I just fell in love with the BMW M235i

"71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors" (adamprotter)
08/16/2015 at 20:11 • Filed to: None

What do you think of the M235i as a car. I’m looking for something fun, fast, comfortable, and relatively luxurious that can hold golf clubs.

I just tested this exact one NCoCP

DISCUSSION (17)

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors
08/16/2015 at 20:16

I love ‘em. They look like a ton of fun.

Wobbles the Mind > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors
08/16/2015 at 20:22

I say good buy. The trade-in-value of that model should be close to $39,000 and since it’s a small car you shouldn’t be upside down on the payments after 12 months (assuming no down payment or trade in).

71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors > Wobbles the Mind
08/16/2015 at 20:26

We would just pay the full amount, no financing. I’m trading in my dads 2013 Porsche cayenne diesel

FromCanadaWithLove > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors
08/16/2015 at 20:28

Kinja'd!!!

Do it. I have no regrets. If you have any specific questions about them, I’m happy to help.

I can’t see the ad you posted, but make sure it has the staggared tires with the MPSS. If it has run-flats, the speed limiter will be lower.

71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors > FromCanadaWithLove
08/16/2015 at 20:36

What’s your opinion on the M performance LSD as compared to the standard locking diff, and RWD vs xDrive. Also, what other cars were you looking at before you settled on that

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors
08/16/2015 at 20:55

I am not a modern BMW guy, but the 1M is a cool little car. Maybe someday when they are used.

FromCanadaWithLove > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors
08/16/2015 at 20:57

I don’t have the LSD, but it’s something I might get some day. It’s nearly $3k, so that’s a hard pill to swallow. The car definitely doesn’t need it for daily driving.

I’d also go for RWD. I haven’t driven the xDrive 2 Series, but I don’t see the need for it. I’ve never had any issues with weather and the RWD. I imagine the xDrive would add a bit of weight and take away some of the balance. My suggestion is RWD.

Mine is a 2014, so there wasn’t much competition when I was in the market. I drove the mk7 GTI, but my heart was on the BMW. The CLA45 was out at the time, but it doesn’t do much for me. I did think about waiting for the Golf R, Audi S3 and new Mustang, but that didn’t happen. Regardless, I still think I would have made the same choice if I were buying today.

Fergy33WF > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors
08/16/2015 at 21:03

Love mine! I went with RWD and don’t regret it for a second. Survived great with winter tires through the winter and it has been an absolute blast every time I drive it!

Kinja'd!!!

Vicente Esteve > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors
08/16/2015 at 21:08

I think it is the best BMW for sale currently. Just a sublime vehicle.

71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors > FromCanadaWithLove
08/16/2015 at 21:11

Thank you for the excellent reply, it was very informative and helpful!

71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors > Fergy33WF
08/16/2015 at 21:12

I’m in SoCal so snow isn’t a problem

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors
08/16/2015 at 21:29

probaly the best BMW on the market, but this is purely an uninformed opinion. I would also accept an M135i as well :)

boxrocket > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors
08/16/2015 at 21:42

Closest thing BMW makes that’s similar to the E30 and 2002. Good size, but I prefer 4 or more doors. Drives well, feels nice.

AM3R shamefully returns > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors
08/16/2015 at 22:44

Personally I'd save some money and get a slightly used, fully loaded 135i M-sport. But the M235i is awesome, would totally buy one.

Anon > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors
08/16/2015 at 23:42

I love them! I feel it’s one of the closest things you can get to at E30 today!

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors
08/17/2015 at 09:56

Haven’t driven the RWD version, but I found the AWD version to be a bit on the boring side.

2tonic > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors
08/25/2015 at 08:04

The M235i is a nice car, but it has a few drawbacks.

The 2-series is once again, like other BMW series, heavier than the car it replaces. 3500 pounds is a lot of weight for a dimensionally small car. The previous 1-series 128i, lightly optioned, weighed around 3100 pounds - that 400 pounds is a significant difference when the two cars are the same size. Yes, the 128i isn’t as powerful as the 135i or M235i, but’s it’s a purer BMW (NA engine, especially) in the vein of the classic models that preceded it. Square up the wheel/tire package, add M3 front control arms, put a Quaife LSD in the back and you have a very balanced car with a great sounding engine. Add a DISA intake (standard issue on other N52 engined models) plus a SuperSprint header and supporting software, and you are close to 135i levels of power but 150 pounds lighter. And, you don’t have to worry about turbos or high pressure fuel pumps, ever.

I have a 2011 128i with 35k on the odometer. I bought it CPO with 22k miles. It still smells new and drives perfectly - and I bought it for $24k with 4 years of bumper to bumper warranty. It will last a long time and be a lot cheaper to own than a $44k turbo car, even accounting for the $5k worth of improvements I’ve made to it. I’m sure you can find a CPO or otherwise low-mile 128i if you look around.

On the other hand, for $44k you are very close to the cost of a new Chevy SS. I’ve driven BMW’s (and other enthusiast cars) for 4 decades and the SS is one of the best driving cars I’ve ever had the pleasure of piloting - much like the older BMW’s that are considered to be the best examples of the marque. The SS is far, far larger inside than a 2-series, mechanically, the engine is much simpler and cheaper, and SS only weighs 400 pounds more than the comically smaller M235i. If I could only own one car it would be an SS. (I have a much-loved Honda Odyssey for family/work and my 128i is driven only for pleasure.)

Good luck with your decision.