Petrol consumption.

[YZ250]

These also sound fantasic even unmodified, far better than any diesel. Quite a difference starting my current car to the old daddy bus in the morning!

It depends on what people need from them. As I've mentioned previously, a 0-60mph sprint will see the petrol derivative start to edge away very slightly from its diesel equivalent, but from approximately 50mph rolling up to 100mph the diesel will easily reel it back in. The diesel is 2 seconds quicker mid range than the petrol and let's be honest, once things are moving over a ton things start to get silly, so that's what I base my experience on. After that, we all know the petrol is quicker to the speed limiter, but at a big sacrifice in fuel compared to the diesel.
As for the spec, a lot of trim level is paired up. They tend to throw more toys at the 3.0's anyway but memory seats come paired with memory/folding mirrors, Nav Pro comes paired with Harmon Kardon etc and I'm yet to see a 3.0 without front and rear parking sensors as standard. It's generally the comfort access (wiggle foot under rear bumper to open the boot) that comes as extra, and Parking Pro, (parks itself) both of which I have and never use if I'm honest.
As for power, they are plenty quick enough from the factory, but a larger charge pipe as you said, a larger intercooler and a map to lose the electronic speed limiter will see you on the wrong side of 170mph. Hartge used to do this as a whole package and were a trusted company by bmw but they've ceased trading I believe. If anyone doubts the power of the straight six diesel, take a look at the bmw D3. It has monstrous torque and will see the wrong side of 170mph.
Glad you're more than happy with your choice, they are a nice car to drive and the infotainmen systemt usability is still one of the best in my opinion.

[tunnie]

Yeah I'm really happy! RE 3.0, the m235i being at the base end of the range of BMW many were very low spec. Despite having 3.0 petrol, one local to me had no front parking sensors, only rear! Another one had no cruise, basic nav, no sensors front or rear!

True on the mid-range of diesels, but my other thought is that this could be my last combustion engine car. So I wanted it to be petrol. My miles are around 6-8k per year, so the diesel saving was minimal.

Did you ever think about flashing yours to ID6 or enable carplay? Thinking about it on mine, but I find the HUD really useful and that's all powered by BMW stock nav/music.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

So I bought my BMW based off my car share trips to work. When we first started sharing lifts, my buddy had a 2015 BMW M235i. (2 door) - At the time I still had my 3.2 Elite. His 3.0 petrol was hugely more powerful, frugal and sounded just as great if not better thanks to the exhaust. (stock BMW)

Chalk and cheese type of cars and the age at which they were designed/built. But he would easily crack 30mpg and he drives like TB...

So when I started looking for a replacement thanks to ULEZ, I was drawn to an N55 block 3.0 petrol BMW. From what I see generally very reliable unless you go track with them and tune them up hard.

Pop these engines in Eco mode and it allows the car/engine to coast. This I found has a big effect on fuel use and can really make it drop. It's also very efficient on the motorway, even for a short period. I often join the M25 after leaving work with MPG around ~24-27mpg. Usually like to win the traffic light grand prix drags now 

But just 15 mins and it's low 30's and I'll average 33mpg or so by the time I'm home. That's sitting in the BMW lane as well, not doing 60. These engines much prefer doing 75-95mph.

I could never find a m235i in the spec I wanted, BMW's are a nightmare due to options when looking second hand. So you have to go through all the photos in detail to see what it actually has. I wanted Pro Nav, Parking Senors (front/rear) *yes each was an option  , memory mirrors and cruise. But even this basic shopping list was hard to find, always one would be missing.

Stroke of luck and I found my 435i with all the trimming on it plus ones I did not expect. (HUD, Memory Seats, Adaptive Lights)

Not sure this engine and more weight would help in the 5 series, I do notice the performance loss between m235i and my 435i, but his was 325bhp mine is 302bhp. Think the B58's would be a better choice and a stage one remap brings those up I think to nearly 430bhp.

At some point I'm very tempted to Stage1 mine, as it would go from 302bhp to 380bhp!! But I also need some pocket money to upgrade the charge pipe first.

If little fatty can get over the badge, I think this engine (or B58) in something like a 4 series could suit him. I don't find the ride harsh, as this was before the "M" lite type was officially born.

Current car my lift share buddy has is a 2021 m235i, but this is the 4 door one and "only" a 4 pot petrol but still makes 300bhp. We find mine sounds a heck of a lot better and not a massive difference in fuel use.

To sum up, 30mpg on a mixed drive into outskirts of London is no problem. Longer runs, mid 30's very easily even if cruising in outside lane.

No HUD on my car......but I did order the heated memory seats (no cooling though) that are standard on the M3 and M4.

[tunnie]

What did you order? HUD is brilliant, feels odd to look at the normal speedo cluster now. Having your speed right in the road in front of you. Course it's all fine without, one of those things that once you have it, you don't want to live without it.

Radio/Music etc. Traffic navigation is excellent even on my early generation one, round-abouts, junctions, motorways it gives fantastic detail and the latest generations are much improved as well with even more data/info.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

What did you order?[highlight] HUD is brilliant[/highlight], feels odd to look at the normal speedo cluster now. Having your speed right in the road in front of you. Course it's all fine without, one of those things that once you have it, you don't want to live without it.

Radio/Music etc. Traffic navigation is excellent even on my early generation one, round-abouts, junctions, motorways it gives fantastic detail and the latest generations are much improved as well with even more data/info.

I had a test drive in a 3.3 litre petrol Kia Stinger and that had HUD as standard....and yes it was very good.

I tried to keep the cost down so I didn't tick too many options.

From memory.....

Portimao blue paint £595

Adaptive dampers £550

M3 seats £950ish...I think.

Propack.....£1250.

Aluminium dash trim...£200 ish.


I didn't go for the comfort pack (around £600) which included keyless and a heated steering wheel.

[tunnie]

Ah nice, is that the new M235i that's in your photo? Car share mate was close to ordering one, but he likes the 4 doors of his current m235i. Adaptive Dampers was a good call, a rare option out there second hand I find.

I would have taken the heated steering wheel, assume you have the car now? As I only found out recently (on the F36 at least) that if you have lane assist, you can just add the button and code in a heated steering wheel, as it comes with the elements already.

[YZ250]

Ah nice, is that the new M235i that's in your photo?.........

New 240i I believe. 

He's a mid sixties hooligan.     

[tunnie]

Ah yes, the they went back to 40i, they keep mixing it around. Used to launch with 35i then later 40i.

Can have a BMW meetup at this rate. 

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Ah nice, is that the new M235i that's in your photo?.........

New 240i I believe. 

He's a mid thirties hooligan.     

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Ah nice, is that the new M235i that's in your photo? Car share mate was close to ordering one, but he likes the 4 doors of his current m235i. Adaptive Dampers was a good call, a rare option out there second hand I find.

I would have taken the heated steering wheel, assume you have the car now? As I only found out recently (on the F36 at least) that if you have lane assist, you can just add the button and code in a heated steering wheel, as it comes with the elements already.

I have lane assist. It is dangerous and can't be permanently disabled, so I have to switch it off every time I start the car.

[tunnie]

Ah nice, is that the new M235i that's in your photo? Car share mate was close to ordering one, but he likes the 4 doors of his current m235i. Adaptive Dampers was a good call, a rare option out there second hand I find.

I would have taken the heated steering wheel, assume you have the car now? As I only found out recently (on the F36 at least) that if you have lane assist, you can just add the button and code in a heated steering wheel, as it comes with the elements already.

I have lane assist. It is dangerous and can't be permanently disabled, so I have to switch it off every time I start the car.

I understand you can dial it all back to being basically off and set it to the driver profile. Yes I agree, I hated it on the 2021 version I borrowed for the weekend. Went for an overtake and the damn thing nearly steered me into the car I was passing! 

You can also disable I think via Bimmercode.

[tunnie]

On another note, this is my best attempt at fuel use in my big thirsty 3.0 petrol 

[tunnie]

Ah nice, is that the new M235i that's in your photo? Car share mate was close to ordering one, but he likes the 4 doors of his current m235i. Adaptive Dampers was a good call, a rare option out there second hand I find.

I would have taken the heated steering wheel, assume you have the car now? As I only found out recently (on the F36 at least) that if you have lane assist, you can just add the button and code in a heated steering wheel, as it comes with the elements already.

I have lane assist. It is dangerous and can't be permanently disabled, so I have to switch it off every time I start the car.

Few things:

1) Are you logged into your driver profile?
2) Have you disabled it? (press the lane assist circle button) - Disable steering intervention
3) Select individual mode


*also link your key to your profile

[YZ250]

.........
Few things:

1) Are you logged into your driver profile?
2) Have you disabled it? (press the lane assist circle button) - Disable steering intervention
3) Select individual mode


*also link your key to your profile

You can also set different profiles on each key fob so it'll remember the seat/mirror/radio station etc of whoever uses that fob. 

[Doctor Gollum]

.........
Few things:

1) Are you logged into your driver profile?
2) Have you disabled it? (press the lane assist circle button) - Disable steering intervention
3) Select individual mode


*also link your key to your profile

You can also set different profiles on each key fob so it'll remember the seat/mirror/radio station etc of whoever uses that fob. 

A feature available on the E39 too