BMW M235i 2015 review

Many would have you believe that four-seat convertibles are for cruising Hollywood Boulevard, not carving corners. 

Plenty of holiday brochures suggest they’re just about driving slow, feeling the wind in your hair, drinking in the scenery and smelling nature.

So why does BMW build a 2 Series with big brakes, stiff suspension, sticky tyres, a 240kW weapon under the bonnet and no roof? Because the Bavarians know how to turn an ordinary convertible into a sports car. 

Value

The M235i Convertible starts at $85,800, which represents a $5870 premium over the fixed-roof version. 

It’s also a significant $15,300 dearer than its only direct rival, the Audi S3 Cabriolet – though that car has two fewer cylinder and 39kW less. 

On the flip side however, the M235i Convertible is around half the price of the next four-seat performance drop-top in the BMW lineup – the M4. 

Standard features on the M235i include 8.8-inch iDrive display with satnav and Bluetooth phone and audio, reverse camera with front and rear parking sensors, proximity keys with keyless entry and start and adaptive dampers. 

Design

This is subjective, but most will agree the 2 Series is a much prettier car than the old awkward-looking 1 Series it replaced. 

The 2 looks even better as a convertible, with a long deck lid, a strong sense of aggression from all angles and proportions that remind you of the beautiful two-door E46-generation 3 Series. 

Inside, the M235i is a nice place to sit and the red leather fitted to our test car looks great, though some may find the dashboard materials a little lacklustre for an $85,800 car. 

The plastics don't feel particularly cheap or nasty, but the 2 Series is lacking the leather-like dash that Mercedes does on its A-Class models. 

Fire up the turbo straight six and it erupts with a surprisingly enthusiastic flare of revs and a gargle from the dual exhausts. 

The driver's seat could be mounted a little lower for a sportier driving position, otherwise the seats, pedals and wheel feel great. 

BMW sells the M235i Convertible is a four-seater and four adult human beings can fit inside, but the rear pews are difficult to access with the roof up and realistically only adequate for children or short trips. 

The electric roof mechanisms make the rear seats noticeably more narrow and upright than the coupe's.

That rag-top that's robbing your rear passangers of space can be raised or lowered in 20 seconds at speeds of up to 50km/h. 

Safety

The M235i Convertible is fitted with driver and passenger airbags as well as side-impact airbags for the front-seat occupants and roll hoops that automatically fire from the rear headrests if a roll over is detected.  

Because of the convertible roof there are no side curtain airbags, but you do get the usual stability, traction control and ABS systems.

The 2 Series Convertible is yet to be crash tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP. 

Engine / Transmission

The M235i is powered by BMW’s 3.0-litre single-turbo straight six which develops 240kW/450Nm in this application. 

It's the tried-and-tested ‘N55’ engine as opposed to the brand-new ‘B58’ which has the same capacity and outputs and is fitted to the new 3 Series range. 

The big six is connected to an eight-speed torque converter automatic gearbox with paddles which sends drive to the rear wheels.

As standard there’s no mechanical limited slip differential but the stability control systems do a good job of masking this most of the time. A proper LSD is available as an optional extra.  

Combined fuel consumption for the M235i drop-top is rated at 7.9L/100km – the lighter Coupe uses slightly less at 7.6L/100km. 

Driving

Fire up the turbo straight six and it erupts with a surprisingly enthusiastic flare of revs and a gargle from the dual exhausts. 

It’s completely unnecessary, but bodes well for the M235i’s slightly mischievous character as the baby of the M-car family. 

No, it’s not a full M Division model – that’ll be the eventual M2 – but there are plenty of visual reminders that this is no ordinary 2 Series – namely the sixteen M badges littered inside and out. 

The conversion from 2 Series to M235i isn’t just limited to a few badges and bumpers though. You get much upgraded hardware including stiffer suspension with adaptive dampers as standard, big brakes, larger alloys and Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres. 

And of course there’s that 240kW/450Nm turbocharged straight-six engine nestled under the bonnet, and it’s a peach. 

It offers plenty of punch – 0-100km/h in 5.0 seconds – but it’s the flexibility and willingness to rev that really impress. 

In terms of throttle response it doesn’t feel turbocharged, but still has masses of torque down low allowing the M235i to rocket forward with little fuss. 

It makes a lovely noise too. Yes, some of it is artificially piped through the cabin speakers but you don’t really notice and there are still plenty of pops and burbles coming from the twin pipes.  

The eight-speed ZF torque converter automatic gearbox is also predictably brilliant.

In auto mode it’s decisive, smooth and doesn’t suffer from any of the forward-creep issues that often plague dual-clutch manuals – it’s definitely a positive step forward from the old seven-speed DCT used in this car’s predecessor. 

In manual mode it’s a willing transmission that’s quick to upshift, but can be a little reluctant with downshifts preferring to stay in a higher gear than up near the redline.

If you forget to upshift it’ll still do it for you instead of head-butting the limiter. 

The nose is resistant to understeer and being rear-driven, the M235i’s back end can be adjusted with the throtttle.

On the road, the M235i Convertible is a great cruiser that’s comfortable, refined and surprisingly quiet. 

BMW say the convertible is just as quiet as the coupe with the roof up and it genuinely feels it. 

With the top dropped normal conversation is entirely possible up to about 100km/h, though wind bluster even with the windows up will dismantle your hair-do with time.

The ride is smooth and well judged in the default Comfort setting and the steering is light making car park manoeuvres easy. 

It physically feels the right size too. Providing you don't fill the rear seats with people, you won't want for any more space.

Hustling along a winding back road you’ll want the car in either of the Sport settings which bring heavier steering, firmer suspension and a more sensitive throttle while Sport Plus slackens the traction control nannies.

The body control in Comfort can feel a little loose and floaty when pushing hard but Sport really buttons the car down without making the ride feel brittle or uncomfortable. 

The Convertible doesn’t feel 150kg heavier than the coupe - though it is - but you do notice a slight loss of body rigidity primarily over really bumpy surfaces. Otherwise scuttle shake is nearly non-existent. 

Pushing hard, body roll is minimal and the M235i has a pointy front end with plenty of grip that responds well to direction changes.

The nose is resistant to understeer and being rear-driven, the M235i’s back end can be adjusted with the throtttle. In the mid-way traction control setting it’s easy to regain grip and it will get you grinning. 

The Michelin Super Sport tyres are partly responsible for this, but the M235i is a big leap on from old 1 Series in terms of dry weather grip and composure.  

The variable steering feels consistently weighted, with reasonable feedback for an electric system. 

Complaints? Without a mechanical limited slip differential all that torque will occasionally fry the inside rear tyre on corner exit with all the traction off and the Michelins struggle to put power down on a damp surface.