The second series represents BMW’s latest new-math foray into product nomenclatures, one that’s a little simpler than many that have come out of Munich in the past. The even-number prefix tells you it’s either a coupe or a convertible, i.e., two doors, most of the time. These new Bavarian deuces replace the 1-series and are a little bigger (2.5 inches longer), which translates into back seats almost—almost—comfortably habitable by adults. That’s true of the base 228i with its 2.0-liter turbo four.
More significant here is the M prefix and the 35i, designating the big punch in the M Performance edition that comes from the bigger turbo engine: 3.0 liters, six cylinders in line, whomping up 320 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque available on a curve that resembles the topography of Nebraska: broad, flat, and seemingly endles.
For the heretical, but prophetic. Set in Sport+ (the most aggressive of four presets) with launch control engaged, the M235i automatic delivered bang-bang shifts and acceleration times that smoke this manual version: 0 to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, 0 to 100 in 10.8, the quarter-mile in 12.9 at 109 mph. Test-track results for our M235i manual: 4.9, 11.7, and 13.4 at 106.
Many variables affect test-track performance—not least that the automatic comes with launch control—but nevertheless, the data doesn’t lie. If your aim is to get from A to B a little quicker, just as with the manual BMW M4, the automatic holds the winning hand. This made the automatic M235i the obvious choice for this year's Lightning Lap.
More significant here is the M prefix and the 35i, designating the big punch in the M Performance edition that comes from the bigger turbo engine: 3.0 liters, six cylinders in line, whomping up 320 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque available on a curve that resembles the topography of Nebraska: broad, flat, and seemingly endles.
For the heretical, but prophetic. Set in Sport+ (the most aggressive of four presets) with launch control engaged, the M235i automatic delivered bang-bang shifts and acceleration times that smoke this manual version: 0 to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, 0 to 100 in 10.8, the quarter-mile in 12.9 at 109 mph. Test-track results for our M235i manual: 4.9, 11.7, and 13.4 at 106.
Many variables affect test-track performance—not least that the automatic comes with launch control—but nevertheless, the data doesn’t lie. If your aim is to get from A to B a little quicker, just as with the manual BMW M4, the automatic holds the winning hand. This made the automatic M235i the obvious choice for this year's Lightning Lap.
