[IEDEI]

I was very unimpressed in my test drive of a 328 sport....the car is adequately quick but very very boring. my fear is that the 228 with the new 4 banger will also be an uninspired combination after all the glorious years of inline sixes.

[BMWDAD]

Since the car is really already out in europe as a hatch, maybe someone can add to this that bought a 228i msport vs the M135i hatch.

Thanks

[Vervain]

Originally Posted by BMWDAD

Since the car is really already out in europe as a hatch, maybe someone can add to this that bought a 228i msport vs the M135i hatch.

Thanks

I think you mean 128i? If so, there is no 128i hatch. There is a 125i however with 160 kW and 310 Nm of torque..

[bimmerjph]

Originally Posted by Anodite10

I think you mean 128i? If so, there is no 128i hatch. There is a 125i however with 160 kW and 310 Nm of torque..

Yeah unfortunately there isnt a 128i hatch.

Maybe someone with a tuned125i that makes roughly 228i power then?

[Lucky13]

I think you guys are low on the M Sport cost, its $3,000 on an X1 but what's driving a lot of that is the upgrade to 18" wheels. The current 1 series M Sport at $1,900 keeps you in 17" wheels. I'd use $3,000 as a base and even that could be low.

[MrClean514]

M235 for sure. I've dealt with NA and turbo inline-4s before and they all feel gutless compared to inline 6s.

[m_thompson]

I want X-Drive with the M-Sport 228i.

[BMWeber]

short and sweet if you like the track and tuning the 228i is going to be the car. and by track I don't mean the drag strip.

[BMWeber]

Originally Posted by MrClean514

M235 for sure. I've dealt with NA and turbo inline-4s before and they all feel gutless compared to inline 6s.

drive a similarly equiped F30 335i and 328i back to back BMWs 4 banger turbo is nothing like others I've driven and the N55 is a huge disappointment as turbo 6 cylinders go

[DieGrüneHölle]

Originally Posted by BMWeber

short and sweet if you like the track and tuning the 228i is going to be the car. and by track I don't mean the drag strip.

Yeah, a 228i could be a sweet little track car. Stripper manual 228i with M-sport. Tune, downpipe, exhaust easy 300+hp 350+tq. Coilovers and swaybar upgrade.

[IEDEI]

Originally Posted by BMWeber

drive a similarly equiped F30 335i and 328i back to back BMWs 4 banger turbo is nothing like others I've driven and the N55 is a huge disappointment as turbo 6 cylinders go

LOL! that is utter nonsense.

[puma1552]

It's true that an equally optioned 228i will approach base 235i money. And I suppose that would be the apples to apples comparison.

But at least for me I don't need every performance benefit that the 235i will have, but can get 80% of the way there just with Msport I figure.

The price of the Msport will determine how good of a deal the 228i will be. If it's $3500, then I probably won't be buying one of these because I won't pay $40k for a 228i. If it's $2000 or so, I'm in. If it's $2500, I might cut the metallic paint for AW (planning on Mineral White or maybe EB II depending on how it looks).

[Raja Ventureshield]

Originally Posted by puma1552

not too much slower and has plenty of good options to be had, and starts a whopping $11k cheaper. It's going to be tough to ignore the 228i with Msport. The M235i is going to be a $60k 2 series all optioned up (lolol, come on BMW).

Anyone else agree?

at the end of the day these are just numbers. they will have leases which most people will end up getting. yeah 60k for 2 series is a bit too much.

[BMWeber]

Originally Posted by IEDEI

LOL! that is utter nonsense.

sorry I am admittedly very bias, after owning an N54 I could never own an N55 car. its a great motor but I'm all about tuning and tracking my cars. the N55 is a great motor but as far as potential it is lacking.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by BMWinGE

I believe when you factor in the cost for the standard options on the M235i, the difference will be $4-5K compared to an equally optioned 228i.

+1

28i needs to be pretty stripped down for the price gap to be over $10k.

I am definitely targeting the 235 but I can definitely see the upsides of the 228, particularly for a car mostly used for commuting.

[IEDEI]

Originally Posted by BMWeber

sorry I am admittedly very bias, after owning an N54 I could never own an N55 car. its a great motor but I'm all about tuning and tracking my cars. the N55 is a great motor but as far as potential it is lacking.

the reality is that the N54 is a great motor which had a lot of issues.....so the N55 tried to fix those issues. performance wise they are equal. tuning-wise, the N54 had a longer shelf life and hence had more tuning development.

either way.....EITHER engine is way more powerful and enjoyable than the N20. It's kind of absurd to say that the N20 is a better engine than the N55----it is most definitely not in any measurable way, shape, or form!

[pinemind]

Originally Posted by IEDEI

LOL! that is utter nonsense.

Agreed. I had a chance to drive my first N20 car about an hour ago. I got a 2013 328i xdrive loaner while my 335i (n54) was in the shop. Up until now, I thought maybe this would be a great engine. The noise is terrible. For the price of the car, it just sounds so entry level. The power delivery is nothing like my 2009 WRX (roughly same numbers; it had a bit more torque though). I feel like that turbo 4 was a lot more punchy.

If they can find a way to not make it sound like a diesel, I think it could be great in a lighter car like the 228i.

[BMWeber]

Originally Posted by IEDEI

the reality is that the N54 is a great motor which had a lot of issues.....so the N55 tried to fix those issues. performance wise they are equal. tuning-wise, the N54 had a longer shelf life and hence had more tuning development.

either way.....EITHER engine is way more powerful and enjoyable than the N20. It's kind of absurd to say that the N20 is a better engine than the N55----it is most definitely not in any measurable way, shape, or form!

i'll leave the N55 vs N54 for another thread :-)

the N20 is not going to put out the hp numbers of a N55 but it will be lighter it will run cooler and as far as measurements I cant wait to see the real world tests I think 235i owners will be a bit miffed. especially as far as a track lap times go (witch is my thing). after 10 hot laps on a track the N20 would be putting out almost as much HP as the big N55 gets to hot starts to pull boost and timing not to mention the extra weight right over the front wheels. the handling will be better and the N20 cars will be running the same or faster lap times. start tuning these cars and I think the N55 is going to slip father and father behind.

as for day to day driving and the single drag strip run the N55 will be the winner in that aspect but if your really into performance and tuning the N55 is a bit of a lame duck in my opinion.

[BMWeber]

Originally Posted by pinemind

Agreed. I had a chance to drive my first N20 car about an hour ago. I got a 2013 328i xdrive loaner while my 335i (n54) was in the shop. Up until now, I thought maybe this would be a great engine. The noise is terrible. For the price of the car, it just sounds so entry level. The power delivery is nothing like my 2009 WRX (roughly same numbers; it had a bit more torque though). I feel like that turbo 4 was a lot more punchy.

If they can find a way to not make it sound like a diesel, I think it could be great in a lighter car like the 228i.

your point on the lighter car is what I get out of your observation. your loaner is the heaviest 3 series(xi) that you could have that motor in. was it a 6 speed or an auto

[Pauleebe]

Originally Posted by W///

Personally, I have no interest in all the different drive modes and variable steering. If I wanted to do a budget 228i:
Msport
Xenons
6MT
Heated Seats
H/K
Maybe M-sport brakes

Now, if the gap is still significant to a no option M235i, then it'll be very interesting for sure.

A few things to consider:

Msport - Agreed, and this will probably cost ~ $3,000 on the 228.
Xenons - Will the 228 in the states not get Xenons standard? I know the 128 didn't, and the 328 doesn't, but coupes seem to get preferential treatment in this regard. If not, assume $900 cost.
6MT - No cost charge, so this isn't a big deal.
Heated Seats - Not standard on the M235, so this is a wash of comparison.
H/K - Not standard on the M235, so this is a wash of comparison.
Maybe M-sport brakes - Standard to the M235, but is only a $600 option on existing 3 and 4 series.

So thus far, it looks like you're only up to about $4,000-$4,500 being added to the 228 in standard equipment being compared to the M235. I understand there are a few other aesthetic features, such as trim and colored mirrors, but the M235 is still at least $6000-6,500 or more expensive comparatively.

Given the smaller margin of performance between the 128 and 135 versus the 228 and M235, I'm not sure if I could justify an M235. Rather load up a 228 and still come out with more money in pocket compared to the M235, for a "slightly slower" ride.

[W///]

Originally Posted by dwalls90

A few things to consider:

Msport - Agreed, and this will probably cost ~ $3,000 on the 228.
Xenons - Will the 228 in the states not get Xenons standard? I know the 128 didn't, and the 328 doesn't, but coupes seem to get preferential treatment in this regard. If not, assume $900 cost.
6MT - No cost charge, so this isn't a big deal.
Heated Seats - Not standard on the M235, so this is a wash of comparison.
H/K - Not standard on the M235, so this is a wash of comparison.
Maybe M-sport brakes - Standard to the M235, but is only a $600 option on existing 3 and 4 series.

So thus far, it looks like you're only up to about $4,000-$4,500 being added to the 228 in standard equipment being compared to the M235. I understand there are a few other aesthetic features, such as trim and colored mirrors, but the M235 is still at least $6000-6,500 or more expensive comparatively.

Given the smaller margin of performance between the 128 and 135 versus the 228 and M235, I'm not sure if I could justify an M235. Rather load up a 228 and still come out with more money in pocket compared to the M235, for a "slightly slower" ride.

The Msport pack will really be the decider. If they decide to make it $3000, that would really hurt.

At the end of the day, I agree with everything you responded but this: If the difference is "only" $4000, then I'd definitely go M235i. I was thinking about it today, and I think I'd really miss the sound of that sweet I6.

However, if Msport + Xenons 228i is $7-8000 difference, then that might sway me towards a 228i. At this point, I'm just day dreaming

[ska///235i]

What about the dual exhaust, wheels, not just bigger caliper but bigger rotors, suspension...then you get the N55 with ppk, ppk is another $1200....everything adds up