[moldcad]

OK, so here are my first impressions after the first 1000 kms in my M235i:

1. Was it worth it to give up the prestige and luxury of the 528xi? Definitely YES!
2. What I like the most about my M235i:

- the power-to-size ratio
- the handling
- the silky smooth feeling of the I6
- a very promising average MPG from the first 1000 km: 30

3. What I dislike the most:
- some cheap plastics that scratch easily (like that on the central console)
- unlit tacho and speedo meters (nothing can be done about it, so will just have to live with it)
- lack of coolant and oil temperature gauges

As to the latter though, I just tested how fast the temperatures get into optimum range, allowing for fully loading the engine - both Torque and Dashcommand show extremely fast warming-up; before I backed out from my garage, closed it, left my front yard, closed the gate and made some 500m to the first public cross-roads, both temperatures were over 60 C; after another 1500 m of moderate driving they were almost 90 C (more specifically: coolant 90 C, oil 79C) - so really no problem here (the outside temperature today being some 15 C, and the car have been sitting in the garage since Sunday.

Splendid!

[Declio]

Regarding the unlit tach/speedo--I assume these will light up when forcing headlights on during the day? Or are they controlled separately/automatically?

I normally drive around w/ headlights on all the time, but I might change that habit when my 235 comes in...those halos are just too awesome.

[moldcad]

Yes - they will light up (in amber) as soon as the headlights are on.

[bimmercar]

I have a feeling that the automatic gear box will automatically adjust the rpm loading if oil temps are not optimal

[moldcad]

My feeling is you're expecting too much; it would be much cheaper for BMW to actually provide the gauge(s) than such a sophistication. But I do suspect another thing: that the thermostating in both oil and coolant are soo good they deemed the gauges unnecessary... In my Golf R, which does have a coolant gouge (but not oil), I observe reaching 90C in a matter of 2 km, and I indeed hear that before the thermostat fully opens to even let the coolant into the radiator, it's practically circulating within the engine head - hence such a quick warmup. It *may* be similar in the 2-series.

EDIT: Actually, the Golf R *does* have oil temperature display as well - just not through a separate gauge like the coolant (you must switch the infotainment menu to "Car", and scroll through the list of entries it contains; I noticed that the oil temperature is lagging seriously behind that of the engine coolant). In the M235i they both increase fast and at an almost identical rate - which is even better... Also, my Torque was showing gearbox fluid temperature at some 78 C just 2 km after starting the car - I can't wait to see how high it will be at some 200 kmph I often do on motorways, and with the ambient temperature of some 30 C which we often have in summer here; does anyone know if the AT fluid has some cooling radiator, or is it just the outside airflow cooling effect?

[dharo1]

Congrats! Enjoy that baby!!

[mike@x-ph.com]

Congrats and thank you for the write-up

[gaijin]

Originally Posted by moldcad

3. What I dislike the most:
- lack of coolant and oil temperature gauges

Excellent critique. Have you looked into the P3Cars Vent Integrated Digital Interface? Here's the link:

http://www.p3cars.com/bmw-1-series/p...tal-interface/