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      03-17-2014, 05:01 PM   #67
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Originally Posted by crawfordbay View Post
Great review. Question for you (and anyone else who has taken delivery.) Is the cargo net in the trunk an optional accessory on the M235i or does it come standard?

Trivial thing I know, but it was on my mind as I wait for mine.
I certainly didn't order it - my guess is that it's standard.
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      03-17-2014, 05:06 PM   #68
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Originally Posted by e34m5 View Post
I'm always fascinated by the difference in the "eye of the beholder". I'm not putting down the OP, but when I looked at the cars side by side I had the opposite reaction to the styling.

The 2 seems bland and the 1 agressive. Seems that the designers wanted a car that was more mainstream in looks. The 1 IMHO made a "statement". Not look at me, but more of I'm different without excuses. One of the reasons I like it.

The 235 I drove belongs to the sales manager of the local dealer so I did drive it hard.

For those who did not have a 135 I think they will be very pleased with the 2. For some of us, there is just not enough "evolution" to warrant a change. Frankly compared to my 135 (modded of course) the 2 did not wow me so that I want to run out and buy one.


So, anyway, those our my musings.....that's all.
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Originally Posted by IEDEI View Post
exactly how I feel. I've been a long time admirer of the E82 long before I got one a few months ago-----mainly because it looks like an angry, aggressive, classic bulldog planted coupe. Thought the 2er looks very soft in comparison if I'm honest. I hope they fix the looks for the M2.

That being said....I respect Dmboone's review. It seems fair and one of the better reviews I've read of the new car. He is also a two time 1er owner and he deserves the right to upgrade to the latest iteration!! thanks for your nice review sir! congrats on your new ride and enjoy it!
Totally respect how you feel - I am going to clean the 1er up and take some side by side shots - I have it until next Monday and I think it might help people "see" some of the things people are saying, from both points of view.

And in all honesty, I felt like a more realistic viewpoint was needed here. I am excited that many of the journalists like the car, but you never know what their respective motivations are (other than selling magazines or ad *******. This car is not an M2 and that much is quite clear to me. Just like my 135s were not 1Ms.

But that's ok - it's definitely a good car, and I think I am going to enjoy it. I also have great memories of both my E82s and am glad I had all that seat time with them. Those are the cars that will have put the small, nimble, and powerful recipe in my sights forever. Can't think of a better compliment than that.
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      03-17-2014, 05:16 PM   #69
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Originally Posted by bradleyland View Post
So the lack of an oil temp gauge has put you off this car? That seems sensible

you and I definitely have similar opinions... we need to have a beer sometime..
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      03-17-2014, 05:23 PM   #70
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Your report was excellent.......as fair and balanced as I've ever read.

Just missed scoping the 235 at Dreyer-Reinbold as they apparently sold their initial allocation within 4 yours of receipt on the lot, and the next one due in is a customer order unit.

Inventory is pretty lean and apparently will be so until the summer, so I guess I'll have to keep an eye out for your black beauty while driving around the Carmel area, particularly apparently around the traffic circle at 116th & Keystone near Jimmy John's.

Congrats again, and keep us posted with your thoughts as you begin to become familiar with her and as the temperatures start warming up to the PSS's liking.
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      03-17-2014, 05:33 PM   #71
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dmboone25 View Post
It definitely sounds better than my 135 - and I find myself moving camps a bit here - I had been in the camp that said synthesized sound was idiotic...but after driving the car, I just know it sounds good. I don't know how much of it is "fake" but it hasn't bothered me to this point.
someone once said.. " you can't judge a book by looking at the cover"... because people do.

moral of this story.... you can't drive a car from reading about it on the internet....

it's amazing how people mock features, and declare things for no reason at all. No one is forcing them to do so... and yet they do.


Another example is people that see a track map of a track design and say.. " that looks boring". Many people said that about Circuit of the Americas before the asphalt was poured.




Congrats on the purchase... thanks for the solid info on the car from the perspective of ownership of both chassis.... and thanks for being enough of a stand up person to admit that your own prejudices were wrong.


I love my 1M... but a little less twitchy M2 might not be a bad thing at all.
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      03-17-2014, 05:34 PM   #72
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Originally Posted by IndyMike View Post
Your report was excellent.......as fair and balanced as I've ever read.

Just missed scoping the 235 at Dreyer-Reinbold as they apparently sold their initial allocation within 4 yours of receipt on the lot, and the next one due in is a customer order unit.

Inventory is pretty lean and apparently will be so until the summer, so I guess I'll have to keep an eye out for your black beauty while driving around the Carmel area, particularly apparently around the traffic circle at 116th & Keystone near Jimmy John's.

Congrats again, and keep us posted with your thoughts as you begin to become familiar with her and as the temperatures start warming up to the PSS's liking.
Glad you liked it - many reviews seem to be too one sided, which is fine if you are reviewing a 1972 Gremlin or Ferrari 458 Italia, but everything else falls in the middle. Makes sense to me to try and be fair.

You know I never saw one at Dreyer, at the north or south side store. My pops has been on the lookout for one too, and never saw one. I think I remember reading on here that production was halted for a period of time on the 2er, but I might be nuts.

The roundabouts in Carmel are, um, very nicely paved. Creates a little insanity when I am in that neck of the woods.
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      03-17-2014, 05:39 PM   #73
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jddssc121 View Post
ah, i didn't know that the tech package made it available on the cluster. I have a 2013 F30 w/ tech and it doesn't do that.... as long it's available somewhere for me to see, i'm happy. doesn't have to be a fixed gauge.

WHAT... you haven't sold it yet? it must be UNDRIVEABLE without that guage...
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      03-17-2014, 05:39 PM   #74
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster View Post
someone once said.. " you can't judge a book by looking at the cover"... because people do.

moral of this story.... you can't drive a car from reading about it on the internet....

it's amazing how people mock features, and declare things for no reason at all. No one is forcing them to do so... and yet they do.


Another example is people that see a track map of a track design and say.. " that looks boring". Many people said that about Circuit of the Americas before the asphalt was poured.




Congrats on the purchase... thanks for the solid info on the car from the perspective of ownership of both chassis.... I love my 1M... but a little less twitchy might not be a bad thing at all.
The 1M is the one thing I missed out on (bad timing and my own fault for not trying harder to get one), but I plan to do whatever is necessary to get the M2 if it comes to fruition. I remember your excellent posts from when the small group of you got to test the 1M in Germany prior to the car being put on sale, so I am glad the info is deemed solid .

And you're totally right about making too many judgments off what others think - the best part about the opinions on these forums is that those perspectives give you something to think about and consider once you get some real seat time. Certainly helped me....
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      03-17-2014, 06:01 PM   #75
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nice write up! congrats on a sweet ride!
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      03-17-2014, 07:44 PM   #76
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Congrats on the 235!

Your review echoes a lot of things I found when I test drove one last Friday. Like you (and probably many other potential 235i buyers) Im coming from a 135.

Absolutely love my 135. It still puts a smile on my face every day I get to drive it--especially with the weather starting to break. BUT, Im an enthusiast and I need a new project car.

The 235i definitely felt bigger--not boaty but more substantial. Then I switched to Sport + and I had my 1er 'go-kart' feel back. It no longer felt 'big' but tight and planted like my 1er with suspension upgrades. And while in normal mode, the steering felt like that of a bigger, more refined car. In Sport +, the tight, nimble 1er steering was back. And the braking still possessed that violent stopping potential.

Inside, I was really pleased. It seems much quieter inside. The tech package had all kinds of goodies. If/when I order a m235i, I will probably get the tech package and I had left that off my previous m235i build options. The stereo sounded really good (and the car I tested didn't have the HK option.) Seats were good but I never had any issues with the 135i seats--in fact I love them. Plastic bits inside seemed more substantial and put together better. I don't have the A pillar noise or dash noises some fellow 1ers have, but Ive always felt the center console belonged in a Kia with its cheap plastic creaks, etc. Those days are gone.

Overall, I think the posters that said 'evolved' pretty much nailed it. It just felt like a 1er that grew up a little. More refined but yet you can still tell the car has that primal, raw 1er feel just under the surface.

I haven't placed my order yet, but Im really close and your review pushed me a little closer to the writing that check.

Im just on the fence with the M2 and throwing some RB Turbos in the 135i until then.
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      03-17-2014, 07:56 PM   #77
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dmboone25 View Post
Totally respect how you feel - I am going to clean the 1er up and take some side by side shots - I have it until next Monday and I think it might help people "see" some of the things people are saying, from both points of view.

And in all honesty, I felt like a more realistic viewpoint was needed here. I am excited that many of the journalists like the car, but you never know what their respective motivations are (other than selling magazines or ad *******. This car is not an M2 and that much is quite clear to me. Just like my 135s were not 1Ms.

But that's ok - it's definitely a good car, and I think I am going to enjoy it. I also have great memories of both my E82s and am glad I had all that seat time with them. Those are the cars that will have put the small, nimble, and powerful recipe in my sights forever. Can't think of a better compliment than that.
well said! to me, the essence of BMW lies in the 'small coupe' and the 2-series is the latest in this configuration. I don't even count the 4-series as it is waaaay too big to be considered in that lineage anymore. The 2er definitely carries that spirit, though. Enjoy it man!

really look forward to the 'side by side' pics!
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      03-17-2014, 08:17 PM   #78
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IEDEI View Post
well said! to me, the essence of BMW lies in the 'small coupe' and the 2-series is the latest in this configuration. I don't even count the 4-series as it is waaaay too big to be considered in that lineage anymore. The 2er definitely carries that spirit, though. Enjoy it man!

really look forward to the 'side by side' pics!
It is definitely what made them famous - I hope that they will always make one that is small, nimble, yet still powerful. I think the 2er is as big as I would ever want to go - but we will see how that plays out.

Tomorrow is supposed to be nice here in the Midwest - planning on some washes and then some side by side pics.
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      03-17-2014, 08:20 PM   #79
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Quick135 View Post
Congrats on the 235!

Your review echoes a lot of things I found when I test drove one last Friday. Like you (and probably many other potential 235i buyers) Im coming from a 135.

Absolutely love my 135. It still puts a smile on my face every day I get to drive it--especially with the weather starting to break. BUT, Im an enthusiast and I need a new project car.

The 235i definitely felt bigger--not boaty but more substantial. Then I switched to Sport + and I had my 1er 'go-kart' feel back. It no longer felt 'big' but tight and planted like my 1er with suspension upgrades. And while in normal mode, the steering felt like that of a bigger, more refined car. In Sport +, the tight, nimble 1er steering was back. And the braking still possessed that violent stopping potential.

Inside, I was really pleased. It seems much quieter inside. The tech package had all kinds of goodies. If/when I order a m235i, I will probably get the tech package and I had left that off my previous m235i build options. The stereo sounded really good (and the car I tested didn't have the HK option.) Seats were good but I never had any issues with the 135i seats--in fact I love them. Plastic bits inside seemed more substantial and put together better. I don't have the A pillar noise or dash noises some fellow 1ers have, but Ive always felt the center console belonged in a Kia with its cheap plastic creaks, etc. Those days are gone.

Overall, I think the posters that said 'evolved' pretty much nailed it. It just felt like a 1er that grew up a little. More refined but yet you can still tell the car has that primal, raw 1er feel just under the surface.

I haven't placed my order yet, but Im really close and your review pushed me a little closer to the writing that check.

Im just on the fence with the M2 and throwing some RB Turbos in the 135i until then.
I cheated and went a little past 5K RPM tonight. Specifically from 2nd to 3rd on the on ramp...yes, in Sport + for sure, the M235 feels taught and ready to go...and the noise was substantially better above 5K. I think I am really going to enjoy it when I can wring it all the way out.

I think you and I are very close in terms of how we perceive the 2er - thanks for adding in your comments.
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      03-17-2014, 08:20 PM   #80
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jddssc121
Quote:
Originally Posted by alpinweiss 335i
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Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan View Post
Correct!

Makes sense. The '14 MY f30 has the updated software (including major improvements in steering), as do the f32 and f22.
Is it possible to get those steering changes updated on a 2013??
Yes!
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      03-17-2014, 09:06 PM   #81
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dmboone25 View Post
I cheated and went a little past 5K RPM tonight. Specifically from 2nd to 3rd on the on ramp...yes, in Sport + for sure, the M235 feels taught and ready to go...and the noise was substantially better above 5K. I think I am really going to enjoy it when I can wring it all the way out.
Did you end up checking the manual to confirm what the "official" word is on break-in period?
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      03-17-2014, 09:18 PM   #82
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Went in to Dreyer & Reinbold Northside and placed my order. No specific allocation yet but they have not received any additional allocations since launch (only 3) and I've been assured by my CA and manager that my order will be take the next allocation they receive. They expect that to be mid-April or earlier.

Hopefully by summertime there will be another M235i roaming Indy!
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      03-17-2014, 09:21 PM   #83
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IndyMike View Post
Your report was excellent.......as fair and balanced as I've ever read.

Just missed scoping the 235 at Dreyer-Reinbold as they apparently sold their initial allocation within 4 yours of receipt on the lot, and the next one due in is a customer order unit.

Inventory is pretty lean and apparently will be so until the summer, so I guess I'll have to keep an eye out for your black beauty while driving around the Carmel area, particularly apparently around the traffic circle at 116th & Keystone near Jimmy John's.

Congrats again, and keep us posted with your thoughts as you begin to become familiar with her and as the temperatures start warming up to the PSS's liking.
Not sure if they told you this but they are going to have a demo car come in 2-3 weeks. BSM too! Will help me decide if I need to change my order (from AW) or not!
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      03-17-2014, 09:22 PM   #84
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Did you end up checking the manual to confirm what the "official" word is on break-in period?
Just did that - and yes, I was cheating - see the attached !
Attached Images
 
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      03-17-2014, 09:43 PM   #85
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dmboone25 View Post
Just did that - and yes, I was cheating - see the attached !
You've ruined it!

I don't think you mentioned this specifically in your review, but what are your thoughts about the non-extended instrument cluster (i.e., no tech package) after some time in the car?

Also, time to update your sig!
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      03-17-2014, 09:48 PM   #86
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Nice review. And congrats. I assume you went to BMW of Schererville. I always deal with Berto and Chris.

I'll be sure to look out for you I'm in the Crown Point area.
BSM is beautiful.
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      03-17-2014, 10:02 PM   #87
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dmboone25 View Post
Here is a pic of the extended cluster with the Temp menu pulled up:
Thanks for checking on the break-in recs...maybe I should alert my dealer, ha ha.

Does the manual say what the normal operating oil temperature should be for the N55? (I realize this information can be gathered by looking at the oil gauge for a 335i, but I don't have easy access to one!)
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      03-17-2014, 10:04 PM   #88
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well why do you care about the normal operating temperature if there is no gauge to compare against ?
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