M235i Test drive.

[VerySideways]

The ZF 8 speed is a game changer, people who haven't driven it yet may well judge it as another auto with too many gears, not as quick as a double clutch and certainly not as quick as a manual... But the figures speak for themselves. The M135i is more accelerative and more economical than the 6 spee manual equivalent.
There's a great video on YouTube which shows how the ZF 8 speed was created, and it's revolutionary. More gears in less space with an intrinsically less complicated design. Makes the Merc 7G look prehistoric.
Anyway, back on topic...

[Martin_M]

Chris Harris enjoying his so far...

https://twitter.com/harrismonkey

[gaz1234]

Just don't like it

[FamilyDub]

gaz1234 said:

Just don't like it

Why?

[gaz1234]

FamilyDub said:

Why?

Ugly like the mp135i

[-Ad-]

gaz1234 said:

Ugly like the mp135i

With such literary brilliance and accuracy of facts, you should become a motoring journo ASAP.

Harris should be worried!

[FamilyDub]

gaz1234 said:

FamilyDub said:

Why?

Ugly like the mp135i

It isn't as ugly as an M135 - not as goggly-eyed.

Plus the attraction to me is function over form...

[caymanbill]

TB303 said:

If practicality doesn't come into it, then for god's sake get the Cayman! Straight line speed wears off quickly.

Im interested to know why exactly a cayman would be more fun to drive? what exactly is it that makes the cayman more fun to drive?

[Wills2]

VerySideways said:

The ZF 8 speed is a game changer,

I must be alone in thinking this, but I had the ZF8 (sport auto option) in my 5 series which I did over 57k in and although it was a nice enough gearbox overall it wasn't a game changer for me.

It also had some pretty annoying habits especially when approaching and moving off from junctions and roundabouts were it had a habit of leaving you with no drive whilst it thought about what it should do and it offered almost no engine braking.

[cerb4.5lee]

Wills2 said:

VerySideways said:

The ZF 8 speed is a game changer,

I must be alone in thinking this, but I had the ZF8 (sport auto option) in my 5 series which I did over 57k in and although it was a nice enough gearbox overall it wasn't a game changer for me.

It also had some pretty annoying habits especially when approaching and moving off from junctions and roundabouts were it had a habit of leaving you with no drive whilst it thought about what it should do and it offered almost no engine braking.

In farness they must have worked miracles on the ZF8 Speed versus the ZF6 Speed as that isn't much to write home about at all so I would have to try one to see what I think, I love the M235i as a package but if I was to buy one I would still go with the manual regardless of how epic this ZF8 Speed is.

Yet again Wills it`s nice to hear the honesty and you aren't one of those people who get wrapped up with the masses regards the hype.

[julians]

The ZF8 in the m135/235 is fantastic, I dont know if its running different software to all the other installations of zf8 out there (presumably manufacturers must be able to customise it to an extent) , but it works pretty much flawlessly in automatic or manual mode.

It is indeed a game changer, I would never have thought that a 'traditional' torque converter auto could be so precise and fast when you want/need it to be.

[crazy about cars]

Had a brief test drive and find the auto box very smooth around town. However being spoilt by DCTs and LSDs I find the M235i lacking in the fun factor. Perhaps if the prices are lower fully specced it will attract more buyers.

[VerySideways]

Wills2 said:

VerySideways said:

The ZF 8 speed is a game changer,

I must be alone in thinking this, but I had the ZF8 (sport auto option) in my 5 series which I did over 57k in and although it was a nice enough gearbox overall it wasn't a game changer for me.

It also had some pretty annoying habits especially when approaching and moving off from junctions and roundabouts were it had a habit of leaving you with no drive whilst it thought about what it should do and it offered almost no engine braking.

Which engine?

EDIT - presume it's the 520d from your profile. Not a fair assessment of what the 'box can do. Try one in a 135/235/335/435 and i'm sure you'll feel the difference

Edited by VerySideways on Wednesday 16th April 09:43

[Wills2]

VerySideways said:

Which engine?

EDIT - presume it's the 520d from your profile. Not a fair assessment of what the 'box can do. Try one in a 135/235/335/435 and i'm sure you'll feel the difference

Edited by VerySideways on Wednesday 16th April 09:43

Perhaps sideways perhaps, I've used it in a 530d too and same issues were apparent and I'm not sure that extra power would make the gearbox better in fact the extra sportiness would make the lack of engine braking worse for me.

I'm not saying it's a bad gearbox as that would be daft but it's not without its issues.

I also find the MDCT in my M3 mostly annoying too, the one thing that struck me about the ZF8 and my current DCT is the lack of consistency in response, something the computers should deliver. There were times where the box offered everything the hype tells you it should but other times they leave you convinced that there are ghosts in the machine.

[VerySideways]

Ha! I find the same. With the M3 DCT when i approach a roundabout and don't need to stop i press the throttle pedal and nothing happens for what seems to be an eternity whilst the DCT 'box decides what gear it should be in.
If i have manually selected a gear it doesn't do that, so it's clearly software related.
Agree, very annoying.

[aeropilot]

Wills2 said:

VerySideways said:

Which engine?

EDIT - presume it's the 520d from your profile. Not a fair assessment of what the 'box can do. Try one in a 135/235/335/435 and i'm sure you'll feel the difference

Edited by VerySideways on Wednesday 16th April 09:43

Perhaps sideways perhaps, I've used it in a 530d too and same issues were apparent and I'm not sure that extra power would make the gearbox better

I think your experiences with the ZF8 are more to do with the whats bolted in front of it rather than the gearbox

I had a F20 118d as a loaner that had the sport version of the ZF8 fitted (along with full suspension, 4-pot brakes and what-not!!! - it was basically a M135 in all but engine) and I wasn't impressed by the ZF8 at all, much as you've not been.
When I had the M235 test drive equipped with the ZF8 it was VERY different. As autoboxes go, it was very impressive....
But, I still prefer the DCT box in my 135i though.

[Martin_M]

Excellent result against the CSL

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/bmw/2-series/86645/bm...

[0836whimper]

A draw...who would have thought . Bet BMW are happy.

Summary for the CSL : has an astonishing engine, feels more ballistic at top end, fantastic chassis, is gorgeous, sounds amazing, thrilling and an absolute joy to drive round a track, great investment.

Summary for M235i : Build revs quickly, more torque, fast, quiet engine (it's all relative), a bit heavy and rolly for track, a better everyday car choice.

Nice vid, but not sure we learned a lot.

I suspect these modern M-lite turbo'd BMW's are all pretty much the same to drive, bit like the D's. Very competent and quick, but a bit dull.

I need to drive one really.

[dapearson]

0836whimper said:

A draw...who would have thought . Bet BMW are happy.

Summary for the CSL : has an astonishing engine, feels more ballistic at top end, fantastic chassis, is gorgeous, sounds amazing, thrilling and an absolute joy to drive round a track, great investment.

Summary for M235i : Build revs quickly, more torque, fast, quiet engine (it's all relative), a bit heavy and rolly for track, a better everyday car choice.

Nice vid, but not sure we learned a lot.

I suspect these modern M-lite turbo'd BMW's are all pretty much the same to drive, bit like the D's. Very competent and quick, but a bit dull.

I need to drive one really.

Based on my M135i experience the engine is a peach and not at all dull. Sure, it's no 8k rpm monster, but it does make a pleasing noise (i'm not talking about the fake bit, though i'm yet to spot what/where that is!). Above 4k rpm it really makes a lovely noise. My 3 yr old loves it and now says "huummmmmmmmmmmmm" when i ask what noise daddy's car makes, meaning the noise as the revs pass through 4k to 3k on the way down.

Suspension-wise it feels like a short-wheelbase 335i touring.

[cerb4.5lee]

0836whimper said:

Nice vid, but not sure we learned a lot.

I don't know it`s helped me learn that the SMG hasn't got any better with time!

All joking aside it is a strange comparison as one was built for the track and one is purely a road car, the CSL looked at home and was lovely and composed and the M235i looked like it could roll over at any time, it would be nice to have the M235i as an everyday car and a CSL in the garage for special occasions though.