BMW M235i... I thrashed it on the track. *VIDEO*
 

Hi again everyone,

I'm now an editor for BIMMERPOST.com

My first assignment was to go to Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the M235i launch and abuse the hell out of the new Bimmer on the track. Here is my video review!

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5Ks0c5UB6Q"]BIMMERPOST BMW M235i Review - YouTube[/ame]


So how does it compare to the 86?

It's not as light, or as agile or quite as fun. But it's much more grown up. Not just in fit and finish and the materials and the badge, but also in the driving experience. Less NVH, more supple ride, more damping to all of the controls. Surprisingly the chassis is very playful, much more so than an equivalent 3 series and I suspect it's thanks to the shorter wheelbase. But it's not as stable and does not have the 'big car' feel as the 3 series.

There in lies the problem... it's very compact but its weight betrays this compactness. It's stubby and agile, but also so heavy (3500lbs). The engine is heroic. The 8 speed auto is slushy. It's not a DCT. Stick with the 6 speed manual.

In terms of fun, there is little out there that can beat the 86 for me in the current market. Nothing except maybe the Miata or Elise, but those cars handle very differently and are not as driftable as the 86.

The M235i is sort of a halfway point to something like an M3. But if you already own an 86, I would just wait till you can go all the way to an M3 or a Cayman S or something of that calibre. Just my two cents!

If you are interested in the full write up review, you can find it here.

So do you guys have any interest in the 2 series or M badged Bimmers in general? Would you 'graduate' to one any time soon?

The real question is...... can you drive it in a straight line?

Lovely review.

I always liked M1 and this.

M235i was on my list to replace my BMW, but after seeing the running costs of my 135i and seeing no change in weight for the M235i and also driving an N55 135i, I was not nearly as excited and ended up with the BRZ.

99 M-Coupe

Thanks for the review! Any comparison notes to a 4-series in terms of size/chassis?

I was driving a Ferrari F430 GT when I seen the red one being driven :D!

3500+ lb., what a PIG!
Pretty misleading that they show it with a 2002tii (~2200 lb.) in the commercials. The new 2 is *hardly* a modern version of that car. Modern German Buick maybe...

There hasn't really been a new BMW I've been interested in since the old Z3-based MCoupe. They can and should learn a LOT from the FRZ twins.

1- and 2-series should be a LOT smaller and lighter-weight (and less expensive!) 4-cylinder only cars. 3- and 4- should be a LOT smaller and lighter as well!

Thanks for the review. That sounds like an amazing job getting to write for the ole bimmerpost. I am definitely considering the M235i or a similarly equipped 228i with M Sport package. The price difference between the two the way I have them equipped is $44k and change for the 228i and $48k and change for the M235i. I really want to drive both with a 6 speed manual. I have driven both motors previously in 328i and 335i guise, and I found I actually preferred the turbo 4 motor. I believe it also saves around 100 lbs off the curb weight.

My father bought a series 10 frs last year as a temporary until the M4 was released but he is very interested in the M235i…. point is I think its going to be something more for the old-er demographic that enjoy rwd and want the M4.
BUT you don't really need 430hp in a daily driver and most people know that, so if you can get away with a smaller car that uses less fuel and costs less but has the same toys (The reason I didn't buy a Hyundai Genesis ;) ) then go for it.
I think this car will be fantastic and really hope we see a similar audi/merc/etc product, also very interested how the lighter frs/brz will do against the 4 cylinder!

Almost forgot to mention, that was a properly good review on the car! Camera angles were top notch!

That's really porky considering it's not even AWD and the new Mk3 Audi TT will be below 3000lbs in weight on the new MQB platform. The TT-S would have comparable performance to this M235i? Once later in the production cycle there could be a M2 vs TT-RS.

I'm actually more interested in the 228i, lighter and better balanced, cheaper, with still probably enough power. Although unfortunately there don't seem to be any reviews of it anywhere yet.

But what I would actually love to buy (if it existed) would be a 2-series with a non-turbo straight 6 and LSD...

...and this interior:

http://www.forcegt.com/wp-content/up...front-seat.jpg

I was waiting for the 'thrashing' :P


Good video man, grats on the position at BimmerPost. I used to pretty much spend all my time online on that website on the 1addicts side of things.