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M235i vs Genesis Coupe

10K views 40 replies 24 participants last post by  Carlman 
#1 ·
So I originally posted this on 2addicts and was wondering y'alls thoughts on this is. Any comments are appreaciated!

"As I near closer to my next car purchase, quite a few people have tried steering me towards a gen coupe. Now I know the Bimmer is more refined, but a 350hp 3.8L v6 with nav, brembos and a torsen LSD for 30k is quite tempting. Any thoughts?"
 
#2 ·
Your asking this on a Genesis forum. 99% of people are going to tell you to get the Genesis. Are you hoping that someone comes up with a horror story about their Genesis and steers you away from it?
 
#3 ·
I would only lease an M235i, as soon as the warranty is up, turbocharged BMW's have had a bad reputation in the past. Always lease a German car. I haven't driven a 2-series yet but just like the 135, 335, M3 etc., I'm sure it's a joy to drive right up until it breaks after a few years.

I wouldn't get a Genesis either though at this point, not with a new model on the horizon.
 
#5 ·
Bmw, this gen, not my cup of tea. Too many negative vibes from friends that own M's (recent and now sold) to family (dad picked up a '14 535 8 months ago). M had lots of electrical issues, my dad after and mom after driving my '14 3.8, albeit VERY different cars and purpose, said they should bought the Genesis sedan and not sure where the $40 THOUSAND MORE went on a loaded 535 (compared to my coupe mind you). Interior frankly is blah with what I call the "horizontal layout". Just looks...dated. The drive is nice, comfy, but harder than my wife's '13 Volvo S60. My friends M was very quick, when it wasn't broken. Interior sucked. I'd stay away from BMW unless you're getting a 7 series. Just my 2 cents. And agreed about Hyundai, while new platform coming out. If I HAD to buy NOW and you want...VERY sporty coupe? I dunno, such a transition time. Audi TTRS.
 
#6 ·
M235ix with a tune will wipe the floor with the Genesis, not to mention just about everything is 90% better engineered.
 
#7 ·
With a tune , etc. whatever. Meh. First hand experience. Yea, it's quicker. Hiwever, like a guy on the 370Z forum, "it's not deal breaker slow." He said that rationalize to a FRS/BRZ. So 20k more, minimum. What's it worth. Same with Audi, merc, ect.
 
#8 ·
Plus not so sure it's "90%" better engineered. Bettet? Yes. Not really grabbing that much though.
 
#10 ·
I'm gonna break down your statement and answer your question for you:

"Now I know the Bimmer is more refined, but a 350hp 3.8L v6 with nav, brembos and a torsen LSD for 30k is quite tempting. Any thoughts?"
BMW = Refined
GC = 30k = tempting
Since cost to performance/features is what's tickling you - it sounds to me like you want to either justify the extra cost of the BMW, or you think the GC is an amazing deal and want to know if there's a drawback.

* If you want an out-of-the-box nice ride and have no plans to modify - you can save the money and lease the M235i and have a very nice driving experience.

* If you want to own and are willing to modify the Genesis to achieve the equivalent out-of-the-box driving refinement of the BMW - purchase the Genesis and use the money you saved to do little things to customize the ride the way you want it, as so many of us have done.

Weighing the Pros & Cons of ownership of both:
* When a boosted BMW goes wrong, it's often a tough one to fix. GC's can be taken to any ol' garage and most problems are super-easily resolved. I haven't taken my car to the dealership for my worst problems - a couple capable garage-hand friends and I have fixed & improved everything on the platform to my liking.

* On the flipside, BMW Maintenance & Repair is included in your lease & purchase - many little things beyond the driver completely ruining something are covered in your payment. You can look at this 2 ways: You could be paying more for repair coverage that you may not actually need - or you could look at it like superior worry-free warranty & maintenance coverage - but it sounds like cost-effectiveness is a key driver in your decision - I would put GC ownership above BMW leasing/ownership for cost effectiveness any day.

* GC stands out on the road as it's own beast - especially if you go Track - those Brembo's & 19's beg for attention and even a little respect. The BMW (as my dad puts it) just looks like every other BMW out there and people don't really notice it. If sleeper status is your thing, maybe BMW.... but if you like a bit of a unique peacock in the streets, go GC 3.8 Track.
 
#11 ·
I'm gonna break down your statement and answer your question for you:

......

* GC stands out on the road as it's own beast - especially if you go Track - those Brembo's & 19's beg for attention and even a little respect. The BMW (as my dad puts it) just looks like every other BMW out there and people don't really notice it. If sleeper status is your thing, maybe BMW.... but if you like a bit of a unique peacock in the streets, go GC 3.8 Track.
This was all really well stated. Nicely done.
 
#14 ·
I'm a huge M fan...


After the Genesis in say-.. 5-6 years? I plan on purchasing one. So be it a M3, 335, M5, etc.



For the price, the Genesis is sweet. The new BMW's are so expensive and over-priced IMO that they make me stray away from them. They're pretty basic, and seem kinda' bland. Still I love the cars though.


Since this topic is comparing the Genesis Coupe to the M235. I would say go with the Genesis Coupe if you like modding your car. If you don't really like that kind of thing, get the M235. Just cause it has some more power.

But, I would say the Genesis in general is a good idea. You won't regret it, I love the car, it breaks necks lol.

And when something breaks down on the gen it doesnt cost 40k! :D
 
#22 ·
I'm a huge M fan
You realize that the M235i is NOT an M car tho right?

I was in a similar situation last week, but it was the M235i vs Mustang GT. I end up biting the bullet and put a deposit on a 2015 Corvette. I didn't, but theoretically if you get the base barebone corvette and you find a dealership accepting credit union discount. The car is only 55k plus tax which puts it in M235i price range. BUT that bare bone corvette and discount is extremely difficult to arrange.
 
#15 ·
I was between a 335i and a GC 3.8L.

I bought the 3.8L, simply because of reliability and comfort. Not saying the BMW isn't comfortable, just saying the ergonomics of the GC, to me, are slightly superior.
 
#18 ·
There's not a single BMW I do a double week with anymore. Except this one...somewhere in my general vicinity there is a PRISTINE yellow Z3M coupe running around. Love that little bastard!!
 
#20 ·
I have leased two consecutive GenCoupe 3.8L Track Editions (manual transmissions) and now I own a 2015 BMW 228i with the M Sport package so I feel qualified to comment in this thread.

I loved both my Genesis Coupes. I found these cars to be quick, very well balanced when driven fast around corners and tremendous value for money. The GCs with manual transmissions are true driver's cars; they have everything a performance car driver wants in a sports coupe and nothing he doesn't. I was sad to hand in my 2013 yesterday but the car is aging now and needs a major refresh (although not to a V8 in my opinion...)

I bought the 228i M Sport after reading some euphoric reviews in the automobile press and test driving the car. I drove a 235i as well but the 228i M Sport can only be a tenth or two slower to 60mph and is better value. This is a very fast car, especially when driven in Sport+ mode with the 8-speed automatic transmission, which is the best engineered gearbox I've ever driven. It's quicker when driven in full auto than using the paddles or sequential shifter in manual mode. It's a fantastically well-engineered car but more importantly, it's an enthusiast's car, not a luxury boat like so many other BMWs. The 235i and the 228i M Sport are very clear statements of intent by BMW to honour its roots as a maker of very fast little sports coupes. Those reviews are fully justified; it's a spectacular car.
 
#21 ·
I keep running into a younger guy that has a white M235i. It's ****ing fast (my car is slow, but I know fast) and it sounds pretty badass with thatever exhaust he has on it. Surprisingly, he had nothing but good things to say about my car and how he always wanted one. But, he works for BMW so he got a good deal on his car so he couldn't pass it up. Quite surprised he wasn't a d-bag like most young BMW owners.
 
#26 ·
m235 with that upgraded n55 engine is a beast. Also, its not so much the engines themselves that have issues, but other ancillary items that people run into issues with. Unlike the GC where it seems everything has been an issue for most. And, most things that are going to go out, go out before the warranty is up, and once the warranty is up, you can always extend it or get a 3rd party warranty for a decent price.
 
#27 ·
'Ive got a friend with the 1 M coupe it wipes the floor with my 3.8. I prefer the handling of my 3.8 v6 to the BMW though, which drives/feels like a car three times its size. The Genesis will incur less cost for mechanical maintenance. The BMW's interior is a class above and will wear much, much better than the Hyundai. I'm waiting to see what actually materializes for the gen III coupes, but I have my eyes on a M3.
 
#28 ·
Coworker got a new F90 M3. I hate to admit it, but it's as close to the perfect "one car garage" car I've ever driven. All kinds of toys to geek out on, extremely comfortable and a whole 'nother level of fast. *VERY* unobtrusive traction control, it's frankly an amazing car.

If the M2 is even close to as competent, I'm seriously considering getting one. That'll free up the Gen from DD duties and give me the time needed to do the LSx swap :D
 
#29 ·
I drove a lot of cars before deciding on my '15 GC 3.8 Rspec. The 2 series was nice. I liked the looks of the Gencoupe better, especially the sides... which is what I walk up to when I get in. ;)
I liked the interior of the 2 series but the mouse/controller thing isn't for me. I don't even like the auto temp controls in my GC... I wanted the usual red/blue dial.
The gauges are silly in the GC... I don't like what they indicate nor do I like the bezel. That could've been an extra cubby for stuff.
All that said, I didn't see the 10,k (228i) or 20,k (235) more driving fun in the BMW. It' good, but not that much better for me.. If anything the BMW felt a little more numb or less connected to the road than the GC.
 
#30 ·
the two are completely different class... for the price of the Rspec, you cant even get the 228, let alone the M235...
like everyone had mentioned, the 235 is more refine than the genesis in almost every bits when is not broken, and seems all the car reviews are positive on the driving portion of things...
but for 30k imo the genesis rspec is still the best bang for the buck, its probably not the best at everything, but its really good in almost everything(looks, power, equipment, etc)
imo if you can fork out the extra money for a BMW, then go right ahead... but the genesis can do almost everything that you'll be able to do in the bmw on a daily basis and still feels good about it, for a fraction of the cost
 
#31 ·
I don't know if I agree with the "different class" statement.. I've owned and driven a wide variety of cars over the past 30 years. They are more the same now than they ever have been. Much like Nascar regulations made cars all the same, government/EPA regulations are doing the same to passenger cars.

I had a budget of up to 45,k to spend on a car. I'll be damned if all I get for 40,k is a 4 cylinder. But that IS all I will get from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes for up to 50,k. Only when get into the 50's do I get a 6. I checked out the Mustang and a Charger... but they didn't fit me. But the refinement is a lot better than I'd anticipated. Only the Dodge seemed a little 'hollow' feeling (like the doors) ... but it drove solid.

Nothing rattles anymore. The Audi Q3 I drove already had electrical problems so I ruled it out. Me and Audi/VW just don't mix for some reason. They fail reliably and spectacularly (for me).

We own a '15 Acura RDX.. very nice car. My coworker owns a '15 Honda CR-V. The Acura is a more luxurious and faster version of the CR-V. Both are very nice... and I can see that the Acura is in a higher class.. but only 'A' instead of 'B+'.

The differences between Kia or Hyundai and everything else I've sat in isn't much... Ever sit in a 2001-2010 Porsche Boxster or Cayman? Kind of disappointing. (A used Porsche was also in my budget) They are very plain and not higher quality materials than my Genesis...

My dash has cool little stitching in it. The seats are phenomenal. Lots of good quality that seems like it'd wear well. We'll see..
BMW isn't doing anything great to impress me.
Mercedes' C300 is in a very high class - that is one beautiful interior... that they messed up with what looks like a 7" Zenith TV on the dash... huge, ugly bezel and all. Just weird. (and it's 42,k w/ a 4-cylinder) If 'adequate' power and gorgeous interior are your requirements, look no further. Nice car to drive too...

I think the homogenizing of cars is evident. You're not going to see much difference in 'class' other than what cache you've assigned to a brand. If you took the badges off all the cars, I'd dare you to figure out what's nicer/better.
 
#38 ·
This is what puts the M235i into a different class if you dont look at the better interior, suspension, quality... This is a $500 tune (PNP and full end user tunable), intake and exhaust. Once the electronic wastegates get figured out, expect 370+



here is a 3.8 with $500 tune (ECU Reflash), intake and exhaust.

 
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