[slayer72]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

Full review at: http://www.autos.ca/car-comparisons/...-m235i-xdrive/

Canadian style review focusing on the Xdrive.

At around $50,000, there aren’t a lot of choices for semi-practical, totally fun cars, but the ones available are all excellent. At the low-end of the price spectrum, Subaru’s WRX STI represents the raw, lowbrow and somewhat childish choice that will cause the neighbours to raise their eyebrows and cluck their tongues at your midlife crisis car.

Mercedes-Benz has the CLA (and GLA) 45 AMG, a four-cylinder turbo hot rod with more power than any of these competitors, yet is lacking some of the manners of the BMW and Audi.

Audi’s corporate cousin, the forthcoming Golf R, shares its mechanicals with its upscale family member and will start about five grand cheaper. Plus the Vee-dub will offer the option of a stick shift, not available on the Audi.

Any of these cars should make contemporary motoring enthusiasts giddy for fun they provide their owners, without giving up the responsible adult role when needed. These cars are the answer for those of us fearing the revolution, and will help us get through it with huge grins on our faces.

But when it comes down to decision time, it’s the car with the liquid-smooth and gloriously melodic inline six that captivates me the most. The fluid delivery of that near-endless well of power is simply too addictive to pass up. In fact, it’s so good; don’t be surprised to find me scouring BMW’s Certified Pre-Owned listings next year for M235is.

[FrankiE90]

1st*

[Ramos]

My God how bad is the Audi sound system (BO nonetheless) if the author thinks the crappy HK system in our cars is superior?

[ZilberGrau ZHP]

Originally Posted by Ramos

My God how bad is the Audi sound system (BO nonetheless) if the author thinks the crappy HK system in our cars is superior?

EXCELLENT POINT! The HK "upgrade" sucks

[VMRWheels]

Nice, interesting read. Thanks for sharing!

[FilipMPower]

I wish they would emphasize the xDrive more, and how it feels in comparison to the otherwise very nicely balanced RWD 235i. Oh, and it surprised me that they said that the Audi handles excellent. I've heard a lot different.

[RMB]

I just bought an S3 and I love it. This is my second Audi, as I had a 2011 S4. I also had a 2012 M3 and I sold that and have a M4 now. I feel very fortunate to be able to enjoy the vehicles that I have or have had. The S3 handles great, it feels very light and agile. The engine has a lot of torque right off idle and I always go with the Prestige package and the B and O system is great. I still feel the engine in the M235i is clearly better and it sounds like a great car. I wanted 4 doors, AWD, and something that I could use as a daily driver and enjoy regardless of the weather conditions. The M4 is great, but I am much more cautious in the rain with it as opposed to the Audi. Now, if they bring the RS3 to America, I am going to trade the S3 in instantly. I love that 5 cylinder (i.e. TTRS FTW).

[LMT0286]

What ever happened to the video reviews. Who feels like reading these days lol

[DS_BMW]

Originally Posted by RMB

I just bought an S3 and I love it. This is my second Audi, as I had a 2011 S4. I also had a 2012 M3 and I sold that and have a M4 now. I feel very fortunate to be able to enjoy the vehicles that I have or have had. The S3 handles great, it feels very light and agile. The engine has a lot of torque right off idle and I always go with the Prestige package and the B and O system is great. I still feel the engine in the M235i is clearly better and it sounds like a great car. I wanted 4 doors, AWD, and something that I could use as a daily driver and enjoy regardless of the weather conditions. The M4 is great, but I am much more cautious in the rain with it as opposed to the Audi. Now, if they bring the RS3 to America, I am going to trade the S3 in instantly. I love that 5 cylinder (i.e. TTRS FTW).

What has better LED headlights. M4 or S3?

[Jackie Chiles]

Sort of a shallow review. Not really a road test.

I was excited when I saw that the head-to-head was published, but I'd like to see R&T or C&D do a proper test that compares each on a track as well as some vigorous OTR testing.

Sigh.

[RJS5689]

My buddy has an S3 and loves it. He wanted the M235 (he used to have a nicely worked 135i) and also wanted AWD for where he lives, but felt it would have been blasphemy to opt for an xDrive BMW.

Seat-of-the-pants dyno feels like these cars are pretty similar in straight line performance.

It looks nice in Sepang Blue:

[RMB]

Originally Posted by DS_BMW

What has better LED headlights. M4 or S3?

M4, they are stronger. The S3 is nice, but the M4 lights are better.

[obliterate]

Originally Posted by RMB

M4, they are stronger. The S3 is nice, but the M4 lights are better.

I love Sepang Blue so much. Maybe a bit less than my Estoril Blue, but still.

[RMB]

The S3 doesn't feel as nose heavy as Audi's of the past. It feels better than the S4 I had. I love BMW and I think the M235i is a fantastic car and I have not even driven one. If everyone loves the M235i (which I have never read a bad review), then the M2 looks to be sensational. I like Audi also, and for the price I am very happy with the car. For around $50 even, you can get a fully loaded S3. That's like half the price of a fully loaded M4 and Porsche (which they are great) is even that much more expensive. By they time I have optioned out my Porsche of choice you are at 120k and more.

[Roundown]

Originally Posted by RMB

I just bought an S3 and I love it. This is my second Audi, as I had a 2011 S4. I also had a 2012 M3 and I sold that and have a M4 now. I feel very fortunate to be able to enjoy the vehicles that I have or have had. The S3 handles great, it feels very light and agile. The engine has a lot of torque right off idle and I always go with the Prestige package and the B and O system is great. I still feel the engine in the M235i is clearly better and it sounds like a great car. I wanted 4 doors, AWD, and something that I could use as a daily driver and enjoy regardless of the weather conditions. The M4 is great, but I am much more cautious in the rain with it as opposed to the Audi. Now, if they bring the RS3 to America, I am going to trade the S3 in instantly. I love that 5 cylinder (i.e. TTRS FTW).

Wrap that chrome!

[RMB]

Originally Posted by cSurf

Wrap that chrome!

I totally agree. I wish they offered a package with everything blacked out.

[DS_BMW]

Originally Posted by RMB

M4, they are stronger. The S3 is nice, but the M4 lights are better.

I have the LEDs on my 428. One on my favorite things about the car. How is the s tronic compared to the zf 8 in bmws. I think the downshifts are a bit slow on the 8 speed

I'm considering an s3 when my lease is up.
Thanks!

[RMB]

Originally Posted by obliterate

I love Sepang Blue so much. Maybe a bit less than my Estoril Blue, but still.

Estoril Blue is amazing. My M3 was Lemans Blue and I couldn't go with YMB so I went the "boring route" with Silverstone. BMW has some of the best blue colors out there and I would have taken Estoril Blue on my M4 any day of the week. Great color!!!!

[Roundown]

Originally Posted by RMB

I totally agree. I wish they offered a package with everything blacked out.

No black optics package?

[Cuz5150]

Originally Posted by LMT0286

What ever happened to the video reviews. Who feels like reading these days lol

^^^this^^^

clicked on here looking for a video

Im with, If you need AWD.......buy Audi

If you are a RWD nut......buy BMW

End/Thread

[hyperboost]

LONG time bmw fan/owner here. I hate any bmw with xdrive. It's a different concept than Quattro but Quattro is much better.
This new Audi is better than the bmw.

[indya8]

Originally Posted by Ramos

My God how bad is the Audi sound system (BO nonetheless) if the author thinks the crappy HK system in our cars is superior?

LOL trust me. This guy does not know sound... Also, he said the harman kardon was better because the audi did not have ipod hookup. Correct me if I am wrong...