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      07-21-2014, 09:33 AM   #1
DeaconBlues
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My new 228i M Sport

I'm the proud owner (actually lessee, but have a feeling I'll buy the car at the end of the lease) of a 228i M Sport ... my first Bimmer. Black sapphire metallic over terra leather, M Sport brakes, premium package, lighting package, and of course, a 6-speed manual. It even has a factory-installed black kidney grille, which was apparently still an option at the time the car was ordered, and gives the car an almost menacing look.

The story of how I found this car is interesting: I had planned to order a similarly optioned car and pick it up in Munich in the fall, but circumstances forced me to track down a 228i earlier than that. I was shopping around, not having much luck with local dealers, and on vacation in New England when I spotted this 228i for sale at a dealership there. It turned out to be almost exactly what I'd planned to order -- the only difference was the interior; I'd wanted coral red, but was pleasantly surprised at how good the terra leather looks on this car, and was sold on it immediately. I was surprised to find a car optioned this way on a dealer lot at all -- finding a 6MT is next to impossible -- but it turned out that my enthusiast-minded CA had ordered the car for himself, and then realized he'd need a slightly larger car for his family. Lucky me!

Having had the 228i for a few days now, my impressions are these: I've driven a few BMWs in my lifetime, mostly E34/E36/E39 and later, but this is the best one I've ever driven. It simply feels as intuitive as any classic BMW would, with stellar handling (I don't mind the electric steering as much as I thought I would); a brilliant engine and transmission; and an outstanding, driver-oriented interior. BMW may be a rapidly changing car company, but in my mind, this 228i is a reminder that the old magic is still there.

A few pictures are attached -- it's been overcast in the DC area for the last several days, so I'm waiting for sunshine before taking some better shots!
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      07-21-2014, 09:42 AM   #2
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Congrats! Looking sweet!
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      07-21-2014, 09:48 AM   #3
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Looks like you haven't pulled up on the emergency brake while parked?
Great pics.
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      07-21-2014, 09:53 AM   #4
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Good eye! That interior shot was actually taken at the dealership a week before I got the car. I'm usually more competent when it comes to setting the brake, haha.

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Looks like you haven't pulled up on the emergency brake while parked?
Great pics.
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      07-21-2014, 10:05 AM   #5
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Congrats - awesome ride! I almost didn't read your thread for fear of overwhelming jealousy :P.
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      07-21-2014, 11:14 AM   #6
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Deacon, congratulations. I actually have been considering the 228 with M sport and track package. I drove both 235i and 228 and actually found the 228 6mt more fun. The startup sound was awful (to me) but once it warmed up, it sounded great. I loved hearing the wastegate relase and it felt somehow livelier than the 235i. I think it's the weight difference. You can also get the manual seats in the 228. The one I drove did not have the track package nor M sport and felt very soft and the steering was ho-hum. I drove the 235i which is supposed to have the same steering as the 228 track package but none available. Did you drive the 235i? If so, can you confirm that the steering feels the same as 235i? Also, if you drove both, did you also feel that hte 228 felt somehow livelier or did you get 228 for cost/fuel mileage?

Thank you.
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      07-21-2014, 11:24 AM   #7
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Absolutely beautiful. Love every detail. Terra FTW, no question.
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      07-21-2014, 11:24 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nachob View Post
Deacon, congratulations. I actually have been considering the 228 with M sport and track package. I drove both 235i and 228 and actually found the 228 6mt more fun. The startup sound was awful (to me) but once it warmed up, it sounded great. I loved hearing the wastegate relase and it felt somehow livelier than the 235i. I think it's the weight difference. You can also get the manual seats in the 228. The one I drove did not have the track package nor M sport and felt very soft and the steering was ho-hum. I drove the 235i which is supposed to have the same steering as the 228 track package but none available. Did you drive the 235i? If so, can you confirm that the steering feels the same as 235i? Also, if you drove both, did you also feel that hte 228 felt somehow livelier or did you get 228 for cost/fuel mileage?

Thank you.
Congrats to Deacon! Nachob, I ordered almost what you are considering, 6MT and all But, I called BMWNA to ask about what you raised, and they confirmed that the Track Package Variable Sport Steering and MAdaptive suspension are common with the 235i. I didn't take mSport because I wanted Valencia Orange, and the steering wheel design was the only real concern, but not worth losing VO. I got the 228i for 1) plenty of power, 2) less weight in front, 3) fuel economy, and 4) difference for same car as 235i was not worth the money to me. $42,990 final price...just getting on the boat.

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      07-21-2014, 11:55 AM   #9
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Congrats!
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      07-21-2014, 12:28 PM   #10
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Congrats to both. I actually like the Track Package M Sport Wheels on the 228 more than the M235i stock wheels! Not sure why. The dark color is nice on the 235i but the shape is better on the OPs unit!
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      07-21-2014, 12:59 PM   #11
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Beautiful Car. Hope you enjoy it as much as I've been enjoying my Alpine White 228 MSport, Manual trans of course
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      07-21-2014, 01:44 PM   #12
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Thanks everyone! I am finding it hard to not stand in front of the car and gawk at it for hours on end -- it's magnetic in person.

nachob, I actually only test drove a 228i a few months ago (an automatic version in MD, the only 2-series the dealer had) before acquiring mine. It would have been awesome to drive the M235i for kicks, but I was set on the 228 from the very beginning.
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      07-21-2014, 02:01 PM   #13
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OP thats a sharp looking car. Congrats and enjoy
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      07-21-2014, 06:04 PM   #14
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Congrats!
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      07-21-2014, 08:53 PM   #15
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Congrats, great looking car! Love the interior color and selections.
Nice find!

How's the 6MT feel?
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      07-21-2014, 10:04 PM   #16
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Thanks! I was very fortunate to find it.

I love the 6MT. I'm embarrassed to admit that it's the first manual BMW I've ever driven! A couple of my relatives owned everything from 2002s to E28s to E30s with MTs back in the '80s, and I was too young to drive them. My parents have only owned automatic BMWs over the years.

But compared to MTs I've driven from other carmakers, I love it. The shifter is precise and quick, and the clutch is appropriately firm but not too heavy. I have driven the 8AT version of the 228i and liked it, especially in manual mode, but I really can't pass up a good manual transmission.

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Originally Posted by pazzo View Post
Congrats, great looking car! Love the interior color and selections.
Nice find!

How's the 6MT feel?
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      07-21-2014, 11:25 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sportstick View Post
I wanted Valencia Orange, and the steering wheel design was the only real concern, but not worth losing VO. I got the 228i for 1) plenty of power, 2) less weight in front, 3) fuel economy, and 4) difference for same car as 235i was not worth the money to me. $42,990 final price...just getting on the boat.

Very intriguing.

I love your build choices. You can buy the M Sport wheel from the dealer. I have a 328i M Sport and the steering wheel is one of the best features of the car.

Your build with the M Sport steering wheel is just about a perfect 228i.
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      07-21-2014, 11:28 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DeaconBlues View Post
I have driven the 8AT version of the 228i and liked it, especially in manual mode, but I really can't pass up a good manual transmission.
You did the right thing.

Congrats on an awesome car!
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      07-22-2014, 01:40 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DeaconBlues View Post
Thanks everyone! I am finding it hard to not stand in front of the car and gawk at it for hours on end -- it's magnetic in person.

nachob, I actually only test drove a 228i a few months ago (an automatic version in MD, the only 2-series the dealer had) before acquiring mine. It would have been awesome to drive the M235i for kicks, but I was set on the 228 from the very beginning.
I find myself with the same problem. I keep going out to my garage to have another look. 228 MSport with 6MT is the way to go.
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      07-22-2014, 06:31 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nachob View Post
Deacon, congratulations. I actually have been considering the 228 with M sport and track package. I drove both 235i and 228 and actually found the 228 6mt more fun. The startup sound was awful (to me) but once it warmed up, it sounded great. I loved hearing the wastegate relase and it felt somehow livelier than the 235i. I think it's the weight difference. You can also get the manual seats in the 228. The one I drove did not have the track package nor M sport and felt very soft and the steering was ho-hum. I drove the 235i which is supposed to have the same steering as the 228 track package but none available. Did you drive the 235i? If so, can you confirm that the steering feels the same as 235i? Also, if you drove both, did you also feel that hte 228 felt somehow livelier or did you get 228 for cost/fuel mileage?

Thank you.
The M Sport 228i is a very capable car. I test drove an M235i at a dealership a month or so ago, and then autocrossed a M Sport 228i at one of the BMW UDE events this past weekend. I was surprised by the 228i. I was dead set on purchasing an M235i, but now I'm up in the air.
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      07-22-2014, 10:56 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by maddoc View Post
The M Sport 228i is a very capable car. I test drove an M235i at a dealership a month or so ago, and then autocrossed a M Sport 228i at one of the BMW UDE events this past weekend. I was surprised by the 228i. I was dead set on purchasing an M235i, but now I'm up in the air.
Me too. The 228 felt livelier and the sound once warmed up was better IMO. You can also get it with manual seats which are ligther move forward faster to let kids in the back seat and sit lower for more headroom. I have a ZHP which has about the same HP but the torque is nicer in the 228 albeit, throttle response in the ZHP is awesome once in the power band. I am also up in the air. If I could get the 228i without iDrive and the stupid screen/ idrive radio, that would tip the scales for me toward the 228 but it comes with both. I also found the steering to be somewhat slow and soft so it would have to have quicker steering which is why I was looking at track package. I drove the 235i right after the 228 and while it is stronger it didn't feel as lively. I wish I could find an M-sport manual to test.
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      07-22-2014, 11:38 AM   #22
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How did you manage to combine the brown leather with the M-sport line? Don't you have to pick luxury line for the brown leather?
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