2014 BMW M235i Luxury Coupe Review

by Benjamin Hunting

・

September 13, 2014

・

7 min. Reading Time

2014 BMW M235i ・ Photo by Benjamin Hunting

Automotive evolution can be cruel, as the survival of the fittest doesn't necessarily guarantee that our nostalgic memories of yesteryear will be preserved in the pursuit of ever-widening profit margins and market share. Over the course of the past decade BMW has been willing to move away from the connected and direct sport-infused models of its past in favor of the cushy, and extremely popular luxury rides that now populate its showrooms. Still fast, and offering better-than-average handling poise, these cars - along with most of the rest of the premium segment - have seen their sharper edges dulled by heavier, feature-laden platforms and fuel-saving technologies such as electric power steering.

Enter the 2014 BMW M235i. This compact, rear-wheel drive coupe attempts, as best it can, to channel the more frenetic aspects of the brand's history and deliver the kind of sporty experience that was once part and parcel of almost every BMW model. For the most part, it's a success, and the BMW M235i stands tall above lesser entry-level lights such as the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class. It's not without its shortcomings - and it's far from a carbon copy of what we all remember as being BMW's heritage - but the M235i will satisfy anyone willing to put aside the past and move forward into the future of luxury performance.

Models and Prices

The 2014 BMW M235i (MSRP $43,100) is the top-tier trim level in the BMW 2 Series, which starts at an MSRP of $32,100 for the 228i model. The vehicle I drove's list of standard equipment included a leather-wrapped M Sport steering wheel and shift knob, leather seats, dual automatic climate control, Bluetooth connectivity, the iDrive vehicle interface, cruise control, rain-sensitive windshield wipers, 18-inch rims, an adaptive suspension system, a tuned exhaust, power front seats, sporty bright work throughout the cabin, a rear spoiler, adaptive HID headlights, variable-ratio steering, sticky summer rubber, and a sunroof.

My tester also came with the Premium package (satellite radio, ambient lighting, keyless entry with pushbutton start), the Driver Assistance package (parking sensors and a rearview camera), the Cold Weather package (heated seats and steering wheel), Estoril Blue Metallic paint, and the Technology package (navigation system, BMW remote services, traffic info, BMW Apps). The total window sticker for the BMW M235i that I drove came to $49,600 plus $950 in delivery fees.

Photo by Benjamin Hunting

Design

The 2014 BMW M235i is an all-new design.

The BMW 2 Series is intended to replace the now-departed 1 Series and give the automaker a sporty and quasi-affordable point of entry for newly-minted luxury buyers. As such, the apple hasn't fallen far from the tree when it comes to styling, with the 2014 BMW M235i keeping the same silhouette as its predecessor while pushing out its overall length, width, and wheelbase to create a slightly more butch shape for the coupe. More important, at least to my eyes, is the clean-up that's happened along the side of the two-door BMW, which has lost the awkward-looking scallop that weakened the sheet metal of the 1 Series, replaced now by a purposeful arrowhead look that comes to a point just ahead of the back wheel. The M235i also features a much more aggressive front bumper than the entry-level 228i model, along with unique wheels and tiny little M badges - no bigger than a quarter - on the front fenders that honestly made me feel like a bit of a poseur given that the coupe is an M Performance model and not a 'true' M car like the BMW M3.

Open the 2014 BMW M235i's driver's door and you'll find a somewhat plain interior treatment that's in keeping with what's available with the current-generation 3 Series and 4 Series - two BMW models with which the 2 Series shares much of its DNA. That's not to say it's an unpleasant cockpit, but aside from the M badging and silver-toned door pulls and dash appliqué there's not much adornment to be found, and a little too much plastic (especially on the upper door panels). You're feeling the entry-level materials pinch inside the 2 Series.

Photo by Benjamin Hunting

Comfort and Cargo

What’s New:

The 2015 BMW M235i is an all-new design.

One of the consequences of adding an inch to the wheelbase of the 2014 BMW M235i versus the 1 Series has an improvement in interior volume. The reshaping of its roofline has also created some give and take in terms of head room, with driver and front passenger gaining nearly an inch while rear seat riders losing close to the same amount. It's largely academic for the rear two positions, as only children will be comfortable cooped up in the back of this coupe for more than a few minutes at a time. The larger size of the 2 Series does manifest with a sensation of spaciousness that was absent in the 1 Series, however, and that's to the benefit of anyone along for the ride.

One special note about the M235i are its sport seats, which offer inflatable bolsters that can create an almost claustrophobic level of grip on your torso should you desire it. There's a decent trunk included, too, checking in at 13.8 cubic feet and complemented by a folding bench that allows for the transportation of longer items.

Photo by Benjamin Hunting

Features and Controls

The 2014 BMW M235i is an all-new design.

Despite being a fresh model, the 2014 BMW M235i draws from the standard BMW playbook when it comes to its features and controls. There isn't any gear inside the 2 Series that can't be found in other models offered by the brand, which means if you've ever used iDrive before you'll be instantly at home working your way through the M235i's infotainment and communications menus. The iDrive system might not be as intuitive as it should be but it's vastly improved over what it once was, and the rotary controller used to access it on the center console works quite well in conjunction with the shortcut buttons that surround it.

I would have liked more vehicle information displayed on the gauge cluster, as BMW's more traditional LCD screen feels somewhat restricted compared to the TFT panels now available on cars from Cadillac et al, and although the head-up display was useful its data set was similarly limited. Overall, however, it's an easy-to-use package of buttons and dials, and most of the equipment you would want in a luxury car is present and accounted for.

Photo by Benjamin Hunting

Safety and Ratings

The 2014 BMW M235i adds a number of active safety features to the vehicle's equipment list.

As compared to the 1 Series, the 2014 BMW M235i steps up its safety game by way of including the option of a lane departure warning system and a collision warning system with automatic braking that can intervene should an impact be deemed imminent. Neither of these features was available with the 1 Series. The M235i also comes standard with side impact airbags up front, dual forward airbags, driver and passenger knee airbags, and side curtain airbags that run front and rear inside the coupe. Electronic traction control and stability control are included free of charge.

The BMW M235i garnered Top Safety Pick status from the IIHS by scoring 'Good' in every important crash test category. The vehicle has yet to be tested by the NHTSA for crash safety.

Photo by Benjamin Hunting

Engines and Fuel Economy

The 2014 BMW M235i upgrade last year's BMW 135is drivetrain.

Although it's not a carbon copy, the engine under the hood of the 2014 BMW M235i can be thought of as more finely-tuned version of the turbocharged inline six-cylinder unit offered by the BMW 135is in 2013. Capable of producing 320 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque from its 3.0-liters, the motor can be matched with either an eight-speed automatic transmission (standard) or a six-speed manual (no-cost option). My test vehicle was equipped with the latter, and fuel mileage for this version of the M235i is listed at 19-mpg city and 28-mpg highway in this configuration. I saw 21-mpg in combined driving, a lower figure which could be linked to me turning off the disruptive automatic engine start/stop system that comes with the car.

Photo by Benjamin Hunting

Driving Impressions

The 2014 BMW M235i does a fine job of illustrating what's both good and not so good about the brand's current approach to building high performance luxury cars. I'll start with on a positive note by praising the 3.0-liter turbo six sitting under the coupe's long deck, as this engine's supremely smooth torque delivery has you forgetting it's not a large-displacement naturally-aspirated motor until you hear the singing sounds of its snail at the 7,000 rpm redline. Moving through the six forward ratios in the M235i's gearbox reveals an almost endless reservoir of power that surges more than surprises, giving the driver supreme confidence in his or her ability to pass at will, and I was able to hit 60-mph in just five seconds from behind the wheel of the coupe.

BMW has spent a substantial amount of resources perfecting this drivetrain - which is available, in various guises, throughout the company's entire line-up - and the payoff is one of the best engines in the business. There's a nice if somewhat muted soundtrack to go with it too, although I must confess to preferring the sound of the efficient mechanical fury from up front more than the blatted note emitted by the tailpipes (which transforms into a drone at highway speeds).

Where the 2014 BMW M235i doesn't dazzle nearly as much is when the car meets a corner. I want to make it clear that the coupe's road-holding ability is excellent, particularly when the adaptive suspension system is set to Sport or Sport+ mode (each of which also sharpen throttle response), and that it never once had me feeling as though I was at the edge of its handling envelope. That being said, the fun associated with flogging the 2 Series on winding secondary roads was attenuated by the disconnect between the driver's seat and the road below the M235i's sticky tires. There's little visceral thrill on offer from the car's very effective, but unengaging suspension system, which does exactly what it's told to do but doesn't effectively transmit the results through the steering or the chassis. There's no doubt that the car's 3,500 lbs of mass are responsible for some of this attenuated sensation, and its clear that by borrowing much of its platform from the larger 3 Series has led to some dynamic compromises for the compact coupe.

One other incident that I want to mention about my time with the M235i has to do with an engine oil scare that occurred on a longer road trip. While driving, a ding from the on-board computer warned me that engine oil was at the 'minimum level' and that I needed to add a quart immediately. Of course I stopped the car at once, but then ran into the problem of the car's engine not being equipped with a oil dipstick, making it impossible to verify whether the car was actually low on lube or if I was simply dealing with a sensor problem. Compounding the issue was the fact that running the oil level diagnostic program that comes with the car returned the result that everything was in fact fine. I was left wondering whether I should believe either the warning message or the reassuring oil level measurement, as this conflicting data was provided by the same sensor. I shouldn't have to guess. Please add a dipstick, BMW, so I don't grenade an engine in situations like this.

Photo by Benjamin Hunting

Final Thoughts

The 2014 BMW M235i is a very quick car that delivers one of the best drivetrains available to entry-level luxury buyers. Even when paired with the eight-speed automatic, the six-cylinder turbo is a sweet motor that outshines most of its rivals. Naturally, the modest proportions of the coupe will limit its appeal, but if you only need space for a single passenger, or are looking for a weekend car, then the M235i is an appealing option. I am sure that taking the baby M to a road course would reward you with impressive lap times, but I'm not so convinced that you'd enjoy yourself to the utmost in the process, as the vehicle's lack of engaging character adds a certain clinical quality to its driving experience. If you prefer all-out thrills to the lure of luxury, then the near-$50k price point of my as-tested M235i allows for the browsing of more dedicated sports cars.