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      04-08-2014, 02:47 AM   #1
DarkstarZero
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M235i vs. 228i M-Sport vs. e36 M3

I went to the dealer to test drive the new 2 series today, the best drivers car BMW has made in a long time, or so all the reviews said - I read and watched all of them the night before because car fever keeps me up . The problem was the reviews were all for the M235i and I wanted a comparison between that and the cheaper 228i. I also own an e36 '95 M3, the car that the M235i is said to be just as fun as, so I drove that to the dealer.

A bit about myself; I've owned many BMWs, mostly M cars, I'll list them at the bottom if you're interested. I drive at the track regularly. I am a BMW CCA track instructor, a role that takes many years of track time and training to achieve. And some of you may know me from leading the Skyline Run events.

Ok, so my thoughts on the M235 and 228. My sales guy knows me pretty well so he just threw me the keys to both of them so I could take my time. The first car was the M235, it was fully loaded and had a 6-speed manual transmission. That was good because all of the reviewers tested the car with the 8-speed auto. The manual was great, it had good feel, short throws, the clutch was light and easy to control - it's just a great transmission. The car drove as expected based on the reviews we've all watched. It was quick, nimble, fun, everything the reviewers said it was. But I was surprised to find that when I threw it into a corner, it had a tendency to understeer. Not a lot, but it was noticeable, like there was a little more weight in the front than in the back. Other than that, just like the reviews said, it was a great car.



Now to the M-Sport 228i. Walking to the less powerful, more ordinary 228 from the M235 I thought maybe I should have done this in reverse, but it was too late. Looking at the car with the $3,000 M-Sport package and M-Sport brakes, it looks exactly the same as the M235. From the front and the side, you can't tell them apart. It was the same on the inside, same seats, same steering wheel, same amount of M badges on everything. The only difference being this was the 8-speed auto. Pulling out of the lot and onto my makeshift track of local deserted roads I was extremely surprised by how similarly the 228 performed. Acceleration was really good, far better than I expected. Turbo lag was virtually non-existent. BMW says it does 0-60 in 5.4, I think it might be a bit faster. The huge surprise though was cornering, it was fantastic, better than the M235! The slight understeer I felt in the M235 wasn't there in the 228 and it just felt more nimble, more precise, more fun. I was chucking into corners and the balance was dead-on, confidence inspiring and made me want to go faster. The 8-speed auto with it's short gear ratios keeps it in the power-band though it can really feel like too many gears some times - I know it's faster but for a driver's car, I'd go with the manual.



I came back convinced the 228 was better and more fun than the M235, how was that possible!? I read the specs when I got back, it all comes down to weight. The M235 does not have a 50/50 weight distribution, it's 52/48 - a bit front heavy, and it was noticeable. The 228 does however have that perfect 50/50 distribution and the one I drove weighed 205lbs lighter than the M235. That's a lot and explains why it felt more alive and nimble. To put that into perspective, it's like filling the entire trunk with 20lb bowling balls, you're going to notice it. The only thing missing is the straight line acceleration but the BMS piggy-back tune for the N20 has been proven to give around 40-50whp for just $500. I'm convinced a M-Sport 228i would keep up a M235 on the track, and with a $500 piggy-back tune it would unquestionably pass it. I'm surprised to say it, the 228 is the better drivers car, and thousands of dollars cheaper. Even with money no object, it's the 228 for me.
228 specs: http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Conte...fications.aspx
M235 specs: http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Conte...fications.aspx

So what about the e36? Well, they're no match. As I said, my e36 has been converted to euro spec so it's producing around 300hp and has all the chassis reinforcements and suspension that are required to bring an old e36 back to feeling like new. While the 2ers may be as quick if not quicker with similar cornering abilities they just don't have the same sense of theater and connection to the road. Feeling the road through the seat, the feedback from the old rack and pinion steering, the sound of the syncros while changing gears, the roar of air rushing into the engine - it's an event. But I wouldn't call it comfortable. I could sit in the 2 series for hours in traffic, not the e36. It's a weekend car, a track car, a drivers car, and in that respect the 2 series is still missing that special something to give me the same massive grin. It's a little docile. A little too comfortable as if that's somehow a bad thing. Maybe we'll see Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in the M2







BMWs I've owned, if you care to know:
95 M3 manual (died)
another 95 M3 manual (euro modded)
02 M3 SMG
02 530i auto
03 M5 manual
07 M Coupe manual
11 M3 Competition DCT
14 328xiT auto http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=954033
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      04-08-2014, 06:00 AM   #2
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Great write up on the comparison of the three cars. I'm in the same boat well except for the e36 M. I just drove the m235i and last week drove the 228i I too was shocked at the performance of the 228i. I am as well still contemplating on which vehicle to get, but as you mentioned with piggy back the 228i will be just a blast to drive as if it were a m235i.

Only downside is by the time I'm done optioning my 228i I'm basically at a bare bone m235i which is what I want.
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      04-08-2014, 06:45 AM   #3
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Outstanding post! Thanks! Wouldn't your observations be the same for a 228i Sportline with optional M Adaptive suspension and stick? That combo allows for Valencia Orange exterior!
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      04-08-2014, 07:56 AM   #4
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So, seeing as you've driven an 8spd auto and a manual back to back, how'd you say they compare in feel/performance? Does the 8 carry the same level of enjoyment(I know this is pretty subjective) and would a 6 speed be reasonable for a DD(people have referenced the box being similar to 1M, and that was on the unpleasant side IMO)?
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      04-08-2014, 07:56 AM   #5
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Nice review...did the 235 have rft or pss?
What abouy the 228...did it have sport tires or all seasons?

200lbs is alot as far as handling goes but for acceleration that 200lbs difference translate to roughly 16hp...not alot for a 3300 pounder (228)

I still dont get how the 28i is getting 0-60 in 5.4 (not hating)..unless bmw is seriously underrating the HP numbers
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      04-08-2014, 08:13 AM   #6
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My Mates a head tech for a dealer in my town. He went on a course for the 428i and now the 228i. He was amazed just how many anti vibration dampers were fitted to the 4 pot to stop the thing vibrating into the cabin. Give me a sexy, silky 6 pot any day. I'm happy to sacrifice a bit of cornering ability.
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      04-08-2014, 08:18 AM   #7
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You just made my day. Love to finally hear a 228 review and your results are exactly what I was hoping to hear. I've only driven the 228, and I was starting to get worried that maybe I should have given the 235 a try even though we were trying to keep cost down. Can't wait until it gets here.
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      04-08-2014, 08:46 AM   #8
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Did the 228 you tested have premium package and thus the extra weight of the moonroof, etc?
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      04-08-2014, 09:36 AM   #9
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I've read two car magazines that got a 5.2 and another get a 5.3 in the 428 with an auto so 5.4 may be on the high side for the 228. The N20 is definitely underrated and has outperformed the Caddy 2.0 which is rated at 272 hp. By the way, the 10 bowling balls would need to be in the engine compartment not trunk if its 52/48.
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      04-08-2014, 09:46 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucky13
I've read two car magazines that got a 5.2 and another get a 5.3 in the 428 with an auto so 5.4 may be on the high side for the 228. The N20 is definitely underrated and has outperformed the Caddy 2.0 which is rated at 272 hp. By the way, the 10 bowling balls would need to be in the engine compartment not trunk if its 52/48.
Also the 235/435 0-60 4.8/4.9....giving that the 235 has 20hp more

Some reviews clocked the 235 at 4.4
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      04-08-2014, 09:57 AM   #11
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Awesome writeup! I was under the impression the 235 was a 50/50, thats kind of dissapointing.
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      04-08-2014, 10:19 AM   #12
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I'm just going to throw this in there that I test drove both as well and found the similarities to be nothing like the OP's experience. 228 was fun, sure, but felt nothing like the 235 to me.

I came from an 04 330ci with everything but the ZHP package, so the 228 was very similar performance-wise and felt that way. The 235 was just a completely different ballpark performance-wise to me, but that's my 2 cents and I'm only sharing to further show people that if they're on the fence, they should drive both and drive them hot before making a decision. Don't let the dealer tell you you can only take it for 5 minutes, you need at least 30-60 to get it hot and really get a feel for it.
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      04-08-2014, 10:23 AM   #13
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I haven't driven the M235i, but having an E36 M3 and now a 228i M Sport, I totally agree with you. I love driving the 228i, it's as quick or quicker than the M3, and is fun and nimble to toss around. But the E36 is just raw and connected. It's noisy and rattles and lets me know all it wants to do is drive.

So, for my daily driver and wife transporter, the 228i is more than perfect for what I want. That said, I plan to keep my E36 for as long as I can deal with it's unreliability... haha.

P.S. - mine's an Estoril Blue coupe as well, but I'm on contours. Such a nice color on that car.
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      04-08-2014, 10:37 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ska325xi View Post
Nice review...did the 235 have rft or pss?
What abouy the 228...did it have sport tires or all seasons?
Yes, he's right. It's important to note which car had what tires. From the pictures, it looks like the M235i has Michelin's (PSS I assume) while the 228i has Potenza's (run-flats).

According to some of the reviews, the Michelin PSS tires need to warm up to get sticky. I really think the OP just haven't driven the M235i hard enough/long enough to get grip. Sterling is pretty chilly today...
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      04-08-2014, 10:42 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by darkerosxx
I'm just going to throw this in there that I test drove both as well and found the similarities to be nothing like the OP's experience. 228 was fun, sure, but felt nothing like the 235 to me.

I came from an 04 330ci with everything but the ZHP package, so the 228 was very similar performance-wise and felt that way. The 235 was just a completely different ballpark performance-wise to me, but that's my 2 cents and I'm only sharing to further show people that if they're on the fence, they should drive both and drive them hot before making a decision. Don't let the dealer tell you you can only take it for 5 minutes, you need at least 30-60 to get it hot and really get a feel for it.
I agree with you...even with 200lbs lighter the 80hp difference from 235-228 should be felt...thats 1/3 of the N20 hp

0-50 yea maybe 235 is just 1/2 car length ahead...run up to 100 and the 235 will walk the 28...just saying tho

OP, the difference can be that you drove an 8speed auto on the 28i and manual on the 35i (not saying you cant drive) maybe the 8 auto is really that good...quick/smooth shifts = faster car
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      04-08-2014, 10:43 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MaximumG View Post
the Michelin PSS tires need to warm up to get sticky.
QFT - doing launch control on cold PSS will give you bad spinning vs doing it hot the tires won't budge. I know this, first-hand.
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      04-08-2014, 11:31 AM   #17
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Handling should be better on the 228i, it is lighter and has better weight balance. It comes down to power, whether you want 6 or 4 cylinders. Both are fun little cars.
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      04-08-2014, 12:15 PM   #18
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does the n20 sound better in the 228i? I've had 3 different n20 loaners (328i, 320i, x1), and the n20 just sounds awful, and doesn't feel like it wants to rev.
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      04-08-2014, 01:29 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Blipit_
Handling should be better on the 228i, it is lighter and has better weight balance. It comes down to power, whether you want 6 or 4 cylinders. Both are fun little cars.
Yep I agree in this. I'm in that dilemma right now trying to decide between a 4 or a 6. The exhaust note of the m235i is just so intoxicating compared to the 228i.
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      04-08-2014, 01:47 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hops128i View Post
does the n20 sound better in the 228i? I've had 3 different n20 loaners (328i, 320i, x1), and the n20 just sounds awful, and doesn't feel like it wants to rev.
Yes, it does. My buddy drives a 328i and I test drove a 428i. The sound of the N20 in my 228i sounds noticeably better. Part of that I'm sure is the active sound, but I can't tell how much so I'm OK with it. Additionally, it sounds better outside the car than the 328i and 428i, so the exhaust must be a bit more aggressive from the factory.

It's still a 4 cylinder turbo, so it's not going to have the I6 growl, but for what it is, I'm pretty impressed with the sound.
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      04-08-2014, 02:22 PM   #21
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Does anyone know if the 228i pictured above is a Mineral Grey? Seems to have too greenish a tint for that though - what is it? It would be my first choice for a 228.
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      04-08-2014, 02:50 PM   #22
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My X1 N20 sounds like a diesel but it runs like a bat outta hell.
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