[ManCityFan]

"but...but...the 228 weighs less!!" let's be honest with ourselves: no one is choosing a 228 over a 235 for performance reasons. if the 228 and 235 were priced the same, you'd all choose a 235. every single time.

[ryancolucci]

Originally Posted by ManCityFan

"but...but...the 228 weighs less!!" let's be honest with ourselves: no one is choosing a 228 over a 235 for performance reasons. if the 228 and 235 were priced the same, you'd all choose a 235. every single time.

And if money grew on trees we'd all be rich..BUT it doesnt. The thing is they aren't priced the same. Not arguing which is the 'better' car, moreso which provides the better value. Surely if money is no obstacle most of us probably wouldnt be purchasing either of these cars!

[deathsliver]

Originally Posted by ManCityFan

"but...but...the 228 weighs less!!" let's be honest with ourselves: no one is choosing a 228 over a 235 for performance reasons. if the 228 and 235 were priced the same, you'd all choose a 235. every single time.

My thoughts exactly!

[deathsliver]

Originally Posted by ryancolucci

MSRP on a 228 msport with dynamic handling and mbrakes is $37,675 vs $44k MSRP for bone stock m235. Take into account that dealers are more willing to negotiate the 228 and you have probably a 7k+ difference in price.

Perhaps I did not option it right but I was looking at BMW.ca. Base cost difference is 9k. Add M-sport line (2k), M-performance package (1.5k) and adaptive suspension (1k) and you are about 4.5 k apart. Maybe my math sucks. Regardless, if you are happy with a 228i configured this way go for it

[WWM]

The torque in the M235i makes upgrading from the 228i more than worth it. Having that kind of passing power on the highway or ability to get away from idiots is great. You also get a nicer sound from the engine. With that being said, either choice is solid and both engines are making more power and torque than BMW claims.

[ManCityFan]

Originally Posted by ryancolucci

And if money grew on trees we'd all be rich..BUT it doesnt. The thing is they aren't priced the same. Not arguing which is the 'better' car, moreso which provides the better value. Surely if money is no obstacle most of us probably wouldnt be purchasing either of these cars!

understood. 228 is a great car and arguably the better "value", although that strongly depends on your priorities.

[InControl]

How many here buy vs lease? That's a huge factor in choosing the right car.

[c1pher]

A low 5 second 0-60, mid 13 second 1/4 mile car that nets 36mpg has my vote. Sure the m235i goes faster, but there aren't many cars that do what the 228i does.

[henryyxyu]

Just thought I'd toss in a couple of cents lol:

I've driven a M-Sport 228i and a M235i back to back at buttonwillow raceway before, both bone stock. M235i felt a little better but I'm guessing its largely because of the PSS tires (vs the bridgestones on the 228i). Unless theres some kind of suspension difference, but I think they should be the same? Someone correct me if I'm wrong. The M235i did have a slight tendency to understeer, but it's very subtle IMO. It's not a characteristic that you'd notice from street driving. The extra 60hp was noticeable coming out of corners . 228i was a little more balanced and more neutral during turn-in's, but I think it could benefit greatly from a better set of tires. Otherwise, both were pretty similar.

Personally, I picked the 228i w/ M-Sport since it was cheaper . 240hp is more than enough for me (for daily driving at least). If I didn't already have a weekend car, M235i would be a no brainer! Something to keep in mind are the options; ticking more boxes on the 228i inches the pricing closer and closer to M235i territory, especially if you're considering on swapping out the stock tires for PSS (which I believe are about $1000 for a set). Getting a set of PSS will be the first thing I do when I take delivery of my car.




TL;DR M235i is more worth it, especially if you're considering other options such as premium pack. The extra 200lb on the M235i is slightly noticeable, but largely negligible especially if you're only going to drive it on the street. The extra 60 HP is also nice to have. From a bang-for-buck perspective, a barebone 228i w/ M-Sport is something to consider, especially if you upgrade the tires.

[RobTaylor]

In this comparison, no one has yet mentioned the MPG and insurance costs. When this thing in Iraq and the rest of the Middle East blows up, you just might care about the MPG advantage of the 228.

[patbrass]

Difference of HP between 228 and M235 is 80 HP, not 60. Why do you guys keep saying it's 60? Are you basically saying that the 228 is more underrated than the M235i or are you mathematically challenged?

[Jeff_DML]

Originally Posted by henryyxyu

Just thought I'd toss in a couple of cents lol:

I've driven a M-Sport 228i and a M235i back to back at buttonwillow raceway before, both bone stock. M235i felt a little better but I'm guessing its largely because of the PSS tires (vs the bridgestones on the 228i). Unless theres some kind of suspension difference, but I think they should be the same? Someone correct me if I'm wrong. The M235i did have a slight tendency to understeer, but it's very subtle IMO. It's not a characteristic that you'd notice from street driving. The extra 60hp was noticeable coming out of corners . 228i was a little more balanced and more neutral during turn-in's, but I think it could benefit greatly from a better set of tires. Otherwise, both were pretty similar.

Personally, I picked the 228i w/ M-Sport since it was cheaper . 240hp is more than enough for me (for daily driving at least). If I didn't already have a weekend car, M235i would be a no brainer! Something to keep in mind are the options; ticking more boxes on the 228i inches the pricing closer and closer to M235i territory, especially if you're considering on swapping out the stock tires for PSS (which I believe are about $1000 for a set). Getting a set of PSS will be the first thing I do when I take delivery of my car.




TL;DR M235i is more worth it, especially if you're considering other options such as premium pack. The extra 200lb on the M235i is slightly noticeable, but largely negligible especially if you're only going to drive it on the street. The extra 60 HP is also nice to have. From a bang-for-buck perspective, a barebone 228i w/ M-Sport is something to consider, especially if you upgrade the tires.

fyi, the new 228 track package comes with PSS

[henryyxyu]

Originally Posted by Jeff_DML

fyi, the new 228 track package comes with PSS

Didn't know about that! It wasn't on the ordering sheets for MY 2014 haha. That pack makes it a game changer

[ska///235i]

Originally Posted by patbrass

Difference of HP between 228 and M235 is 80 HP, not 60. Why do you guys keep saying it's 60? Are you basically saying that the 228 is more underrated than the M235i or are you mathematically challenged?

wanted to be nice and let the 28i folks feel they got their bang for the buck by saying the n20 is underrated at 270hp so thats 60hp diff

[danimal]

I like this forum. This thread actually seems to be getting more reasonable as time goes on. Usually, it's the other way around .

One thing I didn't mention before was the tires, but that does have to be factored in. I'm definitely a little jealous I won't be getting the Michelin PSS's on my 228i Sport Line. Maybe I'll spring for a set anyway, but I wish they had been an option (I guess they will be now that the Track Pack exists).

Couple things I definitely agree with from above:

• You get better value on the 228i if you go light on the options. All I'm getting is Sport Line, Lighting Package, and Driver Assistance Package (plus the no-cost manual transmission). It's close to the same price as my '07 E90 328i (which I also bought with few options).
• I realize that fuel economy is a non-issue for many enthusiasts, but it's something I personally care about. I'm actually planning to use the start-stop feature on the boring part of my commute (as long as it's reasonably smooth with the manual transmission), and I'm looking forward to experimenting with Eco Pro mode and the regenerative brakes. That said, when I'm away from traffic, I'll definitely be switching out of Dr Jekyll mode and into Mr. Hyde mode .

[Vitt]

Originally Posted by henryyxyu

Just thought I'd toss in a couple of cents lol:

I've driven a M-Sport 228i and a M235i back to back at buttonwillow raceway before, both bone stock. M235i felt a little better but I'm guessing its largely because of the PSS tires (vs the bridgestones on the 228i). Unless theres some kind of suspension difference, but I think they should be the same? Someone correct me if I'm wrong. The M235i did have a slight tendency to understeer, but it's very subtle IMO. It's not a characteristic that you'd notice from street driving. The extra 60hp was noticeable coming out of corners . 228i was a little more balanced and more neutral during turn-in's, but I think it could benefit greatly from a better set of tires. Otherwise, both were pretty similar.

Excellent point to note, as most ppl who buy the M235 don't have the skill to take advantage of the car's potential, even on a racetrack (including me). Besides the tires, I hope BMW or Quaife offers the LSD for the 228 in the future.

[jamze132]

Originally Posted by RobTaylor

In this comparison, no one has yet mentioned the MPG and insurance costs. When this thing in Iraq and the rest of the Middle East blows up, you just might care about the MPG advantage of the 228.

I mentioned in in the previous page and its the reason I changed from an X6M to the 228i.

[c1pher]

Originally Posted by jamze132

I mentioned in in the previous page and its the reason I changed from an X6M to the 228i.

I mentioned it too lol. Insurance is negligible for me. It's peanuts in difference between the two.

[deathsliver]

I appreciate the debate but fail to understand the need of saying the 228i is a better buy. Sure money is a factor but who really cares, we are talking BMWs here. The same could be said for any M car, x28 vs x35 and so forth. Let people make their own choice.

[WWM]

Originally Posted by RobTaylor

In this comparison, no one has yet mentioned the MPG and insurance costs. When this thing in Iraq and the rest of the Middle East blows up, you just might care about the MPG advantage of the 228.

The 228i is 1 mpg better in the city (22 vs 23) than the M235i. At $1.50 per litre for premium, that's a $60 per 10,000km difference. Going by highway it's 4mpg better (32 vs 36). The price difference there? About $80 per 10,000km. The fuel savings are negligible for all but the most cost conscious consumers, and those people are or should be buying Toyota Echos, not BMWs.

[danimal]

Originally Posted by deathsliver

I appreciate the debate but fail to understand the need of saying the 228i is a better buy. Sure money is a factor but who really cares, we are talking BMWs here. The same could be said for any M car, x28 vs x35 and so forth. Let people make their own choice.

I wouldn't say the 228i is a better buy, but it does give a buyer more leeway to keep the price low. There is no doubt that the optional features on the 228i generate a lot of profit, so skipping some of them does increase the value for dollar of the car. If you want those options, though, the point is moot--you're going to get what you want as long as you can afford it.

In any case, I agree that a BMW is a premium product. For most car buyers, they will seem expensive for what you get. Unless you compare them with Porsches

[danimal]

Originally Posted by WWM

The 228i is 1 mpg better in the city (22 vs 23) than the M235i. At $1.50 per litre for premium, that's a $60 per 10,000km difference. Going by highway it's 4mpg better (32 vs 36). The price difference there? About $80 per 10,000km. The fuel savings are negligible for all but the most cost conscious consumers, and those people are or should be buying Toyota Echos, not BMWs.

You are assuming cost is the only reason a person would have to save fuel. What I care about more is time between fillups (i.e., cruising range). I estimate I could go 1-2 days longer between fillups (depending on city/highway mix) with a 228i.

There is also environmental impact, though I agree that neither of these cars is going to save the world.