[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by Criticall

Well I don't really agree that the A45 is just a car. I really like it, and it does put a smile on my face, but I've been into BMWs since I was little. When the A45 was launched, I took the leap and I don't regret having done it, but the M235i might just be more a car for me.

I will look into the link posted about the unbiased review, but I also like to hear the opinion of people who owned the car for a while now.

The things I really like some more info about are the overal pro's and cons of a m235i, the grip (especially in wet weather conditions), some acceleration times, the fuel consumption,...

The M2 will be a dream car, but as I will be looking to buy a new house in a year, I don't want to/can't just buy a new car again...

The interior of the A45 has some parts that do feel cheap (plastic), which is a pitty, but I find the interior to be pretty nice and decent apart/besides those cheap parts.

Thank you for the responses so far. I really appreciate it!

Two things stand out to me about the 235, based on some of the things you have said about your Merc.

One, the gas mileage in my 235 is pretty abysmal. I haven't ever gotten over 23 MPG for a tank. Ever. Most of the time, I average 17-18 MPG. I have the manual.

Two, I think 2er is way too soft, even in the most aggressive setting. I would much rather it be stiffer to a fault than squishy to a fault, but we are all different. My suggestion would be to drive the 235 over some non-perfect roads and see how you like it - many here do' but I don't. It can be very bouncy and floaty.

Haven't been in the Merc so I don't have the basis for a comparison - the 235 does a lot of things well, but fuel economy and satisfaction with the ride quality aren't two of them for me.

[chaswyck1]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

Two things stand out to me about the 235, based on some of the things you have said about your Merc.

One, the gas mileage in my 235 is pretty abysmal. I haven't ever gotten over 23 MPG for a tank. Ever. Most of the time, I average 17-18 MPG. I have the manual.

Two, I think 2er is way too soft, even in the most aggressive setting. I would much rather it be stiffer to a fault than squishy to a fault, but we are all different. My suggestion would be to drive the 235 over some non-perfect roads and see how you like it - many here do' but I don't. It can be very bouncy and floaty.

Haven't been in the Merc so I don't have the basis for a comparison - the 235 does a lot of things well, but fuel economy and satisfaction with the ride quality aren't two of them for me.

I agree on both counts. I have a 228, but with track package so it has the same suspension as the 235. I also find the ride to be a bit squishy even in Sport mode. As for mileage, even with the 4 banger I'm only getting about 23.5mpg in mixed driving, much of it in Comfort mode. I'm ok with that though because I have fun with the car and fun isn't free.

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

23mpg for a car with this power is not that bad imo...Hell, my X3 28i with the N20 4 banger never got more than 20mpg

Originally Posted by dmboone25

Two things stand out to me about the 235, based on some of the things you have said about your Merc.

One, the gas mileage in my 235 is pretty abysmal. I haven't ever gotten over 23 MPG for a tank. Ever. Most of the time, I average 17-18 MPG. I have the manual.

Two, I think 2er is way too soft, even in the most aggressive setting. I would much rather it be stiffer to a fault than squishy to a fault, but we are all different. My suggestion would be to drive the 235 over some non-perfect roads and see how you like it - many here do' but I don't. It can be very bouncy and floaty.

Haven't been in the Merc so I don't have the basis for a comparison - the 235 does a lot of things well, but fuel economy and satisfaction with the ride quality aren't two of them for me.

[ABPReader]

.

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by Midwest M235i

23mpg for a car with this power is not that bad imo...Hell, my X3 28i with the N20 4 banger never got more than 20mpg

That's the best I have ever gotten, aka in the right lane doing 70 in 6th gear with the geriatrics - I usually average around 17-18. Both of my 135s did better - no idea why, I am just letting him know.

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by chaswyck@yahoo.com

I agree on both counts. I have a 228, but with track package so it has the same suspension as the 235. I also find the ride to be a bit squishy even in Sport mode. As for mileage, even with the 4 banger I'm only getting about 23.5mpg in mixed driving, much of it in Comfort mode. I'm ok with that though because I have fun with the car and fun isn't free.

The funny thing is that I can't detect any appreciable difference between comfort, sport, or sport + when it comes to the ride. The throttle response and exhaust notes change - but the ride seems no firmer or sporty, at least to me.

When I went in for my 10,000 mile service the other day, I asked the service guys to check that out because I wondered if mine was broken. they said it wasn't...

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

The funny thing is that I can't detect any appreciable difference between comfort, sport, or sport + when it comes to the ride. The throttle response and exhaust notes change - but the ride seems no firmer or sporty, at least to me.

When I went in for my 10,000 mile service the other day, I asked the service guys to check that out because I wondered if mine was broken. they said it wasn't...

Really?

Man, we all have different sensitivities I guess. To me there is a big difference in Sport vs Comfort Chassis stiffness...

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by Midwest M235i

Really?

Man, we all have different sensitivities I guess. To me there is a big difference in Sport vs Comfort Chassis stiffness...

Comfort = squish. Sport = squish, slightly louder exhaust. Sport + = still squish, loudest exhaust note, better throttle response.

[Criticall]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

Comfort = squish. Sport = squish, slightly louder exhaust. Sport + = still squish, loudest exhaust note, better throttle response.

You do have the M adaptive damper system? (It's an option in Belgium)

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by Criticall

You do have the M adaptive damper system? (It's an option in Belgium)

Hmmmm...I think so? I thought it was standard on all US-Spec 235 but maybe they forgot to plug mine in.

[Lucky13]

I'm getting exactly 20 mpg on my M235 manual all city 2-4 mile drives ( retired). my E93 335 manual doing the exact same driving was around 18 so about 2 mpg better. My mileage keeps improving and I'm only at 3,200 miles. I've improved about .5 the last 1,000 miles as the engine breaks in. Just took my first road trip 160 mile round trip and got 27 mpg and averaged about 77 but opened it up to 110-115 twice and 85-90 several times which is included in the 27 mpg.

[chaswyck1]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

Comfort = squish. Sport = squish, slightly louder exhaust. Sport + = still squish, loudest exhaust note, better throttle response.

I would ammend this statement to say:
Comfort = "squishy" bordering on "floaty". Sport = a little less squishy but not exactly "sporty". As for Sport +, my understanding and my observation is that it is exactly the same suspension and throttle response as Sport but with DCT turned on. Someone correct me about this if I'm wrong, but I just don't feel any difference between Sport and Sport+.

[MrBucket]

Originally Posted by jet_00

Nobody is around 28 mpg (10 l/100km)? On the official characteristics, it is the written that for the ZF8 the mixte fuel consumption is 37 mpg (7.6l/100km). I know that it is impossible for a 3L I6 to consume only 37 mpg, but I expected something better than 23 mpg...
At the end of the afternoon I have an appointment with the dealer, I will probably order the car even with this fuel consumption but I think that it is not normal that BMW can lie this way

I have the manual and on the highway averaging 73mph over a 350 mile trip (117kph for 570km) I averaged 31.9 mpg (7.4 l/100km). I dunno how others are getting so low on the highway.

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

Originally Posted by chaswyck@yahoo.com

I would ammend this statement to say:
Comfort = "squishy" bordering on "floaty". Sport = a little less squishy but not exactly "sporty". As for Sport +, my understanding and my observation is that it is exactly the same suspension and throttle response as Sport but with DCT turned on. Someone correct me about this if I'm wrong, but I just don't feel any difference between Sport and Sport+.

This sounds right to me too...

[ABPReader]

.

[335BOY]

Originally Posted by MrBucket

I have the manual and on the highway averaging 73mph over a 350 mile trip (117kph for 570km) I averaged 31.9 mpg (7.4 l/100km). I dunno how others are getting so low on the highway.

THATS probably the only way to achieve those numbers.

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by chaswyck@yahoo.com

I would ammend this statement to say:
Comfort = "squishy" bordering on "floaty". Sport = a little less squishy but not exactly "sporty". As for Sport +, my understanding and my observation is that it is exactly the same suspension and throttle response as Sport but with DCT turned on. Someone correct me about this if I'm wrong, but I just don't feel any difference between Sport and Sport+.

That's probably more accurate, but I do think that the exhaust note is louder in Sport +, but as for anything else, I really can't feel a difference.

Originally Posted by Midwest M235i

This sounds right to me too...

This has me wondering if the settings could be adjusted with a software update of some kind - I doubt BMW would do it, but I wonder if it could be coded differently somehow...

[MrBucket]

Originally Posted by 335BOY

THATS probably the only way to achieve those numbers.

Thats the average speed for that trip, for much of the time I was going 85-90 (in Vermont mostly).

[Bohemoth]

I average 30mpg UK driving but im on the motorway mostly. At weekends its Sport mode city driving, I reckon i could see 32-33 If i tried but why bother.

The sound of the BMW engine is amazing and according to the reviews is way superior to the Merc. Ive heard the S3 and its far superior but i havent heard the Merc personally.

Traction is a little bit iffy in the wet but its not an issue for me, 4 wheel drive will be quicker here obviously.

Exhaust note is the same in sport and sport plus btw. Only difference is the lack of traction control. And i never feel much difference if any with ride quality which i believe is excellent anyway especially over bumps/holes etc.

The 2 series interior is decent quality but a bit bland to look at. I came from a 2010 3 series coupe and felt ive lost a little in terms of the quality feel.

The gearbox is great (manual) im sooo glad i didnt get the auto.

[Criticall]

Thank you for all the replies. I've just placed my A45 AMG online for sale. I haven't put the price too low, as I'm not really in a rush to sell, but if there are some candidates, she might just be sold.
I haven't entirely made up my mind yet, but I just have the feeling the BMW suits me maybe that tiny bit better.
The interior could look better, but with the M Performance parts, I think they are spot on.

I am going to miss the exhaust sound of the AMG. I should be installing the M Performance exhaust as well then I guess...

[ABPReader]

.

[Bohemoth]

Originally Posted by Criticall

Thank you for all the replies. I've just placed my A45 AMG online for sale. I haven't put the price too low, as I'm not really in a rush to sell, but if there are some candidates, she might just be sold.
I haven't entirely made up my mind yet, but I just have the feeling the BMW suits me maybe that tiny bit better.
The interior could look better, but with the M Performance parts, I think they are spot on.

I am going to miss the exhaust sound of the AMG. I should be installing the M Performance exhaust as well then I guess...

You definitely won5 miss the exhaust note of the AMG when you hear the 6 cylinder purr