BMWBLOG Test Drive: 2014 BMW M235i M Performance Parts and LSD

Last month, while attending the 2014 BMW M Festival, we had the unique opportunity to be one of the first to test drive the 2014 BMW M235i with M Performance Parts and the optional Limited Slip Differential.

ALL M PERFORMANCE CATALOG IN ONE VEHICLE

The 2014 BMW M235i M Performance Parts comes with the full M Performance Aerodynamics kit – M Performance rear diffuser, Black kidney grills and carbon fiber front splitter, M Performance Side Skirts with branding, M Performance Exhaust System, Carbon Mirror Caps – and segment exclusive 19” wheels for the M235i.

Visually, the M235i with M Performance Parts takes the already dynamic and sporty design of the “regular M235i” to a new level, or some may say, it previews what the BMW M2 would look like. Sans the flared fenders and aggressive-looking butt. The blacked out design elements and the beautifully shaped wheels, along with the carbon fiber front lip and 20 mm lower sports suspension turned heads when we passed through the tens of thousands of fans attending the 24 hr race at Nurburgring.

Inside, the M235i with M Performance Parts screams of sportiness. The cockpit look and feel is inspired from car racing, starting with the M Performance Sports Steering wheel in Alcantara/carbon finish which features the Race Display at the 12 o’clock position. The gear selector and handbrake handle are dressed up in carbon fiber, along with the center tunnel and door handles.

The dashboard and the sport seats are covered in the beautiful Alcantara.

High-grade steel pedals and a driver footrest tells us this M235i means business.

THE SOUND

Shortly after pressing the Start button on this M235i, we realized we’re inside a different type of beast. The M Performance Exhaust System improves the, sometimes criticized, sound of the six-cylinder turbo and delivers a more growling sound. Furthermore, if you flip over to Sport+ model, which we tend to do immediately in all modern BMWs we test drive, the flap opens up and the exhaust system becomes even more vocal. Shift up and down a few times, playing with the revs, and any bypassers will realize this more than just a standard M235i Coupe.

Visually, the M Performance Exhaust stands out with its two tips dressed up in carbon fiber as well.

THE LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL IN ACTION

For the first time, BMW is offer an optional mechanical limited slip differential which can be retroffited to the rear-wheel drive variants of the M235i, M135i, 335i and 435i. The clutch-type mechanical differential features a 30% lockup on acceleration and 9% lockup on deceleration. The differential works with the existing DSC system to provide excellent traction wet or dry.

SEE ALSO: BMW M235i On The Track

At the first full throttle acceleration when turning into another street, thanks to the power optimally distributed between the rear wheels to rotate the inner wheel, we immediately noticed a better traction and sharper cornering. Play with the throttle a bit more and you can feel the torque transmitted equally to both wheels while the tires keep full contact with the ground.

To see it further in action, we asked BMW to gives us a chase car, in this case, a new 2015 BMW M4 Coupe. While it throws down more power, the M4 Coupe is also heavier and in some cases, less fun than this little beast. The low-sitting M235i and its rigid chassis presented little body roll and cornered with even more confidence than the standard M235i production car, of course aided by the aforementioned LSD and the M Performance Brake System with blue calipers.

Through the sharp corners and tight roads surrounding Nurburgring, the M235i and its eight-speed sports automatic transmission shaped up to be a great competitor to the fully-M developed M4 Coupe and if we might add, a quite fun little car that makes us even more exciting to see what the M engineers have done with the upcoming M2.