastic car, but the steering is painfully numb, and from what I can tell based on the reviews I have read, the 2 steering seems to be an improvement, although not ideal.

The m235i has a great exhaust note, and will most likely be a great car for both highway and back country journey's.

There are so many 3's on the road, even though most are bare bones 328i's, but to the untrained eye, an M sport 3 is just another 3.

That said, the 3 is probably better looking, but I wanted to go in a new direction.

Time will tell if I made the right call.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      01-21-2014, 05:18 PM   #14
AgentCircus
Aviator
35
Rep
210
Posts

Drives: X3
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: New Jersey

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by jmcphillips1 View Post
What part of Alabama are you in? I'm up in Cullman between Birmingham and Huntsville
Enterprise near Rucker, which is about 2 hours south of Montgomery give or take.
Appreciate 0
      01-21-2014, 05:21 PM   #15
AgentCircus
Aviator
35
Rep
210
Posts

Drives: X3
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: New Jersey

iTrader: (0)

I'm thinking it's going to be 335i at this point. I'll get an M Performance or M Car the next go-around haha.

One thing that did bug me about the M235i is that the Auto-dimming rearview mirror is apparently only available w/ the Premium Package. If anyone else was annoyed by this, there is a workaround: order the Automatic Brights option for $250 and the Auto-dimming rearview mirror gets added for free. Now if I could only find a workaround to get BMW Apps w/o having to get nav!
Appreciate 0
      01-21-2014, 06:32 PM   #16
ska///235i
***** noob
ska///235i's Avatar
United_States
1354
Rep
10,479
Posts

Drives: 325xi>M235i>428GCx Mspor
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Boston

iTrader: (34)

Garage List
2006 325xi  [0.00]
Im in the same boat, but im in no rush. Do i get the 335 with 2 extra doors or a coupe with better dynamics??
__________________
2006 325xi (Sold)
2014 M235I (Current)
2015 428xi Gran Coupe (STB)
Appreciate 0
      01-21-2014, 06:44 PM   #17
Seagull
Major
Seagull's Avatar
Canada
288
Rep
1,075
Posts

Drives: F87 M2, E84 X1
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by ska325xi View Post
Im in the same boat, but im in no rush. Do i get the 335 with 2 extra doors or a coupe with better dynamics??
I think that's really the discussion. F30 335 + MPPK and MPE and maybe the MPS and the then the diff is what from the M235i? Driving dynamics vs 2 extra doors as you said. Even without those, its only an incremental difference which may not matter to you... Plus you can get those installed as you learn you need them on your own schedule.
__________________
Current: F87 M2 MT MPE, E84 PP SP LP
Previous: F30 - 335i AT, E90 - 335xi MT, E90 - 330i MT, E46 - 330i MT
Appreciate 0
      01-21-2014, 06:55 PM   #18
GFK007
Captain
371
Rep
769
Posts

Drives: 2014 m235i
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Westchester, NY

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Seagull View Post
I think that's really the discussion. F30 335 + MPPK and MPE and maybe the MPS and the then the diff is what from the M235i? Driving dynamics vs 2 extra doors as you said. Even without those, its only an incremental difference which may not matter to you... Plus you can get those installed as you learn you need them on your own schedule.
"The electric power-steering system communicates more about the road surface than in the 4-series, which itself marked an improvement over the latest 3-series."

Just saw the above quote in C&D's First Drive review of the M235i. I figured it was relevant.
__________________
MG on CR M235i, mods to come...

(gone but not forgotten) 2011 e90 M Sport - M-Tech Carbon Diffuser, OEM Carbon Trunk Spoiler, 20% tint, black reflectors, black OEM grille, LUX white Angel Eyes.
Appreciate 0
      01-21-2014, 07:25 PM   #19
Seagull
Major
Seagull's Avatar
Canada
288
Rep
1,075
Posts

Drives: F87 M2, E84 X1
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by GFK007
Quote:
Originally Posted by Seagull View Post
I think that's really the discussion. F30 335 + MPPK and MPE and maybe the MPS and the then the diff is what from the M235i? Driving dynamics vs 2 extra doors as you said. Even without those, its only an incremental difference which may not matter to you... Plus you can get those installed as you learn you need them on your own schedule.
"The electric power-steering system communicates more about the road surface than in the 4-series, which itself marked an improvement over the latest 3-series."

Just saw the above quote in C&D's First Drive review of the M235i. I figured it was relevant.
True, but they might have reviewed early 335i's. I don't know personally but apparently there was a sw update to tweak the steering and you get that if you get your ASS fixed. Ahem, my ASS is still rough...
__________________
Current: F87 M2 MT MPE, E84 PP SP LP
Previous: F30 - 335i AT, E90 - 335xi MT, E90 - 330i MT, E46 - 330i MT
Appreciate 0
      01-21-2014, 10:36 PM   #20
BenWM
Private
BenWM's Avatar
Australia
10
Rep
90
Posts

Drives: 2014 F22 M235i
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Melbourne, Australia

iTrader: (0)

I too have been caught in this position. My dealer and I took out a F30 335i and an M135i for a drive.

The M135i pissed all over the 335i, the decision to order the M235i was easy. The 335i seemed slow and sluggish compared to the M135i (nearest comparison to the M235i).

There's nothing more to consider, but think about where you will be in 12 months time. What decision will you regret more? Waiting 2 months for your dream car? Or taking something lesser simply because it was there?
Appreciate 0
      01-22-2014, 05:41 AM   #21
Robin_NL
S0THPAW
Robin_NL's Avatar
8680
Rep
7,846
Posts

Drives: HS M2 Competition
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: The Netherlands

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by V-BWM View Post
I too have been caught in this position. My dealer and I took out a F30 335i and an M135i for a drive.

The M135i pissed all over the 335i, the decision to order the M235i was easy. The 335i seemed slow and sluggish compared to the M135i (nearest comparison to the M235i).

There's nothing more to consider, but think about where you will be in 12 months time. What decision will you regret more? Waiting 2 months for your dream car? Or taking something lesser simply because it was there?
This. 335i F30(I owned one for 8 months) feels like a boat compared to M135i, so M235i(Plus LSD!) will feel like an almost 1M I guess and with tracktimes 'beating' the latter I'd predict:

A M235i is about 4 seconds faster at Hockenheim short than a 335i M Sport fwiw.
335i is more practical for sure

Edit: Comparable 435iA MSport on 19 inch Potenzas had a 1:18.2 Sportauto tracktime @ Hockenheim Kurz. 1M did it in 1:14.1.

That's about 4 seconds

Cheers
Robin

Last edited by Robin_NL; 01-22-2014 at 05:46 AM..
Appreciate 0
      01-22-2014, 07:25 AM   #22
jmcphillips1
Captain
jmcphillips1's Avatar
59
Rep
667
Posts

Drives: 2012 128 Coupe
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Alabama

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by AgentCircus View Post
Enterprise near Rucker, which is about 2 hours south of Montgomery give or take.
Awesome! Well it's great to have a fellow Alabamian on the board.
__________________
Current Daily Driver: 2015 X4 35i
Retired: 2012 128i Coupe M-Sport
Retired: 2009 X6 35i
Retired: 2003 X5 4.6is
Retired: 2006 330i Post September
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:36 PM.




2addicts
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST