Buying an m235i at a young age
Discussion
Context:
I'm 20 atm and have a 61 plate e92 320d cabriolet m sport. I am considering upgrading to an m235i (my insurance would actually decrease), and so was looking for help.
1) Does anyone here own/previously owned an m235i?
2) I'm looking for a manual, and so comments from owners on which gearbox they opted for would be grand
3) Is the m235i worth of around £18,000 GBP used, or is my money better spent on a different car
Many thanks
I'm 20 atm and have a 61 plate e92 320d cabriolet m sport. I am considering upgrading to an m235i (my insurance would actually decrease), and so was looking for help.
1) Does anyone here own/previously owned an m235i?
2) I'm looking for a manual, and so comments from owners on which gearbox they opted for would be grand
3) Is the m235i worth of around £18,000 GBP used, or is my money better spent on a different car
Many thanks
dylanmann said:
Context:
I'm 20 atm and have a 61 plate e92 320d cabriolet m sport. I am considering upgrading to an m235i (my insurance would actually decrease), and so was looking for help. - I had an M135i at 20.
1) Does anyone here own/previously owned an m235i? I have owned an M135i and also an M140i.
2) I'm looking for a manual, and so comments from owners on which gearbox they opted for would be grand - I went for auto as much easier to drive and suited the engine better manual is quite notchy and the pedals are offset but personal preference. This is my only car so needed to be good at commuting!
3) Is the m235i worth of around £18,000 GBP used, or is my money better spent on a different car - Brilliant car, engine is fantastic, that is why I have had two! Had an S3 in the middle and hated it!
Many thanks
I'm 20 atm and have a 61 plate e92 320d cabriolet m sport. I am considering upgrading to an m235i (my insurance would actually decrease), and so was looking for help. - I had an M135i at 20.
1) Does anyone here own/previously owned an m235i? I have owned an M135i and also an M140i.
2) I'm looking for a manual, and so comments from owners on which gearbox they opted for would be grand - I went for auto as much easier to drive and suited the engine better manual is quite notchy and the pedals are offset but personal preference. This is my only car so needed to be good at commuting!
3) Is the m235i worth of around £18,000 GBP used, or is my money better spent on a different car - Brilliant car, engine is fantastic, that is why I have had two! Had an S3 in the middle and hated it!
Many thanks
Age is irrelevant. Can you afford to buy and run? If yes, consider if not, then don’t consider.
Manual / Auto. It’s what you like? Not what Mr internet likes? Although I’d say the auto suits the creamy engine and it’s a great package together. Manual is just ok...
£18k. Decent value for the package and other cars with similar performance and specs are the same price (s3, golf r etc). So, no, you aren’t being ripped off at £18k.
Manual / Auto. It’s what you like? Not what Mr internet likes? Although I’d say the auto suits the creamy engine and it’s a great package together. Manual is just ok...
£18k. Decent value for the package and other cars with similar performance and specs are the same price (s3, golf r etc). So, no, you aren’t being ripped off at £18k.
Hi, yes running and buying it would be fine, also do very little mileage at the moment too so that shouldn’t be an issue
Only reason re gearboxes was that I was dead set on sticking to a manual like my current car, but I’ve heard so many good things about their auto gearbox in this car
Value on the face of it does seem good too but would in the future do a few bits and bobs to it
Only reason re gearboxes was that I was dead set on sticking to a manual like my current car, but I’ve heard so many good things about their auto gearbox in this car
Value on the face of it does seem good too but would in the future do a few bits and bobs to it
I had a manual one and didn't regret it. They are very good cars IMO and well worth your 18k (I paid nearly double that at the time). Heated seats, rear-view camera, Harman/Kardon, professional widescreen nav, and adaptive xenon lights I think were the main options I had that I would want again.
Tommie38 said:
You’re too young to be buying an auto!
No he's not, the ZF 8 speed auto gearbox in the Mx35i's and Mx40i's is very well suited to these engines, the manual is not as good as people make it out to be. You can easily drive the car in Sport mode or Sport + mode using the paddles and it rewards or just waft along in comfort mode and let get on with it. You can obviously use the paddles in comfort mode too.OP, as one reply said the internet is full of people giving their opinions and quite often those people haven't even driven the car in question. if you can drive both a manual and the auto and then make your decision. I'd go for the auto box as it is so good. Also have a look on www.babybmw.net as that is full of advice and help and you'll gain a better idea of the M235i from there rather than asking on here.
I’m the same age as you and have just recently got an F30 320d, not the same as the 235i I know but it is an auto with the same ZF8, and if you’re worried you’re too young for an auto - don’t be. I don’t regret my decision at all, and the ZF8 is a big step on from the 6 speed in the E90, if you’ve ever driven one of those.
I was certain I wanted an auto though, as I’m not a huge fan of manuals. I have the sports auto with paddles which are good fun on the odd occasion it’s worth using them - mostly just for novelty in my opinion, rather than necessity.
If you’re undecided on manual/auto, just test drive both. Being in a similar position to yourself, I appreciate that it’s a big chunk of money to spend and you want to be absolutely sure you’re happy with your choice.
I was certain I wanted an auto though, as I’m not a huge fan of manuals. I have the sports auto with paddles which are good fun on the odd occasion it’s worth using them - mostly just for novelty in my opinion, rather than necessity.
If you’re undecided on manual/auto, just test drive both. Being in a similar position to yourself, I appreciate that it’s a big chunk of money to spend and you want to be absolutely sure you’re happy with your choice.
If you want it can afford it and justify it to yourself sure.
There are no rules in life - apart from the law.
You can spend every penny you earn and borrow more if you wish or save it all up or somewhere in between buying things that you want.
I wonder though is the 370Z a much more flamboyant purchase rare holds value vastly better looks and a proper coupe.
There are no rules in life - apart from the law.
You can spend every penny you earn and borrow more if you wish or save it all up or somewhere in between buying things that you want.
I wonder though is the 370Z a much more flamboyant purchase rare holds value vastly better looks and a proper coupe.
My advice, whilst boring...
Now I'm 28 and I do have a house but currently looking at the next rung on the ladder, I wish I hadn't spunked so much money on cars and had put it into property instead when I was 18-23.
Even though I can noaw afford brand new/multiple cars, I'd have been able to do it a bit earlier had I not wasted the money at a younger age.
Get something for £4-5k and get on the ladder with the rest, if you have the cash...then at 27 ish you'll be able to buy the same thing (equivalent) but not have quite as much financial pain when it comes to housing.
No guarantees on this but if house prices rise 10% in the next 5 years you'll be missing out on £20k in equity on a £200k house or you'll have to find that extra £20k and pay for it in the long run.
Now I'm 28 and I do have a house but currently looking at the next rung on the ladder, I wish I hadn't spunked so much money on cars and had put it into property instead when I was 18-23.
Even though I can noaw afford brand new/multiple cars, I'd have been able to do it a bit earlier had I not wasted the money at a younger age.
Get something for £4-5k and get on the ladder with the rest, if you have the cash...then at 27 ish you'll be able to buy the same thing (equivalent) but not have quite as much financial pain when it comes to housing.
No guarantees on this but if house prices rise 10% in the next 5 years you'll be missing out on £20k in equity on a £200k house or you'll have to find that extra £20k and pay for it in the long run.
Very good point mate but house is not an issue as I already have my own house that I currently rent out, and will be buying another house in the next few years
In terms of manual or auto I’m still leaning towards manual- though I’m considering auto more so than I was prior to this thread
In terms of manual or auto I’m still leaning towards manual- though I’m considering auto more so than I was prior to this thread
Fair enough, auto it is then!
I always thought I'd hate driving a non manual but now I have one (DSG rather than the ZF) I'll never go back to a manual.
You can drive it like a manual but even quicker (it is just as fun, if not more so when flat out) or you can just stick it in auto and relax, it's a welcome relief in traffic!
I always thought I'd hate driving a non manual but now I have one (DSG rather than the ZF) I'll never go back to a manual.
You can drive it like a manual but even quicker (it is just as fun, if not more so when flat out) or you can just stick it in auto and relax, it's a welcome relief in traffic!
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