[Douche]

Hello again fellow forumers,

So yesterday I was at the stealer with my wife driving/buying a 13 X3 28i and I saw a 228i at the showroom, probably one of the cars they used for test driving. The car is 2014, but is new (albeit having around 300 miles/500 Km on the odometer) which means full 4 year 80,000 Km warranty after being purchased.

It is a silver car, with light interior, FULLY loaded: M-Sport, black roofline, Harman Kardon audio, Manual Transmission (of course), Bi-Xenons, Memory seats etc.

They are asking CAD 40 k (US$ 31,000) for it.

Am I crazy of thinking of replacing my MT Black 2007 328i with Sport Package with almost 95,000 Km (60,000 miles) on this new car? I got really tempted, but did not drive the car. I would assume it would handle very similarly to mine, and have a little more power on lower revolutions. Performance figures should also be the same.

I don't need the practicality of 5 seats or 4 doors.

Thanks!

[Agentphish]

I actually enjoyed the 2014 228 loaner I had, and basically have the same car as you do currently. Go drive it. See what you think. I liked it better than the 2014 328.

[Douche]

Originally Posted by Agentphish

I actually enjoyed the 2014 228 loaner I had, and basically have the same car as you do currently. Go drive it. See what you think. I liked it better than the 2014 328.

I was basically sold just on the features my car doesn't have (Bi-Xenons, Audio, Navigation, Steering wheel and seat warmers, memory seats)... Which are nice to have, but are not a priority for me (which is why I bought my car, I need a Manual Transmission, Sport Package with Sport Suspension, Performance Tires and Sport Seats).

I thought it was a deal for CAD40k (31kUSD). Or is it not? I figured it would be because if I am not mistaken I saw it for 36kCAD on the BMW website, naked (with no optionals or packages).

[jet987]

I'm in a similar situation, have a 2006 325i with 63k miles, thinking of selling and getting a 2014/2015 228i, but would like to buy used, still searching.

[raisingAnarchy]

Originally Posted by valter

I was basically sold just on the features my car doesn't have (Bi-Xenons, Audio, Navigation, Steering wheel and seat warmers, memory seats)... Which are nice to have, but are not a priority for me (which is why I bought my car, I need a Manual Transmission, Sport Package with Sport Suspension, Performance Tires and Sport Seats).

I thought it was a deal for CAD40k (31kUSD). Or is it not? I figured it would be because if I am not mistaken I saw it for 36kCAD on the BMW website, naked (with no optionals or packages).

I think it'd be a great car and that price is the best I've heard. The only concern is if it's a demo car then those 300 miles are probably not "easy break-in" miles.

Definitely test drive first though and see how it makes you feel. I personally felt like the newer gen F2x and F3x cars are just missing that little something that the E9x has; however, sport package and track package on the 2 series may completely change that.

Keep us posted with what you think after the test drive.

[SLOWER]

I drove the 228i on an autocross course(BMWCCA event), and really enjoyed it. It's a nice sized car and was a blast to drive.

[Efthreeoh]

I had a loaner 228i last week. It probably didn't have the sport package; it did have 18 wheels with Pirelli rubber however, I don't remember the seats, but I thought it drove like crap (like the few F30's I've driven). The 228 was fast (it had an auto) but the brake feel and performance sucked (no bite to them), and the steering was just Electric! (not a good thing). I think the auto can hide the turbo'ness of the N20. The N20 has no character, so without the auto it might not be pleasing to drive live the N52 is. Your E90 has really low miles, I’d keep it. Just my 2 cents.

[m9bm]

I had a loaner 228 before. It was a stripper model, no sport package, no HIDs.

I liked it better than the new 328i.

[e92328i998]

Has the Canadian Dollar really deflated that much against the American dollar?...well i guess so... just looked and a CAD = .79USD...dang

[Douche]

Yes it did. It's really low today. Not that it affects anything for us just to get the numbers in perspective.

So I'm at the stealer, let's see what happens as they are appraising my baby.

The car has 14k of rebates, 555km (say not so much used as demo, but rather by the manager sometimes, don't know).
It's mint anyway.

And about the "hard break-in", I do realize that, but the thing is not much can go wrong with it in 4 years or 80,000 km, if it does, not my problem, they pay for it. After that I may sell it...

I always maintain my cars perfectly, for myself. And the next owner enjoy the benefits of that. In this case, if something happened in the first 555km, I would be sorry.

[norsairius]

If I were in your position, I'd do it in a heartbeat if I didn't need a practical 4-door and could afford it.

0-60 in the low-mid 5s range with a manual and fully-loaded? What's not to love?

The electric steering bothers some, but it's nothing you can't get used to. I found the electric steering to be much better in the latest 320i loaner I had about a couple months ago especially once I set the chassis to sport. I left the drivetrain in comfort so it wouldn't be shifting at 3-4k RPM all the time.

The sound of the 4 cyl may be a turn-off, but it's a motor that's capable of making the car go properly quick. Even with a porker like the new F30 328, that 4-cyl turbo really propels the car!

A manual, torquey 4-cyl car is tons of fun. I used to have a 6-speed VW GTI and I still miss that thing, even compared to my 335!

[Agentphish]

Originally Posted by m9bm

I had a loaner 228 before. It was a stripper model, no sport package, no HIDs.

I liked it better than the new 328i.

Yeah thats how mine was, and I still liked it better than the F30 loaner I had had previously.

I agree that BMW needs to do a better job with the electronic steering... We got a 2015 Golf Sport and it has electronic steering and it's actually not bad at all. Better than the bmw I think.

[Douche]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

I had a loaner 228i last week. It probably didn't have the sport package; it did have 18 wheels with Pirelli rubber however, I don't remember the seats, but I thought it drove like crap (like the few F30's I've driven). The 228 was fast (it had an auto) but the brake feel and performance sucked (no bite to them), and the steering was just Electric! (not a good thing). I think the auto can hide the turbo'ness of the N20. The N20 has no character, so without the auto it might not be pleasing to drive live the N52 is. Your E90 has really low miles, I’d keep it. Just my 2 cents.

I agree on keeping my car for its low mileage. I will do that, thanks!
The stealer offered me 7 k for my car They said: "the computer tells us to pay 5, but your car is extremely good, and has 0 accidents, so I have to pay a premium and offer 7. I will sell it for 12". I said I will think about it. But I have thought about it: My car is not a piece of shit that I will give to anyone for 7 k. I was interested on the 228i because it was a steal. But, as it always does, the stealer steals for a living. They made a car that was a bargain sound like no different than a regular car.

Originally Posted by norsairius

If I were in your position, I'd do it in a heartbeat if I didn't need a practical 4-door and could afford it.

0-60 in the low-mid 5s range with a manual and fully-loaded? What's not to love?

The electric steering bothers some, but it's nothing you can't get used to. I found the electric steering to be much better in the latest 320i loaner I had about a couple months ago especially once I set the chassis to sport. I left the drivetrain in comfort so it wouldn't be shifting at 3-4k RPM all the time.

The sound of the 4 cyl may be a turn-off, but it's a motor that's capable of making the car go properly quick. Even with a porker like the new F30 328, that 4-cyl turbo really propels the car!

A manual, torquey 4-cyl car is tons of fun. I used to have a 6-speed VW GTI and I still miss that thing, even compared to my 335!

They didn't let me drive it! I guess because it had summer tires. Nobody even gave me a key to the damn thing. 2 days looking at the car, bought the X3, took my car for appraisal, and nothing. I guess it was not meant to be lol.

I'm not sure this car is much faster than mine though... Would be interesting to see them both go at it. Haven't found any videos on the web.

Originally Posted by Agentphish

Yeah thats how mine was, and I still liked it better than the F30 loaner I had had previously.

I agree that BMW needs to do a better job with the electronic steering... We got a 2015 Golf Sport and it has electronic steering and it's actually not bad at all. Better than the bmw I think.

Wish I could tell you how the M-Sport drove...
The only option this car does not have is the adaptive suspension and steering. Everything else is there, even the blue trim accent hehe

I am happy with my car. I felt that I was due a lot of cash for a car that is very similar to mine. With the amount of cash paid for the difference I could travel around the world every year, for 5 years, and save a little for any maintenance or mishap in my current car. If it was an X6M though... But same horsepower, same consumption, same performance and size... Why bother. Maybe some other time. I'm still in the honeymoon with my car, and it is very safe, sound and reliable.

[smithf80]

Its a fun car to drive, and a loaded one is definitely nice. I would go for it. That sounds like a good deal considering a base 228i starts at 32k USD

[Douche]

Originally Posted by smithf32

Its a fun car to drive, and a loaded one is definitely nice. I would go for it. That sounds like a good deal considering a base 228i starts at 32k USD

They suggested selling mine privately. I would do that, but don't want the hassle.

[Dozhdbog]

Buy it. The warranty will cover anything the rough 300 miles might have caused problems with.

In fact, drive the hell out of it for four years, and by the end of that time, anything and everything that might break will have by that point and be replaced for free!

[Dozhdbog]

And then give it a 30hp/50tq bump with a tune.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by valter

They didn't let me drive it! I guess because it had summer tires. Nobody even gave me a key to the damn thing. 2 days looking at the car, bought the X3, took my car for appraisal, and nothing. I guess it was not meant to be lol.

So the Dealer wanted you to buy a car without test driving it? And the probable excuse was it had summer tires. So what would you have done once you bought the car, not drive it until Spring? This whole thing makes no sense. I'll assume that your E90 is paid off, so at your low mileage, you've got a car that you can keep another 10 years if you want. The E90 with the N52 easily goes 200,000 miles without much repair cost.

[Douche]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

So the Dealer wanted you to buy a car without test driving it? And the probable excuse was it had summer tires. So what would you have done once you bought the car, not drive it until Spring? This whole thing makes no sense. I'll assume that your E90 is paid off, so at your low mileage, you've got a car that you can keep another 10 years if you want. The E90 with the N52 easily goes 200,000 miles without much repair cost.

Yes, weird. I agree with you.
I have Blizzaks on my car now, the staggered performance are in the basement.
I mentioned they should fit the new car, even though they were 17s.

The salesman even said: "I'm not sure they would fit, we would have to confirm the offset by taking one of your wheels and putting it on the 228". This makes sense. But apparently everything would have to be done after signing. I wasn't even sure I wanted the car, they really threw me off.

The thing really is: I paid cash for my car, and I have peace of mind of having money in the bank should I need emergency repairs. With the 228 it wouldn't make sense to pay cash, as it is a lot of it.
When I was buying the X3 I saw the car and the price tag on it, and thought it would be a good deal being the car has 14,4k discount.

The problem is: with them offering to pay 7000CAD (less than 5500USD) on my car, the whole savings with the new car are off. And it wasn't a car I desperately wanted anyway. I just wanted the deal. The manager even came to talk to me and say: "think about it, one other way of thinking is we're paying 7000CAD + 14,4kCAD on your car." (But then I'd pay 54kCAD on the 228 lol)

What I talk to my wife about is what you said: my car is in perfect condition and will remain. Just like my iPhone 5, I will only replace them when the new car (and phone) have features that my current ones don't have. As of now, the 228 and the iPhone 6 are just money down the drain for things I want but already have. May iPhone 8? (Not even 7, as it would just come out with a different screen), or 2019 365i?

They are having a hard time selling the 228, nobody wants it (rwd manual doesn't stick with people here, especially during icy winter), and for most people to drive it off the lot it's another 5 grand (what they have for a set of wheels and winter tires on sale there lol). They need it to go, because it's a 2014. They will do any deal for people seriously interested. Maybe one of you guys can take advantage. It's a brand new car with full warranty and maintenance...

[e90-328i]

You bought a x3 off them and wouldn't even give you the key to sit in the 228???
I think I would have quietly talked to manager and said you should be deserved a little more respect. If they really wanted to sell it, they would have thrown winters or no-season tires on it in 10 min if roads were in good shape if you were that serious.

[raisingAnarchy]

Originally Posted by valter

The salesman even said: "I'm not sure they would fit, we would have to confirm the offset by taking one of your wheels and putting it on the 228". This makes sense. But apparently everything would have to be done after signing. I wasn't even sure I wanted the car, they really threw me off.

This part really stuck out to me. How is trading an E90 for an F2x/F3x chassis a new thing? Seems like the dealer should know whether or not the wheels would fit without having to sample it. I doubt you're one of the first people in your area to come in with E90 snow tires wanting to put them on a new car. Just seems silly on the dealer's part.

Anyway, sounds like you're better off without the F22 if you can't test drive it. Despite what I said earlier, the E90 328i manual sport package is, in my mind, an ideal DD. My xDrive is a little too heavy for my tastes

[jet987]

I sold my 2006 325i w/Sport Package last Fall (had 71k miles) and replaced it with a new 2017 230i with M-Sport Package, very happy with it.