I had many negative prejudices about this fwd based BMW, but I honestly changed my mind after this video. The performance is there, and it seems very fun to drive.
Modern cars have lost a lot when it comes to their identities They all look different but similar somehow The dual screen dash layout really destroyed innovation
I've been saying this for so long. Designers got lazy ever since display technologies became advanced. Every dashboard looks the same. It's one of the reasons I feel amongst mid-level cars Mazda has the most identity because of the unique wheel (which is hella comfortable once you get used to it and much less distracting than a touch screen) and semi-analog dash.
You know what the interior reminds me of? If the Elantra N evolved into a modern BMW, this would be it. Even drivetrain and driving dynamics wise. Like if you had an Elantra N and wanted something very similar but with a nicer badge and quality, this is it.
It would be a significant downgrade in performance. 300 lbs heavier, open diff. Definitely a much nicer place to be in but even from this video you can see the understeer. This is definitely more of just a highway cruiser. The Elantra N laps throttle house's track faster than the m340i with a diff. It really can't be compared to a car like this.
I think it looks fine. And its on a platform well known for great handling. Not sure why people are so harsh in this thing. Most complaining cant even afford it.
Most people complaining haven't even driven it. In a word where the compact sedan segment has basically disappeared, this meets that need with practicality and some elegance to it. It's not aimed at the "purist" and tbh, the purists have a snobby mindset believing everything has to be designed for them. Main character syndrome the lot of them.
We had the previous gen M235i xDrive and loved its go cart prowess, but desired more power. Currently, we have the M240i xDrive, which meets our power needs, but miss that go cart feel. I know the answer is the M2, but we have a family, and the M2 only has seating for legless passengers. So have we literally “met” the middle???
Corolla EW? I think you spelled GR wrong. And yes, this kicks the Gazoo out of Toyota. Why’d you think Toyota contracted BMW’s engine for their Supra? And this is coming from a Supra AND BMW owner.
Just saw an email yesterday that TH-cam enabled it. Not sure if it’s a beta release for only a handful of channels or if they’re rolling it out to everyone.
looks and stuff aside, i just dont get why this M-lite gets a DCT while all the full-on M cars get ZF 8spds. not that theres anything wrong with that, its just odd
Not a fan of the design of the front grille and the speedometer and tachometer “bars” seen in the cluster since iDrive 8. Literally any other manufacturer knows how to continue to include circular dials even if they implement digital clusters 🤦🏻♂️ BMWs feel quite smooth and powerful when driving to me. However, it seems like their design has not been so ideal in recent years 😢
If this looked better and had a manual, I'd definitely consider it a lot more. . . I mean, performance- and price-wise this is right in there with the S3, Golf R, Integra Type-S, Euro-spec M135 hatch, etc. Its looks remind me of a worse-looking Ford Focus RS. I don't think it's ugly, but it's definitely ultra bland and econo-box-like. I guess I'd test-drive one if I were in the market for a car like this, but it's a hard sell from just this first impression alone.
You'll never convince me the people who made this car spent ANY time in and around an F22. They should be ashamed of themselves for putting in I4 in ANY X35 BMW. And FWD! What a miserable cash-grab marketed to the ignorant.
Casually having a track to yourself is awesome 😂
Oh man, it was the best!
@@TheTopher It's not a track. It looks like a closed road.
@@xFlared if thats not a track, what am i then
This literally looks like a Kia forte
by the time the forte is at 30, the BMW is at 60
the second he walked around the front i said the exact same thing
Put a K and backwards N on it and I would never know the difference.
Same with the new 5 series. It looks like the Forte GT
also reminds me of some year Ford Focus
I absolutely wasn't expecting that front, even after reading the comments
I don't think it's *bad*, hell of a lot better than the buck teeth at least, but it's, hm. Very funky and reads femme which I wouldn't expect
@@ElliWoelfin the buck teeth are legendary but this ist just ... kia
This has better interior quality then the new X3
I couldn’t agree more!
The high-speed run was really cool to watch
I had many negative prejudices about this fwd based BMW, but I honestly changed my mind after this video. The performance is there, and it seems very fun to drive.
I own the previous gen. The performance is definitely there, and I was coming from a WRX, and Speed3 before.
Read my previous comment. But yes, we LOVED our previous gen M235xi.
You did this legally , all my respect man 💯
This is the reason why bmw is switching designers
where’d you hear that at
@ The previous designer who designed the ugly bmw left
For the last couple of years they have been selling more cars than ever before. Thats why Dukec Was allowed to go from BMW to RR
It was an upgrade/promotion for the designer. RR
They really don’t know what to do with grilles any more
Modern cars have lost a lot when it comes to their identities
They all look different but similar somehow
The dual screen dash layout really destroyed innovation
I've been saying this for so long. Designers got lazy ever since display technologies became advanced. Every dashboard looks the same. It's one of the reasons I feel amongst mid-level cars Mazda has the most identity because of the unique wheel (which is hella comfortable once you get used to it and much less distracting than a touch screen) and semi-analog dash.
Getting the M3's brakes is really cool.
M3 is a parts bin for all other BMWs. its an overkill. No one buys this crap to track it.
@@rforracing I agree with you, but still cool imo.
5:15 poor bug
Looks like the herd has dispenced summary justice on a car they've never seen in metal, let alone driven.
You know what the interior reminds me of? If the Elantra N evolved into a modern BMW, this would be it. Even drivetrain and driving dynamics wise. Like if you had an Elantra N and wanted something very similar but with a nicer badge and quality, this is it.
Honestly that is an amazing comparison
It would be a significant downgrade in performance. 300 lbs heavier, open diff.
Definitely a much nicer place to be in but even from this video you can see the understeer. This is definitely more of just a highway cruiser.
The Elantra N laps throttle house's track faster than the m340i with a diff. It really can't be compared to a car like this.
I think it looks fine. And its on a platform well known for great handling. Not sure why people are so harsh in this thing. Most complaining cant even afford it.
Most people complaining haven't even driven it. In a word where the compact sedan segment has basically disappeared, this meets that need with practicality and some elegance to it. It's not aimed at the "purist" and tbh, the purists have a snobby mindset believing everything has to be designed for them. Main character syndrome the lot of them.
im so jealous at that steering wheel and the paddle shifters
This looks and sounds....fine? But I"m struggling to see how anyone would choose it over an S3.
fr
In my area S3's easily go for more than this does. Really it's competition is the 48K Golf R to me.
The exhaust sounds are intoxicating.
6:51 that 60-0 braking was awe-inspiring. I felt safer just watching him perform it!
Is the speedo in Kmph or did that 4 cylinder hit 144mph in no time? Wow!
MPH!
How'd you get the track!? Guessing it's knowing somebody but if this is something that can be paid for I'd totally try it.
I have a M235 and it's a great car
Great video Topher! Gotta love the track vids!
Awesome car both in appearance and performance color is unique. These little track videos are great !
Looks like a Ford Focus in the front...But performance wise it seems pretty cool
Is this the Integra Type S of the Elantra N? ;)
What in the Kia Forte is this?
now that's some sweet transmission right there, kudos to bmw
what a beautiful car
It looks like a Kia or a Ford Focus? Does your Kia or Ford focus drive , handle or brake like this?
Just the design. Goddamn kia looking BMW.
Being mean to Kia.
Kia looks better
Looks better inside than the new X3.
You should race the Hyundai Elantra N with the BMW Gran Coupe.
We had the previous gen M235i xDrive and loved its go cart prowess, but desired more power. Currently, we have the M240i xDrive, which meets our power needs, but miss that go cart feel. I know the answer is the M2, but we have a family, and the M2 only has seating for legless passengers. So have we literally “met” the middle???
Picked u]up a 2021 m235i off lease with 19k miles
White with red interior. Paid 30k
Love the car. Fun to drive.
This thing eatssss
i never understood why they would put a dct in a m lite and a torque converter in the M cars
that thing looks like a corolla ew
It does....and it actually is an improvement. :D
01:43 That side profile is atrocious. Should be a 2 door coupe only.
@@97Crazysteve considering it's called Gran "Coupe", yeah hard agree...
Corollas are slow, this BMW is better.
Corolla EW? I think you spelled GR wrong. And yes, this kicks the Gazoo out of Toyota. Why’d you think Toyota contracted BMW’s engine for their Supra? And this is coming from a Supra AND BMW owner.
how tf do u have audio language tracks, i need this for my channel real bad 😭🙏
Just saw an email yesterday that TH-cam enabled it. Not sure if it’s a beta release for only a handful of channels or if they’re rolling it out to everyone.
@TheTopher okay!
Will you be reviewing the new MINI Cooper Hardtop soon?
Does it really feel like M?
Nice Supra
please review international cxt
Would have been faster had you put the gear selector into sport mode. You had “D” selected instead of “S”
looks and stuff aside, i just dont get why this M-lite gets a DCT while all the full-on M cars get ZF 8spds. not that theres anything wrong with that, its just odd
The amount of fake engine noise is makes me nauseous.
Yeah it's really obvious. I thought ppl were moving past artificial engine noise but I guess not.
This doesn't look bad, but... at the same time, I'd have a hard time choosing this over the 230i. I mean, the 230i is RWD. Enough said.
I'd say it looks cheap on the inside, but actually I low key prefer this interior to the new X3 interior
I don't get this model. It's super cool. but you get a turbo 4 for M240i pricing. Yeah yeah, 4 doors vs 2. But I just can't do it. Maybe for 42-45k.
Dude, the front reminds me of a ford focus 😳😳😳
Something is saying Rubasu WRX to me when I look at this.
Not a fan of the design of the front grille and the speedometer and tachometer “bars” seen in the cluster since iDrive 8. Literally any other manufacturer knows how to continue to include circular dials even if they implement digital clusters 🤦🏻♂️
BMWs feel quite smooth and powerful when driving to me. However, it seems like their design has not been so ideal in recent years 😢
That design is uhhhh, interesting? Not what I expected at all from BMW. Looks Korean manufacturer ish.
I’m getting this or the Audi s3. But I think Audi will give better incentives then bmw. Hurry up June when I get something
That’s not a coupe, it’s a sedan.
would way rather have this than a typeS/R spending 50k on a honda i cant justify
"For the money" this is a $50k base price compact sedan dude.
As the guys at my local BMW dealership say: Behold, the 2 series gran Corolla.
As much as it looks like a kia forte, at least they had the decency of not putting the pig snout grill on the new m235.
I like corollas. They're actually some of the few aesthetically pleasing cars on the market right now
Corollas look better than this
rear doesnt look bad but the front ewww
I like the front. I’m gonna order one.
If this looked better and had a manual, I'd definitely consider it a lot more. . . I mean, performance- and price-wise this is right in there with the S3, Golf R, Integra Type-S, Euro-spec M135 hatch, etc.
Its looks remind me of a worse-looking Ford Focus RS. I don't think it's ugly, but it's definitely ultra bland and econo-box-like. I guess I'd test-drive one if I were in the market for a car like this, but it's a hard sell from just this first impression alone.
That front ruined the entire car but for the price under 5 seconds is good tho
i’d rather have your mom’s S60 2.4. Even if i have to play CDs. That BMW screen dash looks like it is highly reflective.
Man that thing sounds and drives like a beast
Get rid of lipstick shifters, electronic parking brakes and touch screen everything Bmw…why is everyone jumping on this trend?
Temu BMW with European prices. The design is a miss for me and the interior quality seems to be lacking. Pass. Great review as always!
Rather get a 230i with the proper drivetrain
Correct wheel drive
Yo
Sup
man the fake engine noise is just too much..
That whole thing is one big eww
It has the side profile of a Corolla. That's how BMW copy reliability.
Kia
A bmw under 50k starting price is unheard of these days.
who ever designed the instrument cluster needs to get off the drugs. Worst design ever. Bring back dials!
I really want a C6 or C7 Corvette but some of these BMW's are very tempting..
Looks like a 50k Kia.
Kia’s look good. Good designer
How original
Interior looks horrible 😳
One of the ugliest cars on sale today. Not sure what happened to BMW
You'll never convince me the people who made this car spent ANY time in and around an F22.
They should be ashamed of themselves for putting in I4 in ANY X35 BMW. And FWD! What a miserable cash-grab marketed to the ignorant.
looks horrible imo. Both BMW and Mercedes lost their german identity. They look so cheap and outdated in a couple years.
Cool Kia
It looks like toyota and fwd 🤮 no no for this model.
Not bad looking. a little generic
Damn that thing is hideous
Horrible design
I’m in the minority but I actually think it’s a good looking car.
Looks terrible!
This looks terrible lol as someone who owns an 2015 m235i which has a better engine than this im shocked how they’ve degraded this car.
That thing is ugly as fk 🤣
Why does it look like a Chevy Cruze in the back and a Kia Forte in the front 😭
That's one ugly color
it’s probably a great car but that doesn’t help it when it looks like a shrunk down ford escape
It looks like a ford focus
132 views in 130 seconds? this guy is done for
.....what
Ford Focus euro spec.
Wow they add normal steering wheel unbelievable