Must-have options, M235i or 228i

Pinghacker · 09-11-2015, 07:42 PM

Before and after picking up my car I read countless threads on what options are must-have or not worth the money; Need that straight 6 or the 228i was more than enough.

I ended up with a "base" 228i with no performance upgrades and after 6 weeks of driving, I can't believe I am lucky enough to drive this car. In my opinion (may be not as educated as some), this car flies and handles like a dream.

3.0L · 09-11-2015, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pinghacker

Before and after picking up my car I read countless threads on what options are must-have or not worth the money; Need that straight 6 or the 228i was more than enough.

I ended up with a "base" 228i with no performance upgrades and after 6 weeks of driving, I can't believe I am lucky enough to drive this car. In my opinion (may be not as educated as some), this car flies and handles like a dream.

The car itself is a "must have." Options are strictly a personal preference.

BEMR · 09-11-2015, 08:32 PM

Take some pics! Love the car and Love South Carolina.

SteveInfante · 09-11-2015, 09:22 PM

I couldn't agree more with your observations about the "base" 2 series. This is the most fun I've had in a car in a very long time. It doesn't hurt that it's a looker too. I actually prefer the stock wheels over the clunky spoked performance versions.

uberspeed · 09-12-2015, 01:31 AM

Congrats on the ride and as an IT geek, great username!

Pinghacker · 09-12-2015, 08:14 AM

While I am a bit of a computer geek myself (the original thread was posted via a Linux OS machine), the username is actually Golf related.

Merc for hire · 09-12-2015, 10:13 AM

If you listen to music, the HK sound upgrade is a must have over the base 228i speakers.
But then for that price, you can always go aftermarket.

MrBimmerM235i · 09-12-2015, 12:09 PM

M Sport Package and Harman Kardon sound system...

artztt · 09-12-2015, 12:28 PM

Lighting Package (sport seats are now STD).

E90 87ss · 09-12-2015, 09:12 PM

This may sound silly, but I actually have a hard time maneuvering/parking this car in tight spaces, so the PDC and rearview camera was a must for me. Ironically this is the smallest car I've ever owned and I can park/maneuver the other cars with ease.

DanG · 09-12-2015, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3.0L

The car itself is a "must have." Options are strictly a personal preference.

+1.

MikeT · 09-13-2015, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90 87ss

This may sound silly, but I actually have a hard time maneuvering/parking this car in tight spaces, so the PDC and rearview camera was a must for me. Ironically this is the smallest car I've ever owned and I can park/maneuver the other cars with ease.

+1

This is the first car that I've owned with a backup camera or PDC, but I now use 'em all the time and wouldn't buy another car without 'em. Of course, the camera will be government-mandated standard equipment by 2018 anyway.

moldcad · 09-13-2015, 05:11 AM

I'll play the role of advocatus diaboli here, and will say that with N55, the automatic transmission is a must. Would DCT be available for M235i, it would be even better - but with its 8 gears, the ZF is essential to get the most of this car - lighting quick shifts, no error possibility. Don't get me wrong - ALL my previous cars in my 45 years of driving experience were MT - but none offered over 300 hp and so much torque. The 8AT makes 2 cars in one:

- making a long, many-hour business trip? When I think now I'd have to row the stick even with "only" 6 gears; no thanks

- driving spiritedly, for fun or on the track? I'd like to see an M235i owner who'd get better lapse times with 6MT than he would with the 8AT...

Now flame me!

PS. Wait I'd like to stir even more. All you purists, I know why you want it with 6MT so much: it's all so easy to "springfire" from the clutch and break the rear free, for this riceboyich burnouts, or turning the car 180 degrees in place, after your girlfriend hopped in and you want to take her for a drive opposite direction than you were heading, eh? C'mon, show us you have balls and drift a long curve with speed reaching 100 mph, while steering with your throttle! Or just powerslide in a curve by breaking the rears' grip with just the gas pedal no help from the clutch. Now we're talking...

Toe and heal, you say? C'mon, before you'll ever miss it learn how to use paddles to shift in exactly the right points - once you master it you will forget about this ancient technique from times gearboxes were not even synchronized

den525 · 09-13-2015, 06:23 AM

The 3l inline 6 is a MUST in my opinion. I think it's quite special. You look at all of the 1/2 series competitors... What's the common denominator? 2l turbo!!

As for options? I have a fully optioned car, I think most of the options are great... HK is a bit disappointing.

Sportstick · 09-13-2015, 09:02 AM

This thread has become somewhat of a farce,
losing all sense of what the word "must" means. We have one poster who thinks MSport is a "must". Now we see that the 6 is a "must". According to these folks, BMW should not be producing the 228i at all, as it fails to include two mandatory items! The lack of empathy to recognize diverse preferences is jarring, as some feel everyone else should want what they want. Lots of stuff may be even highly recommended, which is fine but was not the question...but "must have"? Please!

tccox · 09-13-2015, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sportstick

This thread has become somewhat of a farce,
losing all sense of what the word "must" means. We have one poster who thinks MSport is a "must". Now we see that the 6 is a "must". According to these folks, BMW should not be producing the 228i at all, as it fails to include two mandatory items! The lack of empathy to recognize diverse preferences is jarring, as some feel everyone else should want what they want. Lots of stuff may be even highly recommended, which is fine but was not the question...but "must have"? Please!

Most intelligent post in this entire thread

MrBimmerM235i · 09-13-2015, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sportstick

This thread has become somewhat of a farce,
losing all sense of what the word "must" means. We have one poster who thinks MSport is a "must". Now we see that the 6 is a "must". According to these folks, BMW should not be producing the 228i at all, as it fails to include two mandatory items! The lack of empathy to recognize diverse preferences is jarring, as some feel everyone else should want what they want. Lots of stuff may be even highly recommended, which is fine but was not the question...but "must have"? Please!

Another fellow member trying to justify why he got a 228i over the M235i.

Pinghacker · 09-13-2015, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sportstick

This thread has become somewhat of a farce,
losing all sense of what the word "must" means. We have one poster who thinks MSport is a "must". Now we see that the 6 is a "must". According to these folks, BMW should not be producing the 228i at all, as it fails to include two mandatory items! The lack of empathy to recognize diverse preferences is jarring, as some feel everyone else should want what they want. Lots of stuff may be even highly recommended, which is fine but was not the question...but "must have"? Please!

Nailed it. This thread has become a farce; it was originally started to mock the "must-haves" and "M235i or nothing" arguments. I am the proud owner of a 228i AWD with cold weather, tech, HK and a moon roof. The car with no options would have delighted me as well.

I drove an M235i at the PCD and loved it. I am too busy loving my 228i to miss the M235i that I left in SC though.

As 3.0L stated so well: "The car itself is a must have".

Outrun · 09-13-2015, 02:18 PM

The only extra feature I purchased on my '16 235i was the HK sound system. Everything else I really wanted came standard (sunroof, xenon lights, comfort access entry, power sport seats, orbit grey wheels). I can definitely live without all the extra packages and accessories which are certainly all nice amenities but not the reason I chose this car, which was for the driving experience!.

esp260 · 09-13-2015, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrBimmerM235i

Another fellow member trying to justify why he got a 228i over the M235i.

Everytime a thread like this comes up he argues against the M-sport and the inline 6...

MrBimmerM235i · 09-13-2015, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by esp260

Everytime a thread like this comes up he argues against the M-sport and the inline 6...

esp260 · 09-13-2015, 02:38 PM

The must have options are extremely subjective. For someone who has multiple cars and the 228i/235i is just a weekend toy for them, the extra packages are definitely not necessary. Since my 228 is the only car I'll be driving, I opted to spend a little extra to get the Msport, lighting, and tech package.

09-11-2015, 07:42 PM	#1
Pinghacker Private First Class 40 Rep 114 Posts Drives: 228i Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Detroit Metro Area iTrader: (0)	Must-have options, M235i or 228i Before and after picking up my car I read countless threads on what options are must-have or not worth the money; Need that straight 6 or the 228i was more than enough. I ended up with a "base" 228i with no performance upgrades and after 6 weeks of driving, I can't believe I am lucky enough to drive this car. In my opinion (may be not as educated as some), this car flies and handles like a dream. Attached Images
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09-11-2015, 08:32 PM	#3
BEMR Colonel 978 Rep 2,701 Posts Drives: 15 M4 Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Murrieta, CA (Home of Ricky Fowler) iTrader: (0)	Take some pics! Love the car and Love South Carolina. __________________ Got It: F82 2015 M4 Alpine White / Silverstone With integrity nothing else matters, without integrity nothing else matters.
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09-11-2015, 09:22 PM	#4
SteveInfante NewFinishColumbia/detailer 604 Rep 2,096 Posts Drives: 2015 F31 xDrive Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Columbia, SC iTrader: (0)	I couldn't agree more with your observations about the "base" 2 series. This is the most fun I've had in a car in a very long time. It doesn't hurt that it's a looker too. I actually prefer the stock wheels over the clunky spoked performance versions. __________________ 328 F31 xDrive/OSM/Venetian Luxury Line/Cold Weather/Premium/Driving Assist/Nav/Tech "Golden Goose" 78' Honda CB400A project http://www.instagram.com/steve_inf31
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09-12-2015, 01:31 AM	#5
uberspeed Lieutenant 45 Rep 459 Posts Drives: 328i Join Date: May 2013 Location: South Florida iTrader: (0)	Congrats on the ride and as an IT geek, great username!
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09-12-2015, 08:14 AM	#6
Pinghacker Private First Class 40 Rep 114 Posts Drives: 228i Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Detroit Metro Area iTrader: (0)	While I am a bit of a computer geek myself (the original thread was posted via a Linux OS machine), the username is actually Golf related.
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09-12-2015, 10:13 AM	#7
Merc for hire First Lieutenant 157 Rep 387 Posts Drives: M235i 6MT Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada iTrader: (0)	If you listen to music, the HK sound upgrade is a must have over the base 228i speakers. But then for that price, you can always go aftermarket.
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09-12-2015, 12:09 PM	#8
MrBimmerM235i First Lieutenant 105 Rep 283 Posts Drives: M235i Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: San Juan, Puerto Rico iTrader: (0)	M Sport Package and Harman Kardon sound system...
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09-12-2015, 12:28 PM	#9
artztt Private 23 Rep 96 Posts Drives: 2015 EB 228i M-Sport Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Texas iTrader: (2)	Lighting Package (sport seats are now STD).
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09-12-2015, 09:12 PM	#10
E90 87ss Captain 37 Rep 608 Posts Drives: ! Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: NJ/Philly iTrader: (1)	This may sound silly, but I actually have a hard time maneuvering/parking this car in tight spaces, so the PDC and rearview camera was a must for me. Ironically this is the smallest car I've ever owned and I can park/maneuver the other cars with ease. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-13-2015, 05:11 AM	#13
moldcad Major 262 Rep 1,091 Posts Drives: M235i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Poland iTrader: (0)	I'll play the role of advocatus diaboli here, and will say that with N55, the automatic transmission is a must. Would DCT be available for M235i, it would be even better - but with its 8 gears, the ZF is essential to get the most of this car - lighting quick shifts, no error possibility. Don't get me wrong - ALL my previous cars in my 45 years of driving experience were MT - but none offered over 300 hp and so much torque. The 8AT makes 2 cars in one: - making a long, many-hour business trip? When I think now I'd have to row the stick even with "only" 6 gears; no thanks - driving spiritedly, for fun or on the track? I'd like to see an M235i owner who'd get better lapse times with 6MT than he would with the 8AT... Now flame me! PS. Wait I'd like to stir even more. All you purists, I know why you want it with 6MT so much: it's all so easy to "springfire" from the clutch and break the rear free, for this riceboyich burnouts, or turning the car 180 degrees in place, after your girlfriend hopped in and you want to take her for a drive opposite direction than you were heading, eh? C'mon, show us you have balls and drift a long curve with speed reaching 100 mph, while steering with your throttle! Or just powerslide in a curve by breaking the rears' grip with just the gas pedal no help from the clutch. Now we're talking... Toe and heal, you say? C'mon, before you'll ever miss it learn how to use paddles to shift in exactly the right points - once you master it you will forget about this ancient technique from times gearboxes were not even synchronized __________________ previous: 2003 E46 330i SMG just sold: 2013 F10 528i xDrive my AWD beater: 2015 Golf R mk7 DSG my RWD pirate & long-distance cruiser: 2015 M235i AT8, LSD Last edited by moldcad; 09-13-2015 at 05:43 AM..
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09-13-2015, 06:23 AM	#14
den525 Captain 185 Rep 869 Posts Drives: BMW M235i Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Sydney iTrader: (0)	The 3l inline 6 is a MUST in my opinion. I think it's quite special. You look at all of the 1/2 series competitors... What's the common denominator? 2l turbo!! As for options? I have a fully optioned car, I think most of the options are great... HK is a bit disappointing. __________________ My car build http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1094247
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09-13-2015, 09:02 AM	#15
Sportstick Major General 4654 Rep 6,031 Posts Drives: '15 228i and '24 X3 sDrive30i Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Southwest USA iTrader: (0)	This thread has become somewhat of a farce, losing all sense of what the word "must" means. We have one poster who thinks MSport is a "must". Now we see that the 6 is a "must". According to these folks, BMW should not be producing the 228i at all, as it fails to include two mandatory items! The lack of empathy to recognize diverse preferences is jarring, as some feel everyone else should want what they want. Lots of stuff may be even highly recommended, which is fine but was not the question...but "must have"? Please!
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09-13-2015, 02:18 PM	#19
Outrun Second Lieutenant 65 Rep 205 Posts Drives: 2016 BMW M235i xDrive Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Ohio iTrader: (1)	The only extra feature I purchased on my '16 235i was the HK sound system. Everything else I really wanted came standard (sunroof, xenon lights, comfort access entry, power sport seats, orbit grey wheels). I can definitely live without all the extra packages and accessories which are certainly all nice amenities but not the reason I chose this car, which was for the driving experience!.
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09-13-2015, 02:38 PM	#22
esp260 Private First Class 53 Rep 187 Posts Drives: 228i Msport 6MT Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: San Francisco, CA iTrader: (0)	The must have options are extremely subjective. For someone who has multiple cars and the 228i/235i is just a weekend toy for them, the extra packages are definitely not necessary. Since my 228 is the only car I'll be driving, I opted to spend a little extra to get the Msport, lighting, and tech package.
	Appreciate 0 Quote