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2Addicts | BMW 2-Series forum BMW 2 Series (F22) Forum BMW 2 Series Coupe and Cabriolet (F22/F23) General Forum I knew a used M235i 6MT would be hard to find but seriously..Eek

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      03-11-2015, 07:04 PM   #45
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hoppy6698 View Post
If you cannot find one local, hit me up and we can take mine out. 8AT, but you can get a feel for the engine and handling capabilities.



The M235 has electric steering, same as the F80 M3/M4 chassis. Many reviews also note how the M235's steering is very point and shoot, tight steering and on center. Not sure how the Camry reference ties to the F22. Before knocking the capabilities or feel of the new steering, have you even tried the M235 the OP is interested in?

For reference: http://blog.caranddriver.com/bmw-det...ring-equation/
Yes I have driven the M235i and its electric steering is in a different league compared to that 328i that I had as a loaner.The new M3 and M4 just have that extra tightness in the steering that I am used to from driving my M3 for the last 10 years.The M235i steering is good but it is still not at the level of the new M3 and M4.I really shouldn't have used this thread to express my views in regard to the 328i.I was just really disappointed that BMW could produce a car with such bad steering feel.IMO the M235i is the best non M car in the BMW lineup.It is the reason that I am so excited for the new M2.
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      03-12-2015, 12:57 AM   #46
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I'm coming from an F30 328i and hoping that the steering on the M235i is going to be a lot better. The steering on the F30 328i was pretty much lifelessly light and I never had much of a picture of what the front tyres were doing.
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      03-12-2015, 06:36 AM   #47
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I'm part of the group that bought an M235i because they wanted a modern E46 M3. It IS bouncy, but very far from soft. It's stiff and bouncy. I'm sad my car doesn't sound like an e46 M3, nor is it as responsive, but it's a much better car in many other ways. If they made the car louder stock, it would be a lot more fun, though an N55 will never sound like an S54. If I could get a new E46 M3, I would, but I can't. So until I can afford a used one in addition to a BMW for DD, my M235i will do. It's fast, it's comfortable, it handles extremely well, and it comes with 4 years of worry free driving. To be honest, it has faster steering and a Bentley interior as well as similar throttle response to the U.S. S52 powered E36. If the U.S. E36 M was worthy of an M badge, so is my M235i. Obviously, It's a much more rational and reasonable purchase, but we as enthusiasts think more with our hearts than our brains sometimes. Hopefully within the next 6 years I'll be able to afford a new real M car and an 06 ZCP to take out on sunny days.....until then, I will enjoy the M235i!

Edit: the M variable steering on the M235i is nothing like a base 328. Unless that 328i has the M variable steering option installed as well...it's a very very tight and quick steering rack.
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      03-12-2015, 07:02 AM   #48
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Too bad you don't live near me. It would be educating to trade my M235i for your E46 for a week so we can both see what we are missing.
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      03-12-2015, 07:25 AM   #49
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BMW335iOn18s View Post
I'm part of the group that bought an M235i because they wanted a modern E46 M3. It IS bouncy, but very far from soft. It's stiff and bouncy. I'm sad my car doesn't sound like an e46 M3, nor is it as responsive, but it's a much better car in many other ways. If they made the car louder stock, it would be a lot more fun, though an N55 will never sound like an S54. If I could get a new E46 M3, I would, but I can't. So until I can afford a used one in addition to a BMW for DD, my M235i will do. It's fast, it's comfortable, it handles extremely well, and it comes with 4 years of worry free driving. To be honest, it has faster steering and a Bentley interior as well as similar throttle response to the U.S. S52 powered E36. If the U.S. E36 M was worthy of an M badge, so is my M235i. Obviously, It's a much more rational and reasonable purchase, but we as enthusiasts think more with our hearts than our brains sometimes. Hopefully within the next 6 years I'll be able to afford a new real M car and an 06 ZCP to take out on sunny days.....until then, I will enjoy the M235i!

Edit: the M variable steering on the M235i is nothing like a base 328. Unless that 328i has the M variable steering option installed as well...it's a very very tight and quick steering rack.
Its not just the steering rack on 328 - its the low resistance tires too..Thats how BMW has gone for the bread & butter 3 crowd.

Softer and more flex towards EPA. I get it and their sales are better than ever too. So I can't fault them for delivering share holder value via their top seller.

The e46 M3 is my favorite of em all too...But it was like the the first love for me, as it was the first M car I ever owned.

That said, I never found the S54 sound that glorious...I did not like the rasp and it had a mechanical sound that just didnt resonate with me.

I think the Mpe in my M235i sounds as nice or nicer frankly.

Neither compare to an S65 at start-up
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      03-12-2015, 09:28 AM   #50
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Have a 6mt that I may put up on lease trader in June...

Have had the car a year and only have 6k miles on it.

Lease pmt is 539.
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      03-12-2015, 11:09 AM   #51
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I was looking for a Manual to test drive in SF Bay Area and even widened my search radius to 100 miles without luck. Fortunately the awesome salesman from the dealership I went to let me test drive his own manual M235i. Coming from a 2013 Boxster, I was not that much impressed so at this point i favor ordering the 8 Speed Auto.
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      03-12-2015, 11:27 AM   #52
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Quote:
Originally Posted by crawfordbay View Post
Too bad you don't live near me. It would be educating to trade my M235i for your E46 for a week so we can both see what we are missing.
OP here--yes I'm on the left coast in SEA WA but thanks for the offer. This thread sort of turned into a M235i vs. E46 M3 comparison and it's been great to get everyone's thoughts!

Cheers.

My E46.

Name:  m3_2015.jpg
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      03-12-2015, 01:53 PM   #53
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Quote:
Originally Posted by supernova72 View Post
OP here--yes I'm on the left coast in SEA WA but thanks for the offer. This thread sort of turned into a M235i vs. E46 M3 comparison and it's been great to get everyone's thoughts!

Cheers.

My E46.
That's a beautiful E46. I had one almost just like it. As a daily driver, I like the M235i better. Yes, the 2 series is softer -- which makes it better for those potholes!

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      03-12-2015, 02:26 PM   #54
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Quote:
Originally Posted by supernova72 View Post
OP here--yes I'm on the left coast in SEA WA but thanks for the offer. This thread sort of turned into a M235i vs. E46 M3 comparison and it's been great to get everyone's thoughts!

Cheers.

My E46.

Attachment 1171903
I had one identical to that, mine was medium gray metallic which that looks like and had 19" wheels.
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      03-12-2015, 03:21 PM   #55
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim335i View Post
That's a beautiful E46. I had one almost just like it. As a daily driver, I like the M235i better. Yes, the 2 series is softer -- which makes it better for those potholes!

sweet ride. nice cars yes. for driving a car that is now 11 yrs old I still get looks. surprising at times. our roads here "in the city" are pretty crazy so softer might help some for me as well. cheers.
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      03-12-2015, 03:23 PM   #56
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucky13 View Post
I had one identical to that, mine was medium gray metallic which that looks like and had 19" wheels.
Yes, that is the color! You've had a lot of cars...
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      03-12-2015, 03:25 PM   #57
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My DD is a 2015 M235i 6sp, white with red interior. I call it my M light. It's a wonderful car and is somewhat bearable with our 3rd world roads in MI.
For summer, I have my 2005 E46 M3 vert 6 sp. Much harder, sharper, a true M, not as tight as my previous E46 M3 coupe (2003).
2 very different cars. But the M235i is what BMW is all about.

Last edited by unem3; 03-12-2015 at 03:34 PM..
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      03-12-2015, 10:18 PM   #58
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Quote:
Originally Posted by unem3 View Post
My DD is a 2015 M235i 6sp, white with red interior. I call it my M light. It's a wonderful car and is somewhat bearable with our 3rd world roads in MI.
For summer, I have my 2005 E46 M3 vert 6 sp. Much harder, sharper, a true M, not as tight as my previous E46 M3 coupe (2003).
2 very different cars. But the M235i is what BMW is all about.
That is good to know about the DD part. I "only" have a 15 mile commute each way but it's over two bridges here in Seattle and is pretty much stop and go for half of it. I'm willing to row the gears and have been in my E46 for 5+ yrs on the same commute.

I'm hoping I won't miss true M feeling as you say the M235i is M light.

If I want harsh and loud I can fire up the 1972 Nova with the 350 "mild build". Ha!
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      03-13-2015, 12:44 PM   #59
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Quote:
Originally Posted by supernova72 View Post
That is good to know about the DD part. I "only" have a 15 mile commute each way but it's over two bridges here in Seattle and is pretty much stop and go for half of it. I'm willing to row the gears and have been in my E46 for 5+ yrs on the same commute.

I'm hoping I won't miss true M feeling as you say the M235i is M light.

If I want harsh and loud I can fire up the 1972 Nova with the 350 "mild build". Ha!
Best of both worlds! Some days, I love the rawness of the M3, other days, the M235i is the perfect ride. I always drive in sport mode but only drivetrain (sharper throttle). Suspension stays in comfort as Michigan is like driving offroad!
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      03-13-2015, 12:47 PM   #60
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Quote:
Originally Posted by unem3 View Post
My DD is a 2015 M235i 6sp, white with red interior. I call it my M light. It's a wonderful car and is somewhat bearable with our 3rd world roads in MI.
No kidding, neighbor! I sold my 18s over the winter and will be putting 17s in their place next week when I chance taking the winters off.
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