[NewDrLove]

Hi All,
I'm new to the forum, and I'm hoping to tap into the vast wisdom and experience of those of you who have owned and operated these cars.
I just moved to Melbourne, Australia, from Montreal (Canada). Given that I am in a country where I can drive a convertible year-round, I've decided to go for a convertible. I've been test driving a few different cars, and I'm trying to decide between these 2:

2015 M235i Convertible with 49 000Km in Blue (sold by a Mazda dealership)
vs.
2017 220i M-Sport Convertible (M-trim and comfort package) with 19 000Km in White (Sold by a private seller, will end up costing about $2.5K more)

Both are properly maintained/serviced, and have only one previous owner (apparently female, not that it necessarily makes a difference). The 2017 was always garaged, driven mostly only on weekends, and hardly at all in the last 2 years (pandemic, work-from-home).

It's a really tough decision. They feel like entirely different cars to drive. If I go with the fun factor, then the M235i is a clear winner. It drives like a real sports car, super-responsive, great sounding engine, and corners remarkably well. It reminds me my old 2008 Audi TT coupe with a 3.2l V6, only faster, tighter, and with more oversteer (the Audi being AWD tended to understeer unless I really pushed it hard on the track). I'm surprised it's a 6 year old car, as it drives without a rattle or a creek.

However, I'm a little older now (45), and trying to be more responsible and reasonable. The 220i is almost a new car, with such low mileage, and still under warranty for another year. It's significantly more fuel efficient too. It still corners well, and drives better than most cars I've driven. It will definitely "do the trick," but it feels softer, looser, and a whole lot slower. It feels more like a luxury car with pep, whereas the M235i feels less compromising, and more like a real sports car.

This will be my daily driving car. I plan to live in a rural setting here, where the roads are windy, and a little bumpy at times. Australia is really strict with their speed limits, so I'll probably tend to keep it below 60 km/h, unless I take it to the track (which thee M235i begs for). So I will probably end up driving it in ECO mode most of the time. Still, the windy country roads will be fun to corner on, in either car.

I guess I'm looking for any and all advice, as I'm trying to make this tough decision. Will the 2015 M235i end up costing me a fortune in repairs and maintenance? Is there anything I should know about the long-term reliability?

Thank you so much for any help you can offer.

[morphomeman]

You have identified the factors very well.
I would go with the fun car and put the $2.5K savings in a bank account as a rainy day fund.
For me, at least, the color difference would also be a factor. Estoril blue is a head-turner. Just the other day, the guy giving out tickets in a parking lot gave it a thumbs-up.
On the other hand, white is always more practical in a warm climate.
Good luck with your choice. In the end, either car will be tons of fun.

[NewDrLove]

Thanks for the reply Morphomeman! This is what I am thinking as well. I didn't mention the colour much, but yes, I feel very much the same way. The Estoril Blue is awesome and inspires me, while the white is just ok. Overall, the colour actually represnts how I feel about the 2 cars. The Blue M235 inspires me, while the white 220i feels practical. I think it's time for one last impractical choice! I was wondering how your M235ix is holding up mechanically? Should I expect major repairs or maintenance costs?

[DM94]

If totally depends what you want from the car.

The 220 is newer (being a 2017 is it possibly an LCI model, updated rear lights/gauge cluster?), less than half the mileage of the 235, better fuel economy, same great 2 Series looks - granted, slightly more expensive. Since you mentioned that you're probably not going to be pushing the car on public roads, for me the 220 just makes more sense.

The 235 will absolutely be the more fun car to drive in terms of performance driving but if this is going to be a rarity then it doesn't make much sense unless you really want the looks/sounds of the 235.

You'll no doubt enjoy either car, so whichever you feel is the right one for you, just go for it.

[Zircular]

I think the key with this type of decision is to be honest with yourself about what you're likely to remain happy with in 3-5 years (or whatever window fits your buying habits). I'm always surprised how many short term factors can confound a vehicle purchase. No idea how that applies to your preferences so take that as you will.

[Busby]

For what it’s worth I have a 2017 220i M Sport convertible (automatic) which I have had since new.
I normally drive it with the gearshift in sports mode (which you can use in sports or comfort mode).
I find it is plenty fast enough for me & brings a smile to my face ever time I floor it.
The point to my post is I had the car for 6 months before I realised the gearbox had a sports option as well as eco/comfort/sports on rocker,was like getting a new car all over again.
Never driven a 235 but I don’t feel I need any more power on Uk roads & no desire to track car.

[Resoelg]

Both are great cars. Not the same situation as you but I owned a 16 228xi for about a year and a half and had the opportunity to jump on a 17 m240i MT RWD Estoril Blue. Hands down the m240 was/is the clear winner IMO. Best car I ever owned. 45k on the m240 without any issues other than general ware items.
You can't go wrong with either choice.
Best of luck.

[NewDrLove]

Thank you all for your help in making this choice. I think you have all made excellent points, that have well articulated what this choice is about for me. In the end, this car is about fun for me, so I am going to go all the way and get the M235i.
I am glad to hear that no one has had any red flags to raise, and there are no major repair issues that I should be aware of.
I'm so excited to get the car, and I'll post back in about a week, after I've had a chance to drive it a bit.

[Randy22]

I would also prefer the M235i now. 220i is boring

[bcwalks2]

Not even a thought for me, 235i all day.

[msej449]

I have an M235i Convertible and for me, the alternative would be a 218d/220d convertible, not a smaller-engine petrol model. With the 218d/220d you get better MPG (~45 US MPG) and while you lose the effortless touring and outright fun of the 3.0L straight-six, you still retain the 'convertible-ness' that's so attractive. TBH if for some reason my M235i was written-off and I wanted a replacement of similar age and price, I'd certainly consider the diesel. My attitude is that if I'm not getting the best performance version, then I want to get something in compensation, which with the diesel is the MPG. For me - and of course, this is a absolutely just a personal preference - I would see the 220i as simply second best, whereas the diesel would be a trade-off (of MPG against handling/fun).

I also see the M235i/M240i as a Grand Tourer, in the original sense of the word - a car with a big engine that is effortless on long journeys and which you don't necessarily drive hard just because it's powerful. You can do that too, but it's equally comfortable eating up miles or just doing a drive to work.

[pmcmtnbkr]

I came from the world of hot hatches and owned may honda civic Si over the years until looking for a new on put me at such a high price point that I decided to look around at what my money could get I picked up a m235i after falling in love with the way it drives handles and feels. I am a few years older than you and wouldn't trade the tightness of the m235i for a plusher ride. I daily drive this car and live in the northern US with some really bad roads

[slinkyjynx]

I guarantee you if you bought the 220i you’d be happy but you’d always have that “what if…?” At the back of your mind. M235i all day long.

[mdf]

I had the same purchase dilemma earlier this year. Since you've decided on the M235 I won't go through my thoughts and experiences. Maybe I will say that for me, in my market, I found the M235/240's were in high demand and even cars with multiple accidents or significant condition issues were selling for more than I expected, and the price-condition element ultimately tipped my decision.

Originally Posted by NewDrLove

So I will probably end up driving it in ECO mode most of the time.

About ECO mode. Yes this was my expectation too. But I find that throttle response in ECO is awful. Also in COMFORT. The way I drive it is, around town and merging on the freeway I am in SPORT+. This mode has the best throttle response, and the automatic shifts closest to how I would shift in manual. On the freeway in light to moderate traffic, and in atrocious dead-stop commuter traffic, I am in ECO. The auto-stop/start is nice in dreadful traffic. Downtown at rush hour, for example, you can wait through several cycles of a light before you move forward at all. I get around 37 mpg overall on mostly freeway trips in ECO. I never use COMFORT or SPORT.

[ismaildoc36]

So I own a 2019 220i, which I did choose over a M235i. It is my daily car, I use for work, University and Gym along with other stuff. It is a great car, its got some power so it is definitely not slow. you really can make the best of it. I do sometimes think if I should've gotten a 235 or a 240 over it, which I would've loved but the 220i is great for daily, it came with 5 000km when I bought it and was owned only by BMWl, so definitely well kept. I would suggest if the roads are not great, and its mainly for daily use go with the 220. sometimes BMWs get quite costly with maintenance and having motorplan saves you alot. You might think you can't do fun stuff with the 220 but you can have some fun that Bimmers are most known for

[Ajowhan]

We dont have the 220 here in the states so Im not sure how the 220 compare to the 228 or 230 but IMO, if you are trying to keep it below 60km/h then it doesnt make sense to get the m235i as acceleration to 60km/h should be pretty similar at least for the 228/230 to m235i.

Also the lighter 220 should have its advantages in handling twisty curvy road.

With all that said, in the end what truly matters is satisfaction when driving and it seems that your mind is already leaning one way