[mmmmm235i]

Originally Posted by e92_m3

Unfortunately no. That was the main reason I drove the 228i, since it's lighter than the M235i.

Watched videos of the M235i again online. Great reviews, so lemme go test drive the turbo 6...

Btw, thanks for the input man!

Can't wait to hear your feedback, if you think the 228 feels faster than advertised, the 235 will blow you away. I have spoken with many e9x m3 to 235i converters and no one has been dissapointed with the 2s ability to throw you back and put a smile on your face.

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

I've driven the M235i and xi....Love em both.

I hope to be placing my order on M235xi in June - with performance exhaust and performance Alcantra & Carbon Fiber interior

[Yogijet]

Originally Posted by e92_m3

I know it's not the M235i, but I was just wondering if anyone had the same feeling I had with the 228i.

It definitely has more power than advertised by BMW and probably has one of the best steering feel besides my e92_m3.

Any 228i owners chime in since I'm definitely considering one now...

Not just you. I rented a 228i from Sixt recently, drove it about 750 miles over a couple days and was thoroughly and surprisingly impressed. Basic chassis setup is pretty good and makes me more than hopeful for how good the M235i must be with, among other things, the better soundtrack not to mention the M2 which I've become interested in again as a result.

[todd hollander]

Originally Posted by ska///235i

Have you also drove a m235i? The 228 is a nice car (less weight) but the turbo I6 is just tempting...especially if you're coming from a m3

I test drove the 228i first and thought it was a pretty good performer especially in sport mode. I could live with this car. In comfort mode however, it was a bit lacking in responsiveness. Then I drove the M235i and there was a world of difference. In comfort mode the car was really quick and in sport just made me smile. I though the extra dollars spent would be worth it to me. I guess it all depends on how you like to drive.

[Jadar]

Originally Posted by e92_m3

I know it's not the M235i, but I was just wondering if anyone had the same feeling I had with the 228i.

It definitely has more power than advertised by BMW and probably has one of the best steering feel besides my e92_m3.

Any 228i owners chime in since I'm definitely considering one now...

I can support your statement. My wife just took delivery of her 228i m sport in October. She built it the way she wanted.

By driving it compared to my F30 335i to 0-60 sprint the cars feel identical. Up top is where my cars starts to pull away. Do I think the 228 is underrated? I don't have to it's been proven when the f30 328 came out that it makes more like 275-280 hp on the dyno (same N2O engine) so yes it's underrated.

And her 228i m sport will out handle my f30 on its best day! My f30 feels so God darn numb and floaty compared to her planted 228i feel. The car sticks to the road like glue, and turns much quicker. Now it's only 3,300 lbs compared to my 3,600 but you can feel the difference!

If I chose again I'd pick the m235! It's that good after I drove it. But I'd want it in a sedan, but I'm SOL there .

In conclusion the 228i is bad ass no doubt and has a place in the line up if it's own. Plenty of power with even better handling. I can't get my wife out of it or to let me drive anywhere...to sum it all up.

[snaimpally]

Originally Posted by kinimod

What's so good about the M235i compared to 1M or 135is?

Slightly wider and longer makes for better handling. Some reviewers complain about the new M3/M4 having too much power but this isn't the case for the M235i.

The 2 series handles very well - the 228i is a blast to drive even in pure stock form.

[snaimpally]

Originally Posted by e92_m3

I know it's not the M235i, but I was just wondering if anyone had the same feeling I had with the 228i.

It definitely has more power than advertised by BMW and probably has one of the best steering feel besides my e92_m3.

Any 228i owners chime in since I'm definitely considering one now...

Don't own one but I did test drive a 228i. If you can't afford an M235i, an 228i is a good alternative. A JB4 and a few other mods would make it a lot of fun, for not a lot of money.

[PhillyNate]

Originally Posted by Sp1ke

I don't see how it was beat out by the Toyobaru.
The performance to price ratio is my only guess.

Yup.

[e92_m3]

Originally Posted by mmmmm235i

Can't wait to hear your feedback, if you think the 228 feels faster than advertised, the 235 will blow you away. I have spoken with many e9x m3 to 235i converters and no one has been dissapointed with the 2s ability to throw you back and put a smile on your face.

Can't wait to drive the M235i this Wednesday!

Originally Posted by Yogijet

Not just you. I rented a 228i from Sixt recently, drove it about 750 miles over a couple days and was thoroughly and surprisingly impressed. Basic chassis setup is pretty good and makes me more than hopeful for how good the M235i must be with, among other things, the better soundtrack not to mention the M2 which I've become interested in again as a result.

Originally Posted by dd1981

I can support your statement. My wife just took delivery of her 228i m sport in October. She built it the way she wanted.

By driving it compared to my F30 335i to 0-60 sprint the cars feel identical. Up top is where my cars starts to pull away. Do I think the 228 is underrated? I don't have to it's been proven when the f30 328 came out that it makes more like 275-280 hp on the dyno (same N2O engine) so yes it's underrated.

And her 228i m sport will out handle my f30 on its best day! My f30 feels so God darn numb and floaty compared to her planted 228i feel. The car sticks to the road like glue, and turns much quicker. Now it's only 3,300 lbs compared to my 3,600 but you can feel the difference!

If I chose again I'd pick the m235! It's that good after I drove it. But I'd want it in a sedan, but I'm SOL there .

In conclusion the 228i is bad ass no doubt and has a place in the line up if it's own. Plenty of power with even better handling. I can't get my wife out of it or to let me drive anywhere...to sum it all up.

It's really good to know that my observations were not wrong.

If the 228i is that good, I can't wait what the 235i has in store for me.

M235i here I come!

Originally Posted by snaimpally

Don't own one but I did test drive a 228i. If you can't afford an M235i, an 228i is a good alternative. A JB4 and a few other mods would make it a lot of fun, for not a lot of money.

Hmm, we'll see after my M235i test drive.


Thanks for all the input guys!

[tony20009]

The poor 3 Series. This has not been it's "good year."

Am I the only one thinking had BMW got things "totally right," both the 2er and 3er would have made the various lists?

Not that making or not making any list actually makes a car a bad car, for, IMO, that simply isn't so. It just would be super cool to have two more or less "sanely" priced models among the top "whatever number" cars on various publishers' lists.

All the best.

[BimmerMat135]

Originally Posted by Ramos

That's easy, the M235 is as fast as the 1M while being prettier, sleeker, more comfortable with better tech, better interior and did I mention prettier lol than the 135is or any E82

It also has adjustable suspension, awesome brakes and great handling plus one of the better electric steering systems out there! Production is not limited like the 1M, real world prices way cheaper than the 1M

Compare the trap speed the 1m is faster than the M235i. For the track time the only advantage come from the ZF8 transmission and the pss tires. Compare a manual M235i vs a 1m on pilot supersport it will get blown away on the track. Even the N54 135i accelerate as fast as the M235i manual vs manual. The hype on the m235i is mostly due to the fact that there is less and less driver cars in the BMW line up. The E82 was always under the shadow of the E9X.

[haffl]

Originally Posted by bladeomatic

I think the price is part of the equation, but not all. It's the balance. BMW nailed the sweet spot on the slider between performance and practical. Other than the small back seat, it has few compromises.

Fast, handles great, reasonable MPG, looks great, stops amazing, tons of groceries fit in the trunk, etc.

When I look at the whales coming out of the M division (M5, M6, X5M, X6M) without the sharp handling that this little bugger has, I wonder if the M Performance division has it more right.

I drove the M4 earlier this year quite a bit. If someone offered me a trade right now for a 2014 M4, I'd turn them down. Yes, the M4 is more powerful, expensive, trackable, etc. And I'd get to TELL everyone at some country club that I drive an M4. But I don't think I'd enjoy driving it anymore than my spunky M235i.

The awards and accolades continue to pour in for the M235i...more than any other bimmer in recent memory. Yet some folks here still ponder it...without driving one. Take one out on an old country road for about 10 minutes and then to the store to run some errands.

You'll have a smile on your face when you get back.

IMO best car BMW makes right now.

Thanks for nailing it. I can't compare my M235i to an M4 but I did own a 2009 twin turbo 335i coupe auto with a Dinan Stage 2 tune, intake and a Dinan Stage 1 suspension.

My former 335i in sport mode felt very fast to me (when you floored it, everything outside your window felt like it was going by in slow motion past 80 mph) and the Dinan suspension was a great combination of stiffness and control for street roads but I think as a total package my M235i is the better car from the factory. I absolutely love the engine, the ergonomic cock pit, tech cabin and brakes. And it looks great for a small car!

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

As someone who's been lucky enough to own an E46 M3 and then E92 M3, I would agree completely....

I'm not going to diss the current generation M3/M4's cause they are fantastic cars...But to quote C&D "they've become robotic and too big."

IMO they've lost some intimacy as they've evolved.

I've spent some decent seat time testing M235i and xi. The xi is tops on my next car list and I think I'll enjoy it as much as the previous generation M3's..

Originally Posted by bladeomatic

I think the price is part of the equation, but not all. It's the balance. BMW nailed the sweet spot on the slider between performance and practical. Other than the small back seat, it has few compromises.

Fast, handles great, reasonable MPG, looks great, stops amazing, tons of groceries fit in the trunk, etc.

When I look at the whales coming out of the M division (M5, M6, X5M, X6M) without the sharp handling that this little bugger has, I wonder if the M Performance division has it more right.

I drove the M4 earlier this year quite a bit. If someone offered me a trade right now for a 2014 M4, I'd turn them down. Yes, the M4 is more powerful, expensive, trackable, etc. And I'd get to TELL everyone at some country club that I drive an M4. But I don't think I'd enjoy driving it anymore than my spunky M235i.

The awards and accolades continue to pour in for the M235i...more than any other bimmer in recent memory. Yet some folks here still ponder it...without driving one. Take one out on an old country road for about 10 minutes and then to the store to run some errands.

You'll have a smile on your face when you get back.

IMO best car BMW makes right now.

[jskrilla]

Woo!

[e92_m3]

Originally Posted by mmmmm235i

Can't wait to hear your feedback, if you think the 228 feels faster than advertised, the 235 will blow you away. I have spoken with many e9x m3 to 235i converters and no one has been dissapointed with the 2s ability to throw you back and put a smile on your face.

UPDATE! I already test drove the M235i.

The 228i was faster than advertised and the steering feel definitely feels superb, but after driving the M235i all I could say is wow! It's basically like a 228i upped a notch. It has way more punch than the 228i and steering feel seems to feel even better than the 228i esp in sport mode. The 228i gave me a smile, but the 235i gave me a grin! It's that much better. Will it replace my m3? Maybe not, but the 235i has a unique driving experience on its own.

If the 235i drives like this, what would the M2 feel like? The anticipation... Damn, I can't wait to drive the M2!

[scoale]

Originally Posted by e92_m3

I know it's not the M235i, but I was just wondering if anyone had the same feeling I had with the 228i.

It definitely has more power than advertised by BMW and probably has one of the best steering feel besides my e92_m3.

Any 228i owners chime in since I'm definitely considering one now...

Test drove 2x and completely agree the car feels like it has more than advertised power - especially when paired with the auto 8 which makes the most of it. I'm mixed on steering: sharp, but lacks feel.

[W///]

Originally Posted by scoale

Test drove 2x and completely agree the car feels like it has more than advertised power - especially when paired with the auto 8 which makes the most of it. I'm mixed on steering: sharp, but lacks feel.

There's a very interesting by Carlos Lago about the M3/4 on his personal Youtube chanel. He says accuracy over so called feel every day.

Personally, I've got an e36 and e92 M3 which both have more "feel" than the M235i, but I still liked the car a lot. The only thing I wished it has is that the EPS is as good (still not the best inthe business, but good) as the M3/4. Hell, I think all BMWs should be using the same EPS. I guess that's what the M2 is for