[jeremicium]

I just don't get it. The price points are so close unless you get into a zero option M235i. I built equivalently optioned M2 and M235i (minus the $3000ish dollar inferior, port installed M235i LSD), and the price is less than $3000 off. Why would anyone buy the M235i based on these numbers?

This has probably already been talked about, but i've been absent for a while.

[Carnook]

Wait until the M240i comes out. Then this will be an even more interesting conversation.

[pup73]

When I was at the dealer yesterday, the had an M235 convertible for $58k, and a 320i for $48K. A 320!?!

-c

[OrangeCrush]

Originally Posted by jeremicium

I just don't get it. The price points are so close unless you get into a zero option M235i. I built equivalently optioned M2 and M235i (minus the $3000ish dollar inferior, port installed M235i LSD), and the price is less than $3000 off. Why would anyone buy the M235i based on these numbers?

This has probably already been talked about, but i've been absent for a while.

Right now? Availability. Plus, you can actually get a discount on the M235i. I would never buy one but those are the reasons I can think of. If I couldn't get an M2 and stayed with BMW I would get a bare bones M4 over the M235i...but I guess that's what BMW wants.

I also think the M2 will get a decent price hike next year. It's too good of a deal for what you get when comparing to other BMW offerings. Wait until you can get discounts on the M2 (if ever) then it will be even more so.

[OrangeCrush]

Originally Posted by Carnook

Wait until the M240i comes out. Then this will be an even more interesting conversation.

Yeah, the M240i will probably be priced higher than the M2!

[M3 Adjuster]

M2 is currently marketed like the Cayman.

The Cayman Gt4 js what people want. Nearly Unobtainum.
You can find a Cayman GTS, you can Find S

m2 is hard to get.
M235/40 will be available and with a discount
228 also available

[Carnook]

Also $3000 is still $3000. Most people don't need the extra brute of the M2 so why would they pay $3000 for something they don't need or want.

Lastly, there are compromises with the M2 if you're not an enthusiast. The firmer ride, louder exhaust, lack of sunroof etc are all detractors for many people. Boring people, but whatevs.

[neckthrough]

Originally Posted by jeremicium

I just don't get it. The price points are so close unless you get into a zero option M235i. I built equivalently optioned M2 and M235i (minus the $3000ish dollar inferior, port installed M235i LSD), and the price is less than $3000 off. Why would anyone buy the M235i based on these numbers?

This has probably already been talked about, but i've been absent for a while.

Note that people that can't/won't drive stick have to pay 3K more for the DCT on the M2, while it's built into the cost of the M235i. So now you're talking about a 6K net difference, which some may be enough to sway some people over. Factor in adaptive suspension on the M235i, the disconnected steering (which some may prefer), additional color options, and you get a slightly different package targeted at a slightly different demographic with a 6K + discounts lower price, and immediate availability to boot. I don't know, that's all I can think of.

I don't think any 3-pedal drivers will prefer the M235i/M240i over the M2. The 6spd M2 is ridiculous value for money. The audience it appeals to is a more hardcore enthusiast segment and will easily pay the slight premium, and will perhaps be willing to tolerate the limited customizability, delays and dealership shenanigans to get a more focused hybrid road/track machine.

[BMW F22]

Well, IMO it's all about what you prefer: all out sporty or a good blend between sporty and comfort?

An example I have is that I recently was deciding between two road bikes: one that is designed for racing and thus has more aggressive geometry; the other was more relaxed, comfy, yet still very fast (not as fast but fast). They were within $200 of each other.

After riding both I went with the more comfy one. Reason? I don't plan on racing and while it was more fun to ride the race designed version, I could see how it can become uncomfortable during long rides and on rough roads.

Similar thing with M2 and M235. The M2 intrigues me and I'm sure it is a blast to drive. It's not much more than the M235 but do I really need it? The loudness, stiffer suspension, the extra HP, etc. may not be what most people look for.

[jeremicium]

All good points. I know "status" is a big factor for many BMW drivers. I don't see the 235 offering much in the status department that you don't get from a 228. Hell a 320i would still give the entry level status seeker the BMW they want.

I do see that there is a distinction between those looking for a faster, more aggressive non-M, and the enthusiast looking for something more hardcore. It's a fine line though, and I wonder how big the market is. To me it seems like the M2 will cannibalize from the M235i shoppers, never the other way around.

Like OrangeCrush said, i'd be surprised if the M2 didn't get a sizable price hike next year. $56k base model is still a decent deal for what you get.

[AlpsRider]

Discount! I paid $45,800 for my custom ordered $52,120 MSRP priced M235i by doing European Delivery. A fully loaded M2 is $57,395. That makes my M235 $11,595. or about 25% cheaper than the M2 I would have ordered. I'm not saying I wouldn't have ordered an M2 if it had been available but the price difference would have made me consider other options as well.

[Carnook]

Originally Posted by jeremicium

To me it seems like the M2 will cannibalize from the M235i shoppers, never the other way around.

"I'd rather Apple cannibalize Apple than somebody else cannibalize Apple."
Tim Cook

Absolutely there will be some cannibalization between the lines, but it's better to keep them in the brand than to have them buy something else.

[BruceM]

Originally Posted by AlpsRider

Discount! I paid $45,800 for my custom ordered $52,120 MSRP priced M235i by doing European Delivery. A fully loaded M2 is $57,395. That makes my M235 $11,595. cheaper than the M2 I would have ordered. I'm not saying I wouldn't have ordered an M2 if it had been available but the price difference would have made me consider other options as well.

Wouldn't the accurate comparison in this case involve ED on the M2 as well?

[AlpsRider]

Originally Posted by BruceM

Wouldn't the accurate comparison in this case involve ED on the M2 as well?

I guess so, but is anyone getting ED on the M2? When I did my M235 ED they had just taken it off of the allocation list which means that you could order them ED just like a normal order, before that it was on allocation and very few were allowed ED. I believe the M2 is currently on the allocation list.

[Bobdaxx]

last summer I got a stripper ED 235 for 40k exact. Good deal...rwd with the pss tires and heated seats-auto.

That being said there is NO WAY would I purchase a loaded 235 when the M2 is out there NO way. The price points are just too close not to go with the pure M car.

Now back to my original point; 40k for a new 235 is an awesome deal. Ive had the car a year and have had NO issues AT All. Its fast as F, fun and the best 40k of disposable income, that I have not missed, Ive spent. It was a luxury purchase because I wanted it last year ;-) and it worked out great for me.

The 235 is a perfect bridge car for someone like me, 50 yrs old, haven't had a fun car since high school and it has me looking for more in the future-either a pure M or an Alpha R or if cadi can fix that retarded console, the ATSV. But make no mistake BMW got me hooked into their brand with this 2 series.

[AlpsRider]

Originally Posted by Bobdaxx

last summer I got a stripper ED 235 for 40k exact. Good deal...rwd with the pss tires and heated seats-auto.

That being said there is NO WAY would I purchase a loaded 235 when the M2 is out there NO way. The price points are just too close not to go with the pure M car.

Now back to my original point; 40k for a new 235 is an awesome deal. Ive had the car a year and have had NO issues AT All. Its fast as F, fun and the best 40k of disposable income, that I have not missed, Ive spent. It was a luxury purchase because I wanted it last year ;-) and it worked out great for me.

The 235 is a perfect bridge car for someone like me, 50 yrs old, haven't had a fun car since high school and it has me looking for more in the future-either an M or an Alpha R. BMW got me hooked into their brand with this 2 series.

Well my fully loaded price point was $44,800. but my M2 price point would have been $57,395. That is not small change.

[cole3488]

Originally Posted by AlpsRider

Well my fully loaded price point was $44,800. but my M2 price point would have been $57,395. That is not small change.

Dif ? That's another 3k. Regardless I'm over everyone trying to make other people feel shitty about their choice. Want a 235 buy one. Want a m4 buy one. Want a m2 buy one. Each person wants different things in their car that work for them.

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by Carnook

"I'd rather Apple cannibalize Apple than somebody else cannibalize Apple."
Tim Cook

Absolutely there will be some cannibalization between the lines, but it's better to keep them in the brand than to have them buy something else.

Exactly,

As per a poll posted in these forums,

Disappointed prospective M2 owners are more than 50-55 percent likely to settle for an M235/M3 or M4 and about 33 percent opted for Porsche with the remaining percentages scattered among other brands.

[ASAP]

BMW screws themselves in the US by pricing cars in general a bit too close...


the 340i comes very close to M3 territory as well...


In other parts of the world, that price difference is massive.. a full option 3 in my opinion cannot run into a mid option 5.

[atxsk8r]

Originally Posted by OrangeCrush

If I couldn't get an M2 and stayed with BMW I would get a bare bones M4 over the M235i

This!

I would never go backwards and get the cheaper car. I would of been in an M4 if i wasn't able to get an M2

[fun2drv]

That is exactly the reason why I'm going for the M2. My 135i is doing fine, but I looked at replacing it in the future with a M235i and it was about $3K from the M2. Going M all the way!!!

[EternalVendetta]

Originally Posted by AlpsRider

Discount! I paid $45,800 for my custom ordered $52,120 MSRP priced M235i by doing European Delivery. A fully loaded M2 is $57,395. That makes my M235 $11,595. or about 25% cheaper than the M2 I would have ordered. I'm not saying I wouldn't have ordered an M2 if it had been available but the price difference would have made me consider other options as well.

Ditto - I paid just under $45K for my M235i (ED), which also saved me from paying another $180 for some bogus NJ luxury car tax that kicks in at $45K+. I also already had a trip planned to Germany last fall (and my previous car was on its last legs), so the M235i made more sense for me financially.

Granted the delta will shrink a bit when M2's can be had easily through ED as well, but I expect the M2's MSRP to rise a bit more than the M240's in the next MY.