BMW 235i: a touch of M

By Jeanette Ipapo-Tuason February 11,2015
THE M235I is a no-fuss, all-fun driving machine.   Photos by Jeanette Ipapo-tuason

THE M235I is a no-fuss, all-fun driving machine. Photos by Jeanette Ipapo-tuason

Beauty always comes with a price. As Britney sings it, “You wanna hot body, You wanna Bugatti, You wanna Maserati, You better work b–ch.”

 

For us women, having a hot body means going to the gym and working out like a gladiator while eating a slave’s portion. It’s wearing killer heels, painstakingly putting on sunblock, and carefully breathing in to not risk popping out of a supertight Herve Leger bandage dress.

 

Men have their versions of what is popularly tagged as #tiisganda, or simply, “suffer for beauty.” They suffer the uncomfortable ride of their sports car and its lowered suspensions, high profile tires and “my mags is larger than your mags” wheels.

 

ENOUGH room for regular-sized passengers in the back

ENOUGH room for regular-sized passengers in the back

They also suffer the loud, cranking sound brought about by reduced sound-deadening panels to lighten the car and the modified large exhausts just to arrive in style. Maybe, the latter feature does not bother them anymore because they have mastered the art of tuning out when their wives are talking.

 

I remember my hubby’s first sports car: It was a struggle to get in and out, plus the washing-machine feeling when you’re inside. It totally turned me off from sports cars. While I found the outside really sexy, I would image soap bubbles coming out of my mouth when inside. This quickly made me go back to my SUVs.

 

Two for one

 

When BMW changed its nomenclature for coupes from odd to even numbers, the M235i replaced the 135i coupe. The 1 Series’ claim to fame has always been its being a pocket rocket. Its halo model, the 1M, enjoyed the praise from sports car enthusiasts with its compactness and speed feel of a bigger engine automobile. However, it came in a manual transmission.

 

The M235i, however, is an automatic with a 3-liter, six-cylinder turbocharged engine that sounds fantastic. It is basically a no-fuss, all-fun driving machine. No heel and toe, speed and transmission matching, and no more gears to figure out.

 

Just beauty, no suffering

 

The cockpit of this sports car leans towards the comfort zone. Instead of the usual permutation of a bucket seat, the M235i comes in full leather padded seats but has the right amount of “hug” when its spiffiness comes to play.

 

FRONT grille

FRONT grille

The configuration of passenger space is basically apt for two basketball players in the front, and two children in the back. Or if you have regular-size people occupying the front, then you can put two regular-size individuals in the back.

 

The boot space is no issue. It’s big enough to handle a week of grocery for a family of five, or two golf bags. Although I’m not a big fan of the silver plastic trim, the overall effect still gives the same allure as all the M vehicles that I have tried, such as the M5, 1M and M4.

 

LED headlights

LED headlights

The M235i is not a full-blown M, which comes with a heftier price tag. However, it comes with M sport brakes, M leather steering wheel, multifunction and paddle shift for the steering wheel, and an adaptive M suspension, which configures as the M sport performance vehicle.

 

It’s a sort of in between a regular BMW car and its M version. But don’t let this fool you. When it comes to performance, this car delivers. It has speed similar to the 1M’s 340 horsepower, compared to the M235i’s 326 HP.

 

THE COCKPIT leans towards the comfort zone.

THE COCKPIT leans towards the comfort zone.

It has a no-lag, all-response brake and acceleration, which needs a bit of getting used to especially if it’s your first sports car. It also pleases jaded drivers: For them, it’s a no-fuss, fun drive that is the result of softer suspension, making it very nimble and forgiving in corners. Plus of course, it has lots of power.

 

In terms of safety, it comes with the usual ABS, DSC, traction control, airbags everywhere, follow-me-home function and run-flat tires with indicator on its 18-inch M light alloy wheels.

 

18-INCH M light alloy wheels

18-INCH M light alloy wheels

You also enjoy automatic two-zone air-conditioning, rain sensor, automatic daytime driving lights, a parking sensor, automatic start/stop function, keyless engine start and an on-board computer.

 

In summary

 

If you’re in a market for a sports car, and “suffer for beauty” is not part of your creed, then this one is a strong contender. Being the first of its name also adds to the allure of this two-door coupe.

 

It’s a great everyday sports car, which will perform well on both track and road, without having to shell out money for the weekly chiropractor.

 

Expect to pay P4.9 million for the convenience though.

 

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