Discussion
Hi All
Im looking to replace my E92 M3 comp pack car and the upcoming M2 seems to be an obvious choice.
However im starting to question whether it will actually be more fun on the street day to day than an M235i. The higher BHP and grip levels mean the M2 will obviously be a lot faster - but on the street high grip levels just make the car more difficult to enjoy at normal speeds.
I love my E92 but you have to travel at licence losing speeds to feel the car move and get that sense of rotation as you come out of a corner which is the key reason you choose RWd cars over others.
So the question is - which do you think will be more fun for day to day street driving - M235i or M2?
I know the M2 isnt out yet but worth a discussion...J
Im looking to replace my E92 M3 comp pack car and the upcoming M2 seems to be an obvious choice.
However im starting to question whether it will actually be more fun on the street day to day than an M235i. The higher BHP and grip levels mean the M2 will obviously be a lot faster - but on the street high grip levels just make the car more difficult to enjoy at normal speeds.
I love my E92 but you have to travel at licence losing speeds to feel the car move and get that sense of rotation as you come out of a corner which is the key reason you choose RWd cars over others.
So the question is - which do you think will be more fun for day to day street driving - M235i or M2?
I know the M2 isnt out yet but worth a discussion...J
I think your current car will be more fun than both the M2 and M235i.
If you're driving for feedback and enjoyment then I'd say that the M235i has turbo lag and the M2 is bound to have some as well, whereas your current car has a nice sharp throttle response. Also, the lack of LSD as standard in the M235i would be frustrating.
Just fit some mid-range tyres to the M3 and enjoy the more regular slides that occur.
If you're driving for feedback and enjoyment then I'd say that the M235i has turbo lag and the M2 is bound to have some as well, whereas your current car has a nice sharp throttle response. Also, the lack of LSD as standard in the M235i would be frustrating.
Just fit some mid-range tyres to the M3 and enjoy the more regular slides that occur.
bennyboysvuk said:
I think your current car will be more fun than both the M2 and M235i.
If you're driving for feedback and enjoyment then I'd say that the M235i has turbo lag and the M2 is bound to have some as well, whereas your current car has a nice sharp throttle response. Also, the lack of LSD as standard in the M235i would be frustrating.
Just fit some mid-range tyres to the M3 and enjoy the more regular slides that occur.
Apologies for going off topic OP, but is that true, does the M235i really have lag, or at least bad lag? I'd hoped BM had sorted/minimised it in the M235i? If you're driving for feedback and enjoyment then I'd say that the M235i has turbo lag and the M2 is bound to have some as well, whereas your current car has a nice sharp throttle response. Also, the lack of LSD as standard in the M235i would be frustrating.
Just fit some mid-range tyres to the M3 and enjoy the more regular slides that occur.
Genuinely interested if you have experience. Got to say I find the appalling throttle response in my daily petrol turbo an utter PITA!
All turbo charged engines will feel laggy if you're used to something like the S65 with 8 individual throttle bodies.
To the OP the e92 should be willing to move about at very low speeds I know mine were, the M2 will be sort after and hold its money (if they do what they did with the 1M production) and is a proper M car, the m235i isn't and won't be.
To the OP the e92 should be willing to move about at very low speeds I know mine were, the M2 will be sort after and hold its money (if they do what they did with the 1M production) and is a proper M car, the m235i isn't and won't be.
bennyboysvuk said:
I think your current car will be more fun than both the M2 and M235i.
If you're driving for feedback and enjoyment then I'd say that the M235i has turbo lag and the M2 is bound to have some as well, whereas your current car has a nice sharp throttle response. Also, the lack of LSD as standard in the M235i would be frustrating.
Just fit some mid-range tyres to the M3 and enjoy the more regular slides that occur.
I agree, keep the E92. If you're driving for feedback and enjoyment then I'd say that the M235i has turbo lag and the M2 is bound to have some as well, whereas your current car has a nice sharp throttle response. Also, the lack of LSD as standard in the M235i would be frustrating.
Just fit some mid-range tyres to the M3 and enjoy the more regular slides that occur.
Thanks boys. The E92 is a fantastic car but it's gotta go. The DCT suits the nature of the engine perfectly but it my view the car only really comes alive on the track or doing silly speeds on the public highway. I've you're driving with the revs over 5000 you're already going too fast.
And I really really miss a manual.
I'd like something that feels agile, manual and allows to feel the car at modest speeds. I keep looking at a supercharged GT86 for some reason! Must take a bath....
And I really really miss a manual.
I'd like something that feels agile, manual and allows to feel the car at modest speeds. I keep looking at a supercharged GT86 for some reason! Must take a bath....
I seriously thought of popping a supercharger on my GT86 but couldn't justify the cost and depreciation on selling so bought an M135i. Only had it a week but very happy with it. Would have gone for a a M235i if I didn't need the practicality of a hatch.
If you put a JB4 on it then it should be faster than an M2 but I'd recommended d trying one first as some people don't get on with the steering. The M2 will be a better handling car too unless you start fettling the M235i.
If you put a JB4 on it then it should be faster than an M2 but I'd recommended d trying one first as some people don't get on with the steering. The M2 will be a better handling car too unless you start fettling the M235i.
joedesi said:
Thanks boys. The E92 is a fantastic car but it's gotta go. The DCT suits the nature of the engine perfectly but it my view the car only really comes alive on the track or doing silly speeds on the public highway. I've you're driving with the revs over 5000 you're already going too fast.
And I really really miss a manual.
I'd like something that feels agile, manual and allows to feel the car at modest speeds. I keep looking at a supercharged GT86 for some reason! Must take a bath....
The new Civic Type R is quite special when you get to know it.And I really really miss a manual.
I'd like something that feels agile, manual and allows to feel the car at modest speeds. I keep looking at a supercharged GT86 for some reason! Must take a bath....
The looks are a bit brash for an old guy like me (51, not long now!).
I
I had a V8 M3 and replaced it with other various exotica with engines right away the back.. That said I still occasionally miss it. Loved the chassis as was taught and worked well on different type of roads. Too heavy for track work though and rubbish brakes which is why I ultimately sold it as didn't feel I could really take it to Spa and have a blast with it..
As a daily driver I have a M135i now. Great for town, love the engine and no real turbo lag I would say, auto box is good but only when driving hard, at normal speeds a DCT is miles more communicative. But the big let down is the chassis. It floats all over the place. Mine has the M Performance Diff and still struggles for traction with the car unsettled by the mildest imperfections on the road.
I would like to try stiffer springs and ARBs to see if it improves things as with the LSD I am hoping the car will cope with stiffer set up.
I have an order for the M2 hoping to get a better chassis and proper body control in a small package with decent brakes.
As a daily driver I have a M135i now. Great for town, love the engine and no real turbo lag I would say, auto box is good but only when driving hard, at normal speeds a DCT is miles more communicative. But the big let down is the chassis. It floats all over the place. Mine has the M Performance Diff and still struggles for traction with the car unsettled by the mildest imperfections on the road.
I would like to try stiffer springs and ARBs to see if it improves things as with the LSD I am hoping the car will cope with stiffer set up.
I have an order for the M2 hoping to get a better chassis and proper body control in a small package with decent brakes.
I had a V8 M3 and replaced it with other various exotica with engines right away the back.. That said I still occasionally miss it. Loved the chassis as was taught and worked well on different type of roads. Too heavy for track work though and rubbish brakes which is why I ultimately sold it as didn't feel I could really take it to Spa and have a blast with it..
As a daily driver I have a M135i now. Great for town, love the engine and no real turbo lag I would say, auto box is good but only when driving hard, at normal speeds a DCT is miles more communicative. But the big let down is the chassis. It floats all over the place. Mine has the M Performance Diff and still struggles for traction with the car unsettled by the mildest imperfections on the road.
I would like to try stiffer springs and ARBs to see if it improves things as with the LSD I am hoping the car will cope with stiffer set up.
I have an order for the M2 hoping to get a better chassis and proper body control in a small package with decent brakes.
As a daily driver I have a M135i now. Great for town, love the engine and no real turbo lag I would say, auto box is good but only when driving hard, at normal speeds a DCT is miles more communicative. But the big let down is the chassis. It floats all over the place. Mine has the M Performance Diff and still struggles for traction with the car unsettled by the mildest imperfections on the road.
I would like to try stiffer springs and ARBs to see if it improves things as with the LSD I am hoping the car will cope with stiffer set up.
I have an order for the M2 hoping to get a better chassis and proper body control in a small package with decent brakes.
Whilst my M3 is in for a service BMW have lent me an m235i convertible auto for a few days. Took it out yesterday for a night drive.
Hmmmmm. The engine is very potent. Sound is ok. Sounds like it's been artificially enhanced on the inside. The gearbox is ok but I'd be choosing a manual.
However to me the steering feels numb. It's direct but you don't really feel truly connected to the front wheels. As someone said it feels floaty. Is the m235 coupe better. I suspect it may be. Can others comment? I hope they rectify this with the M2. Definitely won't be ordering one without a test drive.
Feels heavier than it should for its size.
Sadly a little disappointed.
J
Hmmmmm. The engine is very potent. Sound is ok. Sounds like it's been artificially enhanced on the inside. The gearbox is ok but I'd be choosing a manual.
However to me the steering feels numb. It's direct but you don't really feel truly connected to the front wheels. As someone said it feels floaty. Is the m235 coupe better. I suspect it may be. Can others comment? I hope they rectify this with the M2. Definitely won't be ordering one without a test drive.
Feels heavier than it should for its size.
Sadly a little disappointed.
J
interesting discussion this.... I had two E92 M3s with a 330d in the middle for about a year (dull) and now I'm in a 135 LCI having just stepped out of a 997 turbo. the 135 is very eager, sounds great at the red line and I find it just about the perfect car for day to day use. The problem I was always had with the m3s was same as OP, wind it up and you are at license losing speeds, which therfore means it doens't happen very often so whats the point. Lovely silky smooth engine though. I can imagine the 135 engine with some M goodness makes for a very good proposition in an M2. Is it worth the extra spend over a 135 though? I doubt it personally.
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