2014 BMW M235i First Drive

Edmunds.comEdmunds.com Member, Administrator, Moderator Posts: 10,316
edited September 2014 in BMW

image2014 BMW M235i First Drive

Edmunds' first drive of the 2014 BMW M235i includes on-road driving impressions, track driving impressions, specs, photos and more.

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  • lee_scottlee_scott Member Posts: 7
    BMW's own website lists the curb weight at a rather portly 3505 for a manual M235i: http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Content/Vehicles/2014/2/M235iCoupe/Features_and_Specs/M235iCoupeSpecifications.aspx
  • cjasiscjasis Member Posts: 274
    Your lead in lists the car as a 2.0L turbo 4. I think you're erroneously referring to the to be released 228 and not the M235 that that article is describing.
  • carchatter1carchatter1 Member Posts: 6
    @cjasis:

    I followed the link lee posted and it is correct. The M235iCoupe is even the car listed in the link. It shows 3505 manual, 3535 lbs for the auto. That said, it's about the typical weight for a modern 2 door sport coupe IMHO. It's actually a
  • lee_scottlee_scott Member Posts: 7
    @carchatter1: What is unfortunate is that the M235i is only 75lbs lighter than a 435i: http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Content/Vehicles/2014/4/435iCoupe/Features_and_Specs/435iCoupeSpecifications.aspx and the M235i is a noticeably shorter and narrower car.
  • jrobuscjrobusc Member Posts: 11
    The weight of the M235i includes things that won't be included in the weight of the 435i because they're standard on the M235i and optional on the 435i, like the adaptive suspension. You'll notice BMW's website shows almost a 300lb weight difference between the 228i and M235i. Some of that is engine, sure, but most of it is the added standard kit of the M235i. Same thing applies to the M235i vs 435i.
  • 330i_zhp330i_zhp Member Posts: 55
    I like how the article mentions that while most people like the thought of knowing their car is capable of being a track beast, most will never use it as such. I'm guilty of thinking I need a faster car than I really do... Somehow, just "knowing it can" do something seems to get many of us to spend more than we should.
  • mitt_zombiemitt_zombie Member Posts: 27
    Take off the BMW badge and grill and people would think this is a 18k car, it just looks cheap. But it is not cheap, since BMW's come fairly stripped and options are expensive. Not worth the money for a little car that is not all that fast today.
  • bimmerjaybimmerjay Member Posts: 28
    "But it is not cheap, since BMW's come fairly stripped and options are expensive."

    You're right it's not cheap but BMWs aren't 'fairly stripped' anymore. Quite frankly I preferred the European-style a la carte option strategy BMW used to employ in the US so you could get what you wanted and not what you didn't. This simply isn't the case anymore... the M235i has a lot of standard stuff: 8-speed sport auto, adaptive suspension, the M Sport brakes ($650 upgrade on a 3-Series), 18" wheels, adaptive bi-xenon headlights with washers, folding rear seats, power front sport seats with memory, iDrive with the 6.5" screen, keyless starting, power moonroof, auto headlights and wipers, BMW Assist telematics... there are many more options of course just like its competitors but the base car is by no means stripped.
  • ks55ks55 Member Posts: 8
    I think its safe to say that we will call this BMW "Chubbsey Ubbsey"
  • mitt_zombiemitt_zombie Member Posts: 27
    Bimmer Jay
    8 speed auto - (learn to shift, do not want)
    18" wheels? Really like an Accord sport for 22k?
    Folding rear seats - HAHAHA
    Idrive with a little screan - Again do not want this junk
    Keyless staring - worthless and on many cheaper cars now
    Moonroof - Whoopie again on may 20k cars

    On and On, the BMW has little many 22k cars have these days but you can spend thousands getting what is on an average Honda
  • mitt_zombiemitt_zombie Member Posts: 27
    If this car said Scion on the back it would like like one of their cheaper models...
  • mitt_zombiemitt_zombie Member Posts: 27
    The best thing about the 1 series was you could still get a regular inline 6. Now it is only turbocharged, this thing will never be out of the shop, no thanks.
  • majin_ssj_ericmajin_ssj_eric Member Posts: 49
    Again, BMW with these prices is just off to the looney bin. $44k for an entry level vehicle?!?! This car would look like the greatest sports machine ever made if it started at an actual entry level price like $30-35k but $44k is not entry level in the least. Yes, yes, I know the 4 banger is cheaper (and likely very nearly as good tbh) but having the starting price be so high for any engine option for your entry model is just ridiculous. I HATE BMW pricing.
  • themandarinthemandarin Member Posts: 436
    Buy a CPO M car for the price of this poseur
  • expensivehobbyexpensivehobby Member Posts: 91
    Having driven one of nearly everything (Audi, MB, Acura, Infiniti) relatively competitive, and driven a couple more, I have to say the trim level of my 135i was not on par with some of the above, but the tradeoff was a flat superior driving experience. Part of the fun was its simplicity, no screens and relatively few electric nannies for the time. The only real complication with mine was an automatic, a concession to rush-hour traffic realities.

    BMW improved the look of the car, and there was some plow at the limits with my 135, but I wonder if the 300 pounds of electric suspension and other goodies lessens the overall experience. I know it's sacrilege in a way to support the turbo 4, but it simply produces punch where the super-smooth inline six in 128 form had some dead spots. There should be 228s around with not too many options at the 37K price point. That's still a lot of money but you're probably still looking at a low 5s to 60 car that's a fantastic driver with the simplicity of the old model and lower weight. For normal enthusiast use, I suspect it my be the better car.

    I'm in the two kids in college mode so it's VW time for me. Still, nothing drives like a BMW, and I think a CPO 135 or new 228 remains a good performance/value option.
  • stovt001_stovt001_ Member Posts: 799
    I'm going to have to disagree that having adjustable suspension necessarily makes a car better compromised between road and track use. In practice adjustable suspensions give you a choice between uncontrolled oscillation for "comfort" and might-as-well-have-just-removed-the-suspension-altogether for "sport". Old BMWs used to get the calibration just right by default - absorbed imperfections, kept the tires planted, and handled well when that grip finally did give up.
  • dmegandmegan Member Posts: 1
    The 330ci was the last great sports coupe from BMW, everything since has only diminished my opinion of BMW....

    Today, everyone has caught them in performance, beat them in reliability and style....
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