I have been eyeing the M235i for awhile now. I currently own a 2013 X3 28i and I am kinda itching to get something that is a little more of the quintessential BMW experience (straight 6, coupe or sedan). I love my X3 for the most part so I was anxious to experience the M235i. On Saturday I test drove one at a dealership in Denver. I know comparing the 235 to an X3 is sacrilegious, but I am trying to decide if it's worth the financial hit to go from my 3 year old X3 to a new 235.
Obviously the 235 was a rocket compared to my X3. The N55 is amazingly SMOOTH and aggressive compared to the N20. The throttle response on the 235 also seems to be worlds better. My biggest complaint about the X3 is the throttle lag and twitchy transmission in low speed city driving. However, at low speeds (accelerating normally out of stop signs and such) I was actually surprised at how similar the torque felt between the 235 and my X3.
Handling of course felt far superior on the 235 especially screaming around curves on the nice winding mountain road the sales guy directed me on for the test drive. I was surprised, however, that the steering on the 235 felt a little less "tight" than my X3. It seems like there was a little more travel in the steering wheel for the corresponding response in the 235 than on the X3 (I had the 235 in Sport).
The biggest issue, for me was the size of the 235. This is one tiny car. I'm 6'1" and even with the seat in it's lowest position, I felt like my head was almost touching the roof. The cabin definitely felt a little claustrophobic. How do other tall people do with the 2 series? Do you get used to it?
Although I loved the performance of the 235, I think I may need to look at the 4 series due to the size issue. But even then, I'm not sure it will be enough of a different experience to bale on my still relatively new X3.
Obviously the 235 was a rocket compared to my X3. The N55 is amazingly SMOOTH and aggressive compared to the N20. The throttle response on the 235 also seems to be worlds better. My biggest complaint about the X3 is the throttle lag and twitchy transmission in low speed city driving. However, at low speeds (accelerating normally out of stop signs and such) I was actually surprised at how similar the torque felt between the 235 and my X3.
Handling of course felt far superior on the 235 especially screaming around curves on the nice winding mountain road the sales guy directed me on for the test drive. I was surprised, however, that the steering on the 235 felt a little less "tight" than my X3. It seems like there was a little more travel in the steering wheel for the corresponding response in the 235 than on the X3 (I had the 235 in Sport).
The biggest issue, for me was the size of the 235. This is one tiny car. I'm 6'1" and even with the seat in it's lowest position, I felt like my head was almost touching the roof. The cabin definitely felt a little claustrophobic. How do other tall people do with the 2 series? Do you get used to it?
Although I loved the performance of the 235, I think I may need to look at the 4 series due to the size issue. But even then, I'm not sure it will be enough of a different experience to bale on my still relatively new X3.
Test drove M235i - impressions
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