[petalmasher]

I drove a Subaru BRZ and really liked the idea of driving a small, nimble, rear wheel drive sports car with a 6 speed manual. I drove it in 2013 when they first came out and while I liked the car I just couldn't pull the trigger. I wanted a little more power I just wasn't in love with the interior and I was hoping that if waited a year or two a turbo charged version with some interior updates might come out.
I was telling a friend about my frustration with the fact that the 2015 came out and the interior was still the same with the same lack of power and how I'd happily pay an extra $10k for a BRZ with better interior and a turbo. He is a BMW fanboy and told me that what I was describing basically a 2-series BMW. I went for a test drive, and I'll be picking up my 228i with track handling package and Manual transmission from Munich next month

[bladeomatic]

-Drove an M3 Convertible (v8) down CA highway 1 for my honeymoon in 2013 (wow)
-My company had it's 10 year anniversary and I decided (based on the above) that the boss deserved a sweet BMW ride.
-Saw the "Torch" commercial during the Olympics and was intrigued:

-Went to a dealer and saw an M235i, but test drove a 335i. Liked the 335i but asked the sales guy if I could *try* the M235i.
-THAT was it. It was all over after that.

:-)

[petalmasher]

That is a great commercial... I even bought the song on ITunes

[BarryJI]

I read the reviews. I have rarely seen a car as universally well reviewed as the new Twos we all drive around here.

[iamdabest1]

I had a 2003 330xi , 2005 m3 , 2008 335xi , 2008 is-f , 2011 m3 convertible , 2013 m3 competition , 2014 maserati ghibli ... Of all these cars the one I enjoyed most was the e46 m3.
Most reviewers saw the 235i is the closest thing to the e46 m3 .. That's why I looked into, and take delivery in about a month of a 235

[B.a.f]

I had a 2007 E82 123d, logically replaced by a 2er...
I had to fight hard however against the dealer not to have a 225d . He told me the 228i was reserved to US and Chinese markets and won't be orderable in France !
I had to wait until october '14 to see the 228i appearing in the configurator but my patience deserved a reward

[mfourn20]

I was looking at the BRZ, WRX, GTI, Focus ST and then I realized how great BMWs lease prices were. I lease because of tax reasons. Before this realization I didn't think I could afford a $45k car. After driving and looking at the 2 non of the other cars just gave me that great feeling. The GTI was close but its dull exterior didn't do it for me. The new A3 felt dull as well. S3 wasn't out yet. Would have liked to have driven it though.

I'm so happy with my car though. So happy!

[Dattebayo]

I ordered a 228i recently and decided to go with a 6 MT. When I first started driving over a decade and a half ago, all my cars were all MT. Over the course of the last 10 years, all my cars where automatic. Upon purchasing my next vehicle, I had my heart set on a Porsche Cayman, but really wanted a 6 MT to remind me of my first sports cars and the joy of driving them. All though, even though the Porsche PDK was a premium option here in the US, in order to custom order a Porsche with 6 MT, the dealer wanted to charge over $10,000 over a PDK equipped one. Not because the car was worth more, but because it would not be discounted as heavily. So instead or paying $10,000 more for a car that was inherently cheaper to get what I wanted, I started looking into car companies that still proudly made MT vehicles that were competitively priced to their automatic cars.

This is when I stumbled upon the BMW 228i. After test driving it and researching, I was sold on the vehicle and thought I buy a car that had 6 MT before they were all phased out for the mechanically superior performance of the automatic. Porsche seems as though they are planning to completely phase out manual transmissions in the not so distant future, so I figure get the 6 MT out of my system and go PDK Cayman in the latter years.

Now I completely applaud the technological advances in the double clutch automatics, and their mechanical superiority over any human with a gear box is clear with performance statistics, but at this point, I am looking for a car that is fun to drive not so much trying to shave 10ths or even seconds on a track.

I also live in SoCal, but if I must drive in traffic, then I'll take one of my auto cars out for the commute. But for when I was to enjoy the ride, my BMW is there for fun, spirited carving of the Ultimate Driving Machine.

[Icy J]

F32 was a little pricey, and had a couple of people tell me the 2 suits me (my age) much better

[Ian_Mark]

Needed a daily driver. That was better on gas and still fun to drive around in. The Subaru had to be a weekend only car cause it's terrible on gas and comfort

[tccox]

Had a crimson red 2012 128 Sport which I loved, except, I had settled on a automatic. Big mistake. So as soon as the 2 became available I ordered a 2014 228 Manual, Msport, Lighting package, HP Stereo. No regrets. Had it a year now and absolutely love it. Best manual trans I've ever driven

[kz1000]

It was available with a stick. I refuse to drive slushboxes and didn't want to buy a ponycar to get a stick.

[Brookside]

I took my 135i in for an oil change and had some time on my hands so I asked an SA to show me a couple cars. We hopped in a 228i and went for a spin onto the interstate and then through some suburban backroads.

Could not believe how balanced and powerful the car is. Great driver's position,
extremely quick up to 70-80 mph. The experience made a believer out of me.

I went back a week or two later and test drove a 235 and it was pretty much as I had expected- fantastic reserves of power. But it was the 228 that deeply surprised me. Much more car than I expected.

Both versions of the car, are absolutely great BMW's. I think each, in their own way define what can be right about BMW and it's contemporary philosophy to continue to build exciting cars that have a true personality.
No matter how much the brand seemingly gets watered down and compromised for a mass market the 2-er gives me a lot of faith that there will always be a relatively affordable bimmer made for enthusiasts.

[sputman]

I drove a Lexus IS250 and then a IS350C. We needed to replace our SUV and bought an X3 35i. It handled amazingly for an SUV and I wanted a 4wd daily driver.

I was going to look at the 3 series and noticed the 2 series just came out. I drove an m235xi and ordered it that week!

Now the Lexus convertible just sits in the driveway doing nothing. I can't stand to drive it any more... The M235i ruined it LOL.

[horsepower_and_hounds]

Owned a 2009 1 series

[dan99]

Planned on buying a used e9x m3 but once i saw the leaked info/images of the m235i, i was sold.

[gaijin]

Compact and sporty. Excellent reviews both commercially and from owners. Competitively priced in its market segment. Six-speed a plus. Available fixed roof. I can go on and on but the sum of it all, behind the wheel and SOTP feel. Great automobile. What I expected from a premium sports coupe and from a storied manufacturer, BMW.

[3PedalMINI]

I had an 06 Mini S that was pretty heavily modded. Due to the financial collapse and falling on hard times I had to get rid of her, Then when things got better I bought a 2011 mini. It was dull and boring to drive, I thirsted for that Go Cart handling again and MINI had lost their way with the new gens. I went looking for an 06 GP to no avail, then decided to see if I could find a low millage in like new shape 06 again...I couldnt. Gave up and bought a jeep wrangler, LOVE the jeep but it just isnt me.

Last year my dad was looking at new BMWs and the dealer had a 228i on the corner (he was looking at a 5 series) out of curiosity we both drove it and fell in love with it. I had known about the 2 series for quite some time but didnt dream to see one on the lot that soon! He ordered one, I bought the one we test drove (even though it was automatic) the 228i gives me what I want and so much more, I dont even think about my MINI much any more. Now I have a 235i on order

[overcoil]

Originally Posted by iamdabest1

I had a 2003 330xi , 2005 m3 , 2008 335xi , 2008 is-f , 2011 m3 convertible , 2013 m3 competition , 2014 maserati ghibli ... Of all these cars the one I enjoyed most was the e46 m3.
Most reviewers saw the 235i is the closest thing to the e46 m3 .. That's why I looked into, and take delivery in about a month of a 235

What's the Maserati Ghibli like?
They look so good.

[Silvermike]

My gf wanted an A class Benz. I told her I would walk from work to the dealer to meet up with her as it was close by to my office. On my walk I strolled past the bmw dealership and saw a 235 in the showroom. The rest is history.

[DBinOC]

Spiritual successor to the North American E36 M3 - both derided as "not true M Cars" but offer enough performance to get you in trouble while not breaking the bank, and have a usable back seat.

I have owned my E36 M3 for 12 years and wanted something different/newer, but this is the first car BMW built in the last 5 that I felt paralleled the driving experience of my old car, was reasonably affordable, and still had enough space for occasional kid-hauling duty. The order has been placed...now the impatient waiting and second-guessing of options selected or not selected begins. <grin>

Add to that - you just don't see very many of them on the road. I see more Teslas, M3/4s, M5s, 911 variants, C7 Vettes, etc. than I do 2-series. About the only car that is as rare to see for a sub-150k "enthusiast" car is the Cayman - for me, anyway.

DBinOC

[dalrx]

Had a 128I and this was the successor ....just had to test drive it and that was it.