2011 E90 M3 or 2015 M235i Help Please...

[Mjosh]

Hello Everyone,

I ordered a M235i in mid January and should be expecting delivery sometime in April. I've never owned a coupe before but for some reason when I was placing the order I thought it would be fine since it does have back seats. Now that it's almost time to take delivery I'm second guessing my choice for some reason.

I've always wanted a E90 M3 but the gas mileage is what always turned me away and in a way gave me a "excuse" to order the M235i. This vehicle will be my DD and I live in LA. I do not have any experience with any of these two cars but the closest was a 2008 335i sedan. I drive about 70 miles round trip daily for work and I don't always have passengers in the back but occasionally I do (Taking out family, friends and clients).

As time passes I'm getting closer to make a decision soon and to be honest I'm probably the only one not as excited to take delivery of my order so soon due to this giving me additional time to think about my choice.

I really appreciate all the knowledge everyone has on this forum and the information I've personally learned. I just wanted to get others thoughts...

Thank you in advance!

Below is the info on the vehicles:

2011 E90 M3
Manual
Base no packages
31,000 miles
Clean history w/service records
Asking $44,500


2015 M235i
Manual
Tech Pkg
Drives Assistance Pkg
MPE w/Diffuser
Black Kidney Grills
MSRP $51,105

What to do what to do...

[shu5892001]

One thing to consider is the rod bearing issues for the M3 when miles starts to stack up (2-3k service). Factor that into the equation and then weight your pro and cons.

[REV1]

I have a couple things in common with your situation.

I part time DD my M3 with a 60-70 mile round trip in very heavy traffic sometimes.
I average 18.6 mpg.

We also have a 135i in the family which is very close power and mpg wise to the 235i.

A couple of points I can make:

1) The 135i is not that much better on gas.. Maybe if you really drive with light foot you can squeak out 22-25 mpg average but I don't think much more than that. The 135i is a very fun car to drive.. It handles great (does have Msport suspension package) and has great down low power. It's a special car in its own right.

2.) The M3 is obviously a great car and the performance and build quality is much better than the 235i but although the M3 does pretty well in traffic the 235i will be easier to deal with in Heavy traffic.

I think it all depends on how bad your commute is and what you will do on the weekends,
On the weekend at the track, road trip, And backroad runs you will be glad you got the M3 when your stuck in nasty traffic or even lots of stop and go traffic the 235i is better suited.

Maybe get the M3 and use the 10g you saved and get a beater to drive a couple times a week is best solution?

I have a Car I use just for commute a couple times a week and it's perfect sharing time between the 2 cars for getting to work.

[jimmec]

I just test drove a fully loaded m235i and an 09 e90 DCT today.
I have to say, the m235i feels like the sportier car. The low end torque makes it so much more lively, but I'm not sure I'd want that in traffic.

On the looks front... lol. I don't think there was an uglier car on the lot than the 2. Usually a quad exhaust here, flared wheel arches there makes any car jump out at me, but the proportions on the 2 is so wrong...

The back seats in the 235 is plenty big for kids though. I'm only 5'6" but I was comfy back there.

I was seriously considering leasing the 235i since a good manual m3 seems so hard to find in my area.

[imserious]

The m3 doesn't feel sporty unless you floor it and hit redline. It feels plenty sporty then. trust me.

If the car will only be used for city driving I think you pass on the m3. for city driving I think a nice 435 or even A4 would be better than a m235. I would honestly be deterred by the fact that the m2 is coming out at not much more than an optioned m235.

Also base e90 m3 2011 for $44k is not a good deal.

[pooyab]

My commute is just around 60 miles round trip and I daily the M3. All of my commute is really heavy traffic except for 5-10 miles of it and I average around 14mpg. Cars the M235i might get 20mpg, but that's still bad among cars these days. If gas is really the factor then get a fiat 500e, instant torque lol.

[Honda]

if gas mileage is a big concern for you then stick to M235i. I don't know how above posters are saying you can get in X35i close to V8 M3 but that just doesn't make sense to me. I get close to 14mpg in my e90 M3 and I daily drive the car. I had 335i before and I was getting close to 25mpg.

Again thats your choice but expect to spend alot more on gas if you decided to go with e9x M3 route

[whats77inaname]

Originally Posted by REV1

Maybe get the M3 and use the 10g you saved and get a beater to drive a couple times a week is best solution?

I have a Car I use just for commute a couple times a week and it's perfect sharing time between the 2 cars for getting to work.

This. Your sig says you have a GTi, but you never mentioned if you're going to be trading it in or keeping it. You're putting 18K+ on your vehicle just driving to work daily. I'd really try to mitigate that a bit by having another car, as you'll be depreciating whichever BMW you choose rather quickly.

[avantegardestyle]

Don't buy a car with a M that doesn't have a single odd number digit behind it.

yes I have an M3 and I have a 7 yr old Camry I drive when i want to ........own both outright so I only pay insurance on them.

[SunnyD]

Originally Posted by avantegardestyle

Don't buy a car with a M that doesn't have a single odd number digit behind it.

So don't buy the M4?

[rjd598]

i think the biggest thing you are forgetting is cost. m3 will cost you in maintenance. can you afford it? do you want to afford it? m235i will not for four years. if gas mileage is a concern to you stick with the m235i. i think it is a perfect daily. more than perfect actually.

[Rewted]

I don't see the question of concern here, sounds like it's more about the money than anything. Purchase a new 2015 M3 if you want the backseat and affordable, otherwise take delivery on the 2015 M235i. Both problems solved.

[vsix]

I would prefer the E90.

[Gbiz]

$44k for the e90 is a bit high; you can find one cheaper or CPO. Something to consider is depreciation as well. How much will the 235i be worth in 5 years compared to the M3? The 235i will lose $5k once you drive off the lot. How much are 5-year-old 335is going for these days compared to M3s? Do you mind spending more time at pump with the V8 or less with the I-6? Those are all things you need to evaluate. We can all make recommendations, but at the end of the day, you're the one that has to live with your decision. Good luck!

[avantegardestyle]

Originally Posted by SunnyD

So don't buy the M4?

no, M4 is bullsheeeet.
M4 is not a true M car..........
actually I said it before and i will say again.After the E9x M3 and E60 M5
true M cars has ceased to exist.

M-cars are cars made with specialized engines developed for them that are NATURALLY ASPIRATED. M-cars are not made on regular production line with other run of the mill BMW cars

the whole issue of M-package is bullcrap too. For all of its failings, high maintenance and repair bills, give me a real M-car.

if not then just give me a good ole 335I or a 528I. Every time i see a car with M235 or X5M I just have to laugh.....

[Honda]

Originally Posted by avantegardestyle

no, M4 is bullsheeeet.
M4 is not a true M car..........
actually I said it before and i will say again.After the E9x M3 and E60 M5
true M cars has ceased to exist.

M-cars are cars made with specialized engines developed for them that are NATURALLY ASPIRATED. M-cars are not made on regular production line with other run of the mill BMW cars

the whole issue of M-package is bullcrap too. For all of its failings, high maintenance and repair bills, give me a real M-car.

if not then just give me a good ole 335I or a 528I. Every time i see a car with M235 or X5M I just have to laugh.....

Man you are hilarious. Do you seriously believe that BMW cares about if it is a true M or not? All they care about is making money...

[Haywood]

Why not wait for the M2?

[IzzyGray]

I DD my e92 M3 and I really DD it(WI winter and at least 25k miles per year). Typically I drive alone but on rare occasions I do have passengers and the back seat is fine. Personally I would only take the M3 if driving actually means something to you. For some people, driving is a necessity(nothing wrong with that). However, the few times that my M3 has been out of commission for some "upgrades", I've been a grouch. Just 2 weeks ago, I was working on the M3 and couldn't drive it for a week(had to take the Q5 instead) and I really felt depressed. The drive in my M3 is a solace I enjoy, away from my hectic schedule, and is almost my meditation. If that isn't what you look for in your car, get the 235. Or you could wait for the M2.

[avantegardestyle]

Originally Posted by e90-335i

Man you are hilarious. Do you seriously believe that BMW cares about if it is a true M or not? All they care about is making money...

agreed, of course they dont..........they no longer do, but they once did.
So thats why there was only the M3 and M5 but now M is on everything, because the M instead of meaning motorsport, now means Monaayyyyy!!!

[Mjosh]

Thanks for all the replies everyone! Everyone's input does give me more insight on how to proceed. I'm honestly torn between the two and should go take one more test drive before proceeding.

Thanks again

[M3 n X5M]

I'll give the OP my personal take on this:

These are two totally different cars.

The M235i is years ahead in many areas...
The M3 has a soul you cannot ever escape when you enter the car, and the gratification is magical when you get the V8, tail-happy feeling of rev matching out of corners etc.
The M3 is a WOW car. Simply put, a very fun sports car. The M3is not entirely easy to coax into bad behavior. However, when you do, well you do.

OP, it sounds to me like inside your mind, you already want one of these two cars more than the other. Which one is it? Based on that answer, that is what you should get.

If you always wanted an M car then get the M3 now. If you were impartial, like those who are impartial to manual versus auto, or inline engine versus transverse, or FWD vs. RWD then get the 235i, the hassle-free of the two. The M235i is new, has 4 years of warranty and service waiting for you... etc etc.

I once had an M3 and then had an accident, and lost my beloved M3. One year later, I moved earth and sky and got another M3.

When it comes to an M3, I believe it just depends on what you WANT. Not really what you need. The M3 is not a need car. It is a want car.

[Helmsman]

Originally Posted by IzzyGray

I DD my e92 M3 and I really DD it(WI winter and at least 25k miles per year). Typically I drive alone but on rare occasions I do have passengers and the back seat is fine. Personally I would only take the M3 if driving actually means something to you. For some people, driving is a necessity(nothing wrong with that). However, the few times that my M3 has been out of commission for some "upgrades", I've been a grouch. Just 2 weeks ago, I was working on the M3 and couldn't drive it for a week(had to take the Q5 instead) and I really felt depressed. The drive in my M3 is a solace I enjoy, away from my hectic schedule, and is almost my meditation. If that isn't what you look for in your car, get the 235. Or you could wait for the M2.

My thinking. Its a question about whether you appreciate the special feeling that the M3 give. Me, I DD year around, so a lot of commute between home and office in a capital city. Certainly get some spirited driving during weekends etc but even without, the M3 give me a load of pleasure every day taking place behind the wheel and starting up. Regardless of slow/traffic driving the chassie, steering and overall feel is still a....pleasure.

Had 325i, 335i and 550i all with M sport prior to the M3. Enjoyed all and wanted more.

Good luck

Ps. Have a mate with the M235i so did some test drive. No doubt a nice car. My mate went for this as more civilized/less extreme on all front incl cost.