viceroy
Member
15 months ago, I started looking for a replacement to my 2013 Audi S6, mainly due to nightmares about possible repair bills if/when something should break.
I decided I wanted to get back to basics. This meant something relatively small, 2-door, hard top, but with usable rear seats, and decent performance. Also should not be too old.
I'd already owned an Audi A5 3.0T quattro, and didn't want to go that route, and besides the the A5 was a bit larger than I wanted.
I'd also had an Audi TT, and really loved that car, but the lack of usable rear seats precluded it from being a viable choice.
Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ was out because of the rear seats and lack of power.
Same for any Porsche Boxster or Cayman.
Have never been a fan of Merc.
Scirocco R was considered, but having to deal with FWD again put me off.
Basically the only car which even came close was the 2 series, and I was deciding between the cheaper 228i M Sport or M235i.
I test drove examples of both, but at the time, didn't want spend north of R400k for an M235i.
Fast forward to 3 months ago when I noticed a M235i manual on AutoTrader which looked clean, wasn't completely poverty spec, but at R400k was too pricey for my wants. Every now and again I'd have a look to see if the car was still there, and about 4 weeks ago I saw the price had dropped. A week later the price dropped again, and then again, until I finally it was at a level I was comfortable with.
I went to have a look, and overall the car was clean both inside and out. Went for a test drive, and was happy. After having lived with the 228i for over a year, it was immediately apparent how much smoother the straight six is compared to the four pot, and I've been quite impressed with the 2.0, especially having come from a 4.0 twin turbo before that...it's a great little powerplant.
Anyway, sold the 228i the next day, and picked up the M235i yesterday.
I decided I wanted to get back to basics. This meant something relatively small, 2-door, hard top, but with usable rear seats, and decent performance. Also should not be too old.
I'd already owned an Audi A5 3.0T quattro, and didn't want to go that route, and besides the the A5 was a bit larger than I wanted.
I'd also had an Audi TT, and really loved that car, but the lack of usable rear seats precluded it from being a viable choice.
Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ was out because of the rear seats and lack of power.
Same for any Porsche Boxster or Cayman.
Have never been a fan of Merc.
Scirocco R was considered, but having to deal with FWD again put me off.
Basically the only car which even came close was the 2 series, and I was deciding between the cheaper 228i M Sport or M235i.
I test drove examples of both, but at the time, didn't want spend north of R400k for an M235i.
Fast forward to 3 months ago when I noticed a M235i manual on AutoTrader which looked clean, wasn't completely poverty spec, but at R400k was too pricey for my wants. Every now and again I'd have a look to see if the car was still there, and about 4 weeks ago I saw the price had dropped. A week later the price dropped again, and then again, until I finally it was at a level I was comfortable with.
I went to have a look, and overall the car was clean both inside and out. Went for a test drive, and was happy. After having lived with the 228i for over a year, it was immediately apparent how much smoother the straight six is compared to the four pot, and I've been quite impressed with the 2.0, especially having come from a 4.0 twin turbo before that...it's a great little powerplant.
Anyway, sold the 228i the next day, and picked up the M235i yesterday.
), catless downpipe (meh š) and MPE (š¤). Also has pops 'n bangs loaded (šµ).
