no more 15 nismo tech, looking at M235I

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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| EVO X MR | '11 WRX STI | 370Z SPRT | 911 (991) C2S |

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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- Steve

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RoshDawg

Haha seriously. I don't think I've ever disagreed with a single one of your posts in the past 5 years. I gotta buy you a beer man!
and considering how we have the same views, I guess I won't be liking the GT nearly as much as the m235i, especially for extended driving times.
I think I'm gonna wait a bit regardless as I'm gonna get a new house and don't want a loan for a car on my record.
Have you driven the M3/M4? Any thoughts on them even if you havnt?

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| EVO X MR | '11 WRX STI | 370Z SPRT | 911 (991) C2S |

m4a1mustang

The M4 is a beast. I drove one with the DCT and the amount of torque and power it has on tap at any RPM is pretty ridiculous. On the street it's one of those "half-throttle" cars. You'd never give it all the power in any daily driving situation as you are limited by traction, and when you get it, you're travelling at jail speeds.

I'd love to have one. I just hesitate at the $75,000 price tag. Maybe a used one down the line, but even then the M cars tend to hold value pretty well.

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RoshDawg

Ya I would definitely wait for a used one. But I might not want to wait that long. while I do love the m235i, I might need a 4 door car. Last review question, did you ever drive a 335i m sport? Is it any good? There some fully loaded used ones on the market for not too high of price.

Sorry to jack your thread op!

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| EVO X MR | '11 WRX STI | 370Z SPRT | 911 (991) C2S |

m4a1mustang

I own one!



It's a great car! Obviously it feels bigger/softer than the M235i, but it is a lot of fun and very practical. It's what warmed me up to BMW in the first place. My wife wanted a new car and originally had her heart set on the S4/S5, but she liked driving the 335 more.

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