White paint, black soft top, rear-wheel drive, and a 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight-six. Some cars are built for commuting. This one was built for something else entirely.

The M235i sits at the sharper end of BMW's 2 Series lineup -- the one they made before the M2 existed to fill the gap. Under the bonnet is a 3.0T inline-six producing 240kW, channelled through an 8-speed sports automatic to the rear wheels. It pulls cleanly from low revs and builds with a sound that makes you glad the top is down.

With the roof folded away, Nunawading's back streets feel quite different. Long sweeping on-ramps become the kind of thing you look forward to. Even the drive to work carries a certain energy when the cabin is open and the exhaust note is doing its thing behind you.

Inside, the black leather sport seats hold you firmly without being punishing on longer drives. The M Sport steering wheel sits just right. The iDrive display, sport suspension, and dual-zone climate control are all present -- practical enough for daily use, engaging enough to remind you it was engineered by people who actually enjoy driving.

Compliance dated 04/2017, 71,000 km on the clock. Well-maintained and presented in excellent condition, with the kind of low-drama ownership costs you'd expect from a well-sorted BMW that hasn't been pushed beyond its comfort zone.

Priced at $33,800 for a genuine M Sport convertible with a 3.0T engine, this is the kind of buy that doesn't come around often in the Melbourne used-car market -- and tends to move quickly when it does.

They say open-top motoring is best enjoyed in summer. The M235i disagrees -- it makes a compelling case year-round, especially once you remember it has heated seats.

All prices displayed exclude government charges. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided, MM Carz recommends you confirm with one of our consultants to confirm specific specifications/features about the car. Please also note our vehicles may not always be on display, as they may be in for detailing--please contact us in advance to confirm availability before visiting our showroom.