[BMWDAD]

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/...t-drive-review

[BMWDAD]

auto express

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/bmw/2-s...5i-2014-review

[as7920]

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Drives/...14-CAR-review/

[DrFranknFurter]

So initial reviews very good, looking forward to seeing one at my local BMW garage in March!

P.S. Thanks for the links guys!

[as7920]

http://www.autoguide.com/manufacture...ideo-3699.html

[as7920]

http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews...014-bmw-m235i/

[Devon K]

These idiots that can't even get their facts right... the Autoexpress review states the M235i has an "M diff".

[Seagull]

Interesting that there is no negative feedback about the steering feedback. Either they've given up complaining about it from the F30 or its ( although not great ) has gotten better than that one.

[Devon K]

http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/b...rive-2014-1-18

[Devon K]

Originally Posted by Seagull

Interesting that there is no negative feedback about the steering feedback. Either they've given up complaining about it from the F30 or its ( although not great ) has gotten better than that one.

That is the one and really only complaint the Top Gear reviewer had - some lack of steering feel. Still loved the car though, thought it handled much better than the M135i hatch.

[Devon K]

Originally Posted by as7920

http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews...014-bmw-m235i/

I got behind the wheel of a 435i soon after my stint in the M235i, and I can’t claim there’s a huge difference in how they drive. The 2-series is noticeably more intimate inside, but when you mash the accelerator or bend it into a corner it feels a lot like the 4-series.

Hmmm...Not sure if this is good news... I was hoping it would be more nimble and feel more lively than the larger car.

[w3rkn]

Where any of the review cars Manuals..?

[Devon K]

^BMW did not make any available at the fly and drive preview. Hope that doesn't indicate there are issues with the manual...

[bradleyland]

Originally Posted by Seagull

Interesting that there is no negative feedback about the steering feedback. Either they've given up complaining about it from the F30 or its ( although not great ) has gotten better than that one.

Almost every review I've read so far has some remark about a lack of steering feedback.

I get the sense that reviewers want to be positive about this car. I don't mean they're being intentionally untruthful, but that they're suffering from some cognitive bias.

The 1M was received positively. The M135i followed up with even more positive reviews, largely (IMO) because of it's obtainability, and now the M235i is getting a lot of the same treatment.

This car is in a real sweet spot. It's got fantastic performance at a price point that really is obtainable for a lot of people, and because it's a BMW, it has the street cred that a lot of the other driver's cars in the market lack. Let's face it, a middle-aged professional ends up doing a lot of explaining when they drive something like a FR-S or BRZ.

I'm not one to get all uppity over driving a BMW, but I remember when I drove a GTI. I loved the car, but I got really tired of having to defend my choice in social circles. It's just tiring. My 1-series still got some remarks, but not nearly as much as my GTI. I'm disappointed that it's even an issue. *sigh*

Anyway, it's hard not to root for this car.

[bradleyland]

Originally Posted by Devon K

^BMW did not make any available at the fly and drive preview. Hope that doesn't indicate there are issues with the manual...

I really doubt that it's an indicator of issues. When I did PCD, the staff at the facility said that less than 2% of the 135i's sold in the US were manual transmission. With 98% of the market interested in the auto, BMW is going to put that model out front.

[bimmerfile]

Originally Posted by BMWDAD

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/...t-drive-review

"In short, this M235i is the car that we’d dreamed it would be, and wished the M135i coupé would really be too."

Good 'nuff for me...

[dmboone25]

I want to see what Chris Harris says--he loved the M135, but thought that it was a little "soft" in the damping arena.

Some of the comments posted seem to confirm that BMW made it a priority to make that particular weakness of the M135 not the case in the M235.

Overall I am glad that the reviews are positive to this point. That's a good sign...

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by bimmerfile

"In short, this M235i is the car that we’d dreamed it would be, and wished the M135i coupé would really be too."

Good 'nuff for me...

+1 Especially when you consider how well the M135 has been received.

I am getting truly excited now...

[IEDEI]

Originally Posted by bradleyland

I'm not one to get all uppity over driving a BMW, but I remember when I drove a GTI. I loved the car, but I got really tired of having to defend my choice in social circles. It's just tiring. My 1-series still got some remarks, but not nearly as much as my GTI. I'm disappointed that it's even an issue. *sigh*

who gives a crap what your social circles say? either that or you need some new social circles.

you should never buy cars to impress others...just to please yourself!

[Seagull]

Originally Posted by bradleyland

Almost every review I've read so far has some remark about a lack of steering feedback.

I get the sense that reviewers want to be positive about this car. I don't mean they're being intentionally untruthful, but that they're suffering from some cognitive bias.

The 1M was received positively. The M135i followed up with even more positive reviews, largely (IMO) because of it's obtainability, and now the M235i is getting a lot of the same treatment.

This car is in a real sweet spot. It's got fantastic performance at a price point that really is obtainable for a lot of people, and because it's a BMW, it has the street cred that a lot of the other driver's cars in the market lack. Let's face it, a middle-aged professional ends up doing a lot of explaining when they drive something like a FR-S or BRZ.

I'm not one to get all uppity over driving a BMW, but I remember when I drove a GTI. I loved the car, but I got really tired of having to defend my choice in social circles. It's just tiring. My 1-series still got some remarks, but not nearly as much as my GTI. I'm disappointed that it's even an issue. *sigh*

Anyway, it's hard not to root for this car.

Yes, I do root for the car, and not being a hardcore track junkie or someone who has actually driven an e30 ( instead of the many people just reading reviews or watching vids ), I will definitely test drive it and find out for myself and my own standards. I also think that the M3/M4 is way overpriced, so the M235i ( for what it is), is great value.

I get your point about the social circles. You do buy the car for yourself, but you don't want to have to explain the same old story to everyone over and over again either.

[tuco44]

Originally Posted by Seagull

Yes, I do root for the car, and not being a hardcore track junkie or someone who has actually driven an e30 ( instead of the many people just reading reviews or watching vids ), I will definitely test drive it and find out for myself and my own standards. I also think that the M3/M4 is way overpriced, so the M235i ( for what it is), is great value.

Agreed, a lot of negative comments based on reading specs and reviews. I will drive it when available and make my decision at that time. A lot of stuff posted here is just conjecture and wishful thinking based partly on delusions of the poster being a hard core track hound.

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by tuco44

Agreed, a lot of negative comments based on reading specs and reviews. I will drive it when available and make my decision at that time. A lot of stuff posted here is just conjecture and wishful thinking based partly on delusions of the poster being a hard core track hound.

You know, the M235 will be the 5th BMW I have owned, and it will be the 4th that I bought without driving it first, and the 3rd that I have bought without seeing it in the flesh.

Am I nuts? Maybe...but they usually seem to work out in a good way. I have no doubt it will be the same for this car.