Our club together with The BMW Motrorcycle Club of Victoria recently organised a visit to the new Ringwood BMW Dealership and it was a thrilling experience for all members from both clubs. As we walked into the dealership we were immediately greeted by the sleek and stylish BMW models showcased on the showroom floor.
BMW has two separate 2-series cars at present. The G42 2 series Coupe shares much with the G20 3-series and, like it, is based on BMW’s CLAR platform for rear-drive cars, or rear-drive-biased Xdrive all-wheel-drive models. The F44 2-series Gran Coupe is based on the UKL2 architecture shared with other smaller BMWs and the MINI range, for front-drive cars or front-biased AWD models. In BMW’s usual model naming, a 2-series coupe and Gran Coupe would both be based on the 1-series. But the front-drive platform was unsuitable for an M2 version of the 2-series coupe, so the rear-drive G42 coupe was born.
A recent loan car from Waverley BMW was an F44 M235i Gran Coupe. Many will know I owned a F54 MINI Clubman JCW, and the F44 is a stretched and updated version of the same platform, with the same 225KW/450NM version of the B48 engine, front-biased all-wheel-drive, mechanical limited slip front differential, an Aisan 8-speed torque converter automatic and large Brembo brakes. Given the similarities, I was keen to compare the M235i. And, of course, to compare it with my G42 230i Coupe. For information, the M135i has the same mechanicals as the M235i, but is a hatchback on the shorter Clubman-sized platform. The M235i is quite expensive, priced mid-way between the 230i and M240i coupes.
Unfortunately, the weather was wet during my time with the M235i, and I didn’t have time for a long rural drive, so where handling is concerned these are impressions rather than a comprehensive comparison.
Immediately, the M235i feels sportier than 230i but not as refined. It’s very like the Clubman JCW in that regard. It feels like a not-too-large front-drive sports car.
Its engine is very responsive, sounds good, and is quite loud in sports mode, accompanied by lots of pops and bangs from the exhaust. Overall, it’s much louder than 230i. Acceleration is properly fast. The all-wheel-drive system sends up to half the torque to the rear wheels and gives remarkable grip for acceleration even on wet roads.
The M235i’s gearbox is much smoother in sports mode than the identical box in the Clubman. But this is achieved through slow changes, which are very noticeable in manual mode. Stepping off the line is prompt, unlike the Clubman, so that’s an improvement. Overall, not up to standard for a sporty car, and nowhere near the standard of the ZF gearbox in the 230i and other rear-drive BMWs.
The M235i interior is a big step down from 230i in appearance and ambience – unsurprising seeing the 230i inherits its interior from the 3- and 4-series and other larger BMWs. Some of materials and touch points seem a bit less sophisticated. Quality is sound like the Clubman although, being a MINI, that interior feels more unique and special. Also, the M235i interior feels narrow after the (admittedly very wide) 230i, but realistically it has adequate width. At least my phone fits in the wireless charger, unlike in the 230i!
Personally, I found the M235i front seats terrible. They have a fixed headrest which is angled too far forward. Just in normal driving it was banging my head constantly and gave me a near-instant headache, so I had to adopt a longer-arm driving position which is neither sustainable on a long trip nor conforming to BMW’s own seat position recommendations. But if you have longer arms than me, or you sit more reclined, you’ll find the seat is otherwise pretty well shaped and fairly well bolstered, although bolstering is not adjustable as in the 230i. The M235i seat lacks lumbar adjustment and is almost good enough to do without – it might be in an options pack as it is with the 230i. The seat in my loan car was either leather or Sensatec (vinyl) but it was without seat heating (another option, no doubt) it was freezing to get into in winter. I’m guessing it was leather, with the standard upholstery being the much more suitable Alcantara.
The M235i’s rear seat is basic, as was the Clubman’s. As for space, the rear lacks headroom unless you sit very upright so the your head is in the small raised area between the sunroof and the rear window. Because of its square shape, the Clubman is way more spacious in the rear. If you regularly carry people of average or greater height in the back, you might see if the similar but shorter M135i hatch has more space – it might do, due to its squarer roof shape. Access through the M235i’s narrow rear side doors is tight, and even the front doors are a bit tight. Frameless windows front and rear are a nice touch. For comparison, the 230i’s rear seat is much better shaped with reasonable support. It has slightly less headroom than the M235i but less legroom.
OS7 drives the screens and user interface of the M235i. Now being used to OS8 in the 230i, I much prefer it for its bigger screen, more info, better legibility and much more flexibility. The only plus of OS7 is that “Set” cruise control function sets to the current speed limit, rather than current speed.
Despite its appearance and the layout of BMW’s larger Gran Coupes, the M235i not a hatch but a sedan. The boot lid doesn't open nearly far enough. Mind your head! That said, the boot is huge. Predictably and sadly, there is no spare wheel - all the more frustrating as a space saver could fit under the main floor.
Unsurprisingly given the shared platform, the M235i has steering that is MINI-like and heavier than 230i. Steering feel is probably better than 230i but still not brilliant; this is another area in which the Clubman JCW was better. The M235i has typical front-drive traits of occasional tramlining and less self-centring. Overall, the steering doesn’t inspire confidence like the 230i’s. On the positive, torque steer seems completely absent.
The M235i ride seems a bit softer around town than both 230i and Clubman but it’s still firm. The 230i becomes brilliant at rural speeds, but I didn’t get the chance to compare the M235i in the countryside. However, I could tell that, overall, its handling is very like the Clubman’s, which shouldn’t be a surprise. Fundamentally, it handles like a heavy-ish front-drive car. It’s very fast powering out of corners if you use the limited slip front diff correctly to pull you through the corner, then that and the AWD rockets you out of the corner. There’s not much mid-corner adjustability and it’s not a car to throw around. You can’t play with the balance with the throttle or even the brakes to the degree you can in the 230i. Unless going as fast as possible is your thing, the 230i is much, much better for handling in the traditional BMW style. Roadholding/grip for the M235i seems good even in the wet, and of course AWD gives strong grip under acceleration.
I did manage to check out the headlights. On my loan car, they were fixed LEDs and were pretty good, but not as good for distance as 230i’s optional adaptive lights.
Appearance-wise, the M235i suffers the fate of many current BMWs by being liked by some and not by others. Personally, I think the profile is attractive. The front is pretty good with only a slightly oversized grille. The rear looks like an X4, which I rate as ugly. Much of the point of a Gran Coupe is to be a more attractive alternative to its sibling sedan – or hatch, in this case – and in this regard the F44 Gran Coupe probably may miss the mark for many people.
On its release, the M235i received mediocre reviews, especially from writers expecting a cut-price traditional (ie rear-drive) BMW. This was especially the case in the USA, where it serves as the brand’s smallest sedan (the US doesn’t get the 1‑series hatch). I know the M135i was sharpened up mid-cycle and received a better response, and I wonder if the M235i received the same treatment after its initial reviews. How you view the car may depend on your expectations and what else is available at the price. If you’re expecting typical BMW rear-drive handling, the M235i is clearly going to disappoint. If you’re looking for a front-drive sporty car (yes, with the added benefit of supplementary rear drive), then it’s good. For the enthusiast looking for the most engaging, best-handling front-drive sports car, there are superior alternatives. For someone seeking luxury, there would be competitors at the BMW’s price. The M235i, then, is either a bit of a compromise or a well-rounded car, depending on your viewpoint. It’s a good, sporty-feeling car with a touch of sophistication and BMW’s high quality. It’s fast and secure. It would be good for a young family if they can afford it. And based on my Clubman experience, it would be good for long-distance trips too. It does many things quite well, but it’s not a knock-out blow against the competition.
In contrast, the G42 2-series coupe has no competition, and even if it did, it’s a modern iteration of classic BMW at its best. It proved to be a great decision by BMW to go to the trouble and cost of producing the 2‑series coupe on the CLAR rear-drive platform. For singles or couples, rather than an M235i Gran Coupe, either saving money with a 230i coupe or stretching the budget to the AWD M240i Coupe are better options.
Peter Williams | Member #36
BMW Drivers Club Melbourne
