BMW M235i Bests Corvette, 911 In Consumer Reports Road Testing

by Cameron Aubernon

Published: June 30th, 2014

bmw m235i bests corvette 911 in consumer reports road testing

BMW’s M235i has earned the highest marks ever bestowed upon the German automaker’s lineup from Consumer Reports, while also besting the Porsche 911 and Chevrolet Corvette in road tests whose results were recently released online.

Bloomberg reports the coupe earned a 98 out of 100 in its road test, falling one point short of the all-time leaders, the Tesla Model S and Lexus LS460L. The 911 and Corvette, packing more firepower with less comfort than the M235i, earned 95 and 92 out of 100 in their respective road tests.

Deputy editor Jon Linkov proclaimed the M235i a “dual-purpose car” that anyone “could drive to work every day of the week” without leaving the driver in pain, followed by a weekend at the track taking on the likes of the 911 and Corvette. He added that this particular BMW “has almost a direct lineage” to BMWs of the past that lived up to the marketing of “Ultimate Driving Machine.”

Neither of the trio were recommended by the publication, however, as the BMW and the Corvette were too new for reliability reports, while the 911 has below average reliability according to those surveyed.

#911 #BMW #ChevroletPorsche #ConsumerReports #Corvette #Lexus #LS460L #M235i #ModelS #Results #Tesla #RoadTests

Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

More by Cameron Aubernon

Comments

Join the conversation

9 of 33 comments

Detroit-Iron on Jun 30, 2014

"the 911 has below average reliability according to those surveyed" I thought that Porsches were the most reliable cars sold in America, according to CR. Weren't they the "most likely to last 200k miles" according to some really bad math?

Like Reply
- See 1 previous
- Corey Lewis on Jun 30, 2014
  
  Most likely because they're largely put into garages and babied, and never GET to 200k miles. Even old Targas from 1984 only have 65k miles on them now.
  
  Like
- Juicy sushi on Jun 30, 2014
  
  I remember an old used car classic article in R&T that made the case for the old 901 911s being insanely cheap long-term ownership propositions, with proper maintenance. But air- and water-cooled 911s need to be treated as different species.
  
  Like
Vanpressburg on Jun 30, 2014

How reliable is M235i engine? (it is the same engine as one in 335i)

Like Reply
- See 1 previous
- Mjposner on Jun 30, 2014
  
  Same as the 335is (30 more ft lbs of torque, 20 more hp over 335i)
  
  Like
- Dartman on Jun 30, 2014
  
  I'm pretty certain the engine is the same N55 "twin-charged" engine used in the 335i since 2011 with an available BMW "tune" (ecu re-flash) that ups the hp to 320hp and 332 lb/ft. You can buy this factory sold "tune" from any BMW dealer for $800 - $2,000. The 335is was using the old N54 true twin turbo set up that originally had so many problems with the fuel pumps. The N55 has been generally reliable but currently has a recall out for defective/loosening VANOS bolts. To BMW's credit they extended the warranty on all N54 fuel pump issues to 10 years 120k miles. BMW will using inline 6's for the new M3's tuned to 425hp.
  
  Like
Philadlj on Jun 30, 2014

Considering the criteria of the test, I'm not surprised. I've heard nothing but good things about this, the latest spiritual successor to the 2002. But I'd still rather have a 2002.

Like Reply
- Krhodes1 on Jun 30, 2014
  
  I doubt it if you actually had to drive a 2002 every day. I LOVE 2002s, and I have a far higher tolerance for old car shenanigans than the average Joe, and there is no way in heck I would want one as a daily driver. As a nice addition to the garage for pleasure driving, sure.
  
  Like
JohnnyFirebird on Jun 30, 2014

I really liked the 128i's I drove when I was working for BMW. The 135i in a city with roads as crappy as they are here, nawww. The suspension too hard. The 128 just felt nice, balanced, and fun.

Like Reply