[NVHoo]

Perhaps it's been discussed before but why did you not opt for the X-drive version for track and/or bad weather?

[2msport]

Great write up. It's nice hear what my car can do from an experienced track driver. I have the same car sans cold weather and tech package. I also have GSRs tune, such an awesome tune isn't it?! I did the 328 MPE install, I highly recommend it. In addition I coded in the N55 ASD, believe me it definitely helps with the quiet cabin issue and personally I wouldn't drive without it. All together I'm pretty satisfied with how my car sounds. Now, if I was only as good a driver as you lol

Quick question. I saw you posted lateral Gs (1G). Is that what you were hitting around turns without breaking lose? Seems like magazines could only real in around .89-.91.

Have you thought about dinan shockware?

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by BMW335iOn18s

If the 228i was a better car, BMW would have made an M228i instead of an M235i.

Huh? (Must be an echo) ...

For you, the 235 is a better car. For the OP -- who, I will add, has supplied empirical evidence that his 228 is quicker than an N55-equipped, um, anything on this particular track -- and others of us, the 228 is a better car, particularly if you're more of a mechanical and racing purist (less electronic control, less weight, more tuning potential from bumper to bumper).

Comparison: What's a better track bike: a 500cc two-stroke, a screaming inline four (choose your size), a light V-twin, a liter-plus V-twin superbike, a V4? There's a correct answer for everybody, for every style, for every track -- but that correct answer is not one over any of the others.

One model offers advantages over the other, and vice versa. Just leave it at that.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by Viffermike

Huh? (Must be an echo) ...

For you, the 235 is a better car. For the OP -- who, I will add, has supplied empirical evidence that his 228 is quicker than an N55-equipped, um, anything on this particular track -- and others of us, the 228 is a better car, particularly if you're more of a mechanical and racing purist (less electronic control, less weight, more tuning potential from bumper to bumper).

Comparison: What's a better track bike: a 500cc two-stroke, a screaming inline four (choose your size), a light V-twin, a liter-plus V-twin superbike, a V4? There's a correct answer for everybody, for every style, for every track -- but that correct answer is not one over any of the others.

One model offers advantages over the other, and vice versa. Just leave it at that.

+1. Every once in a while, posters come along who think more of the attribute they prefer makes a car objectively "better" for everyone else. There often does seem to be an empathy shortage on forums. But, it's been going on for years, and no sign of let-up. Just "different" isn't soothing enough, I guess.

BTW, BMW does make a M228i.....it's called the THP...same car (for items related to driving dynamics), minus two cylinders. Aesthetic differences are about as subjective as it gets. And, let's not get hung up over names/badges.

[W///]

I love your track reviews, they are awesome. No issues with engine cooling?

[BMW335iOn18s]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

+1. Every once in a while, posters come along who think more of the attribute they prefer makes a car objectively "better" for everyone else. There often does seem to be an empathy shortage on forums. But, it's been going on for years, and no sign of let-up. Just "different" isn't soothing enough, I guess.

BTW, BMW does make a M228i.....it's called the THP...same car (for items related to driving dynamics), minus two cylinders. Aesthetic differences are about as subjective as it gets. And, let's not get hung up over names/badges.

I would agree that there IS an M228i, but something leads me to believe the suspension and bushings in the 228i (even with THP) are different from the M235i. Can someone please verify this on realoem.com? I think what separates the M235i from the rest of the Adaptive M equipped F22s is the higher level of feedback. If I recall correctly, the M235i has a unique suspension/steering calibration developed by the M division.

[Bobdaxx]

I paid 40k for my new 235 that was a failed ED the dealer got stuck with...i bet its cheaper that most 228s. Course the 40k did not include taxes and tags and it did have 200 miles on it. ITs rwd with the pilots and not much else ;-)

[wjones14]

I find it hard to believe the 228 is beating the E92 M3 on the track. Could it be that you're a better driver than the guys you were passing? Maybe if you were in their M3 and they in your 228, you'd still be faster - is that possible?

[Hops128i]

Great review, really enjoyed it! I've only been on the main circuit at Summit Point, the Shenandoah circuit looks like more fun. I've heard it called a huge autocross course.

[dan99]

Lol@ all the butt hurt m235i owners.

[2msport]

Originally Posted by dan99

Lol@ all the butt hurt m235i owners.

It's pretty funny.

I'm waiting for the driver instructor to come back and explain (again) better than I can why what he said is true. But in a nutshell it's going to come down to the track, weight and balance. Also don't forget he's making extremely close to 235 power with that tune. With less overall weight (my very similar car weighed in at 3260lbs). But as he stated that track is not for the powerhouses. Does anyone remember that video where the Civic Si beat an M3 around a track?? Why is that. Weight and the course. Small tight turns where power means a lot less. It comes down to agility and balance which equates to being able carry more speed through a turn. And in this case his 228 was able to bring enough speed in the straights to fend off the big boys.

[caycep]

I'm a little bit sorry I didn't go M-Sport for the radiators. But I do think my car looks better in chrome trim

[BarryJI]

The principles of power vs. turning maneuverability apply in aviation, too, hence the famous military dog-fight training exercise when five USAF F-15Cs were defeated by RAF Harriers. Just as the Harriers' advantage would have been negated at a distance, the less powerful car would have lost its advantage on a track with longs straights, like Monza.

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by BarryJI

The principles of power vs. turning maneuverability apply in aviation, too, hence the famous military dog-fight training exercise when five USAF F-15Cs were defeated by RAF Harriers. Just as the Harriers' advantage would have been negated at a distance, the less powerful car would have lost its advantage on a track with longs straights, like Monza.

And, to an extent, in motorcycles, hence my comparison higher in the thread. On very tight circuits, two-stroke track bikes will often run faster overall than much larger literbikes because they can carry more speed through corners and are far less fidgety at the handling limit, primarily because of power application. It's also why you don't see big-engined dirt bikes (except Enduros) or supermotards; they just handle better mainly because they weigh so much less.

[DarkstarZero]

Originally Posted by NVHoo

Perhaps it's been discussed before but why did you not opt for the X-drive version for track and/or bad weather?

I have X-Drive on my 328 wagon, it's nice and it certainly helps in some corners on the track, especially if it's raining or you drop your rear wheels in the grass while exiting a corner

But I didn't go for X-Drive on this car because RWD is more fun and I already have a AWD car for the family. At this weight, power level, in a manual, I'm actually looking forward to drifting it through some snow It should be pretty easy as long as I have winter tires on it.

[DarkstarZero]

Originally Posted by 2msport

Great write up. It's nice hear what my car can do from an experienced track driver. I have the same car sans cold weather and tech package. I also have GSRs tune, such an awesome tune isn't it?! I did the 328 MPE install, I highly recommend it. In addition I coded in the N55 ASD, believe me it definitely helps with the quiet cabin issue and personally I wouldn't drive without it. All together I'm pretty satisfied with how my car sounds. Now, if I was only as good a driver as you lol

Quick question. I saw you posted lateral Gs (1G). Is that what you were hitting around turns without breaking lose? Seems like magazines could only real in around .89-.91.

Have you thought about dinan shockware?

Thanks! Yeah, I really want to do that ASD and MPE install so bad!

You're absolutely right, my lateral Gs (according to the M Laptimer App) were usually around .9. But if you take the inside of the Karussel and then track out onto it before the Esses, you'll go over 1G

My only issue with Dinan Shockware is that it makes comfort mode the same as sport and then sport is very stiff. I'd get it if they left comfort alone, comfortable, and then just made sport mode extremely aggressive.

[DarkstarZero]

Originally Posted by W///

I love your track reviews, they are awesome. No issues with engine cooling?

Thanks man No issues at all. I'm sure the two auxiliary radiators that come with the M Sport + ZTR package helps a lot.

[DarkstarZero]

Originally Posted by wjones14

I find it hard to believe the 228 is beating the E92 M3 on the track. Could it be that you're a better driver than the guys you were passing? Maybe if you were in their M3 and they in your 228, you'd still be faster - is that possible?

Haha! Yes! I will take complements like that all day long So the reason why the 228 was so fast was because... I am the Stig.

No, in all seriousness, it's the track. The 228 in this setup is quicker through the corners and there's not enough room for the e92 to make up the difference. At the end of the back straight I'm doing 113mph, the e92 is probably doing ~122mph, and that's just not enough of a difference. As you can see in my sig, I've owned and tracked a 2011 M3 so I know what it can do. Now if this were say, VIR, full course, with a straight so long you can hit your top speed, and long sweeping corners, then yeah, the M3 will absolutely crush it.

But not all race tracks are VIR or Monza. If you're picking a car to take to the track, you pick what will be the most fun on your home circuit as that's where you'll be spending most of your time. For me, that's Summit Point.

[Michall]

Nice review.

What tire pressure have you run (F/R)?

What tire pressure do you suggest for auto-x events?

I have a 235i with Michelin PSS but I think you have the same setup on your 228i.

[Xiaoxi]

re: steering feedback

I'm no track driver but the steering rack seems to have improved the more it's broken in. It feels a lot more communicative than the F30 I was driving before. When I first got the car I agree it felt pretty numb but over time it seems to get better.

[Ramsen]

Originally Posted by DarkstarZero

My only issue with Dinan Shockware is that it makes comfort mode the same as sport and then sport is very stiff. I'd get it if they left comfort alone, comfortable, and then just made sport mode extremely aggressive.

Don't have Dinan Shockware, but I actually like this about it since I always have to switch from Comfort to Sport with default settings. There's also Eco mode which feels like Comfort with a mushier pedal. Seems it's not necessary for track enjoyment though

[BarryJI]

I like what Dinan Shockware does for my shock settings. It eliminates excess body roll in both axes and it sharpens chassis response under acceleration. I'm running stock springs but might get the recently released Dinan Performance Springs and Ride Quality and Handling kit.