[moldcad]

Now, I know it's a little provocative question, especially when asked by somebody who cruises in an F10 and has fun in a Golf R. But I'm asking seriously, as I will soon be replacing my 528xi with a smaller yet more powerful BMW - and would love to know your opinion which one to pick...

So: which is more of a driver's car: the M235i or the 435i?

[pikcachu]

You should go test drive them both

The answer seems pretty obvious to me. One has more power and less weight, the other has more room

[ll1l2l1l2lll]

Originally Posted by pikcachu

You should go test drive them both

The answer seems pretty obvious to me. One has more power and less weight, the other has more room

Boom

[hoppy6698]

Originally Posted by moldcad

Now, I know it's a little provocative question, especially when asked by somebody who cruises in an F10 and has fun in a Golf R. But I'm asking seriously, as I will soon be replacing my 528xi with a smaller yet more powerful BMW - and would love to know your opinion which one to pick...

So: which is more of a driver's car: the M235i or the 435i?

The answer comes down to the questioner - It all depends on the driver. For me - the M235i was the winner. Why? A short list:
1) Smaller with more power (I always thought the E46 was a great size, since then, entry vehicles have grown)
2) 435i/428i is far too common - highway cruisers in my eyes
3) 1M. I know the M235i isn't a successor, but in power-weight ratios and performance, it is very close. But I like the M235i proportions better and its an easier DD.
4) The backseat should not be a draw of a sports car. This is tied to #1 I guess, but I only needed 'sometimes' seats for the kids.
5) The M235i is cheaper to upgrade. Example: 19s would fit well on the M235i, but for the 435i, to have the same appearance, 20s may be called for. The MP kit is more expensive on the 435 as well.

Like I said, the answer depends on you. What do you want/need from the car? Is the car for you +1 or you +2-3? Or will this be a track car you sometimes daily drive? If that is the case, its cheaper to grab an older Lotus and will perform better on a track.

Also, coming from a 5 series, you may find the 2 a bit tight inside. The 435 will feel like your 5 up front, with little loss of space.

[GMe90]

Both are driver's cars, the 435i just gives you a bit more room if you need it for kids or family.

[overcoil]

And the 435 has a little bit more trick rear suspension.
And the 435 I drove at the Un4gettable event, they told me had either a Dinan or M-sport intake/exhaust offering up thirty more horsepower - and that 435 was very nice.
Tough choice.

[ska///235i]

Keep the 528 for 1.5 years and get M2

[mmmmm235i]

Originally Posted by GMe90

Both are driver's cars, the 435i just gives you a bit more room if you need it for kids or family.

Agreed, but the question requires a choice. For that reason it is hands down the m235. Both are great cars and if you start to factor in other things that go into buying a car it becomes a much harder decision.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by GMe90

Both are driver's cars, the 435i just gives you a bit more room if you need it for kids or family.

That was not my experience at the Un4gettable experience at the dealer. Given the size and weight, the 4 feels like a luxury GT, a wonderful cruiser, but more ponderous than the 2, which fits like a glove and responds as if it's an extension of your thoughts. I could have bought either, but chose the 2 for the smile-making factor!

[Diver]

I think the M235i would be more of a driver's car. No discussion needed beyond what has been said above.

[3.0L]

Originally Posted by moldcad

So: which is more of a driver's car: the M235i or the 435i?

I think the M235i is more of a driver's car. In any case, you should thoroughly test drive both cars, and perhaps more than once.

[david.orr]

Originally Posted by ska///235i

Keep the 528 for 1.5 years and get M2

Keep the 528 for 1.5 years and ask which is more a driver's car: M2 or M4

[mjposner]

A similarly speced 435i is 7k more. Simple question, do you need more room or more money?

[bimmerjph]

Originally Posted by pikcachu

You should go test drive them both

The answer seems pretty obvious to me. One has more power and less weight, the other has more room

The weight difference between the two is pretty much negligible.

[pikcachu]

Originally Posted by bimmerjph

The weight difference between the two is pretty much negligible.

It's about 5% lighter, smaller and more powerful. Better tires, better cooling

Maybe 5% is not a lot but the question was which is more of a drivers car

I just can't find any advantage of the 435. Maybe more stable at high speed because of longer wheelbase

[moldcad]

Thanks guys for your input. My decision will only be made in some 2 years time, after my 5-year extended warranty ends on my F10, and I have put enough mileage on it to justify the swap. And the decision is even more difficult for me coming from the comfort of the F10; I guess the 4 would be much less abrupt a change in the level of comfort (I do lots of long trips), but my heart -as an E46 owner some time ago - goes to the M235i...

[castilla]

which is more driver car m235i or m4 ?

[moldcad]

Stig says none of them, but the Golf R: https://drive.google.com/folderview?...mc&usp=sharing

[mjposner]

which is more driver car m235i or m4

M4 by a long shot, E92 M3 was more as well, but M235i still a great car

[valentinbmw]

Originally Posted by pikcachu

You should go test drive them both

The answer seems pretty obvious to me. One has more power and less weight, the other has more room

+1

[mike@x-ph.com]

In terms of better driving experience the 235 in my opinion is better.
Most people (me included) pick the 3 or 4 series because this is our daily driver and sometimes you need more than the 1 or 2 series can offer.

[BEM-S4]

Neither are bad options, at least you can drive both back to back and just pick whichever is best for you personally. A few months back you'd have to decide sight unseen.