[d1ez3]

I apologize if this isn't in the correct section.

I am currently nearing the end of my lease of a 2013 G37 sedan. I am still unsure of where I want to go next, but I only have a few months to decide on my next vehicle. I got a good lease deal on this car and don't think I could get rates on a BMW like I did with this car ($457/mo 10,000 miles 24 months for 43,000 msrp).
I was wondering if any current 228i drivers could tell me if I would be left needing more power coming from my current car. I would opt for an M235i but I don't think it would be affordable. I am aware of Jb4 tuning, but I worry about reliability of the car and warranty. Just looking for opinions and numbers. Spending time on youtube just yields videos of M235i's and barely any performance videos of 228i's on there. Anyone who could help give their opinion I would appreciate it a lot.
Thanks

[tnk210]

Not an exact comparison, but I have a 350Z + 228i, and the 228 is quicker than the 350z. I imagine the lighter weight of the 2 will put it on par in terms of quickness with the G, but the G will certainly feel more powerful.

[d1ez3]

Originally Posted by tnk210

Not an exact comparison, but I have a 350Z + 228i, and the 228 is quicker than the 350z. I imagine the lighter weight of the 2 will put it on par in terms of quickness with the G, but the G will certainly feel more powerful.

Thanks, that is what I imagined. I would think the higher speed acceleration would be lessened (WOT @ 60mph I lose traction in my rear tires). But lower speed acceleration would be similar, and handling would feel lighter. I am still yet to test drive, so I figured I would get some opinions first

[oldmancoyote]

Can't help in terms of direct comparison, but have you looked at videos/reviews for the 125i? It's basically got the same engine (detuned by 20 kW/30 bhp) in a hatch body based on the same platform. Quick search on Youtube comes up with some interesting vids and comparisons (at least, interesting for a European... then again, a Nurburgring lap should be interesting for you as well).

[The Ching]

Dude I sold my Z and took a leap of faith!

[The Ching]

This will run circles around my nearly fully modded Z, no regrets at all. I don't think there's much of a price difference between the G/Q and the M235i. Go for it

[The Ching]

It's definitely worth it

[Mitchsays21]

Go for it! 228 + JB4 and you'll be ready to go

I have a few buddies with full bolt-ons, tune, AND suspension mods and have yet to void their warranty. I'd suggest calling the Service Adviser first to see if there would be any issues in bringing in a modded car for routine maintenance. Most (at least in SoCal) will refrain from documenting the mods, while others may flag you.

[BMWKLR]

I have a m235 on order and currently drive a e92 335. I had a g35 and couldent stand the soulless drive and traded it after 8 months. I recently went to a BMW drive event and drove the 228 and felt it was better handling and faster than the g35 and the 335, so imagine the m235. I have test driven the m235, but have not had the opportunity to put the car through its paces.

[Roman G]

I went from 2013 G37S 6MT to a 2015 228i m sport xdrive.

The g37 with sport package and a manual was a completely different animal than a non sport g37. Sport suspension, rwd, BBK, 6 speed manual - the proper stuff. G37S 6mt was a raw car. It always dared you to go faster and faster. Always telling you to revmatch and punch in ( I had her to 151 mph), it was a car that I go sideways in whenever and wherever and a car I go drive in for hours.

Just like you, my biggest concern when getting a 228 was power. I was afraid it wouldn't be enough. so I knew JB4 was a must.

I've had my car for a month now. its at 900 miles. Its a bone stock (not tuned) 228i xdrive m sport. I have yet to wish for more power.

g37 was fast, and she was heavy. You felt the weight in every turn. You felt like you were going fast when you were going slow, and it felt like it was flying when it was going fast.

228 doesn't FEEL as fast at times because its not as raw as a g37s but numbers don't lie. Im making from light to light and corner to corner that I couldn't make with g37. And that's without an m sport suspension and bbk. Im pretty sure I can outrun a g37 in straight line and corners up to about 120 or so. maybe not by much, maybe dead even, but deff not behind.

I needed a manual and I needed a x drive ( I spend a lot of time in the mountains ) so I could only pick one.

I picked xdrive, which comes with ZF8. I only wished once or twice I had a manual just for the experience, but the zf8 is amazing. flip it into sport tranny mode or shift manually. AUTO in sport mode keeps the gears on point exactly where I would in a 6 speed.

The car FEELS like a feather compared to a g37. Have you driven a proper gokart? that's what it feels like when driving 228 compared to a g37.

228 is so much fun to drive at low speeds. I can run circles around traffic. and I finally know what it means to throw the car into a corner and smile ear to ear.

Hope this helps as I was in a same exact situation as you. NO I DONT regret my decision for 1 second.

[Cyberdemon]

Test drive the car and then see if you still feel the same.

There is less power, but you're also going to a turbocharged engine which means the low end torque is immediately more noticeable along with the lighter weight.

[mfourn20]

I have a manual 228i M Sport. Its the fastest car ive ever owned....sometimes getting on the highway I wish it had more power....it took me about 4 months to feel that way...but I think no matter how much power you have you'll always want more...that being said I LOVE my car. I launched it at a stop light and spun the rears for 10-20 feet...never done that before...always had front drive cars....IT WAS AWSOME.

[Lucky1]

I guess it depends on what you really value? I have had access all three of the previous gen G's in sedan and awd + automatic form, never sports package so can't comment there. Including the '06 G35x (260HP and lb/ft torque), '08 G35x (300HP??) and finally a '12 G37x (333HP or so).

I can tell you even the '06 is faster than my sports package 6MT 128i but I would never, ever trade my car for any of these Infiniti's. Where to begin?

-engine on the G's pull much harder and you can feel the difference in torque. Doubt the difference is as wide between the 228i and the G37 or the new gen Qxx but lets get that out of the way: the car is powerful but...

-the steering sucks compared to my 128i. Got progressively worse on all three cars. It tightens up okay but is mostly kind of numb and video gamey

-car is too big. It does turn nice and handles okay but it feels like driving a boat. If you need the extra space inside great but I actually find the backseat not much more useable

-ergonomics of all the cabin controls are far less well thought out vs BMW. Expect better from a Japanese automaker

-the leather seats are the most dreadful, stiff and uncomfortable seats I've been in. BMW wins hands down here

-although all G's had a very slick shifting automatic I prefer the 6MT. Realize this isn't terribly helpful if you don't like to drive a manual, especially since you can't even get one on the newer Q models

-gas mileage: these things are pigs Really, real world impressions of driving these things around are not great when it comes time to fill up at the pumps

Only thing besides power the Infiniti might have over a BMW is reliability but even so the '06 has needed a fuel meter replacement after 120,000kms which has been quoted as very expensive.

Realize this hasn't been a comparison of the 2er or latest Q60 whatever but to answer your question I personally never, ever, ever miss the power when I trade any of the G's back for the 128i but I always miss all of the above characteristics. If not the 228i then I'd look at something else other than the latest Infiniti sedan non sports package. When I've driven an Infiniti sedan with the sports package I'll report back. If power is important and you're set on a 2er then you need to drive the 228i and the M235i one after the other and if not happy with the 228i figure out how to afford the M235i.

Hope that helps put some things into perspective.

[hans007]

I had an 05 g35 coupe with sport package for a year when it was new.
. And I have a 328 now and drove a 228 at the ultimate drive event. Granted it was 8-9 years ago. But at least from what I remember my 328 and a 228 and that g35 feel about roughly the same speed acceleration wise and review numbers seem to back that up . the n20 is a really great engine. I have roughly the same commute now and back with the g35 I got barely 15mpg and I get 22-33 in the 328 so that is great progress.

That said the g35 the one thing much different is that engine felt more muscular. Just hard to explain but a g35 has a very muscle car feel to it. I've been in an 08 as well and its got that sort of character. Also exhaust note on those first gen g35s was amazing. Kills the n20 cars but yeah I think speed wise it'll feel roughly the same.

[Glassjaw047]

Hey there buddy! I came from 2011 G37S AWD Coupe, see Roman G came from the same beast but in the Manual Sport without AWD.

He's right, its totally different beast! As he has the 228i XDrive I actually went from went in the opposite direction and got a M235i in RWD, no XDrive. I was a bit hesitant at first as I'm in NY and Snow/Black Ice and such but I know as long as you don't drive like an idiot and you're cautious you'll be fine.

My Car is just 60 lbs heavier than the 228i XDrive and is 300 lbs lighter than my G Coupe I had. Its crazy when I punch it in the M235i I hit 90-100mph so quick when getting on to the Parkway/Freeway and it feels like I'm creeping for some reason and like Roman G said, in the G Coupe it felt like I was flying. The Handling in this car is without a doubt sooo much better than in the G Coupe (hence the the weight difference and suspension is better). I feel more confident taking corners at higher speeds in the M235i than the G Coupe as it feels easier, lighter and all around more planted to the ground unlike in the G Coupe I felt like all this weight shifting to one side of the car, don't feel that in the M235i. The 8 Speed Sport Auto Tranny is amazing! The G37 7 speed tranny felt a bit clunky when in sport auto coming to a stop and when doing manual shifts on the paddles quickly you felt this clunking noise, wasn't smooth.

I can go on and on about how it's way much better. Oh forgot one last thing, getting better gas mileage as I was getting 18 mpg with a 20 gallon tank and now I'm getting anywhere from 23-24 mpg on a 13.7 gallon tank. I'm still filling up once a week and paying less.

[jeremicium]

Don't rule out leasing an M235. If you're looking to do a short term, low mile lease like on your G you may be able to swing roughly the same payment.

[joshbromberg]

Go for a test drive you won't be disappointed.