[spmd11]

Can any F30 335 owners who have switched or added M235 report in on their experiences comparing the two cars?

[BenWM]

As far as performance goes, there really is no comparison. However if four doors and space are important to you then you may need to consider keeping the 335i.

The F30 335i is still an awesome car to drive, but it just doesn't even compare to the M235i - in my opinion of course.

[darcivic00si]

I'll find out here shortly as my car is waiting to get trucked to the UK from Wurzburg. I am keeping my F30 335i and I really love driving it. So I imagine I will love the M235i even more!

[Wheelwright]

Originally Posted by BenWM

As far as performance goes, there really is no comparison.

M235i is barely any lighter and it only has about 20hp more. I venture to say M235i performance advantage is mostly in your head.

[Lucky13]

Originally Posted by Wheelwright

M235i is barely any lighter and it only has about 20hp more. I venture to say M235i performance advantage is mostly in your head.

He said F30 owners, since when is a 128 an F30? Someone that doesn't know what car they have shouldn't be answering a specific question about switching from an F30.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by Lucky13

He said F30 owners, since when is a 128 an F30? Someone that doesn't know what car they have shouldn't be answering a specific question about switching from an F30.

What? The previous poster pointed out that an F30 is the same weight as the F22, which is true. I don't own an F30, but I too can deduce its weight.

Add PSS's to an F30 and I fail to see any performance difference to an F22.

[darkerosxx]

Originally Posted by Wheelwright

I venture to say M235i performance advantage is mostly in your head.

OP asked for opinions/experiences, not scientific data.

[golf_234]

I think people are thinking way way too numerically here. While they may be similar in weight and actually not too far off in size, in a car, in my experience, even those small wheelbase, dimension, and weight differences, really, really change the character of the car. I mean the 235 is smaller than an e46 M3 ! That being said my drive time in both is too short to comment much, but I did like the way the 235 drove a lot more. Much more nimble feeling.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by golf_234

I think people are thinking way way too numerically here. While they may be similar in weight and actually not too far off in size, in a car, in my experience, even those small wheelbase, dimension, and weight differences, really, really change the character of the car. I mean the 235 is smaller than an e46 M3 ! That being said my drive time in both is too short to comment much, but I did like the way the 235 drove a lot more. Much more nimble feeling.

Agreed, we bought a 135i because of the smaller size, shorter wheelbase and slight weight savings to the E92. I also bought my M Coupe over the heavier and larger M3. We sort of compromised on the X1, it's smaller than the F30, but porky and has too many drive wheels.

My earlier defense of Wheelwright's comment was only pointing out that he/she is correct that this go around, there is likely no performance advantage, but of course that says nothing about how fun either car is and certainly leaves tons of room for the OP to get valuable feedback.

[Lucky13]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Agreed, we bought a 135i because of the smaller size, shorter wheelbase and slight weight savings to the E92. I also bought my M Coupe over the heavier and larger M3. We sort of compromised on the X1, it's smaller than the F30, but porky and has too many drive wheels.

My earlier defense of Wheelwright's comment was only pointing out that he/she is correct that this go around, there is likely no performance advantage, but of course that says nothing about how fun either car is and certainly leaves tons of room for the OP to get valuable feedback.

It not like there hasn't been hundreds of opinions on this board if not thousands of opinions so I'm sure he could have found plenty of 1 series comments already. So I have a E93 335 with the same horsepower (actually more with a tune) so that's as close as an opinion as someone with a 128 but I didn't give it since that's not what he asked. Not apples to apples, I believe he wants an F30 owner since he said that. I owned 3 E46 M3's, if I asked for opinions from other E46 M3's owners I wouldn't expect a 128 owner to give an opinion. I still think you totally miss his point, I'm sure he knows the specifications and they don't have the same hp or torque. Just my opinion but going back and rehashing more 1 series owner opinions or E90-93 owners is not what he asked.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by Lucky13

It not like there hasn't been hundreds of opinions on this board if not thousands of opinions so I'm sure he could have found plenty of 1 series comments already. So I have a E93 335 with the same horsepower (actually more with a tune) so that's as close as an opinion as someone with a 128 but I didn't give it since that's not what he asked. Not apples to apples, I believe he wants an F30 owner since he said that. I owned 3 E46 M3's, if I asked for opinions from other E46 M3's owners I wouldn't expect a 128 owner to give an opinion. I still think you totally miss his point, I'm sure he knows the specifications and they don't have the same hp or torque. Just my opinion but going back and rehashing more 1 series owner opinions or E90-93 owners is not what he asked.

Dude, this seems so simple. The guy owns a 1er, but commented (completely on topic) about the F30 vs the F22 (the topic of this thread). He never mentioned his 128i. He was talking about the F30 weighing the same as the F22.

Your E93, even with a JB4, is a much, much heavier car, akin to dragging an E39 M5 or my wife's E84 into this conversation, which until right now, hasn't happened...

So just in summary, in terms of cold analytics, not how fun either is, an F30 335i with PPK and PSS's will almost certainly be two things, more expensive than an F22 M235i, and nearly identical in performance.

[Wheelwright]

I was somewhat taken aback by the unqualified statement that between F30 335 and M235i "As far as performance goes, there really is no comparison" therefore I responded by simply restating facts about those 2 cars' respective weights and horsepower. I didn't offer my thoughts on the main topic because I didn't drive M235i yet, I just wanted to straighten out a potentially misleading statement which was presented more like a fact than an opinion (at least the way I read it).

[darkerosxx]

So let me ask you guys... why are people paying thousands of dollars for parts to increment 5/10/15/20 increases in horsepower, if 20hp makes a factual unnoticeable increase in performance? Genuine question.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by darkerosxx

So let me ask you guys... why are people paying thousands of dollars for parts to increment 5/10/15/20 increases in horsepower, if 20hp makes a factual unnoticeable increase in performance? Genuine question.

I am far from an expert but I THINK it has a lot to do with the power delivery through the curve, in other words more on tap sooner. also torques can make a big difference. the engine mapping can, i think, play around with the "sweet spot" of where you get the big boost and make the car feel a lot quicker in lower RPMs. just my poorly educated guess after driving a few APR-tuned Audis. The extent of my interest was "i like this better" without understanding all the science behind it.

[th1rd3y3]

I'll have a pretty good comparison soon. Wife's car is an F30 335 xDrive Sport line. It has the M adaptive suspention, vss, and paddles.

So it will be basically be like my 235 on order, but auto, 2 extra doors and AWD. I'd imagine the 235 will be a bit more fun to drive, but honestly if they both drive the same, I'd be pretty happy. It's not a pure sports car but for a nice daily driver it's plenty fun.

[BenWM]

If one's only measure of performance is weight and horsepower, than I'm afraid that you may not be getting the most out of your vehicle. Compare your 128i to a E90 325i or F30 328i. The difference is noticeable.

Weight and power output are not the only two criteria to determine when comparing performance.

[Ramos]

Also other than weight, size, wheelbase and horsepower, the M235 should have better calibrated steering and better (sportier) suspension. Both of which will alter the driving characteristics and feel of the car compared to an F30

[spmd11]

Originally Posted by Wheelwright

M235i is barely any lighter and it only has about 20hp more. I venture to say M235i performance advantage is mostly in your head.

Not true. I test drove a new 2014 335i M Sport, comparing it to our new M235. The 335i is noticeably slower off the line and does not handle as well as the M235. Also, the steering and braking in the M235 is better.

I was contemplating buying one of each, but now I'm going to get two M235's

[FunRevn]

Originally Posted by spmd11

I was contemplating buying one of each, but now I'm going to get two M235's

If you still want a 335 you can get it with the PPK (power pack) and the dynamic handling package. Make sure it's equipped with the sport automatic and it's going to be pretty close to M235 I'm thinking about doing that with a 435 Msport.

I have an E90 335 with the power pack and I test drove the M235 for about an hour and the difference is minimal mostly attributed to the eight speed auto versus my six speed auto.

[PigWig]

I'm trading in my F30 328i later today for the M235i. Granted my 3er doesn't have the V6, but the jump in performance from the F30 328 to F22 M235 was astronomical. As someone who has had an E92, 370Z, G35, 350Z, and MB SL, and test driven the F30 335, the M235i was about the fastest/most fun vehicle I've driven. I can't wait to pick it up this evening.

[FunRevn]

Originally Posted by PigWig

I'm trading in my F30 328i later today for the M235i. Granted my 3er doesn't have the V6, but the jump in performance from the F30 328 to F22 M235 was astronomical. As someone who has had an E92, 370Z, G35, 350Z, and MB SL, and test driven the F30 335, the M235i was about the fastest/most fun vehicle I've driven. I can't wait to pick it up this evening.

Congratulations. Yeah that's a giant leap. You're going to love it. Post some pictures, and don't forget to do a little review after you've had it for a few days.

We all want to hear your impression from some one who has had a nice stable of cars.

[PigWig]

Originally Posted by FunRevn

Congratulations. Yeah that's a giant leap. You're going to love it. Post some pictures, and don't forget to do a little review after you've had it for a few days.

We all want to hear your impression from some one who has had a nice stable of cars.

Will do