E92 M3 to M235i

E92 M3 to M235i

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Discussion

dadofbud

Original Poster:

589 posts

208 months

Sunday 12th February 2017
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As the title, has anyone gone from E92 M3 to M235i.

In the first instance why, and what was the conclusion, good and bad finding please.

Thanks


bigtime

513 posts

138 months

Monday 13th February 2017
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I'd say don't do it. I came from a 335i to an E92 M3 and realised that I should have just got the M3 in the first place.

bennyboysvuk

3,491 posts

247 months

Monday 13th February 2017
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It depends what you're after. If you're after more refinement, a less special feel, an everyday car with less traction than the M3, more nannies and more restrictive driving modes then it's a great choice.

For me, going from an M-car to a non-M car was a mistake. Where you go from an E92 M3 though, I don't know. From a practical, 4-seater, normally aspirated driving experience perspective, maybe a Ferrari 599? Bit of a leap in price though wink

Smuler

2,286 posts

138 months

Monday 13th February 2017
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dadofbud said:
As the title, has anyone gone from E92 M3 to M235i.

In the first instance why, and what was the conclusion, good and bad finding please.

Thanks
Why?

Because the dealer wanted the keys to the M3 back (I was test driving on an events day) biggrin

The conclusion was, I stopped smiling when I got in the M235i

good/bad

M235i, I like the smaller size, as I'm a E46 owner.
It felt faster, because of the torque, in the city driving part of the test route.
But lacked steering feel, less than the 335i I arrived in so much less than the M3.
Did't feel like a sports car which the M3 did.
Doesn't have that amazing V8 smile
If you now have a demanding daily drive, do a lot of miles, then the m235i (now 240i) would be a cracking small car as the M3 might be difficult to afford in those circumstances; so that's a reason to move.


Because of milage issues, when I swapped out my 335i, I went to the E46 M3 (as a weekend (ish) car) with a daily of an old E46 as my drives are not so demanding.
I love my E46, but I still remember fondly all my E92 M3 drives, it's that V8 and the sound it makes.

ff/ to about 2 minutes 54


https://youtu.be/dFva5Z8hio8





cerb4.5lee

30,186 posts

179 months

Monday 13th February 2017
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I had a E92 M3 and I loved it's chassis/LSD for the odd fun and games but as a daily I found it incredibly frustrating.

The engine is at its best very high up the rev range and that's not easy to enjoy in the daily environment, it's thirst and range are poor too and it didn't make much sense to me sat in traffic in a car the has mpg in the teens.

So for daily duties I'd prefer the M235i because it's a bit smaller/lighter and has a more exploitable powerband, and a bit better economy wise.

If the M3 is only used as an occasional/weekend car where you can search out empty quiet roads, then I wouldn't swap for the M235i because the M3 is far more rewarding in that situation.

dadofbud

Original Poster:

589 posts

208 months

Monday 13th February 2017
quotequote all
cerb4.5lee said:
I had a E92 M3 and I loved it's chassis/LSD for the odd fun and games but as a daily I found it incredibly frustrating.

The engine is at its best very high up the rev range and that's not easy to enjoy in the daily environment, it's thirst and range are poor too and it didn't make much sense to me sat in traffic in a car the has mpg in the teens.

So for daily duties I'd prefer the M235i because it's a bit smaller/lighter and has a more exploitable powerband, and a bit better economy wise.

If the M3 is only used as an occasional/weekend car where you can search out empty quiet roads, then I wouldn't swap for the M235i because the M3 is far more rewarding in that situation.
Many thanks to all for your comments, the above sums it up for me and is probably where I am, with the exception that my M3 does sit in the garage all week, as I have another daily, so when I do drive it it does seem special, but honestly 16mpg - 18mpg with only the occassional blast is becoming punative.


dadofbud

Original Poster:

589 posts

208 months

Monday 13th February 2017
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Still like to hear from anyone whos made this move.

hajaba123

1,302 posts

174 months

Monday 13th February 2017
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I've gone from M3 convertible to m235i convertible.

Love the gadgets and lower cost of new car, petrol, warranty etc. Also like the extr torque.

Dislike the looks, and the fact it's not a real M car, can't put my finger on it but there's something much much more special about the M3. Also dis like the cheap crappy leather, will get that sorted at some point

bennyboysvuk

3,491 posts

247 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
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cerb4.5lee said:
it's thirst and range are poor too and it didn't make much sense to me sat in traffic in a car the has mpg in the teens.
My M135i hit fuel reserve at 200 miles this morning. I filled up 6 miles later when it was convenient (maybe had 30 miles left in the tank), so the tank range is generally not hugely better in the M*35i either.

I currently get around 23mpg average from the 3 litre turbo, with about half of my distance driven in Eco mode. I assume the 4 litre V8 will do around 16 mpg on average so I'm only 7 mpg off of that, which makes the M3 seem pretty good really.

cerb4.5lee

30,186 posts

179 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
quotequote all
bennyboysvuk said:
My M135i hit fuel reserve at 200 miles this morning. I filled up 6 miles later when it was convenient (maybe had 30 miles left in the tank), so the tank range is generally not hugely better in the M*35i either.

I currently get around 23mpg average from the 3 litre turbo, with about half of my distance driven in Eco mode. I assume the 4 litre V8 will do around 16 mpg on average so I'm only 7 mpg off of that, which makes the M3 seem pretty good really.
Yes and I suppose it's how deep your pockets are really, mine aren't very deep and I've always struggled running a V8 as a daily, my X5 4.8is was even worse than the M3 at 12mpg when I had that as my daily.

I also think in my case because I've been used to a diesel doing 40mpg plus it just highlights the mpg a little more to me.

I still look at V8's though and had my eye on a C63 estate but I couldn't afford to fuel that either!! What I'd do for a fuel card lol!

I even question the 26 mpg I get in the 330i because I rarely get to open that up and thats not even a quick car, so a slower more efficient car would make more sense for what I use the car for...christ I'm turning into an old fart! hehe

Max Maxasson

406 posts

182 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
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bennyboysvuk said:
I assume the 4 litre V8 will do around 16 mpg on average so I'm only 7 mpg off of that, which makes the M3 seem pretty good really.
Over 60k miles I was averaged between 18.5 and 19 mpg in my E92 M3s...Mostly hacking around country roads rather than sitting in traffic though.

Dave smith

7 posts

86 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
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I'm currently in a m140 coming from a e92 m3 and I would stay with the m3 personally.
I find the m140 boring it's comfortable day to day but my mpg is near enough identical to the m3
If both are driven in the same manner aswell so there not that frugal at all given the chance I would be back in a m3 in a heartbeat the m35/40i aren't special they feel fidgety and twitchy at speed and I also dont Think they sound good at all from the cabin espically for a straight six
I would go an see if you could get an extended test drive in one to see if you like it

moffat

1,020 posts

224 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
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cerb4.5lee said:
I still look at V8's though and had my eye on a C63 estate but I couldn't afford to fuel that either!! What I'd do for a fuel card lol!
The BIG advantage of the C63 over the M3 V8 is that you get to hear that amazing engine from very low revs with a stack of torque. It makes day to day driving much more exciting and addictive.

I averaged 18.2mpg over 23k miles in the C63 and I didn't try to drive steady.

For a 6.2V8 will all that noise it was a decent return.

Unless you are going on lots of track days I really don't understand the desire of the M3 over the C63 and I love BMW's. Only caveat is to make sure its a post 2012 facelift car as pre 2012 have shocking interiors and an inferior gearbox.

Max Maxasson

406 posts

182 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
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moffat said:
Only caveat is to make sure its a post 2012 facelift car as pre 2012 have shocking interiors and an inferior gearbox.
Also make sure you get the complimentary pipe and slipper pack and the voucher for a stennah stairlift.

PTF

4,252 posts

223 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
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bennyboysvuk said:
I even question the 26 mpg I get in the 330i because I rarely get to open that up and thats not even a quick car, so a slower more efficient car would make more sense for what I use the car for...christ I'm turning into an old fart! hehe
I compromised on a 325i 3.0 E92. LCI model so later iDrive with pro-nav. SE with sports seats and 18" wheels. Manual 'box. It's just about perfect.

Seeing 37mpg avg with 43mpg on a run.

cerb4.5lee

30,186 posts

179 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
quotequote all
moffat said:
cerb4.5lee said:
I still look at V8's though and had my eye on a C63 estate but I couldn't afford to fuel that either!! What I'd do for a fuel card lol!
The BIG advantage of the C63 over the M3 V8 is that you get to hear that amazing engine from very low revs with a stack of torque. It makes day to day driving much more exciting and addictive.

I averaged 18.2mpg over 23k miles in the C63 and I didn't try to drive steady.

For a 6.2V8 will all that noise it was a decent return.

Unless you are going on lots of track days I really don't understand the desire of the M3 over the C63 and I love BMW's. Only caveat is to make sure its a post 2012 facelift car as pre 2012 have shocking interiors and an inferior gearbox.
That's good to hear thanks and that 6.2 V8 is something I would love to experience for sure.

cerb4.5lee

30,186 posts

179 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
quotequote all
PTF said:
I compromised on a 325i 3.0 E92. LCI model so later iDrive with pro-nav. SE with sports seats and 18" wheels. Manual 'box. It's just about perfect.

Seeing 37mpg avg with 43mpg on a run.
That sounds like a lovely all rounder and strong economy too.

river_rat

683 posts

202 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
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bennyboysvuk said:
My M135i hit fuel reserve at 200 miles this morning. I filled up 6 miles later when it was convenient (maybe had 30 miles left in the tank), so the tank range is generally not hugely better in the M*35i either.

I currently get around 23mpg average from the 3 litre turbo, with about half of my distance driven in Eco mode. I assume the 4 litre V8 will do around 16 mpg on average so I'm only 7 mpg off of that, which makes the M3 seem pretty good really.
That's quite an annoyingly poor range, BMW should have fitted a larger tank to the 135.

I can handle the poor MPG of my M3 but just wish the range was longer, filling up every 250 miles gets a bit tiresome.

dadofbud

Original Poster:

589 posts

208 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
quotequote all
river_rat said:
That's quite an annoyingly poor range, BMW should have fitted a larger tank to the 135.

I can handle the poor MPG of my M3 but just wish the range was longer, filling up every 250 miles gets a bit tiresome.
Its a great car without a doubt, but this is one of its annoying traits, that and the fact that the drivers seat won't go low enough combined with the double pivot of the clutch pedal.


bennyboysvuk

3,491 posts

247 months

Wednesday 15th February 2017
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dadofbud said:
Its a great car without a doubt, but this is one of its annoying traits, that and the fact that the drivers seat won't go low enough combined with the double pivot of the clutch pedal.
Have you considered having the performance seats fitted to lower the driving position?

http://www.thorney.ms/cms/e92/E92_-_Seating.html