[leesat]

I had 128i and changed it to m235i now.
if you are car guy or love the engine revving sound? go for m235i. I4 and I6 makes totally different sound.

[valentinbmw]

Originally Posted by math4scher

I agree life is way too short. However, I've been a Math Teacher for 43 years and I certainly do not have the money. Buying a car for $50,000 is somewhat of a stretch, but life is too short - thus, I will spend that kind of money to enjoy probably my last manual as I am getting older. Thanks!

It all depends on you my man, maybe you be better of with a 135 is, have you drive one?, i don't think is that far away from the 225 feelwise, and way cheaper if you get a used one, that way you can save some $, and travel who knows, i got to drive the 228 and as a driver machine i'll go for the 135 is instead.
It all depends on what you wanna do with the car.
I still think your best option is get a 235.

[valentinbmw]

Originally Posted by leesat

I had 128i and changed it to m235i now.
if you are car guy or love the engine revving sound? go for m235i. I4 and I6 makes totally different sound.

[JustinCredibleM]

You're 65, close to retirement - why not live a little? Just go for the M235i!

[math4scher]

Any thoughts on the 2015 228i with Track Handling Package, in general?

[math4scher]

I don't race, I just want a peppy spirited fun car to drive - as I love to drive. Does the extra weight of a M235i matter? Will the lighter 228i make it a more spirited fun drive, if I don't race? Please keep in mind that I never owned/drove a 6-cylinder car before, so I don't know what it feels like. Thanks again to each of you who took the time to respond/share!

[math4scher]

Does anyone have any insight/inside info on any changes for the 2015 models other than the Track Handling Package for the 228i? This could possibly help me make up my mind if it's worth waiting for a 2015 model? THANKS!

[CMDRRET]

Originally Posted by math4scher

A very similar scenario as mine - it makes me think this is the way to go until someone else says if it's only about $5000, then go for the gusto/get the very best. On the other hand "a well-balanced car to drive spirited when desired" sounds like the car for me. One could see how I'm driving myself crazy as I go back and forth. Could you please share your exact build with me. THANKS!

228i,Mineral Grey/Black Lthr/ manual, M Sport, Lighting Pkg, Premium Pkg, heated seats, Harman/Kardon. $42.9K MSRP.

[mikkemille]

Originally Posted by math4scher

Does the extra weight of a M235i matter

When comparably equipped, I don't think the 235 and 228 are that far apart in weight. See my earlier post here

The curb weight numbers that BMW put out for the 228 are for a stripped down version - skinny tires, no sunroof, basic brakes, manual seats, etc. The 235, as standard, includes lots of extras that add weight - wider wheels & tires, sunroof, power seats, M brakes, xenons, adaptive suspension.

Once you option up a 228 to be comparable to a 235 (like you're thinking of doing) I suspect the difference between the two is more like 150 lbs.

Have you driven both?

Originally Posted by math4scher

Any thoughts on the 2015 228i with Track Handling Package, in general?

Marketing gibberish. You can already equip a 2014 228i with all of those features, minus the tires.

[darkerosxx]

Look, let's be real... both of these cars are fun to drive with the m sport package, but only you can be the judge on which one is right for you. We can give you numbers and features all day long, but it sounds like you're looking for a feeling. Go test drive both for no less than an hour each. If a dealer won't let you test drive it that long, find another one, because they obviously don't want your business. Drive it for an hour, get the engine and tires hot, run it out (don't abuse it)... see which one fits what you want. Both fun, but the M235i may be more than what you want/need, or less... who knows but you? Go drive and have fun. =)

[Scotlac]

Originally Posted by darkerosxx

Look, let's be real... both of these cars are fun to drive with the m sport package, but only you can be the judge on which one is right for you. We can give you numbers and features all day long, but it sounds like you're looking for a feeling. Go test drive both for no less than an hour each. If a dealer won't let you test drive it that long, find another one, because they obviously don't want your business. Drive it for an hour, get the engine and tires hot, run it out (don't abuse it)... see which one fits what you want. Both fun, but the M235i may be more than what you want/need, or less... who knows but you? Go drive and have fun. =)

+1

Only you know what feels right to you. I went in to the dealership intending to buy a fully loaded 228 but the sales guy put me in a 235 first and there was really just no going back after that.

Don't get me wrong, the 228 is a great car! I did test drive it and I'm sure I would have been thrilled with it if I had not had the opportunity to drive the 235. There's just something about the sound and feel of that 6 cylinder engine that really does it for me. You may be different.

Honestly, most of the regrets that I see posted here on the forums are from 1 series owners sharing their stories about how they bought the 128 and then very quickly wished they had gotten the 135 so now they're buying the 235. I've never seen one single person regretting the fact that they chose the larger engine. Of course, most of the people on here are enthusiasts, so there's that.......

[valentinbmw]

Originally Posted by math4scher

I don't race, I just want a peppy spirited fun car to drive - as I love to drive. Does the extra weight of a M235i matter? Will the lighter 228i make it a more spirited fun drive, if I don't race? Please keep in mind that I never owned/drove a 6-cylinder car before, so I don't know what it feels like. Thanks again to each of you who took the time to respond/share!

The track handling package IMO is a track oriented car, since you want the car for a fast daily i'll go all the way with the 235.
Did you test drove the 235 and the 228?
What car do you have now?
I'm asking cause you said that you haven't drove an I 6 car before.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by darkerosxx

Look, let's be real... both of these cars are fun to drive with the m sport package, but only you can be the judge on which one is right for you. We can give you numbers and features all day long, but it sounds like you're looking for a feeling. Go test drive both for no less than an hour each. If a dealer won't let you test drive it that long, find another one, because they obviously don't want your business. Drive it for an hour, get the engine and tires hot, run it out (don't abuse it)... see which one fits what you want. Both fun, but the M235i may be more than what you want/need, or less... who knows but you? Go drive and have fun. =)

+1 for sure. You can't drive either equipped exactly as you want, but you can get close enough to make a call. Drive both of them and pull the trigger, you can't go wrong either way. Reading and researching and making yourself insane isn't helping any more at this point, you already know everything you need to know.

[Killramos]

I'm sure the 235i would command a much higher resale value that would cover the 5k np down the road. I love my 235. I was tired for 4cyl's and the engine will be much smoother in the m. It is perfectly sorted for every day driving btw. Comfort mode does wonders. The adaptive suspension is amazing.

[hyperzulu]

No one even mentions that a 228i with a piggyback tune might feel close to a M235i in terms of DD performance at a lower price point and lower weight?

I'm already stuck in 300+ hp land and don't know that I could go back considering the 2 series weighs as much as the old 3 series, but if the OP is not coming from the N54, I think the N20 with a tune would be perfect.

[math4scher]

Originally Posted by CMDRRET

228i,Mineral Grey/Black Lthr/ manual, M Sport, Lighting Pkg, Premium Pkg, heated seats, Harman/Kardon. $42.9K MSRP.

Thanks for sharing your build!

[math4scher]

Originally Posted by valentinbmw

The track handling package IMO is a track oriented car, since you want the car for a fast daily i'll go all the way with the 235.
Did you test drove the 235 and the 228?
What car do you have now?
I'm asking cause you said that you haven't drove an I 6 car before.

Thanks for all of your replies/input/suggestions - I really appreciate it.
My problem is that the dealerships local to where I live in South Florida hardly have any 2 series cars to test drive. I've only seen a few 228i's, no M235i's and they never ever have a manual - and a manual is all I want to purchase. Could I get some sense of my preference by driving/comparing automatics?

[math4scher]

Originally Posted by Killramos

I'm sure the 235i would command a much higher resale value that would cover the 5k np down the road. I love my 235. I was tired for 4cyl's and the engine will be much smoother in the m. It is perfectly sorted for every day driving btw. Comfort mode does wonders. The adaptive suspension is amazing.

Killramos, thanks for sharing. Can I ask you and confirm what I think, but I'm not sure about. I think that the M235i comes with Michelin Pilot Super Sport non- run flat tires...am I'm correct? THANKS!

[math4scher]

Originally Posted by Killramos

I'm sure the 235i would command a much higher resale value that would cover the 5k np down the road. I love my 235. I was tired for 4cyl's and the engine will be much smoother in the m. It is perfectly sorted for every day driving btw. Comfort mode does wonders. The adaptive suspension is amazing.

Thanks for sharing that resale value perspective as I never thought of that - super point!

[math4scher]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

+1 for sure. You can't drive either equipped exactly as you want, but you can get close enough to make a call. Drive both of them and pull the trigger, you can't go wrong either way. Reading and researching and making yourself insane isn't helping any more at this point, you already know everything you need to know.

BEM-S4, thanks for taking your time to respond, share, suggest, advise, and the list goes on. Your responses have always given me food for thought.
However, dealerships close to me in South Florida only had a few 228i's and no M235i's - and there was never a manual around to test drive...and a manual is the only transmission I would consider. Could I get a feel for my preference by comparing automatics - if I can even find two to test drive.

You're right about the insane perspective - I am going crazy/getting stressed out about making the right decision here. THANKS!

[math4scher]

Originally Posted by valentinbmw

The track handling package IMO is a track oriented car, since you want the car for a fast daily i'll go all the way with the 235.
Did you test drove the 235 and the 228?
What car do you have now?
I'm asking cause you said that you haven't drove an I 6 car before.

I presently drive a 2011 Audi A4 Prestige fully loaded with a manual transmission. I have not test drove either one because dealerships in South Florida close to me have not had any with manual transmissions to test drive nor any M235's at all to test drive. THANKS!

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by math4scher

BEM-S4, thanks for taking your time to respond, share, suggest, advise, and the list goes on. Your responses have always given me food for thought.
However, dealerships close to me in South Florida only had a few 228i's and no M235i's - and there was never a manual around to test drive...and a manual is the only transmission I would consider. Could I get a feel for my preference by comparing automatics - if I can even find two to test drive.

You're right about the insane perspective - I am going crazy/getting stressed out about making the right decision here. THANKS!

If you're getting the manual regardless, it really doesn't matter if you drive the 228 or 235 with one does it? Unless you hate the transmission entirely and it's a deal breaker which I cannot imagine happening. Ideally you'd be able to find a 228 and a 235 to test drive even both automatic since you're basically choosing engine at this point. Your other option, realize it's less than ideal but based on what you've got to work with, is to drive another BMW with the same engines just to get a baseline feel for the difference. Yes it won't handle the same, etc. etc. but if you do the following you can probably cobble something together:

1. Drive 228 and 428 (or 328 if you can't find one). If you like 228 better we've at least established you'd like the 2 better than the 4.
2. Drive 428 (or 328) then drive the 435 (or 335). If you like the engine better in one versus the other we're making progress.

For example, using the transitive property or a venn diagram or whatever... If you like the 2 better than the 4/3 and like the 35 better than the 28, unless you're smoking something funky cigarettes down there you'd be 99% sure that the 235 would be the car for you compared to the 228. It would be at least as good or better than your favorite of what you've been able to get your hands on. The simple fact of the matter is you are never going to be able to drive exactly what you want before ordering, so you have to get bits of pieces of data as best you can and make the best call.

EDIT: If you can get your hands on a 135 w/ the N55 engine that's probably your closest comp. If you like that you'll love the fit and finish of the 2 by comparison. Just to level set here, none of your options suck so make a call and don't look back, you'll be happy regardless.