BMW never proclaimed that the M235i was a true "M" car. It's just a new category of cars between a regular BMW and an M division BMW. The M division during introduction explained the the press how they worked on the engine, suspension, brakes and exhaust on this car while BMW provided the rest on the same production line as other non M BMWs. So can't clearly understand why some reviewers are underwhelmed. FYI an E12 M535i existed before the M cars back in late 70s and early 80s.
6 years later I still drive an M-Lite (M140i). They are bloody brilliant, and are complete all-rounders, jack-of-all trades. If you want a track car buy an M2.
The other driver should be the one setting the lap times (at least in the AMG). He clearly knows how to drive an AWD properly to make the most of it's traction advantage. Any AWD/FWD car will understeer when it is turned into a corner like the reporter does and pushed through it with the throttle.
I'd choose BMW everytime. Well maybe if I would live in Norway or Canada or some place where it's always raining/snowing I'd choose Merc but in Mid-Europe BMW is my personal winner ;D
The BMW has paddle shifters; why not shift as you would with a manual transmission, using the paddles? Instead of worrying about "not giving me the gear".
Wrong, the full AMG would be the 45AMG Not 35 AMG , these compete with the Audi S3... 45AMG....BMW M2...AUDI RS3........These are the full specs 35 AMG...BMW M35...Audi S3....These are just badge specs below the full specs.
Youd have to be mad to buy an A Klass instead of proper engined bimmer. Also people please stop taking the M badging serious, its just BMW way of saying S line. This is not the full blown RS, its just a sportier version of their normal 235i. If you want the *real* M badge pay up for the M2.
You know what all these reviews are always on a track!!! Having test drove both, I decided to get the M235i. As its a better daily, A45 rides horribly, BMW is a better place to be in
You forgot to mention the tyre difference between these two! The BMW comes with Michelin Super Sport rubbers, while the Merc only has standard cup tyres......I'm not saying that's taking credit away from the Beamer, but it has to be mentioned!
AND, even with "everything turned off" the BMW still provides Dynamic Traction Control ... no wonder he was getting excellent traction ... aside from the superior tyres.
I think it's the height of it more than anything. At 0:21, that kind of, 45 degree angle, it looks good to me. Whereas the rest of the views make it look a bit like it's towering above the car, like the scaffolding on top of skyscrapers.
Getahun Girma I've never driven it before but, i had get inside of it. It was quite fancy. But still it's still expensive. Let me ask you something. Will you gonna buy a Golf R with that money? you wouldn't i guess. without that big mercedes benz mark, people never ever gonna buy that car. It's still a good car though, but, it doesn't rationalize its price tag.
how many people will race there cars around on a pubic road , 0-60mph the merc will win and if its raining which in uk it always is then the merc won't have a problem . driving fast in merc won't bald the tires like the rear happy bmw
I have an M135i and boy is it crying out for an LSD. I've kept it stock (apart from the previous owner changing the front grill). If I do decide to do any modifications (which I don't plan to), I would: (1)Fit an LSD, (2)Upgrade the Exhaust and (3)Some sort of plug and play power mod.
my opinion as to why they didnt make the BMW as sharp and a "lit" as steve expected it to be is because an M2 is coming.. simple marketing and waiting to really give everything for the M2..
How the Mercedes isn't faster on a twisty little circuit that should favour it with more power, less weight and all wheel drive is a mystery. The BMW benefits from a straightforward flash tune and a bolt on limited slip differential- which BMW did sell as an aftermarket part. Easily afforded considering that £4k price difference between them when they were new. Then you have a stupendous driver's car.
The A45 can only corner one way. It understeers hard at the limit and feels more like a front wheel drive car than a 4WD with torque transfer capabilities. I drove one and the engine is mighty but it's not that exciting to drive. The gearbox is easily confused too.
+htownboy187 Try to avoid commenting when you have only little info of what you're talking about. Its just to avoid people offending you. Let me correct you before you get offended by someone else :). There is no M1 anymore. M2 is the coupe motorsports version of BMW 1. M2 is a direct rival to CLA45, the coupe version of A45. C63 rivals M3. CLS 63 vs M6 Gran coupe, E63 vs M5, S63 rivals M6 Coupe because there is no BMW 7 series coupe or motorsports version. Oh and the closest rival to the A45 is the BMW M135i, although it has less power and its not a real (pure) M version.
+htownboy187 What is this C36 you speak of ? Mercedes produced a C36 in the mid 90's (Equivalent of todays C63 at present). Also You have just stated Mercedes would rule.... BMW's M division is far superior to AMG or Audi's RS, They might not have the brutal acceleration of the equivalent Merc or Audi but will always win on track.... This has always been the case.
Seems like Merc accidentally made an old Audi (with a Maserati semi-autobox). Couldn't care less about the lap time, but just looking at the presenter's face tells the whole story. Merc made him sweat, BMW made him giggle. I'd rather giggle.
I am tossing up between these two cars at the moment. I have already had a test drive of the 235i and loved the 6 cylinder engine noise and the car just pulls from down low. I am test driving the a45 on Saturday and want to see how it feels on the road and of course that exhaust. I'll make my decision on which car after the test drive :)
I take it the taking the corners arse out sideways on 235 was for the camera? At one stage the camera car at the front was pulling away during the BMW during the stupidity, and i don't think the camera car was an M3.
Damn, the BMW seemed way more fun around corners, that oversteer is ridiculously awesome, while the Mercedes A45 hasn't even a proper AWD system, i mean, look at all that understeer, feels more like a FWD than an AWD, and the engine just sounds not as good as the God V6 in the BMW.
shut up.we all no the mercedes g wagon is dady of all SUV and they go the best off roading.merc is more pretty luxurious comfort and praktice for evry day and so shut up
shut up.we all no the mercedes g wagon is dady of all SUV and they go the best off roading.merc is more pretty luxurious comfort and praktice for evry day and so shut up
+Owismael okay, you're never going to be drifting on public roads when you drive somewhere in the middle of the day. its not a V6, its a straight 6, and you cant compare the sound of a 4 cylinder to a 6cylinder. that's like comparing a 6cylinder to an 8 cylinder. 8 rules
Wositsch Yea, I know its not a real M car car. But BMW shot themselves in the foot by even putting "M" in the name, imo. Even if the e diff does fine, I think at that price and using the "m" moniker in anyway, a LSD should not be optional, it should be standard. Lets be honest, none of these cars are gonna sell at 34k, they will be 40k cars (mainly because no one will buy them with manuals :[).
***** IMO, BMW messed up by even putting "M" in the name. When I see "M" i expect performance, and for that money, I expect it as well. It does perform well, but it's almost as if they under engineered the car so that the M2 will have a place to sit instead of making it as good as it could be standard, and making the M2 even better. Maybe it's just me, but I'm just not happy with BMWs of late. The nomenclature is all fucked up, they are getting ridiculously heavy, and they aren't the pure driving machines that they still advertise them to be. I'm a huge BMW fan, but they just don't seem on it like they used to be.
That BMW is amazing value for money. If you can't afford an M car, I reckon the M235i is the best thing. Give it very minor modifications and it will be faster than an M2, M3, M4 easily. That is a great car if you're considering buying a reasonably priced track/weekend car.
M235 should VS A350 AMG (although AMG has hps tuned up) M2 should VS A45 AMG instead of Black series M2 GTS VS A45 Black series if there are these 2 models in future
In my opinion they are similar. 0.2 of a second, it's such a small difference that can be due to tire, tire pressure, fuel tank with more or less fuel. The question for the buyer would be, AWD or RWD?
But the BMW is still the 'ultimate driving machine'. I would have the BMW as it looks better. That's my opinion, so please respect that and don't rant on if you disagree! BMW for me...might talk myself in to buying one, when I win the lottery!!
I think this guy needs some more driving lessons. I mean, if you're gonna be reviewing cars on the track... you better have more driving skills that he does.
I do live in Canada and I bought the 2015 M235i with Xdrive. And four snow tires on rims. Not the ideal winter car because of the power and torque (except in ECO mode where it feels like it has no power at all.) In most conditions, the BMW is amazing.
The question isn't which is the best driver, the question is if you prefer BMW or Mercedes. BMW all the way for me, that A45 is an engineering masterpeice but looks like something from the flowershop. The BMW is fun, rwd and looks beast.
I dont like the Mercedes AMG 45 is simply to hard in normal roads if you are going to pay almost 50k for a car it needs to be comfortable in the road and hard on the track , like the Seat Leon adaptive suspension , you pick the setting that suits you
The merc understeers won't give him the gear and sets a slower lap The BMW sets a quicker time has a nicer engine changes gear when he wants despite Sutcliffe saying it wasn't fun he pulls a grin while drifting and the beep was the go pro He set the time while drifting too if he tried to hold traction it would of been even quicker... Clear winner but again not exactly rivals... Similar to the C63 vs M3/4
For the price of the A45 you could buy the BMW, have a proper LSD fitted and remap to 370bhp and still have change... job done. A45 smoked. Merc does have nicer interior tho but the price.... just wow.
+soundseeker63 the direct rival of this BMW is the C63 AMG and you can do as much as you like with your M235i your never going to beat the C63 AMG. The A45 should really be compared to the M135i
soundseeker63 well then why compare bmw to merc anyways all merc are more expensive. but since the A class is the merc version of the 1 series from bmw you should compare them really and to be honest if this was all about the price only there is some much better cars you can get for that money.
htownboy187 The 2-Series is basically a 2-door coupe version of the 1-Series..... Same engine, transmission, chassis, only the body and suspension settings are different. Ok the CLA45 AMG would be the more direct rival to the M235i but again, its basically the same car as the A-class underneath. What makes you think the result would be any different in either case?
AMG: "It won't give me the gear".... no wonder, he has it set to shift manually, not to automatic. OR perhaps he was trying to shift down to a gear too low.
love it when a journo really puts the car on the edge, looks to me whenever pushed the a45 just understeers but on the bmw, sutcliffe look to have to put in an effort to beat the a45's time and the bmw allowed him to and was rewarded.
Yes, the M235i produced the better time but is it the better driver's car? Look at an FR-S and a Mini Cooper (S/JCW) they'll likely have a slower lap time than the M235i but they're more of a driver's car. Well, the only things I see running for it are the manual transmission, and rear wheel drive. I don't know much about the baby AMG to judge properly. So, which one is the better driver's car?
thats not what he was talking about. Just drive a 6 Cylinder and switch to a 4 Cyl, or the other way round and you'll know what he means. 6 Cyls are just so much better to drive.
The a45 is way better. Its gives you the best of both worlds. Luxury and sports. BMW looks cheap however the extra 2 cylinders and rwd is nice to have aswell
Driven the A45 before, gotta say it's a lovely performance car for you to drive everyday with the flamboyant looks and all but I wouldn't say it's a driver's car. The M235i is the driver's car... It's just those small things in the A45 AMG that kinda ruins it. The gearbox, even on normal roads feels wrong, and it happened to me that it won't drop down to the specific gear that I want to, which I think the electronic limited it to avoid the engine from over-revving or whatever. The steering on the other hand, feels fine though. But it's far away from being sharp and yes it does understeer quite a lot in some corners. Personally though, I would still take the A45 AMG over the M235i. I need something that I can drive everyday without a hassle and has a lot of room, yet has the performance. It's handsome, but wish I can minus some of the awful body bits.
A lot of people are forgetting that the A45 is the most powerful 4 cylinder engine and its also the fastest production hatchback. Come on that is German engineering at its best.A 2L AMG hatchback with 360bhp. Only way BMW can get any way close to that is by shoving a 6cylinder engine in it
This guy spent all the past year telling us the Mercedes was quicker and better than the m135i. There is a video of the a45 where he drifts in every corner, now instead the amg understeers all the time and the bmw 235 (wich is basically a 135) is faster. Very strange
BMW never proclaimed that the M235i was a true "M" car. It's just a new category of cars between a regular BMW and an M division BMW. The M division during introduction explained the the press how they worked on the engine, suspension, brakes and exhaust on this car while BMW provided the rest on the same production line as other non M BMWs. So can't clearly understand why some reviewers are underwhelmed. FYI an E12 M535i existed before the M cars back in late 70s and early 80s.
They also worked on the steering and transmission setup.
So well said. Love both of these cars for entirely different reasons.
BMW inline 6, front engine, RWD & manual gearbox available. BMW M235i for me please :)
6 years later I still drive an M-Lite (M140i).
They are bloody brilliant, and are complete all-rounders, jack-of-all trades.
If you want a track car buy an M2.
Hahah the GoPro was beeping... not the BMW!!!!
How do you know it was the GoPro and why was it beeping?
Ayrton Atif lol because I have like 6 of them? Probably the mini-sd card was full or the battery of one of the cams died and it shut off.
Kaipeternicolas oh okay i knew when i red your comment that you must be an expert of gopros lol. Cheers mate
Ayrton Atif haha well I am a film production graduate and also test cars so a bit of both worlds ;)
Kaipeternicolas Thats really cool mate. I would love to get into the car testing and reviewing industry since cars are like everything for me.
Funny how we all already knew that the BMW was better before even watching this.
Of course. One day i will buy a 235i. Its really the best for me. Hopefully i can buy one in 2024/2025
I just bought my 2014 M235i with 88k miles and love it! Cost $19k and came with ActiveWorks exhaust. She’s a daily driver rocket.
The other driver should be the one setting the lap times (at least in the AMG). He clearly knows how to drive an AWD properly to make the most of it's traction advantage.
Any AWD/FWD car will understeer when it is turned into a corner like the reporter does and pushed through it with the throttle.
I'd choose BMW everytime. Well maybe if I would live in Norway or Canada or some place where it's always raining/snowing I'd choose Merc but in Mid-Europe BMW is my personal winner ;D
I live in norway, and i would have the BMW too... :-D
I live in Canada and I have the m235i. It's the funnest car I've ever driven! Not looking foreword to snow tho...
Don't forget that you can get the m235i with allwheeldrive, too
I think he forgot to mention it
Even in rain or snow the BMW is brilliant, just buy one with xDrive, and add a Dinan tune! :)
Mateusz Nakonieczny snow + BMW. Fucking fun so wtf???
I was really hoping that Merc will compete in WRC with that A45 in the future, it look so perfect for rallying.
"It won't give me the gear" - that disqualifies the Merc as a "driver's car". In my book that's a death sentence for any car with sports ambitions.
True. As for the BMW, you just take the gear yourself...
I've driven the A45 before and yes, when approaching a corner and as you intended to drop down to a specific gear, it just didn't want to... Horrible!
The BMW has paddle shifters; why not shift as you would with a manual transmission, using the paddles? Instead of worrying about "not giving me the gear".
@@peterburian8374 wtf are u even saying?
The Merc is a Full AMG and the BMW is not a fully loaded M car. BMW was still quicker and more fun looking at the video.. BMW wins at every level.
Wrong, the full AMG would be the 45AMG Not 35 AMG , these compete with the Audi S3...
45AMG....BMW M2...AUDI RS3........These are the full specs
35 AMG...BMW M35...Audi S3....These are just badge specs below the full specs.
@@nathanjones9558 this is the A45 they didn’t do an A35 back then...
@@MRblondeGames oh my god nice call his comment was pretty incorrect now wasn't it lmao!😄
@@nathanjones9558 haha “wrong...” I love it when no it alls get called out.
Youd have to be mad to buy an A Klass instead of proper engined bimmer.
Also people please stop taking the M badging serious, its just BMW way of saying S line. This is not the full blown RS, its just a sportier version of their normal 235i.
If you want the *real* M badge pay up for the M2.
You know what all these reviews are always on a track!!! Having test drove both, I decided to get the M235i. As its a better daily, A45 rides horribly, BMW is a better place to be in
+den525 did the same over s3/ golf r/ scirocco r
but in real life and everyday use and luxury, the merc wins hands down.
You forgot to mention the tyre difference between these two! The BMW comes with Michelin Super Sport rubbers, while the Merc only has standard cup tyres......I'm not saying that's taking credit away from the Beamer, but it has to be mentioned!
The BMW manual gearbox and mercedes automatic!
AND, even with "everything turned off" the BMW still provides Dynamic Traction Control ... no wonder he was getting excellent traction ... aside from the superior tyres.
@@peterburian8374 You can disable DSC
always Bmw, they realy know what's the "FUNN" in drive,
I will choose the bimmer over the A45 anyway. The 235i looks so fun to drive and that engine note is awesome.
Anyway, both great cars.
A45 is on another level , no one even knows what that BM is
God that rear spoiler on the A45 really looks ridiculous though!
My gf likes it ;D
Relax lad. You can wish ;)
Mateusz Nakonieczny
Somehow it just look so.. wrong..
True that...Didn't see that coming at first glance ;D
I think it's the height of it more than anything. At 0:21, that kind of, 45 degree angle, it looks good to me. Whereas the rest of the views make it look a bit like it's towering above the car, like the scaffolding on top of skyscrapers.
You are having a hard time getting the M235i under control. You seemed more relaxed driving the A45.
I love that BMW!
A rear wheel drive car is a driver's car. So it must be the BMW. I just love it
A45 AMG is ridiculously expensive isn't it?
박휘수 But worth it!!!
First get inside of it
Getahun Girma I've never driven it before but, i had get inside of it. It was quite fancy. But still it's still expensive. Let me ask you something. Will you gonna buy a Golf R with that money? you wouldn't i guess. without that big mercedes benz mark, people never ever gonna buy that car. It's still a good car though, but, it doesn't rationalize its price tag.
my favorite car reporter! steve sutcliffe!
maybe the review should also mentioned what tyres on both cars....
how many people will race there cars around on a pubic road , 0-60mph the merc will win and if its raining which in uk it always is then the merc won't have a problem . driving fast in merc won't bald the tires like the rear happy bmw
BMW does make an M235i xDrive with automatic that you can have Dinan tuned for less than the MB.
I agree I'd have the merc. or a e92 m3 if I wanted an my car but only had 30-35k
I have an M135i and boy is it crying out for an LSD. I've kept it stock (apart from the previous owner changing the front grill). If I do decide to do any modifications (which I don't plan to), I would: (1)Fit an LSD, (2)Upgrade the Exhaust and (3)Some sort of plug and play power mod.
Simple:
RWD > AWD
Manual > Auto
Turbo in-line 6 > Turbo in-line 4
On the Nordschleife cars with automatic are the fastest.
@@muaythai193 Manual will die out, there's no need for it anymore
Jack Brewster exactly
my opinion as to why they didnt make the BMW as sharp and a "lit" as steve expected it to be is because an M2 is coming.. simple marketing and waiting to really give everything for the M2..
Great prediction
This is the most spanked ive seen the M235i in any video online, amazing stuff. Damn i wish i could shift gears like this guy...:)
I have to say though 355hp and 41mpg combined, wow.
true, especially on a 4WD aero kitted car
It won't do that. In the EVO long term test it averages around 30.
yoyoman9747 Even 30mpg is impressive for that output
g1DDriver It is, but they mostly do motorway driving. In the city it would be painfully low.
How the Mercedes isn't faster on a twisty little circuit that should favour it with more power, less weight and all wheel drive is a mystery. The BMW benefits from a straightforward flash tune and a bolt on limited slip differential- which BMW did sell as an aftermarket part. Easily afforded considering that £4k price difference between them when they were new. Then you have a stupendous driver's car.
How can a 1500kg 4 wheel drive car have understeer?
The A45 can only corner one way. It understeers hard at the limit and feels more like a front wheel drive car than a 4WD with torque transfer capabilities. I drove one and the engine is mighty but it's not that exciting to drive. The gearbox is easily confused too.
His face and smile say something completely opposite of his summary on the M235i. He absolutely loved it, but seemed scared to say as much.
Should now run the 2017 AMG A45, it's a little different nowadays...
how about m2 vs a45?
+Tat Chon O How about A45 vs M1 and C36 vs M2 and CLS 63 vs M3 and E63 vs M4 and S63 vs M5 and Sl 65 vs M6
you will see merc will rule!!!
+htownboy187 Try to avoid commenting when you have only little info of what you're talking about. Its just to avoid people offending you. Let me correct you before you get offended by someone else :). There is no M1 anymore. M2 is the coupe motorsports version of BMW 1. M2 is a direct rival to CLA45, the coupe version of A45. C63 rivals M3. CLS 63 vs M6 Gran coupe, E63 vs M5, S63 rivals M6 Coupe because there is no BMW 7 series coupe or motorsports version. Oh and the closest rival to the A45 is the BMW M135i, although it has less power and its not a real (pure) M version.
+Tat Chon O why m235 is better than a45
+htownboy187 What is this C36 you speak of ?
Mercedes produced a C36 in the mid 90's (Equivalent of todays C63 at present).
Also You have just stated Mercedes would rule.... BMW's M division is far superior to AMG or Audi's RS, They might not have the brutal acceleration of the equivalent Merc or Audi but will always win on track.... This has always been the case.
Manc780 so an AMG GTR doesnt exist?
i love this guys driving
bmw 235i the correct is 62 mph / 4.7 sec
Seems like Merc accidentally made an old Audi (with a Maserati semi-autobox). Couldn't care less about the lap time, but just looking at the presenter's face tells the whole story. Merc made him sweat, BMW made him giggle. I'd rather giggle.
I am tossing up between these two cars at the moment. I have already had a test drive of the 235i and loved the 6 cylinder engine noise and the car just pulls from down low. I am test driving the a45 on Saturday and want to see how it feels on the road and of course that exhaust. I'll make my decision on which car after the test drive :)
which car did u get?
@@rvink5952 didn’t get either XD ended up getting a Golf R
@@minw88 why?
was he hitting the onboard cam on the bmw with his head?
Being an owner of an M235i
I can’t agree more, it’s a great daily driver but it just lacks a bit of spice
I take it the taking the corners arse out sideways on 235 was for the camera? At one stage the camera car at the front was pulling away during the BMW during the stupidity, and i don't think the camera car was an M3.
Damn, the BMW seemed way more fun around corners, that oversteer is ridiculously awesome, while the Mercedes A45 hasn't even a proper AWD system, i mean, look at all that understeer, feels more like a FWD than an AWD, and the engine just sounds not as good as the God V6 in the BMW.
+Owismael "God V6 in the BMW"
inline
shut up.we all no the mercedes g wagon is dady of all SUV and they go the best off roading.merc is more pretty luxurious comfort and praktice for evry day and so shut up
shut up.we all no the mercedes g wagon is dady of all SUV and they go the best off roading.merc is more pretty luxurious comfort and praktice for evry day and so shut up
+Owismael okay, you're never going to be drifting on public roads when you drive somewhere in the middle of the day.
its not a V6, its a straight 6, and you cant compare the sound of a 4 cylinder to a 6cylinder. that's like comparing a 6cylinder to an 8 cylinder. 8 rules
just get which ever one you think looks and sounds nicer... you might get there 0.02 secs late
THe merc doesnt certainly sound better and looks like a boy racers hatch back.
34k and i don't get a diff? why? and especially since it is an "M" car (sorta not really)
I was told that the 235i has a mechanical diff while the 135i has a e-diff
It's not an "M" car it's an "M performance" car and the diff (LSD) is optional. Judging from the video, the standard e-diff isn't that bad.
Wositsch Yea, I know its not a real M car car. But BMW shot themselves in the foot by even putting "M" in the name, imo. Even if the e diff does fine, I think at that price and using the "m" moniker in anyway, a LSD should not be optional, it should be standard. Lets be honest, none of these cars are gonna sell at 34k, they will be 40k cars (mainly because no one will buy them with manuals :[).
mec diff is opt for M235, and will be standard for M2
so dont worry.
***** IMO, BMW messed up by even putting "M" in the name. When I see "M" i expect performance, and for that money, I expect it as well. It does perform well, but it's almost as if they under engineered the car so that the M2 will have a place to sit instead of making it as good as it could be standard, and making the M2 even better. Maybe it's just me, but I'm just not happy with BMWs of late. The nomenclature is all fucked up, they are getting ridiculously heavy, and they aren't the pure driving machines that they still advertise them to be. I'm a huge BMW fan, but they just don't seem on it like they used to be.
So which one did he decide was the better drivers car? More engaging? Ignoring lap times of course
With that smile -- and if he liked the car with reservations on the M235i. I can't wait til Steve drives the M2.....That will be EPIC!!
Is it going to be the Turbo S vs GTR next week? It's about time!
That BMW is amazing value for money. If you can't afford an M car, I reckon the M235i is the best thing. Give it very minor modifications and it will be faster than an M2, M3, M4 easily. That is a great car if you're considering buying a reasonably priced track/weekend car.
beeping wasn't the bmw, it was a goPro
BMW with coilovers (and maybe additionally a LSD) would kill it!
M235 should VS A350 AMG (although AMG has hps tuned up)
M2 should VS A45 AMG instead of Black series
M2 GTS VS A45 Black series if there are these 2 models in future
A350 ? Hahahah
At 6.42 you can understand what is the best "adrenaline" car to drive.
Drifting will be always a dream for A45
Epic drive ... Well done mate.
It's not a full-fleshed M. It's just the top-model of the two-series. Wait until the M2 arrives :)
BMW is always at the forefront in driving pleasure
In my opinion they are similar. 0.2 of a second, it's such a small difference that can be due to tire, tire pressure, fuel tank with more or less fuel.
The question for the buyer would be, AWD or RWD?
Should have used the auto box in the beemer and it would have been a much bigger hap. They are alot quicker with the auto boxes
I love the bmw
I don't wish to feel the turbo lag so the straight six still a better one.
But the BMW is still the 'ultimate driving machine'. I would have the BMW as it looks better. That's my opinion, so please respect that and don't rant on if you disagree!
BMW for me...might talk myself in to buying one, when I win the lottery!!
I AGREE ... until the M2 was released; now that is the 'ultimate driving machine'.
Looks better? What could be more pathetic looking than the 2-series really?
5:00 The moment you realise this isn't a semi-automatic
I saw a A45 here in America but can not find it on Mercedes website
I think this guy needs some more driving lessons. I mean, if you're gonna be reviewing cars on the track... you better have more driving skills that he does.
I do live in Canada and I bought the 2015 M235i with Xdrive. And four snow tires on rims. Not the ideal winter car because of the power and torque (except in ECO mode where it feels like it has no power at all.) In most conditions, the BMW is amazing.
Okay but except having to switch buttons, does it matter? Like does it still have a hard time in the snow?
The question isn't which is the best driver, the question is if you prefer BMW or Mercedes. BMW all the way for me, that A45 is an engineering masterpeice but looks like something from the flowershop. The BMW is fun, rwd and looks beast.
of course it won't let you select a gear too low,
its the software saying I won't let you blow the engine,
its a road car for god sake.
It's a full on AMG for god sake. I want to blow the engine if that's what pleases me.
He talked about BMW smoothness but he drove it like he was riding a wild bronco.
you can feel the hamburgers flying
I dont like the Mercedes AMG 45 is simply to hard in normal roads
if you are going to pay almost 50k for a car it needs to be comfortable in the road and hard on the track , like the Seat Leon adaptive suspension , you pick the setting that suits you
The merc understeers won't give him the gear and sets a slower lap
The BMW sets a quicker time has a nicer engine changes gear when he wants despite Sutcliffe saying it wasn't fun he pulls a grin while drifting and the beep was the go pro
He set the time while drifting too if he tried to hold traction it would of been even quicker...
Clear winner but again not exactly rivals... Similar to the C63 vs M3/4
Wish the U.S got the a45
Everbody is saying this bmw has open diff and some complain about it. Doesn't Bmw M235i have an LSD option?
For the price of the A45 you could buy the BMW, have a proper LSD fitted and remap to 370bhp and still have change... job done. A45 smoked.
Merc does have nicer interior tho but the price.... just wow.
+soundseeker63 the direct rival of this BMW is the C63 AMG and you can do as much as you like with your M235i your never going to beat the C63 AMG. The A45 should really be compared to the M135i
htownboy187
Err....M235i and C63 direct rivals.....? LOL obviously the £26k price difference between those two cars escaped you...
soundseeker63
well then why compare bmw to merc anyways all merc are more expensive. but since the A class is the merc version of the 1 series from bmw you should compare them really and to be honest if this was all about the price only there is some much better cars you can get for that money.
htownboy187
The 2-Series is basically a 2-door coupe version of the 1-Series..... Same engine, transmission, chassis, only the body and suspension settings are different. Ok the CLA45 AMG would be the more direct rival to the M235i but again, its basically the same car as the A-class underneath. What makes you think the result would be any different in either case?
+Londonsfresh Prince please...most cars can do that as long as its a short run. Nothing to write home about
What a stupid comparison.... Should have had a 4wd 8 speed automatic bmw. Thats a whole different game
Even if the A45 wins in every other aspect, a longitudinal straight 6 beats some transversely mounted engine any day.
Self note dont mount gopro next to head
I love my M235i. stage 3 VUDU running 464bhp.
AMG: "It won't give me the gear".... no wonder, he has it set to shift manually, not to automatic. OR perhaps he was trying to shift down to a gear too low.
Its a full blown AMG vs a Semi M Car - no wonder he is disappointed!
Any chance for a review of the xDrive version of the M235i in a near future?
Y u Neva use the zf 8 speed gear box on the bmw
love it when a journo really puts the car on the edge, looks to me whenever pushed the a45 just understeers but on the bmw, sutcliffe look to have to put in an effort to beat the a45's time and the bmw allowed him to and was rewarded.
Yes, the M235i produced the better time but is it the better driver's car? Look at an FR-S and a Mini Cooper (S/JCW) they'll likely have a slower lap time than the M235i but they're more of a driver's car. Well, the only things I see running for it are the manual transmission, and rear wheel drive. I don't know much about the baby AMG to judge properly. So, which one is the better driver's car?
Maybe if Steve didn't drift cars around the track, he could get better times.
6:43 - 7:00 illustrates how much slower around a corner drifting is.
Where's the AMG badge on the grill of the Mercedes?
Compare it with the M240i xdrive with automatic gearbox.
what's the name of the song ?
how about reviewing these cars with same mode of gear box
LOL, the M1/235i sounds like that because of the Active Sound Design which is pumping an enhanced engine sound through the radio speakers.
thats not what he was talking about. Just drive a 6 Cylinder and switch to a 4 Cyl, or the other way round and you'll know what he means. 6 Cyls are just so much better to drive.
exactly fake sound
I was told that the 235i has a mechanical diff while the 135i has a e-diff
The a45 is way better. Its gives you the best of both worlds. Luxury and sports. BMW looks cheap however the extra 2 cylinders and rwd is nice to have aswell
Driven the A45 before, gotta say it's a lovely performance car for you to drive everyday with the flamboyant looks and all but I wouldn't say it's a driver's car. The M235i is the driver's car... It's just those small things in the A45 AMG that kinda ruins it. The gearbox, even on normal roads feels wrong, and it happened to me that it won't drop down to the specific gear that I want to, which I think the electronic limited it to avoid the engine from over-revving or whatever. The steering on the other hand, feels fine though. But it's far away from being sharp and yes it does understeer quite a lot in some corners.
Personally though, I would still take the A45 AMG over the M235i. I need something that I can drive everyday without a hassle and has a lot of room, yet has the performance. It's handsome, but wish I can minus some of the awful body bits.
I knew the BMW was going to be faster and Mercedes was going to be more fun.
I won't of I would of guessed the other way round
Merc more fun?
Your stupid the merc didn't even make the guy smile
M235i is so much more fun. Better steering, rearwheel drive, great(sounding) engine. And it looks imo much better.
Where did you get that? He complained about understeer and bad gearbox, meaning it's not as fun. Look at him laugh in the M235i.
Ahaha, the BMW made you sweat, eh? ;)
Plus it gives you more pleasure and fun on track than a 4WD.
A lot of people are forgetting that the A45 is the most powerful 4 cylinder engine and its also the fastest production hatchback. Come on that is German engineering at its best.A 2L AMG hatchback with 360bhp. Only way BMW can get any way close to that is by shoving a 6cylinder engine in it
Love to Bmw M2..
This guy spent all the past year telling us the Mercedes was quicker and better than the m135i. There is a video of the a45 where he drifts in every corner, now instead the amg understeers all the time and the bmw 235 (wich is basically a 135) is faster. Very strange
Why compair 4-door to 2-door? What about M135?