[chiefneil]

I’m looking at CPO 228i’s in the 2015-2016 range and I had some questions on features.

Sometime between then and now I believe the backup camera became standard, does anybody know when? I know for 2015 you needed DAP to get it. Also, when backup camera became standard, did the front/rear park distance sensors also become standard?

Second question is on xenon headlights. Again for 2015 I believe the standard lights were halogens and you needed the lighting package for xenons. Looks like the lighting package for 2018 is now LED, so I’m wondering if xenons ever became standard or are halogens still standard?

Third question is power front seats - I thought those required the premium package but I see some cars listed with power seats but no premium pack? We’re power seats available as a separate option, and did they ever become standard?

And one last question - any strong reasons to avoid 2015 in favor of 2016 and up? I believe the 2015 N20 engine had the older problematic timing chain design that was corrected in 2016? Anything else?

Thanks in advance guys. I’m normally a 3-series guy and we all know how confusing BMW makes it it understand their constantly changing options!

[zentanker]

Originally Posted by chiefneil

Second question is on xenon headlights. Again for 2015 I believe the standard lights were halogens and you needed the lighting package for xenons.

this was also true for 2016. It baffles me that people would buy a BMW without at least xenons/angeleyes.. though I guess LEDs is the new hotness

[MrOhnoez]

Originally Posted by chiefneil

I’m looking at CPO 228i’s in the 2015-2016 range and I had some questions on features.

Sometime between then and now I believe the backup camera became standard, does anybody know when? I know for 2015 you needed DAP to get it. Also, when backup camera became standard, did the front/rear park distance sensors also become standard?

Second question is on xenon headlights. Again for 2015 I believe the standard lights were halogens and you needed the lighting package for xenons. Looks like the lighting package for 2018 is now LED, so I’m wondering if xenons ever became standard or are halogens still standard?

Third question is power front seats - I thought those required the premium package but I see some cars listed with power seats but no premium pack? We’re power seats available as a separate option, and did they ever become standard?

And one last question - any strong reasons to avoid 2015 in favor of 2016 and up? I believe the 2015 N20 engine had the older problematic timing chain design that was corrected in 2016? Anything else?

Thanks in advance guys. I’m normally a 3-series guy and we all know how confusing BMW makes it it understand their constantly changing options!

1: MY18 which production began in July 2017 is when backup camera became standard as it is mandatory for US cars now. Otherwise yes, it is included with the DAP package.

2: During this same time period AKA the LCI F22 update Bi-LED headlamps became standard, as well as LED foglights on 230i models only.
Otherwise since you are speaking of a 228i it'll be halogen as standard.

3: Problems, n20 engines are the more reliable of the bunch that I've seen at least. I'll keep my opinions to my self on this one.

[Quicksilver_M235]

Originally Posted by chiefneil

...any strong reasons to avoid 2015 in favor of 2016 and up?

Truth be told, if you go for the xenons and updated nav/backup camera for 2015-2016, usually with those added options, that will put you in the 2014-2015 used M235i range...

So my counter-question would be why go with the 228 at that point?

[MrOhnoez]

Here's the page I'm referencing for you right from dealerspeed.

2018 BMW 2 Series Coupe.
Less Rules. More Performance.
The 2018 Model Year represents the Lifecycle Impulse (LCI) for the sucessful BMW 2 Series models. The 2 Series Coupe continues to embody the Ultimate Driving Machine in a more concentrated and intense form than ever before in the premium sub-compact segment.

For the Model Year 2018 LCI, several design elements are changed both inside and out, additional content is standard/available, and the option package structure has been revised. A summary of some of the major changes are noted below. Refer to the individual PKOD pages for additional detail and images.

For the latest details on the new package structure, refer to the latest Ordering and Pricing Guides.

Production of the 2018 Model Year begins in July, 2017.

In addition to the visual enhancements on the F22 LCI, it also benefits from the following additional Standard Equipment:

3AG - Rear View Camera

3AK - Connected Drive Services

5A2 - Bi-LED headlamps
5A1 - LED Foglamps (230i models only)
459 - Power Seats (230i models only, was already standard on M240i models)

Here are the 17 changes.
2017 BMW 2 Series Coupe.
Less Rules. More Performance.
The BMW 2 Series Coupe embodies the Ultimate Driving Machine in a more concentrated and intense form than ever before in the premium sub-compact segment.

For Model Year 2017, the big news for the 2 Series is a new model designation due to new engines.

MY2016 228i models become 230i models with MY2017

MY2016 M235i models become M240i models with MY2017

All body styles and drivetrain variants continue for MY2017

Production of all MY2017 models begins in 7/2016



MY17 updates:

Model Designation / Engines

The 230i models use a variant of the B46 engine which debuted in the F48 X1, but tuned for higher output (248 hp).

The M240i models use a variant of the B58 engine which debuted in the 2016 340i model, but is tuned to make 335hp.

All 2 series models with an automatic transmission receive an updated ZF 8HP transmission

The models that are available with a manual transmission, 230i Coupe, M240i Coupe, and M240i Coupe/Convertible; continue with the carried over gearbox.

For additional detail on the new drivetrain, refer to the Performance and Dynamics section.
and MY16 changes of course
MY16 updates:

There are several updates to the 2 Series Coupe for MY16, including changes to how SULEV engines and manual transmission will be offered on 228i models.

As of July 2015 production, all 228i models will be produced with SULEV engines (N26), with one exception: we will produce a 228i Rear-wheel drive Coupe with an N20 (non-SULEV engine) that can only be equipped with a Manual Transmission.

We will produce a 228i Rear-wheel drive model with an N20 (Non SULEV engine) with manual transmission only.
Therefore, please consider the following when ordering a 228i Rear-wheel drive model:

Model 162A is equipped with N20 (Non SULEV engine), Rear-wheel drive with manual transmission only.
Model 162B is equipped with N26 (SULEV engine), Rear-wheel drive with 8-speed sport automatic transmission only.
In other words:

If you wish to order a 228i Coupe with a manual transmission, you must order model 162A.
If you wish to order a 228i Coupe with a automatic transmission, you must order model 162B.
Production of model 162A will be based upon dealer order bank requests. If the order bank request is entered prior to 15th of the month, it will be filled with the next allocation.

This means that an order bank request placed before July 15th, will be filled with the allocation of September Production on August 4th. A request after July 15th and before August 15th, would result in an October Production.

[chiefneil]

Originally Posted by Erebus

Truth be told, if you go for the xenons and updated nav/backup camera for 2015-2016, usually with those added options, that will put you in the 2014-2015 used M235i range...

So my counter-question would be why go with the 228 at that point?

The car is for my daughter, who’s not a speed demon. I’d rather get her one more year of warranty and better mileage vs an extra 60hp.

For myself, absolutely I’d go one year older and get the I6 for the same money. Currently debating between trading our X5 for a new M240i or a used Cayman, actually.

[scottyn]

Originally Posted by chiefneil

I’m looking at CPO 228i’s in the 2015-2016 range and I had some questions on features.

Sometime between then and now I believe the backup camera became standard, does anybody know when? I know for 2015 you needed DAP to get it. Also, when backup camera became standard, did the front/rear park distance sensors also become standard?

Second question is on xenon headlights. Again for 2015 I believe the standard lights were halogens and you needed the lighting package for xenons. Looks like the lighting package for 2018 is now LED, so I’m wondering if xenons ever became standard or are halogens still standard?

Third question is power front seats - I thought those required the premium package but I see some cars listed with power seats but no premium pack? We’re power seats available as a separate option, and did they ever become standard?

And one last question - any strong reasons to avoid 2015 in favor of 2016 and up? I believe the 2015 N20 engine had the older problematic timing chain design that was corrected in 2016? Anything else?

Thanks in advance guys. I’m normally a 3-series guy and we all know how confusing BMW makes it it understand their constantly changing options!

Parking sensors are not standard even now.

As said already, LEDs are standard now. But you can pay extra to make them adaptive.

Power seats were available back then as a stand-alone option, IIRC. I went without them altogether. They are standard now - I believe that happened when as part of the LCI.

And by 2015 I think all the timing chain issues had been figured out. I think the N20 had already been around for like 5 years by then... So nothing too big changed from 2015 to 2016, although some things happened with the stereo and IDrive in the middle of the 2015 production run - I remember music streaming via bluetooth becoming standard (rather than requiring the upgraded tech/navi package).

[SteveInfante]

For what it's worth, I have had my 228i as my daily since 2015 (it's a 2014 I bought with 2700 miles on it) and 71,000+ miles on it. The only issue I've had is the Adaptive headlamp on the passenger side will stick once in a while and cause an error. Still haven't figured out how to fix it without replacing the lamp. Oh and I've had a BMS Stage 1 tune on it for over 20K miles. Running costs are very cheap on this car, especially if you do the maintenance yourself.

[3rdcoast228i]

If possible I would stick with a 2016 or newer 228i. Only because of a possible timing chain issue with cars made prior to January 2015. Do a search for "n20 timing chain" to get more info on what I'm talking about.

[chiefneil]

Thanks guys, I appreciate all the great info. I’ll be looking for Jan 2015 build or later cars now!