[dogbox46]

Hey folks... I'm considering moving from my 2012 135 M Sport (DCT) to either a 228 or M235 with all wheel drive (DCT) and I've got a simple question.

In normal every day driving, does the AWD still feel like you're driving a rear wheel BMW?

Thanks and I can't believe I'm heading down this rabbit hole again!

[nike001]

The AWD BMW's are still rear biased.

No 2 series has been made with DCT(not counting M2), they're all 8spd autos.

[xantdieselx]

Originally Posted by dogbox46

Hey folks... I'm considering moving from my 2012 135 M Sport (DCT) to either a 228 or M235 with all wheel drive (DCT) and I've got a simple question.

In normal every day driving, does the AWD still feel like you're driving a rear wheel BMW?

Thanks and I can't believe I'm heading down this rabbit hole again!

As mentioned the 228/M235 xDrive models are limited to an 8AT not DCT. I have 0 complaints on the handling. It is rear wheel biased but is nowhere near as tail happy as RWD. I can get mine to throttle oversteer with a quick flick of the wheel and a stab of the go pedal but for about lurid drifts. (Unless it's wet or snowing)

[siwo]

Automatic transmissions are made by ZF and are 8 speed but heard good reviews vs the 7DCT.

I decided on RWD over xDrive cause I wanted to be able to have a little of fun where fun permits. No experience on xDrive to comment.

[mdputnam]

I have both a 135i with a 7 speed DTC AND A M235i with A 8 speed ZF. As background I have never owned an automatic car in 30 years of driving and racing. I would gladly give up manual transmissions for BMW's DTC (my track car is still a "row your own gears" setup). The DTC is a manual with a computer that is far more talented a shifting gears than I am. I'm still better a choosing the right gear, but once the decision is made the computer can do the work while I concentrate on setting the car up for the next turn. The ZF is one of the best 7 speed automatic transmissions ever built (8th gear is just a second over-drive gear that isn't even used in sports+ mode). But, it still has a slight hesitation and softness in shifting gears that to me is just slightly annoying, as if it's mocking me that I bought a car that has a torque converter. Since it is very quick to lock out the the converter after the shift there aren't any disadvantages once the gear is engaged.

[casualDIYer]

Originally Posted by dogbox46

Hey folks... I'm considering moving from my 2012 135 M Sport (DCT) to either a 228 or M235 with all wheel drive (DCT) and I've got a simple question.

In normal every day driving, does the AWD still feel like you're driving a rear wheel BMW?

Thanks and I can't believe I'm heading down this rabbit hole again!

I've tried 3 generations of xDrive and, while I'm not planning on switching from RWD, I will handily admit, if you have an F-series car, in my opinion that is the best version of the xDrive I've experienced.

The e46 and e90 versions of xDrive had a very noticeable difference compared to their RWD counter parts. In fact, for both of those models, I really didn't like xDrive at all. For the F30 and F22, the difference are there but much less noticeable. For city driving, I didn't notice much. For 'spirited' or highway driving, xDrive is noticeable in that induces a bit of understeer and the car feels a bit heavier but that might be the understeer.

My problem with the present xDrive? The price. It's too much for what it actually provides. You can throw on some really nice stuff on your car for $4k. For the highways and bi-ways of Toronto, I've never come across roads I couldn't travel any day of the year. AWD feels like a technology I need to navigate un-plowed snowy roads of a rural ares or the desert dunes of Dubai. Not the frequently plowed streets of the GTA.

My biggest winter fear is not getting stuck or losing control but of being hit by that rusted out 12 year old SunFire with bald tires. When snowmeggedon hits, it's not the snow I fear. It's the other drivers.

[Transfer]

M235i xDrive does not feel that much like AWD. The rear end is still plenty active and if it's wet and you're goofing around, you could still spin it if you're a hack.

[B_Rice]

I saw from reviews that the xdrive is pretty good when it's dry, but finicky when wet.

[mortalic]

I got an M235i xDrive after driving it and a 228 xDrive back to back. I switched from a G35 6mt coupe I bought new in 2006. I live in Portland, and the 9 months of wet/greasy pavement really wears on you with the torque heavy rwd manual that was the G35. I also had summer tires which made it worse. I opted for the AWD and all seasons on the m235i. The car is faster, handles well but very differently and is way easier to drive here.
If I had one complaint about the m235i it's that it's to quiet unless you are at WOT. People tell me to get the Dinan or M exhaust, but I haven't looked into that yet.
The G35 sounded fantastic day in day out at idle, WOT or just cruising.
The 228 didn't sound like anything. A bit thrashy and the artifical noise they pipe into both cars seems to sound more fake in the 228. Though I felt like the 228 drove better.
Just my $0.02. Hope it helps.

[Rayscott]

I just got my 228ix and the sound is pretty weak. I am considering a better sounding exhaust. I do not want a loud exhaust as my wife and I both drive the car and a nice purr would be our choice. I had a Supersprint on my S2000 and it sounded good but they are expensive. The other issue is black exhaust tips. I prefer them over the chrome or stainless. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[junx]

XDrive is nice. Get a m235i, the 228i I drove sounded like a vacuum cleaner

[Rayscott]

Originally Posted by smokemanchu

XDrive is nice. Get a m235i, the 228i I drove sounded like a vacuum cleaner

Mine doesn't sound like a vacuum cleaner. I do want a better sound, maybe a leaf blower?

[junx]

Originally Posted by Rayscott

Mine doesn't sound like a vacuum cleaner. I do want a better sound, maybe a leaf blower?

[Zooks527]

Originally Posted by menncars

My problem with the present xDrive? The price. It's too much for what it actually provides. You can throw on some really nice stuff on your car for $4k.

It's a $2k difference for similarly equipped cars, unless BMW Canada is really raking you over the coals.

[casualDIYer]

Originally Posted by Zooks527

It's a $2k difference for similarly equipped cars, unless BMW Canada is really raking you over the coals.

That's exactly what they are doing. The reason? Well, if a buyer complains but still buys $0.25 lemonade for $0.50, why sell it for $0.25? It's not like you'll find comfort in Merc or Audi Canada either, who are quite adept at the art of the overcharge.