[Bimmer86]

I ordered the 228i m-sport w/ THP. During my test drives, I found that the 228i already had more than enough power than I would reasonably use. Doesn't help the fact that simply just going over 80 here in VA is a reckless driving ticket. I also found the 228i to be more nimble.

There was also more negotating room on the 228i. My 228i ended up below invoice around 11% below MSRP. I could only get the m235i down to about 7% below MSRP.

[Canaletto]

Originally Posted by MikeG12

If you want the best handling for the 228, buy the track package option.

Actually, the M Performance Suspension from the M Performance catalog will probably give you even better handling than the track package. Although, in interests of full disclosure, I've not driven a car with it equipped (and it seems like nobody has?).

http://www.shopbmwusa.com/PRODUCT/44...NCE-SUSPENSION

[scrape1]

Originally Posted by bluemeanie

A Dinan tune applied to a 228i gets you very close to the stock M235i performance numbers in a lighter weight, more balanced package.

I am getting this done this coming Monday. I don't know if it will get my car close to a stock M235i. I am pretty curious to experience the end result, obviously. My hope is that it gets the power close to my departed stock Evo, which I think would be adequate to keep me from doing something stupid. Like buying an M2.

[gaijin]

Good morning! The responses so far to this missive has been great. Awesome feedback and straight-up legitimate opinions. Really has been both informative and enjoyable reading.

I've been working with a dealership in my region and so far I've considered three 228i and two M235i. Options, pricing, etc.

It's really a tough choice. It's like splitting hair between financial equity and sports car enthusiast in me.

[335BOY]

Originally Posted by krhodes1

Actually, the only option you can get on the M235i that is not on the M-Sport 228i is the sunroof delete. And annoyingly, that is the ONLY reason I am ordering an M235i, I would be perfectly happy with 240hp, but I want the premium pack things but no hole in the roof. If anything you have more options on a 228i. 3 lines, 3 suspension choices and more colors inside and out. But as far as equipment options, they are exactly the same.

Why so against sunroof? Tall?

[bluemeanie]

Originally Posted by scrape1

I am getting this done this coming Monday. I don't know if it will get my car close to a stock M235i. I am pretty curious to experience the end result, obviously. My hope is that it gets the power close to my departed stock Evo, which I think would be adequate to keep me from doing something stupid. Like buying an M2.

If you compare the numbers for the 228i and the 235i on the Dinan page the "measured" stock 235i made 326 hp and the tuned 228i made 311 hp. The torque curves are also quite interesting with the 235i having max torque at low rpms while the 228i peaks at much higher rpms and higher in the hp range. If one wanted a track-oriented car, the higher rpm/hp range would be more relevant.

Anyway just some food for thought and please give us a report on your Dinan installation and performance.

[scrape1]

Originally Posted by bluemeanie

If you compare the numbers for the 228i and the 235i on the Dinan page the "measured" stock 235i made 326 hp and the tuned 228i made 311 hp. The torque curves are also quite interesting with the 235i having max torque at low rpms while the 228i peaks at much higher rpms and higher in the hp range. If one wanted a track-oriented car, the higher rpm/hp range would be more relevant.

Anyway just some food for thought and please give us a report on your Dinan installation and performance.

Not looking for a track car just yet. Although maybe I'll get there someday.

My problem is that I test drove the 8 speed auto as that was all the dealer had, but I ordered the 6MT. The auto definitely does feel quicker, so I am hoping the tune makes it feel a little more lively and comparable to the auto.

To tell the truth, I don't even drive it that aggressively most of the time. But when the mood strikes me and I do floor the right pedal, I have occasionally found myself wanting a little extra. So I am hoping this thing does the trick.

[335BOY]

Originally Posted by scrape1

Not looking for a track car just yet. Although maybe I'll get there someday.

My problem is that I test drove the 8 speed auto as that was all the dealer had, but I ordered the 6MT. The auto definitely does feel quicker, so I am hoping the tune makes it feel a little more lively and comparable to the auto.

To tell the truth, I don't even drive it that aggressively most of the time. But when the mood strikes me and I do floor the right pedal, I have occasionally found myself wanting a little extra. So I am hoping this thing does the trick.

It will be great!

[gaijin]

Has anyone experienced the Dinan D440-1605-ST1 in a M235i?

364 HP, 430 lb-ft of torque!

[bladeomatic]

Originally Posted by gaijin

Considering BMW 2-Series and I need some assistance from those that already own/drive one of these two models. Please provide inputs on ownership experiences. Thank you.

In all fairness they're both solid picks. In short, if money is a big consideration, you'll do fine with a 228i. If money isn't that important or if the prices are even close when they're both optioned the way you want, then do yourself a favor and get the M235i.

Simply put, the M235i is a modern-day masterpiece from BMW. Nothing close to it has come from them in a long time. Small, nimble, balanced, comfortable, great braking, excellent cornering, fast acceleration, pulls like a freight train, sounds beefy, reasonable MPG, looks mean, etc.

The 235i made Car & Driver's 10 best. It came in 2nd by beating the 911 and corvette on Consumer Reports for 2014. It continues to rack up accolades from most of the publications that review it.

Though I love the 228i, it's certainly not getting hearlded as anywhere near as special as the 235i.

Plus, years after any premium car purchase, how many folks really wish they'd chosen the lower-powered one?

I have several friends with 320/328i's that wish they'd opted for a 335i.
I have several friends with 335i's, but none that wished they'd opted for a 320/328i.

Good luck!

[335BOY]

You can never go wrong with more HP!

[Cyberdemon]

Originally Posted by bladeomatic

I have several friends with 335i's, but none that wished they'd opted for a 320/328i.

I've been driving a F30 335i for 2+ years and after spending a week with a '14 328 Sport loaner, I started to prefer the feeling of the lighter, less powerful car on the street. The power was more usable and I felt less like I was wasting 95% of the cars potential. The active sound made up for the kind of unpleasant 4 banger noises that it makes and I rather liked it.

But I may be the exception to the rule. I'm sure if I was driving a 328 for 2 years I'd complain I couldn't get to 120mph fast enough.

[Xiaoxi]

I'm coming from a base F30 328i (same N20 engine as the 228) and ordered the 235i on engine note and response alone.

The N20 is a great engine and so perfect in terms of balancing the priorities. However, it quickly stopped being exciting to me and the sound was never very good to begin with.

To me it's not about which one is faster. Obviously there is no reason to buy the M235i as a daily driver if all you're concerned about is if it will soar through traffic. The 228 is more than ample for that. However, the feelings I got from the 235i can't be replicated on the *28s. To me, they both get up to legal limits quickly, but the 235i does so with a huge grin while the 228 smiles politely.

As someone mentioned, when you stack up both with the same options, the 228 quickly adds up to just a very few thousands below the M235i. If I'm spending this much money anyway, no point in saving a few and then risk feeling like I came up short.

[CedrusLibani]

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

Well; much depends on how your going to use the car. Will it be a daily commuter sitting in crowded parking space through-out the week. Will it be traversing broken urban roadways. Is their any consideration on running pricey tires.
If the car will be doing the things that a Honda Civic will be doing then a 228 is a brilliant fast great car if you purchase minimum options and get it for a ~ $35k.


If you like to get up early, around 5:00 am to have the streets to yourself. If you like to open the windows in a tunnel and blip the throttle to listen to the sound. If you plan to walk to the back of the car on a cold start-up to listen to the exhaust. If you go to Tirerack and scan the pricing of tires that fit the car for a pastime. If you get back home after a drive and you have a buzz from the experience - get a M235!

I was asking myself the same question but now after reading the above, I think I got the answer ;-)

[bimmerfile]

Originally Posted by bladeomatic

...........................................

Though I love the 228i, it's certainly not getting hearlded as anywhere near as special as the 235i.

Plus, years after any premium car purchase, how many folks really wish they'd chosen the lower-powered one?

Yet there are some people consider the 228i "the best new BMW a true driving enthusiast can buy".:

http://jalopnik.com/the-bmw-228i-is-...buy-1662847106
.

[scrape1]

Originally Posted by bimmerfile

Yet there are some people consider the 228i "the best new BMW a true driving enthusiast can buy".:

http://jalopnik.com/the-bmw-228i-is-...buy-1662847106
.

No doubt it's a matter of taste, and someone can have their reasons to prefer the lower powered car. But proclaiming stuff about a "true driving enthusiast" is iffy at best. You are never getting anyone to agree on specifically what that even means.

[bimmerfile]

Originally Posted by scrape1

No doubt it's a matter of taste, and someone can have their reasons to prefer the lower powered car. But proclaiming stuff about a "true driving enthusiast" is iffy at best. You are never getting anyone to agree on specifically what that even means.

True, but since the OP was asking for opinions regarding the merits of the 228i vs M235i, it doesn't hurt for him to have this as another "opinion"

I think it is interesting that in the reviewers opinion "The 228i is better. I really believe that. For one thing, at 3,300 pounds it's more than 200 pounds lighter than its six-cylinder sibling, and it really feels it. It's more nimble, more tossable, less nose-heavy. The 228i has this BRZ-esque agility to it that makes it feel sharper than the M235i.

[uberspeed]

I prefer the 228i to the 235i and that's what I'll get. I don't see why I should penalize myself with the extra two cylinders daily when I'll potentially be tracking it perhaps a handful of times a year and having pushed both a bit on small auto-x courses I enjoyed the nimbler handling of the 228i. I'm also a steadfast supporter of 4banger turbos though Still, comparing the 228i to a vehicle as pedestrian as a Civic is a far fetched comparison, in my eyes anyway. Thankfully we may each get the one that pleases us the most for whatever reasons we value.

[Bimmer86]

There is also this review if you haven't already seen it http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=969329

[gaijin]

Here are the two I will consider:

2015 M235i
Estoril Blue Metallic
Black SensaTec
Aluminum Hexagon
Cold Weather Package
Highlight trim finishers Estoril Blue matte
Sunroof delete
A/T

2015 228i
Same exterior/interior options as M235i
Lighting Package
M Sport
Track Handling Package
Cold Weather Package
Sunroof delete
6 speed

The only issue I'm running into is that none of the BMW dealerships in my region (200 miles radius) has a M235i and 228i in their inventory for a comparative test drive.

Are the M235i really that rare?

Back to the drawing board......

[mmmmm235i]

Originally Posted by bluemeanie

If you compare the numbers for the 228i and the 235i on the Dinan page the "measured" stock 235i made 326 hp and the tuned 228i made 311 hp. The torque curves are also quite interesting with the 235i having max torque at low rpms while the 228i peaks at much higher rpms and higher in the hp range. If one wanted a track-oriented car, the higher rpm/hp range would be more relevant.

Anyway just some food for thought and please give us a report on your Dinan installation and performance.

By this logic the 235 would be the better choice for the street then. I don't know why everyone thinks that 320hp is useless on the streets. The car has so much torque that you really do feel the difference down low at normal driving speeds. You don't have to be going 80 to feel the extra 80hp. We are not talking about a high reving 500 hp car that tops out at 205. I have driven both engines before and there is a noticeable difference.
Also to compare a tuned 228 to a stock 235 is ridiculous for a lot of reasons, but mainly who's to say that the 235 buyer is less likely to get a tune? IF the OP is interested in getting a tune it changes the question completely.
The 235 is really a good value as others have pointed out. OP you would not be penalizing yourself two cylinders, you are practically stealing them.

[vase330]

Am looking to replace my 335i daily driver thinking I want a car thats a lot of fun wondering if I should step down to the 2-series. I drove 228i M-sport and M235i but none of the dealers had both so its hard to get an objective comparison. Also wondering if I should wait for the rumoured 240i, except I dont know when it is coming out. I have to say I was surprised by how nice the 2 felt right out of my E92 335i.