228i photos, reviews, thoughts, mods?

scrape1 · 05-01-2014, 01:24 PM

I picked up my 228i M Sport/Premium this past Saturday. Overall, it's a very pleasant little car, and I am enjoying driving it a lot. The only 2 BMWs I've spent time in before were an E46 330i sport pkg and an E92 M3, neither of which I owned. I enjoyed both cars very much, and while obviously I can't directly compare my 228 to an M3, I can say that the 228 chassis does not disappoint me. It feels agile but nicely composed in corners. It doesn't feel too soft or anything like that. No big issues with the steering, other than that it's a tad more boosted than I would like.

I don't have the adaptive suspension, and the ride feels a tad firmer to me than the 330 and M3 in comfort mode, but softer than Sport or M, and I find it just comfortable enough over bumps. Getting rid or run flats might help. Clutch engages much quicker than the 330, which I like, and the shifting 6 speed manual feels good to me. I do wish it sounded more like the old 3 liter six, and I can confirm what some people have said, that there are some vibrations that get through to the shifter and clutch pedal from the 2 liter engine.

I do find myself wishing for a little more punch from the engine, but I have the 6 speed and I haven't really pushed it past 4.5k rpm yet. So we'll see. I got 27 mpg on 150 miles of mixed (but mostly highway) driving this past weekend, which I was pleased with

Red Bread · 05-01-2014, 01:32 PM

This month's Car & Driver cover story is the 228i vs the CLA250 and A3. It finishes second to the A3, but rips off a 4.9s 0-60 run and 13.7s 1/4 mile at 101 mph with the 8s auto.

hoyasaxa · 05-01-2014, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Bread

This month's Car & Driver cover story is the 228i vs the CLA250 and A3. It finishes second to the A3, but rips off a 4.9s 0-60 run and 13.7s 1/4 mile at 101 mph with the 8s auto.

Having driven the A3 and the 228i back-to-back, that's ridiculous. The A3 is slower and the steering feels like that on a luxobarge. Anyone who thinks BMW's recent steering feels over boosted/assisted would hate the A3

hoyasaxa · 05-01-2014, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Bread

This month's Car & Driver cover story is the 228i vs the CLA250 and A3. It finishes second to the A3, but rips off a 4.9s 0-60 run and 13.7s 1/4 mile at 101 mph with the 8s auto.

Do you happen to have a link or scans? I can't find the comparo on the C&D website

ntrinsik · 05-01-2014, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtzako

228i: I love mine, however it is missing some things the 235i gets..

No paddle shifters, even w/ M-sport package
No controls for the enhanced dash display (you can cycle fuel/mileage but nothing else)
No control over drive mode settings
Supposedly no m-sport adjustable suspension even though my window sticker shows it on there.

You got the Steptronic transmission.. no paddle shifters.

bubsterino · 05-01-2014, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoyalawyr

Having driven the A3 and the 228i back-to-back, that's ridiculous. The A3 is slower and the steering feels like that on a luxobarge. Anyone who thinks BMW's recent steering feels over boosted/assisted would hate the A3

+1. I drove the A3 and it's an absolute bore to drive, steering felt like I was hydroplaning, and that inside console is a joke.

Red Bread · 05-01-2014, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoyalawyr

Do you happen to have a link or scans? I can't find the comparo on the C&D website

Scanepa was nice enough to post it.
http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=980064

SteveAustin · 05-01-2014, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bubsterino

+1. I drove the A3 and it's an absolute bore to drive, steering felt like I was hydroplaning, and that inside console is a joke.

I test drove all three and have to say the A3 would be a distant 2nd and the CLA was solidly 3rd. The A3 was boring and as everyone's said the steering was a joke - and the braking was really overly sensitive.

Aesthetically, the A3 was just off in its proportions - I was bored just trying to find an attractive angle.

I was instantly in love with the 2er after I drove it and wouldn't even slighly consider that CLA - this is coming from a huge Mercedes buff.

843two · 05-01-2014, 11:38 PM

I owned a past generation A3 and that thing was a bore to drive, looking back I should have saved some money and gotten a GTI.

On another note, I sold my E36 M3 track car right before getting my M-Sport 228 and I can confidently say I am happy with my move. While I can't, to be at all fair, compare technology or comfort the 2 is just as fast and while it doesn't handle as well I'm sure with at least some springs and new tires it will be a great car for weekend trackdays.

I have driven my car from SC to VA with an average of around 31mpg which is about 3-4mpg better than my old A3 which was lighter with less power.

The 228i is a very solid car and I would highly recommend it to anyone, especially those who are cross shopping it with the CLA and new A3.

One thing is I do hope more mods are released for the 228 over the summer. All I want is an exhaust similar to the Berk Race for the 135i.

bimmerbuff · 05-02-2014, 01:19 PM

I've been looking for 228i reviews, real life photos, etc. as well. It's not as easy as I thought it would be. The last review I saw was the C&D comparison between the 228i, A3, and CLA.

I've had an E46, E90, E92, and currently drive an E70. It has tons of goodies, but I don't use half of them. I miss my E46 the most, so I wanted my next BMW to be smaller and more of a fun car. I was initially going to get a 228i with almost every option, but that pushed me in to M235i pricing. So I looked at the M235i, with almost every option, but that pushed me in to "just wait for the M2" territory.

I've gone through tons of 228i configurations and have been thinking about what options I have now that I really use and would really miss if I no longer have them. Right now I only plan to add Lighting, Cold Weather, and Driver Assistance, plus power seats. I think this will keep the fun factor high and the costs low.

That might all change tomorrow though - I've been at this for 5 months now!

Uridian · 05-02-2014, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 843two

One thing is I do hope more mods are released for the 228 over the summer.

I hear that! I don't want to do a ton with this car, but I do want springs and a decent exhaust.

I called H&R and Eibach yesterday. H&R is expecting late summer'ish for 228i springs, and Eibach is expecting "within 6 months".

843two · 05-05-2014, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uridian

I hear that! I don't want to do a ton with this car, but I do want springs and a decent exhaust.

I called H&R and Eibach yesterday. H&R is expecting late summer'ish for 228i springs, and Eibach is expecting "within 6 months".

That's unfortunate, I can't imagine why it would take so long for them to release springs for this car.

Audi/VW aftermarket companies race to release new parts when a new model comes out which is why it seems odd that I can only seem to find one exhaust option for the 228 at the moment.

05-01-2014, 01:24 PM	#23
scrape1 Second Lieutenant 70 Rep 229 Posts Drives: '14 228i M Sport, '04 X3 3.0i Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Northeast iTrader: (0)	I picked up my 228i M Sport/Premium this past Saturday. Overall, it's a very pleasant little car, and I am enjoying driving it a lot. The only 2 BMWs I've spent time in before were an E46 330i sport pkg and an E92 M3, neither of which I owned. I enjoyed both cars very much, and while obviously I can't directly compare my 228 to an M3, I can say that the 228 chassis does not disappoint me. It feels agile but nicely composed in corners. It doesn't feel too soft or anything like that. No big issues with the steering, other than that it's a tad more boosted than I would like. I don't have the adaptive suspension, and the ride feels a tad firmer to me than the 330 and M3 in comfort mode, but softer than Sport or M, and I find it just comfortable enough over bumps. Getting rid or run flats might help. Clutch engages much quicker than the 330, which I like, and the shifting 6 speed manual feels good to me. I do wish it sounded more like the old 3 liter six, and I can confirm what some people have said, that there are some vibrations that get through to the shifter and clutch pedal from the 2 liter engine. I do find myself wishing for a little more punch from the engine, but I have the 6 speed and I haven't really pushed it past 4.5k rpm yet. So we'll see. I got 27 mpg on 150 miles of mixed (but mostly highway) driving this past weekend, which I was pleased with
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05-01-2014, 01:32 PM	#24
Red Bread Major General 4463 Rep 9,160 Posts Drives: Smog machines Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	This month's Car & Driver cover story is the 228i vs the CLA250 and A3. It finishes second to the A3, but rips off a 4.9s 0-60 run and 13.7s 1/4 mile at 101 mph with the 8s auto.
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05-01-2014, 11:38 PM	#31
843two New Member 6 Rep 26 Posts Drives: Mineral White, M-Sport 228i Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Charleston, SC iTrader: (0)	I owned a past generation A3 and that thing was a bore to drive, looking back I should have saved some money and gotten a GTI. On another note, I sold my E36 M3 track car right before getting my M-Sport 228 and I can confidently say I am happy with my move. While I can't, to be at all fair, compare technology or comfort the 2 is just as fast and while it doesn't handle as well I'm sure with at least some springs and new tires it will be a great car for weekend trackdays. I have driven my car from SC to VA with an average of around 31mpg which is about 3-4mpg better than my old A3 which was lighter with less power. The 228i is a very solid car and I would highly recommend it to anyone, especially those who are cross shopping it with the CLA and new A3. One thing is I do hope more mods are released for the 228 over the summer. All I want is an exhaust similar to the Berk Race for the 135i.
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05-02-2014, 01:19 PM	#32
bimmerbuff Slightly Less Obsessed 26 Rep 317 Posts Drives: Between BMWs Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: New York iTrader: (0)	I've been looking for 228i reviews, real life photos, etc. as well. It's not as easy as I thought it would be. The last review I saw was the C&D comparison between the 228i, A3, and CLA. I've had an E46, E90, E92, and currently drive an E70. It has tons of goodies, but I don't use half of them. I miss my E46 the most, so I wanted my next BMW to be smaller and more of a fun car. I was initially going to get a 228i with almost every option, but that pushed me in to M235i pricing. So I looked at the M235i, with almost every option, but that pushed me in to "just wait for the M2" territory. I've gone through tons of 228i configurations and have been thinking about what options I have now that I really use and would really miss if I no longer have them. Right now I only plan to add Lighting, Cold Weather, and Driver Assistance, plus power seats. I think this will keep the fun factor high and the costs low. That might all change tomorrow though - I've been at this for 5 months now!
	Appreciate 0 Quote