[cohenfive]

I sold my e92 m3 a couple of years ago and bought an X3 msport 3.5i since I am going up into the mtns a lot these days. I have been missing having a small, fun car of late, and my wife may be in the process of letting me get something within a tight budget framework. So I'm considering an M235i. Curious what the general viewpoint is, and if there are any things to look out for. The drivetrain is pretty bulletproof from my experience with the X3, but maybe there are other problem areas I'm not aware of. No, I am not going to spend the money on am M2...if I can swing this at all, it will have to be in the M235i price point for a used one (which looks like low to mid $30's). Also, what do you guys/gals think of the bmw vs the audi s3 which is a very similar offering? I know it's a bmw forum, but hoping some of you have driven both. I've always been partial to bimmers, have owned one for about 20 years now.

Thanks!

[wjones14]

Originally Posted by cohenfive

I sold my e92 m3 a couple of years ago and bought an X3 msport 3.5i since I am going up into the mtns a lot these days. I have been missing having a small, fun car of late, and my wife may be in the process of letting me get something within a tight budget framework. So I'm considering an M235i. Curious what the general viewpoint is, and if there are any things to look out for. The drivetrain is pretty bulletproof from my experience with the X3, but maybe there are other problem areas I'm not aware of. No, I am not going to spend the money on am M2...if I can swing this at all, it will have to be in the M235i price point for a used one (which looks like low to mid $30's). Also, what do you guys/gals think of the bmw vs the audi s3 which is a very similar offering? I know it's a bmw forum, but hoping some of you have driven both. I've always been partial to bimmers, have owned one for about 20 years now.

Thanks!

I tested an S3 prior to buying the M235i and liked it. I thought the interior and dash layout were better than the M235i, and liked that it was small but still had 4 doors. It was quick for a 4-cylinder, but the M235i was noticeably more powerful. The deal breaker for me is that you can't get the S3 with a stick shift.

[Rayscott]

I also have an X3 and now a 228ix Msport vert. It's not a M235 but it is fun, surprisingly quick and handles great. Might save you some $$$ to help with the budget.

[bimmerfile]

I test drove both before buying. This video (if you have the time to watch) sums up my opinions better than I could ever express them.

[Benandluna]

Whats the mileage and year?

I like both but the power in an m235i is overwhelming

[msej449]

Have you considered a convertible? I'm glad I opted for one as it adds a real extra dimension to driving. I put the top down much more than I expected and it can convert (no pun intended) an otherwise mundane drive into a bit more fun. I see you have a 'practical' 2nd car, but it's worth saying that I'm currently in the Swiss Alps with my M235i convertible in the snow, on winter tyres and chains - so it's more usable than you might think.

[msej449]

and apologies - you asked for some thoughts on issues or what to look out for:

I replaced the odd-looking grey wing mirror covers with carbon fibre and it makes a great improvement to the looks. Sourced from AutoID UK for £105 and can be had in body colour or black as well.

Some people agonise over a Limited slip Differential - I haven't found the absence of one an issue, so I'd say don't pay extra if this has been fitted. You shouldn't subsidise the previous owner's preference for a track mod.

SatNav vs ProNav - ProNav is worth the extra to my mind. Better traffic data and you effectively get three displays (split main + instrument panel). Useful if you go to places you haven't been before but perhaps not worth it if you don't.

Adaptive suspension: Consensus is this is a critical option to have. I have it and yes, it is great at switching between boring rush-hour commute and open road.

Folding rear seat: An option on UK 'verts and whilst it's quite cheap it's so very useful that I would say it's a 'must have'.

Power seating: My wife and I share our car and it would be a real pain to have to adjust the seating and mirrors every time we switch (most days, in the summer). But if you're the main driver, you might not think it's worth it over a manual seat.

Most of the rest of the options are going to be down to your personal preference and budget. I went for most of them , other than the lane departure; speed sign recognition; and the extended Bluetooth. I got the Harmon Kardon audio option but I'm not sure that it's that much better than the BMW Audio option on my previous car.

If you go for a 'vert, demand a wind deflector and reduce your offer if one's not provided. This works extremely well but it's £260 in the UK, so a pricey item to retro-fit.

There is a thread in the US that you don't see at all in Europe and that's re the 4-cyl version being more agile than the 6 (M235i). I totally disagree and I think that 99.99% of European owners would be nonplussed by this. It arose from a single US magazine review after the car had been out for 9 months or so and seemed to represent an attempt to say something different to all the rave reviews up to that point.

Vs audi A3 I had an A3 Sline 2.0L turbo and like you also looked at the S3 on paper but really, the A3 suspension is hard in an Sline and even worse in a S. Ground clearance is also less. I came to hate the harsh ride on my A3 and I grounded it mroe than once. For me, the S3 would be fantastic for 10% of my drives and a real pain 25%. Whereas the M235i is great 75% of the time and OK for the rest.

Below: Summer trip to alps to run it in. Rather more snow at the moment!

[supernova72]

Just over a year ago I bought a 2014 M235i. I'm really impressed with the car. It might not get the "wow" factor of your M3 with folks giving you the thumps up etc but the power is pretty amazing. I came from a E46 M3 6MT car.

I considered the S3 until I realized no manual trans option (a must for me). This is my first turbo car and was hesitant until I test drove one. The torque is amazing and zero turbo lag.

Averaging 20.5 mpg with mostly city driving. Again, really impressive.

Of course I wanted an M2 but the $$ were not in the budget. FWIW I paid $40K for a car with 9K miles on it. That was 16 months ago however. I'm guessing now 33-34k is very doable.

[cohenfive]

Thanks for the comments gang. Right now I'm considering a specific car...which is MW/Black, and comes loaded. 2015 with about 20k miles. I am done with sticks, wish this had a dct (which I loved in my M3), but the auto will probably have to do. Not looking at M2 as it is not in budget, which is limited for this 'fun' car that we don't really need. Trying to get my wife on board, so far she doesn't seem thrilled with the color. On price, my guess is about $35k, no more than that. Too many for sale these days as people upgrade to the M2, which may give me an opening to get a decent deal on a really good used M235i. No vert for me, but sunroof is mandatory.

[Rayscott]

Originally Posted by msej449

Have you considered a convertible? I'm glad I opted for one as it adds a real extra dimension to driving. I put the top down much more than I expected and it can convert (no pun intended) an otherwise mundane drive into a bit more fun. I see you have a 'practical' 2nd car, but it's worth saying that I'm currently in the Swiss Alps with my M235i convertible in the snow, on winter tyres and chains - so it's more usable than you might think.

Same color combo and rims on my 228ix vert. I get compliments all the time on the color. A vert at the beach is cool.

[B_Rice]

They're really good at everything.
-performance
-practicality
-aesthetics

As for the s3... Id only consider a rs3, even then I still dislike VAG products aside from porsches.

[MartyMcFly88MPH]

Go drive both in a spirited way and it will be clear.

[Maynard]

Let your wife drive both, then it will be both clear, and cleared for takeoff.

And FWIW, I do notice the lighter weight and better agility in the 228 - probably not as bad as the magazine editors made it sound, but if you start looking afield you owe it to yourself to try out a 228/230 - might find you don't care as much as you thought, and it is a big price hit to step up to the 6.

[Rayscott]

Originally Posted by Maynard

Let your wife drive both, then it will be both clear, and cleared for takeoff.

And FWIW, I do notice the lighter weight and better agility in the 228 - probably not as bad as the magazine editors made it sound, but if you start looking afield you owe it to yourself to try out a 228/230 - might find you don't care as much as you thought, and it is a big price hit to step up to the 6.

My wife loves our 228ix. And so do the drivers from R & T who gave it high marks in their comparison test with the M235 and M2.

[Rayscott]

[QUOTE=Rayscott;21230246]My wife loves our 228ix. And so do the drivers from R & T who gave it high marks in their comparison test with the M235 and M2. They thought it had better overall balance

[cohenfive]

Thanks again gang. Still working on winning over my wife. There seem to be quite a few for sale, so no big rush. The local car sounds perfect, maybe except for the mineral white exterior which she isn't sure about. Have to see it in person I guess, if the rain ever stops here.