You read that right, folks—Consumer Reports magazine, the purveyor of all things appliance, rated the new BMW M235i higher than the 2014 Corvette Stingray. How does that stuff happen?
The BMW M235i is the former 1-series with M-car aspirations without being an official M2 (which doesn’t exist as a model). The folks at Consumer Reports gave the Bimmer a 98 rating, one short of the current record-holder, the Tesla Model S. Listed for $50,400 as-equipped, The M235i was created in the “classic BMW mold” and offers “tenacious cornering” on the track. The kudos smacks in the face of prevailing wisdom from the buff books, who feel BMW has gotten soft lately. Although CR recognizes that the M235i is closer to “The Ultimate Driving Machine” than recent models, “It seems like it has almost a direct lineage” to BMWs, CR‘s deputy cars editor Jon Linkov said in an interview with Bloomberg.com. “This is just an inspiring, sporty car, plain and simple.”
“This really is a totally dual-purpose car,” added Linkov. “This is a car you could drive to work every day of the week without it killing you. And then you could go take it to the track on the weekend.”
While you’re still scratching your head, we’ll say this: Consumer Reports tests cars as if they’re toasters on wheels, comparing them on drivability, handling, exterior and interior fit and finish, safety, and reliability (although both cars are too new to know past reliability). All cars are subjected to the same battery of tests and are rated against a point system. While the Corvette “packs more punch” than the M235i on the road, the Bimmer car comes close to many other measurements and is more comfortable due to being a four-seater, which explains the higher score.
Of course, this doesn’t make the Bimmer any better than the Corvette—it’s all about what suits your needs.
Comments
It’s ok Diego, everyone knows CR has always been biased towards imports, plus the only reason they rated it higher is because of the back seat, which in a 2+2 coupe, is usually made for children. Long story short, their argument is invalid.
Why would you compare a 2 seat to a 4 seater than dock the 2 seater for no back seat?
Should they not have used a ATS coupe or a Camaro?
I have never five CR much respect or creditability over the years and they have not done anything of late to make me think any better of them.
At time they test cars like toasters and not as people who really understand the differences in products. They are the types to try to drive a nail with a Screw driver.
Come on CR lets compare apples to apple and oranges to oranges. I would not even use a 911 in this test as it is more 2 seater than 4 seater. You have to know your products to compare.
I am sure they docked the Vette too because of the lack of trunk space too.
The comparison should be with other cars of same segment; not a sports cars with 2 seats VS sedan with 4 seats
In overall terms, the sedan will always be best car for every day that the sport, that everyone knows, it´s logical
Regards from Spain
Absolute hogwash.
CR lost its credibility decades ago.
Ummm, this may not be popular on this website, but I feel I can offer a unique perspective… My previous vehicle was a Chevy S10 ZR2, my current vehicle is a BMW 135i (who’s successor is the M235i), and my next car might be the C7.
The 135i is one of the best kept secrets of the automotive world. Rear wheel drive, 50/50 weight distro, 6 speed manual, and a stock (underrated) 300 hp/300 ft/lbs tq, weighs about 3,350lbs. On top of that, it has back seats (I have a 4 year old), the rear seats fold down flat, and it has a large trunk “mouth.” It gets good gas milage 22 avg. Mine has catless downpipes and a piggy back tune (costing me $1.2K) brining it to 430 hp/430 ft/lbs tq (370 hp/377 ft/lbs tq on the dyno at 90 degrees in Phx, AZ). It comes stock with run flat tires that suck, but you quickly burn threw those and put on proper sticky rubber. Mine runs 12’s at 117 MPH (at Speed World) and handles awesome to boot. The inline 6 has a unique and pretty addictive sound. Straight-line it’s about half way in-between a C5 and C6 Corvette, but more practical than either. It cost me about $32K brand new in 2008.
Having said all that, I’m sooooOOOOOOooooOOOOOoo tempted on the C7. I’m a huge fan of Corvettes and this new one is awesome! Only thing holding me back is practicality (those back seats come in handy) and cost… “my” C7 will cost close to $70K. I may still do it… life is short and I paid off my mortgage last year… How many 38 year olds can say that?
Wether the users on this website want to admit it or not, the new 2015 BMW M3 and M4 are better than the Vette stingray.
BMW has always had way better handling, planted feel, more fun to drive, ect so we don’t have to state those reasons.
Upcoming 2015 Vette z06 starts at 100k. 0-60 is 3.5 secs. A normal man that is 6 feet tall can’t fit in this car. Let alone another passenger.
New m3/m4. You can easily fit 5 people. 0-60 is 3.7 seconds. Starts at 65k, $77k with a few options. Is a everyday car, take it to work, then track on the weekends.
So go get the new M3 or M4.. Since you have a kid I would say go get the M3. Why spend $$$ on a impractical car like the Vette, mind you aren’t even getting the Z06.
Regular Vette starts at 50k. You’ll easily be at 60-70k adding a few options. Id say spend the same amount of $$ and get the better car, the new M3. Read the reviews, NOT one bad review on the damn thing!
I really hate when people cite practicality as a reason not to get a BATMOBILE