08-16-2016, 09:27 PM | #111 |
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Having owned a m235 and a c 450 amg at the same time (wife's) , the Amg was nicely done up on the inside, made nice sounds, but was garbage on driving experience.
Merc is a pushy pig at the limits, stock 235 needs some help, but is much more agile and connected. You can drive the bmw at 10/10ths and it will be controllable, just understeers. merc was a 7/10ths car unless in a straight line, you can not place the car consistently on apex at 10/10ths. More of a mini muscle car than a sports sedan. If you actually like driving get a bmw, if you don't get the Benz, I assure you the Benz will look dated and old in a few years. Benz lasted 6 months before traded in for a Lexus. Benz was in dealer 6 times, told wife if it has no feel, mine as well be dependable, so Lexus it was. Bmw is so easily modded, huge community of information. Def. the easiest cheapest car to individualize. |
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08-16-2016, 09:47 PM | #112 | |
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Although I am looking at the xDrive M240 (I live at the very tip top of a fairly long and steep hill and it can slow a good amount in southern Ohio, and it will be my only car), so I'm not sure how much that affects the superiority of the driving dynamics. |
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08-16-2016, 10:07 PM | #113 | |
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If you need a reliable/ only car I would not get the Benz. Could have just been ours, but we have had 2 be in the past 4 years, a 13 gl and the 450, both had many issues in build quality. I am done with that brand. |
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08-16-2016, 10:54 PM | #114 | |
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Also, the looks of this car will last quite some time in my opinion. It still retains a lot of the old school BMW heritage, but has all of the sleek sharp edges and modern tech surrounding it to keep it relevant, without taking it over the top. All the more reason to have a nice long PAID OFF ownership D
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08-16-2016, 11:42 PM | #115 | |
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I've heard as much. Only thing is, I've only driven the xDrive M235i. Here in Cinci it's difficult to find a RWD one. If a forum member was willing to let me drive one, that would be cool - but that's probably a long shot. So the only thing I've been able to do is test drive a 340i and 340i xDrive, and I honestly liked the feel of the 340i xDrive more. I feel like I'll be doing a lot of driving under 70 mph and the absolute grip of the 4wd getting power to the ground helps under those circumstances as I understand it. I know the RWD is better for "fun", for getting the rear end out and for higher speeds, but I haven't had that experience yet, so I'm reluctant to spend 50k on a car I haven't driven yet when I know I like the xDrive version. |
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08-17-2016, 03:25 AM | #116 | |
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In any case, I believe I mentioned it in another post but I am leasing the vehicle and would most likely take a huge financial loss trying to trade it in. The car is by no means miserable enough for me to throw money away. It does a lot of things right, and that will do for now. |
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08-17-2016, 08:18 AM | #117 | |
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You stated that you didn't like the looks of a convertible and didn't care for the interior and didn't find it very roomy or didn't like the gas mileage it gets - and that, in general, it's not an attractive car (aka "looker"), then I sure as heck wouldn't have plunked down $65K for my ragtop.
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08-17-2016, 11:39 AM | #118 | |
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So now you've taken a hit and not trying to rub salt. Just writing this for others to follow your gut. I remember my gutt telling me TSX was too buzzy and luxury minded. My gutt was right. You spend too much for ho-hum. I hope you can find something inspiring again! I ended up buying another 1M and funny but I also have a 2003 ZHP as daily driver. The car I really wanted in 2003 when I tried to go practical! Best wishes! |
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08-17-2016, 11:50 AM | #119 |
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These cars can't be WOW because there are M cars that supposed to do that. It was always like that. So while M235 can perhaps compete with previous generation M, M cars will still feel like a better driver machines
Last edited by Kolyan2k; 08-17-2016 at 12:27 PM.. |
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08-17-2016, 12:02 PM | #120 | |
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08-17-2016, 12:26 PM | #121 |
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08-17-2016, 12:28 PM | #122 | |
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Anyway, I feel for poster. I have been there myself. |
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08-17-2016, 12:45 PM | #123 |
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08-17-2016, 12:59 PM | #124 | |
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He did it because most cars in Europe are debaged (at least BMWs are) |
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08-17-2016, 01:27 PM | #125 |
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My 2 pennies...
This is the problem with someones personal taste / opinion and trying to have others "convince" them otherwise. Example, the OP buys a sausage pizza but prefers only cheese.... then asks others about why he is having a had time enjoying sausage. This just makes me laugh and this post could actually could discourage other people to buy this vehicle. I bought this car because I want a small fast car that is luxurious, AWD, good on gas, daily driver and lastly a BMW I came from the Mustang community (owned 4) you wouldn't believe the crap that owners post / have issues about. I was amazed on the minimal number or REAL issues with this type of vehicle. Not to get off topic but you like what you like, if you dont like it get something different and try not to put silly thoughts into other buyers minds Btw - this clip below puts a smile on my face and makes me very happy with my purchase. |
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08-17-2016, 02:10 PM | #126 | ||
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Look I'll be the first to admit that I'm indecisive and have a lot of years of driving ahead. I think it really comes down to not knowing exactly what I wanted, or having enough time to see if it was what I truly wanted. I still get giddy test driving new cars and can be completely impulsive in my emotions with any new car. Anyways, Not trying to take anything away from the 235 as it is a great machine. I think my intention of this post came through to the majority of people. A lot of great discussion. |
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08-17-2016, 02:42 PM | #127 |
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BMW obviously branded this car with an M first for some reason, as it's focused to a performance oriented market that doesn't want a balls out M car to drive to work every day or to pay the premium for that M car. It's not built like an older 540iM (for example) which was mostly cosmetic branding and didn't really have anything significant that brought it close to the M5, and they were spread apart in actual performance/power. The adaptive M suspension, brembo brakes 3.0L Turbo engine with a 300+hp/tq starting point, factory supplied Michelin PSS's on the 2 series all point in the direction of performance. Sure the M2 gets you more HP, larger brakes, wider track, swole body work, but to me that's about all I can think that's really setting the car apart. The hp, brakes, and body work, blue stitching on the seats aren't convincing enough for me to feel like the M2 is that "far superior" so the M235/240. An M2 owner may feel this way though, obviously.. Each person will have their views/opinions on this of course, and this is my thought on the branding side of the car versus what you actually get in real world performance AND what you are ACTUALLY going to do with the car when you own it. I think the gap between these cars is so small, it's beneficial to look at the model that was built for the every day driver, so we are not unsatisfied with every day driving (most of us drive this car daily) since that's the primary intent. Secondly is performance, which if you want more than what BMW gave you it's as simple as a couple grand (or less) in bolt on mods that are very safe and "reliable" to some degree.
The 235/240 with a JB4, DP, IC along with some M2/3/4 suspension mods and some proper brake pads can totally transform ones thought of performance limiting factors of the current model. So much room to grow, but so little are willing to do so these days, it seems. So that said, if you want it all and never want to upgrade or individualize your car, a full M model is the way to go and may cost less initially. I could beat this to death, but it's what I preach when people ask "why didn't you go for an M2/3" etc. Nothing to do with price point or all out factory performance, more so long term ownership, low dollar power adders, and the potential to modify and make it to the next level when time permits itself. I bet there's quite a few guys on these boards that will be faster than the M2's on the same track with the bolt ons and suspension mods they have done so far, which shows the tuning potential of the car. Yes, the M2 will be tunable too, and that's another topic of discussion as to how you'll get more power down at that level... I love debates like this, especially as I'm still learning a lot about the brand and 2 series itself, and of course the possibilities. D
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08-17-2016, 02:43 PM | #128 | |
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The M235i is the only car/non-SUV in BMW's lineup that has the same suspension as the RWD counterpart when choosing AWD. The 335 and 535 are both mushy and raised suspensions vs. the RWD versions. So, if you preferred AWD in the 340 it will be that much better in the 240. RWD with snows vs AWD with snows on a steep his is no comparison during a snow storm. Also, where I live in Chicago they don't plow the alley's and you have to go back and forth over ruts to get out of parking spots, this is a non issue with AWD and snows, but was an adventure in the 135i w/snows.
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08-17-2016, 03:01 PM | #129 | ||
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08-17-2016, 03:09 PM | #130 |
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Almost all -- emphasis on 'almost' -- of this discussion is not constructive at all for anyone, which is why I said what I said here.
To rephrase: Each person has a different set of standards, with different priorities, by which to judge what's best for them no matter what that 'what' is: car, musical instrument, spouse, college, cemetery to be buried in (and who to be buried next to), whatever. No one else can help sort those out better than that person. Sure, you can share your points of view, criteria, past experiences, etc. with other people -- what the OP has done -- but in the end those other people aren't going to come close to giving you constructive feedback about your predilections unless they know you much better than any of us know the OP. It really is that simple. Most of the posts here are simply re-hashes of individual philosophies on what car is best for themself and no one else. Not even wisdom about each individual experience can really be transferred in the context of this discussion. It can be empathized with, yes, but it's really not constructive. OP: It's your decision based on your experience (i.e., you've had an M3) and your philosophy. Nothing is a bit wrong with how you feel. If it doesn't move you, move on.
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08-17-2016, 03:11 PM | #131 | |
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Finally, the point of this thread was to empathize with the poster because I have been where he is. I used to love Papa Johns pizza then I went to study in Paris where I had pizza in this little joint for six months. I still get Papa Johns and it's good pizza especially for the price and my kids love it but for me, after having that thin pizza in Paris it has never been as enjoyable. Nothing wrong with it, but hard to enjoy it after you've had amazing pizza. |
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08-17-2016, 03:29 PM | #132 | |
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