[BM235iW]

In 2+ years of my 2015 M235i ownership there has been zero problems, removed the active sound because it made the dash sound like there was a rattle. Car is better without the phony sound effects. The only issue for me is tire wear but it's my own fault, this car is too much fun to drive on the highways or track!
BTW I'm 65 years old going on 18 when strapped in the drivers seat.

[B_Rice]

Originally Posted by BM235iW

In 2+ years of my 2015 M235i ownership there has been zero problems, removed the active sound because it made the dash sound like there was a rattle. Car is better without the phony sound effects. The only issue for me is tire wear but it's my own fault, this car is too much fun to drive on the highways or track!
BTW I'm 65 years old going on 18 when strapped in the drivers seat.

I was there last year!

[BM235iW]

Originally Posted by B_Rice

I was there last year!

Too cool. Hopefully you had as much fun as me. I forgot to turn off the AC during this run, didn't notice until I got back into the pits (lol).
Great looking car, my sister just picked one up, same color.👍

[B_Rice]

Originally Posted by BM235iW

Too cool. Hopefully you had as much fun as me. I forgot to turn off the AC during this run, didn't notice until I got back into the pits (lol).
Great looking car, my sister just picked one up, same color.👍

Yeah it was loads of fun, until my midpipe decided to detach from the rest of my exhaust...

Yeah black would have been my second choice since that's the only color where the front splitter looks good without paint matching.

[M235iguy]

I have had my M235ix for a little over a year and with around 14k miles, I haven't had one problem with her at all. Love this car btw

[BM235iW]

Originally Posted by B_Rice

Yeah it was loads of fun, until my midpipe decided to detach from the rest of my exhaust...

Yeah black would have been my second choice since that's the only color where the front splitter looks good without paint matching.

I decided to install carbon fiber splitter, diffuser and rocker blades instead of paint matching. Maybe see you at Bimmerfest.

[BM235iW]

Originally Posted by JCZ3

I have one of the early production (#67) 2014 M235i, have run it hard, auto crossing every season and have had no issue's at all, except for 2 factory recalls. 1 for the in tank fuel pump and 1 for the BMW conceriage module. 19K miles and smiles! Also have most of the DINAN (Stg 3 tune, intercooler, intake, exhaust, springs and camber plates) mods as well, so pushing her hard.

Even with the Dinan mods, the car is very easy to drive in traffic (Los Angeles) but trackable..

[Shayan55]

My motor seized after 6k miles -_-

[3rdcoast228i]

Originally Posted by bmwqt

I currently own a 2012 Mustang GT convertible. I've been looking into trading to something less sporty and more comfortable, but that can have a nice handling at the same time.

The 238i/M235i feels like it can fit exactly what I'm looking in a car at the moment. Doing some research, I found two models that caught my interest:

2014 228i, 13k miles: Fully loaded with M packages. A/T and it's priced at $33k CAD ($25k USD).
2016 M235i, 13k miles: Does not have sunroof and a few other things (it comes with adaptive suspension but I'm not sure if it's standard for this model). M/T, was previously leased to a BMW employee and it's priced at $41k CAD ($31k USD).

Went to drive both. The 228i seems to have more than enough power for daily use, so I thought about going with the cheaper option.

However, I spent several days reading about BMW, and how unreliable the latest models are. I haven't read anything specific to 2-series models yet. Mostly 3/5/X. Has 2-series been proving to be more reliable than other models?

I feel very concerned about buying a car and having to spend a lot of time on the shop fixing it. That is one of the reasons why I thought about getting the 3rd party warranty for the 228i (no CPO since it's a Ford dealership), which would extend my warranty to 4.5 years. Damn, even the fact that the car has a sunroof and A/T makes me scared of buying it, I would rather have M/T and no sunroof just so there's less things to break.

I usually drive very little (~8k miles/year) and was planning to keep the car for about 6/7 years. If the car could at least be reliable during that time, I would already be happy enough.

As others have said, if you go 228i (n20/n26) stick with models made after January 2015. BMW revised the timing chain parts after that time. What happens is a chain guide piece breaks off, that then falls into the the chain that drives the oil pump. So the oil pump chain breaks and you have no oil flow, In a matter of seconds your engine is toast.

BTW other brands have had timing chain problems in recent years also.

[3rdcoast228i]

Originally Posted by crabu2

28K km is a joke! My beater car is an '07 Camry and I've got 250K miles on it.. Yes a 1/4 million miles and out side of basic maintenance, the only thing it needed as an O2 sensor.

I've run Jeeps, Rams and Fords to over 200K miles too... For me a reliable car is one where I consistently hear of people going 200K miles with basic maintenance. Any new car these days should get 100K miles.. If not, it's not engineer and/or built well.

I'm looking to get my 1st BMW and the reliability is what's scaring me the most. My friends that have or had them all seem to have had small issues like wiper and or window motor problems. None have told me they were stranded on the side of the road, but they've all also gotten rid of their cars once 100K miles hits.. They get terrified for some reason of crossing 100K miles on a BMW. I don't understand why..

Because it can be very expensive to repair if something does go wrong.


And also because bmw reduces it's maintenance intervals on basic maintenance. Things such as oil changes every 15k miles.

I can't imagine going 15k miles on a brand new engine and not changing the oil during it's break in period.

[DaveM235i]

Just over 1 1/2 years of ownership from new - 2015 M235i. Awesome car and so much fun. For all the issues my car has had, i forgive it when I jump in and have fun. Issues (so far) include:
Harmonic Balancer failed (early pickup, which saved the engine)
Alternator failed
Exhaust flap rattled - exhaust replaced
Rough idle on cold start - fixed apparently through programming but just started again and will have to go back - i suspect it's not the programming!

All under warranty and fixed, BMW Australia looked after me with loan cars etc and fairly quick turnaround times. Doesn't bother me as they are wearing the costs and i have wheels to get around.

These issues can happen with any brand new car - i just got lucky and purchased the one with issues. As said, all forgiven when i jump in and drive hard. Just buy one with some warranty left and get a final end of warranty check report to pick up any issues for BMW to fix before it's handed over to you to cover costs. I have done this with all previous cars and it is amazing what gets picked up.

[crabu2]

Originally Posted by 3rdcoast228i

I can't imagine going 15k miles on a brand new engine and not changing the oil during it's break in period.

You don't have to..BMW changed it years ago to 10K or 1 year. Even if they didn't, anyone, as the owner, can change it sooner.

As for extended oil changes, in the OTR trucking world, they've been doing 15K + oil changes for years now.. I don't know how long, but I do know it's been over 10. Many don't even do it by miles, they go strictly by engine hours and/or oil analysis.

[MichaelL]

I have a 2015 228i, just passed 2 years with the car and only have had one problem. One of the sensors for the adjustable suspension failed and needed to be replaced. That has been the only issue. I am happy with that, had a GTI before this car and that car had many issues....

[rho123]

Originally Posted by MichaelL

I have a 2015 228i, just passed 2 years with the car and only have had one problem. One of the sensors for the adjustable suspension failed and needed to be replaced. That has been the only issue. I am happy with that, had a GTI before this car and that car had many issues....

Good to hear it's been pretty reliable. I plan to wait for a good CPO after 3 years of production. Give them time to work out the bugs.

[3rdcoast228i]

Originally Posted by rho123

Good to hear it's been pretty reliable. I plan to wait for a good CPO after 3 years of production. Give them time to work out the bugs.

Car manufacturs change things so much its hard to hit that right time to buy these days. Keep in mind the 2017's have new (to the 2 series) engines, and some transmission/drive line changes. I would not have a problem buying a 2017 tho.

FYI, 4 cylinder (n20/n26) cars with a build date before Jan 2015 are known to have timing chain problems that totaly kill the engine. So you were smart to wait.

[SteveInfante]

I'm at 53K miles on my April 2014 build 228i and is still going strong. Don't give in to the hype on the forums. It's just like the bearings on the E9x M3. Is there an issue, yes with a very small amount of engines compared to the amount produced. Stay diligent with your maintenance schedule and you should be as good as the car gods deem you worthy.

[rho123]

Originally Posted by 3rdcoast228i

Car manufacturs change things so much its hard to hit that right time to buy these days. Keep in mind the 2017's have new (to the 2 series) engines, and some transmission/drive line changes. I would not have a problem buying a 2017 tho.

FYI, 4 cylinder (n20/n26) cars with a build date before Jan 2015 are known to have timing chain problems that totaly kill the engine. So you were smart to wait.

Thanks, good information.

[eclipes]

This n20 timing chain is scary and the worst part is dealer has no recalls or tsbs...how on earth are you suppose to prevent it..

Originally Posted by 3rdcoast228i

Car manufacturs change things so much its hard to hit that right time to buy these days. Keep in mind the 2017's have new (to the 2 series) engines, and some transmission/drive line changes. I would not have a problem buying a 2017 tho.

FYI, 4 cylinder (n20/n26) cars with a build date before Jan 2015 are known to have timing chain problems that totaly kill the engine. So you were smart to wait.

[3rdcoast228i]

Originally Posted by SteveInfante

I'm at 53K miles on my April 2014 build 228i and is still going strong. Don't give in to the hype on the forums. It's just like the bearings on the E9x M3. Is there an issue, yes with a very small amount of engines compared to the amount produced. Stay diligent with your maintenance schedule and you should be as good as the car gods deem you worthy.

I totally agree with you, but BMW did revise timing chain parts after Jan 15' for a reason. Just suggesting he find a car with updated parts.

[3rdcoast228i]

Originally Posted by rho123

Thanks, good information.

No problem, the 228i/230i are great cars and I'm sure you will enjoy it. Find one built after Jan 15' (updated parts) and you will be fine.


BTW, bmw isn't the only one who had timing chain problems in recent years. What ever you buy it pays to do research.

[3rdcoast228i]

Originally Posted by eclipes

This n20 timing chain is scary and the worst part is dealer has no recalls or tsbs...how on earth are you suppose to prevent it..

I know how you feel when you don't have that peace of mind.

I guess if I was in that situation I would just keep a warranty on it and forget about it. A warranty will cover other things as well, and the price to get the updated parts installed is probably more than the warranty.

[SteveInfante]

Originally Posted by 3rdcoast228i

I totally agree with you, but BMW did revise timing chain parts after Jan 15' for a reason. Just suggesting he find a car with updated parts.

I'm not saying that they didn't revise the design. I'm just saying that good preventative maintenance and normal driving will do wonders. If he should decide to find a car that is after the redesign then good on him.