Why The BMW M235i Is The Perfect Coupe For UK Petrolheads

When CT editor Alex drove the hottest version of BMW’s pint-sized coupe in Spain, he was jolly impressed with it. The thing is, when you’ve got silky smooth Spanish mountain roads to yourself, that’s likely to enhance any driving experience. So we needed to see how the M235i fared when tackling a more challenging environment: a sopping wet road in rural Britain so pot-holed and broken up, it makes the surface of the moon look polished.

Considering all the hype around the M235i, it may surprise you to learn that there are things not to like. The interior, for starters. I’ve sat in worse cabins, but there are quite a few nasty plastic bits kicking around. And the fact that the sat nav screen looks like it should fold (but doesn’t) is a bit naff. In a car that costs around £35k, it’s a little dissapointing, especially considering the Audi S3’s stunningly made and highly functional interior.

And then there’s the gearchange. Don’t get me wrong, in a world where performance cars increasingly come with dual-clutch automatics, it’s pleasing to get in a car with a proper, six-speed manual gearbox (an automatic is optional). But the change is particularly notchy and impresice, with quite a long throw.

I’m also not sold on the looks. It’s a handsome thing from the front and sides, but from the back you get a weird, high-waisted look thanks to the fat bumper, which isn’t exactly improved by the oddly-shaped light clusters that sit above. A quick search of the internet and/or heated argument with my colleagues shows that I’m pretty much alone in thinking this, but I prefer the clean lines of the old 1-series coupe the 2-series replaces.

It doesn’t take you long to forgive the negatives, however, as the M235i has a lot of plus points. One of the biggest is the stunning N55 3.0-litre twin-scroll turbocharged straight-six engine. It kicks out a meaty 322bhp and 330lb ft of torque, which gives the coupe a 0-62mph time of five seconds dead, and an electronically limited top speed of 155mph. But quoting figures is a little irrelevant, it’s all about how this six-banger feels. And that’s incredible.

It’s one of the best engines fitted to any new car

It’s silky smooth, pulls well throughout the rev range, and sounds absolutely belting. Don’t let the addition of a turbo worry you, that delectible BMW straight-six howl is very much present. It’s not just one of the best engines BMW produces, it’s one of the best engines fitted to any new car.

This being a BMW, things get even tastier in the corners. The sharp and direct steering, coupled to the car’s small dimensions mean you’re really able to throw it about. Even in soaking wet conditions, grip levels are superb; it feels incredibly flat and planted. Engaging Sport Plus mode lessens the traction control intervention making the rear tyres a little looser, but the M235i still corners confidently enough to leave you unworried about pitching backwards into the nearest hedge.

What’s more surprising is how comfortable it is. With this being at the sportiest end of the 2-series spectrum currently, I was expecting a firm ride, but it’s actually rather smooth, gliding over rough British roads with commendible grace. The suspension could easily be firmed up a reasonable amount before I’d start complaining. The seats are incredibly comfortable too, and considering the official 37.2mpg combined economy figure, it makes for a fine grand tourer.

Our UK drive of the M235i has confirmed something we’d been hoping to be true for a while: this exceptional machine really is about as perfect a car can be for UK petrolheads. It has a loveable old-school feel to it that’ll leave you wanting to come back for more every time you leave the driver’s seat. And just think, this isn’t even a full-on M car, being from the ‘M Performance’ sub-brand, rather than M Division. Just imagine what the eventual M2 will be like.

It has a loveable old-school feel to it that’ll leave you wanting to come back for more

For now, though, I heartily recommend you get out and try one of these cars for yourself. If you don’t immediately fall in love, there’s something wrong with you.