[Rupes]

I thought I remembered seeing a post on this, but a search didn't turn up anything. I test drove a sport package 228i. Not a bad little car, but hated that I couldn't feel the road imperfections like I could with my current car. I know, I know, thats been said a million times, but I guess my real questing is posed to those that have made the switch from M3 to M235i. Would you honestly do it again, or do you have some regrets about giving up that wonderful sounding V8?

[Cybertronic]

Yeah, I'll miss the sound. But the M235 is a proper little car, that reminds me of E30's that I love. (My track car is an E30 M3)
I also like not running out of gas every few days...:-p

[mjposner]

I came from an E93 M3 and here is a simple comparison

Power: About the same
DCT is better than a stick
Stick is good but to light (same with clutch pedal)
saving $40 a month in gas with the M235i
Tech much better (has an early 2011)
Enhanced Sound in M3 far better than HK in M235i
Leather far nicer in M3

I made the switch due to warranty and maintenance costs (extended warranty for the M3 was over 6k for two years).

That said, M235i is a fun well built small car that I enjoy driving.

http://mjposner.com/BMWM235i/

[apg13]

Originally Posted by mjposner

I came from an E93 M3 and here is a simple comparison

Power: About the same
DCT is better than a stick
Stick is good but to light (same with clutch pedal)
saving $40 a month in gas with the M235i
Tech much better (has an early 2011)
Enhanced Sound in M3 far better than HK in M235i
Leather far nicer in M3

I made the switch due to warranty and maintenance costs (extended warranty for the M3 was over 6k for two years).

That said, M235i is a fun well built small car that I enjoy driving.

http://mjposner.com/BMWM235i/

Does the enhanced sound remain far worse after your addition of subs?

[mjposner]

I like loud crisp music. With the top down in my M3, it was still clear with the M235i the wind overcomes the sound unless I go full blast and then you get distortion. Will eventually upgrade speaker and amps.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by mjposner

I came from an E93 M3 and here is a simple comparison

Power: About the same
DCT is better than a stick
Stick is good but to light (same with clutch pedal)
saving $40 a month in gas with the M235i
Tech much better (has an early 2011)
Enhanced Sound in M3 far better than HK in M235i
Leather far nicer in M3

I made the switch due to warranty and maintenance costs (extended warranty for the M3 was over 6k for two years).

That said, M235i is a fun well built small car that I enjoy driving.

http://mjposner.com/BMWM235i/

Until you add a Jb4

[Jimmer]

I made the switch for one major reason. M3 was out of warranty and costing me lots of money in maintenance (had 150,000km on it).

City/Road driving I actually find the 2 more fun. Simply couldn't drive the M3 hard enough to enjoy it without breaking every law possible.

Real world the 2 seems faster. Yes, if you get up to 9/10-10/10 and to the limits the M3 would show through but spirited driving is easier in the 2.

My M3 was 2008 so technology difference between that and 2014 is major.

Savings in fuel is not even close. M3 drank like crazy and 2 is amazing considering the performance.

Part of me enjoyed going back to 6 speed but did enjoy M-DCT.

In a modded M3 hardly anyone "played" on city streets, I was left alone (which I loved). In my 2, every snot-nosed kid tries to race me (race me on the track, just leave me alone on public roads).

Only things I miss about M3:
Sound.
(hate to say this) Status with general public. Everyone seemed to know what an M3 was, unless you are a car guy you have no idea what M235 is. (remember my city street leave me alone comment)

When I was looking into making this switch, money was tight and had to stop the pain with the M3 so I put it in my head it was an "acceptable downgrade" and one I could live with until I could hopefully get an M2. After putting 11,000km on my 2 it's really not much of a downgrade at all. I upgraded my suspension on my M so notice cornering not as good but not much else.

The pros of the M235 certainly trump the cons of the M3 in my situation.

(but now I'm just trying to stay away from mods as its a lease and if can just flip to M2 in 3yrs why waste money)

[Ricfutures]

There are days that I miss my E92 M3 and there are days that I feel that I made the right decision. I agree with all of the responses in this thread thus far. Especially the one about resisting the temptation of modding this M235i before the M2 arrives. I think the M2 will provide the best of all worlds (efficiency performance all in a smaller package).

[timsev]

Depends what you are going to do with the car. I came from an E46 M3. The M3 is a better sports car. Better handling, more fun on the track. For pure performance, I miss my M3 because it was more raw. For a street car and daily driver, the M235i is better. More torque, more creature comforts. The handling is good, just not M good. If you are spending all your time on the street and no track, the M235i will be better IMO

[mjposner]

Yet, I will likely get an M4 when the two year leases expire and I can afford to buy used.