I quite fancy an M235i…
Discussion
Hello 
So, my current daily is a Z4 3.0si Coupé and while I enjoy it a lot, it's proving a tiny bit too impractical, it's very noisy, the ride is awful and I fancy something that would be a slightly softer and better all-rounder (and the extra power/tuning potential would also be welcome). I've driven the M235i in the past and liked it a lot, and it feels like it would be a nice upgrade from the Z4. Just wondering if there was any reason I shouldn't? They seem pretty reliable overall, so I was just after some opinions really, thanks
So, my current daily is a Z4 3.0si Coupé and while I enjoy it a lot, it's proving a tiny bit too impractical, it's very noisy, the ride is awful and I fancy something that would be a slightly softer and better all-rounder (and the extra power/tuning potential would also be welcome). I've driven the M235i in the past and liked it a lot, and it feels like it would be a nice upgrade from the Z4. Just wondering if there was any reason I shouldn't? They seem pretty reliable overall, so I was just after some opinions really, thanks Heathwood said:
Island Hermit said:
B58. It’s the modern day 2JZ. Multiple tuning options if required. Flexible. Reliable. Go for it.
I thought the 35i had the N55 and the 40i the B58 although I may be wrong. Not that it matters, the N55 is a cracking motor.N55 likes revs more and sounds sweeter to my ears.
When I replaced my 3.0Si Z4 Coupe in 2019 I got a Z4M Coupe, but then it isn't my daily driver.
Probably still a bit impractical and while it rides better than the 3.0Si I'm not sure I'd want to use one as a daily, even though the S54 engine is just fantastic!
An M235i or M240i sounds like a good idea especially with more performance just a remap away!
Probably still a bit impractical and while it rides better than the 3.0Si I'm not sure I'd want to use one as a daily, even though the S54 engine is just fantastic!
An M235i or M240i sounds like a good idea especially with more performance just a remap away!
I drove a friend's 135i and it convinced me to buy the 240i.
Both are superb cars and I think the *35i cars are brilliant I could just stretch to the 240i though.
I can highly recommend the 2 series as a car mine has been superb in the 18 months I've owned it so far.
I'll probably move to a 3 series next time for more rear space but if that's not a huge issue then go for it you will love it.
Both are superb cars and I think the *35i cars are brilliant I could just stretch to the 240i though.
I can highly recommend the 2 series as a car mine has been superb in the 18 months I've owned it so far.
I'll probably move to a 3 series next time for more rear space but if that's not a huge issue then go for it you will love it.
Buffy d said:
Hello So, my current daily is a Z4 3.0si Coup and while I enjoy it a lot, it's proving a tiny bit too impractical, it's very noisy, the ride is awful and I fancy something that would be a slightly softer and better all-rounder (and the extra power/tuning potential would also be welcome). I've driven the M235i in the past and liked it a lot, and it feels like it would be a nice upgrade from the Z4. Just wondering if there was any reason I shouldn't? They seem pretty reliable overall, so I was just after some opinions really, thanks
Not sure where in the world you are; but if you do start to look for one my pals selling his & it's very well looked after/sorted due to who he is and what he does up here in Preston... So, my current daily is a Z4 3.0si Coup and while I enjoy it a lot, it's proving a tiny bit too impractical, it's very noisy, the ride is awful and I fancy something that would be a slightly softer and better all-rounder (and the extra power/tuning potential would also be welcome). I've driven the M235i in the past and liked it a lot, and it feels like it would be a nice upgrade from the Z4. Just wondering if there was any reason I shouldn't? They seem pretty reliable overall, so I was just after some opinions really, thanks I’ve had a 2016 LCI M135i (I needed a half ch to move more stuff about and with the back seats down it’s very practical).
It’s a bloody fantastic car in standard guise. Chuck a few £K at it and it’s a real cracking car. I keep think about changing it just because I fancy something different. I always come back to what could I replace it with for similar money that would be an improvement. I can’t find anything so far.
It’s a bloody fantastic car in standard guise. Chuck a few £K at it and it’s a real cracking car. I keep think about changing it just because I fancy something different. I always come back to what could I replace it with for similar money that would be an improvement. I can’t find anything so far.
I can’t offer much advice with regards to M235is and the engine in those, but I can vouch for the B58 lump in the 40is having had an M140i for the past year.
It really is a powerhouse of a lump - full torque available at 1500rpm and it pulls all the way, it really it quite relentless. That said, with the ZF8 it’ll also be happy to comfortably pootle around town or cruise too. Mine *touch wood* has also been faultless.
I’ve had 45mpg out of it too, which although not a common occurance is pretty amazing given the performance!
I’m sure whichever you go with (235/240) you’ll be pleased - cracking cars!
It really is a powerhouse of a lump - full torque available at 1500rpm and it pulls all the way, it really it quite relentless. That said, with the ZF8 it’ll also be happy to comfortably pootle around town or cruise too. Mine *touch wood* has also been faultless.
I’ve had 45mpg out of it too, which although not a common occurance is pretty amazing given the performance!
I’m sure whichever you go with (235/240) you’ll be pleased - cracking cars!
Disagree with the comment about there not being much difference between the M lites and the full fat M power cars, to me the differences are vast, for the M" OG it could be said you dont get a lot for the money but the rest of the M cars are a significant improvement chassis and braking wise. I drove the 1 series M135 and 140 but felt the 2 series drove better and felt more quality. I also drove the M4 (F82) Comp and non comp at the same time but just couldnt afford one
That said , the F22 is a great platform , as mentioned I had one for almost 3 years and really enjoyed it, I can see the 2 series M lite being very sought after in years to come
I spent a fair bit on it, but sold it for more or less what I paid for it thanks to covid
Bilstien B14 kit (Springs and dampers) = Suspension is a essential upgrade on these , the rear is drastically underdamped as stock
Superpro bushes - TBF didnt notice a massive difference but my car only had 16k on it
M4 front arms
Apple car play/Android upgrade
Spacers for looks
DS2500 pads all round - help prevent fade and give a better bite
Wagner sports cat, intercooler, JB4 and upgraded intake to push it a little over 400hp
XHP reflash for the transmission
Was a hoot to drive and real b road weapon
That said , the F22 is a great platform , as mentioned I had one for almost 3 years and really enjoyed it, I can see the 2 series M lite being very sought after in years to come
I spent a fair bit on it, but sold it for more or less what I paid for it thanks to covid
Bilstien B14 kit (Springs and dampers) = Suspension is a essential upgrade on these , the rear is drastically underdamped as stock
Superpro bushes - TBF didnt notice a massive difference but my car only had 16k on it
M4 front arms
Apple car play/Android upgrade
Spacers for looks
DS2500 pads all round - help prevent fade and give a better bite
Wagner sports cat, intercooler, JB4 and upgraded intake to push it a little over 400hp
XHP reflash for the transmission
Was a hoot to drive and real b road weapon
Just for balance......
I fancied a M2351 as well, so bought an ex demo, 65. It's a great looking car, with a great engine, plenty of performance, and nice seats. But I hated it and got rid in a year.
The ride was the main issue. No, not too hard, I still have the Z4 after all, but bouncy, and every bump was exaggerated. Roads I knew well suddenly had bumps in them! It felt high too, compared to E46s, not just the Z4. Do a search for people fixing the ride, Bird's kits etc, there's lots of threads on it.
Lack of grip was something else too. My 5th BMW, I'm used to how the DSC works, but it didn't in this. If you want to be put the back out you usually have to turn off the DSC but this'll do it anytime. I changed the tyres from MPSS to FI Asy's which was an improvement, but still had no confidence in it, certainly none in the wet
Interior was obviously done to a price, and the IT interface was fussy and frustrating, mpg 27-30.
Lots of people will tell you how great they are, and I believed that to some extent. I wish I'd have an extended test drive, maybe a day, and particularly in the wet.
I fancied a M2351 as well, so bought an ex demo, 65. It's a great looking car, with a great engine, plenty of performance, and nice seats. But I hated it and got rid in a year.
The ride was the main issue. No, not too hard, I still have the Z4 after all, but bouncy, and every bump was exaggerated. Roads I knew well suddenly had bumps in them! It felt high too, compared to E46s, not just the Z4. Do a search for people fixing the ride, Bird's kits etc, there's lots of threads on it.
Lack of grip was something else too. My 5th BMW, I'm used to how the DSC works, but it didn't in this. If you want to be put the back out you usually have to turn off the DSC but this'll do it anytime. I changed the tyres from MPSS to FI Asy's which was an improvement, but still had no confidence in it, certainly none in the wet
Interior was obviously done to a price, and the IT interface was fussy and frustrating, mpg 27-30.
Lots of people will tell you how great they are, and I believed that to some extent. I wish I'd have an extended test drive, maybe a day, and particularly in the wet.
Sticks. said:
Just for balance......
I fancied a M2351 as well, so bought an ex demo, 65. It's a great looking car, with a great engine, plenty of performance, and nice seats. But I hated it and got rid in a year.
The ride was the main issue. No, not too hard, I still have the Z4 after all, but bouncy, and every bump was exaggerated. Roads I knew well suddenly had bumps in them! It felt high too, compared to E46s, not just the Z4. Do a search for people fixing the ride, Bird's kits etc, there's lots of threads on it.
Lack of grip was something else too. My 5th BMW, I'm used to how the DSC works, but it didn't in this. If you want to be put the back out you usually have to turn off the DSC but this'll do it anytime. I changed the tyres from MPSS to FI Asy's which was an improvement, but still had no confidence in it, certainly none in the wet
Interior was obviously done to a price, and the IT interface was fussy and frustrating, mpg 27-30.
Lots of people will tell you how great they are, and I believed that to some extent. I wish I'd have an extended test drive, maybe a day, and particularly in the wet.
Thanks for the balanced view I fancied a M2351 as well, so bought an ex demo, 65. It's a great looking car, with a great engine, plenty of performance, and nice seats. But I hated it and got rid in a year.
The ride was the main issue. No, not too hard, I still have the Z4 after all, but bouncy, and every bump was exaggerated. Roads I knew well suddenly had bumps in them! It felt high too, compared to E46s, not just the Z4. Do a search for people fixing the ride, Bird's kits etc, there's lots of threads on it.
Lack of grip was something else too. My 5th BMW, I'm used to how the DSC works, but it didn't in this. If you want to be put the back out you usually have to turn off the DSC but this'll do it anytime. I changed the tyres from MPSS to FI Asy's which was an improvement, but still had no confidence in it, certainly none in the wet
Interior was obviously done to a price, and the IT interface was fussy and frustrating, mpg 27-30.
Lots of people will tell you how great they are, and I believed that to some extent. I wish I'd have an extended test drive, maybe a day, and particularly in the wet.
Did yours have passive suspension or the Adapative setup? I've only driven Adaptive and really liked it, and my understanding is it makes a big difference, which is why I am only looking for cars with the Adapative suspension. Unless of course yours was Adaptive, in which case that is not good to hear.
Interesting about lack of grip in the wet, thanks for bringing that up, it's something I make sure I keep in mind!
I had an F21 118d and an F20 120d M Sport as company cars in the past so I'm familiar with the interior and iDrive, so that's no problem for me, as is the mpg
I totally agree with your POV though, I feel like it's a car that perhaps people get too excited about and expect too much from, maybe?
Adaptive still has issues although it is better than the normal dampers
Stock suspension with simple Bilstein rear dampers from Eurocarparts costs about £160 and sorts the bounce (Albeit not as good as the complete kits) and is better imo that the adaptive set up
Yeah they can be dicey in the wet but it comes down to how they are driven imo
Stock suspension with simple Bilstein rear dampers from Eurocarparts costs about £160 and sorts the bounce (Albeit not as good as the complete kits) and is better imo that the adaptive set up
Yeah they can be dicey in the wet but it comes down to how they are driven imo
Buffy d said:
Thanks for the balanced view
Did yours have passive suspension or the Adapative setup? I've only driven Adaptive and really liked it, and my understanding is it makes a big difference, which is why I am only looking for cars with the Adapative suspension. Unless of course yours was Adaptive, in which case that is not good to hear.
Interesting about lack of grip in the wet, thanks for bringing that up, it's something I make sure I keep in mind!
I had an F21 118d and an F20 120d M Sport as company cars in the past so I'm familiar with the interior and iDrive, so that's no problem for me, as is the mpg
I totally agree with your POV though, I feel like it's a car that perhaps people get too excited about and expect too much from, maybe?
Good point. No, not adaptive drive but I've read it makes a difference. Yes, lack of grip was surprising. It was like the DSC was off and unlike my previous BMWs. Had it checked, no issues. Did yours have passive suspension or the Adapative setup? I've only driven Adaptive and really liked it, and my understanding is it makes a big difference, which is why I am only looking for cars with the Adapative suspension. Unless of course yours was Adaptive, in which case that is not good to hear.
Interesting about lack of grip in the wet, thanks for bringing that up, it's something I make sure I keep in mind!
I had an F21 118d and an F20 120d M Sport as company cars in the past so I'm familiar with the interior and iDrive, so that's no problem for me, as is the mpg
I totally agree with your POV though, I feel like it's a car that perhaps people get too excited about and expect too much from, maybe?
I know it's PH heresy but I settled for a well specced TTS in the end. No, not got the engine (though I think the BMW loses something when a turbo is added) or the engagement. But it's lower, nicer inside, performance and economy are good, and as en everyday package, works well (if you don't need 4 seats). I still drive my old Z4 for pleasure and if you're enjoying that as a daily, I suspect you'd miss that aspect.
Hippea said:
Looks decent I'd say Pro Nav is nice, but from what I understand the stock audio is awful, and I like a decent stereo so the lack of Harman Kardon would be a deal-breaker for me, but I appreciate it might be different for you No heated seats either, perhaps? But I like the colour combo and looks like decent value IMHO Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff