[city1991]

Anybody do this recently? I've got a 2011 328i xdrive I'm thinking about trading in for a 2015 228i xdrive. Any pluses or minuses?

[xantdieselx]

Originally Posted by city1991

Anybody do this recently? I've got a 2011 328i xdrive I'm thinking about trading in for a 2015 228i xdrive. Any pluses or minuses?

I went from a 10' E92 328i xDrive to a 13' F30 328i xDrive to (well once it's delivered in March) a 16' M235i xDrive.

The things you will miss for sure are:

- the sound of that sweet inline 6
- the steering - Since BMW's switch to electric steering it has gotten better with each successive year but it is still lifeless on center with very little feel
- build quality the E90/E92 were/are bank vaults compared to newer BMW's
- The E92 is sexy - by far a better looking car than the 4 series

Now for things that the 2 series does right:
- Its the right size
- Excellent fuel economy compared to the 6
- The interior is quite a step up - E90/E92 interior looks quite dated compared to it
- Handling - there is a bit more body roll in the 2 but it is a great handling car
- Tune Ability - a JB4 or Scorcher will put you on par with most BMW products with the N55
- Warranty - assuming your 11' is out of or very near out if warranty

I would say do it!

[overcoil]

tbe width and layout of the 328 cabin make it a great place to be for extended time.
The 228 is a great just make sure the interior will meet your expectations.

[Cyberdemon]

If you are coming from an auto the 8speed is way ahead from the older 6 speed.

Also, much more low end torque in exchange for the flat torque curve of the i6.

I would drive the car first and see how you feel about it, you may decide you like your 328 enough that it isn't worth the upgrade, the cars certainly aren't light years apart.

[simoneves]

I went from a '13 328i vert (E93) to a '16 228i coupe (F22), both 6MT.

I miss the N52 smoothness and top-end wail, and the lack of on-center feel of the 228i's steering is pretty shameful, but I'd say build quality is a wash, and everything else is a vast improvement, including performance and especially fuel economy (I was averaging ~19, now ~25).

I still kick myself for not buying-out and keeping the 2010 128i coupe 6MT I had before the vert, but I'm more than happy.

[och]

I had a 2010 335i coupe and now a 2015 m235i, and I don't miss the 335 at all. Seatbelt servos are perhaps the only feature that it had that my 235 doesnt. Everything else is way better in the 235. Starting with the exterior it actually has normal cup holders, improved infotainment, more power and I actually like the electric steering. The old 335 steering was way too tweetchy and too sensitive at high speeds.

You are of course getting a 228xi, so your experience may be different. First of all, the four cylinder feels like something that belongs in a Nissan, and with electronic steering and AWD without m sport package the car will feel like FWD. No drifting in snow for you.

That said, I think the 2 series is one of the better built BMW's these days. It's interior feels a lot more solid put together than flimsy 3/4 series, and its the only new BMW model that doesn't have its headlights extending to the grille.

Now, I don't know if you're planning on getting an auto or a manual, but if your 328i is automatic then it actually still has a mechanical gear selector. The new electronic gear selector in all new BMWs with automatic transmission is horrendous and will annoy you. Just keep that in mind.

[mfourn20]

Originally Posted by och

Now, I don't know if you're planning on getting an auto or a manual, but if your 328i is automatic then it actually still has a mechanical gear selector. The new electronic gear selector in all new BMWs with automatic transmission is horrendous and will annoy you. Just keep that in mind.

Wow I fully agree! I thought I was the only one! It feels cheap, dumbed down. It feels like it was designed for non car people...and its surrounded by a sea of plastic vs the leather you get with the manual. It completely turned me off from the auto

[Cyberdemon]

Originally Posted by mfourn20

Wow I fully agree! I thought I was the only one! It feels cheap, dumbed down. It feels like it was designed for non car people...and its surrounded by a sea of plastic vs the leather you get with the manual. It completely turned me off from the auto

There are/were 2 shift knob designs for the auto. Are you referring to the base knob, the plasticy one with a ball joint at the bottom that the base 3 series gets? Because that one is crap.

I believe in the US all 2 series cars now get the higher end knob with the leather boot at the bottom + paddle shifters. I've had that on both my 335 and 235 and as a professional designer I have no qualms about the materials (the usability is another story).

Either way, if you're deciding on transmission based on how the knob looks you're in it for the wrong reasons.

[BarryJI]

Originally Posted by och

First of all, the four cylinder feels like something that belongs in a Nissan, and with electronic steering and AWD without m sport package the car will feel like FWD. No drifting in snow for you.

This is just snobbery and misleading. The N20/N26 is a fine engine with useful low-end torque and it will cruise at 90 mph making no more than 4500 rpm. The M-Sport option has NO bearing on engine performance, it's purely aesthetic (although I much prefer it). The Track Handling Package gives you the adaptive suspension, which broadens the car's capabilities greatly and I highly recommend a good tune, which will bring it alongside the M235i, at least from 0 to 100 mph.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by BarryJI

This is just snobbery and misleading. The N20/N26 is a fine engine with useful low-end torque and it will cruise at 90 mph making no more than 4500 rpm. The M-Sport option has NO bearing on engine performance, it's purely aesthetic (although I much prefer it). The Track Handling Package gives you the adaptive suspension, which broadens the car's capabilities greatly and I highly recommend a good tune, which will bring it alongside the M235i, at least from 0 to 100 mph.

Correct! A simple review of a wide variety of automotive journalists support your rebuke. For just one example among many:

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

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by BarryJI

This is just snobbery and misleading. The N20/N26 is a fine engine with useful low-end torque and it will cruise at 90 mph making no more than 4500 rpm. The M-Sport option has NO bearing on engine performance, it's purely aesthetic (although I much prefer it). The Track Handling Package gives you the adaptive suspension, which broadens the car's capabilities greatly and I highly recommend a good tune, which will bring it alongside the M235i, at least from 0 to 100 mph.

Right but with a tune, M and track package aren't you right at 235 $? Weight savings I imagine could be a consideration though.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Right but with a tune, M and track package aren't you right at 235 $? Weight savings I imagine could be a consideration though.

But, from a driving experience point of view, neither the MSport nor tune are needed to have an outstanding car with a lighter front end, as Jalopnik and others point out...absurd to compare to a Nissan! If you live by the stopwatch, the tune may be interesting, but also has pros/cons.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

But, from a driving experience point of view, neither the MSport nor tune are needed to have an outstanding car with a lighter front end, as Jalopnik and others point out...absurd to compare to a Nissan! If you live by the stopwatch, the tune may be interesting, but also has pros/cons.

Totally agree. I'm actually thinking of something a bit bigger and AWD for my main car, maybe a C450 AMG or something like that. In which case for a weekend toy I'd absolutely look at a 228 convertible as opposed to a 235.

[BarryJI]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Right but with a tune, M and track package aren't you right at 235 $? Weight savings I imagine could be a consideration though.

Possibly. I managed to get a bit of a break on the price for my 228i M-Sport and even fully optioned (see below) I had enough headroom to get the tune without quite bringing it up to the MSRP for the M235i, which I think is slightly overpriced and less value for money than a loaded, tuned 228i (although they are both great cars). I wonder what impact the M2 at $51k will have on sales of the M235i at only about $7k less.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by BarryJI

Possibly. I managed to get a bit of a break on the price for my 228i M-Sport and even fully optioned (see below) I had enough headroom to get the tune without quite bringing it up to the MSRP for the M235i, which I think is slightly overpriced and less value for money than a loaded, tuned 228i (although they are both great cars). I wonder what impact the M2 at $51k will have on sales of the M235i at only about $7k less.

Will be interesting to watch residuals on leases. I would imagine the m235 could be a bit stronger. M2 is going to be a great car no doubt about it, but I think the m235 appetite will remain strong. In all honesty it's probably a better DD for a lot of folks if they take an honest look at driving style, road conditions, maintenance costs if keeping for a longer time, etc.

[och]

Originally Posted by BarryJI

This is just snobbery and misleading. The N20/N26 is a fine engine with useful low-end torque and it will cruise at 90 mph making no more than 4500 rpm.

I know the engine all too well, one of our cars is an X1 with that engine - and it does have quite a bit of pep, but its very harsh and unrefined. It sounds and feels like something out of an Altima, until you step on it hard and the turbo goes to work.

Originally Posted by BarryJI

The M-Sport option has NO bearing on engine performance, it's purely aesthetic (although I much prefer it). The Track Handling Package gives you the adaptive suspension, which broadens the car's capabilities greatly and I highly recommend a good tune, which will bring it alongside the M235i, at least from 0 to 100 mph.

Doesn't m-sport have suspension and steering tweaks? I've never driven a 228xi, but I drove 328xi loaners and they are horrendous. They have driving dynamics that remind me of a Camry.

[BarryJI]

No, M-Sport refers to body style and certain pieces of equipment (like the M steering wheel) and has no bearing on engine or suspension refinements, which are covered by the THP package.

My N26 sounds just fine with an exhaust mod.

Are you merely tactless or trying to be funny by constantly comparing the 228i to one Japanese econobox or another? Either way, it is tiresome and insulting and foolish; please stop.

Finally, it appears you drive AWD cars. I'm lucky I don't have to, and live in a climate where I can drive RWD with summer tires all year round. You cannot compare driving and handling characteristics of N20 or N26-equipped AWD 3-series sedans, under-powered AWD 3-Series coupes or a low-end SUV such as yours with those of the RWD 228i, especially with the THP. Again, it's foolish, misleading and needlessly provocative.

[och]

Originally Posted by BarryJI

No, M-Sport refers to body style and certain pieces of equipment (like the M steering wheel) and has no bearing on engine or suspension refinements, which are covered by the THP package.

Maybe I'm confusing M-sport packge with M-performance package? A good friend of mine owns a 550 with M-something package, and it has a ton more features than a standard 550, including adjustable suspension and adjustable steering.

Originally Posted by BarryJI

My N26 sounds just fine with an exhaust mod.

Are you merely tactless or trying to be funny by constantly comparing the 228i to one Japanese econobox or another? Either way, it is tiresome and insulting and foolish; please stop.

I'm not comparing the 228i as a whole car to an econobox, far from that. But whether you like it or not, the N26's general refinement and sound is terrible, and there are tons of BMW diehards that will vouch for that. Heck, my Mazda 3 skyactiv engine is more refined than BMW's 4 cylinder. I'm not trying to insult anybody here, the OP is coming from an older 328 that has a very refined I6 engine, and he is looking for advice on the new car.

Originally Posted by BarryJI

Finally, it appears you drive AWD cars. I'm lucky I don't have to, and live in a climate where I can drive RWD with summer tires all year round. You cannot compare driving and handling characteristics of N20 or N26-equipped AWD 3-series sedans, under-powered 3-Series coupes or a low-end SUV such as yours with those of the RWD 228i, especially with the THP. Again, it's foolish, misleading and needlessly provocative.

The op is looking for 228xi, and somehow I think it wont steer much better than awd 3 series. Its bad enough that AWD cars generally feel like FWD when you start pushing them, and when you combine it with lifeless electronic steering, you get a totally numb steering feel.

[BarryJI]

There are also "tons of BMW diehards" who believe that the 228i is the best sports coupe, and certainly the best value for money sports coupe in BMW's current product lineup. Surely this must have something to do with the engine and the way it is matched to the car's suspension, transmission and weight. These diehards include my tuner, who works on nothing but BMWs all week and races them on weekends.

The OP is asking about a 228i with this engine, not a heavier, detuned or slower car with the same powerplant. Until you have driven the 228i, you should not pass such lordly judgement on its engine, regardless of what you think of it in other, inferior cars.

[och]

Originally Posted by BarryJI

There are also "tons of BMW diehards" who believe that the 228i is the best sports coupe, and certainly the best value for money sports coupe in BMW's current product lineup. Surely this must have something to do with the engine and the way it is matched to the car's suspension, transmission and weight. These diehards include my tuner, who works on nothing but BMWs all week and races them on weekends.

The OP is asking about a 228i with this engine, not a heavier, detuned or slower car with the same powerplant. Until you have driven the 228i, you should not pass such lordly judgement on its engine, regardless of what you think of it in other, inferior cars.

Read the ops post again - he is looking for 228 xdrive.

[MikeG12]

The 228 M-Sport package, at least the 2014 version, included suspension and wheel upgrades. Quantum difference in driving versus the base 228.

[BarryJI]

Originally Posted by MikeG12

The 228 M-Sport package, at least the 2014 version, included suspension and wheel upgrades. Quantum difference in driving versus the base 228.

Yes, I might be mistaken about this. I have a 2015 and cannot remember what came with which package. You are absolutely right about the quantum difference.