[raleedy]

Over the past few days I have had an unusual opportunity. While I could not find a demo 2-series with a manual gearbox to test drive, I stumbled onto a service loaner that's a 2016 228i six-speed. As my 528i is waiting for ordered tires to arrive, I have had the use of the 228i for an extended test. Replacement tires aside, this is good luck because the service loaner is fairly similar to the 228i I have on order for ED next month: the loaner is an AW M-Sport with Cold Weather package and pretty much nothing else added. No premium package, so no sunroof. (Also, by the way, no tilt-down of the off-side mirror in reverse.) Here are some impressions:
Engine: louder than in my 528, possibly because of synthesized sound, and for that reason much more 4-cylinder-like in sound and feel. The flat torque curve is very noticeable here, in a good way, just as it is in the AT 528. At highway speeds, the engine is not noisy or intrusive. Turbocharger is audible; turbo lag -- which I expected to be more apparent with a stick -- is not even noticeable to me. That's a very pleasant surprise.
Clutch and transmission: first-class in the BMW tradition of the cars I started with nearly 30 years ago: smooth, light, easily managed. I worried about tip-in with a turbo-charged engine. No need to worry. It is eminently drivable. (Sport settings on this car don't seem to do much with the throttle response or steering that I can feel.) Even auto start-stop, which I use all the time, is better with a clutch, because the driver has one more place to control it, with the clutch.
Ride and handling: this car has the passive M-Sport suspension (option 704). It's fine for me, but sometimes a little harsh, especially with the relatively short wheelbase, on things like speed bumps and rough surfaces. I'll be happy to have the choice between comfort and sport chassis settings that comes with the Track Handling Package.
Interior finish feels a bit spartan compared to the 5 series, but since I loaded up my order, I'll have most of the functional goodies I have enjoyed: comfort access, driver assistance, rear camera, PDC, UGDO, etc., with the exception of the Blind Spot Detection and Top View, both of which require side cameras which the 2-series is not equipped for. Seat comfort is excellent for me at 6' and 200 lbs.
All in all, a very positive experience that makes me excited to get one of my own.

[BMW335iOn18s]

An MT Loaner??? Sweet!

[B_Rice]

I wonder how long the clutch on that loaner is going to last.

[raleedy]

Originally Posted by B_Rice

I wonder how long the clutch on that loaner is going to last.

Why?

[B_Rice]

Originally Posted by raleedy

Why?

The same reason why rental car companies don't have manual cars. People that drive them aren't exactly proficient at driving stick so either the clutch or the motor mount gets destroyed.

[Tpeterson]

There's a noticeable difference in throttle response between Comfort and Sport settings in my 228i MT. Somebody must have gone into iDrive and changed the Sport setting to chassis only instead of throttle and chassis.I just found out the other day that it can be done.
There is noticeable turbo lag too if you floor the gas at low to moderate RPM's.It's best to gradually open the throttle to WOT.IMO

[BarryJI]

Mirror will tilt as long as mirror selection button is to the right?er , right? Cannot verify, am in dentist chair.

[pz619]

Originally Posted by BarryJI

Mirror will tilt as long as mirror selection button is to the right?er , right? Cannot verify, am in dentist chair.

I believe you need the premium package for the mirror tilt. My friend who had a 228i without premium didn't have the feature.

[Tpeterson]

Originally Posted by pz619

I believe you need the premium package for the mirror tilt. My friend who had a 228i without premium didn't have the feature.

Yep. I don't have premium and I don't have tilt mirrors.(or need them)

[Disciple7]

My 228i does not have premium package but it does have memory seats and moonroof as standalone options, perhaps one of those alone gets you mirror tilt, because mine works everytime. Of course mine is a 2015 so maybe they've removed it unless you get premium for 2016 and above.

[raleedy]

Originally Posted by BarryJI

Mirror will tilt as long as mirror selection button is to the right?er , right? Cannot verify, am in dentist chair.

No.

[raleedy]

Originally Posted by Disciple7

My 228i does not have premium package but it does have memory seats and moonroof as standalone options, perhaps one of those alone gets you mirror tilt, because mine works everytime. Of course mine is a 2015 so maybe they've removed it unless you get premium for 2016 and above.

Manual seats and no moonroof on this service loaner, and no mirror tilt. (Also, obviously, no premium package.) I'm beginning to suspect that the mirror tilt and the seat/mirror memory settings go together.

[raleedy]

Originally Posted by Tpeterson

There's a noticeable difference in throttle response between Comfort and Sport settings in my 228i MT. Somebody must have gone into iDrive and changed the Sport setting to chassis only instead of throttle and chassis.I just found out the other day that it can be done.
There is noticeable turbo lag too if you floor the gas at low to moderate RPM's.It's best to gradually open the throttle to WOT.IMO

Maybe I'm just not that sensitive; I really can't sense the difference even though Sport setting is configured for both chassis and drive train. WOT at low RPM doesn't sound like a very good idea in a manual shift car.

[raleedy]

Originally Posted by B_Rice

The same reason why rental car companies don't have manual cars. People that drive them aren't exactly proficient at driving stick so either the clutch or the motor mount gets destroyed.

Rental car companies outside the US have mostly manual shift cars. I don't think it's much of an issue except here in 'Merica, with out exceptionalism.