CAR WARS! Family Edition: WHICH All-New BMW Is The REAL Successor To The M3 Coupe? Alpina B4 vs. M235i vs. M4

So, what happens when there is a HUGE void left to be filled and there are not one, but THREE choices to suit your need? For starters, you have one helluva showdown between several Bavarians.

Of course the obvious car is the all-new M4 that follows the E92 M3. To me, it's a bit retarded to consider the M4 not an M3, but I digress. Let's just see how this one plays out.

The second entrant is the BMW M235i. It's been getting a lot of love from all corners of the globe, yet, I despise it. Go figure. Its size is more or less closer to the great E46 M3 and is far more simple than the other two players in this game. But, does it really have what it takes? If you ask me, no. It feels like a standard BMW and not like a real M car.

Last, but certainly not least, is the Alpina B4. As far as I know don't count on seeing one make it here in the States, but once and a while BMW will surprise you. Alpina's work isn't that of some half-hearted tuner. You have to remember that BMW does recognize Alpina's work and actually has sold its vehicles through BMW retailers here in the U.S. That says something. Could it have built the BEST successor to the M3 though?

Well, get ready to read it and weap. The results follow...


Autocar's verdict:

...If there’s a shock, it is that the M4 comes last. It looks great and, whatever the numbers say, is clearly the quickest from point to point. But although it has the most power, poise and grip, there’s a price to be paid in ride, refinement and the fact that it’s just not as reassuring to drive really fast as this kind of car should be.

It’s beaten by the Alpina because where the M4 is better, it is not by much; and in those areas where the B4 has the upper hand – comfort, civility and on-the-limit friendliness – its advantages are decisive.

But not so decisive as to provide a convincing reason to spend the extra over our eventual winner, the M235i. It might look like the poor relation in photographs and on the spec sheet, but out there where it matters in the real world, it doesn’t feel that way at all, especially when you consider the price gulf between them...
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skytop - 8/23/2014 5:21:20 PM

+4 Boost

Vanilla, chocolate, strawberry or tutu-fruiti?? Your choice.

JRobUSC - 8/23/2014 9:44:00 PM

+3 Boost

"The second entrant is the BMW M235i. It's been getting a lot of love from all corners of the globe, yet, I despise it. Go figure. Its size is more or less closer to the great E46 M3 and is far more simple than the other two players in this game. But, does it really have what it takes? If you ask me, no. It feels like a standard BMW and not like a real M car. "

Hey, smart guy, it's NOT an M car. Do you "despise" Audi S models because they're not RS models? That's moronic -- then just get the RS, genius. If you want an M version of the 2-series, get the M2. It's coming. In the meantime the M235 is a pretty fantastic "regular BMW", and better than several "real" S, RS, and AMG models. That's pretty great for just a lowly "regular BMW".

Agent00R - 8/24/2014 6:23:54 AM

0 Boost

Pst. If you didn't notice, everyone has been calling this the 1M replacement because it wasn't known until recently that an M2 was on the way.

No way this can hang w/ the 1M and absolutely no way this can outdo the all-new M4.

And now BMW's taken it to a point where it is SORT OF an M car as it is an M Performance model. So, yeah. It wears an M badge and is considered an M Performance car but it's not an M car? Makes you look pretty stupid that a car called the M235i is not an M. Just sayin'

JRobUSC - 8/24/2014 8:19:35 AM

+3 Boost

Actual testing has shown the M235i does, in fact, perform virtually identically to the 1M, so no matter how many times you emotionally plead "no way it hangs with a 1M!!!", the reality of the situation is "you're wrong". It's a "sort of M" in the same way an Audi S is "sort of an RS". Do you have problems with S-Line, AMG Sport Packages, and M Sport Packages too? Those would seem to be more egregious than creating an actual performance line (which again, unless you're a hypocrite, you'd have up chastise Audi for as well). "Despise" the name all you want, just understand the problem is with you, for holding BMW and M to a different standard than everyone else. The M235 is an outstanding car, regardless of the name. So imagine how good the "real M" is gonna be.

ParadoX - 8/23/2014 11:30:06 PM

0 Boost

The ATS. It may have a crappy transmission, but the handling and feeling are phenomenal. It gives you the feel that you would expect from previous generation M3's.

cidflekken - 8/24/2014 6:22:38 AM

+3 Boost

The 2 Series looks so much better and more mature than the previous 1 Series. BUT, it still looks too toyish. Like a chihuahua.

iamdabest1 - 8/24/2014 9:52:47 PM

+1 Boost

the m4 is better i think in every way, ESPECIALLY in the looks dept. the m235i is good enough for most of us, it isnt a real M but its just very close and incredible for the price, just wished it looked better but no worries, the M2 is coming.