[3.0L]

Hey, they both are great cars. In my early sports car days, I would've thought I'd died and gone to heaven if I found myself driving a 2.0L engine that cranked out 240 HP and 260 ft/lbs of torque! Those are serious numbers!

[Pyewacket69]

Originally Posted by 3.0L

Hey, they both are great cars. In my early sports car days, I would've thought I'd died and gone to heaven if I found myself driving a 2.0L engine that cranked out 240 HP and 260 ft/lbs of torque! Those are serious numbers!

Back in the 1960's and early 70's, getting 1 HP per cubic inch was considered the gold standard.

Things sure have changed...

[Merc for hire]

I have had my 228i for 6 month now and luckily I was given the chance to upgrade to a M235i later this year. Without a doubt I took that opportunity, and that was my happiest moment of this year.

Here are some of things I disliked most about the 228i:

1. Engine and exhaust sound(lack off). The raw engine sounds very much like a more refined economy car. It's relatively high pitched and unpleasant as expected from a 4 cylinder. The exhaust sound is no different than a stock Honda Civic.

2. Acceleration at highway speeds. While the car pulls hard on 1,2, and 3rd gear, it runs out of steam at higher speed. Going from 90km/h to 140km/h to pass an annoying left-lane hugger takes just a bit longer than my patience allows.

3. Total lack of torque below 1500 rpm. If you try to floor the car from a rolling stop in first year, the car will not respond at all for a second or so until the rpm climbs higher than 1500 rpm. It feels sluggish at accelerating from idle to 1500 rpm.

4. Vibration at idle. The engine vibrates very noticeably at idle. And the kick in the seat from engine start is a bit harsh as well.

All problems I have with the 228i are first-world-problems. The car itself should be more than satisfactory for anyone who never driven a BMW 6 cylinder sedan/coupe and just upgrading from economy car. Please don't take my complaints seriously.

[bimmerfile]

Originally Posted by 3.0L

Hey, they both are great cars. In my early sports car days, I would've thought I'd died and gone to heaven if I found myself driving a 2.0L engine that cranked out 240 HP and 260 ft/lbs of torque! Those are serious numbers!

Even more serious that you think as those are factory rated HP and torque number and are understated.
Dinan has measured the actual HP/torque numbers for the stock 228i at 261 HP and 290 ft/lb torque...

[Pinghacker]

I had a great time at the Performance Driving School in the M235i. When I drove my 228i away from the delivery I obeyed the 4500 rpm limit and was longing for the throttle I missed from the track.

It has been a month and my break-in period is over. I don't need that 6. The 228 is seriously fast and kicks you in the ass in every gear to 70 mph (and probably beyond) when in sport/sport manual.

[G8rGrl]

Originally Posted by Pinghacker

I had a great time at the Performance Driving School in the M235i. When I drove my 228i away from the delivery I obeyed the 4500 rpm limit and was longing for the throttle I missed from the track.

It has been a month and my break-in period is over. I don't need that 6. The 228 is seriously fast and kicks you in the ass in every gear to 70 mph (and probably beyond) when in sport/sport manual.

Did you drive back home non-stop? I'm concerned about driving a new car for 10 hours straight before engine break-in. What did BMW say about your drive home?

[SmoWilly]

Don't believe all the 228 owners saying that that the 235 is "marginally" faster...and Car and Driver's results are under perfect conditions. In real life the 228 is no match for handling and acceleration. The other day a 228 coupe was acting tough next to my 235 convertible...after a few seconds he was several car lengths behind me...by the end of the on ramp he was 50 yards....no contest.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by SmoWilly

Don't believe all the 228 owners saying that that the 235 is "marginally" faster...and Car and Driver's results are under perfect conditions. In real life the 228 is no match for handling and acceleration. The other day a 228 coupe was acting tough next to my 235 convertible...after a few seconds he was several car lengths behind me...by the end of the on ramp he was 50 yards....no contest.

Acceleration, no doubt. Handling? Sorry. A 228i with Track Handling Package has a 50/50 weight distribution which the 235 cannot match. Less weight over the front wheels. 228i wins handling, but, as you said, not acceleration. Take your choice of what you enjoy more.

[Outrun]

When I spec'd a 228 to an equally optioned '16 M235, the price difference was less than $2000. Then getting the dealer to agree to 6% off MSRP, it was an easy choice to choose the M235. And as far as the engine, it's more than just the power & speed it delivers (which I'll probably never be able to fully unleash unless I visit the track...) that intoxicating sound of the inline 6 just cannot be beat, and that is something I get to enjoy every time I drive!

[uberspeed]

Originally Posted by huma

If you don't have to have leather, you can save $1,500 on package b bringing it down to around $39.5. That's before any discounts, so you can possible get it for $37k-$38k.

What I'll be going for, MSport with no leather; but I rather enjoy turbo four banger engines and prefer the handling on the 228i with the speeds I'm normally driving. Spirited to me on the streets is a bit of a misnomer and I don't track anywhere near as much as I used to. Apply your own needs/value scale accordingly.

[moldcad]

Originally Posted by sstarrx3

The only draw back between the 228i is the sound. The 6 is going to sound much better. It is marginally faster...but unless you are racing I doubt you will notice the difference. The 228i is still very fast. If you are going to tune it you can make up some of the difference.

True - but if price is not a problem, I'd never compromise between those 2 engines. Had my experience with the N20 (true - in a heavier xDrive car, the 528xi), and it was the main reason to trade it towards the best 2-series can offer: the M235i. Couldn't be happier I did! My sincere advise to the OP is get the N55; not that the 228 is slow but for that peace of heart you have the best engine available in this car! You will be rewarded by the very fact that - no matter how spirited you drive it - the engine is never overloaded, and leaves a substantial margin of available power (thus it will live longer without probs - statistically of course).

[dalrx]

Get the m235 I own the 228 and I see it's short comings ....less power no sound...everyone on here owns m235... Most mods are geared for m235...All car mags praise the m235. Once my lease comes near due it will be no brainer to dump this and get m235.

[SmoWilly]

Acceleration, no doubt. Handling? Sorry. A 228i with Track Handling Package has a 50/50 weight distribution which the 235 cannot match. Less weight over the front wheels. 228i wins handling, but, as you said, not acceleration. Take your choice of what you enjoy more.

Actually the convertible also has the 50/50 weight split...sure it is heavier, but I haven't had any problems handling the car...drifting and 360's is just a pedal push away.

[moldcad]

The thing is that advantages of N55 over N20 outweigh those of slightly better weight distribution with the N20...

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by SmoWilly

Acceleration, no doubt. Handling? Sorry. A 228i with Track Handling Package has a 50/50 weight distribution which the 235 cannot match. Less weight over the front wheels. 228i wins handling, but, as you said, not acceleration. Take your choice of what you enjoy more.

Actually the convertible also has the 50/50 weight split...sure it is heavier, but I haven't had any problems handling the car...drifting and 360's is just a pedal push away.

It's a long way from saying the 228 is "no match" for handling for a 235, as you did in the earlier post, to now saying you haven't had any problems handling the 235. Both cars handle very well, but physics usually prevails. The 50/50 on the 235i convertible is managing 3725lbs vs 3295 on the 228i. Enjoy what you will but the 430(!) lb lighter car will prevail.

[jtzako]

If you're not going to take the car on the track, or drive in illegal fashion, both cars are more than fast enough and handle quite well, but the 228i is cheaper and better MPG. Very few cars on the road can get to 60 in under 5.5 seconds and even on the runflats (which I dont like) the car handles quite well.

The low rpm responsiveness is a bit noticeable in comfort mode (default) when coming to a stop, or near stop, then accelerating again but in sport mode it is far better since the engine keeps the RPM in at a more useful level for the engine.

For engine sound, you can make the 228i sound the same from the drivers perspective due to that active sound stuff (code it in) but it still will sound different from the outside of course.

[Spook410]

Balance Schmalance. So I'm not mature enough for a 228. I'm OK with that. I want an engine that addresses my ADHD. I'm not buying German iron because I'm patient. I want it to sound awesome.. even if it is totally faked through the stereo. When forced to demonstrate angst on the freeway, I want my vehicle to be there for me. Especially in the 60-80 range. I may even need an M2. I want the visceral titillation of G forces pushing me back in the seat because I want it. Would the $9K difference in the way I would build them be better spent on personal growth? Sure. I could also eat kale and arugula salad every day.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by Spook410

Balance Schmalance. So I'm not mature enough for a 228. I'm OK with that. I want an engine that addresses my ADHD. I'm not buying German iron because I'm patient. I want it to sound awesome.. even if it is totally faked through the stereo. When forced to demonstrate angst on the freeway, I want my vehicle to be there for me. Especially in the 60-80 range. I may even need an M2. I want the visceral titillation of G forces pushing me back in the seat because I want it. Would the $9K difference in the way I would build them be better spent on personal growth? Sure. I could also eat kale and arugula salad every day.

Best post of the thread! Well said! Of course, I'm the polar opposite and happen to eat kale almost daily, but I love the spirit!

[2msport]

Originally Posted by moldcad

You will be rewarded by the very fact that - no matter how spirited you drive it - the engine is never overloaded, and leaves a substantial margin of available power (thus it will live longer without probs - statistically of course).

hahaha. show me the statistics please.

Seems like to me, traditionally BMWs with the larger engines have more problems. Anecdotally of course.

[Merc for hire]

228i fans refuse to accept inferiority.

[2msport]

All I can say is my 228 is making 235 power and is at least 200lbs lighter. (And sounds great with an aftermarket exhaust) So I'm extremely happy.

[allthatisntnow]

Both cars are great (they're basically the same car at the end of they day bar power) but you're not going to have a 228 beat a 235i on road or track because it has a 50/50 weight split vs a 52/48.

So if you want the faster car get the m235i
If you want the....228i, erm..... get the 228i i guess

I jest of course. You won't go wrong with either. Financially the 228i is the sounder option both in terms of fun per $ and the lesser depreciation. Its also plenty fast and can always be tuned. But the n55 sounds great and has even more tuning potential. Its a vicious cycle i know.