no more 15 nismo tech, looking at M235I

Magic Bus

Interesting, is there one, two or a whole bunch of reasons for this?

hatt23

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1422480178.997978.jpgImageUploadedByTapatalk1422480196.599384.jpg
This is what I chose after a lot of research and looking at many options. 2014 Mercedes CLA45 AMG. This was not a replacement for my 370, only a more practical alternative (back seat, 4 doors, all wheel drive). Driving both I find it true, the mercedes like the bmw is a very fun car to drive. With 360bhp and all the AMG goodies it hauls ***! But I definitely notice the refined almost artificial feel to driving it. The 370 is raw, mechanical, a drivers car. The AMG is for lack of better term, "video game like" fast, fun, loud, but not real feeling. On a nice sunny day my choice will always be the Z

hatt23

I think this will be true about all the cars in this class. Audi s3, bwm 235, lexus..... All nice cars but way too many features that take away the primitive feel of the road. Too many gadgets replacing the mechanical feel of the car

Asheth

M4 I just can't get with a small 2+2 anymore unless you have passengers that are below 10 years old. The back seats are good for extra trunk space I guess. I'm 6'1 though and I hate driving in them and sitting in them just have a bad taste in my mouth for smaller 2+2's like the M2.

I wouldn't get a M235 myself just my opinion.

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axmea?

M235 with a tune. More refined. The Z's we drive is different. Beastlike to drive. Raw. And even if though it has aged, still much sexier between the two.

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m4a1mustang

It's important to understand that the BMW purists are not very receptive to change. Diehard fans of the earlier generations tend to hate whatever the current generation is. When the E9x M3 came about it was not well received by the purists, but now it is looked upon fondly. The same thing is going to happen with the F80/F82. It's just the way the BMW world tends to work, I think.

The main gripe about the F8x M3/4 is the engine. The S55 is a twin turbo take on the N55. While it has been heavily modified, in the purists eyes it isn't a "bespoke" engine like the S65 from the E9x.

They also feel like it has abandoned the M3 formula of a small, nimble, and balanced racing car for the street like the E30. It's too much of a brute. But the truth is the M3 abandoned its E30 formula several generations ago. The E46 was more of a brute than the E36, and the E9x took that a step further. The F8x just continues the trend.

Most of the criticism comes from people that don't own the F8x series. I think as time goes by more of the purists will warm up to it like they did with the E9x. Then when the next generation comes out they can all hate on it.

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m4a1mustang

Most of you guys are hitting on the right points. The M235i is not going to be as raw as the Z or any other "pure" sports car, but of course that is not what it aims to do. It delivers excellent performance while bringing with it refinement and comfort features that many people look for in a daily driver. No doubt it would be a stellar every day car.

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m4a1mustang

The N55 is a fantastic engine! It's not as mod-friendly as the N54, but I think it makes up for it in other ways. Stock for stock it is a better engine, and the efficiency is ridiculous. We averaged almost 37 mpg in our '13 335i M-Sport on the way back from picking it up in North Carolina. Incredible.

I think most of the reliability issues with the N54 were related to the HPFP and the turbos, but BMW took care of those issues.

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m4a1mustang

Have you sat in the back of the 2? There's enough space for adults to fit comfortably for short trips. Headroom is the big issue for taller folks. There's more leg room back there than something like a Mustang.

I'm not overly concerned about the rear seats, but for a DD they'd be nice to have in a pinch. I don't know if a car seat can fit back there easily, but that would be nice, too. Whenever I know I need real back seats I have my wife's 335.

Anyway, I'm not really looking to buy anything right at the moment. I just made the mistake of testing the M235i and was absolutely delighted by it.

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RoshDawg

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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DCNISMO

I suggest holding off till the GT350 is out.....a loaded GT is 46K or so, if the GT350 comes in at low 50's.....that's a better choice. If Its 60's then yes the GT is better for the money, unless you go modding the GT.

m4a1mustang

More realistically a very nicely optioned GT is around 41-43k MSRP. They sell at around invoice, so you're only paying high 30s.

The GT350s will be going for MSRP, and unless you option it out it will not be a friendly DD.

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m4a1mustang

I swear we must have been brothers in another life.

Here is my take on the 2015 GT:

It's a big step up from the previous car in terms of interior quality and driving dynamics. We all know the engine is fantastic and it goes like hell, so I don't need to talk about that. If you like the retro-modern styling the cabin is a very nice place to be. The materials all have a premium feel, with some exceptions, and the ergonomics are very good. With the tilt/telescope wheel and lower seating position it's much easier to find the sweet spot.

As far as dynamics go, it's much more composed than it ever was thanks to the IRS, which is very well done, and the revised front suspension. It still has some of that old Mustang charm which makes it entertaining to drive, but it's got a lot more refined European GT car mixed in. I think the GT Performance Package has the car set up almost perfectly for street performance use. It's a very capable car. If I had to compare it to something else, it's a bit like a larger and more civilized E92 M3.

That said, I do have some gripes:

Steering wheel: It's far too thin, and the spokes are too thick with all of the buttons. It's not comfortable to grip, and the leather does not feel very pleasant to me. If I had one, I'd have to get the wheel reupholstered with padded, premium leather.

Gauges: They are so much easier to read than before, but "Ground Speed MPH" on the speedometer is so tacky. It really, really bothers me for some reason.

Seats: The standard seats are heated and cooled. They look nice in pictures, but in reality they are so soft that the bolsters don't do anything to hold you in. It's a shame because the only other option is the manual Recaros with no heat.

Materials: Unless you get the 68P (I think that's the code) option, you get the cheap plastic doors. The option adds the soft touch vinyl to the doors so it feels like every other civilized $30k+ vehicle on the market.

If you end up considering a GT, I'd wait for the 2016 MY. The car will get Sync 3 and they should have sorted out some of the QC issues (panel fit and some interior trim problems) by then.

Long story short, the GT did nothing to keep me from thinking about the M235i. Nothing.

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DLSTR

Its clear to me after reading this thread, those who have driven the M235i with an open mind see clearly what its about. Those reading reviews and focusing only on the looks wont ever get it and a drive wont happen, as they have already discounted the machine and what it can do.
Good for us who drive it or actually own it. Randy Pobst drove it and I did see his review - he thanked BMW for making a good drivers car. That says alot and overall he gives honest reviews without gushing over the item.
IF I was like alot of people in the car world or here Id never have ordered my 15 WRX-STi either lol! Ugly sure to some. Functional and unique for sure and there is no doubting is superb sound and overall performance and flexibility. Its leaving the dealer for transport to me soon. Cant wait. Best garage Ive had in a while - M235i and 15 WRX-STi on hand. Sux baby lol! My car is exactly overall as the one Im attaching now. Same color etc. Should be fun!

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SideviewWRX STI.jpg (35.7 KB, 3 views)

m4a1mustang

Too many people value a car purely by its magazine track times.

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