Man, I miss my S65...

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

The 235 is a hoot to drive, comes in xdrive and fast as hell too. But I might just have to go back to E9x when this lease is up...

I really miss the S65 experience.

I can take my time finding a one owner with extra low miles and some maybe tasteful mods...I know they'll be a tech price to pay. Anyone go back a generation and regret it?

[Arben]

On the other hand I had an m235xi as a loaner for my m3 and I liked it. Just would never trade the m for it. Just feels choked up for some reason.

[Transfer]

Since about 3 months into my M235i lease I've been saying the exact same thing. Only 26 more months to go! :

I did go out for a raucous drive yesterday though and I will say that my M235i is probably the most fun car I've had but the S65 M3 was by far the most exciting car I've had. The M235i is faaantastic, but it's no S65 M3.

[E46M3forRay]

I've Driven the new 340i and 435i both with M performance equipped, it just isn't the same hopping back in to my e90 m. Both cars didn't give me the "oh shit" feel where I would turn around and immediately trade my car in. M cars generally on another level. S65 is really that special and definitely a keeper. Hard to look at another car that can easily replace it.

Enjoy the lease and that 235i for now. Hopefully you'll snag an e9x M by end of lease.

[STooK]

One of the members here had a M3, sold it for a 235i, regretted it and returned to the M3 a few months later.

I agree with you on the S65. I've driven my share of turbo BMW engines and they are great. Loads of low end power but at the same time pretty economical. But they get boring very quick and they run out of breath after 5500 rpm. I love how the S65 just pulls and pulls and pulls all the way to 8300 rpm.

Even though there's an "M" in front of the 235, it's by no means an M car. M cars feel and drive differently and at the same time has a certain presence on the road. You'll be back in one in no time.

[crypticc]

M235 and m335 are known to be branding exercise previously known as m sport.

Why don't you hold out and try a m2?

[modkrazy]

M2 is comparable performance to the E9x, but given that the two cars cost roughly the same (or M3 is cheaper), seems a poor choice unless you're in need of long-term warranty or the latest navigation software.

The M3 has a number of issues, but the S65 is definitely my favorite part. Given a nice set of pipes (full Dinan in my case), I play with the engine like a musical instrument. Radio still stays off 90% of the time after 5 years with this car.

[Flying Ace]

so...why'd you sell it?

[lve2xlr8]

I "upgraded" a 997.1 Turbo and didn't really care for it. Went back but this time to an e90. Best choice I've made

[Installsplus]

I'm pretty sure u can back into another e90 or e92. Prices have come down a lot of clean titles out there but I wouldn't wait to long. I am trying to find a clean e46 cab and they are all in rough shape with high mileage.

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

Originally Posted by Installsplus

I'm pretty sure u can back into another e90 or e92. Prices have come down a lot of clean titles out there but I wouldn't wait to long. I am trying to find a clean e46 cab and they are all in rough shape with high mileage.

E46 Cab was my first true "M" car...Loved that one too.

I've been damn lucky to have owned 2 of the past 3 generations of M3 and 3 different V8's along the way too

[Installsplus]

Originally Posted by Midwest M235i

E46 Cab was my first true "M" car...Loved that one too. I've been damn lucky to have owned 2 of the past 3 generations.

Yup same here I had a mint e46 M coupe and so regret selling it. Not easy trying to find a clean one. Gluck on ur search I would definitely get back into the s65. Such a beautiful engine. Even my Bmw salesman told me to keep my car. The only car I would truly trade it in for is a 911 turbo and that's about it!!

[e46e92love]

Newer ain't better....sometimes it takes a mistake for people to figure that one out.

Cheers,
e46e92

[GO-RAN]

I love my E92 also. Miss my old E46 M especially when I see a LSB on the road. That feeling when I first seen My previous LSB/LSB will never be replicated.

Next car for me will hopefully be a 997 GT3 .

[/Rock//It///M]

I miss my s65 too. But its only for a few hours while working. Then I get to drive a really great car again. Also had an E46M and that was my favorite commuter car until my E90.
I love running errands with this thing. Anytime someone at home needs something. I'm the first one to say i'll get it, with keys in hand.

The E9x M's are trully one of the best all around performance cars made.

[Three Pedal Steve]

Does the M4 have exhaust sound piped in through the radio? Did BMW record the S65 engine sound as a model?

If it wasn't for the tightening CAFE mileage requirements I think the new cars would still be NA vee-eights.

[Haywood]

Originally Posted by Three Pedal Steve

Does the M4 have exhaust sound piped in through the radio? Did BMW record the S65 engine sound as a model?

If it wasn't for the tightening CAFE mileage requirements I think the new cars would still be NA vee-eights.

Yes, but what bothers me is why are the American car companies still putting NA V8's in their cars? They are under the same CAFE laws.

[basic.sportscar]

Originally Posted by lve2xlr8

I "upgraded" a 997.1 Turbo and didn't really care for it. Went back but this time to an e90. Best choice I've made

This.
I am a Porsche guy at heart and have a Porsche "family" car. Every time my salesman gets me in a 911 iteration, I love it, but not enough to replace the E90. I also really like to drive the M3, which means that I occasionally take my kids in it. So much easier to do in the M3.

[burnrbr]

I love the driving experience in my E90 M3. It just feels so right. There are newer cars that are faster in many ways, but they can't beat the driving sensation of a E9x M3.

[modkrazy]

Originally Posted by Haywood

Yes, but what bothers me is why are the American car companies still putting NA V8's in their cars? They are under the same CAFE laws.

They have to comply with European and American regulations. Europe taxes on volume, which is why even the S65 was a relatively puny 4L.

[Rajmun340]

Originally Posted by modkrazy

They have to comply with European and American regulations. Europe taxes on volume, which is why even the S65 was a relatively puny 4L.

Not due to CAFE, but to bmw new engine manufacturing cost cutting strategy with one generic engine used across ALL models, ALL vehicle types (1,2,3,4,5,6,7, series, sedan, coupe, SUV, roadster) and ALL M or non M cars, All using the same 3.0L generic boring engine with variations in the turbo design and some cheaper parts internals variations. If the motorsport division still exist it is only for marketing reasons. Welcome to bmw post 2007

[mharris2007]

Originally Posted by Transfer

Since about 3 months into my M235i lease I've been saying the exact same thing. Only 26 more months to go! :

I did go out for a raucous drive yesterday though and I will say that my M235i is probably the most fun car I've had but the S65 M3 was by far the most exciting car I've had. The M235i is faaantastic, but it's no S65 M3.

Swap a lease now and get back to the V8!!