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