05-09-2013, 01:08 AM | #1 |
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M235i vs 435i
I cant believe a thread has not been posted comparing these two coupes. Im looking to buy a coupe in the next couple of months ( likely september). At first i looked at the current 135i and 335i but I'm willing to wait. So i have to ask, except for a few inches in height and width what difference do any of you see? Is this going to be like the 3 coupe vs 6 coupe? Why should i get a 435i? And why should i get an M235i?
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05-09-2013, 03:37 AM | #3 | |
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05-09-2013, 04:45 AM | #4 |
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i guess it depends on if you want semi usable rear seats or not. i'm actually on the fence about these two as well, i'm also considering an S4(not a coupe i know but a pretty sweet car nonetheless). the M235i might be able to outhandle the M435i due to less weight and the same power output(around 200lbs for 135is vs 335is)
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05-09-2013, 09:38 AM | #5 |
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We chose the previous 135i over the 335i coupe because of weight, styling and uniqueness. The back seat was actually more than useful, even behind my 6'2" self. It's harder to get back there than the 3er, but once you're in there, it's not that different. My 73 year old dad endured a few three hour trips back there with no more complaining than usual.
I'd assume the 2er/4er difference will be similar. The 2er will have a shorted wheelbase, resulting in a slightly choppier ride, but quicker turn in and slightly sharper oversteer at the limit. Hopefully the next generation will have a more sorted suspension, with the E82/E92, it was clear that the E92 got a much better developed suspension and many folks swapped E82 bits for E92 M3 suspension parts which helped greatly. You mentioned that you originally wanted a car fairly soon. I'd guess that the 4er is still six months away from US sales and the 4er is probably closer to a full year or 18 months. |
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05-09-2013, 01:05 PM | #6 | |
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05-09-2013, 02:17 PM | #7 |
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It's all about size and character. If you drove an E92 3-series coupe and an E82 1-series coupe, you probably already know the differences. My brother-in-law bought an E92 335i, so I've driven both a bit, and there are definite character differences. My 135i feels smaller and choppier, like Red Bread said. I think choppy is actually a really good description for the way the 135i drives. Some people might think that's an insult, but that's how I prefer it. When I drove my brother-in-law's 335i down the Blue Ridge Parkway, I could tell a distinct difference from my 135i. The larger car floats a bit more over uneven roads, where the 135i kind of hops over them. This can be good and bad. On a smoother road surface, it gives the 135i a tighter feeling, IMO. On bad roads, it can be unsettling.
Neither the 2-series or the 4-series has been driven by anyone outside of BMW, so we really can't say for sure if these comparisons will hold true for the new cars, but I would expect BMW will try to keep their characters distinguished, so it's reasonable to assume the differences will remain similar.
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05-09-2013, 04:09 PM | #8 |
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I've owned a 128i in the past and currently own a 335is. I've put a down payment on the upcoming M235i b/c of the differences between the current 1 and 3 series - which will be amplified in the next series (the 2 and 4). My 335is is great but it is immensely different in the "fun" factor vs the 1. I considered the 128i to be more "fun" than my 335is. The 1 was more willing to turn in, more nimble, and I could feel every aspect of driving (acceleration, braking, under/oversteer) more through the 1 chassis than through my 3. It's for these reasons that I'm getting the 2 instead of the new 4. Like most have said, it's all about what you want. Do you want a more compliant ride? More comfort and elegance? More "presence"? Then I'd go with the 4. But if you want an ultimate driving machine that feels more like an ultimate driving machine, I'd go with the M235i. Personally, I think it will become an overnight classic........until the M2 comes out, of course.
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05-15-2013, 12:41 PM | #10 |
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No one will know for sure until they release the car, but I haven't seen any rumors of an xDrive version. The 1-series never had an xDrive variant in the US, so I'd say it's unlikely.
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05-16-2013, 10:48 AM | #11 |
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The 1 series (E8X) never had a xdrive version in any market, that's the principal reason why US also didn't have one. Contrary to your reasoning, since the new generation (F2X) have xdrive versions available in hatch body styles, I don't see why they will/shall be excluded from coupe and other body style versions. BMW NA may choose not to bring them but that's something else.
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05-16-2013, 01:01 PM | #12 | |
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05-18-2013, 11:49 AM | #13 |
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I'm in the same boat. In the next year I'm getting a new BMW. It's still between the M235, M435(you know it's coming), and the F30 with the new N5x engine.
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05-18-2013, 02:47 PM | #14 | |
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05-19-2013, 08:46 AM | #15 | ||
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06-10-2013, 12:45 AM | #16 | |
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At some point the speculation will be true. But I don't think it will be as soon as some think. The N55 came to market in 09 in the 535i GT as a 2010 model. It came to other BMW's in 2010 like in the 2010 135i. So that's about 4 years of mass production. It's not likely that BMW will bring a new replacement for the N55 sooner than 7 production years imo. The N55 was a brand new turbo design incorporating newest advancements in turbo engines like twin scroll turbo and valvetronic intake. BMW needs to get a return on investment before they bring a whole new engine. The N54 was more of a "stop gap" engine brought to market to compete with the higher HP engines from the competition. SO BMW used an older engine design and added twin turbo's. It was a big hit, but it lacked the refined and efficiency they needed, thus the N55 came pretty soon after, and that's why it's life was shorter before replacement. The N55 is still quite new and loaded with technology and it's efficient given how much power it produces, especially when coupled with the new 8spd AT. It's be interesting if the 4 series launches with a new engine. I'll bet it won't. A new engine is more likely to come during the mid life cycle refresh of the F30, still more than a couple years away. |
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06-10-2013, 10:52 AM | #18 | |
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there's a recent post by m koesel where he states that the 435 is an interim model to an m-performance 4 series(analagous to the m235) coming for 2015 with a power bump and, if i recall correctly, will have the b68 although i could be wrong about the last part. |
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06-10-2013, 11:38 PM | #19 |
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I'm expecting the 2er to be a tick behind the 4er in option availability and mechanics. Options like Active Cruise, or color HUD are not going to be in the 2er, and a less elaborate suspension design is a real possibility too.
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06-11-2013, 09:30 AM | #20 |
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I think M235 and M2 will be looked at by BMW as THE hard core entusiasts' car...a real hot rod for the faithful and will charge prices accordingly (ie high) particularly for the M2. The M435 and M4 are going to be for the high end buyers looking for style, comfort and performance and are willing to pay big bucks...think corporate types, lawyers and MD's.
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