[Turbo_435i]

All i can say is "wowwww"


To say i was surprised would be an understatement !!!


The car hauls some serious bmw engineering ass!!!!!!


Im getting an M235i, and decided to drive the 228i just for comparison etc .....


The hp & torque numbers DO NOT do this car justice!!!!!


This lil mofo rips for a 228....


Dont get me wrong, im getting M235i, as I am a full out power junkie , but someone in the market for a 228i will be surprisingly pleased with it to say the least.

[tccox]

True that. Love my 228 Msport, Manual. But you're making the right decision. It was economics for me, a $40,000 cap so no 235 for me.

[OpenAir]

Love my 228i...drove both and went for the 4!

[Whiskeymike]

My take: anyone considering the 2-series should definitely drive the 228 for a bit before taking the plunge.
Coming from a 911 Cabrio which I had for 13 years and loved, I just "had" to have the big engine.As it turned out the only demo the dealer had was the 235 and I was sold.
However, I had previously test driven a 328 ( for my wife) with the 4-banger and knew it was no slouch.
Now, after 2500 miles, including an 1100 mile road trip, I think I might go with the 228 if I had it to do again.
Make no mistake: when you do nail it, wondrous things happen. But in the real world of traffic and cops, you rarely do that.
I'm sure that the next time I'm tail-chasing with my buddy in his Boxster on back roads, I'll say "Nah; gotta have the big engine!", but for all other times, the 228 would be just fine.
Thought I'd throw that in for anyone who thinks the 228 is somehow a downgrade; it's not, as long as you get the handling goodies.

My $.02

[rsternitup]

I paid $41k plus tax for my 235. Granted, it has no options, but it really doesn't need any. I wanted that engine, plus all of the goodies that come standard on the 235 that you have to add on to the 228. Just wanted to remind prospective buyers that a 235 might be more affordable than one thinks.

[CE750Jockey]

Originally Posted by Whiskeymike

My take: anyone considering the 2-series should definitely drive the 228 for a bit before taking the plunge.
Coming from a 911 Cabrio which I had for 13 years and loved, I just "had" to have the big engine.As it turned out the only demo the dealer had was the 235 and I was sold.
However, I had previously test driven a 328 ( for my wife) with the 4-banger and knew it was no slouch.
Now, after 2500 miles, including an 1100 mile road trip, I think I might go with the 228 if I had it to do again.
Make no mistake: when you do nail it, wondrous things happen. But in the real world of traffic and cops, you rarely do that.
I'm sure that the next time I'm tail-chasing with my buddy in his Boxster on back roads, I'll say "Nah; gotta have the big engine!", but for all other times, the 228 would be just fine.
Thought I'd throw that in for anyone who thinks the 228 is somehow a downgrade; it's not, as long as you get the handling goodies.

My $.02

This is exactly me. I've driven neither, yet. I thought I wanted the 228 w/Track Pack. Then my mind, and father-in-law, put the heavy hand on me for the "sublime inline 6 engine", and I started to doubt my gut and Sportstick's advice. Then I saw this thread, and I'm back to the 228. I gotta drive this thing and compare it to my '13 328 with the N20 in it.

Did anyone have a F30 with the N20 and then go into a 2 Series with the N20 that can comment on the two? Thanks.

[Turbo_435i]

Belive me....

You WILL like the 228i.

I have driven fast cars, and the 228 is not like its supercar territory, BUT it is an awesome ass daily driver with LOTS of fun power and TORQUE.

[CE750Jockey]

Originally Posted by schybrid

Belive me....

You WILL like the 228i.

I have driven fast cars, and the 228 is not like its supercar territory, BUT it is an awesome ass daily driver with LOTS of fun power and TORQUE.

Thanks schybrid. This "back and forth" is killing me. I never heard the F30's N20 engine described like this, merely that "it's pretty good for a 4 banger". And I'd agree. It's pretty decent, but definitely NOT exciting.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by CE750Jockey

Then my mind, and father-in-law, put the heavy hand on me for the "sublime inline 6 engine", and I started to doubt my gut and Sportstick's advice.

Shirley, you jest!

Tell dad-in-law you also value the superiority of the "sublime" handling of the 50/50 weight distribution of the 228!

[Turbo_435i]

Originally Posted by CE750Jockey

Thanks schybrid. This "back and forth" is killing me. I never heard the F30's N20 engine described like this, merely that "it's pretty good for a 4 banger". And I'd agree. It's pretty decent, but definitely NOT exciting.

Get to dealer asap then, you will not regret it. I am still in shock at the power of the 228i.

The hp numbers are deceiving. In guessing its because probably the torque kicks in close to full power at 1800-2000 rpm..... And it pulls hard as fuqk entire rpm band.... And then transmission...... Auto that is..... Is soo much fun....... My brother and i both drove it, and nothing but

[Cyberdemon]

228 has more than enough power for real world tomfoolery and the lower weight is noticeable when you start flinging it around.

The extra mass of the convertible though makes the 6 cyl more valuable.

[sstarrx3]

Originally Posted by Whiskeymike

My take: anyone considering the 2-series should definitely drive the 228 for a bit before taking the plunge.
Coming from a 911 Cabrio which I had for 13 years and loved, I just "had" to have the big engine.As it turned out the only demo the dealer had was the 235 and I was sold.
However, I had previously test driven a 328 ( for my wife) with the 4-banger and knew it was no slouch.
Now, after 2500 miles, including an 1100 mile road trip, I think I might go with the 228 if I had it to do again.
Make no mistake: when you do nail it, wondrous things happen. But in the real world of traffic and cops, you rarely do that.
I'm sure that the next time I'm tail-chasing with my buddy in his Boxster on back roads, I'll say "Nah; gotta have the big engine!", but for all other times, the 228 would be just fine.
Thought I'd throw that in for anyone who thinks the 228 is somehow a downgrade; it's not, as long as you get the handling goodies.

My $.02

Just like you were saying...unless you are tracking it or like to drive like a maniac ...you really dont need the THP either. My base handles great the way it is. Its a car to me...a mode of transporatatipn that is very quick and fun to drive. Not all folks buy BMWs so they can rag the crap out of em.

[BarryJI]

I test drove both cars; a fully-optioned 228i AT and a base M235 MT. The first thing that struck me, powerfully, was how fierce the 228i was; I am convinced that it is less than .5 sec slower to 60mph than the 235. I could have custom-ordered a M235, keeping the options limited in the expectation of paying around $45k. Meanwhile, a local dealership took delivery of a beautiful, fully loaded Midnight Silver 228i M Sport with the Track Handling Package and all the luxury options. Whereas I do not need some of these goodies (I am still limber enough to be able to look over my shoulder when reversing, thank you very much) some of them are great, like the touch-lock system, the enhanced USB connectivity and the ConnectDrive system including extensive high-tech roadside service network access. A similarly equipped M235 would have been around $55k whereas the loaded 228i ended up at about $43k.

I've driven sports cars all my life and would not have bought the 228i without the M Sport, Sport Line and Track Handling Package options, all of which (especially the adaptive suspension/steering and MT paddle options) benefit the car's sporting manners and appearance greatly. I much prefer the big front air intakes that come with the Sport Line and the adaptive suspension, combined with Sport and Sport + modes, really tightens up the car under heavy acceleration and cornering. The 8AT is a thing of beauty. All this to say that, equipped this way, the 228i M Sport is a fierce-handling, genuinely quick and extremely well-engineered and well-appointed car.

Every now and then I feel a twinge of regret at not getting the M235i. I could have made the numbers work but I would have felt bad about justifying this choice to my sensible wife when we are staring down the barrel of two sets of college fees. Then I get into my loaded 228i M Sport, engage Sport + mode and gun it hard down the nearest two-lane highway. It's really fierce and the turbocharged four-banger, combined with the 8AT makes it one of the fastest and most well equipped sports coupes on the road, perfectly suited for both city and highway driving. I love it.

[2msport]

You do need the THP and sport suspension.

[BarryJI]

Originally Posted by 2msport

You do need the THP and sport suspension.

+ 1

[bimmerfile]

Originally Posted by schybrid

All i can say is "wowwww"
To say i was surprised would be an understatement !!!
The car hauls some serious bmw engineering ass!!!!!!
Im getting an M235i, and decided to drive the 228i just for comparison etc .....
The hp & torque numbers DO NOT do this car justice!!!!!
This lil mofo rips for a 228....
Dont get me wrong, im getting M235i, as I am a full out power junkie , but someone in the market for a 228i will be surprisingly pleased with it to say the least.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Dinan verified that the 228i/328i/428i N20 "factory rated" HP/torque numbers (240/260) were understated and their real measured numbers are 261HP and 290 torque.

[BarryJI]

Ha, that's good to know!!

[sstarrx3]

Originally Posted by 2msport

You do need the THP and sport suspension.

You need it...I don't.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by sstarrx3

You need it...I don't.

You are obviously right about need as you are doing fine without it. But, the WANT factor is very high after you try it. You don't have to be a 10/10ths driver to enjoy the ability to customize the chassis for comfort (a must-have for me when SWMBO is aboard) and then be able to get back to Sport and enjoy the full sensation of chassis, Variable Sport Steering, and MSport brakes.

[sstarrx3]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

You are obviously right about need as you are doing fine without it. But, the WANT factor is very high after you try it. You don't have to be a 10/10ths driver to enjoy the ability to customize the chassis for comfort (a must-have for me when SWMBO is aboard) and then be able to get back to Sport and enjoy the full sensation of chassis, Variable Sport Steering, and MSport brakes.

I guess your right, but given the 4 major packages Premium, Tech, Lighting and THP. The Premium and Tech are the most important to me. The THP would rank just barely above the lighting package. If money was no object I would just say load her up. I would however go with the Sportline as I would want my fog lights and the Non M steering wheel. Not a fan of that Sport wheel, looks like it belongs in a Mustang. Really don't care for those lights either. To me they look like they flicker all the time like a beer sign about to go out. I prefer Audi lights.

[AWheeler]

I have driven both engines and ultimately decided on the M235. That being said, both powertrains are exceptional. Even for those that can afford either car, the different character of the engines and weight/balance really becomes a matter of taste more than truly superior performance in the real world. I'm not sure which engine I would choose if I was selecting a 2 series again.

[BarryJI]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

You are obviously right about need as you are doing fine without it. But, the WANT factor is very high after you try it. You don't have to be a 10/10ths driver to enjoy the ability to customize the chassis for comfort (a must-have for me when SWMBO is aboard) and then be able to get back to Sport and enjoy the full sensation of chassis, Variable Sport Steering, and MSport brakes.

Originally Posted by AWheeler

I have driven both engines and ultimately decided on the M235. That being said, both powertrains are exceptional. Even for those that can afford either car, the different character of the engines and weight/balance really becomes a matter of taste more than truly superior performance in the real world. I'm not sure which engine I would choose if I was selecting a 2 series again.

How would you characterize that difference?