Surge New Member Rep Posts 26



Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Toronto, ON

0) iTrader: (

Drives: M3 on order

Went to buy an M4 and walked out with a m235i ! Yikes - sorry guys, don't want to get flamed here, but it's true.



First, let me clarify that I can afford an M6, so it's not a question of finances. I went to the dealer today set on ordering an M4. But there was an m235i in the showroom, so I thought, 'why not sit in it'… let's see what the "lesser" model feels like.



Well, to cut a longer story short, I was floored. The M235i is in many ways, a nicer car inside than the M3/4. And a more fun drive.



My point is not to speak negatively of the M3/4, but just to say that before you sign that deal, do yourself a favor and test drive the m235i.



Let's get into some details:

INTERIOR

- no center armrest on the M3 in the rear

- M3 has no passthrough! Carrying 4 adults to the ski slopes?! Sorry. Out of luck (esp since no roof rack will fit on the CF roof). M235? Yup - center passthrough. Rear seats fold 40/20/40, as they should.

- the M3 I looked at had full leather. Should be a "wow", right? Wrong.

If you want to know what full leather done right should look like, check out your neighborhood Porsche dealership. For one thing, the inside door handles are plastic. Another thing: the rear seat backs are a hard, cheap plastic.

Another thing - the center console sides are leather only part of the way, the rest is that same cheap plastic.

- seats - love the extendable length cushion on the m235i. Not possible on the M3

- armrest - love that it slides on the m235. Doesn't move on the M3…

- door "thunk" when closed - sounds better on the m235

- roofliner - the M3 has the same low rent vinyl roof liner that the m235i has. Not impressed for an $80K+ car.



Hmmm…



which car exactly costs 50% more?!



Drive

The m235 was sublime in the way it drove. Watch the reviews. There's a reason why so many reviewers use words like "magic" and "love" and "I want to buy this car" when they test it. Do you hear the same words with the M3/4? No.



If you track the car and you care about the badge, the M3/4 will win.

But if you want a true driver's car, it's the m235 all the way!



Again, not out here to trash owners of the M3/4, just to say that if you're thinking about buying one (as I was), do yourself a favor and check out the m235i.