Everyday M
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Everyday M
Affordable performance is becoming rare. Back in the early 2000s, the E92 BMW M3 launched at around R600,000 – today, it’s closer to R2.2 million, putting it out of reach for most enthusiasts.
BMW needed to keep performance offerings on more affordable platforms, so it refreshed its 2 Series Gran Coupe, and it’s a rather peppy four-door sportscar that commands a less gut-wrenching bill. Up front is the B48, arguably one of the most impressive and diverse engines we have seen. It’s a 4-cylinder twin-scroll-turbocharged engine that blends punchy performance with efficiency.
The refreshed M235 adds a bigger turbo setup and better cooling, with an M badge stuck to its rather dynamic rear end. To justify that badge, it needs to be quick, not necessarily supercar speeds, but enough to get the blood pumping off the line. It needs to be dynamic, not as clinically accurate as, say, an M3, and it needs to maintain some semblance of pace through the corners with a little bit of uncomputerised excitement.
BMW’s M235 Gran Coupe is a slightly chunkier version of the straight-six M240i. It’s a 4-door with the same chassis as a 2 Series, and surprisingly, it has a similar weight to the 2-door at around 1,600kg. The result is a 0-100km/h sprint of 4.9 seconds, thanks to 233kW and 400Nm. Power delivery is more progressive than the S58 in the M2, and once the single twin-scroll turbocharger spools up, it all becomes quite exciting.
The addition of two doors and a taller shape raised some initial concerns on the handling front, but taking it for a lap around the Formula K circuit, these concerns were quickly quelled. It’s composed through the corners, while the sharp, consistent braking allows the rear to smoothly rotate into the corners. This certainly helps with getting on the power early on corner exit. It was nowhere near as dramatic as an M3 but rather a smooth dancing act of electronics and all-wheel grip.
But this was never supposed to be a track-focused monster or even an M2; it’s a practically minded performance 2 Series, and the open road revealed the softer ride quality and subdued handling as a brilliant everyday package. Switch it out of sports mode, and the aggressive gear changes become almost unnoticeable; the ride quality is premium and smooth with little to no shock or vibration on the rougher tar. It easily tracks the road at speed, sipping lightly away at its fuel with a tested consumption of 7.6l/100km.
Inside the cabin, BMW’s new interior design language is a hot topic of debate. There are two mindsets: one that believes in screens and colourful lights for a premium driving experience, while the other appreciates the traditional analogue instrument cluster for decreased distractions and increased driving focus. As much as I tend to lean towards the latter, I’m of the opinion that BMW is leading the way in modern infotainment. Each driving mode is met with an intricate design that allows for easy information readouts in sports mode, with a more simplistic design in normal driving modes.
It is a driver-focused experience, with an angled screen geared towards the driver and a pretty impressive heads-up display that assists in quick readouts without taking your eyes off the road. Only this Gran Coupe is designed for those who want the smaller and more affordable performance package but still want to retain some family-friendly characteristics. Unsurprisingly, the legroom in the back isn’t overly impressive, but it does suffice for taller passengers on shorter road trips. It is quite cramped, but it isn’t overly uncomfortable.
It’s simplistic with several finer details, such as the BMW M-inspired red, blue, and white stitching and colours found in the seats, steering wheel, dash, and doors. It’s still quintessentially BMW with leather seats and darker aesthetics, only it now has a stylish 10.7-inch screen with smooth Apple CarPlay and Android Auto pairing.
As for the affordability factor, it’s priced at R1,043,100 and competes with the Mercedes-AMG A35 Sedan and, to a lesser extent, the VW Golf 8 R, both are which are also all-wheel-drive. The A35 costs the better part of R100,000 more, at R1,173,973, and offers a comparable driving experience. The Golf comes in at a more competitive R1,016,600, yet it still lacks in comparison when we talk about premium feel, aesthetics, and excitement behind the wheel. This makes the M235 a well-priced car that beats its competitors in performance for the price. It’s also nearly R200K cheaper than its M240i sibling, which, naturally, also comes with added performance credentials.
The BMW M235 Gran Coupe surprised me. I was expecting a slightly top-heavy and not overly well-thought-out 2 Series, only I couldn’t have been more wrong. It’s rapid off the line thanks to xDrive, it’s sharp in the corners, and it’s comfortable on the open road, all while retaining some form of frugality. Some sound is force-fed through the speakers and it’s softer than I would have liked compared to the likes of the M240i, but for the price it’d be a tough ask to find something as exciting and usable.
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