F44 M235i xDrive Gran Coupe — FWD-based platform, is it still a real BMW?

about 2 months ago· 2 posts

The F44 M235i is a controversial car. It is based on the UKL2 front-wheel-drive platform shared with the Mini, which makes BMW purists uncomfortable. But with 306hp from the B48 engine and xDrive, it is genuinely quick. I have owned mine for a year and 18k km. Here is my honest take: Pros: - Very quick in a straight line — 0-100 in 4.9 seconds - Excellent daily driver — comfortable, practical, good fuel economy - B48 engine tunes well — stage 1 brings it to around 350hp - Looks great in M Sport trim Cons: - Steering feel is not as good as RWD BMWs — it is precise but lacks feedback - Torque steer under hard acceleration in wet conditions - The xDrive system is front-biased, which feels different from traditional BMW xDrive - Interior quality is a step below the 3 Series For the money, it is a lot of car. But if driving dynamics are your priority, the G20 330i with RWD is a better choice. The M235i is more of a fast comfortable compact than a drivers car.

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Replies (2)

Marina

29 days ago#1

Had the F44 M235i for about a year now. The B48 makes solid power with a stage 1 tune — seeing around 320hp on MHD. The xDrive system handles the extra torque well, no traction issues even in wet conditions. The 8-speed Aisin gearbox is the weak link compared to the ZF 8HP in RWD models — shifts are noticeably slower. If you are cross-shopping, the G42 M240i with the B58 is a much better platform for tuning, but the F44 is significantly cheaper used.

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Norbert

28 days ago#2

The F44 gets overlooked but it is a solid daily. I did Bimmercode mods on mine — digital speedo, sport display, disabled auto start-stop default, and exhaust burble in sport mode. Makes the car feel much more engaging without touching the engine. For anyone considering the M235i, check the rear diff mount bushings around 60k km — they tend to wear out and cause a clunk over bumps. Easy DIY fix, about 80 EUR in parts.

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