2022 BMW M235i GranCoupe Review - The Fake M Car?

[@olivergoncalves1217]

Friends, I've had this car now about a year and half and realistically, this car was designed and priced for entry BMW buyers, and designed to bring people into the brand. I've been loving this ride since I got it. You can't really beat the 4-cyl, 300hp engine and it's conservative use of petrol. I came from a V6 with only 200 hp, to a smaller engine with 300 h/p and a good 35-45% savings on gas. The gas savings helps pay the slightly higher insurance premium and reduce the monthly payment I have to make to BMW - so in that respect, it's balanced itself very well and I'm thrilled. The actual ride is very nice too, it's firm and "feels" great. At high speeds, the car does tighten up and I like this for the handling combined with good response and power for overtaking traffic at highway speeds. So in other words, the M235I is a nicely balanced package and for a sedan it looks great and feels great compared to other sedans which are too big to feel "sporty" and in many cases, under-powered compared to this. The interior is VERY NICE, soft to the touch where you would expect it and the leather is probably along the better I've seen in many cars. So, I will admit, the car was bit pricey for me, but I am enjoying it.

[@drillminister7839]

yo, i want to buy a m235i as my first car but idk about the monthly insurance payments if those are really this high. im in love in this beamer cuz it fulfills my expectations for a car. can u recommend it as firsty? :-)

[@olivergoncalves1217]

@@drillminister7839 I can't suggest it as I don't have one.

[@LA-st6dq]

It's an M-Performance Car, not a M-Car that's why it says M235i and not M2 you know. It delivers the luxury and elegance of a limosine (grand) coupe with the performance of a sports car. Its not for die-hard track guys, its a daily city and cross country mean machine, you will have fun with but also will enjoy the comfort of the ride.

[@acalinga]

Respect to this guy, he bought this car to his specific use case and doesn’t give a damn about what his car friends will probably say. Can’t say “oh he should’ve bought this instead” for that.

[@kenyip86]

Thanks, that’s exactly it :) it’s even better being able to drive a car that doesn’t scream car enthusiast. Less cars being obnoxious and trying to incite a race when I have no interest. I’m just cruising along in an ugly sedan 🤘 Driving my Supra or M3… obnoxious motorist magnet

[@MatthewKatidjo]

I genuinely like the M235i despite it being a “fake M car” I think it looks pretty good too. And the owner literally bought it for the same reasons I’ve been looking at it!

[@AbeNXC]

It’s not a “fake M car” … no one is calling it an M car. No one calls any of the M light cars M cars. This car is made for daily grocery getting with a little power and fun. I think you trying to do this review through the lens of a performance car mindset made this review lack luster.

[@olivergoncalves1217]

I think your right. When people think "M", they are generally thinking in terms of like, 500+ horse power, offset tire sizes, loud exhaust. I think BMW did a pretty nice job with this car, targeting the right audience - mostly for the entry-level market and buyer into the brand. So, after a year and half of ownership, they've done a good job and I already want to take a higher-end beemer for road trip.

[@neolegend-1]

Fake M Car? Really? Well yes, it's not an M (motorsport) but an M Performance is not the same development centre. Just like an S is not an RS at Audi You really don't know anything about BMW to compare the two

[@mattlau]

I really like the look of this and I owned a 230i before.

[@EricKremer]

Everyone talks shit about it until you hop in and rail it out on the autobahn. Mine is US spec without any limiter (bmw installs it at US bmw dealers. Bought mine US spec from factory but delivered to a German dealership). When you’re riding solo you can easily get acceleration faster than some V8s. When I first saw the back I thought “wow why are you trying to sell me this”, but then I drove it…. This is the most violent 4 banger on the market if you know how to drive it. As long as you get it fully decked out with the shadow line package, it looks so much better. The sport seats look 100x better than the normal seats (they don’t have ventilated seats which you’d expect for the couple hundred dollar upgrade). The amount of power you can get in the matter of a second is ridiculous (for engine size). The rear seats are not made for big people at all… there’s a few areas on the sides and back that get pretty dirty from wind vortexes. The best colors are snapper rocks blue, black, or red. The other colors look like a pussy on wheels. Don’t get the rims without the M graphite colored wheel with runflats. I paid 42,900 for mine back in August (bought in Germany so I didn’t pay any sales tax or shipping fees that cause bmws to be very expensive in the US. In US army that’s why I didn’t pay tax). For the price I would say it’s worth it for what you get. You can beat v8s to 0-60 but they got you on the 60-100+mph. The stability you have at 130mph and beyond is better than most American muscle cars. The heads-up display is pretty sweet especially with the navigation mode when it puts the turns on the road for you. I would totally recommend this car to anyone thinking about getting one. Think of this, if your a dad and you don’t want to drive around some minivan or Toyota Corolla. Buy this so you can have fun and still put your kids in the back. If you don’t drive it only in sport mode you a bitch.

[@cormacm.8717]

Let em know straight little known facts and knowledge in that comment well done sir 🙌💯💯💯

[@Ultra_Boss]

What sorts of v8 cars win against the m235i on the 60-100+mph

[@hollowtian6148]

Bro is triggered.

[@itsmarvin6999]

@@hollowtian6148 its true tho I have seen that car gap scatpacks , mustang GT and a lot of other cars.

[@grahamcollins3003]

I bought one two months ago coming from an S3 I couldn’t be more happy. This is not a great review from these dudes, they seem like young kids trying to act like men and it didn’t work for them..

[@Acanofbeer]

It makes me laugh how negative reviewers are these days. A couple of young guys who probably haven’t jumped in a car made just 10 or 15 years ago want to demolish a modern vehicle. It’s easy to become a KZbin influencer but a whole lot harder to design a car. Let’s hear or see you two coming up with sensible and realistic ideas rather than just get some viewing figures. 😡😡

[@anjdog2003]

They weren't driving 15 years ago so who cares what they think.

[@beastieboy3926]

After owning a good few Mercs,[11], I was lookin for a change.So new m235 bought.Very pleased with power,ride ,brakes and build quality.My last Merc was cla 35 which was considerably noisier,and felt as if it was made by Ford or vauxhaul,a Merc in name but not by nature.I`m 75 now and like a car with decent power,but not mega power like cla45,so this bm suits my needs very well. In UK there doesn`t seem to be much need for more than 3oo bhp,with all the speed cameras and crap roads.Living in US or some European countries could justify more power.So bm 235 is a good quality ,quick motor with good build and handles well,and is fun to own and drive.

[@tractioncontroldelete]

Genuinely didn’t realize this car even existed. Seems to corner flatly and it has a helluva lot of torque lol. I usually don’t care about car colors but this one looks amazing.

[@anjdog2003]

I have two Asian Daughter-in-laws so i can say this. plus i live in So.Cal. I didn't know Asians could drive faster than 45 mph.

[@zcmdzpp127]

The grand coupe got shafted , m235i designation was the 3.0l N55, grand coupe m version gets 2.0l b48?

[@kenyip86]

yea isn't it weird? 240i coupe gets B58 and RWD though

[@Flydevice1]

A BMW styled car with Bmw interior and an engine and transmission found in Toyotas. Sign me up. Excellent daily driver.

[@kenyip86]

I’m surprised nobody has written “why not Hyundai Genesis G70 3.3T” because that could be a really good competitor (for an understated daily sedan)

[@gareth5853]

Behave

[@CJ-gh4eh]

Hey! I'm out in the East Bay and I'm looking for some roads, may I ask what road this is?

[@MPulsv]

how does this car compare to the 2022 WRX?

[@blackairforceone]

Owner bought it for all the right reason - same as I did

[@MTGMitch]

The real thing that caught my eye about this car is that it doesn't have the buck teeth grill.

[@progamingakgamer4life]

Hi, one thing to say stop hating so much please. The car is pretty good. I took it for a test drive. I don't know how he is giving these comments. I am writing this just to inform buyers that it is a good car. Whoever is thinking of purchasing the car, please test drive it. It's kind of the total opposite of what he said in this video.

[@progamingakgamer4life]

@Zygrene

[@wurf5336]

Honestly idk what this guy is talking about... I used to own M4 and now I have m235 and its not a bad car at all... NPC?

[@MrA11med]

what MGP was your m235i getting?

[@kyle618]

reminds of the time i drove a remapped 2015 s3 with around 300whp+... it was faster than my current car but i didnt like the fact that it was more pulling than pushing :( rwd is just so much better. am i doomed to not like fwd cars?

[@b71071]

FWD are alot of fun with a playful chassis. Which most don't have.

[@sameerpandya1947]

Ken - did you consider the Golf R?

[@kenyip86]

I did but I don't like hatchbacks. And I don't like wagons either. I think most "car people" will hate me even more now

[@sameerpandya1947]

@@kenyip86 You got a upscale BMW version of a Golf R in a bigger form factor, nothing to hate there, hope you have fun with it. Thanks for the vid, its a car that was always off my radar and cool to hear about.

[@dustinmcclelland15]

Is that Mines Road?! Looks very familiar!

[@ClearDirectionSalesDevelopment]

I've been driving a loaner for 10 days (My 540I is in the shop). I was pleasantly surprised at the capabilities and fun for around the city driving. I had owned Acura TLs in the past. This reminds me of those; it is set up like a Javanese car/front-wheel drive bias. It does NOT feel like a BMW. But it does feel like the good parts of an Acura. The torque is good and even a bit surprising. Good low end and a real boost from second to third gear. The all-wheel drive is a plus. Quick turns and u-turns are a pleasure. The all-wheel drive s not as good as Acura's SH-AWD. It is more like a Honda than an Acura in interior quality and noise. I very-good $40-45K car. Over priced at $50K

[@TosinSalisu]

‘BMW Audi’ is the best description I have heard of this car😂

[@MrDmann112]

a mini with a bmw badge

[@kenyip86]

I’ll take it- I’ll say I drive a hopped up BMW X1/X2/mini

[@TosinSalisu]

@@kenyip86 that's what I used to say to ahah, had one when first released in 2020, in Storm bay. The 2GC looks much better IRL than in videos or photos

[@ericmichel3857]

M240i With turbo six starts at 48,500 (about the same as this M235i), and is better in every regard. It is very odd what they are doing with the BMW lineup.

[@kenyip86]

Yea the 240 is a better choice if one wants a coupe like this. But I wanted a small sedan- I already have a Supra and an M3 😄 240 was just missing the rear doors for me. Styling is similarly unusual on the 240 too. Price is similar like you said- starting at 48k vs 46k

[@ericmichel3857]

@@kenyip86 I don't know, was this an impulse buy? I hate to say it, but the review here (and pretty much everywhere else) is not very good for this car. It has rear doors but the back seat area is very cramped, slow auto, it doesn't handle well, but also doesn't ride well either? The acceleration is about average, and all that for $53K? If all you wanted was utility and reasonable performance with AWD, it seems like there are far better options, and some for even less money. Like a Golf R, G70, CLA 35, WRX, or my personal favorite for style and fun to drive, the Alpha Romeo Giulia. Sorry, just being honest.

[@kenyip86]

@@ericmichel3857 Sure, happy to share a bit more detail. Golf R: I had a Golf GTI before, I don't like hatchbacks. G70: Cool, not available much, and doesn't seem to have full-digital dash CLA 35: Don't like the styling WRX: Not as luxurious / comfortable Giulia: I really wanted to like this - test drove one. Alfa dealership in San Jose was REALLY nice. REALLY wanted to like it. Guess what - the Ti spec that cost about the same was way slower and the tech was early 2000s. The rear view camera was complete crap SD-resolution, and the car itself just felt really dated. Tesla Model 3 LR: This is the car I originally had ordered, but cancelled. About the same price, didn't like the brakes, and I don't currently own a home. While I can get electric charging where I currently live, it's not guaranteed. Didn't like brake feel. Audi S3: Probably the one I would buy, if there is no ADM or wait. The ones I like are $55-58K specc'd out (prestige trim for the cool tech), but I still can't get over the interior design of the new gen. BMW 340i: The car I prefer, but it is $63k specc'd out how I want - not worth it when I have other cars that are faster / more track-focused etc. 235 has similar tech and interior.

[@joshlum1807]

If you like the S3, why wouldn’t you just get the Golf R? Or a Jetta GLI?

[@ericmichel3857]

@@kenyip86 Everyone has their own priorities and taste so... I just think if you really wanted a M340i and you are already putting out $53K, personally I would have just gotten the 340i. I would have either stretched the budget, or maybe find a slightly used one. I see a bunch of 2021 M340i with X drive with 10-15K miles going for mid-low 50's on auto trader. But at the end of the day as long as you are happy with it, that is all that matters.

[@Gustinpham]

Hey man, if you ever want to review a 21’ WRX STI and are around SoCal, LMK!

[@Zygrene]

I'm down! Please shoot me an email at [e-mail]

[@hollowtian6148]

Understeer + Front wheel bias + no feedback + weird suspension+ computer controls all. This car got all the boxes checked

[@cs2294]

This is such a strange and expensive vehicle that doesn’t really seem very well thought out. Why not just buy an S3?

[@kenyip86]

When I looked around, the S3 had a $5-10k ADM and there would be a wait of 6-12 months. I don’t like the new Audi interior style (new gen A3/S3) BUT the Audi S3 prestige trim has some better driving assistance tech like active lane keeping + all around 360 camera view when parking. In a more normal car market, the S3 might have been it!

[@shawnwillis767]

🤣🙈

[@tonyga5]

Love it

[@chasing3suns]

Lmao the comments are full of such hard cope. This car is god-awful. It is an eyesore, less than the sum of its parts. And actually an abomination. As soon as it came out we couldn't wait to forget about it! Lol

[@michaelwise6970]

What's next M330i ?🤔...🤬

[@ivannachoo]

The first time i saw a 2 series gran coupe from the back, I thought it was a corolla! It's too bad BMW stopped trying to make the ultimate driving machine. Maybe i should restate that. It'a too bad consumers stopped wanting the ultimate driving machine.

[@anjdog2003]

That's why they only sell hundreds of thousands of BMW''s a year. Get your facts straight before you post.

[@davidpineda645]

I bought a 530e for 53,000 and doing payments on it. I sjouldve got this

[@ivanromero4936]

Thank you for being sincere about what this car is, an expensive street car with a powerful engine and a wanna feel racy suspension. When it came out there was so much noise about its dynamic capabilities.... just marketing crap!

[@kenyip86]

Yea definitely - don't think for a second that Zygrene or I would try and sell it as a real sports sedan/car :)

[@elvisisalive2716]

The 340 is enormous

[@swanblake]

Trying really hard to be positive about this Mini thing and all I could come up with is I hope it's a lease. Such better vehicles at $30k let alone $50k plus. So many great options at that price point and yet somehow BMW sold this pile. Money does not equal brains

[@shawnwillis767]

Must of never driven a BMW👇🏻🤣

[@shawnwillis767]

Stop clownin it has M suspension and exhaust and m brakes and what ever else..it’s a four cylinder M’D out👇🏻🤣🙈

[@kuladeeluxe]

Wonder how these will hold up? My trust in Bmw out of warranty is low. Probably nice as a daily though.

[@maerevoetwendydavid5312]

Pretty sure that you are not quaffed to give your opinion

[@yc1732]

As an owner of a E46 M3 and E92 M3, I’d rather buy a Civic Type R for 10-15k less and its better than that car in almost every way. He doesn’t need the AWD (In Cali?) and it’s FWD biased anyways. The CTR will have the cargo space he wanted and will out perform that thing in every way, plus hold it’s value way better. That car is garbage for the price imo.

[@kenyip86]

Civic Type R is cool if I wanted something more performance oriented. But.. this is my daily driver and I don’t think the exterior styling is what I want to present when I’m buying groceries or road tripping. Also- interior quality + BMW’s tech. Sorry, I just don’t want a Honda Civic, especially with the ADMs being slapped on the CTRs. Summed up for me, it’s just different preferences.

[@YueHou]

@@kenyip86 ctr is mt without the acc/lane keep assist and that'd be a big minus for a Daily esp in bay area. I'm wondering have you thought about something else with B48 such as regular 330 or a 4door jcw?

[@yc1732]

@@kenyip86 I suppose looks are subjective. I do agree the CTR is a little boy racer look but it was just to illustrate that I'd rather that much get that than the M235 for the price you get. The M235 doesn't look great either, but I guess you care what people see when you are buying groceries? Get slightly used Golf R? The tech in the BMW, tbh what will you need to use on the daily except bluetooth and carplay which almost every other car has now. More than half the things in that car you think you need, probably don't need, including the AWD. You technically also got a mark up on the M235 in this market unless you paid thousands below MSRP which BMW's were priced at before this pandemic. If I get a car, I want it to excel in something, which that car is mediocre in every category. Price is not good, steering is dead, power is so-so, seats are syn leather, cargo space average, exterior appearance is whatever, transmission isn't even DCT. Just get a Kia Telluride and it'll be better money spent. In the end, if you like that car great.

[@kenyip86]

@@YueHou yea I did. 330i is just a little too slow and I don't need the extra size. JCW... I just really don't like hatchbacks for myself

[@kenyip86]

@@yc1732 I don't like hatchbacks and already had a Golf GTI experience in the past. I paid exactly MSRP, which I think is fair given the current market. The seats are real leather by the way - or at least it is whatever BMW's "Dakota Leather" is, while 330i tend to have the fake leather. My sister did get a Kia Telluride. I think it's pretty cool!

[@bigstevie1970]

I love my M235i

[@stms4411]

I’d been a huge bmw fan for a long time. I think they’ve lost their way

[@joshlum1807]

Agreed, I’ve always been a huge BMW fan but there are none I would buy at this point.

[@DoubleDown310]

Looks like a Hyundai.

[@kickyadick]

no shit. I bet Hyundai owners got quite excited about this thing

[@racsowang]

Nice beater!

[@postalpancho]

He should have just gotten the 330i. Same price, same engine, bigger interior and rear wheel drive. The m235i makes no sense.

[@mightyj806]

Good point. Although this car is a full second faster.

[@davidramez6219]

BMW slapped this car with an ugly stick! Zygrene obviously can't say it, but he knows it!

[@IS300Spartan]

Worst looking BMW... ever? And people thought the Bangle era was bad lol

[@Veyronp87]

BMWs selling point is RWD architecture...this car is just not it im sorry lol. the S3 does what this car does much better.

[@mullner88]

That is a Corolla

[@Areku06]

I would rather buy used m340i.

[@Dragon228833]

Even a 330i would be better

[@Areku06]

@@Dragon228833 imo f30 335i/340i m-sport best daily driver and sports sedan for the money. That’s why I got and wouldn’t change a thing. Those can be had with rwd / xdrive 8 zf or manual(rare). N55 and B58 both good engines, although b58 more tuneable. N55 powered f30 cars are $10k cheaper. 14-15 F30 335i m-sport can be had for 22-27k, while a 340i m sport will be $35-38k with low miles. Must have option is m-sport and m adaptive suspension.

[@Dragon228833]

@@Areku06 I live in New York. Everyone and their mom has a 1/2/3/435i /40i like it’s the only cars for sale

[@Areku06]

@@Dragon228833 yes but most are not m-sport with power kit and mpe exhaust. Most are 320/328i around here, not many 435i/335i. There is reason people love f30, it’s perfect size(e39 5er size), comfortable and offers good performance.

[@Dragon228833]

@@Areku06 m sport only adds adaptive suspension and cosmetics and sometimes an exhaust

[@jg5529]

its not a It's not an M car and it's not a coupe.

[@johnmitchell2269]

Such an ugly strange looking car this one. It bugs me that BMW do four door versions of models that are supposed to be two door. The 2 series, 4 series, 6 series and 8 series are all supposed to be two door coupes.

[@joeracer302]

If they took the badges off I’d think it’s a Kia or Ford. Totally uninspired milquetoast styling.

[@boffam00]

“Fake M car”? Yes.

[@progamingakgamer4life]

Lol fake M, IDK what ur saying

[@VarioFelce]

🤢

[@MrZyLeXx]

It's so fugly... a worse Audi S3 lmao

[@Dragon228833]

Probably better off with a 330i

[@chrisosbourne5007]

Utter nonsense

[@joeracer302]

What a boring design. Profile looks so basic, like a Ford Fusion or something. 🤮

[@gio4512]

Super annoying on this one. .