Slick and Quick, But Worth £55k?
This compact 2025 BMW M235i xDrive Gran Coupe has more horsepower than the 1992 E36 BMW M3. So does that make it a bona fide junior ‘M’ car? With the keys to the turbocharged four-door in my hands and the Hill Route at the Millbrook Proving Ground beckoning, there is only one way to find out!
Is it worth the money, though? That was the question on my mind as I slipped behind the wheel of this Tanzanite Blue Metallic missile. This specific car had a spec sheet boasting nearly £10k in extras, taking the price from a base £45,855 up to a startling £55,208. Gulp.
What do you get for that kind of cash? Let’s start with the basics – and under the bonnet sits a forced-induction 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine good for 296bhp and 400Nm of torque. It drives all four wheels via BMW’s xDrive system and an 8-speed automatic gearbox. And of course, it’s quick. The M235i goes from 0-62mph in just 4.9 seconds, with a limited top speed of 155mph.
Being a Gran Coupe, it’s got that low-slung saloon-meets-coupe vibe. It’s sleek, purposeful, and slightly menacing – especially with the 19-inch BiColour alloys, M Sport body kit and red callipers popping through. But I’ve got to be honest: the face is still a bit awkward. The headlights feel pulled-back and sit too high relative to the grille, which itself juts forward in a slightly overdone nod to BMW’s classic shark-nose design.
Inside, it’s a tech-fest of digital dials, widescreens and ambient lighting. The cabin is festooned with M trimmings, Alcantara, and high-quality finishes that justify some of the price tag. The seats are supportive, the layout is intuitive, and the materials feel expensive. You get all the toys too – heated electric front seats, panoramic sunroof, head-up display, wireless charging, Harman Kardon audio, and BMW’s latest ‘Live Cockpit Professional’ setup. It’s all been ticked on the options sheet. Just be ready to pay for those ‘essential’ extras.
Space up front is generous, but things get tighter in the back. At over six feet tall, I found the swoopy roofline ate into headroom, and legroom was snug when sitting behind myself.. You can squeeze in, but it’s not exactly limo spec back there. The boot’s usable though – decent enough for weekend bags or a Costco run.
But what matters most, surely, is how it drives – and on that front, it delivers. This thing is properly quick, grin-inducingly so, with a sweet accompanying soundtrack. As soon as you flick it into Sport mode and floor it, the M235i pounces with urgency. It’s got that classic BMW feel – taut, precise, and confidence-inspiring.
The M Adaptive suspension keeps things composed, though in Sport mode the ride does get a bit firm. On smoother tarmac, it feels planted and agile – the perfect balance between sporty and civilised. It turns in with confidence, holds the line, and lets you build speed with ease. There is a bit of understeer if you’re on the power too soon, but feed in your acceleration and you’ll be rewarded by truer exit lines.
Nonetheless, the xDrive system means there’s plenty of grip, even when you’re hammering it out of tighter corners. And while the steering’s lighter and less communicative than I’d like, it’s still sharp enough to execute eager direction changes.
The paddles work well, though response isn’t instant. There’s a slight delay between finger-flick and gear change, but once you’re in sync, it becomes second nature. Downshifts come with a subtle blip and the soundtrack is quite satisfying.
Even so, at over £55k, this is no bargain Bimmer – especially when you consider the 329bhp Honda Civic Type R costs less and comes with a manual ‘box for purists. Meanwhile, the M235i xDrive is fast, stylish, superbly finished and boasts that prestigious BMW badge, not to mention the evocative ‘M’.
It’s undeniably capable. It delivers pace, precision and a premium feel that’ll appeal to buyers who want something with a bit more bite than a 220i, but without the rawness of a full-on M2. It’s the perfect everyday performance car – if your budget stretches that far.Would I buy one? Probably not. Not new anyway. But I’d never complain about having to drive one; no owner would. It might not be an icon in the making, but it stays true to BMW’s heritage of building enticing and enjoyable driving machines.
If you found this useful, interesting or fun, consider supporting me via Patreon, Ko-Fi, or even grabbing a copy of one of my books on Amazon. Every bit helps me keep creating independent automotive content that actually helps people.
Support independent car journalism 🙏🏽☺️ grab my books on Amazon, take up membership to BrownCarGuy on YouTube, or join me on Ko-Fi or Patreon.
👉🏽 Channel membership: https://www.youtube.com/browncarguy/join
👉🏽 Buy me a Coffee! https://ko-fi.com/browncarguy
👉🏽 Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/BrownCarGuy
MY BOOKS ON AMAZON!
📖 Want to become an automotive journalist, content creator, or car influencer? Check out my book: How to be an Automotive Content Creator 👉🏽 https://amzn.eu/d/7VTs0ii
📖 Quantum Races – A collection of my best automotive sci-fi short stories! 👉🏽 https://amzn.eu/d/0Y93s9g
📖 The ULEZ Files – My all-action thriller set in a dystopian ULEZ future! 👉🏽 https://amzn.eu/d/jhADkOt
Big Thanks to my Supporters!
Stratigency – Book your FREE 15-minute strategy call now: 👉 https://meeting.calendarhero.com/BCG15#DriveToScale
Design5IT
Tom Conway-Gordon (https://www.instagram.com/anycoloursolongasits_black/)
And others! 🙏🏽☺️
Follow all my channels https://linktr.ee/browncarguy
Discover more from Brown Car Guy
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Leave a comment