Thinking of BMW M235i Gran Coupe

S3LOK

S3LOK

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Hi,

I’m looking to change my S3 towards the end of the year and I have been offered a good deal on a BMW M235i Gran Coupe Specs are:
Alpine White
Comfort Pack
M235i Plus Pack with 19”wheels
Tech Pack
Pan Roof
Black Pack (Black grills, Vents etc..)

I never owned a BMW before so when people say these new BMW FWD M135i and M235i cars are not proper M cars, I’m not sure what they mean by that.

Anyway I went for a test drive over the weekend, Had the car for half a day. The car does look better when you see it in person than in pictures. I do really like the front design of the car, but still unsure about the rear.

I love the interior design and the technology is far more than better than in my S3. BMW Head-up display is really impressive. Seats are good and comfortable and hold you in well and everything seem to be well built.

The Harman Kardon sound system is good enough, but I think Audi's Bang Olufsen is little better.

The big let down for me was the sound of the car. My S3 is a 2018 model and it Pop’s and bangs and as DGS farts. I know all new cars no matter what make and model are not going sound as good now because of all these EU emissions laws, but I was surprised how quiet the BMW sounded. Maybe I’m just use to my S3. Do you think the BMW will sound better when the car engine is run in?

In regards to power. The BMW felt little faster than my S3, but I’m quite happy with cars with about 300bhp that’s more than enough fast for me.

What do you guys with of the M235i? Especially the rear design?

PHOTO 2020 06 29 18 30 26
PHOTO 2020 06 29 18 30 26 2
PHOTO 2020 06 29 18 30 25
 
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That's BMW Chester isn't it?

I know what you are saying about the rear end, but it's growing on me more and more.
 
“Proper” M cars were the motorsports division specials. Check out the history of the M3 for instance (note, not M320 or M325, just M3). Now it seems it’s becoming a styling pack. My stepson’s got 3 series with M badges. It’s certainly not a performance car!

ETA That 2 series is, IMO, a pug ugly car from all angles! YMMV
 
S32B said:
That's BMW Chester isn't it?

I know what you are saying about the rear end, but it's growing on me more and more.
Click to expand...

Yes it's BMW in Chester.

I think you need to see the car in person as it definitely does look better in a fresh, Especially the rear.
 
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S3LOK said:
Yes it's BMW in Chester.

I think you need to see the car in person as it definitely does look better in a fresh, Especially the rear.
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Not normally a lover of red cars, but that one looks nice! the grey one looks pretty smart as well.
 
Good god that back end is the sort of ugly only a mother could love!!!!!
 
audi upgrades
S32B said:
Not normally a lover of red cars, but that one looks nice! the grey one looks pretty smart as well.
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I wouldn't have it in Red and I think grey was called Storm Bay like Audi's Nardo grey.

Got to say the car looks very good in Black, but will be a nightmare to keep clean. That's why i'm looking at White as it's much easy to keep clean.
 
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S3LOK said:
I wouldn't have it in Red and I think grey was called Storm Bay like Audi's Nardo grey.

Got to say the car looks very good in Black, but will be a nightmare to keep clean. That's why i'm looking at White as it's much easy to keep clean.
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Oh yeah don't have to tell me about black, the S3 wass black...hence why I'm in white now lol.
 
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Front looks good but really can't get behind that rear design, not my personal taste. But your decision at the end of the day.

Sent from my HD1913 using Tapatalk
 
I would lean more to the 3series, prefer the overall styling v the 2.
 
Re the sound, FWIW I test drove an M135i and an A35 and the Merc sounded much better when you opened it up. The BMW was very muted by comparison.

Not a fan of the rear styling on that 2 series though!
 
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Don't like the looks of the m235i at all major downgrade in the looks department compared to the S3 in my opinion
 
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Was suppose to go and get a test drive of the 235i x drive last weekend...but it ****** down all last weekend so didnt feel the need,but there's a Snapper rocks blue one just around the corner from me and it looks lovely far far better looking in the metal,235I has more torque than the current S3
 
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hellodave said:
Re the sound, FWIW I test drove an M135i and an A35 and the Merc sounded much better when you opened it up. The BMW was very muted by comparison.

Not a fan of the rear styling on that 2 series though!
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The A class is one the least attractive cars on the roads right now and the A35 is slower
 
from me, think it a great looking car......different!

Got to have the wheels on the red though, best choice imho.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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BarryG79 said:
from me, think it a great looking car......different!

Got to have the wheels on the red though, best choice imho.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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l heard BMW are changing to magnetic dampers on 19 inch wheel option soon,as this is only available on cars with 18's fitted atm
 
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jassyo06 said:
The A class is one the least attractive cars on the roads right now and the A35 is slower
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Quite an opinion considering you can still buy a Nissan Juke

Personally I think the M135 looks better but I don't hate the A35. Lucky really because the wife bought one!

The A35 may be slower on paper but if anything it felt quicker, probably because the 135i was so subdued. Neither are slow cars and have more than ample performance for everyday use, but the A35 soundtrack is more entertaining.
 
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On a side note,l have detailed a lot of bmw's in the last few years and one thing l dont like about them is the cerium grey trim....yuk...it marks very easily and is a ****** to keep it looking pristine.......high gloss black trim looks much nicer on the bmw's
Cerium grey it's more like champagne gold than grey
 
hellodave said:
Quite an opinion considering you can still buy a Nissan Juke

Personally I think the M135 looks better but I don't hate the A35. Lucky really because the wife bought one!

The A35 may be slower on paper but if anything it felt quicker, probably because the 135i was so subdued. Neither are slow cars and have more than ample performance for everyday use, but the A35 soundtrack is more entertaining.
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The A CLASS is the least looking Germanic car design l have seen in decades.....first time l laid eyes on one was from the rear and l thought it was a newer version of the Nissan/Mercedes Q30
 
jassyo06 said:
The A class is one the least attractive cars on the roads right now and the A35 is slower
Click to expand...

I don’t see a material difference in looks between an A class and the new A3, if anything the latest A3 looks even more like an A Class.

Youve gone a
jassyo06 said:
The A class is one the least attractive cars on the roads right now and the A35 is slower
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Strong statement, does the A35 look materially different to the latest S line A3 posted? From the front and side I don’t think they do? The rear of the A3 is far too fussy and A3 interior is the worst of the bunch.

Jassy your A3/S3 tinted spectacles are getting darker by the day, I’m worried about you.
 
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TYb said:
I don’t see a material difference in looks between an A class and the new A3, if anything the latest A3 looks even more like an A Class.

Youve gone a


Strong statement, does the A35 look materially different to the latest S line A3 posted? From the front and side I don’t think they do? The rear of the A3 is far too fussy and A3 interior is the worst of the bunch.

Jassy your A3/S3 tinted spectacles are getting darker by the day, I’m worried about you.
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Not a strong statement at all.....l aint got rose tinted nothing on Mazda Man
 
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jassyo06 said:
Not a strong statement at all.....l aint got rose tinted nothing on Mazda Man
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I don’t see them being as materially different. Didn’t you say in the past you didn’t like the clam shell bonnet which is now a key feature on the A3?

As for Mazda man, more just enjoying what RWD and a manual can give you.

I still like some Audi’s, TT for example but the list is getting smaller by the day, A6/7 are huge, RSQ3 styles are nothing but vulgar. A5 still a good looking car. I just don’t understand where Audi are going with the latest more angular interior and exterior designs.
 
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TYb said:
I don’t see them being as materially different. Didn’t you say in the past you didn’t like the clam shell bonnet which is now a key feature on the A3?

As for Mazda man, more just enjoying what RWD and a manual can give you.

I still like some Audi’s, TT for example but the list is getting smaller by the day, A6/7 are huge, RSQ3 styles are nothing but vulgar. A5 still a good looking car. I just don’t understand where Audi are going with the latest more angular interior and exterior designs.
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Agree the angular interiors are cr*p...in my opinion. But I personally like the look of the vulgar RSQ3
 
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That said, I am yet to see one in person, so may change my mind, but still enjoying my straight 6
 
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Really don’t know what BMW are doing with their designs at the moment, they are all awful looking apart from maybe the M8. Previously I’d have said the ‘M’ cars like the M2/4 looked really aggressive and stand out for all the right reasons but have you seen the new 4 series grille... and the new 1 series looks like a mpv :tearsofjoy:

Interior wise I’ve sat one of the latest BMW’s and I thought the digital dash was pretty naff compared to the previous gen virtual cockpit but maybe that’s just me.

Don’t want to put a downer on your potential new car, everyone’s different and the world be a boring place otherwise but they are just not for me.
 
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X3man said:
That said, I am yet to see one in person, so may change my mind, but still enjoying my straight 6
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X3man said:
Agree the angular interiors are cr*p...in my opinion. But I personally like the look of the vulgar RSQ3
Click to expand...

I think it’s more the interiors which are pushing me away from future Audi’s and some models are so in your face now.

But then I saw the X7 Alpina this morning and really like that.
 
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Nice car but I'd rather have the CLA.
 
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I remember about 15+ years ago when the grills were small on Audi A3,A4 ect... compared to the size of the grills on them now.
I must admit when I first saw the new 1 Series and the grill, i thought OMG and it's looks bit like a mpv, then again there are people who think Audi's Sportback looks like a van.
At the end of the of the day each to there own taste. I still think the grill on the 1 series is too big but more I see on the roads the more I'm getting use to it. I'm still unsure about the rear design on the 2 series and I will be going back BMW next week to have than look and test drive of it again. We will see if it can put all my doubts at rest.
 
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@ everyone in this thread .... lol :tearsofjoy:

please don’t listen to a word Jassy lad says about the current Merc A Class :icon thumright:

he is mega p***** that the car is so good on all fronts and just can’t come to terms with the mighty AMG’s superior attributes.

he’s lost all sight of what makes a great car and is totally OBSESSED with a one man mission to try & play these awesome cars down.

Don’t let him put you off considering what are truly great cars. I’d never entertain a Merc before and had Audi’s for 12 years ... but the new A class amazed me from the moment I stepped inside one how they have raised their game. Incredibly stylish interior, premium materials, amazing technology & the styling inside & out is bang on point with plenty of road presence ... oh and did I mention they are rather quick great handling cars :)
 
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Snake Pliskin said:
@ everyone in this thread .... lol :tearsofjoy:

please don’t listen to a word Jassy lad says about the current Merc A Class :icon thumright:

he is mega p***** that the car is so good on all fronts and just can’t come to terms with the mighty AMG’s superior attributes.

he’s lost all sight of what makes a great car and is totally OBSESSED with a one man mission to try & play these awesome cars down.

Don’t let him put you off considering what are truly great cars. I’d never entertain a Merc before and had Audi’s for 12 years ... but the new A class amazed me from the moment I stepped inside one how they have raised their game. Incredibly stylish interior, premium materials, amazing technology & the styling inside & out is bang on point with plenty of road presence ... oh and did I mention they are rather quick great handling cars :)
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Must admit I do fancy taking a look at the new A35, I’d love an A45S but couldn’t justify the outlay at the moment. From videos I’ve seen Mercs infotainment system seems to be leagues ahead of the competition at the moment and I like my tech.

Although it’ll be a struggle to replace my S3 when it eventually goes. I nearly parted with it at the start of lockdown when I got told I’d be working from home for the next 12 months I but pulled out at the last minute as I’d no idea what I’d replace it with.
 
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Bells said:
Must admit I do fancy taking a look at the new A35, I’d love an A45S but couldn’t justify the outlay at the moment. From videos I’ve seen Mercs infotainment system seems to be leagues ahead of the competition at the moment and I like my tech.

Although it’ll be a struggle to replace my S3 when it eventually goes. I nearly parted with it at the start of lockdown when I got told I’d be working from home for the next 12 months I but pulled out at the last minute as I’d no idea what I’d replace it with.
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Imo both the 35 & 45 are cracking cars but as you say the interior & tech is just mega ....

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Bells said:
Yeah they do look amazing interiors, want to hold off test driving one because if I do like it I’ll end up buying one :tearsofjoy: is it the A45S you’ve got?
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ha ha that’s exactly how I was :)

I held off for months going to see one in the flesh for the very same reason ... when I did I was blown away.

in the showroom they had an A35 hatch & a CLA 250 premium plus & both cars were stunning.

From the moment I stepped inside the CLA it was a genuine ‘wow moment’ the cabin fit & finish just looks exceptionally classy & very premium ... how I’ve felt about all my previous Audi’s tbh.

I was considering all options - CLA, 250, 35, hatch etc but coming from an RS3, the 45s was beckoning ha ha ... unfortunately (lol) they’d just taken delivery of a demo car so we went out, even worse they had a car to my spec coming through in a couple of weeks ... so from going to ‘have a look’ to collection was 3 weeks :tearsofjoy:

They did me a favour though as waiting 7 months for my RS3 was hell & I didn’t fancy that again so it all worked out well.
 
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There must be something wrong with me cause i quite like the look of the rear. :relaxed:
Agree that M Sport is simply a trim spec along with AMG Line, S Line and ST Line etc. Proper M is simply a letter followed by a single number.....but there can be a badge snobbery attached to it by owners just like "proper" AMG cars with Mercedes.
One thing that strikes me about the cars pictured above....the mirrors appear to stick out a long way. Maybe its just the photo though.
 
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Ron240 said:
There must be something wrong with me cause i quite like the look of the rear. :relaxed:
Agree that M Sport is simply a trim spec along with AMG Line, S Line and ST Line etc. Proper M is simply a letter followed by a single number.....but there can be a badge snobbery attached to it by owners just like "proper" AMG cars with Mercedes.
One thing that strikes me about the cars pictured above....the mirrors appear to stick out a long way. Maybe its just the photo though.
Click to expand...

Eagle Eyed Action Man you are Ronaldo......any pixels missing on them home cinema screens...ye ken lol
 
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Ron240 said:
There must be something wrong with me cause i quite like the look of the rear. :relaxed:
Agree that M Sport is simply a trim spec along with AMG Line, S Line and ST Line etc. Proper M is simply a letter followed by a single number.....but there can be a badge snobbery attached to it by owners just like "proper" AMG cars with Mercedes.
One thing that strikes me about the cars pictured above....the mirrors appear to stick out a long way. Maybe its just the photo though.
Click to expand...
Yes, That's one thing I said to my brother "Them wing mirrors look massive compare to my Audi" but funny thing is they don't look so big when you're driving the car lol..
 
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