Hi all,

Yesterday I test drove an M235i and I was completely blow away by the performance of the car. I also really like the body style and looks as well. Considering that the price point of this vehicle is very reasonable, and even comparable to what I paid for my G37S, I am seriously considering trading in. However, before I pull the trigger, I wanted to get some some opinions on the car from others and opinions on BMW in general. Any words of wisdom from former BMW owners would also be highly appreciated!

 

I don't think you'll get a lot of information and opinions on a new m235i that just came out on a Infiniti forum. A lot of the folks here don't like BMW mainly due to their high maintenance cost. That being said if you like it I'd say go for it. I'd only own one if I have it's warranty + extended warranty for the vehicle.

 

235? Where the hell do you live?

 

What does where he live have to do with anything?

 

Lol, I live in ABQ, NM.

 

Hey if you can justify the cost of the trade and you like the car go ahead, but ask yourself if you can live with it everyday

 

MP87, I live in NM too, down in lowly Roswell
I've been reading a lot of info on the M2 coupe and it really does sound like it checks off a lot on my wish list. I had a big 7 series a while back and it was a mechanical nightmare, but it was a known bad year (just not known by me as I didn't fully research the vehicle). I took a 135i for a pretty lengthy test drive a couple years ago and it was just such a drivers' car. One of the most connected cars I've driven and I've driven quite a few the last few years. The only con is the rear seat room, but it's just my wife & I for the most part w/ some day care kids that need hauling around once in a while so I think we could live w/ the tight back seat. The new M2 styling is more in line w/ the new 4 series, not like the previous 1 series that looked like a 3 series in a squished fun-house mirror I like the fact that the M2 has the big brake pkg, and the Michelin Pilot Super Sports. I'm not in need of tech features so just the base M2 would be fine for us. At $45k I'd much rather have that in my garage than that Q50. I was really wanting to seriously consider the Mercedes CLA 45 AMG but I think the M2 is closer to what I really want. I'm looking forward to testing one soon. BTW, did you test one in Albuquerque? If so I'm surprised they already have some.

 

If you want to be a dubbed a D bag, then a BMW is the way to go.

 

My wife has a 2014 328i and she loves it. Her last car was a G35 sedan and the BMW is a lot more technologically advanced. It has the best automatic transmission I've ever driven.

 

blnewt,

Yeah I test drove the car at Sandia BMW in ABQ. They only have one 2-series (the M235i I test drove) and it arrived a couple of days ago. If you are really interested in test driving I would recommend you make the trip out soon! The car seemed to have a lot of people looking at it.

It the mechanical nightmares I am worried about in making a switch to BMW. I hope they have most of their stuff figured out because I honestly liked how it drove better than my G37S lol.

Racindaddy,

Good to hear that! I keep reading that the BMW 8-speed sport auto is actually a really good transmission. It felt as fast as a DCT when I test drove the M235i. I've driven cars with DCT such as the Audi S4 and Porsche Cayman for comparison.

 

Wife had a BMW.... Costly maintenance, and not as much car as an Infiniti after throwing a little extra cash into the G. Have fun.

 

I'm sure they'll start getting a steady trickle of the M2s, what were they asking for the one you tested? What extras did it have if any?

How was the access to the back seat and in your opinion is it adequate for a couple child seats?

The 1 & 3 series have been a pretty solid cars reliability-wise, the 2 should be in the same range, it's the tech heavy 5s & 7s that seem to have the most issues (w/ the exception of the oil-pump issue in the 3s). I'm still leery of an out of warranty BMW, but I would be fine w/ a M2 for 4 years

DesertMike, there's D-bags everywhere, certainly not restricted to driving BMWs. If you're not a D-bag people can see you for what you are, if you are a bag then so be it

 

The sticker price was $47xxx (can't remember the x's) and it was the base M235i with the premium package which include all of the best goodies but no navigation system. The only thing I would add to it if it were me is the HK sound system. I don't care much for navigation systems these days since I use my phone more often than the nav in my G37 lol.

The backseats were surprisingly not bad. Roomier than my G37 for sure. I am 5'8'' and rode around in the back seats to see what it was like. My head was about an inch away from the roof but otherwise I felt fine. I think you wouldn't have an issue putting child seats back there.

Good to know about the reliability on the 1's and 3's!

 

I agree. However, I live in Vegas so its much more prominent in this city. The majority of BMW, Audi and Mercedes drivers here are by far the worst drivers on the road, with personalities to match. I appreciate the technology, design and overall appearance of the vehicles, but the drivers out here just kill the rep for the cars. People here believe that since they drive an overly trendy German vehicle, that theyre entitled to do whatever they please and they also believe theyre above the law, which makes absolutely no sense what so ever. And Vegas is ranked number 12 in the nation for the worst drivers in the US, and German vehicles are a huge factor regarding. So thats why I obviously say no to BMW.

 

Understood. We get to Vegas every 3 months give or take and spend about a month overall in the city per year and I agree w/ your observations. I've also met some pretty good guys driving some of the cars you mentioned so there are some good apples out there. Unfortunately the look at me crowd and those that feel entitled seem to be pretty prominent. I've also ran into a few d-bag G drivers over there