[gaijin]

It's quite simple. Almost is never enough.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by Sp1ke

Whats interesting to me is that people reccommend the 228i
for its perfect balace and it being fun because of its engine
output & being able to use it on the street, but everyone
loves the M235i for the extra power (plus handling, etc) and
as soon as they get it they add as much more power to it that
they cant possibly use on the roads. At least to its limits. Anyone
care to share as to why that might be?

228i fans = one group, not everyone
M235i lovers = another group, not everyone
M235i lovers who add as much power as possible = yet another group, still not everyone!

Even in as narrow a sample as BMW owners who visit a forum, there is a distribution of preferences.

[Monoblock]

Originally Posted by Sp1ke

as soon as they get it they add as much more power to it that they cant possibly use on the roads

While I don't have numbers to back up the following opinion, I suspect a very very small percentage of people tune and/or bolt on HP increasing goodies to their cars. You may see an abnormally high number of folks on forums discussing it, but forum folks aren't your average owner/driver.

Most people buy the car and drive it as it came from the factory. Heck, they don't even change the wheels/tires.

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

Originally Posted by Monoblock

While I don't have numbers to back up the following opinion, I suspect a very very small percentage of people tune and/or bolt on HP increasing goodies to their cars. You may see an abnormally high number of folks on forums discussing it, but forum folks aren't your average owner/driver.

Most people buy the car and drive it as it came from the factory. Heck, they don't even change the wheels/tires.

Agreed...

On-line forum posters, car club members - not representative of the item buyers at all.

I'd hazard a guess that 95% of the folks shopping in a bmw dealer don't have a clue what a "mod" is....

[Propanelgen]

Originally Posted by mmmmm235i

This was my point exactly. There is nothing like the silky smoothness of that BMW I6, add a nice twin scroll turbo and its perfect. You are going to love it.

You almost got that right, it's perfect with 2 turbos.
Too bad they didnt put the N54 in these cars.

[chaswyck1]

Originally Posted by Monoblock

While I don't have numbers to back up the following opinion, I suspect a very very small percentage of people tune and/or bolt on HP increasing goodies to their cars. You may see an abnormally high number of folks on forums discussing it, but forum folks aren't your average owner/driver.

Most people buy the car and drive it as it came from the factory. Heck, they don't even change the wheels/tires.

I'd take it a step further. They don't even remove the ugly a** dealer license plate frames from their cars! Why would anyone drive around in an expensive car with dealer licence plate frames on it? Drives me crazy!

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by chaswyck1

I'd take it a step further. They don't even remove the ugly a** dealer license plate frames from their cars! Why would anyone drive around in an expensive car with dealer licence plate frames on it? Drives me crazy!

Presuming facts not in evidence, counselor!!

Stop some of those people and ask them about the frame around their license plate. Count how many say, "What frame?"

[mmmmm235i]

Originally Posted by Propanelgen

You almost got that right, it's perfect with 2 turbos.
Too bad they didnt put the N54 in these cars.

It's too bad that the N54 had such poor reliability that they had already redesigned the engine before they figured out the kinks. Tremendous potential in that engine, but so many more flaws. The N55 is more than adequate, I think it is more the psychology of wanting something that you knew you could never have... an n54 in an f chassis.

[Xiaoxi]

Originally Posted by Propanelgen

Too bad they didnt put the N54 in these cars.

You mean the one with the defective fuel pump?

[caycep]

to BMW's credit, and I think it must be intentional given the existence of the Track Handling pack, that they've created two distinct levels of trim that stand on their own merits as driver's cars, as opposed to competitors where the lower trims of the CLA and the A3 1.8T are clearly bare bones. I don't think you can lose either way.

[gaijin]

Originally Posted by caycep

to BMW's credit, and I think it must be intentional given the existence of the Track Handling pack, that they've created two distinct levels of trim that stand on their own merits as driver's cars, as opposed to competitors where the lower trims of the CLA and the A3 1.8T are clearly bare bones. I don't think you can lose either way.

And realistically at very competitive price points to boot!

[pocoyo_3]

I think it's the case that the 228i and M235i have quite different personalities.

The 228i allows a much lower entry price point with fewer standard features, and then allows broader range of options. The performance is more than enough for 99% of everyday drivers. My impression of the N20 is that it's intended to be very quiet. This can be considered a great entry level BMW now that the 3-series has grown too large.

The M235i on the other hand comes with a lot more standard features, and is more tailore enthusiasts. The performance delta relative to the 228i is not as much as you would expect, but the delivery is very different. A lot smoother, and you have the inline-6 engine sound. Creates a very different feel.

Either way you are getting a great car, and we are lucky that they are making them. These days BMW seem to be more focused on things like the 3-series GT, the X4, and things like that ...

[gaijin]

The M235i is all BMW and more so!:

[Supernaut]

Originally Posted by gaijin

The M235i is all BMW and more so!:

Congratulations, Gaijin!!!

[Thescout13]

Originally Posted by Xiaoxi

You mean the one with the defective fuel pump?

Yeah you mean the 1 defective fuel pump? Never had any issues with my N54 as a DD or now as a track car.... N55 seems to have been developed "better" but factory better and MPGS better not necessarily better better haha

[Thescout13]

Originally Posted by gaijin

The M235i is all BMW and more so!:

Congrats

[gaijin]

Originally Posted by Supernaut

Congratulations, Gaijin!!!

Took part of the mountain route you suggested in an earlier personal missive to me and turned it into a 1875-mile odyssey (SC, NC, TN, GA, MS, FL). It was an E-Ticket Ride!

[bladeomatic]

Originally Posted by gaijin

Considering BMW 2-Series and I need some assistance from those that already own/drive one of these two models. Please provide inputs on ownership experiences. Thank you.

Of course driving both is the best way to decide for yourself.

I love what Edmunds.com said:

**************************************************
"In the engine room, the base 228i hardly feels like settling. Punching far above its nominal 240-hp rating, with superior fuel economy to boot, the 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder is good enough to make you question the need for the M235i's 3.0-liter six-cylinder. But then you drive the exquisitely refined, astonishingly quick M235i, and you're quickly reminded why BMW's inline-6 engines are among the all-time greats."
**************************************************

Couldn't agree more.

228i = Animal
M235i = Beast

[gaijin]

well said

[shark715]

Originally Posted by bladeomatic

M235i = Beast

Ouch! It's more refined then that..."Beast" would be something like a Challenger Hellcat :-)

[bimmercar]

Originally Posted by bladeomatic

Of course driving both is the best way to decide for yourself.

I love what Edmunds.com said:

**************************************************
"In the engine room, the base 228i hardly feels like settling. Punching far above its nominal 240-hp rating, with superior fuel economy to boot, the 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder is good enough to make you question the need for the M235i's 3.0-liter six-cylinder. But then you drive the exquisitely refined, astonishingly quick M235i, and you're quickly reminded why BMW's inline-6 engines are among the all-time greats."
**************************************************

Couldn't agree more.

228i = Animal
M235i = Beast

i had 2015 328i loaner, for two weeks and drove 600 miles in it, odometer from 800 miles to 1400 miles, and as the engine was breaking in, in my opinion, its just became a very powerful beast, very very impressive low end torque and acceleration, blows most of the cars out of the water at the street lights, the numbers on the N20 is very under rated

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

I had the N20 in X3 guise and thought it was an awesome everyday driver...refined, especially for a 4 pot.

In a little 2 series its even better...