2015 BMW M235i Review (with video) - We talked about the BMW portfolio fastest growing an American midwest on a plan before but I will...
We talked about the BMW portfolio fastest growing an American midwest on a plan before but I will do it again because it is the key to understanding the series 2 in general and in particular M235i.
The M235i is no M2, it is not a 235i M Sport, and it is more than the old 135is. You are lost? The M235i is the first "M Performance" BMW vehicles that are not to be confused with
Here's how new four BMW levels works "M Sport."
Things beginning with M Sport is a "quick looks / runs good" package, we get "is" that adds a spoonful of performance, followed by the new M performance where we put M in front of a model of three-digit number (M235i) denoting increased power, improved handling, better braking and suspension tweaks before going full-on M.
In theory, the full treatment includes body changes as the wheel well extensions, carbon fiber bits and a dual-clutch transmission. If you are not totally confused yet, continue reading.
OK, so we have a million is not a million, but there is more than you have to know. The only version "35" 2-Series is the M235i. While other sports variants exist in the range of BMW, they are not all exist in the same model therefore no 235i M Sport and 235is no. The other thing to know is the 2-Series is very closely related to the current generation BMW 3 Series and 4 Series, sharing crash structures, large portions of the engine bay, suspension design themes and even interior components. In some ways, one could even say BMW now has two different coupe and convertible two different versions of the 3 Series This last part is important because the M235i weighs 3,535 pounds, only 100 pounds lighter than the 435i. More surprising is the 335i four-door is only 60 pounds heavier.
contest
The 2-Series lack natural competition, but this time it is not part of the BMW diabolical plan. By reducing and removing 3 Series two-door, 2-Series is the only RWD entry in a sea of European drivers before. Although this is not much of a problem if you buy a car for a weekend tasting wine, it's a great differentiator when we talk about metal performance. Therefore, I put the CLA45 AMG, Audi S3 and RS3 Euro-just in a different category. The coupe Mercedes C-Class in future will compete with the 4-Series and the Porsche Cayman and Cayman S are missing rear seats. If you want a little luxury RWD coupe with a back seat, it is
If you do not like my re-categorization CLA45, ponder this :. It is the same size as the Volvo S60 Polestar, delivers similar power and is based on a front wheel drive vehicle like the Volvo. Would you stick the S60 in the M235i mash-up? I did not think.
Exterior
Although linked to the 335i and about the same weight, the M235i is much more compact. At 175.9 inches long, our tester was nearly eight inches shorter than a 3 Series sedan or 4-Series coupe. Consider the 2-Series 318i like modern. The wider, longer look inferior Series 2 certainly looks more elegant and refined than the old 1 Series, but I always thought that caricatured proportions of one part of the charm.
Like the 318i, the 2-Series is the entry point to reduced prices for traditional BMW buyers. We have the familiar front grille and BMW classic side profile with a long hood and a perky chest. The largest index of low starting price of the 228i is at the back where we get the lights back in one piece that are part of the body instead of the design division where half the lamp is on the trunk . This change in design reduces costs while simultaneously reducing the size of the trunk.
Interior
At $ 32.100, 2-Series is one of the cheapest BMW in the US, so that you should not be surprised that it also has one of the less luxurious BMW interiors. That said, within the 2-Series is more close to the series 4 that you might think about the quality of materials and overall fit and finish despite being $ 8,0 cheaper. (What say about 4-Seires?) Compared to your average vehicle mass market around $ 30,000, inside the 2-Series seems more put together, but the luxury movement to pleather in basic models that always strikes me as a false economy.
M235i models get comfortable seats as standard with BMW sports side electric adjustable bolsters, 4-way lumbar and thigh pad manually extending for driver and front passenger. Taller drivers will want to consider removing the sunroof that seat comfort is epic, but space is limited. Surprisingly, there is almost as much room in the back seat that you find in the Series 4 despite the wheelbase narrowing few inches against his cousin. In fact, the claims of the specification sheet of the 435i only 7 / 10ths of an inch more space. Although the difference in size between 2 and 4 can be explained by the smaller trunk, there is only a smaller cube leaving me to wonder where the eight-inch stretch goes.
If the 2 and 4 are the same size on the inside, why give 4? It is all about features. BMW does not offer heads up display, monitor the blind spot, lane or radar cruise control keeping systems on the M235i for any price. 2-Series models also lack the range of color and trim options and option around the camera you find on the 4. Furthermore, while BMW describes the leather in the same way on both models, the leather on a merchant provided 428i was softer.
Infotainment
2-Series gets essentially the same infotainment options that the series 3 and 4 of the series. Such as 3 and 4, Bluetooth and USB base / support iDevice is standard. BMW for $ 500 adds the ability to link two phones at the same time, browse your media library Bluetooth, voice control contacts and music, and use the BMW Mobile Office software. (Calendars, memos, emails, tasks, etc.) This package "Enhanced USB" used to be shipped with the BMW navigation software, but not for 2015. If you want all the functionality and navigation, add that the $ 2,150 navigation package that also adds the integration of the smartphone application. Following the current application enables Facebook, tweeter and Internet radio streams from your iPhone to the car radio. Although iDrive is the most expensive infotainment system in this small segment, the high-resolution tasteful graphics, fast interface and superior phone integration also make this system to beat -. If you can afford it
Due to the 2 -Series of entry-level position in the BMW line-up, the level-up sound system delivers 360 watts and 12 speakers instead 0 watts and 16 speakers as in the 4-Series.
Training
228i models use familiar BMW 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder tuned to 240 horsepower and 255 lb-ft while the M235i models obtain a refined version of BMW's single-turbo inline six-cylinder. The 320 horsepower is the same as the outgoing 135is as the couple faces up to 330 lb-ft. If you opt for driving the rear wheel, both engines are mated to your choice of a manual 6-speed transmission or automatic ZF 8-speed. Unfortunately, the choice of BMW xDrive nix manual.
The availability of xDrive in performance M models can be seen as a way to appease all fans drive wheels while keeping the "real" pure M models. Purity aside, driving four wheels is the fastest way to accelerate the M235i xDrive scooting to 60 mph 2 / 10ths faster than the RWD model. Purists will probably want to wait until the M2 which should be granted to between 360 and 370 ponies.
player
The M235i provides an interesting dilemma for driving enthusiasts. If you want the fastest model, which is that of an automatic transmission and AWD. The slower the drive model of the rear wheel with the manual. My how times have changed. What has not changed is the most fun is done in the line-it-yourself rear driver. Our tester looked sure to 60 in 5.0 seconds, which is a hair behind quoted 4.8 seconds from BMW, mainly because the traction is a problem and I was not as ready to roast the clutch as some. Get the car 8-speed and sprint drops to 4.6 seconds. The M235i xDrive AWD will accomplish the task 4.4. Which is faster than the S3 and, depending on the transmission, a bit faster than CLA45 AMG Mercedes. Thank you to the 0-pound gained versus the outgoing 135is, the additional twist of the M235i does not compensate, and it will be a slower hair. You want a Cayman that fast? Be prepared to shell out for a Cayman S, GTS or GT4.
Although the M235i weighs about the same as the 335i and 435i, BMW manages to feel different on the road. The quick steering rack, slightly shorter wheelbase and tweaked suspension design make the M235i feel more agile. Notice that I say feel . If you put the same rubber on a 435i that our M235i was, he probably show identical skidpad numbers. Anyway you slice it, the old off-1M treat M235i. The combination of electric power steering and the steering rack BMW variable gear ratio (nicknamed Director of Sport variable) can make the M235i and twitchy hair without highway speeds for life. That said, the M235i has more RWD feedback management and better balance the CLA45 front-heavy or S3 can ever hope for. Adding AWD to the M235i does not feel like a CLA45 or S3. The CLA45 and S3 should keep the coupling closed center key most of the time to avoid the dynamic wheel drive, while the M235i xDrive retains the power to the rear unless its facade necessary upward.
All M235i models get BMW Adaptive M suspension set more to the daily driver side of things than I thought. Remove the suspension in Sport mode and things firm up, but no way in this suspension, it will be as hard as the M4, something that I am grateful. Although it also means a more advanced hair, dive and roll a "true M car," it means the M235i xDrive is a second daily driver 4.4 -. Rain or shine
Because BMW was slowly morphing into the new Mercedes, nothing that I have said so far has surprised me. what surprised me was price tag of the M235i. Priced between $ 43,100 for a base RWD model with either transmission and $ 55,825 for an AWD model at full load, the BMW seriously undermines CLA45 AMG spendy and is only $ 2,000 more than the slowest Audi S3. the Porsche Cayman is almost as different from the M235i as CLA45 AMG, but be prepared to spend at least $ 20,000 more on a Cayman if you want numbers similar performance.
BMW has created one of the best performance buys around with the M235i. But if you are looking for a light, "chuckable" BMW, you have to keep waiting. The M235i is a hoot, but like most modern BMW, it is more grand tourer than sports car
After a week with the M235i, a thought came to mind :. This is the perfect Mercedes SLK. It is faster and more fun than an SLK 350, significantly cheaper without feeling that much cheaper, and has a usable back seat. It's not cut and direct crude BMW enthusiasts aspire to, and that's exactly why I like it. As much as I enjoyed my time with the rear wheel drive 6-speed M235i, I must admit that my money was on the line, I would buy the M235i xDrive. I still think the myriad BMW trims performance is mad and confused, but I wonder what a 500 horsepower M550i xDrive would like.
BMW has provided the vehicle, insurance and a tank of gas for this review
Specifications as tested
0-30: 2.3 seconds
0-60: 5.0 seconds
1 / 4 Mile: 13.8 seconds @ 106 mph
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