[F22]

for me, I've been lurking on the boards for quite sometime and was pretty set on pulling the trigger on a E92 335i. I then switched to an E82, and i've been back and forth.

35K is my number. I would maybe splurge to 36K if its everything I'm looking for.

At the end of the day, I want something that's fun to drive, sporty, somewhat fuel efficient and a BMW. I am not a die-hard auto enthusiast, but I appreciate a nice windy back road for some free spirited driving. I truthfully know nothing about fixing cars and modding. getting a new car with the guaranteed warranty is enticing.

I feel like the 228i is right in my wheelhouse for what i'm looking for out of my car, no?

[TSM330i]

Originally Posted by BMWeber

i'll leave the N55 vs N54 for another thread :-)

the N20 is not going to put out the hp numbers of a N55 but it will be lighter it will run cooler and as far as measurements I cant wait to see the real world tests I think 235i owners will be a bit miffed. especially as far as a track lap times go (witch is my thing). after 10 hot laps on a track the N20 would be putting out almost as much HP as the big N55 gets to hot starts to pull boost and timing not to mention the extra weight right over the front wheels. the handling will be better and the N20 cars will be running the same or faster lap times. start tuning these cars and I think the N55 is going to slip father and father behind.

as for day to day driving and the single drag strip run the N55 will be the winner in that aspect but if your really into performance and tuning the N55 is a bit of a lame duck in my opinion.

I think you're mistaken when it comes to lap times lagging with the N55. Plenty of my friends track their N55 powered e92's and have no issues at all, lap after lap. BMW did take note of the N54 limp home mode and took precautions with better cooling.
If you tune both cars then forget about it. The N55 will walk all over the N20. Handling isn't going to be that different between the two either. The car is already very balanced.

[jzcrna]

Originally Posted by F22

for me, I've been lurking on the boards for quite sometime and was pretty set on pulling the trigger on a E92 335i. I then switched to an E82, and i've been back and forth.

35K is my number. I would maybe splurge to 36K if its everything I'm looking for.

At the end of the day, I want something that's fun to drive, sporty, somewhat fuel efficient and a BMW. I am not a die-hard auto enthusiast, but I appreciate a nice windy back road for some free spirited driving. I truthfully know nothing about fixing cars and modding. getting a new car with the guaranteed warranty is enticing.

I feel like the 228i is right in my wheelhouse for what i'm looking for out of my car, no?

I totally agree. I love BMW and want a car that has great handling and decent acceleration. I have a family that has a minivan to accommodate them. my car is my DD. I would love the M235i but I am reaching a point in my life where I really need to stop wasting money on more car than I need. The 228i fits the bill perfectly.

[W///]

Originally Posted by F22

for me, I've been lurking on the boards for quite sometime and was pretty set on pulling the trigger on a E92 335i. I then switched to an E82, and i've been back and forth.

35K is my number. I would maybe splurge to 36K if its everything I'm looking for.

At the end of the day, I want something that's fun to drive, sporty, somewhat fuel efficient and a BMW. I am not a die-hard auto enthusiast, but I appreciate a nice windy back road for some free spirited driving. I truthfully know nothing about fixing cars and modding. getting a new car with the guaranteed warranty is enticing.

I feel like the 228i is right in my wheelhouse for what i'm looking for out of my car, no?

I think you can definitely get a decent 228i for that price and it seems to fit you perfectly. If you aren't interested in modding and all that good stuff, the 4 pot would be what I'd recommend. Besides, it's not like the 228 is a slow car by any means.

[F22]

Originally Posted by W///

I think you can definitely get a decent 228i for that price and it seems to fit you perfectly. If you aren't interested in modding and all that good stuff, the 4 pot would be what I'd recommend. Besides, it's not like the 228 is a slow car by any means.

4 pot? lol

I'd get the EBII/Tera combo, most likely in an auto (although I feel like I'd miss the stick). I'd probably go with some tint, nice wheels, and a drop, pretty much what i have done to my RSX right now. Just a real nice DD.

[BMWeber]

Originally Posted by TSM330i

I think you're mistaken when it comes to lap times lagging with the N55. Plenty of my friends track their N55 powered e92's and have no issues at all, lap after lap. BMW did take note of the N54 limp home mode and took precautions with better cooling.
If you tune both cars then forget about it. The N55 will walk all over the N20. Handling isn't going to be that different between the two either. The car is already very balanced.

:-) I'm not sure I agree with you on all those points. and walk all over that very presumptuous. if looking to other models there may be up to 180lb difference and a basic tune gets the N20 within striking distance of the stock WHP of an N55 so lighter weight most of witch is off the front end and really not to far off in HP. start tuning that N55 and I cant imagine heat wont be a problem...........

[FotiosF90M5]

Originally Posted by IEDEI

LOL! that is utter nonsense.

Lol the n55 is known as one of the best engines in the world. With MPPK or m235i it's even better. Disappointment my ass.

[TSM330i]

Originally Posted by BMWeber

:-) I'm not sure I agree with you on all those points. and walk all over that very presumptuous. if looking to other models there may be up to 180lb difference and a basic tune gets the N20 within striking distance of the stock WHP of an N55 so lighter weight most of witch is off the front end and really not to far off in HP. start tuning that N55 and I cant imagine heat wont be a problem...........

Sorry, but I'm not talking in theory when I'm telling you that my buddies have NO issues with heat in their tuned N55 engines on track. We actually drive our cars on the track.
Also, I race an N54 in a 335 coupe. It has a Dinan tune and oil cooler and we've raced it for over six years with NO overheating issues.
So again, once you put a tune on the N55 vs. your tuned N20 it won't be a contest.

[maxdriver]

Originally Posted by fotios335i

Lol the n55 is known as one of the best engines in the world. With MPPK or m235i it's even better. Disappointment my ass.

Could not agree more. The N55 is an incredible engine Loves to rev and has torque galore....an absolute blast to drive!

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by fotios335i

Lol the n55 is known as one of the best engines in the world. With MPPK or m235i it's even better. Disappointment my ass.

It's a good engine for sure - no doubt about that.

It's also no N54. And yes, I have owned both - the N55 feels like it is constantly running out of breath, whereas the N54 just kept pulling. Big difference between the two, IMO.

I am interested to see what the 326 BHP "feels" like. Perhaps it will feel more N54-esque to me...I'm hoping.

[vertebra]

I have driven the N20 and I don't like it at all. I can understand the 128i's popularity because it had a naturally aspirated engine. There is no way I could go from a N54 to an anemic N20. Yes, the 228i will be cheaper but M235i will probably have a better resale value. If you are serious about performance how can you consider a 228i over a M235i?

[maxdriver]

Performance is relative and varies according to the individual. The N20 is hardly a slacker. Dyno tests have shown that it's closer to 270 HP than the stated 240. BMW is consistent in understating the HP of their turbo engines.

There's a case to be made that one can have more fun (manual trannys) with a vehicle with less HP. The N55 has so much power and low end torque that it is difficult at best to wind the gears out without driving like a lunatic and attracting the attention of LEO's.

A 0-60 time of less than 5.5 seconds with 35mpg on the highway with a rear drive coupe....that has my interest! But hey, to each his own...

[DieGrüneHölle]

Originally Posted by maxdriver

Performance is relative and varies according to the individual. The N20 is hardly a slacker. Dyno tests have shown that it's closer to 270 HP than the stated 240. BMW is consistent in understating the HP of their turbo engines.

There's a case to be made that one can have more fun (manual trannys) with a vehicle with less HP. The N55 has so much power and low end torque that it is difficult at best to wind the gears out without driving like a lunatic and attracting the attention of LEO's.

A 0-60 time of less than 5.5 seconds with 35mpg on the highway with a rear drive coupe....that has my interest! But hey, to each his own...

Basically E36 M3 performance, actually slightly better. The n20 is going to be fantastic in the 2-series.

I have a E90 M3 I daily and I am heavily considering a 228i as a track car. If it is like the 328i and 335i, the 328i actually has better handling dynamics. A lightly modded N20 with 300+hp is plenty of hp to have fun on track days. Then spend the majority on supsension setup and brakes.

[puma1552]

Originally Posted by vertebra

If you are serious about performance how can you consider a 228i over a M235i?

Price, plain and simple.

But going one further, if you are really serious about performance why aren't you buying a Coyote 5.0? Nips the heels of the E92 M3 for $10k cheaper than the M235i:

Not trying to open a can of worms, but just sayin'. A lot of people don't have $50k to give BMW for a tiny little coupe, myself included. Even if I did have $50k for a car, I doubt I'd give it to BMW à la M235i.

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by puma1552

Price, plain and simple.

But going one further, if you are really serious about performance why aren't you buying a Coyote 5.0? Nips the heels of the E92 M3 for $10k cheaper than the M235i:

Not trying to open a can of worms, but just sayin'. A lot of people don't have $50k to give BMW for a tiny little coupe, myself included. Even if I did have $50k for a car, I doubt I'd give it to BMW à la M235i.

Check your PM my man.

[Husker]

Originally Posted by puma1552

Price, plain and simple.

But going one further, if you are really serious about performance why aren't you buying a Coyote 5.0? Nips the heels of the E92 M3 for $10k cheaper than the M235i:

Not trying to open a can of worms, but just sayin'. A lot of people don't have $50k to give BMW for a tiny little coupe, myself included. Even if I did have $50k for a car, I doubt I'd give it to BMW à la M235i.

As the owner of a 2012 BOSS 302, I can tell ya one thing, the M235i better impress the Sh!t out of me, before I drop over 12K more than what I paid for my M3 Killer.

[Bam226]

Originally Posted by Husker

As the owner of a 2012 BOSS 302, I can tell ya one thing, the M235i better impress the Sh!t out of me, before I drop over 12K more than what I paid for my M3 Killer.

It isn't all about pure speed. The 302 is nice for what it is but at the end of the day it's a Ford. A lot if power at an affordable price and cheap everywhere else. The refinement, quality and pure joy to drive of every BMW if far and away better. If you don't think it's worth it or too expensive don't buy one. I don't want everyone to have the same m235i I have anyway.

[bimmerjph]

Originally Posted by Bam226

It isn't all about pure speed. The 302 is nice for what it is but at the end of the day it's a Ford. A lot if power at an affordable price and cheap everywhere else. The refinement, quality and pure joy to drive of every BMW if far and away better. If you don't think it's worth it or too expensive don't buy one. I don't want everyone to have the same m235i I have anyway.

BMW hasn't been delivering on that "joy to drive" part recently. I would have no problem driving a Ford if they give me what BMW refuses to, a driver's car.

[ska///235i]

Originally Posted by bimmerjph

BMW hasn't been delivering on that "joy to drive" part recently. I would have no problem driving a Ford if they give me what BMW refuses to, a driver's car.

I agree but ford isnt really making drivers car either

[Husker]

Originally Posted by Bam226

It isn't all about pure speed. The 302 is nice for what it is but at the end of the day it's a Ford. A lot if power at an affordable price and cheap everywhere else. The refinement, quality and pure joy to drive of every BMW if far and away better. If you don't think it's worth it or too expensive don't buy one. I don't want everyone to have the same m235i I have anyway.

Yep, it's a Ford, I'll bet you have not driven a BOSS 302...?

I've owned a couple of BMW's including an M3, The BOSS 302 is more fun to drive than the BMW's I've owned, especially at/on the track...It's not just about price with me.

Far as refinement, neither brand is perfect but one is sure over priced for what it offers-->IMO.

I'm looking for a DD that will provide me with FUN (Thrills) the 2 looks like it might be as fun as a Go-Cart.

I really wanted a 1M for a DD, but things didn't work out in my favor, so I'm looking at the 2, but to be honest, it may not fit in my stable because there are other toys to consider in the 40-60K range that might fill the bill, but the 2 is on my list for a tryout.

[bimmerjph]

Originally Posted by ska325xi

I agree but ford isnt really making drivers car either

I didn't say they did. My point was that if they did, I would have no problem driving one.

[ska///235i]

I know what u mean...its tough for car makers to make a perfect car and if they do, then what? They will have to compete against themselves every year to top it.