[hoppy6698]

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...-tested-review

"It's no secret that we have long preferred to shift for ourselves, rather than assign that function to an automatic transmission. (Save the Manuals!) But we have to be realistic about the current climate for the stick shift. And this car illustrates why.

The 2-series represents BMW's latest new-math foray into product nomenclatures, one that's a little simpler than many that have come out of Munich in the past. The even-number prefix tells you it's either a coupe or a convertible, i.e., two doors, most of the time. These new Bavarian deuces replace the 1-series and are a little bigger (2.5 inches longer), which translates into back seats almost-almost-comfortably habitable by adults. That's true of the base 228i with its 2.0-liter turbo four.

More significant here is the M prefix and the 35i, designating the big punch in the M Performance edition that comes from the bigger turbo engine: 3.0 liters, six cylinders in line, whomping up 320 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque available on a curve that resembles the topography of Nebraska: broad, flat, and seemingly endless.

BMW gets all kinds of credit for continuing to make manual transmissions available in so many of its cars, when many manufacturers have dropped them completely. The M235i's standard gearbox is an eight-speed automatic with manual shifting, but a six-speed manual is a no-cost alternative. And it's a sweetheart-precise, crisp engagements, no hunting-the kind of gearbox that adds to the partnership between driver and machine (although the center console can fight with the driver's elbow).

It's one slick stick. But it also illustrates the reasons behind the rise of the automatic transmission in sporty cars. In our First Drive report, we noted that the six-speed "can be swapped in at no cost, save for the time it dings the 0-to-60-mph sprint."

Heretical, but prophetic. Set in Sport+ (the most aggressive of four presets) with launch control engaged, the M235i automatic delivered bang-bang shifts and acceleration times that smoke this manual version: 0 to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, 0 to 100 in 10.8, the quarter-mile in 12.9 at 109 mph. Test-track results for our M235i manual: 4.9, 11.7, and 13.4 at 106.

Many variables affect test-track performance-not least that the automatic comes with launch control-but nevertheless, the data doesn't lie. If your aim is to get from A to B a little quicker, just as with the manual BMW M4, the automatic holds the winning hand. This made the automatic M235i the obvious choice for this year's Lightning Lap.

Transmission choice notwithstanding, the M235i delivers an exceptionally high level of driver gratification. Almost race-car-quick steering (2.1 turns lock-to-lock) is surgically precise and seems clairvoyant in rapid transitions. Similarly, the suspension tuning, with four presets ranging up to Sport+, raises the car's responses to the level of prescient, great for autocrossing. Grip (0.92 g) is tenacious, albeit with a hint of reassuring understeer (that you can dial out by shutting down the stability control). And braking is sports-car strong, with never, ever, a hint of fade.

At the press debut of the 2-series, BMW took great pains to draw parallels between its new coupe and the immortal 2002, the car that put the Bayerische Motoren Werke on the map in the U.S. market almost five decades ago.

That's a stretch, even if it makes a good TV commercial. Aside from the number two and the roundel, the 2002 and the 2-series have about as much in common as either one of them has with a 1950 bullet-nose Studebaker.

BMW has obviously made its performance bones many times since the 2002, and a better heritage parallel is the E36 M3 (1995–1999 in the U.S.), another fancy dancer, though not nearly as potent as the M235i.

But the new 2-series-particularly the M235i-don't need no stinkin' heritage boost. It stands on its own merits as a bad-boy street fighter and quintessential BMW. There are faster BMW coupes, but how much more Bimmer do you really need? It's 21 grand to step up from this unadorned M235i to an M4. We expect that the M2 coming in 2016 will take the power rating up to roughly 375 but will also pull the price into the mid-$50K range.

A final word: Carmakers all put a lot of emphasis on connectivity these days, touting the so-called connected car, providing access to Twitter or Facebook or other compelling diversions. The M235i delivers the kind of connectivity that we still prioritize over everything else-the connection between car and driver, which is why we'd still order an M235i with a clutch pedal."

[WWM3]

Very positive review for the car, but also disappointing #s.

[Cyberdemon]

It's well known at this point that manuals are the slower option. When the car can shift gears in fractions of a second all of those gear changes will add up. A half second here and a half second there, and it's game over.

But like they say, if it's about engagement and fun then the stick is still more enjoyable. But for performance and fuel economy the slush box wins.

[FunRevn]

Thank you for posting!

[W///]

Until they make me pick an AT/CVT/DCT, I'll always go for an MT. I just can't get into those, and I've tried.

This is of course unless it's a DD, then I might consider it. But of course that'll be different for everyone. I'm just glad we can still get to pick

[joejoe]

hoppy6698: your writing is superb. I'm the proud owner of a 2015 M235i with a manual transmission which was supposed to be a euro delivery unfortunately when I took delivery of the vehicle in Munich the factory put a sunroof on it when I had ordered a sunroof deletion! I finally have the car now and just thought that maybe you might know of a good place to get some rock or mudguards please let me know and keep writing thank you

[ska///235i]

He didnt write that

[golf_234]

Originally Posted by joejoe

hoppy6698: your writing is superb. I'm the proud owner of a 2015 M235i with a manual transmission which was supposed to be a euro delivery unfortunately when I took delivery of the vehicle in Munich the factory put a sunroof on it when I had ordered a sunroof deletion! I finally have the car now and just thought that maybe you might know of a good place to get some rock or mudguards please let me know and keep writing thank you

Blessing in disguise, the moonroof can be nice. I would be much much more upset the other way around. Ask for a credit?

Originally Posted by ska///235i

He didnt write that

Lol

[SmallTownBoy]

Originally Posted by W///

Until they make me pick an AT/CVT/DCT, I'll always go for an MT. I just can't get into those, and I've tried.

This is of course unless it's a DD...

Especially if it's aDD!

[chaswyck1]

OK, here's my input on the manual vs. auto debate. Now, with the modern electronic transmissions, you can have loads of fun, get better mileage, shift more efficiently thereby reducing 0-60 and lap times AND drink your coffee!

[Vervain]

That was quite a nice article, I enjoyed that.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by chaswyck@yahoo.com

OK, here's my input on the manual vs. auto debate. Now, with the modern electronic transmissions, you can have loads of fun, get better mileage, shift more efficiently thereby reducing 0-60 and lap times AND drink your coffee!

- fun, but not as much fun
- yes, better mileage
- you're not shifting more efficiently; the car is.
- you allow coffee in your car?

[uberspeed]

Wonder how long the manuals will be built... It'll be a sad day but seems looming on the horizon :-/ I've now switched to slushboxes giving up my manuals, don't auto-x anymore anyway but it does sadden me to think my son won't have a manual to learn on.

[alz0rz]

Are people really seeing the 0.6s delta for a 0-60 between the automatic and a manual...?

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

Kudos to BMW for still offering a choice...Enjoy it while you can folks!!

[akuan99]

Originally Posted by Midwest X6

Kudos to BMW for still offering a choice...Enjoy it while you can folks!!

That's exactly what I'm doing now

[WWM3]

Originally Posted by alz0rz

Are people really seeing the 0.6s delta for a 0-60 between the automatic and a manual...?

No. Way too extreme. It's generally .3 sec. Doesn't seem right. Different tracks, days, drivers?

[hoppy6698]

Originally Posted by joejoe

hoppy6698: your writing is superb. I'm the proud owner of a 2015 M235i with a manual transmission which was supposed to be a euro delivery unfortunately when I took delivery of the vehicle in Munich the factory put a sunroof on it when I had ordered a sunroof deletion! I finally have the car now and just thought that maybe you might know of a good place to get some rock or mudguards please let me know and keep writing thank you

Like others said - I directly quoted Car & Driver article, I know some can be too lazy to hit the link :P

I ordered mine with a sunroof delete as well, and the VIN reflects my deletion. I will be VERY upset if it arrives with a sunroof. I need the extra clearance inside for using helmets at driving events. Plus I don't want the extra top-heavy weight on the vehicle if I can help it.

Rock / Mudguards: Guards look like crap and make any car look like a Subaru kid. I would recommend invisible films that offer protection like XPEL or 3M. I plan to get XPEL on my front bumper and possibly the hood. Wrapping the lower panels should do the job unless you plan to rally race.

[bladeomatic]

Originally Posted by uberspeed

Wonder how long the manuals will be built... It'll be a sad day but seems looming on the horizon :-/ I've now switched to slushboxes giving up my manuals, don't auto-x anymore anyway but it does sadden me to think my son won't have a manual to learn on.

They may not be more fun to some, but they're better (easier to master, quicker performance & more efficient)

I love shifting manuals but it cracks me up hearing all the moans. I read an article recently about how old timers didn't like cars at first as much as a horse drawn cart.

-horse is quieter
-horse can get you home after a night of drinking
-I just like how the reins feel in my hands

But in the end people figure that getting places faster & more conveniently trumps nostalgia.

I've driven both versions. I gotta say that the acceleration number spread between the 2 is pretty significant. Plus I must be one of the few that loves slapping my shifter into sport and popping those paddles under full throttle. The thunk & following surge is mighty fun too

[uberspeed]

Originally Posted by bladeomatic

They may not be more fun to some, but they're better (easier to master, quicker performance & more efficient)

I love shifting manuals but it cracks me up hearing all the moans. I read an article recently about how old timers didn't like cars at first as much as a horse drawn cart.

-horse is quieter
-horse can get you home after a night of drinking
-I just like how the reins feel in my hands

But in the end people figure that getting places faster & more conveniently trumps nostalgia.

I've driven both versions. I gotta say that the acceleration number spread between the 2 is pretty significant. Plus I must be one of the few that loves slapping my shifter into sport and popping those paddles under full throttle. The thunk & following surge is mighty fun too

Horse drawn cart comparo is hilarious lol
I figure I'll just get my hands on an older manual for his first car anyway, seems (nostalgia again but some practicality) that it's almost a rite of passage to learn a manual. It's also great to be able to drive any vehicle you may encounter, say an emergency situation and the only car is a manual I don't want him "stuck" so a bit of a safety segway.

[danimal]

Honestly, 5-60 time is all I really care about. I'll save the hard launches for when I'm driving someone else's car

I'm with those who say, keep buying manuals as long as they're offered. I wouldn't be surprised if my first non-manual car is also powered by something other than gasoline.

To me, driving manual is like playing a sport. It's a skill that you learn, then if you are so inclined, you keep improving. If you simply know how to drive manual, you can up your game by learning advanced techniques (such as heel-toe and double-clutching). Once you're at that level, you will find yourself striving for that perfectly rev-matched downshift where the shifter just glides into the gear you want with no resistance, and the tach doesn't move when you let out the clutch. It's a little bit of joy you'll never get from tugging on a paddle.

These days, even a great manual is going to be technologically inferior in just about every measurable way to a good automatic or clutchless manual. But it doesn't matter, because it's no fun to let other people play my sport for me. I want to play.

[335BOY]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

- fun, but not as much fun
- yes, better mileage
- you're not shifting more efficiently; the car is.
- you allow coffee in your car?

Good post. How much better is mileage? Enough to offset MT fun? I think not.