[davesaddiction]

Seems well-deserved.

Ousting the 3-series from its long-time (20 years!) slot.

[xtremcarl]

Good review and I really like the category. Like many others have pointed out on the forums. If your looking for the fastest track car you can get better performance cheaper. If your looking for more luxury/options you can get it cheaper. But if your looking for a great car with good balance that is just fun/enjoyable this is a top car.

[3.0L]

Originally Posted by bladeomatic

Indeed.

Sitting in a dog park a few weekends ago some idiot walks up to me, looks at my M235i and asks when I'm gonna slap on a JB4.

Not taking away from any of my brethren here that have slapped on a tune/DP or other bolt-ons…but I bought the M235i so I wouldn't have to touch any of this.

320+ HP, 0-60 ~4.5, 32 MPG, livable daily driver, amazing brakes, great cornering, factory service for 4 years. BMW got it SO right with this car.

Precisely!

[mmmmm235i]

Wow I really can't wait to get my car back. The 235 is no doubt the best car BMW makes, dollar for dollar, and amazing balance of power/stability and luxury/comfort. Truly a great car.

[H2887]

Picking mine up on ED this Saturday then it's a week cruising Bavaria, can't wait to put some miles on my new baby!

[Asbjorn]

Originally Posted by RobTaylor

[...] Here’s what you’d be in for: the sound of an inline-six ripping to 6,000 rpm in gear after gear, [...]

Yeah, don't wanna take it all the way to 7,000 rpm. That would just be crazy. Holy moly.

The M235i is so good that it is an "All-Star" even if you only use 85% of the engines full sound potential.

[Qunadry]

Originally Posted by mmmmm235i

Wow I really can't wait to get my car back. The 235 is no doubt the best car BMW makes, dollar for dollar, and amazing balance of power/stability and luxury/comfort. Truly a great car.

Yes, the M235i is the best car BMW currently makes. But the 135i was even better. No electric assist power steering, no mandatory I-Drive, better color selection and better looking wheels with the M-Sport package. I do have to give the M235i the advantage on tires though. My 135i was totally transformed when I ditched the run-flats.

[jskrilla]

Quality post

[Killramos]

Originally Posted by Qunadry

Yes, the M235i is the best car BMW currently makes. But the 135i was even better. No electric assist power steering, no mandatory I-Drive, better color selection and better looking wheels with the M-Sport package. I do have to give the M235i the advantage on tires though. My 135i was totally transformed when I ditched the run-flats.

"Back in my day the 2 series was called the 1 series and i walked uphill both ways to get to work, and didn't rely on all this new fangled gizmos like iberries and blackphones. Back then we had le Mans Ble and i dont know what to do with this Estoril blue blah blah blah"

Should i go find you a carburetor?

[Qunadry]

Originally Posted by Killramos

"Back in my day the 2 series was called the 1 series and i walked uphill both ways to get to work, and didn't rely on all this new fangled gizmos like iberries and blackphones. Back then we had le Mans Ble and i dont know what to do with this Estoril blue blah blah blah"

Should i go find you a carburetor?

Yes!!!! The '65 Mustang I had in college was the last car I felt comfortable maintaining myself. Get me some points and a feeler gauge too.

[bladeomatic]

Originally Posted by Killramos

"Back in my day the 2 series was called the 1 series and i walked uphill both ways to get to work, and didn't rely on all this new fangled gizmos like iberries and blackphones. Back then we had le Mans Ble and i dont know what to do with this Estoril blue blah blah blah"

Should i go find you a carburetor?

'zactly.

No foul to the 135i, which is a blast to drive, but:

1) M235i is considerably quicker, better mpg, roomier cabin, better looking, upgraded interior, adaptive suspension, better stopping.

2) Have seen zero reviews where the press didn't consider the M235i an improvement over the 1 series it replaced.

3) "No mandatory I-Drive". What is it with calling out powerful technology like it's evil? I'm not Amish. I appreciate that technology can help me find addresses, show current temperature, locate my car in a crowded parking lot, set the suspension settings and a host of other features, without having 47 specific buttons added to the dash.

[ZilberGrau ZHP]

Originally Posted by ManiacGT

Why? It might be good dynamically but it looks a bit average.

Agreed however get a black one- put a CF front Splitter on it- some upgraded wheels (the wheel selection on the M235 SUCKS) and it will look LIGHT YEARS BETTER.

Dont even need all the performance stuff but this is the schnizz right here:

http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1028969

[Gate7]

Originally Posted by bladeomatic

Indeed.

Sitting in a dog park a few weekends ago some idiot walks up to me, looks at my M235i and asks when I'm gonna slap on a JB4.

Not taking away from any of my brethren here that have slapped on a tune/DP or other bolt-onsbut I bought the M235i so I wouldn't have to touch any of this.

320+ HP, 0-60 ~4.5, 32 MPG, livable daily driver, amazing brakes, great cornering, factory service for 4 years. BMW got it SO right with this car.

Why don't you try installing jb4 and you'll realize that guy might not be an "idiot" after all?!
I'm

[Killramos]

Originally Posted by Gate7

Why don't you try installing jb4 and you'll realize that guy might not be an "idiot" after all?!
I'm

The same reason i didn't "slam" my Volkswagen when people told me its the first thing you have to do when buying one

The car is great as it is. What I always say to people is if I want a faster car i will just go buy one.

Its the same story of 335i owners who spent so much money on body mods, engine mods etc. that they could have just bought a new/CPO M3...

[bladeomatic]

Originally Posted by Killramos

The car is great as it is. What I always say to people is if I want a faster car i will just go buy one.

Its the same story of 335i owners who spent so much money on body mods, engine mods etc. that they could have just bought a new/CPO M3...

What he said.

Hot rodding is fun. Did a ton of it back in my day, taking cheap, sleeper cars and making them wicked fast & cool looking (had a 13 second 1970 VW Beetle). But they were still cheap cars. Mine cost $500.

Just bought a killer $53k M235i that performs at near super car levels. Adding $40k of no-holds goodies to it to make it handle like a Lamborghini might be a fun exercise. Port the heads, custom cam, race exhaust, etc. But grabbing this creamy, factory-tuned nirvana engine and bolting on the cheapest electronic cheater box to squeeze what's there just feels like using chintzy approach on an elegant machine. Isn't that *exactly* what the boys do with their dropped Honda Civics?

I can appreciate the folks like to hot rod their rides. It is fun to make things go faster. I'd just think twice about cutting into a car of this caliber with anything other than the best that can be had.

Fast, cheap & removable seem to be the best points of this corner-cutting approach.

[SmallTownBoy]

Originally Posted by bladeomatic

this creamy, factory-tuned nirvana engine

You, sir, are on a roll today!

Reminds me of another post from a few months ago: "..creamy midrange torque..."

That is the true essence of this car.

[focal]

I like how they prop up the 228i option. On the forums, it's not a loved car with every enthusiast going for the 235i.

as noted in the review, 200lbs is 200lbs saved. Avoid the sunroof and get the track package on the 228i and in theory, you'll be faster in the turns and feel lighter on your feet. it's noticeable even when I compared a 328 and 235.

the only option that you cannot get on a 228 is the LSD, but option for option, you can spec up a 228 beautifully (MPE, wheels, tires, MPS, body styling).

with Dinan or JB4 tune, the 228 can get you close to a stock 235 in performance without the weight gain. The only thing lacking is the I-6 sound

[issaacrumel01]

Originally Posted by focal

I like how they prop up the 228i option. On the forums, it's not a loved car with every enthusiast going for the 235i.

as noted in the review, 200lbs is 200lbs saved. Avoid the sunroof and get the track package on the 228i and in theory, you'll be faster in the turns and feel lighter on your feet. it's noticeable even when I compared a 328 and 235.

the only option that you cannot get on a 228 is the LSD, but option for option, you can spec up a 228 beautifully (MPE, wheels, tires, MPS, body styling).

with Dinan or JB4 tune, the 228 can get you close to a stock 235 in performance without the weight gain. The only thing lacking is the I-6 sound

This is exactly what I ended up opting for and can't wait to drive it. Delivery is within the next week or so. 228i Msport manual with track pack and lighting package to go with BMW m-perf aero and interior carbon fiber etc.... Added a Dinan tune as well. All in under $40k. Seemed like an "enthusiast" version to me.