[pocoyo_3]

I'm in the market for an M235i, but before pulling the trigger I thought I would look at an M4, and also a Cayman. I realize that the M4 and Cayman are a fair bit more expensive, but I wanted to see what the extra money gets for you. Here are some thoughts.

(1) Porsche Cayman
Firstly, I should say that the car I drove wasn't the ideal spec for me. It was a PDK to start off with, and to add insult to injury, it had steering wheel buttons instead of paddles. Those things are an ergonomic disaster. The car also had the Sports Exhaust, and I'm not into cars so loud, so that further tainted the experience. We didn't star toff on the right foot.

Despite all that, it was clearly a great car to drive. I used to own a 987 Boxster, and the Cayman felt a fair bit ahead of that car in terms of performance and chassis. Very pure, very focused, and the steering and chassis are clearly something special. It may have EPS, but I would never have noticed. This car felt great even at modest speeds.

Unfortunately I didn't have much of a run in the car, and my salesman really didn't seem that keen. He also did the usual trick of trying to get me to order a car on the spot. Lastly, Porsche's base spec and option prices are a real joke.

(2) BMW M235i
Another car with not the ideal spec for me as it was an 8-speed auto with xDrive. Saying that, it had paddles and I could easily upshift and downshift. BMW also do the gear change direction the correct way round - pushing away to change down and pulling towards you to change up. Most manufacturers do it the opposite way, including Porsche, who interestingly reverse for the GT3 ...

What struck me right away was the smoothness and tractability of the engine. I've owned an N55 engined car before, but this felt smoother and more tractable than I remember. I'm coming from an N20 so that was quite a contrast. The upcoming B58 engine is going to have to be quite something to improve on the N55. The chassis is sharp by normal standards but it did feel soft after the Cayman. On the other hand, it strikes a great compromise between handling and ride comfort for a daily driver. I could see this car being a great grand tourer, and it feels like a true successor to 3-series of old (E46 and before).

(4) BMW M4
I expected this to feel like a sharper version of an M235i, but I was surprised and impressed by how different it felt. To start off with, again, it wasn't a 6-MT, it was a 7-DCT. The 8-AT in the M235i is impressive in the speed of changes, but the 7-DCT felt instantaneous.

It was the noise and performance that struck me. The S55 makes very metallic sounds, very unlike the N55. I actually preferred the sound of the N55. In terms of power, it's definitely making a fair bit more than 425 bhp. The car felt noticeably traction limited. It doesn't take much to get the traction control light flashing on. The car is an absolute blast to drive, but truthfully it felt like it had too much power and torque for the chassis. The whole car felt very raw.

Thoughts:
I came away feeling that the M235i is actually great value for money, and it's also a great size. The M4 is now just too big, and the Cayman forces you to make too many compromises. The M235i seems to be one of those cars that hits the sweet spot and it's arguably one of the best cars BMW have made in recent years. Looking forward to getting mine all the more now.

[MikeT]

Good analysis. Agree 100%. And I have an ED / AW/ ZDM m235i on order, as well.

[pocoyo_3]

Thanks Mike. I went ZDM as well. I'm not going to track the car but I never use the sunroof and it's one less thing to go wrong.

M235i owners sleep well - it's one of those cars that makes all the right compromises and feels right. I always wished that I had bought an E46 M3 years ago, so this is as close as I will probably get (unless I can somehow find a great used one).

I have no idea what the long term future of the 2-series coupe will be, as the hatchback is going front drive for the next generation. It would be a shame if the 2-series went front drive too and the smallest rear drive coupe we ended up being a 4-series.

[drivethemachine]

Originally Posted by pocoyo_3

Thanks Mike. I went ZDM as well. I'm not going to track the car but I never use the sunroof and it's one less thing to go wrong.

M235i owners sleep well - it's one of those cars that makes all the right compromises and feels right. I always wished that I had bought an E46 M3 years ago, so this is as close as I will probably get (unless I can somehow find a great used one).

I have no idea what the long term future of the 2-series coupe will be, as the hatchback is going front drive for the next generation. It would be a shame if the 2-series went front drive too and the smallest rear drive coupe we ended up being a 4-series.

I would even go and say the F22 continues to evolve the E46 in the direction it should have.
It's like going back in time and we are creating a parallel universe.

[gaijin]

OP: you did well! Enjoyed reading your missive and your observations are keen, and spot on. We opted going with ZDM and delete sunroof too. Our test drive included a 6MT 435i since ZDM M235i are a rarity in our part of the world. We too just could not see ourselves driving an AT having driven 6MT since our first new sports coupe eons ago.

[Inline_Six]

Originally Posted by gaijin

OP: you did well! Enjoyed reading your missive and your observations are keen, and spot on. We opted going with ZDM and delete sunroof too. Our test drive included a 6MT 435i since ZDM M235i are a rarity in our part of the world. We too just could not see ourselves driving an AT having driven 6MT since our first new sports coupe eons ago.

What is ZDM ?

[Supernaut]

Originally Posted by InlineSixTwinScroll

What is ZDM ?

ZDM is Delete Moonroof.

ZMT is Manual Transmission.

[pocoyo_3]

You have to love BMW order codes :-)

Agreed, the F22 has gone in the direction that the E46 would have gone. I'm coming from an F20 and that felt like a completely different car to my E90, let alone my E46. I'm just glad that we have a successor to the E46 ... at least for now.

I'm also noticing that manual transmission BMW's are becoming increasingly difficult to find for test drives. I managed to find an M235i 6MT to drive a few months ago but that was the only one.

Regarding the E46 M3, I would have considered t to find one. However, I've spent enough time researching the rear sub-frame cracking issues to be concerned. There's a series of videos on youtube by Reddish Automotive that document them in detail.

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

Cayman would be #1 on my list - but not as an edd...

Op, I had the W205 Benz, F8x M3/M4, used 1M and 435 all on the radar...

For me, the M235 was the best combination of everyday driving fun, comfort and was better value vs the others too

Good luck to you! Sounds like you're doing your due dilligence.

[Alpine F31]

Originally Posted by pocoyo_3

M235i owners sleep well - it's one of those cars that makes all the right compromises and feels right. I always wished that I had bought an E46 M3 years ago...

Me too, as well as the E36 M3 before that. The M235i may not be an M3, but it's a lot closer to the M3's of the past that I longed for but never got than the new M4 is.

OP, great analysis. I agree 100%.

My M235i is on a boat, slowly making it way to me. I cannot wait!

[gaijin]

+1. With all the positive automotive press write-up including Consumer Reports end of year (December 2014):

And from owners/drivers. I'm reserving a special spot and maybe keep the M235i that we'll be taking delivery on soon as long term affair. Time and seat time will tell.

[sstarrx3]

The only thing keeping me from ordering the Cayman would be the money. To get it the way I would want it would be about 70000+. You are right...you got a bad spec to test drive...you needed a MT with the sport wheel. I would still take it over either the M4 or the M235i. No question the M235i is the best value.

[horsepower_and_hounds]

M235i.......BOOOOOOOOM........

[pocoyo_3]

Originally Posted by sstarrx3

The only thing keeping me from ordering the Cayman would be the money. To get it the way I would want it would be about 70000+. You are right...you got a bad spec to test drive...you needed a MT with the sport wheel. I would still take it over either the M4 or the M235i. No question the M235i is the best value.

The Cayman really has a sublime chassis. On the other hand, the base model has a "poverty spec" for a "non-poverty price". Unless you're prepared to deal with halogens and no climate control, you're going to be putting $10k of options on it. I know it sounds foolish to complain about a Porsche being too expensive, but I felt that this was going too far.

As for the steering wheel, you're right, the Sport Design wheel is the one to get. It's only $300 more so I have no idea why it's not the standard wheel. My 2005 Boxster had the base wheel and all I remember was it being thin and very large.

The M235i is definitely the best value, and it combines so many different attributes into a single car. It's entertaining, quick, comfortable, reasonably practical - basically a great daily driver and weekend fun car.

I'm coming from an F20 328i, and one thing I really like about the M235i is the size. That's something I also appreciate in comparison the M3/M4.

[sstarrx3]

Originally Posted by pocoyo_3

The Cayman really has a sublime chassis. On the other hand, the base model has a "poverty spec" for a "non-poverty price". Unless you're prepared to deal with halogens and no climate control, you're going to be putting $10k of options on it. I know it sounds foolish to complain about a Porsche being too expensive, but I felt that this was going too far.

As for the steering wheel, you're right, the Sport Design wheel is the one to get. It's only $300 more so I have no idea why it's not the standard wheel. My 2005 Boxster had the base wheel and all I remember was it being thin and very large.

The M235i is definitely the best value, and it combines so many different attributes into a single car. It's entertaining, quick, comfortable, reasonably practical - basically a great daily driver and weekend fun car.

I'm coming from an F20 328i, and one thing I really like about the M235i is the size. That's something I also appreciate in comparison the M3/M4.

Yep...I would want the full leather...Bose infotainment...auto dimming mirrors...heated seats...I think I would take the manual even though the PDK is faster in the Porsche...235 I would want the 8 AT. I would want the sport wheel and sport plus seats, the 2 way would be fine. With just these options its 70000 plus. Head lights are not an issue for me I have halogens on my 228i and they are fine.

[Kidu]

nice review and I agree. I chose the m235 over an M4 and a 911, 'cos $$ to value, it made the most sense. and yes, I do sleep a lot better at night!

[pocoyo_3]

I thought it was ironic that we were debating our Cayman spec on a BMW forum :-) I've always been somewhat overwhelmed by the Porsche configurator. Not just the prices, but the options. I get the impression that only 25% of the options relate to performance, and 75% relate to aesthetics.

Interesting that 3 people from Consumer Reports picked the M235i as either their pick. There was another episode that discussed it in reference to the 435i, which is almost a competitor. They seem aimed at different audiences, though.


I was trying to think of other potential competitors to the M235i. The only other ones are the Audi S3, the Golf R, and Mercedes CLA45 AMG, but somehow none appealed to me. The Audi and the Mercedes are dual clutch only, and the Golf R is not here yet. There's also the Golf GTi which is a great car from my experience of test drives.