[000000]

I'm a 230i owner. Sometimes disappointed if a poster says they would like to buy the 230i . Most responses go, you should get the m240i because when optioned up price is not much different & imply you'd be crazy not to. I don't want to upset the m240i owners , but I feel the 4 cyl. are worth a second look . In Australia price gap between models seem to be larger the 220i Au$52900, 230i Au$63000 & m240i Au$76800 . Yes I wanted the m240i just thought I would like to afford groceries as well as petrol. Where I live the max. speed limit is 100kph. ( 0-100kph 220i 7.2sec/ 230i 5.6sec / m240i 4.6sec approx) The car is plenty fast enough, for me the way it handles is more important. The 2 things about the 230i I don't like are the runflats ( which can be changed ) and the lack of 6cyl. engine sound (which can't).
If I could choose again would it be the 230i? I think so.
4 cylinder 2's have merit ? I think so. (but what would I know.)

[wdc330i]

You have a very fun car. Enjoy it. Some are never happy if they don't have the top model available. Some here who have the M240 pine for the M2. Some who have an M2 pine for the CS version or whatever is the "latest and greatest" iteration of that model.

If the 230 suits your needs, your budget, and provides you with some joy, you area ahead of most people--if the latter matters to you.

[BEM-S4]

The 228/230 is a perfectly respectable car. I have that engine in my wagon (Dinan upgraded) and sedan (stock) and enjoy both of them.

The downside comes from something having nothing to do with driving dynamics and actually only when you want to sell compared to M235/240. If you load up a 4-cyl with a lot of stuff that comes standard on the 6-cyl, so they are priced the same loaded 4 vs no frills 6, the 6 will hold its value better. So you lose when it comes time to sell. The same can be said for any car and any options, they don't typically add a ton to resale value.

[bimmerfile]

OP, Having owned and driven both the 228i and M235i as DDs extensively (and I believe they are very similar in performance and drive characteristics to their newer siblings - the 230i & M240i), I posted my overall feelings about the differences between the 2 models (228i & M235i) back on March 6th, 2016 - a few months after I took possession of the M235i .
You made a good choice.
http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showt...3#post19518853

[SteveInfante]

I think they do have merit. I have the 228i and it's a blast to drive. I DD mine and there aren't very many options out there that give the same feel as the 228/230 for the price. Getting awesome gas mileage and the fact that they aren't all around you when you are driving around are also positives to ownership.

The longterm ownership experience is key too. I've had mine for 67K+ miles and do my own maintenance. It's not any more difficult to work on than most modern cars. Sure, some parts are more expensive and harder to source but that's a small price to pay for such an all around winner for a daily driver.

[stevenvillatoro]

I would've preferred the 230 if it'd been offered in an M230i flavor, as I'm a 4-cyl. type of guy. Trying to configure the 230 became even tougher in 2018 for US-market cars. I think the 230 is slightly better balanced w/o the extra cylinders, but some may debate that point.

We live in a "more is better" world, but there's plenty of room for rebels!

[amw896]

Let's just all agree and say all 2 series are awesome.

[Kolyan2k]

Its easy 12 > 8 > 6 > 4

Unless one of those is some high rev engine like S2k 4-cyl

[USA-RET]

I honestly think the 230i is a great all around car. I have the M240i, but upon reflection (and my drive style) the 230i would have esaily fit my needs.

The M240i has plenty of power (actually more than one needs in everyday use). For fun w/ 1/2 throttle I can rocket away from most traffic. W/ a 230i, you may have to go 3/4 throttle for the same effect, but it's there all the same. In traffic or on the highway, you'd be hard pressed to distinguish between the two.

0-60 in mid 5 seconds is very fast. Back in the day my 1967 Triumph 650 motorcycle could hit 60 in 5 seconds and that was exceptionally fast. Now you do almost that in a 230i. Not too shabby!

[Dylan86]

The 4-cyl engine's are no slouch! I just think that the traditional BMW i6 is best suited for any one who wants the OEM power bump, and intoxicating sound. Both can be made to go much faster, if needed. It just takes a lot more to make a 4 cyl fast, vs the 6 cyl. This isn't as important for some buyers, though, and I can appreciate that. Some people just want a fun, capable and economical RWD coupe, that's the 230i's bill.

All I've owned for the previous decade was 1.8t/2.0T VW/Audi's, so I've done my time, and I appreciate they can be equally as powerful when modded, but nothing replaces the sound, feel and balance of the i6 engine in the BMW's, in my opinion. It's a want thing, definitely don't NEED the larger engine..

[Radmobile]

One of my favorite articles regarding the 228i, M235i, M2, and even 1M considerations:

http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-cult...mparison-test/

[Ron Jeffries]

The 4cyls are geared for good performance and are nothing to sneeze at. That said, I always have to go to the top level stuff, because I'm crazy.

[OveN]

As the majority of people on this forum are US-based it's quite understandable that so many get the M240i over the 230i. And perhaps many don't see why anyone would even consider getting a 230i. With the car prices in the US, it makes sense. I would choose the M240i without thinking about it if I lived over there.

Where I live, base price for a M240i is USD24k higher than base price for the 230i due to taxes on CO2 emissions. Needless to say, you won't spot many M240's in Norway. I had to pay USD74k for my fully equipped '18 230i...which I by the way will pick up from the dealer next Tuesday!
I'd love a M240i but it's just too expensive in my car-unfriendly country

[Dylan86]

Originally Posted by OveN

As the majority of people on this forum are US-based it's quite understandable that so many get the M240i over the 230i. And perhaps many don't see why anyone would even consider getting a 230i. With the car prices in the US, it makes sense. I would choose the M240i without thinking about it if I lived over there.

Where I live, base price for a M240i is USD24k higher than base price for the 230i due to taxes on CO2 emissions. Needless to say, you won't spot many M240's in Norway. I had to pay USD74k for my fully equipped '18 230i...which I by the way will pick up from the dealer next Tuesday!
I'd love a M240i but it's just too expensive in my car-unfriendly country

I get this reaction from a lot of my Aussie buddies who move here to Ski.. They say "do you know how much these cars are back home in Australia, mate!?" Basically GTI's, R's, M cars are virtually unobtainable for the average young professional.

Sad case, but true, and obviously not the only part of the ROW who envy the NA auto market. I think the US residents have it the best, though. They may argue we get better options, but we'd argue they pay the lowest price!

[B_Rice]

I prefer a a inline 6, but that doesn't make the 4 cylinder worthless.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by Dylan86

I get this reaction from a lot of my Aussie buddies who move here to Ski.. They say "do you know how much these cars are back home in Australia, mate!?" Basically GTI's, R's, M cars are virtually unobtainable for the average young professional.

Sad case, but true, and obviously not the only part of the ROW who envy the NA auto market. I think the US residents have it the best, though. They may argue we get better options, but we'd argue they pay the lowest price!

NAR does not typically apply to ROW. In my experience ROW falls into two buckets:

1. Can game the system to make a car affordable if small engine / fuel efficient, etc.
2. Any car is so damn expensive if you can afford a Fiat you can afford a Ferrari, simply because the Fiat will cost so damn much after tariff, licensing fees, insurance, etc. that only the wealthy can even clear that hurdle.

[Sportstick]

This issue has come up before, sometimes directly and sometimes obliquely as large-engine owners issue negative proclamations about smaller engine vehicles. I find these discussions annoying as they usually are based on some (not all) who:

• Always think bigger/more is better, no matter what it is, nor the tradeoff
• Can't empathize with anyone who feels differently than they do
• Are clearly using their car to compensate for some other shortcoming

Some of us who, financially, could buy either vehicle (or both!), choose the 4 cylinder for some of our own reasons, and that is sufficient to create merit. The marketplace speaks. From the improved balance/steering response of lighter weight over the front wheels to nostalgia for the 2002 and early 3 Series, to the same appreciation of the 4 cylinder as a concept which gave rise to the very architecture of BMW's headquarters in Munich (look it up if not familiar), there is merit in the 4, as well as the 6...in either vehicle. There is far less value in the thoughts of those who think everyone must share their penchant for bigger/faster/louder with no end in sight and then comment condescendingly about those with other priorities.

[3rdcoast228i]

I'm about 9 months into owning the 228i and I still love it! It's such a blast to drive. I've had a turbo 6 cylinder BMW also, don't really miss it.

The 2 is a fantastic car in all trim levels.

[BarryJI]

A lot depends on your driving environment. I much prefer darting around L.A. city traffic in a quick, tuned turbo four than hauling a six. I'd miss the six if I had a lot of open-road driving but the 228i handles that with aplomb, too. I never thought I'd see a four-cylinder engine cruise at 100 mph making only ~4000 rpm.

[Rayscott]

I love my 228ix Msport and it did very well up against the M235 and M2 at the track as reported by R & T. In fact, their evaluators liked the 228i better. So I always say screw the critics and drive what you like. You can always mod it if you want more performance.

[230iZTR]

If I had wanted the track package, M-sport package, premium package, tech package, and cold weather package, then upgrading to the M240i is a no-brainer for the money. But all I wanted was the track package. The 4 cylinder is quick enough as it is, and the extra power the 6 cylinder has is pretty much wasted outside of a motorsport context.

By going with a 230i over a 240i, I saved about $6-7k. And I know I'll be much happier putting that money towards mods than if I had gone with a 240i. I'd rather have an LSD, camber plates, and a square tire set up than a goofy bodykit and a handful of convenience and tech features.

[BM235iW]

Originally Posted by Radmobile

One of my favorite articles regarding the 228i, M235i, M2, and even 1M considerations:

http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-cult...mparison-test/

Thanks, its a great article. Great side by side comparison of these fine cars.