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BMW M235i/M240i [F22] (2014 - 2021)

The independent BMW M235i & M240i (2014-2021) video review

This is a sample, showing 30 seconds of each section.

    SMALL BUT FIERY (some text hidden) SECTIONED_bmw_m235i_170914

    By Jonathan Crouch

    Introductionword count: 67

    BMW coupes used to be all about compactness, lightness and rapid responses. This one still is. The Munich brand has really come good with the M235i, a cracker of a little performance coupe that packs a 326bhp punch, is priced keenly, looks the part and, unlike pricier BMW performance models, is still available with a manual transmission. With this car, the game just changed for the better.

    Modelsword count: 3

    2dr Coupe (M235i/M240i)

    Historyword count: 377

    Back in 1985, BMW launched a car called the M3. There was nothing else quite like it, a racer for the road with four seats and everything Munich knew about motorsport technology plumbed into the lightweight engine beneath the bonnet. Driving it was a living, raw, involving experience - in a way that today's sharp-suited M3 can't quite duplicate, for all its extra power and sophistication. But here perhaps, is a BMW that can, the M Performance versions of the brand's 'F22'-series first generation 2 Series Coupe and Convertible models, badged 'M235i' from 2014 to 2017 and 'M240i' from 2017 to the end of production in 2021. Though the suspension, the engine and the handling all benefit from the expertise of the company's famous M division, the Munich maker insisted that this wasn't an official 'M car'. Instead, it was an example of the new breed of interim 'M Performance' variants the brand introduced earlier this century to bridge the price and performance gap between standard fast BMWs and the all-out M series models. The most obvious example of such a car was this one's direct predecessor, the much-loved 1 Series M Coupe, 6,000 of which were produced between 2011 and 2012 and which attracted such a following that a successor in the brand's first generation 2 Series coupe line-up that came fresh to the market early in 2014 was essential. The M235i variant was it. By 2014, coupes like this were getting even-numbered model designations within BMW's line-up, but in every other way, this car was a direct replacement for that hottest version of the old 1 Series Coupe. Tick off hotshoe handling, a 3.0-litre straight six turbo engine and rest to sixty two supercar-style in under five seconds. Yet this car will comfortably seat four adults, has a big boot and an easy-going daily temperament. It could, in other words, be all the sports car you'll ever need. The 'F22'-era 2 Series Coupe was facelifted in 2017, which was when the 326hp M235i made way for the 335hp M240i. The 'F22' range was replaced by a second generation 2 Series Coupe model in late 2021 only offered in fixed-top form, but the Convertible F23 range, with its M240i derivative, carried on for a little longer.

    What You Getword count: 623

    You'll need to know the 2 Series Coupe range quite intimately to instantly appreciate the difference between the M235i or M240i and a standard model merely fitted with M Sport trim. The giveways that this is this is the potent six cylinder version include M aerodynamic body styling, Ferric Grey airblades, twin chromed tailpipes, an M rear spoiler and lovely 18-inch M Double-spoke alloy wheels. Move inside and you step over door sill finishers with the 'M235i' or 'M240i' logo and take your place on a low-slung sports seat with classic M-style upholstery seams. It positions you perfectly in front of a grippy M leather steering wheel with multifunction buttons and there's also an M driver footrest. Sporty 'Aluminium Hexagon' trim and an Anthracite headliner both aim to generate the appropriate atmosphere and the M-branded instrument cluster has a specific dial design and fine chrono scales. There are nice little extra touches too, like the way that the interior lighting can be set to exclusive orange-red or white colours. Otherwise, the cabin will hold few surprises for existing BMW owners. Though there are a few plastic panels that feel quite hard to the touch, overall, the high quality materials and solid construction impress and it's this general classiness that makes it all feel special rather than any stand-out detailing. What we think the brand is very good at is deciding what functions should remain as dashboard buttons - like the ventilation and stereo controls - and which ones should be squirreled away into infotainment system menus, in this case an iDrive set-up which is one of the very best of its kind. Rear seat passengers meanwhile, will be grateful for that boxy shape. It's certainly more spacious in the back than a more swoopily-styled rival would be, even if legroom remains in somewhat short supply, despite the fact that it increased by 21mm over the old 1 Series M Coupe. Still, adults who aren't too lanky should be able to squeeze themselves in reasonably comfortably with a bit of co-operation from those ahead, provided that the folk in front aren't basketball players and the journey isn't too long. Though only a couple of people can be accommodated, a stowage compartment is provided in between and there's a cockpit-like feel to these two chairs that rather suits the character of the car. Most of the time of course, you'll be using these seats to sling briefcases, jackets or designer shopping bags onto - or indeed folding them down to increase boot space. There's more of this than you might expect too. More in fact than you'd get in a supposedly more practical five-door BMW M135i Sports Hatch from this period. In fact, the 390-litre total cargo area capacity is 20-litres up on what the old 1 Series M Coupe could offer, which means that even before you start pushing forward the 60:40 split-folding rear bench, you've got more space to play with than you would in an everyday Focus or Golf family hatchback. No other compact coupe competitor can match this and some are way behind: we're talking around 30% more luggage space than you'd get in a Volkswagen Scirocco from this period for example. Plus there are cargo nets to tie your shopping down so you'd don't have to worry about attacking a few of your favourite backroads on the long route back from the supermarket. The 60:40 split-folding rear bench just mentioned is standard but new buyers were offered the optional extra flexibility of a 40:20:40 three-way folding arrangement with a Through-loading facility for long items like skis. In other words, though in choosing this BMW, you'll have bought yourself a coupe, it's not a car without a certain level of practicality.

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    Category: Sporting Cars

    Performance
    70%
    Handling
    80%
    Comfort
    80%
    Space
    70%
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