I too made the mistake and can't forget about it. I agree with everything Steve said. I also drove an e90 m3 and while extremely excited about it, it just wasn't as light and nimble as the 235i. The '11 m3's weight and stiff suspension was very easily upset and I felt I would barely be able to control it in low traction situations. You had to be very focused to drive that car fast. But it sounded like pure heaven. One of the best sounding cars below 100k (besides 991 C2S with sport exhaust!). It just couldn't serve as a traffic heavy DD.
The m235i was just awesome! Very go cart like. On my 30 minute test drive I often initiated small sweeping drifts, and it was just so controllable, so nice and so precise. And it also sounded great, even if it was fake. I loved every bit of it. The transmission also felt better than the M3 believe it or not. Except the violent shifts in the sportiest mode on the M3 was pretty manly and exciting.
The one I drove was optioned out to 60K, but I think I would have a similar experience with a bare bones. If I were to order one I would just get heated seats and call it a day at $45k. Also for what it's worth my '10 sport touring 6mt 17.5k miles Z was quoted for trade in at 19-20k, but I know I could've brought it up to 22.5-23.
I just hope my test drive of a '15 mustang gt will get my mind off the m235i. Which will save some money on what will essentially be a commuter car.
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| EVO X MR | '11 WRX STI | 370Z SPRT | 911 (991) C2S |
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