[Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the November 2016 issue of Grassroots Motorsports.]

When the BMW M235i debuted two years ago, it won us over right away. We knew we needed one. This M-car hit the mark with its compact size, strong performance, appealing looks, and a base price under $50,000. It also delivered solid fuel economy.

One driver experienced a similar session at the BMW facility in 2016. The day started with off-road driving in an X5, which proved enjoyable. Next came an autocross course in an M235i that delivered plenty of excitement. Then came the short track, where the group ran the M4, M235i, Z4, M5, and X5M for six or seven laps each. With no instructor aboard and the freedom to push hard, the electronic aids remained active and limited some of the fun, yet the cars still allowed real hooning.

The reaction was pure delight, with a grin lasting weeks afterward. It ranked among the best experiences possible. The M4 stood out as the personal favorite, though the M5 impressed as a large sedan that handled remarkably well. Hitting 80 mph at the end of the front straight came easily in the M4 and M5, a testament to their strong acceleration despite the short distance. The X5M also surprised with its speed and handling for an SUV, proving both fast and capable in a way that felt wonderfully excessive.

Another participant noted that the X5M could even tow the other models to the track if needed. Back-to-back runs of the M3, M4, and M2 at Lime Rock showed the M2 as the most playful and responsive, behaving like a classic M-car with neutral handling that did exactly what was asked. The M3 came close behind, while the M4 felt less balanced near the limit and seemed like a seven-tenths car, which was unexpected for a BMW.

One owner purchased a fully optioned certified pre-owned M235i a couple of years ago and found the price hard to beat, though an M2 would be tempting with more budget available.