[wdc330i]

Originally Posted by Viffermike

That word kicks my arse way too often.

Through usage, it will probably acquire the meaning everyone thinks it has.

[Merc for hire]

I have driven the 228i for 8 month before upgrading to M235i over 2 years ago.

I almost forgot why i disliked the 228i so much until recently I drove a 430i loaner. Power is not a problem with 228i/230i, it has everything to do with the engine sound. It sounds terrible! Like a muzzled lawnmower.

If you care about engine sound, you will HATE the 228i 230i no matter how agile the car handles.

BUT other than the sound, the 228i 230i is a better car to own in all other aspects as a daily driver. It's much more efficient, cheaper to maintain, slightly lighter, etc. No faults other than the terrible terrible sound.

[BarryJI]

OP, to your original question, do the 4-cylinder 2s have merit? Oh yes, but there are some asterisks:

- You can only bring out the best in this car by tuning it

- The THP is a must-have option as it's by far the best tuning platform, among other things (performance brakes, adaptive suspension)

- Yes, it does not sound great but I got Dinan's catback (I'm in CA) performance pipes which make the car sound great and add a few HP

I bought this car vs the M235i because I wanted to tune it fairly aggressively for the street. Tuned, the N20/N26 is really eager and with tuned shocks and performance springs it is sure-footed as well as fast as hell. If I did a lot more highway driving I'd have bought the M235i; I get the point of six-cylinder engines (and V8s for that matter) but when the guys in my tuner shop, who race cars like these, stated a clear preference for the baby brother -- as long as I tuned it -- that's what I got and it's perfect for my kind of driving because I use all the power it has vs leaving a third of it on the table. 100 mph brings up only 4500 RPM and still it wants to go faster; I don't need the sixer.

FWIW, the ZF8 is a truly great transmission.

So, if you get a stock 228/230 and leave it like that, you'll have a really competent but slightly under-tuned sports coupe. Spend some money on modding it, though, and it transforms from Jeckyll to Hyde.

[aerobod]

Originally Posted by Y0tsuya

The 2-series is not popular at all... The 3/5/X are their bread-and-butter.

2016 total worldwide BMW sales:

3-Series 411,844
5-Series 331,410
X1 220,378
2-Series 196,183
1-Series 176,032
X5 166,219
X3 157,017
4-Series 133,272
7-Series 61,514
X4 58,055
X6 43,323
i3 29,280
6-Series 13,400
Z 5,432

2-series is still one of the better sellers. Americans are just out of step with the rest of the world. The larger engined cars are also a small portion of total sales, easily outsold by diesels and engines of 2 litres or less, I will see if I find the breakdown by sub-model.

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by aerobod

2-series is still one of the better sellers. Americans are just out of step with the rest of the world. The larger engined cars are also a small portion of total sales, easily outsold by diesels and engines of 2 litres or less, I will see if I find the breakdown by sub-model.

Thank you for the context. Really. Too many on this board either don't understand it or don't use it.

"The engine sounds terrible ... but the rest of the car's sweet" or somesuch just isn't a good enough excuse. If it bothers you that much, get an exhaust and know that the vast majority of people who buy and like the car don't give a whit about engine noise ...

... which is precisely why BMW doesn't pay attention to engine sound any longer except in its ///M models. Why? Because more of those customers DO care.

Can I say it again? Context, people. Context!!!

[Merc for hire]

Originally Posted by Viffermike

Thank you for the context. Really. Too many on this board either don't understand it or don't use it.

"The engine sounds terrible ... but the rest of the car's sweet" or somesuch just isn't a good enough excuse. If it bothers you that much, get an exhaust and know that the vast majority of people who buy and like the car don't give a whit about engine noise ...

... which is precisely why BMW doesn't pay attention to engine sound any longer except in its ///M models. Why? Because more of those customers DO care.

Can I say it again? Context, people. Context!!!

haha, says the one driving the 718 4-cylinder Cayman.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by aerobod

2016 total worldwide BMW sales:

3-Series 411,844
5-Series 331,410
X1 220,378
2-Series 196,183
1-Series 176,032
X5 166,219
X3 157,017
4-Series 133,272
7-Series 61,514
X4 58,055
X6 43,323
i3 29,280
6-Series 13,400
Z 5,432

2-series is still one of the better sellers. Americans are just out of step with the rest of the world. The larger engined cars are also a small portion of total sales, easily outsold by diesels and engines of 2 litres or less, I will see if I find the breakdown by sub-model.

We often forget that unlike the U.S. where it's a small premium to get the bigger engine, in many places it's costs a crazy amount more. The "gas guzzler" tax in much of ROW inflates the price of the car itself tremendously. That's not even worrying about the next problem yet, fuel costs $$$$$ versus U.S.

We may bitch a lot about not getting things like an M5 wagon or some of the nicer Audi stuff, but all in we've got it pretty good this side of the pond.

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by Merc for hire

haha, says the one driving the 718 4-cylinder Cayman.

Which sounds juuuuuust fine.

[Miata13]

Originally Posted by OveN

As the majority of people on this forum are US-based it's quite understandable that so many get the M240i over the 230i. And perhaps many don't see why anyone would even consider getting a 230i. With the car prices in the US, it makes sense. I would choose the M240i without thinking about it if I lived over there.

Where I live, base price for a M240i is USD24k higher than base price for the 230i due to taxes on CO2 emissions. Needless to say, you won't spot many M240's in Norway. I had to pay USD74k for my fully equipped '18 230i...which I by the way will pick up from the dealer next Tuesday!
I'd love a M240i but it's just too expensive in my car-unfriendly country

....but a fabulous country to drive in! Have relatives in Hurdal and spent two weeks this summer driving along the west coast up to Trondheim...although in a much more pedestrian Volvo V70
Would love to visit them again sometime ....after a short stop in Munich for a new 230i M Sport!

[Quicksilver_M235]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

We often forget that unlike the U.S. where it's a small premium to get the bigger engine, in many places it's costs a crazy amount more.

I agree... I have traveled to both Europe and Australia and my eyes nearly bugged out of my skull with regards to the price differences residents there need to deal with, not just on the purchase of the car, but on things like insurance, registration and petrol as well.

As someone living in the US, I would definitely lean towards the 240. Granted the price premium is about $10-12k for a new vehicle and about $7-10k when buying used here in the states. But by the time you add in a tune, tires and maybe a suspension upgrade, you are definitely better off just getting the 240 over the 230.

The 240 also benefits from better brakes, suspension and sunroof as standard options I believe. The other added benefit I see is that there is just a whole lot more aftermarket goodies available for the 240 vs the 230.

So, in my humblest of opinions, while the 230 is the up front cost winner... if you plan to upgrade down the road, the 240 entry point, while a bit on the 'up front' pricey side, is the better value overall.

[ExZHP]

I test drove both and bought the 228i MSport. With sport mode, it's a blast to drive, and so much more controlled than with the M235. I actually enjoy having my 228i badge on the back of my car when I pass by any m235i or m240i, knowing I got exactly the same interior and 99% same exterior as they did for $10K less. And let's be honest, the same fun factor unless you are racing on the track.

[X54TH]

Wow, this thread has really grown. We own both. They are both great cars but they drive differently and it will come down to personal preference in what you want your daily commute to be.

I think the 228/230 makes for a great daily drive. It's spirited, economical and easy to drive. The exhaust on the 230 is disappointing.

The M235 is "planted", quick and the exhaust note makes it a thrilling experience. The M235 / M240 lends itself to more available options over the 228 / 230 if that is something you are looking to add.

I don't drive either on a daily basis but my kids do. They'll tell you that they love their car over the other. My wife on the other hand drives an X5 35i Msport and when comparing that to the X5 50i found it to be lighter, easier to drive and more economical. Because I lost the battle on the 50i so put on the MPPK and Dinan Chip (she doesn't know she has it). I think I told her the MPPK was the option for the nice rubber mats lol.

Note, Dinan makes a plug and play chip for a few hundred. I might put one on the 230.

[p912guy]

Looks like you like Alpine White BMW's.

[X54TH]

Originally Posted by p912guy

Looks like you like Alpine White BMW's.

My wife got everyone Alpine White because it's free.

[morphomeman]

An odd notion of what counts as free. You get three new BMWs, two of them for toddlers, and you worry about a few dollars worth of paint!

[Rayscott]

Originally Posted by Merc for hire

I have driven the 228i for 8 month before upgrading to M235i over 2 years ago.

I almost forgot why i disliked the 228i so much until recently I drove a 430i loaner. Power is not a problem with 228i/230i, it has everything to do with the engine sound. It sounds terrible! Like a muzzled lawnmower.

If you care about engine sound, you will HATE the 228i 230i no matter how agile the car handles.

BUT other than the sound, the 228i 230i is a better car to own in all other aspects as a daily driver. It's much more efficient, cheaper to maintain, slightly lighter, etc. No faults other than the terrible terrible sound.

I put a CAI and Dinan exhaust on mine. Engine sounds great. It really was not an issue before.

[Rayscott]

Originally Posted by morphomeman

An odd notion of what counts as free. You get three new BMWs, two of them for toddlers, and you worry about a few dollars worth of paint!

[2msport]

Originally Posted by Rayscott

I put a CAI and Dinan exhaust on mine. Engine sounds great. It really was not an issue before.

I have the MPE on mine and it also sounds great. It's actually louder then a stock 235/240.

I coded the 235 ASD as well, I know it's not for most people but I'm a huge fan and would hate to not have it. So to me my car sounds great inside and out.

[Ron Jeffries]

Hm MPE on the M240i isn't as snarly as I'd like. (Even the wife misses the snarl.)

As for the ASD ... I turned mine off and don't miss it. Maybe I should try it again ...

[2msport]

Yeah I think when driving a manual it's easier/more enjoyable to hear the engine at all times. In stock form there were times I couldn't hear I was at a high RPM because it was so muted. Which is probably less of an issue with the 6.

[mcompact]

Price wasn't an issue for me as I bought a 2 year old off-lease CPO M235i. When I worked at a BMW Center I got some seat time in a couple of 230i manuals with THP, and they were a riot to drive. That said, I wanted something that was a bit quicker; having used my Club Sport as my HPDE instructor car from 1996 -on I was tired of getting carpal tunnel from all the point-bys I had to give in each track session...

[ramy_who]

Originally Posted by p912guy

Looks like you like Alpine White BMW's.

I have a feeling he might But hey, it's my favourite too!