2015 BMW M235i
Discussion
Thought I’d do a little write up on my M235i, I think m-lites in general often get overlooked due to being over exposed on youtube etc but IMO they remain a true performance bargain.
Bought this one back at the end of 2018, I had recently sold my 2012 Jag XFR (Above) which was a fast car in a straight line was not in any way nimble and had the ability of render alarming bills on a routine basis for little apparent reason. I test drove a M2 and M140, the former was about twice what the m235i cost and really didn’t like the latter, the N55 engine just sounds nicer, is more eager to rev and encourages you to rev it out, the B58 always feels to me like a engine just to ride the torque curve with, although if you want big power it’s the clear choice.
Found this 2015 car locally and it had been used as a fun/weekend car so had only covered 15000 miles with full BMW history and a couple of paid services left to go. It was immaculate but a bit grubby
When I saw it I wasn’t a fan of the chrome and grey touches but BMW grilles are one of the first things changed as there is a traditional of owners not liking them
and nothing that couldn’t be fixed. I wanted a car with the passive dampers as I knew they would quickly be changed.
Probably took me a year to get it to this
Standard spec
Harman Kardon Audio
Professional Nav
Front and Rear Parking sensors
Heated Seats
Heated wheel
Factory tilt and slide sunroof
Sunset glass
Adaptive lights
Auto main beam control
Cruise control with brake function
I’ve since added
Ghost immobiliser
Bilstein B14 coilovers
Wagner Sports cat
XHP Gearbox software upgrade
MTC front mount intercooler
Uprated intake pipe
K&N filter
Ferodo DS2500 pads all round
BMS JB4 with bluetooth
Apple Car Play/Android Auto NBT box
Powerflex Diff inserts
Alcantara wheel cover
Carbon paddles
Dechromed ie black wrapped chrome trim
M Style door mirrors
Sweeping smoked indicators
Auto ID carbon rear spoiler
R44 front splitter
M performance diffuser and side skirts
Bimecc spacers 12/15mm
Bob Williams modified back box with M performance tips
Car is probably running close to 400hp/400 ft lbs its what they call Stage 2 due to sports cat and intercooler but I only run it at Stage 1 on the JB4 as I find the power delivery “spiky” at higher levels and the chassis just doesn’t warranty it, thanks to the gearing its pretty lively, might be smoother with a proper map but I never get the feeling that its lacking power now.
I wrapped the steering wheel myself which isn’t a great job but being heated professional trimmers were reluctant to retrim it and would not guarantee they wouldn’t damage the elements. I like it too much to take the risk so much so I had the tick the option box on my new car.
Upgrading the dampers on these should be a first priority (After the grilles), these cars do handle better with just some lowering springs but the rear dampers struggle to keep things under control on bumpy roads. I tried Eibach springs for a while but fitting the B14’s are a proper fix, the car is comfortable and handles great and never gets tied up in knots
Upgrading the brake pads gives significantly more bite, apparently the stock 4 series pads are made from a better compound but I went straight to aftermarket and they work perfectly now, lots of initial bite and zero fade.
Had to fit a complete set of tyres though shortly after purchase as even though they were not badly worn the MPSS had cracked on the sidewalls (Common issue) and felt very dodgy at speed but since changing them and having a proper geometry set up at Wheels in Motion they feel fine although with only 225 front and 245 rear tyres there is barely adequate rubber, guess that keeps the road noise down and entertainment levels up.
I was planning on fitting a quaife diff and some other suspension parts but covid put pay to that and a year on and with some hard saving I’m just going to jump to a M4
Can heartily recommend these cars I’ve found it cheap to run its averaging 26-27mpg which seems the same as pretty much EVERY m235i, although when we went on a road trip in 2019 and visited the Highlands, North Yorks moors and Lakes it was easy to get mid 30’s mpg on the motorway.
Insurance and road tax are sensible and servicing is ok out of the dealerships the last minor service was £152.
Really easy to work on as well and due to their popularity on YouTube there is commonly a “How-To” for most routine jobs
Bought this one back at the end of 2018, I had recently sold my 2012 Jag XFR (Above) which was a fast car in a straight line was not in any way nimble and had the ability of render alarming bills on a routine basis for little apparent reason. I test drove a M2 and M140, the former was about twice what the m235i cost and really didn’t like the latter, the N55 engine just sounds nicer, is more eager to rev and encourages you to rev it out, the B58 always feels to me like a engine just to ride the torque curve with, although if you want big power it’s the clear choice.
Found this 2015 car locally and it had been used as a fun/weekend car so had only covered 15000 miles with full BMW history and a couple of paid services left to go. It was immaculate but a bit grubby
When I saw it I wasn’t a fan of the chrome and grey touches but BMW grilles are one of the first things changed as there is a traditional of owners not liking them
and nothing that couldn’t be fixed. I wanted a car with the passive dampers as I knew they would quickly be changed. Probably took me a year to get it to this
Standard spec
Harman Kardon Audio
Professional Nav
Front and Rear Parking sensors
Heated Seats
Heated wheel
Factory tilt and slide sunroof
Sunset glass
Adaptive lights
Auto main beam control
Cruise control with brake function
I’ve since added
Ghost immobiliser
Bilstein B14 coilovers
Wagner Sports cat
XHP Gearbox software upgrade
MTC front mount intercooler
Uprated intake pipe
K&N filter
Ferodo DS2500 pads all round
BMS JB4 with bluetooth
Apple Car Play/Android Auto NBT box
Powerflex Diff inserts
Alcantara wheel cover
Carbon paddles
Dechromed ie black wrapped chrome trim
M Style door mirrors
Sweeping smoked indicators
Auto ID carbon rear spoiler
R44 front splitter
M performance diffuser and side skirts
Bimecc spacers 12/15mm
Bob Williams modified back box with M performance tips
Car is probably running close to 400hp/400 ft lbs its what they call Stage 2 due to sports cat and intercooler but I only run it at Stage 1 on the JB4 as I find the power delivery “spiky” at higher levels and the chassis just doesn’t warranty it, thanks to the gearing its pretty lively, might be smoother with a proper map but I never get the feeling that its lacking power now.
I wrapped the steering wheel myself which isn’t a great job but being heated professional trimmers were reluctant to retrim it and would not guarantee they wouldn’t damage the elements. I like it too much to take the risk so much so I had the tick the option box on my new car.
Upgrading the dampers on these should be a first priority (After the grilles
), these cars do handle better with just some lowering springs but the rear dampers struggle to keep things under control on bumpy roads. I tried Eibach springs for a while but fitting the B14’s are a proper fix, the car is comfortable and handles great and never gets tied up in knots Upgrading the brake pads gives significantly more bite, apparently the stock 4 series pads are made from a better compound but I went straight to aftermarket and they work perfectly now, lots of initial bite and zero fade.
Had to fit a complete set of tyres though shortly after purchase as even though they were not badly worn the MPSS had cracked on the sidewalls (Common issue) and felt very dodgy at speed but since changing them and having a proper geometry set up at Wheels in Motion they feel fine although with only 225 front and 245 rear tyres there is barely adequate rubber, guess that keeps the road noise down and entertainment levels up.
I was planning on fitting a quaife diff and some other suspension parts but covid put pay to that and a year on and with some hard saving I’m just going to jump to a M4
Can heartily recommend these cars I’ve found it cheap to run its averaging 26-27mpg which seems the same as pretty much EVERY m235i, although when we went on a road trip in 2019 and visited the Highlands, North Yorks moors and Lakes it was easy to get mid 30’s mpg on the motorway.
Insurance and road tax are sensible and servicing is ok out of the dealerships the last minor service was £152.
Really easy to work on as well and due to their popularity on YouTube there is commonly a “How-To” for most routine jobs
No I don’t track it , I just find quiet B roads .
I think you do need to be careful who you buy from , ie buy the owner not the car but to be honest most of the poor behaviour seems to come from other drivers since some of them are determined to show off and drive aggressively around you.
I think you do need to be careful who you buy from , ie buy the owner not the car but to be honest most of the poor behaviour seems to come from other drivers since some of them are determined to show off and drive aggressively around you.
liner33 said:
Only two months and it’s going to be moving on , got a G82 on order
I did think that actually from your other post the other day to be fair. Exciting times ahead for sure.
I read the Autocar full road test review today on the G82 M4 and it was absolutely glowing. Much want from me for certain.
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