How does the M235i compare to the M3?

[challer]

I'm intimately familiar with the differences on paper, but would be curious to hear from folks who have driven both cars. Long story short, I've got a new addition to the family and four doors would be welcome. Currently own a '14 M235i.

[M3 Esq]

How about driving an M3 and finding out for yourself ?

[challer]

Originally Posted by M3 Esq

How about driving an M3 and finding out for yourself ?

Step 1: Find BMW M3 in my area.
Step 2: Find someone who will really let me put it through its paces on a test drive.

Even if we presuppose Step 1 is easy, Step 2 is not.

[Jaymax85]

huge difference!

[Falafel Combo]

It doesn't. It just really doesn't.

All you need to know is in the differences you've seen on paper.

[challer]

Originally Posted by Falafel Combo

It doesn't. It just really doesn't.

All you need to know is in the differences you've seen on paper.

I figured as much. Thanks for the confirmation!

[Money2536]

I just drove the M3 and M235i back to back yesterday at PCD. My observation is that the M235i feels much lighter on it's feet than the M3. It really was much more fun than I thought it would be.

The steering and braking is where the M3 is far superior. The M235i also felt much cheaper. It's hard to explain, but I felt like I was in a Honda in comparison to the M3. There is a much bigger difference than there is between the M3 and M5.

My time in the M235i made me realize how great the M2 is going to be. It makes me want one. I just don't like how the 2 series looks. For me, it has some weird lines.

[Vectors2final]

It's growing on just like the 1er did. I really didn't like the 1er at first, but I think I really like the 2er now.

[tyler9595]

I don't have experience with the 235. However, I just turned in my 2013 135is DCT. I put 22,000 miles on the 135is and I loved it.

After driving my new F82 only 100 miles, I am comfortable saying there is no comparison to the 135is. The F82 is way better....WAY WAY BETTER. I highly recommend it.

If you can afford the M3 or M4, forget the 235.

[jwilliams]

I drove every car you can think of when looking for my newest car including an M235i. It is a brilliant car. Its fast, handles nice and is more spacious inside than you would think. The M4 is far superior, it feels expensive in build, its heavy quality os not because it is heavy, its because its built so well, its faster, handles better, looks better and has a mad street credit, it seems to be almost admired like a supercar. The M235i is a great car but......... i want my girlfriend to own one and i can use it sometimes whilst i run my M4.

[secretariat]

If you need four doors why are you asking? The m3 is an absolutely superior car, but you pissed me off with this question because you said your having an addition to your family. So do you need four doors or not ? If so than there is no better vehicle than the M3

[StraightUpFitness]

I love my M235i.

Yeah.. the proportions are girly. The M3 or M4 are more 'grown-up', but the overall 'tossability' of the M235i is awesome.

You just have to ask yourself if you think an M3 is $30k better than your M235i.

[jackkk]

Even after the 1M with m3 suspension, brakes, 450hp and LSD, the M3 feels like another level! As m235i is a not m-model and I drove the 335i (all m around), which is technically the same, I can say - get the M3 and don't hesitate!

[Black Gold]

Originally Posted by StraightUpFitness

I love my M235i.

Yeah.. the proportions are girly. The M3 or M4 are more 'grown-up', but the overall 'tossability' of the M235i is awesome.

You just have to ask yourself if you think an M3 is $30k better than your M235i.

The m3 is not 30k more than an m235

My m3, with 7k of options including many that don't exist on the m235i, cost 70k. The m235i base price is 45k

That said, the m2 should be an excellent car, I'm very interested in how it turns out

[YMB-M3-J2]

Originally Posted by jordon335

I drove every car you can think of when looking for my newest car including an M235i. It is a brilliant car. Its fast, handles nice and is more spacious inside than you would think. The M4 is far superior, it feels expensive in build, its heavy quality os not because it is heavy, its because its built so well, its faster, handles better, looks better and has a mad street credit, it seems to be almost admired like a supercar. The M235i is a great car but......... i want my girlfriend to own one and i can use it sometimes whilst i run my M4.

+1 I think that sums it up quite well.

I rented an M235 from the Welt when i was in Munich last year so I got to drive it at its limits in the countryside of Germany. Like jordon335 said its fast, handles well, is roomy and would be my first choice if i wasnt looking to spend F8x money. The major differences besides the specs(HP,Torque,0-60 etc) is that the M235 does feel a little "basic" on the inside in comparison to F8x or even F3x. I was owned a loaded F30 at the time i drove the M235 and the options and interior were not quite as refined as the F30. I dont want to say its a quality issue because i think that word implies cheap or crappy and its not..its just not as refined and is missing a lot of the details in the F3x/F8x(accent lighting would be an example).

[BenSopra Motorsport]

I had M235i manual for a couple of months, it was a good set up on handling, I would say it's better than F8x, and that's where it's ended when comparing to F8x.
I do like the M235i but it's in different way.

[nicknaz]

Seems like a no brainer OP. If its your only car the 4dr M3 will be WAY easier to live with

As an aside, the the MB mid size van (Metris/Vito) was just announced as coming in October to US with $29k base price. Might be better off keeping the 235 and just getting the van?

The depreciation hit from your trade plus the incremental cost to get M3 is probably more than the cost of getting the van (which would be an even better family hauler than an m3)