[JermVsWorld]

My e90s getting older, n54 with 179k miles but still pulls great and excites me. 6 speed with all the packages you can imagine, FBO etc etc. Had a chance to drive a F22 M235i and considering pulling the trigger on it. CPO 34k miles, navi, etc etc. Sits in melbourne red with the dct trans and it feels incredible. Pros and cons of making the switch? give opinions

[freakystyly]

My opinion is that it isn't a big enough change to justify the cost.

It sounds like your car is already quite sorted. If you value the slightly newer tech more than the work you put into your engine go for it. If you want another car to modify to your liking I guess that's a good reason to move on... The N55 is slightly less tunable I hear. I also heard the steering is numb, curb weight is almost the same, but may handle slightly better.

[JermVsWorld]

Originally Posted by freakystyly

My opinion is that it isn't a big enough change to justify the cost.

It sounds like your car is already quite sorted. If you value the slightly newer tech more than the work you put into your engine go for it. If you want another car to modify to your liking I guess that's a good reason to move on... The N55 is slightly less tunable I hear. I also heard the steering is numb, curb weight is almost the same, but may handle slightly better.

it isn't as tuneable, you're correct on that. But to have the e90 where i want it and have the same feeling as the day i bought it, i'd have to put at least 5k into it. The 235 is also a steal, lowest priced one i've seen anywhere, with almost less miles than all of them. I also would like to switch to dct, my knee can't take the engagement of manuals anymore, and i also like how versatile it is. i often don't feel like driving my car when doing things with the girlfriend but she can't drive a 6 speed. i feel as dct would make the both of us happiest for a daily (which is what my e90 is) and i'm often putting money here and there into it which i can't justify doing on a 179k mile car that much. I need more opinions lol, thanks for yours

[JermVsWorld]

Originally Posted by freakystyly

My opinion is that it isn't a big enough change to justify the cost.

It sounds like your car is already quite sorted. If you value the slightly newer tech more than the work you put into your engine go for it. If you want another car to modify to your liking I guess that's a good reason to move on... The N55 is slightly less tunable I hear. I also heard the steering is numb, curb weight is almost the same, but may handle slightly better.

also, my e90 doesn't have navi and such. The much updated interior and tech is a huge plus.

[freakystyly]

I've been eyeing the 2 series for a bit also.. my reasons are different from yours tho. I'm not interested in automatic or nav or other gadgets, more just something newer. While I'd prefer an e90 m3 over a 2, they just aren't cheap or common enough in my area. My car just hasn't been giving me enough troubles to justify jumping ship.

[JonOhh]

The 235,despite having steering many call numb, feels more direct than my e90s due to the ratio. The car responds instantly, where on my e90, it feels a bit dead on center.

Brakes are very good of course, although I think the pedal is a bit hard and lacking bite.

N55 is great in a 2er, especially with the MPPK, making 320hp. The M235s N55 also has a forged crank.

The ZF8 is fantastic. Smooth in comfort, crisp in sport. The spread between comfort and sport is better on the 235 than the 240 imo, but the 240 has much better downshifts and handles multiple shift requests better afaik.

I can't speak on the performance, as we have a convertible, and it does leave me wanting more power (which is odd considering my significantly less powerful e90 330i doesn't). But thankfully, even with the N55, the power you'd likely want should be completely obtainable.

If you have an e90 with Logic 7, be prepared to be a bit let down by the audio system. It sounds good and powerful, projects well, but lacks the immersive experience of the L7 cars.

Ahh, and just to add, if you go AT, the throttle lag from a stop can be absolutely infuriating depending on how it adapts. Shame because it's a fantastic transmission, though I haven't noticed the lag as bad the past few times, so maybe it's a non issue once you get used to it.

Cheers, Jon

[CTinline-six]

Originally Posted by JermVsWorld

also, my e90 doesn't have navi and such. The much updated interior and tech is a huge plus.

Keep in mind that tech will be outdated in about 2 years. I purposely bought my E90 without nav. My phone is the most up to date nav system I can have, and I've installed an aftermarket bluetooth device for calls.


If the differences between them are worth the price difference, go for it. If you are going to end up with a bunch of debt, it's probably not the smartest economic decision right now.

[9krpmrx8]

I love my E90 (PWG N55, upgraded turbo, FBO, yada, yada) but the M235i is a great car and the EWG cars have made 460WHP on the stock turbo and ran 11.4-11.6 in the 1/4 so they are plenty capable and with a PS2 or Bigboost kit they can run 10's. I am not sure where the "not as tunable" comments come from.

My E90 is getting up there so I have been looking as a replacement for a daily but I will probably get into the M240i.

[freakystyly]

I'm not into the turbo scene but I've read the N54 block can handle crazier numbers than the N55 block, ignore the turbos. It's more of a how far do you want to go thing.

[JermVsWorld]

Originally Posted by 9krpmrx8

I love my E90 (PWG N55, upgraded turbo, FBO, yada, yada) but the M235i is a great car and the EWG cars have made 460WHP on the stock turbo and ran 11.4-11.6 in the 1/4 so they are plenty capable and with a PS2 or Bigboost kit they can run 10's. I am not sure where the "not as tunable" comments come from.

My E90 is getting up there so I have been looking as a replacement for a daily but I will probably get into the M240i.

yes, they are great. Coming from an n54 which is throw tunes on it central to a n55 is where the not as tuneable comes from. Obviously they're both great platforms to tune, but there's much more responsiveness from an n54 that gets the tune vs a n55 that gets the same tune. But if i remember correctly the newer n55 comes with a more updated forged crank and etc etc which is nice i guess. A change from a n54 to n55 will always be a noticeable difference

[JermVsWorld]

Originally Posted by JermVsWorld

yes, they are great. Coming from an n54 which is throw tunes on it central to a n55 is where the not as tuneable comes from. Obviously they're both great platforms to tune, but there's much more responsiveness from an n54 that gets the tune vs a n55 that gets the same tune. But if i remember correctly the newer n55 comes with a more updated forged crank and etc etc which is nice i guess. A change from a n54 to n55 will always be a noticeable difference

but i will likely not add aftermarket stuff to the 235i until a couple of years, if i even do at all.

[213e90n51]

I dont think they come with DCT only 8 speed tactical autobox

[fastboatster]

Don't switch, have both cars.

[type-dRew]

if it doesnt have a b58, dont bother

[freakystyly]

I'm a little weary about the early B58s, mostly the new water cooling system issues. Would be interested to hear from higher mileage owners how that's holding up.