Tag Archives: M235i

? Drive Plus – VW Golf R v BMW M235i – Chris Harris on Cars

Drive Plus – VW Golf R v BMW M235i – Chris… by boobiesr4squeezing

Your thoughts on the upcoming VW Golf R?  I’m less concerned about the M235i, since the 2015 STI has already been matched up with that particular car (see this post for more insight).

My thoughts?  This is just another VW Mk VII Golf R video.  This is also another Golf R video that is non-US-spec.  This is also another video touting its Haldex system.

We keep seeing videos of this car but only in it’s EU-guise.  It makes me wonder if there will be a US version (of the same car, not a watered down version).  Also, everyone keeps talking about how smart the Haldex system is — it was initially debuted in the Golf R on an ice track.  Subaru has been doing that for YEARS.  As well, Haldex isn’t true all-wheel-drive…it enables power to the wheels only when needed.  Yes, that is more efficient.  No, that doesn’t make it better than dedicated AWD systems.  I’d like to see the car handle and see drivers such as Randy Pobst test that car on a track.  Yes, Chris Harris gave the car ‘the beans’ in the video, but I’ve to see much more of this car than the last 8 months of videos before I become intrigued by this car’s technology.  And then there’s the euro stigma about technology.  Will this car be expensive to service and maintain?  Will there be non-stop electrical gremlins that plague the owner experience?

No, I’m not yet smitten.  Keep trying to woo me, VW.

Comparison: BMW M235i vs. Mercedes CLA45 AMG vs. Subaru WRX STI

In this latest 2015 STI review, the STI is pitted against European metal:  the 2015 BMW M235i and the 2015 Mercedes CLA45 AMG.  The STI fares very well, considering it was out-powered and that these cars were MUCH more expensive than it.

Note that the base price for a 2015 STI Launch Edition is $38,190.  Non-Launch-Editions will not be as much (for those people thinking that $38K is a lot…it is, but doesn’t apply to the rest of the line-up).

It was a pleasant surprise to see that the STI outran the other two on the road course (Streets of Willow).  Within the articles comments section, several people proclaim that the win margin was slim.  That may be, but IMO, the other cars should’ve been very much ahead in that contest, but they weren’t…BMW and Mercedes should be embarrassed.  Now, we all know that the M235i isn’t really an M2, but the M235i still had the STI outright beaten in sheer HP/torque and apparently it handles like a dream, too.

This was a good read, especially since I hate Jonny Lieberman.  Thank goodness Jonny tested and someone else wrote the article (Nate Martinez).

Now, if they only post some video footage of the testing…

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/1403_bmw_m235i_mercedes_cla45_amg_subaru_wrx_sti_comparison/viewall.html