BMW M235i a bizarre non-conformist
When word that BMW was working on a small, four-door coupe based on its front-wheel drive architecture reached us, the skepticism crept in as we assumed that this was a retaliation to the highly successful Mercedes-Benz CLA. With the new CLA now available locally in two AMG flavours, the M performance-tweaked 2 Series Gran Coupe appears to have its work cut out for it.
New niche
The architecture the underpins the Gran Coupe is shared with the Mini Cooper and is designed for a transverse engine layout, also meaning that four-cylinder engines are now the order of the day, with yet more enthusiasts bemoaning the apparent loss of the six-cylinder in the more performance-oriented models, making this a more practical car in terms of packaging in the process.
For BMW, its hallmark has most certainly been that it provides some of the best rear-wheel drive straight-six performance cars on sale, particularly in the small-medium hatchback, coupe, and sedan segments. We worry that this new M235i may just be a niche too far. It is now essentially the same recipe as the rather pricey Mercedes-AMG CLA 35. That means that when shopping for a sedan with a coupe rear-end, both competitors feature four-wheel drive and 2.0-litre turbocharged engines, although the AMG features a dual-clutch gearbox versus the torque converter in the BMW.
Performance
There's a lot of performance to exploit in the new M235i though, some 225 kW and 450 N.m from a 2.0-litre turbo-four with all-wheel drive and an eight-speed torque converter automatic gearbox from Aisin. A Torsen LSD upfront and a trick all-wheel drive ensure fantastic traction an indeed, surefooted handling. This is a fast car, regardless of the prevailing weather conditions.
As an A-to-B performance car, the Beemer makes for an effective tool, expects 100km/h to come up in less than 5.0 seconds, and for the car to reach an electronically-limited top speed of 250km/h. The ride and handling are also rather confidence-inspiring, with the assurance of all-wheel drive and a lovely handling balance making this an easy car to drive quickly when the mood strikes.
Where things become a bit disjointed is with the pukka driving enthusiast where the synthetic engine sounds piped into the cabin combined with the overly-assisted driving experience will make this just another point and squirt four-door sedan, without any discernible characteristics for those looking for raw feedback from their driving experience.
There is certainly space for a more driver-focussed small BMW based on this architecture, although, at over R900 000 for our press car with options, we couldn't imagine an M2 Gran Coupe to be all that affordable, much as its Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 S rival appears to be setting a new benchmark for how much one can pay for a small performance car.
Verdict
The M235i is a bit of an oddball, catering for a very specific niche, those who are not interested in its cheaper M135i hatchback sibling or the more expensive, but ultimately more satisfying 3 Series. One thing is for sure though, the 2 Series most certainly provides more value for money than its Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 counterpart.
Pricing
BMW M235i xDrive R 795 864
Also worth a look: the BMW Glc and the BMW M3.
FAQ
Q: What does the BMW M235i Gran Coupe cost in South Africa?
The BMW M235i Gran Coupe starts at around R799,000 in South Africa, making it a premium option in the compact performance sedan segment with proper M Performance credentials and all-wheel drive capability.
Q: Is the BMW M235i Gran Coupe worth buying over the Mercedes-AMG CLA 35?
The M235i offers similar performance to the CLA 35 with 225 kW versus Mercedes' 225 kW, but BMW's torque converter gearbox feels more refined than AMG's dual-clutch unit for daily driving, though both cars are closely matched on paper.
Q: How fast is the BMW M235i Gran Coupe?
The M235i rockets from 0-100 kph in just 4.9 seconds thanks to its 225 kW and 450 Nm 2.0-litre turbo engine with xDrive all-wheel drive, making it genuinely quick regardless of weather conditions.
Q: Does the BMW M235i Gran Coupe have all-wheel drive?
Yes, the M235i comes standard with BMW's xDrive all-wheel drive system and features a Torsen limited-slip differential up front, ensuring brilliant traction and surefooted handling in all conditions.
Q: What engine does the BMW M235i Gran Coupe use?
The M235i uses a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 225 kW and 450 Nm, paired with an eight-speed Aisin torque converter automatic gearbox rather than BMW's traditional straight-six setup.
Should You Buy It?
The BMW M235i Gran Coupe is a tough sell at R799,000 when you consider it's abandoned BMW's rear-wheel drive DNA for a front-wheel drive based platform. Yes, it's properly quick with 225 kW and xDrive all-wheel drive, but it feels like BMW chasing Mercedes rather than leading the pack. If you want the best compact performance sedan under R850,000 in SA, the M235i delivers genuine pace and practicality, but purists might want to look at a proper rear-wheel drive M240i Coupe instead. Buy it if you need four doors and don't mind BMW's philosophical shift, but know you're getting a very capable car that just doesn't feel traditionally BMW.
