[och]

Originally Posted by 2msport

That all makes sense. Being in Cali I forget what winter really means.

Originally Posted by Sabjimenez

what's winter?

Global warming can't come soon enough.

[3.0L]

Originally Posted by bimmercar

If cost was not an issue, which car is more fun for everyday driving? M235i or F80 M3?

There are a lot of variables in arriving at the answer. Driver age; what the driver is willing to tolerate, or not.

Back in the day (1960's) when I got my driver's license, there were young drivers that were willing to drive fairly radical cars in order to get the performance that they wanted. The high-performance V-8's of that era were a bit hard to manage on the street; lousy torque at anything below 4000 RPM; radical idle; horrible MPG; noisy, etc. But the point is, many drivers of that age group were more than willing to put up with the radical nature of the car. I don't recall seeing older folks driving 426 Hemi Mopar cars back then, or 427 Fords or Chevrolets.

Of course, todays' high-performance cars are much, much more civilized, but there is still a measurable degree of harshness to the high end of the modern high-performance car. IMO, I think younger folks are more apt to tolerate that harshness to gain the added performance, just like the old days.

[allthatisntnow]

People saying that the M3/4 has 'too much power for the street'? 326hp is too much power for the street. Anything where keeping your foot to the floor gets you over the speed limit in under 5 seconds is realistically too much power for the road. Real world there won't be much difference in getting into trouble in an M3/4 vs a M235i. Ideally for nearer limit road thrills you'd want a car (naturally aspirated) that develops all its torque and horsepower at the top of the rev range, which is something no turbo I6 does.

You could probably found a solid argument for a fwd hot hatch being a more suitable and enjoyable street car than either BMW in question. However, given the choice of the two as an only car, id pick the M235i. It is a very capable daily driver that can also see the track and is very cost effective. As a second car id pick the M3 because it would more than likely be a larger step above any current DD already in the household in that situation and would feel more special. The M3 would probably be too similar of an experience to have as a second car with the M235i though character wise.

[AWheeler]

Originally Posted by allthatisntnow

Anything where keeping your foot to the floor gets you over the speed limit in under 5 seconds is realistically too much power for the road.

The M235 is the most powerful car I have owned thus far and it is already a couple ticks beyond what I am comfortable fully exploiting on the street. It is awesome to drive but I think that the M3/M4 would just be overkill. I would actually consider a 228 next time.

[abp689]

To me the 235 and 3 felt = quick. I would get the 235 due to fuel savings and warranty (no catastrophic worries). Otherwise, no substitute for the s65 sound; it's a more special vehicle.

[Kayevman]

Originally Posted by och

I would not go with aftermarket rims, ever. They have larger bore than hub diameter and cause nothing but vibrations.

Also I would not go with xdrive BMW unless its an SUV. The awd system just kills the whole driving experience of a BMW and raises the car to the point where it looks ugly. Winter tires are much better than awd with all season tires anyway.

Just curious, how long did you test drive the xdrive M235i and how much is it raised over the RWD?

[bimmercar]

Originally Posted by Kayevman

Just curious, how long did you test drive the xdrive M235i and how much is it raised over the RWD?

for M235xi it is NOT higher suspension than rwd

[skitsos]

Is waiting for the M2 an option??

[hoppy6698]

Originally Posted by och

Its a great DD during the summer. During NE winters, when we have mountains of ice on the roads, its not going to be practical, and you'll end up scraping the living crap out of your bumpers, underskirts, etc.

My 235 is purely a summer car for me, as we also have an X5, X1 and a mazda 3 beater, and I still went with 235 over M4. I think the M4 is just way too much for street driving, and replacing tires/wheels on M4 is going to be way more expensive than the 235. For a toy car the 235 is just orgasmicly perfect. Way better than a 335 coupe that I had a few years back.

That doesn't mean the M235 isn't a great DD, it just isn't for your situation.

I find it great in the PNW (Seattle area). Others in MI, MD, MA, and other snow belt areas drive theirs in winter with appropriate tires. But its still their DD.

I love the multiple personality of the M235, its a great flip from comfort to sport + and enjoy!

[och]

Originally Posted by Kayevman

Just curious, how long did you test drive the xdrive M235i and how much is it raised over the RWD?

I've never driven an M235 with xdrive, but I did drive an AWD 335 coupe, and it drove and looked way worse than the RWD version that I had.

[isthar]

I live next to a guy who works all day around the corner. He owns an M4 coupe. (and he's a bmw car nut, I've seen him lease just about every "wow" BMW).

The day I got my M235 he said he envied me, for being able to drive it smooth when I want to, and yet still push some buttons and get a lot of the fun he has on street driving.

Don't get me wrong, I drove in his car, and what an animal that car is.

But that's the thing, daily driver? Pickup-and-drive-my-girlfriend type of car? Put-the-kid-in-the-back and drive the goddam aweful roads around here?

M235. And yeah, AWD.

[bradleyland]

I could see someone choosing either. I don't know that you can really say one is "better" than the other when you put the DD qualifier on there. For some people, the M-car is going to be too focused for daily driving... ask my wife

[hyperzulu]

If you're not looking for the specific qualities the M235i brings, then just get the M3.

[kdog26372]

Originally Posted by och

I've never driven an M235 with xdrive, but I did drive an AWD 335 coupe, and it drove and looked way worse than the RWD version that I had.

The M235 xdrive and RWD look exactly the same and have identical tires and suspension. This is different than the other series, where when you add xdrive you get a little jacked up and not as sporty a suspension and typically worse tires. The default is all season 225 square for xdrive, but no cost option for staggered Michelin Pilot SS summer tires.

That being said, the M3/M4 is too big a car for my liking and I've got a narrow garage that drove me nuts getting into with my X3 and I'd guess the M3 wouldn't be much better. The M235i is a perfect fit for me, wish it was 400 pounds lighter, but then it wouldn't be $50k loaded I suppose. I'll never track my car and up to legal speeds on the street I'd guess my mildly tuned M235i would hang with the M3/M4 pretty even and I saved $20-25k too. M3 obviously a superior car overall, but doesn't suite my needs, plus wanted AWD and Audi S3 didn't impress me and S4 is outdated.

[bimmercar]

Originally Posted by kdog26372

The M235 xdrive and RWD look exactly the same and have identical tires and suspension. This is different than the other series, where when you add xdrive you get a little jacked up and not as sporty a suspension and typically worse tires. The default is all season 225 square for xdrive, but no cost option for staggered Michelin Pilot SS summer tires.

That being said, the M3/M4 is too big a car for my liking and I've got a narrow garage that drove me nuts getting into with my X3 and I'd guess the M3 wouldn't be much better. The M235i is a perfect fit for me, wish it was 400 pounds lighter, but then it wouldn't be $50k loaded I suppose. I'll never track my car and up to legal speeds on the street I'd guess my mildly tuned M235i would hang with the M3/M4 pretty even and I saved $20-25k too. M3 obviously a superior car overall, but doesn't suite my needs, plus wanted AWD and Audi S3 didn't impress me and S4 is outdated.

Yeah, i think the M division did something with the x-drive system in the M235xi that makes it more "rwd like". since typically x-drive 3er vs rwd is a lot less engaging. i even drove a 228i x-drive cabrio and a 228i coupe rwd back to back, and the x-drive 228 was a lot less fun due to the x-drive. but somehow the M235xi feels more rwd like. anyone else have feedback on this?

[OpenAir]

The key word here is Daily Driver. Any "M" vehicle is, IMHO to stiff to live with on a daily basis for those who drive over American Roads with Pot Holes all over the place. I'm also older, so I cherish my back.

[bradleyland]

Originally Posted by OpenAir

The key word here is Daily Driver. Any "M" vehicle is, IMHO to stiff to live with on a daily basis for those who drive over American Roads with Pot Holes all over the place. I'm also older, so I cherish my back.

Living with an M on a daily basis is easier depending upon where you live. In the Northeast US... I can only imagine. Down here in SoFL, our roads hold up way better because we don't get freezing temps. The biggest pain in the ass around here is the damn manhole covers that they leave sticking up >1" out of the road, but those aren't that common.

I'm 38, and I really love driving my M3 day-to-day. The M235i vs F80 M3 is a pretty odd comparison. I didn't vote in the poll, because I don't see how you can compare a coupe to a sedan like that. People who need a sedan are going to feel a strong influence toward the F80 M3, regardless of sportiness.

A much better question becomes relevant once the M2 is available. M235i or M2? Having driven the M3 daily for a while now, I lean toward the M2. I love the tight feeling. I love it when I drive in to a parking garage and I can tell whether the lip on the concrete apron is 1" or 0.5" high. I love the feeling that the car is ready to go at any point. I love the crispness of turn-in when I enter a corner. I love that even at highway speeds, the car feels 100% planted. The car settles instantly after any adjustment in direction. I'm not saying that the M-performance models don't possess these attributes, just that in the M-model, these attributes are prioritized. And at the end of the day, it's all about priorities.

[och]

Originally Posted by bradleyland

Living with an M on a daily basis is easier depending upon where you live. In the Northeast US... I can only imagine. Down here in SoFL, our roads hold up way better because we don't get freezing temps. The biggest pain in the ass around here is the damn manhole covers that they leave sticking up >1" out of the road, but those aren't that common.

I'm 38, and I really love driving my M3 day-to-day. The M235i vs F80 M3 is a pretty odd comparison. I didn't vote in the poll, because I don't see how you can compare a coupe to a sedan like that. People who need a sedan are going to feel a strong influence toward the F80 M3, regardless of sportiness.

A much better question becomes relevant once the M2 is available. M235i or M2? Having driven the M3 daily for a while now, I lean toward the M2. I love the tight feeling. I love it when I drive in to a parking garage and I can tell whether the lip on the concrete apron is 1" or 0.5" high. I love the feeling that the car is ready to go at any point. I love the crispness of turn-in when I enter a corner. I love that even at highway speeds, the car feels 100% planted. The car settles instantly after any adjustment in direction. I'm not saying that the M-performance models don't possess these attributes, just that in the M-model, these attributes are prioritized. And at the end of the day, it's all about priorities.

Great post! I think performance wise its impossible to be disappointed with either car, but priorities other than performance should also be considered.

[BEM-S4]

This is why they don't make just one car in one color. Everyone has different tastes and needs. Both are great in their own right, but one will be better for you. Since you said money not considered, which is why a lot of people compromise on cars, getting whichever is better for you is really not a compromise. I've got an M235 because for me, how I drive, what I want etc it is in fact a better car than an M3.

[verbs]

only on a 2 series forum would this poll be remotely close.

[allthatisntnow]

Most of the M3 votes will be from M3 owners and vice versa. Over on the M3 forum it wouldn't be close.

[iamdabest1]

Originally Posted by EternalVendetta

Why isn't the M235i well-suited as a DD? I ask because I just ordered one and plan to make it my only vehicle.

I have a 235xi, I had 3 m3's in the past and think the 2 is a great daily driver . Can't imagine anyone needing more power , but we always want more .
If money isn't an issue I say go with a true M, otherwise the 235 is a B+ compared the the M's which I give an A.