[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by 3002 Tii

Sure hydraulic feels better during "performance" driving but ironically I have electric on my track car and I got used to it fast. At first it felt vague because it'd be so effortless to turn the wheel but once I got used to it, the car felt very nimble. And on track I drive with DSC off and electric steering allows for quicker corrections on track.

And like I said, when it comes to daily driving, I can parallel park very easily with power steering. One hand on the wheel while looking back and the wheel spins with ease. With hydraulic, I really have to crank the wheel when the car is backing up slowly.

That puts it in perpsective for me--thank you...I guess I will get used to it as well, but I wonder if I will like it...I actually get a grin on my face when you have to crank the steering wheel now, but that's just me.

[IEDEI]

FYI: by the time this car gets to the US market it will be heavier (due to federally required add ons) and will be about the same weight as the current E82---- we are all currently using South African weights which are not equivalent to US standards.

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by IEDEI

FYI: by the time this car gets to the US market it will be heavier (due to federally required add ons) and will be about the same weight as the current E82---- we are all currently using South African weights which are not equivalent to US standards.

I think they are within a couple of pounds with the respective conversations made, correct?

I have had 2 E82s, and never felt that weight was any sort of issue--the M235 will be in that same range and have more power, so it should be a good recipe...

[Stohlen]

Originally Posted by 3002 Tii

Sure hydraulic feels better during "performance" driving but ironically I have electric on my track car and I got used to it fast. At first it felt vague because it'd be so effortless to turn the wheel but once I got used to it, the car felt very nimble. And on track I drive with DSC off and electric steering allows for quicker corrections on track.

And like I said, when it comes to daily driving, I can parallel park very easily with power steering. One hand on the wheel while looking back and the wheel spins with ease. With hydraulic, I really have to crank the wheel when the car is backing up slowly.

Every electric rack I've driven just feels so lifeless. Like you spin the wheel and there's nothing there. I like to feel the road in the wheel, helps you know exactly what the car is feeling and where there is grip.

Technology is just taking all of the skill out of driving a car. DCTs, launch control, vehicle assists, etc. making it more about what car you have than how good a driver you are. No thanks...

[BMWPower06]

Originally Posted by FANBMWM

Where is the first picture take because there is a Rolls Royce ghost on the side

That's inside BMW of North America's engineering garage in Woodcliff Lake, NJ. lol that's strictly a no camera zone, so not a smart idea by whoever took that picture...

[vinny84]

Originally Posted by BMWPower06

That's inside BMW of North America's engineering garage in Woodcliff Lake, NJ. lol that's strictly a no camera zone, so not a smart idea by whoever took that picture...

The way the bumpers are set up, I assumed that it was set up like that so someone would take a picture to tease us enthusiasts

[clbmw]

Originally Posted by Stohlen

Every electric rack I've driven just feels so lifeless. Like you spin the wheel and there's nothing there. I like to feel the road in the wheel, helps you know exactly what the car is feeling and where there is grip.

Technology is just taking all of the skill out of driving a car. DCTs, launch control, vehicle assists, etc. making it more about what car you have than how good a driver you are. No thanks...

+1 the steering on E90 was loads better than F models

[AtlantaDude]

The only thing so far that I'm not liking too much, is how tall the cabin is. I would have loved seeing more of a slender roof line. Like the 4 series.

[Zebra99]

Originally Posted by pikcachu

cause it's an M235 and not an M435

Still doesn't make sense...you're paying a premium to own a "4" instead of a "2". They should be giving the 4's more power I'd this is the way it's gonna go. They're also at a disadvantage on weight too.

[Greenkirby21]

Originally Posted by Zebra99

Still doesn't make sense...you're paying a premium to own a "4" instead of a "2". They should be giving the 4's more power I'd this is the way it's gonna go. They're also at a disadvantage on weight too.

Tell that to the 1 series owners who have faster cars then 3 series owners...

[pikcachu]

Originally Posted by Zebra99

Still doesn't make sense...you're paying a premium to own a "4" instead of a "2". They should be giving the 4's more power I'd this is the way it's gonna go. They're also at a disadvantage on weight too.

Ya don't be a hater... if you want a faster car go buy an M4 :-D

[vinny84]

Originally Posted by Zebra99

Still doesn't make sense...you're paying a premium to own a "4" instead of a "2". They should be giving the 4's more power I'd this is the way it's gonna go. They're also at a disadvantage on weight too.

I think the purpose of the 4 is a more upscale coupe. It is one notch below the 6 series as far as coupes go.

That's the only thing I can think of at least...

[bimmerfile]

Originally Posted by Zebra99

Still doesn't make sense...you're paying a premium to own a "4" instead of a "2". They should be giving the 4's more power I'd this is the way it's gonna go. They're also at a disadvantage on weight too.

Maybe they want the "4" to be more of a boulevard cruiser..

[AustinPowers007]

Originally Posted by aajami

Shorter and narrower, I can understand. But those dimensions combined with being taller than a 4-series makes this car look very un-athletic. Again, it seems to me that BMW goes out of its way to make this car look as awkward as possible compared to the rest of the model lineup, and I have no idea why.

I recently test drove the 4 series coupe and the visibility is horrible. I actually think the taller shape of the 2 series will make visibility far better than it's bigger sibling, and the 2 series still looks beautifully sleek.

[ND40oz]

Originally Posted by vinny84

Right. If they do decide to make a M435i, you can expect it to have more power than the M235i and be in between the 435i and the M4

Nope, it'll have the same HP, they're all just using the N55HP tune. Just like the 6er, 7er, M135, M Performance 335i (CA) and M Performance X5 and X6.

[vinny84]

Originally Posted by ND40oz

Nope, it'll have the same HP, they're all just using the N55HP tune. Just like the 6er, 7er, M135, M Performance 335i (CA) and M Performance X5 and X6.

I can't really see the point for an M435i then. Not sure if people will be willing to pay about $12-15k more, only to get the same car as a M235i, in a 4 series.

[ND40oz]

Originally Posted by vinny84

I can't really see the point for an M435i then. Not sure if people will be willing to pay about $12-15k more, only to get the same car as a M235i, in a 4 series.

If they can sell it for a profit, then that's the point. Just like the 335is over the 135is. It all depends on what someone is looking for in a vehicle.

[atlas310]

Originally Posted by vinny84

I can't really see the point for an M435i then. Not sure if people will be willing to pay about $12-15k more, only to get the same car as a M235i, in a 4 series.

Some people don't like the size of the 2. 4 seems bigger, more of a cruiser, but still sporty.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by atlas310

Some people don't like the size of the 2. 4 seems bigger, more of a cruiser, but still sporty.

Ha, it's funny that many of us complain about the fragmentation of the BMW product line, but at the same time benefit from it. I can't stand the large size of the 4er and am happy the 2er exists. Of course what I'd really like is a 1er, hatch or sedan, or a 2 GC, as the 3er is also way too big to interest me.

[M3_WC]

I think the new 3/4 are too big as well. The size of the 2 looks promising, also like the sound of a 2GC.

It is odd I always hear that Europeans embrace smaller cars, hot hatches, etc. But the cars coming out of Germany keep getting bigger and bigger.

[atlas310]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Ha, it's funny that many of us complain about the fragmentation of the BMW product line, but at the same time benefit from it. I can't stand the large size of the 4er and am happy the 2er exists. Of course what I'd really like is a 1er, hatch or sedan, or a 2 GC, as the 3er is also way too big to interest me.

Completely agree with you. Just rationalizing why someone else might opt for the 4 over the 2 even if the 2 is as sporty or sportier a performer. I'm not a fan of hatches, but I think the 4-series is too big for me. That's why I'm interested in the 2.

[IEDEI]

Originally Posted by atlas310

Completely agree with you. Just rationalizing why someone else might opt for the 4 over the 2 even if the 2 is as sporty or sportier a performer. I'm not a fan of hatches, but I think the 4-series is too big for me. That's why I'm interested in the 2.

agreed. the last respectable 3-series was the E46. Everything after that has been fat and bloated.