[OrangeCrush]

Originally Posted by jackmcclane

My fault, so do you have some left over M stickers for me?

You didn't buy an M sport? Too bad...you could have a proper M car.

[jackmcclane]

Originally Posted by OrangeCrush

You didn't buy an M sport? Too bad...you could have a proper M car.

+1 sadly no

[bim2er]

An M235i is an M Performance car. The following link describes the M performance place in the lineup and attributes.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_M

[turbolag]

Originally Posted by bim2er

An M235i is an M Performance car. The following link describes the M performance place in the lineup and attributes.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_M

That's a wikipedia link.

[buumer]

If there is an m3 csl, does that make an m3 not a proper m car? Aside from some BMW enthusiasts, nobody will be able to tell the m performance cars from other m cars, and that's assuming they recognize the m badge to begin with.

If BMW put an m badge on the back then it makes that an m car. Its not as raw as an m3, but it is what it is. If anything, this is just an excuse for BMW to charge a boat load for an m2 that has minor tweaks over the m235i. I think its the right business move.

[Jockey]

Originally Posted by buumer

If there is an m3 csl, does that make an m3 not a proper m car? Aside from some BMW enthusiasts, nobody will be able to tell the m performance cars from other m cars, and that's assuming they recognize the m badge to begin with.

If BMW put an m badge on the back then it makes that an m car. Its not as raw as an m3, but it is what it is. If anything, this is just an excuse for BMW to charge a boat load for an m2 that has minor tweaks over the m235i. I think its the right business move.

I didn't realize that it's the badge that makes an M car

[ORIGIN M.]

A Proper M-Car will not come w/a 8 Speed Auto...

I don't care how you slice it, it's not a proper M-Car...

It's a M-Performance Model, nothing more, nothing less.

Period.

[OrangeCrush]

Although the M235 seems to be a great car, it is not an M. I don't see why it is so hard to understand that. Do you see BMW advertising it as an M? If it was don't you think they would? Is it listed in the M section on their website? If it was an M it would be.

[PopsnBurbles]

People who voted 'yes' are victims from BMW ///Marketing segment. Lol jk

On a serious note, the M235i is not an M car. It's like saying my 135is is an M car. It just so happens that the M235i has the M badge. Well, we may also say the M-sport cars are M cars simply because they have the M package.

[asus389]

Meh who knows anymore. BMW needs to take a step back and re-simplify their marketing. That was always a strength of theirs. They currently have way too many models, lines, badges, etc to keep track of.

OTOH - M235i NO RUNFLATS! woohoo

[aajami]

Originally Posted by ska325xi

Agreed, and will also debadge if I get the m235i

Yeah, right It's easy to say that now, but the allure of tooling around town with an M-badged car from the factory will be too great to resist.

[kevinlevrone]

An M235i is a 235i with M-Sport package and maybe a LSD. I have these on my car (335i) and an M3 feels completely different and much better.

Am M is a completely different beast compared to the regular cars. It is a car that spends 2 years in testing and setup, and has like 70%+ of the drivetrain parts different from the regular car.

[Powaup]

Its DEFINETLY not an ///M! But will it be just as fun driving in the canyons, on the freeway at 4 am and for amateur track days/autocross?

[jippii ensio]

M Performance is more comfortable than M, but not as comfortable as an ordinary BMW. The vanilla is a lot more comfortable than M on poor roads.

So, there are clear differences.

[Falafel Combo]

All I'm hearing so far are opinions, which everyone is entitled to of course. "M cars feel different". "M235i is a performance model, not a true M". "M235i is a logical continuation of the 135is, which was not an M car so this one can't be". Etc. NO facts, aside form the absence of the M235i from BMW's M models configurator.


We will just have to wait for the official release at the car show, and hopefully have some direct answers from BMW and M engineers. My personal opinion is leaning towards not a true ///M car. Mainly judging by it's performance on promotional videos released thus far (lots-O-body roll), and the fats that it ships without a LSD. But that's me.


The debate goes on!

[Monterra]

In pure stock form- no. But with the mechanical LSD option, track ready suspension mods and maybe a chip its basically an M on the (sorta) cheap. Something like this makes a lot more sense for me to own vs a true M- both for the wallet and for the daily driveability. Yes its marketing, whoring out the badge, etc but one can argue that's been going on for at least a decade if not more. Is it good enough on its merits to support the number in the window or is it not- all that really matters.

[Falafel Combo]

Since the M235i's official release, any doubts in my mind have since been cleared. It is obvious to me at this point that this is not a true M car. What do others think?

[BimmerDreamer]

To quote another famously tragic lover of an M...
"Tis but thy name that is my enemy;
Thou art thyself, though not a Montague.
What's Montague? it is nor hand, nor foot,
Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part
Belonging to a man. O, be some other name!
What's in a name? that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet..."

Categories are not reality, only a convenient way to think about reality. It's in the areas at the margins, those not easily boxed, that we find much which is delicious.

[leesat]

can we just go with it's in between of M car and regular car?
or something like it's an M car of 235i? If there was a 235i, M235i would be in the middle.
It's a proper M car that is not an M series.

[Husker]

Originally Posted by ///M235i

Since the M235i's official release, any doubts in my mind have since been cleared. It is obvious to me at this point that this is not a true M car. What do others think?

Well, It has an 'M' on the model designation, what does BMW have as far as rules for 'M' badged cars?

IMO, it's an 'M' car because it's listed as an M235i.

[Cosa Nostra]

I'm no expert, but from what I've read above, and the fact that the price point of a true M car is simply not within most mortals' reach, it seems the M235i is basically a 235is and not an M at all. That being said, I think the M235i offers a lot more than the base 228i, and is much better value (a properly spec'ed one will cost ~$55K) than an M2 (costing $65K?). My price point is about $47K (so with a little negotiating and a $4K Globali credit - my previous 335i was stolen), I may be able to afford the M235i. IMO it's the only hope (need to see more pics to say for sure), because the bread-and-butter 335i/435i designs truly suck! One concern for the M235i, is whether it can be driven all year-round (i.e., during the winter months), if one puts snow tires on it. Not sure if the X-drive would help, but adds to the cost even more. Non-run flats and heated steering wheel are great options.

[Legion5]

It's a a way to rename the 235is in a more marketable way.