![\"\"](\"http:\/\/multimedia.detroitnews.com\/pix\/53\/4b\/f9\/01\/c8\/c8\/20140905132203_1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Do you believe in reincarnation?<\/p>\n
Last month my favorite, 2001 BMW M3 reappeared in my driveway calling itself an M235i. I nearly called Shirley MacClaine\u2019s agent. What does she know about rein-car<\/i>-nation? Pun intended.<\/p>\n
BMW enthusiasts have been griping in recent years that the celebrated M3 (now called an M4, I\u2019ll explain) has gotten, well, fat. Not Marlon Brando fat. Barry Bonds fat. Muscle-bound. Loaded up on steroids. Look close at those headlamps . . . do I detect a hint of yellow? It\u2019s a fighter jets on wheels. But a long way from the nimble, tossable E36 and E46 M3s that defined performance luxury at the turn of the century.<\/p>\n
BMW didn\u2019t reach the pinnacle of performance luxury by sticking cotton in its ears, of course. It\u2019s heard the grumblings. So it added the M235i to the menu. It\u2019s one tasty\u00a0heisse-wurst<\/i>.<\/p>\n We interrupt this review for a brief word on nomenclature. The 2-series is the latest update of the Bavarian automaker\u2019s new, even-odd, sedan-coupe nomenclature. Odd numbers are sedans, even numbers coupes. So the once 3-series is now exclusively\u00a0four-doors Got it? Good.<\/p>\n So when the Bavarian automaker introduced the 2-series to the U.S. this year, the M-badged M235i would seem to be the logical next step of an M performance\u00a0vehicle \u201cIt\u2019s the first type of this M package that we\u2019ve introduced,\u201d explains BMW spokesman Dave Buchko. \u201cIt\u2019s not a full blown M.\u201d<\/p>\n A full-blown M, you see, would get lighter suspension components bolted directly to sub-frame, aluminum-center hubs, carbon fiber body panels, carbon fiber driveshaft, heat-seeking missiles (just kidding). The works.<\/p>\n Though BMW is mum, the M2 is coming, rest assured. Complete with $10,000 premium. In the meantime, however, enthusiasts get a cheaper M235i with suspension, brake, and steering upgrades – that make your hairs stand on end. Just like the M3 of old.<\/p>\n How alike? Consider:<\/p>\n –\u00a0The 2001 M3<\/a>\u00a0featured a 3.2-liter straight-6 cylinder with 333 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. The 2014 M235i? 3.0-liter straight-6 turbo with 320 horsepower, 330 pound-feet.<\/p>\n – Where the 2015 M4 has expanded to 184.5 inches long and 73.6 inches wide, its older, 2001 sibling is eight inches shorter and just 70.1 inches wide.\u00a0Ditto the M235i<\/a>\u00a0(174.5 inches wide, 69.8 across).<\/p>\n – 0-60 seconds? Both trip the wire at 4.8 seconds.<\/p>\n – Both feature stability control, 18-inch rims, battery in the trunk.<\/p>\n – Price? The base M3 cost $46,045 in 2001. The base M235i stickers for $43,100.<\/p>\n But that similarity is actually the most striking dissimilarity.\u00a0Get out your inflation adjust-o-meter<\/a>\u00a0and the old M3 would set you back $61,076 in today\u2019s dollars (at $63k the new M4 is not far off). So for nearly 20 grand less, you get the M3 reborn as an M235i.<\/p>\n And more.<\/p>\n The M235i\u2019s turbo packs 25 percent more torque and 40 percent better fuel economy. This six is a caged bull. Kick the stirrups and hold tight the reins. The twin-scroll turbo delivers peak torque at just 1300 RPM.<\/p>\n I admit nostalgia for the manual, non-turbo, high-revving, 106-horsepower-per-liter six of old (Pop Quiz: In 2001 what other normally-aspirated\u00a0engines Never mind those 0-60 numbers. In my fender-to-fender stoplight tests, the M235i trampled the M3 every time (I tested against both the 2001 coupe and the heavier convertible, which clocks 0-60 in 5.1 seconds).\u00a0Credit<\/div>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/images.intellitxt.com\/ast\/adTypes\/icon1.png\")
<\/a>, and the two-doors are segregated as 4-series. Thus the M4 \u2013 formerly the M3.<\/p>\n<\/a>. Except it\u2019s not. The M235i is a tweener. A stepping stone. A product of BMW\u2019s separate M performance division, but without the total, full-moon transformation from base coupe into a howling M2 werewolf.<\/p>\n<\/a>\u00a0were in the 100-ponies per liter club?*). Its glorious, raspy exhaust note at 8000 RPM crescendo should have a Grammy. But you have to rev high to go fast. Not the turbo.<\/p>\n<\/a>\u00a0the M235i\u2019s dynamic duo of turbo and lightning-fast, paddle-shifted, 8-speed, automatic transmission.<\/p>\n