CAR WARS! Which Small, Sporting, Entry-Level German Do YOU Want To Put In Your Driveway? BMW M235i xDrive vs. Audi S3

CAR WARS! Which Small, Sporting, Entry-Level German Do YOU Want To Put In Your Driveway? BMW M235i xDrive vs. Audi S3
If you have about $40,000-50,000 to spend on a vehicle and you've got a hankering for speed, well, then your choices are sort of slim. Sure, you can pick up a Subaru WRX STI or one of the last Mitsubishi Lancer Evolutions, but if you're an adult you'll likely find yourself cross shopping the BMW M235i and the Audi S3.

While you're not likely to go wrong with either purchase, there is absolutely NO question they're both different animals. And, not in a little way. What I will say is that they are both good representations of their brand.

The Audi is VERY much so a product of the four rings, and the BMW is VERY much so a Bavarian.

But, what does that mean when you put both head-to-head? Well, our friends to the north did such a thing. While I've spoiled the end for you via the italicized text below, I will say the review is a well done one. It's definitely a good reason to give it a read and hear out the reviewer's justifications.

Interestingly enough, I will note that both the BMW M235i and Audi S3 made my annual Top 007 Disappointments list. While I find them to be good cars, I don't feel they're nearly as great as every reviewer is making them out to be. They're overpriced, small and, frankly, in a rich market of offerings you can spend your dollars wiser.


**To read the FULL review, click "Read Article" below!



The Verdict

...

...Any of these cars should make contemporary motoring enthusiasts giddy for fun they provide their owners, without giving up the responsible adult role when needed. These cars are the answer for those of us fearing the revolution, and will help us get through it with huge grins on our faces.

But when it comes down to decision time, it’s the car with the liquid-smooth and gloriously melodic inline six that captivates me the most. The fluid delivery of that near-endless well of power is simply too addictive to pass up. In fact, it’s so good; don’t be surprised to find me scouring BMW’s Certified Pre-Owned listings next year for M235is...


Read Article

cidflekkencidflekken - 3/12/2015 2:57:05 PM
+5 Boost
I'd choose the M235i here. I think they both have equal merits and demerits.


randy3023randy3023 - 3/12/2015 5:44:52 PM
+6 Boost
One's a two door and one's a four door? Why compare a sedan to a coupe?


CarCrazedinCaliCarCrazedinCali - 3/15/2015 4:27:50 PM
+1 Boost
seriously? Similar power, similar size, similar everything but the doors, that's why... Hell, the BMW has more room in the backseat!!! haha


gkearns56gkearns56 - 3/12/2015 5:48:12 PM
+4 Boost
You said they are on your list of disappointments; what would YOU suggest??


Agent00RAgent00R - 3/12/2015 10:18:13 PM
-3 Boost
Personally, I'd rather have an E46 BMW M3 as fresh as I could find OR I'd spring the extra few bucks and get a stripper Audi S4.

I mean that's what these cars are trying to be except they both fall flat.


freeagentfreeagent - 3/12/2015 7:26:45 PM
+7 Boost
M235, without question.


MDarringerMDarringer - 3/12/2015 8:14:58 PM
+1 Boost
Neither.

Jetta GLI


CarCrazedinCaliCarCrazedinCali - 3/15/2015 4:28:10 PM
+1 Boost
lol


iamdabest1iamdabest1 - 3/13/2015 12:29:45 AM
+4 Boost
agentoor, why do you say they both fall flat ? i thought you liked the 235i when you drove it ??


Agent00RAgent00R - 3/13/2015 8:22:22 AM
-4 Boost
001 liked it.

Personally, I found the M235i to be pretty much exactly the same driving experience as a last-gen 135i. That's not an awful thing, but it's far from special and really shouldn't be wearing the M Performance badge.

The S3 feels like a slightly more nimble Volkswagen Golf R that costs $39k. Base price on the S3 starts at $41k. Interior is nice but SO bland. To me, I'd rather get the whole banana — like an S4 — rather than a more stylized VW Golf R.

Just me though.


JRobUSCJRobUSC - 3/13/2015 11:50:37 AM
+3 Boost
"[the M235i] really shouldn't be wearing the M Performance badge."

That's funny, because aren't you the agent who was espousing the greatness of the new Mercedes AMG C450 in another thread just a few days ago? (Hint: that was a rhetorical question -- yes you were.) And you literally JUST said you'd get a stripper S4 in this thread.

So, in your opinion, it's ok for Audi to have S models that slot below the RS and Mercedes to have AMG Sport models that slot below full AMG, and it's ok for them to leverage the recognized naming of their top models to do so, but it's NOT ok for BMW to have an M Performance line that fills the void under the full M's? To summarize your point of view, "Audi and Benz do it, great, BMW does it, well hold on now, that's not right". That's an interesting viewpoint.

You see, 00R, that is what is known as a "double standard". Please explain to me, with even a modicum of logical, non-emotional reasoning, why you'd be chastising BMW for doing the same thing you're totally fine with Benz and Audi doing. I would absolutely love to hear any logic-based argument that doesn't include "because M should mean something" or "BMW is diluting M", etc. Because the only reasoning I can see for you to jeer BMW for an M Performance brand while cheering Audi for S's and Benz for AMG Sports, which are literally the EXACT SAME THING, is "they pay me more to like them" or "because I'm a total and complete hypocrite".


cidflekkencidflekken - 3/14/2015 1:36:21 AM
0 Boost
JRob, that's not the same thing, though. 00R stated that he doesn't feel the M235i's driving experience is special so doesn't deserve the "M" designation. However, he loves the driving experience of the Mercedes C450 AMG, which justifies, to him, the "AMG" nomenclature. The "S" for Audi isn't the full-blown RS model designation, so that really doesn't even apply here. Not trying to be rude, but it's pretty clear and cut to me and I don't understand your confusion.


Agent00RAgent00R - 3/14/2015 1:34:48 PM
-3 Boost
@JRob

Every chance you have to get on your knees for BMW, you do. It's pretty sad actually. By the way, stop trying to put words in my mouth and get BMW's marketing out of yours ;)

Second, what @cid said.

To clarify for everyone, I HAVE NOT driven the C450 but it definitely holds my interest because when I DID DRIVE the C400 it is/was the best-in-breed car in its respective class. I can't imagine the 450 taking a step BACKWARDS when it ADVANCES the product in every way.


Agent00RAgent00R - 3/14/2015 1:57:27 PM
-3 Boost
@JRob

To more directly address your assinine perspective that attempts to connect dots that weren't there, let me walk you through this:

- Any manufacturer can use whatever nomenclature it wants
- The BMW M235i does NOT drive any different than the 135i it replaced thereby it's a poser and invention of BMW's marketing dept.
- An Audi S4 drives significantly different than an A4 and when compared to the next closest RS, the RS5, it is a world apart as well. So, it did earn the right for a badge designating it IS a unique product.
- As noted above I have NOT driven a C450; however, I did drive the C400 — I expect the C450 to only improve upon the C400 and whether or not it earned an AMG Sport badge will be decided only after I drive it

So, rather than insist I have a double standard or claim I am compensated by Audi or Mercedes, UNDERSTAND I am basing my thoughts on driving impressions.

"You fight like a younger man — nothing held back. Admirable, but mistaken."


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