2016 BMW M235i Review - Bargain M2 or Fake M Car?
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 3 июл 2024
- For $10-15k less than a BMW M2 in similar condition, should a used M235i be considered a bargain M car? Or is its badge simply a misnomer?
Follow me on IG: / zygrene
Email me if you'd like me to review your car: zygrene@gmail.com 
Авто/Мото
I recently bought a 2014 M235i as my first car. Only had 52k miles and was a great price so I figured why not? As someone who has driven their parents cars my whole life, none of which are fast, this is the perfect intro to an “enthusiast” car. Extremely capable in daily driving and seriously fast compared to an average car. Love the sound and feel of it too. Look for one of these if you’re new to BMWs and sporty cars for sure.
@@neuralgarden $24,600 About $27,000 after taxes, registration, and doc fee
@@thebagofpants1597 is it reliable would you say?
@@carterpatrick3341 Surprisingly yeah, went on a 3,800 mile road trip with it and no issues
I bought mine a month ago too. 2014 as well, 43k miles. I’m coming from a slightly different direction as my last two cars were E60 M5 and then E92 335i. It needs a bit more power (easily fixed), and you should look into some reliability upgrades (look into the plastic OEM charge pipe to start with), but it’s a terrific little car.
Thinking about getting this for my first car as well, was really trying to get a golf R but came across this and I’m torn on which one I should get
You could not be more wrong...
The m235i is a incredible bargain and a incredible driver's car.
You are driving a 2016 vehicle.
By now the suspension needs refreshing as does the engine with a proper tune up and up keep.
The m235i does earn that M badge easily.
I have personally driven everything from foreign and domestic .
And that m235i is a true sports car full of life full of fun.
Good to drive these type of cars every once in a while to reset our expectations. Even the most exciting car can get boring if driving it everyday.
I own a m235i xdrive and I have to completely disagree. This with a tune, coil overs, an optioned lsd, and a set of Michelin pilot sport 4s and you got yourself 90% of an m2 minus the wider track, chassis, and oil sump for track duty for 15k less. What tires are on the m235i you drove? Because that makes a huge difference in steering feel..
BMW's M performance line is fast daily driver. it is not a "budget" M car. maybe thats poor marketing on their part but when you approach them that way, i think they're the best value BMWs
Steering on these cars can be significantly improved with M lower control arms (1.9 de camber) and poly bushings to replace the hydraulic unit on the thrust arms. BMW intentionally engineered slop into the steering and limited rear tire width to 245's. I have owned a M235 and presently daily an M240 (awesome B58 engine). Similar to your friend, my daily is an M240 and a GR86 is my fun, carving, track car. If you see a guy old enough to be your father in a Trueno Blue GR86, passing you on the track while grinning like an idiot.... That's probably me
I drive a M135i F20 and agree. Chassis bracing, coilovers, control arms, a wider offset and a LSD was required to really make it a fun car to drive.
I installed MSS springs on my M240i. They transformed the ride/handling characteristics of the car, all for the better.
@crapcork Did you have to ditch the adaptive suspension?
You guys should really try and speak English! It’s not zeee, it’s Z
@@crapcorkwhat’s the spring rate of these MSS ?
Thanks for doing more BMWs!
As soon as he decided to not run sport plus, but shut the traction control off, I realized he is clueless. I’m out.
right? DSC off or bust.
I’ve had one a couple years and it makes a great daily focused all arounder car to go with something more spicy(in my case an S2000), Assuming you don’t need 4 doors, it gets 30+ mpg on the freeway, it has plenty of space for road trips(coming from an only S2000 garage here), it’s quiet and refined when you want it to be and the seats are great. If you find yourself on a backroad you can throw it in Sport+ to scratch the driving itch while you’re out and about. I agree it needs some mods to get the most out of the platform or a jump up the M2, but a near stock one has been a great companion to my S2000. Hoping to get the M Performance diff down the road to sort out the backend.
And as you mentioned they are bargains. I bought my nearly fully loaded 2015 AT M235i ($52k sticker price) for $30k w/15k miles in 2018
You can put the m2 tune onto the m235 which gives it a lot more uptop, you can also tune the trans. I think it makes sense that from the factory its softer. Its a very good dual use car, its not a dedicated performance ride. Also with the X drive it puts the power down incredibly well and makes better use of torque
The M2 N55 has different pistons, crank, and other internals.
Whats a better driver car in the 25-30k range. I've been looking at this because I really like the M styling.
A 370z would be dope to review on your channel
Picking my manual up on Monday hope I like it
As someone who bought a brz over m235i after trying both when shopping for wife car last, and now upgraded to m2, I wholeheartedly agree with everything you say, bae zygrene. M235i felt like a heavy rwd gti.
As a daily, would u take 2013 brz over m235
@@SamNRacing 235 would be more refined, have a much more usable rear seat, better on highway with better power, but worse in every possible way that is related to the driving experience (dead steering, extra weight, open diff, not as focused/sharp/fun/tossable/agile etc.)
Driven an over powered tuned M4, the M2 OG and competition, and daily a tuned m235i I will say that it’s not as thrilling as the M2 Competition (my favorite m car) or the M4 but it’s a great daily especially tuned. Tuning allows you to refine the characteristics to your liking and a lot can be done for comparatively little money. I prefer the full M cars on the track but for daily commutes a lightly tuned m235i with the zf8 is a great choice.
Had this for
5-6 years… love it.
Went from 135 to a m235… I don’t want to get rid of it but currently looking at the m240
135e82 or f20 ?
i am choosing between 135i e82, 135i f20 and 235if22
i had f22 220d , love this car, but want more dymanic
Great review thanks, what other cars are in that thrill league for less than 20k?
Dutchie here, and a lot of people seem to sweep the price difference of these cars under the rug. Meanwhile, I just don't believe it can be shrugged off at all. You can get an M235i here for about 26 grand, but the cheapest M2 is gonna set you back a whopping 42500 - not even in the same league! So, so much more expensive.
Looking forward to you reviewing a stock Nismo 370z.
I had one. Kinda boring tbh. Acceleration is meh but it handled well.
Could you do a comparison between a tremec Mach 1 and a manual MK5 Supra? I’d love to see that as I’m on the fence between them!
All performance based cars sold from 2015 onwards. How many have good communicative steering feel and response? Steering that's not too heavy and not too light where you can feel the tyres.
Lotus Evora's do due to having hydraulic power steering. The Alfa Guila's get good praise for it. 991.1 and 991.2 GT3's. GT4's I would presume do? Alfa 4C's don't have power steering I don't think? But most seem to be really lacking in that department, especially front engine cars. Obviously cars keep getting bigger and heavier which doesn't help.
Yeah, Porsche GT cars and Lotuses always get steering right. Can't think of many 2015+ cars that have comparable steering. Camaro SS 1LE is up there.
@@Zygrene I bet everytime you drive your NSX it's an instant reminder of why older cars are so desirable and keep increasing in value. Have you ever driven any of the RWD Huracans or R8's?
There’s a reason bmw made a racing division out of this platform. M235ir. Because it’s incredibly capable.
I have to agree with this video in its entirety. Haven't driven the M235i specifically, but I did drive the very similar M240i several years ago, back to back with the then-new G20 M340i and F87 M2C. For context: at that point I'd been driving an E46 ZHP for about ten years, and had various M3s in the past (E46, E92). The M240i ranked last by a wide margin out of the group and on the whole I found it completely forgettable; frankly, there was nothing about it I particularly liked other than the cabin design (which it shares with the M2, obviously). Didn't buy any of them in the end, but that's another story for another day.
It’s an M performance engine. That’s what the M symbolises, fast daily nevertheless. I don’t think it should really be compared to an M2 for that reason.
Good review though 👍
Great video. I've had a 2016 M235i 6MT as my daily for 7 years now. Am thinking of upgrading to a IS500, and being that you just drove an IS500, how would you compare the 2?
IS500 is better in most ways, and doesn't feel nearly as compromised
Ive watched hundreds of m240 reviews, 90% are very very complimentary. Hes not comparing like for like
I own a manual m235i and your review is pretty spot on. It's great as a daily and spirited drives. However it was kind of a sloppy mess when I tracked it -- still had lots of fun, but I could feel how unsettled it was when pushing it 9/10ths
Picking my manual up on Monday, what about it on track makes it a sloppy mess?
@@jamielegg8553 "sloppy mess" is a little bit of an exaggeration. Note that my car is basically bone stock. The suspension isn't tight like a full M car, so you feel it flopping around when you're pushing the car super hard. An LSD isn't standard is is definitely felt when corning really quickly. The car also had some cooling problems after a few hours. None of these issues are really felt of on the street and it's really only a "mess" compared to more expensive performance cars, or dedicated track cars. This is also nitpicking an otherwise fantastic daily driver. Hope you enjoy your car!
@@DemVidzIsMine thanks for the reply mate and yeah a few upgrades/mods will help with that on track I’m sure
Now we need to find you a 135i to review. Preferably DCT just to get your opinion on it as a driver’s car. Do you think a manual M235i would’ve won you over?
Manual would have helped but it wouldn't make up for all the other deficiencies
I purchased my M235i in 2015 from Irvine BMW. I have 103k miles and has been a solid car. I hope to clock in 100k miles more 🎉
How does the steering compare between this, the M2, the M2 Comp, and the manual Supra? Dunno if you've tried the M240i.
M240i is the better car. It has B58. Solid motor.
I had one of these for 3 years. Steering is numb, but nicely weighted. Pretty standard, boring EPS rack.
None of those cars have good steering feel, but M2/M2C/Supra are definitely better than M235i
Steering on these cars can be significantly improved with M lower control arms (1.9 degrees negative camber) and poly bushings to replace the hydraulic unit on the forward thrust arms. BMW intentionally engineered slop into the steering and limited rear tire width to 245's. I have owned both an M235 and presently daily an M240 (can't say enough about the B58 engine). Like your friend, my daily is an M240 and a GR86 is my fun, canyon carving, track car. If you see a guy old enough to be your father in a Trueno Blue GR86 passing you on the track while grinning like an idiot.... That's probably me
Just xhd the ZF8, faster than any DCT and you can tube it to give you that gear-shock hit like a DCT
These things are made to be tuned. Engine tune and trans tune is almost essential
The M140i/M240i is a much better base for tuning, much stronger engine and can make much more power from the same mods.
The N55 doesn't respond to tuning half as much.
I had a tuned M140i, and now own an OG M2.
m235i/40i or lexus isf for daily?
Just hit 140k on my 2016 M235i
I hope no one discovers how amazing this car is
I upgraded my droptop m235i X drive full bolt on VRSF intercooler and high flow cat mhd stage 2+ XHP stage 3 trans tune a completely different car
If you had to pick r35 or c8, which would you choose?
That's a hard one. Love both cars but the way they drive is very different.
Seems intentionally hamstrung. Maybe it's to avoid cannibalizing like the 335i did having insane tuning potential so they messed with the suspension.
The guy drive on comfort mode all the video hahaha… when you turn off traction and stability control it automatically back to comfort mode :/
I believe the real M cars allow to turn off on sport, but the normals don’t.
Good review. I owned one of these and was disappointed at the hippo-on-roller-skates feel in the canyons.
Lol that's a fantastic metaphor
Thank you so much for this comment! I almost traded in my e92 335i for one of these today, and was hesitant to because I felt this exact same feeling, my 335i feels more solid in comparison
Can you test a genesis g70 sometime?
You know who can determine what’s an M car. BMW THATS WHO. They invented it.
How would you compare this vs a mustang gt (2015-17)
Mustang GT PP is a lot more fun
M badge on non m cars will disappoint
Can't complain at the value for money on these M lite cars though. Significantly quicker than an E46 330 ZHP and the N55 is more reliable than the N54.
Straight line performance in my M240i xdrive never disappoints me!😄
The engine is glorious, the handling is great, yes the steering feel is lackluster but saying a BRZ is better for fun is a joke
Hi, if the steering is numb on the m235i, which similar bmw model(s) would have a better, heavier steering feel? Thank you.
All the F generation models have numb / vague / light steering. You need to make some modifications. The F3X chassis models will require less mods. My friend's 4 series felt great after a strut brace, front lower chassis brace and rear subframe bushing inserts. The M235i can feel great, but you would need to add M4 lower and upper control arms.
E90 3 series, E82 1 series, and E60 are all great out of the box with their hydraulic steering. They’ll be cheaper than any f-gen BMW(excluding the N20 cars with destroyed timing chain guides). They’re all brilliant, and if you’re in the US they’ll all have an I6 of some type. Biggest thing to watch out for on them is oil leaks and cooling systems. If you want reliability and decent performance, go for 25i/28i/30i models with the N52. The N54 is an awesome engine, but it can be needy. Personally, I’m not a big fan of the N55, as it’s slightly more reliable than the N54 but way more neutered in the way it performs. I would also recommend avoiding x-drive models, as it really adds unnecessary complications, weight over the front axle, and dulled steering feel. I run all seasons on a manual E90 330i in Michigan, and it does just fine!
@@dauwg99 thanks
@@pascutia thanks
Get a 2011+ 135i with M3 control arms and solid rear subframe bushings. If you can afford it, get the lowest mileage possible and slap on an LSD as well. I had one for years with a 7 speed DCT. Transmission and engine were tuned
I always wanted one of these but in the end I bought a GR86.
How do you like the 86?
@@Topgear.filmer I ordered it in January 2023...and I still don't have it. It will be a year+ of waiting the way things are going. I'll let you know in a few more months!! 🤦
@@enekoprinslet me know what you think. Considering trading my M235i for a GR86
@@stupidmonkez I finally got the GR86 and the lightness and the balance is on another level. It just devourishes the corners and it is so much fun on canyon roads...but!!...a m235i or m240i is considerably faster on the highway for sure. Also the Toyota is not well assembled, a lot of rattles from the start, a lot of noises in the cabin. The BMW is probably a better all rounder but you forget all that when you get to the corners in the Toyota. In the end of day, absolutely no regrets. What a wonderful toy the GR86 is. 🥰🥰
Dudes using the paddle shifters while driving through canyons..🤦♂️ that’s really all that needs to be said about his opinion. Lol
Agreed, these are quite boring. BMW kinda lost me when they started throwing M badges on everything they make. I mean, an M-line would have made more sense.
They had too… Audi and Mercedes was throwing amg and S on all the mid model stuff and S line or whatever on base models making bmws lower stuff feel less special beside it didn’t have a special badge next to it. All marketing
Everything has an "M" badge now..... it's gotten stupid. I have a REAL one E60 M5 .....
It's been that way for over 20 years.
I had a tuned and modified M140i, great engine and gearbox, but that was all.
No matter how much I could have spent on it, no amount would make it an M car.
I now have an OG M2, the difference is night and day, the M2 is levels above.
Couple of points you are reviewing a significantly older car at this point. You also seem confused about the different drive modes. DSC off is a specific mode, so you cant put it in sport mode, then turn off everything while in sport mode, DSC off sets the throttle control to being linear, like in comfort, sets the suspension to stiffest, and engages the eLSD. This is the only mode that uses the eLSD component, while not as good as an actual LSD it makes a significant difference. Secondly, an M235i which has its suspension in good working condition should not feel as sloppy as you described. I've driven both the M2 and M235i (and actually own a 235i) and while its not an M car, your review doesnt seem to be aligning with reality of what impression the F22 left on most people when new. Is the M2 a better car? Absolutely, but this review seems so odd....
when u drive your m2 for everyday u will get tired as the road is shit in some country...........m235i is the one to get
M135i/M235i are ok, the M140i/M240i are much better.
But, I came from a tuned and modified M140i, and I now have an OG M2. I'll say this .... the M2 is levels above any none M 1 or 2 series. I would rather daily drive it because it feels like a special occasion every time, it feels like an event. It makes me feel alive.
I had a 2017 M140i, spent thousands on it, tuning the engine, ZF8 box, major services every 7k miles, upgraded the brakes to m performance, always had pilot supersport tyres etc.
I could have spent another £10,000 on an LSD, suspension and chassis mods, and it would still never be a real M car.
I now have a 2016 OG M2, it is on another level ... steering, suspension, handling, ride, damping, cornering, sound, looks, it's a completely different and much better car.
I say 100% misnomer! I was dissapointed that BMW started diluting it's prestigious M “Motorsport” classification to sell budget daily coupes. The M235i is not “Motorsport” capable, so why give it that badge? IMO, BMW should stick to the i to signify a slightly sportier version of a commuter car like they always had. and save the M for something real.
I have the 228i and I'm telling you it's better, why? The motor is much further back and it fells MUCH lighter on its feet because of it. The 228i incredibly well balanced car in comparison to the 240i. With the track package it's within 2 seconds of a M2 and gets 45+mpg on the highway at 65mph. It's a true hidden Gem. Just look a the reviews on RUclips from "The smoking tire" and other viral videos.
😂
Lol again same ole cookie cutter review, not every car is meant for canyon curvy roads, sure M235i steering is totally numb but other than that its best bank for bucks $25k-$30k performance car. Its fun on subruban roads.. straight line.. does decent in handling department. Useable back seats..
Where M2s are going for 40k-45k and this $25-$30k not a fair comparison.
Coming back to this video after your new f22 M240i xdrive video and because I just rented a manual rwd 2018 m240i - you’re so right man.
I have a e90 335i rwd 6MT sport pack with the m perf power kit and exhaust and love it, and did a 24hr test drive (carmax) of the M240i thinking it could be an option next. It’s not even in the same league as my fairly regular 335i.
The steering is so dead and the manual shifter is decent but worse than the e90 in directness and throw. The auto rev matching is sweet and the b58 is fast but has less character and way worse noise than the n55 e90.
I think an xdrive might be better as you said - I found the limits were sort of unpredictable in this m240 as it would understeer then step out. The e90 has a far more progressive and natural ability to step out when when it too has an open diff.
I didn’t believe you at first but you’re for sure on the right track. I think id just skip the 2 entirely but oh well.
Absolute nonsense
Thank you for reviewing a non M2 2 series. Most people can only afford this, and thanks to your review, we can walk away from this POC.
My m235i is tuned pushing 400hp at the wheels. I happy with my m235i. I beat the shit out of an M2.
My M140i was 455bhp/634nm, with lots of mods.
I now have an OG M2, and I'll tell you this, the standard M2 fucking destroys any tuned M135i/M235i/M140i/M240i in the real world. Yes a tuned M-lite especially the B58 engine, is a missile in a straight line, but that is the only party trick they have. Around corners, over bumps, the suspension, damping, steering, cornering, of a real M car is levels above.
No matter how much money you pump into an M lite, it will never be a real M car, or handle like one, I know, been there done it got the t shirt.
OG M2 is an amazing machine.
Whatever. Your response was slow. I’m pushing 525 now. Eat 💩
This or a 370z for a daily/ occasional mountain run?
M235i for daily. 370Z for canyon runs.
Imagine owning a M car that’s slower than an infinity red sport 😂😂😂😂😂
Fake M car 😂😂 it’s a a 240i but they put a M to make you fools believe it’s worth the price 🤣