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      06-29-2016, 11:47 AM   #1
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228i, M235I and M2 Comparison Test by Road & Track

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A great piece from Road and Track on the different 2-series coupes available (228i, M235i, M2). They are compared against 1M Coupe and E30 M3 for benchmarks.

I have no interest in the 2-series specifically, but the article is well-written and enjoyable to read. Any thoughts?

http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-cult...test/?zoomable

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      06-29-2016, 11:50 AM   #2
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Top Gear UK just did a little segment on the M2 and i gotta say.. I REALLY want to go drive one now. It looks like a really fun little car. Probably too small for me as a daily though.
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      06-29-2016, 05:11 PM   #3
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Well written article and it elicits the message that cost, car specs and focused reviews don't always stand up to a full canyon/highway/track test. Arguably each of the cars featured is a perfect car for the right person, budget and use. My fiancee has a 228i MSport in MT and it is a fun little car, a greater sum of its parts than the m235i as it were. The car works together and not against itself.

No doubt the M2 is an animal, but it has lots of competition at that price point.
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      06-29-2016, 06:08 PM   #4
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This story has already been posted twice, on this forum and the M2 forum. It looks like the mods moved it to the 1 series forum for some reason.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1268894
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      06-29-2016, 06:58 PM   #5
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I drove the M2 yesterday. It pulls a tad harder and exhaust was louder but it had M perf. Interior exactly the same as the M235. I would say to go from a M235 to a M2 would be a waste of time and money unless you really need to tell someone you have a true M car. Not worth the switch to me. Only was up from M235 to me would be M3 or M4 anything else is either a step backwards or in the same direction.
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      06-29-2016, 07:53 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by max_330i View Post
A great piece from Road and Track on the different 2-series coupes available (228i, M235i, M2). They are compared against 1M Coupe and E30 M3 for benchmarks.

I have no interest in the 2-series specifically, but the article is well-written and enjoyable to read. Any thoughts?

http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-cult...test/?zoomable

Max
Makes me feel good about my car. They are rough on the M235i though...
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      06-29-2016, 08:05 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scottyn View Post
Makes me feel good about my car. They are rough on the M235i though...
I feel the same way. While I haven't driven the M2, I test drove the 228/235 back to back several times in the same day and came away with the 228 Msport.
I agree with the article that steering feel was a little vague from the 235 and felt better in the 228 and I just preferred the street manners.

I've tracked my 228 at COTA. While it was a HPDE and not a race, it was the opportunity to drive the car at speed and it worked great, which further confirmed my choice

I've very pleased in my decision.
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      06-29-2016, 08:34 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pazzo View Post
I feel the same way. While I haven't driven the M2, I test drove the 228/235 back to back several times in the same day and came away with the 228 Msport.
I agree with the article that steering feel was a little vague from the 235 and felt better in the 228 and I just preferred the street manners.

I've tracked my 228 at COTA. While it was a HPDE and not a race, it was the opportunity to drive the car at speed and it worked great, which further confirmed my choice

I've very pleased in my decision.
Ditto here. Enough car for me and at age 72 I don't need the noise.
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      06-29-2016, 09:55 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cmiller219 View Post
I drove the M2 yesterday. It pulls a tad harder and exhaust was louder but it had M perf. Interior exactly the same as the M235. I would say to go from a M235 to a M2 would be a waste of time and money unless you really need to tell someone you have a true M car. Not worth the switch to me. Only was up from M235 to me would be M3 or M4 anything else is either a step backwards or in the same direction.
I agree about the interior but those wheels & tires on the M2 are nice, and the aggressive look is cool. I love my M235i, but honesty wish I had been more patient. M2's are popping up here and there at dealerships selling at MSRP. I can fly anywhere I want, and may have been able to get one. Now I'm sure I'd take a massive hit trying to trade in my M235i for one.

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Originally Posted by scottyn View Post
Makes me feel good about my car. They are rough on the M235i though...
Yes they were. I think that article ticked off a few M235i owners on here. I admit it bothered me as well. I don't mind the criticism, and that they like the 228i better, but it seems like they really took it too far IMO. Drive's like a Buick, really I think the M235i drives awesome and love it, and I guess that's all that matters.
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      06-29-2016, 09:57 PM   #10
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This review just confirms all the reason I got the 228i.
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      06-29-2016, 10:00 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cmiller219 View Post
I drove the M2 yesterday. It pulls a tad harder and exhaust was louder but it had M perf. Interior exactly the same as the M235. I would say to go from a M235 to a M2 would be a waste of time and money unless you really need to tell someone you have a true M car. Not worth the switch to me. Only was up from M235 to me would be M3 or M4 anything else is either a step backwards or in the same direction.
Was this at BMW of Hon? How about that mark up!
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      06-29-2016, 10:44 PM   #12
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This again.....it's just 1 review by 1 person. There are and will be ton of reviews how M2 is the best car in the world, just like there are ton of reviews now that M235i is the best car BMW ever build.

I don't think I ever read anything but excellent reviews on N54 and N55 engine. It also won many awards by the way (best engine in category for 7 years)

Last edited by Kolyan2k; 06-29-2016 at 10:51 PM..
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      06-29-2016, 11:04 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by qnet View Post
I agree about the interior but those wheels & tires on the M2 are nice, and the aggressive look is cool. I love my M235i, but honesty wish I had been more patient. M2's are popping up here and there at dealerships selling at MSRP. I can fly anywhere I want, and may have been able to get one. Now I'm sure I'd take a massive hit trying to trade in my M235i for one.

...Yes they were. I think that article ticked off a few M235i owners on here. I admit it bothered me as well. I don't mind the criticism, and that they like the 228i better, but it seems like they really took it too far IMO. Drive's like a Buick, really I think the M235i drives awesome and love it, and I guess that's all that matters.
I agree, the reviewers were probably way too harsh on the M235i in particular. There will always be car reviews that speak negatively of a nice car. I wouldn't pay any attention to them; if you own it and enjoy it, then that's all you need
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      06-30-2016, 08:02 AM   #14
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The results are predictable. The M2 was the fastest and the pick of the group. The 228, with its lighter weight, particularly in the front end, is more enjoyable in the technical stuff than the heavier, albeit faster 235i. Big surprise. I think we've read basically the same thing written back when the 2 series was first launched. In fact they said the same thing about the F series 328 vs 335.

What was surprising to me, however, was actually how close the 235 was to the M2 on track. With the M2's advantage not just in power but suspension and brake components and larger section width tires, for the 235 to be less than 0.5s slower than the M2 seems pretty remarkable. The 228i was over two seconds slower than the 235.

I mean I loved driving my Mini Cooper S with it's light weight, go-cart like agility, but it was certainly no hot rod. Neither is the 228. They are all fantastic cars. Like others have mentioned, they all have their intended purpose for whoever purchases the car. For me, this would be a daily driver so I'm going to give the edge to having more zip rather than agility and the new 240 will hit my sweet spot.

From personal experience, we went to the dealer back in 2012 to drive and buy the F30 228i. It was a great car, but when we drove the 335i there was no comparison. The 335 was much more responsive, smoother and quieter. We stroked a check for the 335i.
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      06-30-2016, 08:32 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sales@vivid View Post
Top Gear UK just did a little segment on the M2 and i gotta say.. I REALLY want to go drive one now. It looks like a really fun little car. Probably too small for me as a daily though.
Interesting that "performance" cars have become so bloated that the 2er (which is slightly larger (length, width, height) than the E36 and almost identical (dimension wise) to the fabled E46 would be characterized as "little"...
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      06-30-2016, 11:30 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by speeddeacon View Post
What was surprising to me, however, was actually how close the 235 was to the M2 on track. With the M2's advantage not just in power but suspension and brake components and larger section width tires, for the 235 to be less than 0.5s slower than the M2 seems pretty remarkable.
Exactly. The Buick-like M235 is literally on the heels of the M2. Throw on some marginally wider wheels and tires (ideally a square setup) and a basic tune and I have a good hunch the numbers would be the same or even possibly favor the M235.

Lots of people talk about how they think the M235's suspension is too soft and the car rolls too much, but given it's equipment compared to the M2, 0.5 second is really nothing. At the finish line it's like 2 to 3 car lengths at most.

With that said, I really really like the M2, but what held me back is the "M" cost of long term ownership, the lack of adjustable suspension, and my worry that me modding it would actually make it perform worse. LOL
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      06-30-2016, 11:40 AM   #17
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While there are aspects of the 228i, the others didn't have,I think the article is a long winded way to saying "it's more fun to drive a 'slow' car fast" (well slower in this case).
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      06-30-2016, 12:22 PM   #18
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Originally Posted by aroo View Post
Was this at BMW of Hon? How about that mark up!
Yes and OH MY you are telling me. Although that one is not for sale they will give you a price for one. I was actually on the allocation for one but decided to get the 235 instead. Glad I did with these prices.
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      06-30-2016, 01:11 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hops128i
While there are aspects of the 228i, the others didn't have,I think the article is a long winded way to saying "it's more fun to drive a 'slow' car fast" (well slower in this case).
I'm happy to drive my faster car "slower" as it looks sexier as I roll by.
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      06-30-2016, 01:18 PM   #20
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I'll go ahead and take the M2 thnx...
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      06-30-2016, 01:45 PM   #21
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Interesting times but nothing surprising, if the m235 was the better car than the M2 then BMW really goofed. Can't wait the the m240 vs M2 times to come out soon!
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      06-30-2016, 01:45 PM   #22
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It depends on who wrote the article whether I give it any credence. If it's Jason .......
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