Test drove M235i vs 435i, extremly rough ride

F80Boost · 10-03-2015, 05:26 PM

Why does the M235i ride soo much more rough vs the 435i ?

Not sure if dealer had tire pressure high or what, but ride was ALOT more rough than the 435i.

????

Merc for hire · 10-03-2015, 05:27 PM

More sporty!

HTTP 410 · 10-03-2015, 05:32 PM

RTFs vs non, possibly?

Cpdbeemer · 10-03-2015, 05:41 PM

They are the 2 cars from BMW I test drove also. Literally jumping from one to the other and back again for an hour.

I assume the 235 has firmer suspension set up. The 435 is more of a grand tourer than a sports car. Hence my preference for the M235i.

Two other variables would be, yes, tyre pressures (a well known dealer trick) and also what suspension settings the 235 was on.

DSTR · 10-04-2015, 03:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F80Boost

Why does the M235i ride soo much more rough vs the 435i ?

Not sure if dealer had tire pressure high or what, but ride was ALOT more rough than the 435i.

????

Wheelbase difference/ width is the key. 435i is longer and also wider.

Avian · 10-04-2015, 03:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F80Boost

Why does the M235i ride soo much more rough vs the 435i ?

Not sure if dealer had tire pressure high or what, but ride was ALOT more rough than the 435i.

????

As previously stated by other members and yourself, RFT tires make a difference, tire pressures make a difference and then what I haven't seen mentioned yet is; Were you comparing the M235i to a 435i M-Sport?

You need to bare in mind that there are different 435i's as you could've been testing a 435i Base Line or even Sport Line and it would definitely feel different compared to the M235i. If it was an M-Sport than I can only put it down to RFT, Tire pressure & The weight of each vehicle.

dcpower · 10-04-2015, 09:50 AM

While I was waiting on my replacement M235, I drove a 435 M-Sport for several weeks. I would have to say I did not experience the same impressions at the OP. I felt the 4 series was slightly more dampened, but hardly discernible.

nike001 · 10-04-2015, 10:48 AM

The M235i comes standard with the Adaptive-M suspension in the U.S., whereas the 3 & 4 series have the Adaptive-M suspension as an option. The 435i likely did not have this suspension, and had the regular Sport suspension. This is probably the biggest difference.

AlpsRider · 10-04-2015, 11:06 AM

My impression after driving an 435i M-sport and M235i was that even though the 435i was an M-sport, it felt heavy, softer and less tossable than the M235i. I wasn't able to find a 435i with the adjustable suspension installed to test drive so I don't know for sure how that would have felt.

midwest 340xi 6sp · 10-04-2015, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F80Boost

Why does the M235i ride soo much more rough vs the 435i ?

Not sure if dealer had tire pressure high or what, but ride was ALOT more rough than the 435i.

????

As others haVe posted, with so many variables at play, nobody can't adequately address this with the little amount of info you provided

caycep · 10-05-2015, 08:42 PM

Dunno about the m235i but my 228i w the Michelin PSS non runflats rides much smoother than the e90 I test-drove with runflats.

3.0L · 10-05-2015, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F80Boost

Why does the M235i ride soo much more rough vs the 435i ?

It's the M Performance deal. Sports vs Luxury. Seems obvious to me. Pick your poison and be happy.

nachob · 10-09-2015, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F80Boost

Why does the M235i ride soo much more rough vs the 435i ?

Not sure if dealer had tire pressure high or what, but ride was ALOT more rough than the 435i.

????

Funny .... I find the M235 soft and squishy for my taste.

Go figure?

isthar · 10-10-2015, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlpsRider

My impression after driving an 435i M-sport and M235i was that even though the 435i was an M-sport, it felt heavy, softer and less tossable than the M235i. I wasn't able to find a 435i with the adjustable suspension installed to test drive so I don't know for sure how that would have felt.

I had a loaner 435i w/ the adaptive suspension (i had the same switch to toggle eco/comfort/sport... i think? it might not have had sport+? hmm..)... anyways yes, I felt the 435 was 'softer'. Not terribly so, but I could feel that the car was indeed more a tourer, as others said. Oh, it was a convertible...

midwest 340xi 6sp · 10-10-2015, 08:39 AM

4'er was on my list..I knew after 1st test drive i'd have been bored to tears with it in 3 mos.

Pretty car, but it's a cruiser...

david.orr · 10-10-2015, 08:51 AM

I know this is a bit OT but 2 x 435 were parked next to my MR 235, MG on one side and BSM the other. I have never seen a 2er next to a 4er and was surprised how much bigger and longer the 435s looked next to my 235. quite surprising.

BMW335iOn18s · 10-10-2015, 09:02 AM

If it was an Xdrive it would be much softer for sure. Regardless of m-sport

Transfer · 10-10-2015, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nachob

Funny .... I find the M235 soft and squishy for my taste.

Go figure?

I agree, but the balance of street comfort and handling is quite good. The handling is about as good as I've experienced in a car this soft and comfortable. I wouldn't ever take this car to the track because it's just too soft, but it makes a great street car.

Sportstick · 10-10-2015, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midwest M235i

4'er was on my list..I knew after 1st test drive i'd have been bored to tears with it in 3 mos.

Pretty car, but it's a cruiser...

I'm really surprised that you feel that way.....

....that it would take 3 months

midwest 340xi 6sp · 10-10-2015, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sportstick

I'm really surprised that you feel that way.....

....that it would take 3 months

DSTR · 10-11-2015, 04:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaffa12

I know this is a bit OT but 2 x 435 were parked next to my MR 235, MG on one side and BSM the other. I have never seen a 2er next to a 4er and was surprised how much bigger and longer the 435s looked next to my 235. quite surprising.

Which is my I posted about the difference in wheel base and width between the 2 machines. M235 has a shorter choppier ride by design on those parameters. The run flats and sport suspension can magnify that. The 4 is a much larger and wider auto. By design a 4 is smoother with the added length and width. I find them to be very different experiences and prefer the edgier sharper M235

david.orr · 10-11-2015, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSTR

Which is my I posted about the difference in wheel base and width between the 2 machines. M235 has a shorter choppier ride by design on those parameters. The run flats and sport suspension can magnify that. The 4 is a much larger and wider auto. By design a 4 is smoother with the added length and width. I find them to be very different experiences and prefer the edgier sharper M235

i haven't driven a 4 yet but I'm sure you're right. a number of Oz 2-owners have driven the 435 on BMW drive days and they shared your sentiment. Visually my 2 looked diminished and bland next to the 4s.

10-03-2015, 05:26 PM	#1
F80Boost Banned 93 Rep 189 Posts Drives: Beater Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	Test drove M235i vs 435i, extremly rough ride Why does the M235i ride soo much more rough vs the 435i ? Not sure if dealer had tire pressure high or what, but ride was ALOT more rough than the 435i. ????
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10-03-2015, 05:27 PM	#2
Merc for hire First Lieutenant 157 Rep 387 Posts Drives: M235i 6MT Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada iTrader: (0)	More sporty!
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10-03-2015, 05:32 PM	#3
HTTP 410 Captain 2142 Rep 754 Posts Drives: 2022 M3 Competition Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2022 BMW G80 M3C [0.00]	RTFs vs non, possibly? __________________ 2022 M3 Comp BGM/Fiona Red, Executive, Drivers Assistant Pro, Parking Assist, 826M black wheels (SOLD) 2018 M2 BSM LCI, DCT, Executive, Drivers Assist, CarPlay
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10-03-2015, 05:41 PM	#4
Cpdbeemer Second Lieutenant 53 Rep 248 Posts Drives: M235i & X6 5.0 Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Sydney and Dubai iTrader: (0)	They are the 2 cars from BMW I test drove also. Literally jumping from one to the other and back again for an hour. I assume the 235 has firmer suspension set up. The 435 is more of a grand tourer than a sports car. Hence my preference for the M235i. Two other variables would be, yes, tyre pressures (a well known dealer trick) and also what suspension settings the 235 was on. __________________
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10-04-2015, 09:50 AM	#7
dcpower Enlisted Member 9 Rep 32 Posts Drives: 2015 M235i xDrive Estoril Blue Join Date: May 2015 Location: Calgary, AB iTrader: (0)	While I was waiting on my replacement M235, I drove a 435 M-Sport for several weeks. I would have to say I did not experience the same impressions at the OP. I felt the 4 series was slightly more dampened, but hardly discernible.
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10-04-2015, 10:48 AM	#8
nike001 Captain 312 Rep 818 Posts Drives: 2018 718 Cayman Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: US iTrader: (2)	The M235i comes standard with the Adaptive-M suspension in the U.S., whereas the 3 & 4 series have the Adaptive-M suspension as an option. The 435i likely did not have this suspension, and had the regular Sport suspension. This is probably the biggest difference.
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10-04-2015, 11:06 AM	#9
AlpsRider Brigadier General 2865 Rep 3,843 Posts Drives: M2 Competition, LBB, 6MT Join Date: May 2015 Location: Earth iTrader: (0)	My impression after driving an 435i M-sport and M235i was that even though the 435i was an M-sport, it felt heavy, softer and less tossable than the M235i. I wasn't able to find a 435i with the adjustable suspension installed to test drive so I don't know for sure how that would have felt.
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10-05-2015, 08:42 PM	#11
caycep First Lieutenant 92 Rep 333 Posts Drives: 228i Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW 228i [0.00]	Dunno about the m235i but my 228i w the Michelin PSS non runflats rides much smoother than the e90 I test-drove with runflats.
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10-10-2015, 08:39 AM	#15
midwest 340xi 6sp Lieutenant Colonel 360 Rep 1,797 Posts Drives: 2018 340xi Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Great Midwest iTrader: (6)	4'er was on my list..I knew after 1st test drive i'd have been bored to tears with it in 3 mos. Pretty car, but it's a cruiser... __________________ Previous Rides: 535xi, M235xi, X3, E92 M3, E70 X5 35d, X6 50i, X6 35i, E60 550i, E46 M3 Cabriolet, E39 540i, E36 328i
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10-10-2015, 08:51 AM	#16
david.orr Lieutenant Colonel 123 Rep 1,852 Posts Drives: Cars Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	I know this is a bit OT but 2 x 435 were parked next to my MR 235, MG on one side and BSM the other. I have never seen a 2er next to a 4er and was surprised how much bigger and longer the 435s looked next to my 235. quite surprising.
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10-10-2015, 09:02 AM	#17
BMW335iOn18s Resident BMW Fanboy 259 Rep 866 Posts Drives: F82 CS SMB Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Philadelphia, PA iTrader: (0)	If it was an Xdrive it would be much softer for sure. Regardless of m-sport __________________ Current: '20 F82 M4cs SMB / '13 640i M-Sport Carbon Black Past: F30 330xi Luxury Line / F22 M235i 6MT / E92 335i / E46 330ci / E36 328i 5MT
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