[hoppy6698]

Originally Posted by gaijin

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......

From what I have seen on boards and others have noted at dealerships, yes, M235s are much more rare than 228s. And the 2 series in general is much more rare than the 4 series.

Why not just order the one you want? Assuming you are not in a time crunch...

[335BOY]

Originally Posted by 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.

Don't think M235 is a step down.

[mvallido]

Originally Posted by 335BOY

Don't think M235 is a step down.

Agreed.

[BMW F22]

It really boils down to how you're going to option your car. If you're going to option a 228i to make it similar to an M235i, then you should go for the latter. If you're more about keeping it light and simple, then go with the 228i. The difference in power, while nice, isn't really that big of a deal for daily driving. The 228i has plenty of power in that regard.

I drive an M235i now but sometimes wonder if I should have gotten the 228i. The reason is that I don't do much spirited driving anymore, mainly just a commuter car. Sometimes I feel like it's such a waste to have such a sporty car only to be stuck in traffic almost every day. With that said, for the times when I do drive in the twisties or there's no traffic, the sound of that i6 and the power remind me of why I went with the M235i instead.

Again, really depends on options. The 228i is actually a bit more balanced in the turns.

Originally Posted by 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.

You should go test drive it and you'll have your answer. I came from an E90 335i and was looking into a 4 series (just wanted to change to a coupe). I wasn't planning on the 2. I actually didn't know there was a 2. I started looking into it and saw that it was coming out in a few weeks so I waited. The dealer called me with their first M235i on the lot. I came in to test drive it and was sold. It had the looks, the smaller size that I wanted (4 was too big IMO), the sportiness and handling that I missed when I drove an E46 ZHP many moons ago. So to answer your question: it is an UPGRADE over the 335i (at least IMO). Don't let the smaller series number fool you into believing it's a lesser car.

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

Originally Posted by 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.

Interesting perspective...I feel going from a M235i to a pedestrian 335 would be a "step down"....

[fkacct]

I'm usually the kind of person that goes for higher horsepower engines when leasing/buying a car....but in the case of the F22, the 228i has more than enough power IMO and I don't see a need to pay more money, add 200+ lbs to the front of the car, and reduce fuel economy just so you can get more horsepower. If you want top speed and big track performance, by all means, get the 235i...IMO, it really doesn't matter what some biased car magazine says is best or worst....just matters if you think the car has enough power for you and your driving habits. Try both out and decide for yourself.

[mmmmm235i]

Originally Posted by 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.

Not only will the 2 be and upgrade/update in interior and exterior styling, the car is so much more fun than the e9x 335. I have spent a lot of time behind the wheel of both and the agility and nimbleness of the 2 is in a different league. That's obviously just my opinion. Even after spending significant time behind the electric rack I must say I no longer miss the hydraulic setup. Also as I said the 35 is noticeably quicker I. REAL LIFE driving situations. Any 28 optioned eVen comparebly to a 35 will likely be within 5k of the price. Idk y I have seen so many more 28s than 35s.

[bladeomatic]

Originally Posted by BMW F22

It really boils down to how you're going to option your car. If you're going to option a 228i to make it similar to an M235i, then you should go for the latter.

Indeed.

Plus all those mods/tunes to get it close. Buying an old Honda Civic and hopping it up seemed to make sense for young boys that want a fast car but have thin wallets. I'm continued to be amazed that folks buy a $40K+ new BMW and immediately speak of tacking on a cheap, aftermarket black box to squeeze extra ponies from it. BMW's are very expensive, well-engineered machines. I love the fact that my M235i has near supercar performance out of the box, no tunes required.

Originally Posted by BMW F22

for the times when I do drive in the twisties or there's no traffic, the sound of that i6 and the power remind me of why I went with the M235i instead.

This.

Like you, I'm driving in heavy traffic much of the time, where my frustrated race horse has to "trot". It's totally in Dr. Jekyll mode for much of the time. If all I was ever doing was city driving, I would totally take a 228i.

It's on those weekends that my wife and I go on trips into the foothills that the genius of the M235i reveals itself. Enter Mr Hyde. Snarling power, glorious handling, excellent brakes and a freight train of torque as I blast up hills that would choke a 228i.

Originally Posted by BMW F22

I wasn't planning on the 2. I came in to test drive it and was sold. It had the looks, the smaller size that I wanted (4 was too big IMO), the sportiness and handling that I missed when I drove an E46 ZHP many moons ago. So to answer your question: it is an UPGRADE over the 335i (at least IMO). Don't let the smaller series number fool you into believing it's a lesser car.

Ditto.

Was planning on a 335i and drove one. Saw the M235i sitting next to it, which had just arrived after all the BMW "Olympic Torch" commercials. Drove the M235i right after a 335i and it was all over. Screw the extra door and sensibility of a sedan. I've been extremely happy ever since.

[2msport]

Originally Posted by mmmmm235i

Also to compare a tuned 228 to a stock 235 is ridiculous for a lot of reasons.

Please explain

[335BOY]

Originally Posted by Midwest M235i

Interesting perspective...I feel going from a M235i to a pedestrian 335 would be a "step down"....

Agreed. 335 is a family sedan. Boring.

[mmmmm235i]

Originally Posted by 2msport

Please explain

Certainly. From my experience those that are willing to tune their car are those that drive fairly aggressively and either track the car or find the time to really enjoy its enhanced aggressiveness.

So, first of all, so many have argued that you would never be able to use the power of the 35 on the streets, then why would you want a tune to get anywhere near the 235.
Secondly, comparing these two cars essentially assumes that a 228 driver is more likely to tune their vehicle than a 235 driver. Something that I think is not only erroneous, but counter intuitive. If you are so interested in squeezing out as much as you can from your car (dinan, track package, etc.) why not spend the extra few thousand to drive a 235. Apparently it is not about the money for most, who are equipped with Dinan chips as opposed to other aftermarket tuners. I could be driving a 235 w/ intake, stage 2 chip, and exhaust putting down 370/400 for slightly more than the total cost of 228 (msrp + mods).
So either you are buying the 228 because it is a well powered car and handles like a champ then go enjoy it in good health and have a great time. That being said if you want to start talking about modding and tuning other than cosmetics, I think the m235 is legitimately a good value. So again that is my advise OP, I went through this when I was getting my first BMW. I wanted a 135/335 so bad, but at the time the LCI e90s had just come out so I got a 328 LCI. This was before I was all about modding, but I regretted that decision afterwards, even if it would have stretched my budget just a little more. That was just a 335 (totally joking) we are talking about the m235, which is just a dream with 4 wheels. Do the right thing dude....just kidding you can't go wrong here.

[Inline_Six]

Originally Posted by gaijin

Thanks for the inputs so far. Great stuff! I have the same mindset as to what most of you have brought up. Interesting that the 228i comes in a close second to the much more pricey M235i.

Has anyone seen the last (January 2015) "Roundel" article on the subject?

I don't own it yet (M235i), but here's my thought process:

As others have said, it's a tradeoff between that extra bit of power and mpg.

The way I look at it is: Are you going to, someday, get bored of the less powerful engine, and wish that you had gone for the M235i instead ? Are you going to regret your 228 purchase just for that reason ? If so, and assuming you have the cash for the M235i, I would jump at the M235i.

There's no doubt that the 228 engine has more than enough power for daily enjoyment. I have a 4 cyl turbo in my VW GLI, and even that is a blast to drive, at 200 hp and 208 lb-ft. But, after 2 1/2 years, I'm itching for more power ... hence the M235i purchase.

Are you going to get bored of the 228 someday, and regret your purchase ? That's a shitty feeling to have. If you do regret it, would you be able to upgrade when that happens, keeping in mind depreciation of your 228, etc ?

[uberspeed]

Originally Posted by mmmmm235i

Certainly. From my experience those that are willing to tune their car are those that drive fairly aggressively and either track the car or find the time to really enjoy its enhanced aggressiveness.

So, first of all, so many have argued that you would never be able to use the power of the 35 on the streets, then why would you want a tune to get anywhere near the 235.
Secondly, comparing these two cars essentially assumes that a 228 driver is more likely to tune their vehicle than a 235 driver. Something that I think is not only erroneous, but counter intuitive. If you are so interested in squeezing out as much as you can from your car (dinan, track package, etc.) why not spend the extra few thousand to drive a 235. Apparently it is not about the money for most, who are equipped with Dinan chips as opposed to other aftermarket tuners. I could be driving a 235 w/ intake, stage 2 chip, and exhaust putting down 370/400 for slightly more than the total cost of 228 (msrp + mods).
So either you are buying the 228 because it is a well powered car and handles like a champ then go enjoy it in good health and have a great time. That being said if you want to start talking about modding and tuning other than cosmetics, I think the m235 is legitimately a good value. So again that is my advise OP, I went through this when I was getting my first BMW. I wanted a 135/335 so bad, but at the time the LCI e90s had just come out so I got a 328 LCI. This was before I was all about modding, but I regretted that decision afterwards, even if it would have stretched my budget just a little more. That was just a 335 (totally joking) we are talking about the m235, which is just a dream with 4 wheels. Do the right thing dude....just kidding you can't go wrong here.

I completely understand as a local Miami boy the appeal of having the top of the line of anything. That said l, admittedly I'm rather certain I'm in the lower percentiles, some of us do prefer the smaller engine! I think they're both great vehicles and I'm going for the four banger turbo because I want to, not because it's not a fiscally available option. Being a fellow South Floridian, how many red light tickets have you gotten in the past year? Regardless, enjoy your ride, I hope to do the same

[Bimmer86]

Originally Posted by uberspeed

I completely understand as a local Miami boy the appeal of having the top of the line of anything. That said l, admittedly I'm rather certain I'm in the lower percentiles, some of us do prefer the smaller engine! I think they're both great vehicles and I'm going for the four banger turbo because I want to, not because it's not a fiscally available option. Being a fellow South Floridian, how many red light tickets have you gotten in the past year? Regardless, enjoy your ride, I hope to do the same

+1

I just recently took delivery of my 228i after test driving both and I have zero regrets .

[335BOY]

Originally Posted by hoppy6698

From what I have seen on boards and others have noted at dealerships, yes, M235s are much more rare than 228s. And the 2 series in general is much more rare than the 4 series.

Why not just order the one you want? Assuming you are not in a time crunch...

Its only rare because the market for small coupes is tiny.

[gaijin]

this thread points out production numbers and rationale for the why's.....

http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1078520

[335BOY]

I got a 323ci in 2000 (?) figuring it would be plenty of HP.......about 18 months in I bailed out....too underpowered. I don't track or race around the streets. It just felt too slow. I won't make that mistake again.

[MikeG12]

Originally Posted by 335BOY

I got a 323ci in 2000 (?) figuring it would be plenty of HP.......about 18 months in I bailed out....too underpowered. I don't track or race around the streets. It just felt too slow. I won't make that mistake again.

Not the same situation. I've had a 325i, E36 M3, and the 228MSport. The 228 is as fast or faster than the E36 M3. The 323's and 325's are not in the same ballpark.

[335BOY]

Originally Posted by MikeG12

Not the same situation. I've had a 325i, E36 M3, and the 228MSport. The 228 is as fast or faster than the E36 M3. The 323's and 325's are not in the same ballpark.

Exactly the same situation on a different level. 323 was slower than 330-simple. 330 was a quick car back then.

[DCastaneda]

Originally Posted by uberspeed

I completely understand as a local Miami boy the appeal of having the top of the line of anything. That said l, admittedly I'm rather certain I'm in the lower percentiles, some of us do prefer the smaller engine! I think they're both great vehicles and I'm going for the four banger turbo because I want to, not because it's not a fiscally available option. Being a fellow South Floridian, how many red light tickets have you gotten in the past year? Regardless, enjoy your ride, I hope to do the same

Want to take over my lease? Lol, I kind of want an M235 now

[uberspeed]

Originally Posted by DCastaneda

Want to take over my lease? Lol, I kind of want an M235 now

Payment and options? PM me, who knows, it might work out.

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

This is sooooo reminiscent of the 535 vs 550 threads back in my E60 days lol..

I will only add this as a new 235xi owner;

I really, really came to enjoy the N20. Had it in X3 garb and it was quick, reliable, smooth as heck for a 4 pot too.

It is an engine very well matched to the 2 series platform...I can absolutely understand how you 228 owners adore your cars