Which to buy M135i or M235i

[Petrolhead]

I am looking to by a M?35i

Looking around the 2 seems to command a higher price so started lookin at 1s.

The two cars I need help with have about the same spec, auto, pro nav

The 235i is red with black interior, Nov 2014 with 46k miles and is £22k

The 135i is a 5 door, estoril blue with oyster interior, June 2015 with 21k miles and service pack to 2020. Price £21.5k

Would like your thoughts please

[smashy]

Funny just watching some vids on these they all say the 235i is a real step up handling wise from the 135i ,whereas the 140i and 240i are basically the same as each other

[msej449]

I had the same choice and opted for the M235i Convertible. Perhaps it's worth wandering 'round the M-Lite part of the babybmw.net forum. This will give you an idea of what agitates the typical owner. Aside from all the threads common to any model, my impression - obviously biased - is that M135i/M140i owners post much more about handling issues than 2 owners do. Seems to be a lot of discussion about traction control and a real focus on tyres and wheel upgrades and limited slip differential advantages (a retro-fit to both 1 and 2 around £2,500). In winter, there's more 1 Series posts about potential advantages of winter wheels and tyres in terms of traction. 2 Series owners seem to spend more time discussing the eternal M235i/240i versus M2 issues.

I'm glad I went for a convertible. It transforms a lot of what would otherwise be mundane journeys. But I don't have to carry children, passengers or lots of awkward-shaped luggage. And as there's no 1 Series or M2 convertibles, I don't engage in buyer's regret about the other models.

Edited by msej449 on Thursday 17th August 20:26

[Petrolhead]

Thanks for the replies, there are not many 235i available on the bmw site at the mo up to 25k.

Convertible, although nice, out of my price range and would probable get the 4 series as I prefer the folding hard roof

[zeDuffMan]

If you want and can afford a 235i then you won't lose any more money at the end of it really. They'll always command a premium over the 1 series.

As above the 235i is supposed to be better handling. I believe BMW took what they learned and stuck it on the 140i.

Obviously you're going to lose some practicality with a coupe but that's something only you can decide on.

[Smuler]

smashy said:

Funny just watching some vids on these they all say the 235i is a real step up handling wise from the 135i ,whereas the 140i and 240i are basically the same as each other

I've seen those vids , from my understanding BMW listened to feedback and improved the 1 series with the M140i iteration to give it the sharper level of handling they had given the perceived sportier 235i the first time around.

I

[Smuler]

Petrolhead said:

I am looking to by a M?35i

Looking around the 2 seems to command a higher price so started lookin at 1s.

The two cars I need help with have about the same spec, auto, pro nav

The 235i is red with black interior, Nov 2014 with 46k miles and is £22k

The 135i is a 5 door, estoril blue with oyster interior, June 2015 with 21k miles and service pack to 2020. Price £21.5k

Would like your thoughts please

Is a June 2015 M135i pre facelift ?
In which case it's fugly in my opinion, the facelift (LCI) worked in this case.
As we've all said , handling should be sharper 235i.
But you can always look at improving suspension and getting LSD ; so if practicality of 1 series is attractive that's an option if , in addition, it's better value e.g. Lower miles service pack , more warranty.

[Petrolhead]

Its a post facelift car (LCI)

I appreciate and am aware of the merits re handling between the two cars.

I think my question was more to do whith which car seems the better value?

[AOK]

zeDuffMan said:

If you want and can afford a 235i then you won't lose any more money at the end of it really. They'll always command a premium over the 1 series.

This is very accurate advice... sometimes buying the more expensive car (with a touch of low-rate HP to bridge the gap if need be) can work out cheaper overall. You want to be picking up an underpriced car, rather than getting the lowest overall price.

Nevertheless, horses for courses, sometimes people would just prefer avoiding finance.

My 2p, the M235i appears good value because it is red - red BMWs tend to be worth slightly less than any other colours.

[335d]

Petrolhead said:

Its a post facelift car (LCI)

I appreciate and am aware of the merits re handling between the two cars.

I think my question was more to do whith which car seems the better value?

I thought that the M135i suspension upgrade to M235i standard happened at the time of the 1 Series LCI, in which case the M135i you are looking at should be a good one.

That said, you really need to check the price of a new M140i, as the 2 year old M135i you are looking at only seems to be about £4-6k below the discounted price of a new M140i without options. The new car seems much better value to me, particularly as they are often driven without mechanical sympathy.

[Smuler]

Petrolhead said:

Its a post facelift car (LCI)

I appreciate and am aware of the merits re handling between the two cars.

I think my question was more to do whith which car seems the better value?

Assuming 335d's correct and handling was improved on the facelift, which your M135i is (so not fugly anymore) then I'm going to say it's the best value.
The premium of 2's must be cut a little as this 1 is a 5 door, so a little premium over 3

spec not quite as much, as the 2, but still good: seems what you want, auto, pro nav.

But the fact it's newer and <1/2 miles just makes it better value in my opinion, plus it's practical which if you don't need now you might in future. plus save cash service pack.

I checked the cars, on AU site but didn't link as you hadn't.


Edit:-
Plus blue cars are faster


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EP5OkrSveXA&t=...

Edited by Smuler on Friday 18th August 11:44

[335d]

Having had a look

3dr M140i Auto for £27,252 new (at the time of writing) according to this:

http://www.broker4cars.co.uk/Buy/New_Car.jsp?selec...

and 5 dr £27,666

They include LED headlights, leather, business nav... as standard

I would say that new is a lot better value than 2 years old in this case.

[smashy]

AOK said:

This is very accurate advice... sometimes buying the more expensive car (with a touch of low-rate HP to bridge the gap if need be) can work out cheaper overall. You want to be picking up an underpriced car, rather than getting the lowest overall price.

Nevertheless, horses for courses, sometimes people would just prefer avoiding finance.

My 2p, the M235i appears good value because it is red - red BMWs tend to be worth slightly less than any other colours.

Re Red a real coincidence ,just come out of Sytners High Wycombe this morning I,said to Nick the sales manager hes got no red cars he said we hardly stock them as we dont sell many and he said something about their resale but I cannot remember exactly but not in a good way.

[AOK]

smashy said:

Re Red a real coincidence ,just come out of Sytners High Wycombe this morning I,said to Nick the sales manager hes got no red cars he said we hardly stock them as we dont sell many and he said something about their resale but I cannot remember exactly but not in a good way.

I'm in the trade and, yep, Red is a struggle (particularly on BMWs). Always has been always will.

[335d]

AOK said:

I'm in the trade and, yep, Red is a struggle (particularly on BMWs). Always has been always will.

Interested to have your trade view on red leather and its effect on resale? There seem to be quite a few F3x with Coral Red out there. It would certainly put me off.

[AOK]

335d said:

Interested to have your trade view on red leather and its effect on resale? There seem to be quite a few F3x with Coral Red out there. It would certainly put me off.

Personally not a fan, just because it makes the leather look even more artificial than it already looks.

However, when valuing I wouldn't price it any different to a black or oyster interior as people quite like it. Particularly good in combination with black or white exterior.

The general rule of thumb with BMW colour schemes is "dark exterior and light interior" or "light exterior and dark interior". Light on light is a big no-no value wise.

[Peperami]

Do you want a coupe or hatchback?

[Petrolhead]

Some interesting replies.

I have decided to let my heart rull my head and am now just looking at 235i's.

Interesting re red, I also like the Estoril Blue and white, hate black though and pref not silver.

I agree re the red interior, looks like the inside of an abatoir

Edited by Petrolhead on Friday 18th August 16:46

[Peperami]

Good choice. The red looks really good on a mineral grey car however.

I thought it looked tacky in pictures until i saw one in the metal.

A neighbour had an estoril 235 with black leather, the colour really suits the car.

[AOK]

Estoril Blue with Coral Red was strangely popular and we affectionately call these "Superman" spec cars