Thursday 17th July 2014

BMW M235i Performance: PH Blog

Two sets of tyres in and Chris is very much still enjoying the M235i

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Here's how the automotive media actually works - on an extremely superficial and unimportant level. I asked BMW if I could run an M235i for a few months, it said "yes". I then added it might be fun to take a look at the M Performance options, especially the optional locking differential. It said "Sounds like a plan". I then added that none of the cosmetic stuff interested me, in fact it would probably actively annoy me, but BMW Germany still sent a lovely chap over to adhere the most dreadful stickers to the sides of the car. I duly said they were foul; BMW wasn't happy. I suppose I should just tear them off, but I watched dear Toby apply them with such love that I haven't the heart.

Diff proving its worth!

Funny old world.

But I really can forgive the stickers, because this is one hell of a machine. It will do battle with the new Golf R on video soon (yes, we're coming back!) but in isolation it's everything I could want in a small rear-wheel drive coupe. BMW is still considered the master of naturally aspirated high-performance six-cylinder motors, but it has seamlessly transferred its skills to turbocharging. Yes, it's not a full M-car, but for response, outright shove and music, this blown-six makes a compelling case for being one of the best engines on sale.

It hits hard from 2,500rpm, sings all the way to 6,500rpm and is connected to a very slick six-speed manual and now a locking rear differential. For me, that's the perfect recipe for fun. Other rivals in this fast emerging sub-M3 performance category are faster point-to-point, but none gives you that delicious feeling of adjusting cornering line with your right foot, or fills the cabin with straight-six sonics. Again, I like the fake-ish noise, but then I'm a Human League fan.

Isn't it strange how a gearlever can make a gearshift feel quite different? The optional, stumpy M Performance item somehow gives the sensation of a more direct shift - and I've grown to like the look of it too. Would I pay £172 for it? Of course not.

Chris and the fancy wheel getting on here

Likewise much of the interior Alcantara and carbon trimmings which are actually very tastefully executed but sadly do nothing for an aesthetic-vacuum like myself. I suppose I can only sanction wasting money on visual tat if I feel I've exhausted the spend on stuff that adds to the driving experience. So the differential is a must, but the upgraded brakes are actually no bigger, so I can't really see the point. If I was BMW M Performance, I'd have left the rears standard and offered a big steel, vented rotor to fit behind a 19-inch wheel.

I do however love the silly steering wheel and its illegible readout and controls that caused me to invent new swear words during a shoot earlier this week. It's the definition of a cool gadget, and I'd probably waste £1,250 just for the way it looks and feels in the hand.

If I happen to think the stickers look like a dog's dinner, the population under the age of 30 appears to disagree. Neil bought the car along to the Nurburgring 24-hour and ended up being folk hero for the weekend, a role I suspect he quietly enjoyed. The Germans just loved the bodykit and the M Performance logos and the fruity exhaust burble. For me, colour plays a big part - BMW Cardiff has an M235i demo in black, with all the same body mods as this car, but without the stripe and with bigger 19-inch rims. It looks the conkers.

"Where's the Michelin man gone?"

We're up on 7,000 miles now - there has been no request for a slurp of oil, the brakes have taken a beating but do not judder and I can't really comment on tyre wear because two video shoots meant beasting two sets of rears. As a dual-role tyre that allows you to drive on the road in any weather, but then tolerate hard track use, I think Michelin Pilot Super Sports are flipping brilliant.

I remain an iDrive sceptic. The interface just doesn't work for me, and the new track-pad simply adds to the confusion, but the counterpoint is Neil who simply adores it. What I do enjoy is stepping inside the car and immediately having it Bluetooth to my phone and music. But then all modern cars seem to do that these days.

Where BMW manages to just raise itself above the competition is making the cabin feel more driver focused than the others: the dash is canted toward the driver, just like in Bimmers of old. And the seat, wheel, pedals relationship is spot on. Those few remaining three-pedal performance cars (god I hate writing that) seem to have no understanding of the importance of the height of the brake pedal in relation to the throttle - in the M235i, rolling onto the accelerator for downshifts couldn't be more natural. It's a small point, but one that I enjoy countless times even on the shortest drives.

This comparison is coming very soon

Fuel consumption fluctuates wildly according to how it's driven, but I see mid 30s on longer journeys and can suppress that in to the mid 20s whenever the mood takes me.

I suppose the last point of discussion is size. Small coupes are now what we used to call big coupes, but this remains a car you can thread with confidence on UK roads. It's the key ingredient in making it a great car over here. Take that engine, the fun chassis, the sheer performance and then allow the driver not to worry about width and you have something very special.

With or without stickers.

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Full breakdown of the M235i M Performance options here.

[RacerMike]

Will be very interested to see your comparison between this and the Golf R. I test drove the Golf the other week and was somewhat disappointed. Perhaps I was expecting too much, but it just lacked involvement and character.

Nice mini review though

Edited by RacerMike on Thursday 17th July 10:47

[Prawnboy]

hey i'm a human league fan and last time they were on the turntable i don't remember them sounding like fake engine noise!

[4a4]

Would love a go in one of these

Chris - have you managed to lose another centre cap?

[VeeFource]

W A N T ! ! !

Agreed on the stickers though, looks like someone's amateur attempt at covering up a keying attack.

Looking forward to seeing the video(s) too, cheers Chris

Edited by VeeFource on Thursday 17th July 10:39

[Dave Hedgehog]

Interesting as I drove one at the weekend, looks fab, zero rear room, very well setup and highly competent on the road, very comfortable ride, but I felt totally isolated from the car, it was like driving a computer game, I was bored.

The engine also felt very asthmatic near the top end but that may have been because it only had a few hundred miles on it an I assumed it was on some sort of "run in" engine map. The auto is very lazy as well.

But I am also not a racing driver and I do not drive sideways on public roads, or even corner on them at 100%


The M4 on the other hand now that is

Edited by Dave Hedgehog on Thursday 17th July 10:46

[billy939]

I drove this car for a good 60-70 miles last month over all sorts of roads and I loved it. The one I drove did not have the diff or adaptive dampers but I guess I didn't wring it's neck enough on the road for this to be much of an issue.

I'm usually quite picky but I could not fault it in that time and just wish I could afford to get one for myself

[Nick Young]

Mine arrives at the end of September

Only thing that surprises me is the garage didn't try to sell me (or even mention to me) any of these M performance goodies when I ordered! What's the steering wheel display actually used for? - That sounds like a cool gadget to have!

[AndrewSV]

love both of these cars!!

One video I'd love to see is Chris driving the Tesla Model S, is that likely to happen anytime soon??

[Prawnboy]

oh, and the stickers;
They just look half done, a couple on the bonnet and it would make more sense.

[s m]

How accurate are the steering wheel figures compared to a Vbox?

[TobesH]

BMW giving me a M135i tomorrow for a day or two... can't wait

I like the stickers X

[nonuts]

Interesting, however just having a look at the BMW website to spec one of those how I'd want it is basically £40k and they start at £35k for the 235i by the look of it. Seems a lot, but I guess it's basically a modern e36 M3 Evo.

[EricE]

Is there any perceivable difference in driving dynamics between a 2014 M135i and M235i, assuming both are equipped with the same LSD?

M2 will be the one to watch i guess.

[Dave Hedgehog]

EricE said:

Is there any perceivable difference in driving dynamics between a 2014 M135i and M235i, assuming both are equipped with the same LSD?

M2 will be the one to watch i guess.

my friend has a 135 and drove the 235i before me and said its a totally different animal far less floppy suspension far better glued to the road, i have not driven the 135 so can not confirm this

he was actually peeved that he had bought the 135 and will probable trade into the 235 now

Edited by Dave Hedgehog on Thursday 17th July 11:17

[Mermaid]

Dave Hedgehog said:

EricE said:

Is there any perceivable difference in driving dynamics between a 2014 M135i and M235i, assuming both are equipped with the same LSD?

M2 will be the one to watch i guess.

my friend has a 135 and drove the 235i before me and said its a totally different animal far less floppy suspension far better glued to the road, i have not driver the 135 so can not confirm this

he was actually peeved that he had bought the 135 and will probable trade into the 235 now

& the M135i is awesome, so more awesomeness. Roll on the M2, the new "old M3"/ 2002tii. So much overlap amongst BMW products, niche & super niche and doing a better job than Audi IMO.

[EricE]

Dave Hedgehog said:

my friend has a 135 and drove the 235i before me and said its a totally different animal far less floppy suspension far better glued to the road, i have not driver the 135 so can not confirm this

he was actually peeved that he had bought the 135 and will probable trade into the 235 now

Wow, I thought the cars are nearly identical in terms of suspension geometry, damping, etc.

[exceed]

You have to get rid of that stupid stripe, ruins an otherwise lovely car.

[Clivey]

So, so much more appealing than the Golf R and the legions of other VAG boxes at under £40k. It'd also be interesting to see a comparison between the M135i and M235i (any details of the chassis / suspension changes?).

[chungasarnies]

Really quite like this. Used E90 M3 or one of these would be an interesting, but completely unrealistic comparison I suspect.

[Debaser]

This looks like a great car to have fun in!