[Bkpk]

let me know..

[tex2670]

If you can afford it, you should get the 335. If you can't, and you don't have kids or otherwise need a back seat that's practical, you should get the 235.

[300hp]

Go with your heart. I will never spend more than 10,000 on any car until my heart tells me that this is it. My tits have to go hard every time I see it or drive it or think about it. Lol.

The 2 series can never get my tits hard, that's all I need to know and will never look that way. C450 or 340 for me in the next round.

Good luck with the choice and may your tits go hard every time you drive your chosen car

[BimmerMat135]

M235i back seat isn't that bad. So unless you need to use it often go with the M235.

[dan99]

3er has a more premium feeling (interior wise), but the 2er is probably more fun to drive.

[itrocks4u]

If you do not need the doors at the back, I would do the 2. Also xi on 2 gets sports suspension which you do not get on 3.

[RPM90]

Tough call really.
I'm in the same decision boat deciding between a 2016 M235i or 340i RWD.

My current 335i Msport has not been what I expected as it's too soft of a "sport sedan".
My experience echoes what reviewers have been saying about the F30 and it's softened condition.

I decided to go with the M235i. I test drove it and indeed it felt better in all areas regarding handling and performance. But I'm not that thrilled with the interior of the 2 series. Yes it's similar to the 3 series yet still it felt dated and not as nice as my 335i.
I don't need 4 doors but the extra rear seat space and easy rear entry has been useful on the occasional times when needed. I also like the look of a sport sedan.
The M235i looks great to me as well. I even thought my '09 135i looked great even when others thought it looked odd.

I actually ordered a '16 M235i but then read about all the changes BMW made in the new 340i and that's when the indecision set in. I cancelled my M235i order earlier this week and now waiting on a 340i allocation.
But, I'm still not sure because what if what BMW is saying is more marketing hype vs actually addressing and truly correcting the softness of the F30?
I know that I do not want the same 335i Msport I have now that's just 3 years newer with a newer engine and changed name to 340i.

A couple of days ago I test drove an Audi S3.
Loved it. Now, even more confused.
I really wish there is information from auto reviewers that have sampled the 340i, but I haven't found anything.

For your decision I would think the same things apply given that for 2016 you'd be looking at the new 340xi along with all of the same updates.
If the 340i/xi weren't coming this year I'd go with the M235i, but that's not the case.
And to muddy the waters even more next year comes the M240i/xi with the new engine and likely some interior upgrades and maybe some additional chassis tuning.

[AudiA4]

Originally Posted by RPM90

Tough call really.
I'm in the same decision boat deciding between a 2016 M235i or 340i RWD.

My current 335i Msport has not been what I expected as it's too soft of a "sport sedan".
My experience echoes what reviewers have been saying about the F30 and it's softened condition.

I decided to go with the M235i. I test drove it and indeed it felt better in all areas regarding handling and performance. But I'm not that thrilled with the interior of the 2 series. Yes it's similar to the 3 series yet still it felt dated and not as nice as my 335i.
I don't need 4 doors but the extra rear seat space and easy rear entry has been useful on the occasional times when needed. I also like the look of a sport sedan.
The M235i looks great to me as well. I even thought my '09 135i looked great even when others thought it looked odd.

I actually ordered a '16 M235i but then read about all the changes BMW made in the new 340i and that's when the indecision set in. I cancelled my M235i order earlier this week and now waiting on a 340i allocation.
But, I'm still not sure because what if what BMW is saying is more marketing hype vs actually addressing and truly correcting the softness of the F30?
I know that I do not want the same 335i Msport I have now that's just 3 years newer with a newer engine and changed name to 340i.

A couple of days ago I test drove an Audi S3.
Loved it. Now, even more confused.
I really wish there is information from auto reviewers that have sampled the 340i, but I haven't found anything.

For your decision I would think the same things apply given that for 2016 you'd be looking at the new 340xi along with all of the same updates.
If the 340i/xi weren't coming this year I'd go with the M235i, but that's not the case.
And to muddy the waters even more next year comes the M240i/xi with the new engine and likely some interior upgrades and maybe some additional chassis tuning.

Interesting. I've also test driven the S3 and of all the cars I've been cross-shopping, it's the one that exceeded my expectations. What a blast! Probably not as fun or capable as the CTS V-Sport (apples to oranges admittedly), but I knew it was good going in.

[Vegetable]

Since the 2 is a 2-door, shouldn't you be cross shopping a 4 series? That's what I did and ultimately found that the 435i with MPPK was a more refined car in every respect than the 235i... a bonus is the 435i actually looks like a car worthy of its hefty MSRP

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by AudiA4

Interesting. I've also test driven the S3 and of all the cars I've been cross-shopping, it's the one that exceeded my expectations. What a blast! Probably not as fun or capable as the CTS V-Sport (apples to oranges admittedly), but I knew it was good going in.

Yes, I too was quite surprised at how good the S3 is.
It feels so different to the M235i and my 335i.
It's very smooth but also visceral, more like the M235i.
And I really like the view out the front window. The hood is really small and drops off nicely giving a great view of the road.
In the M235i you see a lot of hood in front of you.
My 335i Msport doesn't have a visceral feel to it when I drive it.
It feels more auto appliance than something I look forward to driving.
With my previous BMW's, E46 325i sport and 135i, I always enjoyed driving it even on my daily commute to work and back.

After test driving the S3 I wanted to get back in and drive it some more.
Maybe that's telling me something.

The S3 doesn't have very good leasing. It would be a car that I would buy instead. The S3 makes me evev more interested in driving the VW Golf R, as it's pretty much the same car except for the body and interior obviously.
Interestingly, I sat in a GTI and the rear seats are more comfortable and there is more space, especially headroom, then in the S3.
Rear headroom is very lacking in the A3. I felt like I wouldn't want to be back there for longer than maybe 20 minutes. In the GTI back seat I could go on a trip for a few hours.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by Vegetable

Since the 2 is a 2-door, shouldn't you be cross shopping a 4 series? That's what I did and ultimately found that the 435i with MPPK was a more refined car in every respect than the 235i... a bonus is the 435i actually looks like a car worthy of its hefty MSRP

It makes sense for some people who really want a coupe and coupe only.
For me I look for what type of car interests me more regardless of door count.
I've had coupes and sedans and enjoy both.
Overall size is more important to me than door count.
The F30 is as big as I'll go. When the 3 series gets bigger than it is now I'll be done with the 3 series. The A4 has become too big and thus it's out of my list.
Smartly Audi created the A3/S3. But already there are people complaining that it's too small and needs a few more inches in the back seat and thus the car should be bigger. Get an A4 then.
Sure the S3 back seat space is limited and cramped but it's still a great small size. It doesn't need to be bigger it just needs better use of space like scooping the backs of the front seats or make them thinner. The back seat cushion can also be made thinner along with the seat base in order to give it more head room.

The 2 series is now as big as it should ever be too. If BMW make a 2 series based sedan they too should work on maximizing the space with better interior design and not with just making it larger and larger.

I digress. For me the 4 series hold no appeal. It now looks like a very big and long coupe, too big for a sport coupe imo.

[Portimao Blues]

Originally Posted by Bkpk

let me know..

Will you make up your mind...please!

Do you need four doors? Also, what does your wife drive? If she has a 4-door sedan or SUV, you can probably get away with a two-door coupe.

I agree with the others that the M235 is probably more fun to drive. I drove a 2-door coupe for six years and now I am glad to have two extra doors and a back seat that can fit two adults comfortably on long trips.

[Domonicdave]

Originally Posted by Bkpk

let me know..

This may sound silly, but I excluded the M235 when I realized it didn't have HUD. Though OT, why the f can't we have ventilated seats at our price point?


As well, I drive a considerable aMount on the highway, so I need a car that can Cruz the highway while still craving up the back roads - the 335 seems to me to be the best of both. The m235 is a beating on the highway (MHO).

[bahasad]

M235I RWD with a set of winter tires ready in the garage.

M235I RWD > M235XI > 335I RWD > 335XI

[fecurtis]

Neither but a gun to my head, the 335i xDrive.

[nicknaz]

honestly, neither.

I'd rather get a winter beater subaru and an older RWD M3 or Porsche as the fun car

Or if forced for winter, I'd embrace the AWD sportiness loss an get an X3/X5

[fshubert]

Go with the 335i. Yes, I am biased. Like 4 doors and the lines of the sedan vs. coupe.

[Bkpk]

thanks all.. appreciate the feedback..
jury is out- 335xi

[bimmercar]

i would go with M235xi as the more fun and engaging car, but if you want more practicality, and 4 doors, then 335xi with dhp, or 435xi gran coupe with dhp