[SammT]

As title says, car would only be used in the evenings and weekends to do short trips as my job provides me with a van to travel. Would a M235i be overkill for this? I was looking at the 228i model but unfortunately for my budget of £18,000 there really isn't a whole lot on the market.

The insurance is slightly more, as is the road tax compared to the 228i but with a lot more choice on the market I'm wondering whether this would be the way to go? I want something fun to drive and this would be my first good car purchase as I have only had a Vauxhall Corsa 1.2 previously, from 2008.

Should I hold out for more 228is to appear on the market or bite the bullet and spend a little more every month for the M235i? In the UK also and only looking at automatics.

Thanks!

[ScottAndrew]

Originally Posted by SammT

As title says, car would only be used in the evenings and weekends to do short trips as my job provides me with a van to travel. Would a M235i be overkill for this? I was looking at the 228i model but unfortunately for my budget of £18,000 there really isn't a whole lot on the market.

The insurance is slightly more, as is the road tax compared to the 228i but with a lot more choice on the market I'm wondering whether this would be the way to go? I want something fun to drive and this would be my first good car purchase as I have only had a Vauxhall Corsa 1.2 previously, from 2008.

Should I hold out for more 228is to appear on the market or bite the bullet and spend a little more every month for the M235i? In the UK also and only looking at automatics.

Thanks!

Hi SammT, I just joined, having also debated the 228i vs the M235i.

In the UK no-one wants 228s or 230s; they buy diesel or M, and that's that. I can count on one hand the number of 220is I've seen. As a used choice, and given how much new car prices plummet in the UK compared to elsewhere, a 228 or even 230 will be a bargain.

I suppose it depends where you are. If you can find a road where you can go quickly above 70 mph (which is where the 235i really has it over the 228), or can accelerate hard enough from rest without ploughing into stationary traffic, go for the 235!

Just use the car well at least once a week, get the whole car warned through. 4,000 miles/year suggests either long periods out of use, or lots of little runs that don't stretch the car. Neither is great for longevity.

[MetalMK]

If your trips include mostly narrow streets and sharp turns, the lighter front end of the 228i with be the better choice. But on highways, the extra 80hp of the M235i will be beneficial (not saying 228i is underpowered).

You are in the UK, why not get a 225d, it has more torque than the M235i

[Maynard]

228 is a great car, you won't often find places where a 235 is going to be a massive improvement, except off the line; you'd be hard pressed to get either up to 7/10 on a roadway. IIRC, the combo of taxes and fuel costs is more than a little bit of difference, and that money may bring more enjoyment if spent on add-ons like a better stereo, and a tune if you want more hp.

[GrimJaw]

Get the m235i I average 22mpg which isn't bad. I pretty much destroy every car I see highway wise, which puts a big smile on my face. Insurance shouldn't be too bad either if you are 25 or over with a clean record.

[USA-RET]

Originally Posted by SammT

As title says, car would only be used in the evenings and weekends to do short trips as my job provides me with a van to travel. Would a M235i be overkill for this? I was looking at the 228i model but unfortunately for my budget of £18,000 there really isn't a whole lot on the market.

The insurance is slightly more, as is the road tax compared to the 228i but with a lot more choice on the market I'm wondering whether this would be the way to go? I want something fun to drive and this would be my first good car purchase as I have only had a Vauxhall Corsa 1.2 previously, from 2008.

Should I hold out for more 228is to appear on the market or bite the bullet and spend a little more every month for the M235i? In the UK also and only looking at automatics.

Thanks!

If the car will be used for your enjoyment rather than daily commutes, I'd opt for one that provides the most fun. The extra power and acceleration would put the M235i on my short list.

The 228i is a great car and has plenty of power for any normal situations, but "weekend" cars seem to be more performance oriented than completely practical.

[stevenvillatoro]

Originally Posted by SammT

As title says, car would only be used in the evenings and weekends... Would a M235i be overkill... ?

I'd opt for the M235i **especially** since you want it for after-work entertainment.

It might seem that the less you'll drive the car, the less indulgence you should consider. But I think the opposite is true; especially with pleasure-time-only driving you ought to maximize your driving reward.