[ocN55]

Originally Posted by Ramos

No it's not.
The 1M is being followed by the M2

The M235 is the replacement of the 135 is

Just because the M235 is so competent, that it can almost be favorably compared to a 1M doesn't make it an M car in the lineup.

Had a feeling you would bring up the M2, a car that isn't even out yet

When they first announced the 235, it makes sense to compare it to the 1m in terms of marketing. And for the record Matt Farah told me he would take this over a 1m

Nobody is trying to claim this as an M car, idk what the deal is. Just because it has an extra M in the trunk over the 3er and 4er Msport?

[jskrilla]

Actually this car was designed after the e46 sooooo it isn't an official "M" but it's the peoples choice award of cars.

My personal favorite is the e46 and along with many other ///M enthusiasts.

MY OPINION

[Ramos]

Originally Posted by ocN55

Had a feeling you would bring up the M2, a car that isn't even out yet

When they first announced the 235, it makes sense to compare it to the 1m in terms of marketing. And for the record Matt Farah told me he would take this over a 1m

Nobody is trying to claim this as an M car, idk what the deal is. Just because it has an extra M in the trunk over the 3er and 4er Msport?

Sorry that makes no sense,
So when a new 3 series comes out, we should compare it to the previous M3 just because the next M3 is still 2 years away?

[ocN55]

Originally Posted by Ramos

Sorry that makes no sense,
So when a new 3 series comes out, we should compare it to the previous M3 just because the next M3 is still 2 years away?

That isn't a fair comparison in my humble opinion.

The 1M was a limited production car that people never expected to see again (at least anytime soon), the M3 is a car that will always be made and will show up with every line of 3 series indefinitely, I dare say. Additionally, I don't believe there were even rumors of an M2 when the m235i was first shown in 2013 so it would make marketing sense at the time to say its the answer to the 1M. Anyways, I could understand where you're coming concerning the "M"235i and you don't have to prove anything.

[Ramos]

Let's agree to disagree lol!

But whatever you think, you have to agree that this new M performance nomenclature from BMW is marketing genius.. Look how much better the M235 is selling compared to the 135 and 135 is

Also they purposely didn't announce anything about the M2 when they launched the M235, that's called "creaming" in marketing lingo. Basically they captured every one that wants an M2 bad enough twice (me included) they made us want and get the M235 thinking that it might be as good as it gets, knowing that a lot of us will trade up to the M2 eventually when it comes..

Hats off to BMW M (marketing)

[ocN55]

Originally Posted by Ramos

Let's agree to disagree lol!


Also they purposely didn't announce anything about the M2 when they launched the M235, that's called "creaming" in marketing lingo. Basically they captured every one that wants an M2 bad enough twice (me included) they made us want and get the M235 thinking that it might be as good as it gets, knowing that a lot of us will trade up to the M2 eventually when it comes..

Hats off to BMW M (marketing)

Ahh well scumbag BMW! Never thought someone could have been in that position. They should bring back the Z coupe M, I think it's what a lot of people have been wanting in a car.

[mmmmm235i]

The age old discussion that just goes round and round. Those who shell out a huge premium to drive m-cars or those who consider themselves "purists" throw out these arguments. In reality its just BMW trying to make the consumer more able to match the car up to competing brands. As others said the s-line or AMG models. I'm happy to say BMW is doing it much more impressively than these other brands. Also the MXXX is more akin to the S3, just like the 335 was quicker than the S4, but no badge. Since that is important to some customers BMW will happily stick an M on this car and since its such a great car they knew people like us would buy it anywhere even if we decided to debadge or "is" it. Either way works for them.

[haffl]

Originally Posted by mmmmm235i

The age old discussion that just goes round and round. Those who shell out a huge premium to drive m-cars or those who consider themselves "purists" throw out these arguments. In reality its just BMW trying to make the consumer more able to match the car up to competing brands. As others said the s-line or AMG models. I'm happy to say BMW is doing it much more impressively than these other brands. Also the MXXX is more akin to the S3, just like the 335 was quicker than the S4, but no badge. Since that is important to some customers BMW will happily stick an M on this car and since its such a great car they knew people like us would buy it anywhere even if we decided to debadge or "is" it. Either way works for them.

Agreed! I was looking for the best sporty/luxury German car I could afford ($50K range) with awd since my daily commute takes me into the Allegheny mtns evey morning.

I extensively drove the new S3 (with an impatient salesmen in the passenger seat) on windy back roads and straight aways before I test drove the M235xi.
Having owned an APR Tuned GTI in the past I was impressed with the factory output of the 2.0L in the Audi. The handling was also great and I like the exterior styling (this was a gray metallic on 19" rims).
However I was not impressed with the interior or multimedia graphics. Not up to S4 or S5 interior standards at all (at least this model wasn't).

Then I drove a white on black leather M235xi with a Harmon Kardon stereo and was very impressed! The BMW's engine, the cockpit ergonomics (seats in particular), high quality interior materials/fit n finish and handling abilities are on another level. The S3 cannot compete with the M235 IMO and yet it's at a similar price point (depending on options).

5 months later and I'm still in love with this car. I've had it in the mountains in snow, ice and sleet and it handles with confidence on all season tires.

I've only seen one (1) other M235i (also white) in my travels and this car definitely gets noticed in the Md/NOVA area.

[CF22]

Car and Driver's May 2015 issue has a one page review of the M235i Convertible. The title says "Slower but somehow more interesting than a real M" and compares the car to "pure bred M cars" including the M4 convertible saying that "on everything except a high speed race track it's almost certainly more fun". And that's the point of this car and the M Performance line, it's a daily driver that doubles up as a relatively small, quick performance coupe.

[GMe90]

Who cares what it's called. If you enjoy driving it, that's all that matters.

[Anderw]

Originally Posted by GMe90

Who cares what it's called. If you enjoy driving it, that's all that matters.

+11111111 million times

[horsepower_and_hounds]

Originally Posted by GMe90

Who cares what it's called. If you enjoy driving it, that's all that matters.

Rep'd

[gaijin]

this will rage on as one of those "meaning of life" debate and this:

[nike001]

Originally Posted by jskrilla

Actually this car was designed after the e46 sooooo it isn't an official "M" but it's the peoples choice award of cars.

My personal favorite is the e46 and along with many other ///M enthusiasts.

MY OPINION

This.

This car was designed and (kind of) marketed as the 2015 E46 BMW. BMW knew they were getting away from the real 'drivers' who buy BMW, and wanted to get those actual e36/e46 people into the new lineup.

IMO, the M235i is the 2015 BMW E46 M3

[bimmerfile]

Originally Posted by GMe90

Who cares what it's called. If you enjoy driving it, that's all that matters.

Apparently, a lot of people.
But it appears to only be a 1st world problem..

[jskrilla]

Originally Posted by nike001

This.

This car was designed and (kind of) marketed as the 2015 E46 BMW. BMW knew they were getting away from the real 'drivers' who buy BMW, and wanted to get those actual e36/e46 people into the new lineup.

IMO, the M235i is the 2015 BMW E46 M3

Thank you.

Someone who finally acknowledged my post. Couldn't have said it any better the 2015 E46

[MUFCbmwbear]

Indeed

[mmmmm235i]

Originally Posted by Ramos

Let's agree to disagree lol!

But whatever you think, you have to agree that this new M performance nomenclature from BMW is marketing genius.. Look how much better the M235 is selling compared to the 135 and 135 is

Also they purposely didn't announce anything about the M2 when they launched the M235, that's called "creaming" in marketing lingo. Basically they captured every one that wants an M2 bad enough twice (me included) they made us want and get the M235 thinking that it might be as good as it gets, knowing that a lot of us will trade up to the M2 eventually when it comes..

Hats off to BMW M (marketing)

While I agree this is all calculated by BMW, I think you are overblowing it. If you are correct that the 235 is outselling 135s, I do not think it is because people think they are getting such a better car, but rather they are getting the newer car. The 2 coupe is replacing what the e82 was and does it in a much more visually appealing package with all the new styling and tech. In addition to looking better, the 235 is only available in the M form so its really hard to generalize why people purchased there car. Contrary to your belief I would think most of the 235 owners here did not purchase the car because of the M badge, but rather because it is such a fun car to drive.
Also those of us that cared enough to jump on the 235 immediately will have owned/leased the car for two years by the time the M2 sees a dealership. I don't feel like I'm getting played by BMW if I pick up a M2 upon lease end when it is on the market for less than a year.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Expect there would be a lot less debate if the had called it the 235is.

[Liquidpaper]

This thread will never end. It's like the Pepsi v. Coke debate.

[Ramos]

Originally Posted by mmmmm235i

While I agree this is all calculated by BMW, I think you are overblowing it. If you are correct that the 235 is outselling 135s, I do not think it is because people think they are getting such a better car, but rather they are getting the newer car. The 2 coupe is replacing what the e82 was and does it in a much more visually appealing package with all the new styling and tech. In addition to looking better, the 235 is only available in the M form so its really hard to generalize why people purchased there car. Contrary to your belief I would think most of the 235 owners here did not purchase the car because of the M badge, but rather because it is such a fun car to drive.
Also those of us that cared enough to jump on the 235 immediately will have owned/leased the car for two years by the time the M2 sees a dealership. I don't feel like I'm getting played by BMW if I pick up a M2 upon lease end when it is on the market for less than a year.

I will be jumping into the M2 once my 3 year lease of the M235 is up (a year after the M2 comes out) and no I don't feel that I'm being played either.

I was just saying that the timing of their product launches is very deliberate and is very smart marketing.

Scott26 even once admitted that the M2 is being timed in a way to give the M3/M4 "breathing room"
In the market place.

I am just expanding that strategy to say that they model their product timing in a very scientific way to capture as much sales as possible across different models that may be slightly canibalizing each other.

Nothing wrong with what they're doing, they are a for profit business after all.

[nachob]

Originally Posted by BEAR-AvHistory

Expect there would be a lot less debate if the had called it the 235is.

LOL. Yes, that would've been the best all around!