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      10-21-2013, 03:50 PM   #1
solstice
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Thoughts on M235i vs F8X?

With the M235i launch just days away what are your thoughts? It's probably in the area of $25k cheaper out of the door and about 100 lbs lighter with more nimble measurements.

I tried to fit my kids in a 991 but had to give up. For you who have the current 1-series, is it possible to fit kids in the back?
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      10-21-2013, 03:59 PM   #2
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I don't have one, but have test driven one, and as far as kids go it might be considered cruel and unusual punishment to have them in the back for any length of time. Or maybe a suitable time out spot
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      10-21-2013, 04:09 PM   #3
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I know this is a matter of taste, but the M4 looks way better than the M235i to me.


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      10-21-2013, 04:16 PM   #4
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From a size perspective alone, our 1er was fine in the back. Getting in and out was hell though. My 72 year old dad rode back there from Dallas to Austin and only complained when being extracted. I'm 6'2" and he's 6'1", but my wife is 5'3", so he had tons of room back there. If he'd needed to sit behind me, it would have been pretty tight even if I'd moved the seat forward.
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      10-21-2013, 04:26 PM   #5
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Take this with a grain of salt as I haven't seen the dimensions, but if it's anything like the current line up, then the back seat is probably about the size of the E9x, so it should probably be just as good as the old M3 was for people duty back there. Two doors and getting in/out is more problematic than the actual rear seat.

As a way off topic side point, I found the M6 rear less usable than my F30 backseat and the F10 M5 to have a bit more space than my F30 in the rear, but nothing dramatic. The front area is where they seem to like to devote that extra space.
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      10-21-2013, 04:32 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Red Bread View Post
From a size perspective alone, our 1er was fine in the back. Getting in and out was hell though. My 72 year old dad rode back there from Dallas to Austin and only complained when being extracted. I'm 6'2" and he's 6'1", but my wife is 5'3", so he had tons of room back there. If he'd needed to sit behind me, it would have been pretty tight even if I'd moved the seat forward.
Hmmm...that doesn't sound too bad, I'm 6'1 with very agile 4 and 8 year olds that can extract themselves. Naturally 4 doors are preferable when available but if I find the M235i equally fun to drive and not significantly worse in quality of materials it can be worth a serious look. I heard it will get an LSD which is one of the things that really surpised me in my E90 M3. It would be tough to give that up. This will be interresting.
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      10-21-2013, 04:38 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Red Bread View Post
From a size perspective alone, our 1er was fine in the back. Getting in and out was hell though. My 72 year old dad rode back there from Dallas to Austin and only complained when being extracted. .
He must be a very patient man.
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      10-21-2013, 04:41 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by solstice View Post
Hmmm...that doesn't sound too bad, I'm 6'1 with very agile 4 and 8 year olds that can extract themselves. Naturally 4 doors are preferable when available but if I find the M235i equally fun to drive and not significantly worse in quality of materials it can be worth a serious look. I heard it will get an LSD which is one of the things that really surpised me in my E90 M3. It would be tough to give that up. This will be interresting.
Agreed. The lack of LSD is what killed the fun of our 135i, it really is silly that they sell them without it. Driving my M Coupe back to back with my wife's 135i was always surprising in terms of how sloppy the 1er was. I don't miss that car, but I do hope the M235i really does get an optional mechanical LSD.
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      10-22-2013, 12:31 AM   #9
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Surely the full blown M2 will be >> M235i.
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      10-22-2013, 08:18 AM   #10
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Quote:
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Surely the full blown M2 will be >> M235i.
Oh definitely. There are concerns with the M2 as things sit today though:

- We don't even know if it will exist for sure yet.

- Smart money says we'll get one, but there are not even mules yet. Consider how close the M4 is on the heels of the 4 Series. That clearly won't happen for the M2 vs. the 2 Series. In fact, at best we can estimate an arrival sometime in 2016 given typical development timelines.

- When it does arrive, how dumbed down will it be to avoid stealing too much thunder from the M4? Yes, we have similar heirarchical factors with the M3/4 vs. the M5/6 today. But the M3/4 does not appear to be ready to give up its legacy as the goto Motorsport offering easily.

So for those who really want an M2, leasing an M235i instead of an M4 in the meantime could be a compelling possibility.
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      10-22-2013, 10:04 AM   #11
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from the pics, the car looks tiny.. i need functional rear seats for family.. also not digging the looks either.. little better than 1 series.. but still it looks a little off...for 50k range.. id get cla45 amg when its avail..
and i thoght full on M2 wasnt even beIng considered as production car at this point?

btw im going by the vid i saw from fast lane daily review on it. maybe they arent accurate..
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      10-22-2013, 02:31 PM   #12
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The M2 with the E9X M3 V8. That would be a fun car.
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      10-22-2013, 03:40 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by buildbright View Post
The M2 with the E9X M3 V8. That would be a fun car.
I thought there was speculation that the new M3/M4 engine could fit in the M2. Now that would be fun, but would also make the M2 faster all around due to it being smaller/lighter. And we know they don't want the baby brother beating up the big brother.
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      10-22-2013, 06:37 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by solstice View Post
With the M235i launch just days away what are your thoughts? It's probably in the area of $25k cheaper out of the door and about 100 lbs lighter with more nimble measurements.

I tried to fit my kids in a 991 but had to give up. For you who have the current 1-series, is it possible to fit kids in the back?
if they sit indian style it will work...my fiance has a 135i and no one sits in the back unless we force them to but then they sit crooked with knees up in their face.

you can't compare a 235 to an M4.
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      10-22-2013, 07:11 PM   #15
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"you can't compare a 235 to an M4."

Obviously the M4 will beat the pants off the M235i in any and every objective measurable data. That's however not what I'm looking for. I'll be comparing how subjectively fun to drive these cars are and how they subjectively feel and look. Other than that it comes down to if it's feasible or not. I.e can they function as commuter cars and transporting children.
( My sister and I had to often ride in one of my dad's rallye cars to school...one was a Beetle with no rear bench. We sat on empty upside down bottle cases. That might have some impact on what I think is feasible compared to if you grew up riding in your dads Cadillac Deville type of cars over here )
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      10-22-2013, 07:58 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by solstice View Post
"you can't compare a 235 to an M4."

Obviously the M4 will beat the pants off the M235i in any and every objective measurable data. That's however not what I'm looking for. I'll be comparing how subjectively fun to drive these cars are and how they subjectively feel and look. Other than that it comes down to if it's feasible or not. I.e can they function as commuter cars and transporting children.
( My sister and I had to often ride in one of my dad's rallye cars to school...one was a Beetle with no rear bench. We sat on empty upside down bottle cases. That might have some impact on what I think is feasible compared to if you grew up riding in your dads Cadillac Deville type of cars over here )
I do think you make a compelling argument about focusing on the fun to drive aspect of car evaluation. That's what has caused me to consider a Cayman S even though it will not be as fast as the new M4.
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      10-22-2013, 10:02 PM   #17
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The M235i certainly looks good. Of course you can't compare it to the M4, but it looks like a great alternative if you can't afford the M4.

I'll definitely keep my eyes peeled.
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      10-23-2013, 09:17 AM   #18
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A M4 isn't an option for me unfortunately but I am waiting for the release like you guys.

New M235i or used E92 M3 is the question for me. Still a nice problem to have really
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      10-23-2013, 11:41 AM   #19
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I've been reluctant to accept that with the F-series all models have moved up one notch on the traditional model range. I.e the 3 series is now the 5 series etc. but seeing the pictures of the 2 series really drive this point home. The only thing needed to complete the move IMO is 5 series level of quality of material in the 3/4 series and an M2. Everything else, size, weight, options, price and driving dynamics has really moved the range one notch IMO.
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      10-23-2013, 12:24 PM   #20
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i think the 2 series or 1 series is really Feminine car, honestly its "cute" and small. where a M3 or M4 is bigger and much more aggressive looking.

at least that what my friends and i think.
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      10-23-2013, 12:33 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mkoesel View Post
Oh definitely. There are concerns with the M2 as things sit today though:
...
Thanks, great info!
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      10-23-2013, 12:41 PM   #22
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On the question of 1-series practicality for children:

I'm 6'4"
My 3 yr old sits behind me in a 5 pt harness, just fine.
My 5 yr old sits behind the passenger in a bosster with hard back that uses the stock 3pt harness.

Also keep in mind the 1 series does have the kid seat latch system.

I take my kids to school twice a week, and ofter take the whole unit out for dinners, parks, whatever. And of course the kids absolutely love my car and demand it when given a choice.

And of course having the trunk means I can take the kids' scooters with us. -- but not my 5 yr old's bike.

So - yea it works and is very practical. When the kids outgrow their seats, they'll actually have more leg room.
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