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      11-25-2017, 08:55 AM   #1
Cumberlandjames
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Why Did You Choose the 2 Series?

OK, here's a question for you.

Why did you buy a 2 series?

Did you research it, just liked the looks, have a friend with one? Why not one of the other model lines?

I really enjoy all the various posts and am constantly amazed at the things everyone does to their cars. The technical info is really very good to help other users learn about their cars and identify shortfalls or problems but how did you end up in a "2"?

For me, I had an Audi A5, S-line, which I loved but my wife found very uncomfortable to ride in for long distances so I commenced a search for something else. Always love the chance to buy a new car.

A couple of my friends had Z4's but I found them too small. We looked at the SLK 350 but the sticker price was a little steep and the performance wasn't too impressive. Also, they are smaller than the Z4. I really liked the 4 series stance and aggressive looks so checked them out. Thinking a convertible would be nice so my friends would stop making fun of my car with a roof, we drove one and were somewhat impressed. It was a 4 cylinder so just OK. Beautiful inside and out but just felt a little lazy. The sticker price really decided for us, way too high, almost $80K. They showed us a "2" sitting in a corner that was "more in line" with our financial limitations but we were very undecided. At that time I didn't even know there was a 2 series.

Then one day while surfing the web I found a M235 convertible with only 600 KM being sold as used. First owner obviously didn't like something about it. Price was good and no delivery etc so we tried it out, found it way more comfortable than the A5 and ended up buying it.

Long story short, I, more importantly "we" love it. I still think my old A5 was much prettier but we love having the top down and the outstanding performance. Really enjoy the nav and the big screen and all the tech. Can't really think of anything I don't like about it. So while having my coffee and faithfully reading all of your posts, I thought how did you guys end up in a 2-series? Tell us your story.
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      11-25-2017, 09:04 AM   #2
overcoil
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What did you think about the steering on the A5 in comparison to the 2-series ?

I tested an A5 convertible back in late 2014 and hated the steering feel - and I don't think one ever disliked the steering on any other car.
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      11-25-2017, 09:18 AM   #3
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I needed a daily driver to replace my 2000 Celica which I gave to my son (love that car, now I just get to see it in my driveway). I had raced an E36 for a few years and enjoyed it. When it came time to car shop, the short list was 2-series (228i and M235i), 428i, Mustang, Cayman, FR-S, and Ram EcoDiesel.

The Ram was to serve a dual purpose, replace my current racecar tow vehicle and daily driver. However, Chrysler was having major engine issues with the EcoDiesel. Liked the Mustang, but was way too big. The FR-S was a lot of fun, but it was too similar to the Celica and I wanted something a little nicer. I almost bought a used Cayman, but the cost of Porsche parts and maintenance was too much (BMW is expensive, but not nearly as much as Porsche). The 428i coupe was also big, and to equip it like a 2-series, cost significantly more.

For the 2-series, I drove both the 228i and M235i with automatics. All my personal cars have been manual. While the A/T in the 2-series was great, I really wanted a M/T. I chose the M235i over the 228i. The 228i would make a fantastic daily driver. Good horsepower, great fuel economy, and premium feel. What turned me to the M235i was the six-cylinder engine (reminded me of my racecar) and the price difference of $3500 to get the 228i equipped the same way. The M2 was just announced but I knew there would not be any price negotiations. Plus that car would be overkill for a daily driver (the same could be said for the M235i, but I think it is a nice balance between the 228i and M2).

After a month of internet negotiations with delaers in a 200 mile radius, I closed the deal on my M235i and headed off to Germany for my European delivery. Two weeks in Europe (including two days on the Nurburgring) and now it is in my driveway....parked next to the Celica.
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      11-25-2017, 09:55 AM   #4
Ron Jeffries
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i had a 135is convertible for summer, and a juke for winter. had to store one or the other off site. really like the convertible, really prefer awd for winter, and like performance.

shopped in my mind a long time. drove a 4-series. drove a golf r. looked at hot SUVs like mercedes and porsche and bmw. finally realized an awd convertible like my 135is might be it. 4 series too big, audi too expensive for what it is.

ordered an m240i xdrive, same colors as the 135is. now waiting for some snow.
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      11-25-2017, 10:50 AM   #5
samej
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Bought a lightly used 2007 E90 335i RWD back i 2010. Loved it, all about the engine. My first BMW. Didn't care that it had very few modern amenities.

When the F30 came out I sold it, bought a loaded 328i xDrive. Too big, too soft, didn't make vroom vroom sounds. Spent 4 years thinking it was a nice luxury Accord (btw, I loved my accord back in the day!).

I got my 240 for the engine. Small, passengers in the back complain. Don't give a hoot. Having too much fun. vroom vroom!
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      11-25-2017, 01:44 PM   #6
Cumberlandjames
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ScottSinger View Post
What did you think about the steering on the A5 in comparison to the 2-series ?

I tested an A5 convertible back in late 2014 and hated the steering feel - and I don't think one ever disliked the steering on any other car.
It was light in comparison but inn Dynamic Mode, the Audi Sport mode, it was good. I even did a short novice day at Calabogie Track with it and it was superb. With the all wheel drive it really outshone so many other more powerful cars.

Would love to give the M235 a try at the track, I imagine it would be amazingly fast.
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      11-25-2017, 02:06 PM   #7
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Primary criteria for me was:

German Purebred
RWD
6MT
5/6cyl Turbo
LSD
300/300 power/tq minimum
Can seat more than 2 people, reasonably
Good mod'ing platform


Try and locate another car that hits those marks, that is obtainable and within the same price bracket. I tried, and this was a limited, yet easy decision
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      11-25-2017, 02:43 PM   #8
kz1000
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Best value for $$ for a performance car that's not a POS out there.
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      11-25-2017, 03:08 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kz1000 View Post
Best value for $$ for a performance car that's not a POS out there.
I agree, Vets and Boxsters cost too much. Both are small and hard to get out of, I'm 73. 228ix Msport is quick, handles great, well priced and optioned nicely (mine is loaded) for under 50K. 4 year free maintenance, room for the grandkids, decent trunk,and fun as hell to drive. Lots of compliments on the Estoril
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      11-25-2017, 06:14 PM   #10
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1. I’ve long dreamed about owning a BMW.
2. I wanted something reasonably practical.
3. I wanted something that would do 0 to 60 in under 5 seconds.
4. I wanted something that got reasonably good gas mileage.
5. I had had just retired and wanted to kick up my heels a bit.
6. My 10-year old Mazda RX-8 had just flooded.
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      11-25-2017, 06:21 PM   #11
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I was dead set on a lightly used Lexus ISF to replace my 2012 WRX. Then I came to the realization that I didn't know how to drive an automatic. I've got two kids (11 and 7 at the time) therefore needed the room in the back seat. I wanted something 2 door, RWD, manual, strong power, strong engine, good aftermarket, and refined. My options were a M235, Mustang GT350, M4, or 911. I just wasn't ready to thow down the cash for an M4 or 911 as it seemed it bit crazy to buy such a car when you're in your 40s and have young kiddos. If I got such a car at a young age, what would replace that? LOL. The 911 had minimal rear legroom as well. The GT350 was just too cheap on the inside, no real back seat, too big on the outside, and although the GT350 looks stellar, my God, Stangs are EVERYWHERE. I went with the M235, ordered it exactly the way I wanted, and saved quite a bit of money compared to the others, even including the ISF.

I really love this car and enjoy doing little mods and here and there to make it my own. You also don't see many at all. If I totaled it today, I'd get an M2 (wasn't available at the time). Until the kids are gone, I need a back seat. Once they're gone, I'll likely get a Cayman.
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      11-25-2017, 08:05 PM   #12
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I had a Volvo XC60. Super comfortable and practical, but it was getting old and expensive to maintain. A few months ago my girlfriend traded her little Fiat 500C for a Jeep and we didn’t need two SUVs- it was my turn to have a fun car.

I live in ski resort town in Canada with long winters and lots of snow. My house is on top of a very steep driveway. Saying that for me AWD is a requirement for a year-round daily driver is an understatement.

Before any test drive I had my mind set on the Audi TT. I had a good experience owning an A3 and an A4 before. I like the look of the TT in and out. Then I did a test drive. The base model was a disappointment, it didn’t feel much sportier than the A4. The TT-S was quite better, especially the exhaust and suspension, but also more expensive.

Then I test drove the 240... Oh boy... no contest. It’s as fun to drive as the TT-S (maybe even better), at the price of the base TT.

I also considered the S3/RS3 and Golf R, but it felt déjà vu.

Three weeks ago I became the happy owner of a 2018 M240xi.
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      11-25-2017, 09:50 PM   #13
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I bought an early production '14 M235i and we did a Euro delivery. I bought the car sight unseen. I read a lot about the pre production cars and I had been through a pair of E90 3ers and the next gen 3er was way too big for me. I drove the 235i for 3.5 years and 45,000 miles. I loved every minute of driving the 2er. Now I'm in a '17 M2 and it too is a great car.
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      11-26-2017, 07:56 AM   #14
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My criteria

1./ An engine with character. (Which eliminated most 4 cylinder cars, including some 2 series models.)
2./ Must be able to achieve 32mpg on cruise when on motorway (for business mileage purposes)
3./ Must do over 20 mpg normally (otherwise the cheapskate in me would think about petrol costs and not drive it as much).
4./ RWD
5./ 0-60 in 5 secs or less.
6./ Enough ground clearance to cope with my favourite back roads.
7./ Not too big; also to cope with the back roads I use.

The only cards that could match this that I could find were some BMW and Porsches.
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      11-26-2017, 09:25 AM   #15
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i was originally going to buy a BRZ as a gift to myself for finishing my masters and getting a big boy job. i actually had no idea what a 2 series was until i saw a mineral gray 228i msport behind me on the highway. i slowed down to let it pass and though 'damn, that is a good looking car'. did some research and ended up buying one a few months later.
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      11-26-2017, 09:29 AM   #16
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Was shopping for a different car (wanted NA V8), but couldn't find what I was looking for. Then saw bunch of stellar reviews from reputable people and decided to include M235i on my shopping list since it also checked lots of boxes for me and then I actually found the one I liked alot close to my home. 6-speed, LSD, great looking, nice color combo, relatively fast, and price was good. Couldn't afford the real M, didn't want anything none M either, M235i was in the middle.
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      11-26-2017, 09:42 AM   #17
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I'm coming from a 2009 Carrera, which I loved but drove me crazy, and I needed something that was more kid friendly. I love small / fun cars, so I needed to keep it pretty compact. I was all set on the S3, but then I drove it, and the steering was just terrible. It felt like a video game. And really the suspension was just too soft and disconnected for me. My bro turned me on to the 2 series a while back, and it seemed to have a lot going for it. I found an executive demo 17 M240i with 10k miles that was basically = to my 911 sale price. I've had it for a week now and I'm really impressed with it. It's probably just about as fast as the 911 in the real world (although very different character), has way more back seat room, and is also very entertaining to drive. I really like the looks as well. It's a tough looking little car. I have a horrible habit of going through cars every year or two, but I can see myself keeping this car fot several years.
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      11-26-2017, 09:46 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by XutvJet View Post
I was dead set on a lightly used Lexus ISF to replace my 2012 WRX. Then I came to the realization that I didn't know how to drive an automatic. I've got two kids (11 and 7 at the time) therefore needed the room in the back seat. I wanted something 2 door, RWD, manual, strong power, strong engine, good aftermarket, and refined. My options were a M235, Mustang GT350, M4, or 911. I just wasn't ready to thow down the cash for an M4 or 911 as it seemed it bit crazy to buy such a car when you're in your 40s and have young kiddos. If I got such a car at a young age, what would replace that? LOL. The 911 had minimal rear legroom as well. The GT350 was just too cheap on the inside, no real back seat, too big on the outside, and although the GT350 looks stellar, my God, Stangs are EVERYWHERE. I went with the M235, ordered it exactly the way I wanted, and saved quite a bit of money compared to the others, even including the ISF.

I really love this car and enjoy doing little mods and here and there to make it my own. You also don't see many at all. If I totaled it today, I'd get an M2 (wasn't available at the time). Until the kids are gone, I need a back seat. Once they're gone, I'll likely get a Cayman.
I was also dead set on 2011+ ISF lol, but nothing that I liked came along. And I also almost bought new Mustang GT (6-speed).....glad I didn't though not a fan of the looks anymore inside or out. Cayman S was always my dream car and I can afford to buy one, but it's too flashy for my job etc. I had S2000 and ended up in M235i. I still don't rule out ISF as a next car though if right on comes along at a good price. Every time I drive my wife's IS350 RWD, I kinda like it and just image how much better ISF is, but then when I jump in M235i, ISF doesn't make sense anymore because M235i is just a better car all around (just not a rare V8 Lexus with probably a better reliability in a long run...I say probably because even ISF has some issues and so far I had almost none with M235i, feels solid)
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      11-26-2017, 10:17 AM   #19
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I got my M240i for daily driving duties as I wanted to retire my 2002 Cooper S from daily duties and winter conditions. In the 15 years I've had the Cooper S it has progressed in power and handling to where I want it to be my toy car. The M240i offered almost the same straight line pace as the Mini and handling to the point I would not miss the Cooper on daily drives enough to begin the crazy modding phase.
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      11-26-2017, 11:35 AM   #20
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Probably all been covered in previous posts, but wanted something relatively small but with a backseat if needed to take others on a short trip, usable trunk space, good quality, decent performance, and fun to drive.
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      11-26-2017, 11:52 AM   #21
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Goal:
Replace my '01 Prelude as my daily driver year round.

Criteria:
- 4 seats, 2 doors, NOT a hatchback
- Trunk large enough to hold golf clubs & pull cart
- Accommodate (3) sets of skis & three people (60/40 rear seat)
- Significant power upgrade vs. Prelude

So there aren't a lot of 2-door 4-seat non hatchback options out there to begin with. A lot of other cars I looked at couldn't accommodate the golf clubs & pull cart and some couldn't fit skis. I thought about the 228, but at <50hp more than the Prelude (granted with a lot more torque), it didn't seem like enough. So, 235 it was. However, due to the timing of when I got around to buying (vs. when I was looking), I ended up with a 240 instead, and I've loved every mile of it!
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      11-26-2017, 12:08 PM   #22
Lew Carrum
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I looked at some alternatives and ruled out the Audi 5 series simply for the 4wd, Porsche really didn't interest me and Mercedes is always going to be a short ownership due to their ability to rust to pieces. Coming from a z4m, the m4 was just too big and bulky, m3v8 were expensive to buy and run. Di9d like the m2 but there was a price difference of £15k which was too much to swallow. So I plumped for the 240 and very happy with it, a great all round performer with just enough comfort and space for my needs.
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