M235i 'manual' questions

[viceroy]

Morning guys,

I'm currently driving a late 2015 228i auto, which I really like.

The only things which bug me a tiny bit are the auto box, but that's just because I don't like auto in general. I tend to drive in "Sport - Manual" mode.
The other thing is the lack of power, which is no fault of the car at all, just my own bias, having previously owned a tuned Audi S6 4.0T, and a highly tuned Audi S4 manual.

I'm not really interested in tuning the car, but the thought of popping on a BM3 tune does intrigue me.

Anyway, before I lose you to boredom, let me get to the point.

I'm interested in buying a manual M235i.
Before I bought the 228i, I did drive an auto M235i, which I quite enjoyed, but at the time I didn't want to spend that much, but I enjoyed drive and power etc.

So my question now is what is the BMW manual gearbox like in terms of reliability? The clutches decent for regular but spirited road use? ie, not made of chocolate and a few hard pulls has them slipping all over the place?

Looking forward to your replies.

 

[RalfMurphy]

Hi there
Newbie here..... I've got a late 2015 125i in manual, the last of a dying breed as I found out. I've had the car for 6 years now, putting the manual box and clutch through its paces in traffic and spirited road driving.

The lowdown on auto vs manual...Go auto. The ZF 8 speed was a fantastic box when it came out. I test drove one at the dealership and shifts are amazing and precise. In the manual, the shift throws are long and sticky, especially into 3rd. Feels unchanged since the E36. You need to really lean onto the shifter to get it into reverse, female drivers might struggle as my gf did. I've ordered a shortshifter to attempt to address the problem but yet to install. The box is not going to break on this car before the motor. If you're running an N20/26 then I think you'd have to build the motor and be approaching 400kw/650Nm before the box breaks. There's a debate about the "lifetime" transmission fluid which apparently doesn't need changing "ever". I've done over 100,000 kms and havent needed to.

The clutch slips if you nail it without fully depressing the pedal (maybe I need to learn how to drive). I'm putting down 190wkw/460Nm and it cuts the engine if it detects slip. Wasn't so bad before the car was tuned. Not so great now (its annoying af). The electronics interfered with this the other day and fried a coilpack. Not sure how much meat is left on the clutch but I'd imagine I'll need to replace that soon. The only real enjoyment is the occassional heel-n-toe on a country road or into a slipway but that's it. You can light up the rears in the manual off the line at a stop street, but that just burns expensive tyres, draws attention from metro and could even put you in the pavement if you're not careful. I'd say the auto allows you the ease to point and shoot. Downshifts with paddle shift will be just as satisfying as a manual, especially if you enable pops and burbles with BM3

I really thought the manual RWD might be somewhat of a collectors item once it aged, I don't think so much anymore.

 

[GoCart]

The manual boxes are generally strong enough in sensible terms. Whether it will be valuable or not, I've included a link to a tuned M235i manual where on this channel, I feel the cars are usually well pushed.

 

[PsyCLown]

@viceroy I am curious as to what about the auto box you dislike?
Perhaps xHP software could help make it a better experience for you if you find it is not always in the right gear or the gear changes are a bit slow.

How do you find the car in auto sport mode?

 

[tman]

I cant comment on the manual clutches, but the manual boxes are made quite strong.

Years ago I had a rare issue on my manual E90 where the box needed to be replaced (was covered under plan) Several discussions with ZF later they indicated that they dont really fix manual gearboxes (or keep parts) because the rate of failure is so low. I had to get a new box imported from Germany.

 

[viceroy]

@viceroy I am curious as to what about the auto box you dislike?
Perhaps xHP software could help make it a better experience for you if you find it is not always in the right gear or the gear changes are a bit slow.

How do you find the car in auto sport mode?

It's personal preference. I'm old school
As I mentioned in my original post, "that's just because I don't like auto in general."
There is nothing wrong with the ZF 8 speed, and the different modes do exactly as they've been programmed to.
I'm actually quite impressed with the BMW programming compared to some other brands I've driven, especially with drive modes (eco, normal,sport,sport+) and gearbox modes (D, S) being separated. Gives the driver greater control over how the car behaves as a whole.

Auto sport mode is fine. Gear change speed is proportional to throttle input. Not great at low speeds, low throttle. Change downs from 2nd to 1st are lurchy.
But if you drive with gusto, the changes are quick and precise and somewhat enjoyable.

I just like changing gears myself, especially in a well sorted box clutch combo.
Going to test drive the car in the morning, so we'll see if I like what it offers.
Otherwise, I'll just stick with the 228i as it does the job quite nicely

 

[PsyCLown]

It's personal preference. I'm old school
As I mentioned in my original post, "that's just because I don't like auto in general."
There is nothing wrong with the ZF 8 speed, and the different modes do exactly as they've been programmed to.
I'm actually quite impressed with the BMW programming compared to some other brands I've driven, especially with drive modes (eco, normal,sport,sport+) and gearbox modes (D, S) being separated. Gives the driver greater control over how the car behaves as a whole.

Auto sport mode is fine. Gear change speed is proportional to throttle input. Not great at low speeds, low throttle. Change downs from 2nd to 1st are lurchy.
But if you drive with gusto, the changes are quick and precise and somewhat enjoyable.

I just like changing gears myself, especially in a well sorted box clutch combo.
Going to test drive the car in the morning, so we'll see if I like what it offers.
Otherwise, I'll just stick with the 228i as it does the job quite nicely

Ahh ok, some auto boxes are just shit.
The ZF ones are really good I feel.

I never use to like autos, but I was driving cars with older auto boxes. The gearbox never use to do what I wanted it to.
Although now, manual is a mission. Flap paddles or auto box and change gears manually like you drive your car if you really want a bit more control.

Let us know how it goes and how you find it.

Sent from my Redmi Note 7 Pro using Tapatalk

 

[Rotinaj]

Ehm it's a BMW the gearbox and clutch will deal with what you throw at it as long as you keep it stock and show some sort of cognitive ability regarding mechanical sympathy. My E46 M3 was close on 200 000km on the Factory clutch.

View the cost of a clutch replacement the same as a gearbox oil service for a Automatic.

As a daily driver in Gauteng a manual would be ill advised, but as a toy there is simply no substitute for a manual box.

 

[viceroy]

Drove the car this morning.
First time I've actually driven a proper manual in nearly 4 years, so I was expecting to be a bit rusty, but the experience was great.
Box is smooth, and the changes are light and crisp. Such an enjoyable experience.

All things going well, I should be the proud owner of a nice M235i manual

 

[kushesh1]

i recently bought 2016 235i Manual , i have no regrets at all!!!

i have an instant smile everytime i jump in the car , i feel very in control!!