[Shovelman]

So I don't run thru the 3y/36,000 too fast and to keep my new 230i out of some of the slop I have kept my Chevy Cobalt. The comparison, new 230i 6 speed red vs Cobalt 2.2 no turbo 5 speed fwd is interesting.

230i
much more power has it's moments
love the rwd and the handling
looks great in Valencia Orange, lots of compliments
gets the space in the garage, always nice but especially nice in bad weather
new with no creaks and rattles


Cobalt
still fun to drive
looks very nice in blue with a tasteful little wing
4 doors really are better because they are much shorter
cloth seats I really don't understand why leather is popular
crisper throttle opening, no turbo lag
slightly better mileage (34 vs 32)
no concerns about where I drive or park it and don't care how many miles are on it

But here's the fun to drive thing, I enjoy pushing the motor and rowing thru the gears, stretching the performance envelope. Do this in the BMW and I'm over 100 in no time, fun over, time to slow down and look around for cops.

Just glad I only went for the 4 cylinder, 6 would have been a waste of money and fun.

[Pb12in]

Originally Posted by Shovelman

But here's the fun to drive thing, I enjoy pushing the motor and rowing thru the gears, stretching the performance envelope. Do this in the BMW and I'm over 100 in no time, fun over, time to slow down and look around for cops.

Just glad I only went for the 4 cylinder, 6 would have been a waste of money and fun.

Well said! For just these reasons, in 2007 I bought a 328i MT instead of a 335i, and am getting a 430i MT in a couple of days (instead of a 440i). Money is not a concern, this is the more enjoyable route for me.

[Rayscott]

Originally Posted by Shovelman

So I don't run thru the 3y/36,000 too fast and to keep my new 230i out of some of the slop I have kept my Chevy Cobalt. The comparison, new 230i 6 speed red vs Cobalt 2.2 no turbo 5 speed fwd is interesting.

230i
much more power has it's moments
love the rwd and the handling
looks great in Valencia Orange, lots of compliments
gets the space in the garage, always nice but especially nice in bad weather
new with no creaks and rattles


Cobalt
still fun to drive
looks very nice in blue with a tasteful little wing
4 doors really are better because they are much shorter
cloth seats I really don't understand why leather is popular
crisper throttle opening, no turbo lag
slightly better mileage (34 vs 32)
no concerns about where I drive or park it and don't care how many miles are on it

But here's the fun to drive thing, I enjoy pushing the motor and rowing thru the gears, stretching the performance envelope. Do this in the BMW and I'm over 100 in no time, fun over, time to slow down and look around for cops.

Just glad I only went for the 4 cylinder, 6 would have been a waste of money and fun.

Me too. At 73 it is a much more manageable for me. Plenty of speed and great handling. Estoril gets tons of compliments. Best vehicle I have ever owned.

[Beartato]

The I6 is so much fun though. As long as you enjoy it I guess.

[Maynard]

Same for me - rather drive the 228, with better balance. Probably only 5% of the time would I really enjoy the extra power. Modern tech has chased the 'bench racers' right into ridiculous territory - you can't really appreciate 400+hp anywhere but a track.

[Kayevman]

Spoken like someone who has the 4

[p912guy]

Both 228/230 and 235/240 are great cars. Coming from my MINI Cooper S with it's 4 cylinders, I love the sound and feel of the N55 in my 235 6 spd as it pulls like a freight train to 6000 rpm +. That said, I had a 328 as a loaner one day and was very impressed with it as well, especially considering the larger size and weight of the 3 Series. Can't go wrong either way.

[3.0L]

Different strokes for different folks.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by Shovelman

So I don't run thru the 3y/36,000 too fast and to keep my new 230i out of some of the slop I have kept my Chevy Cobalt. The comparison, new 230i 6 speed red vs Cobalt 2.2 no turbo 5 speed fwd is interesting.

230i
much more power has it's moments
love the rwd and the handling
looks great in Valencia Orange, lots of compliments
gets the space in the garage, always nice but especially nice in bad weather
new with no creaks and rattles


Cobalt
still fun to drive
looks very nice in blue with a tasteful little wing
4 doors really are better because they are much shorter
cloth seats I really don't understand why leather is popular
crisper throttle opening, no turbo lag
slightly better mileage (34 vs 32)
no concerns about where I drive or park it and don't care how many miles are on it

But here's the fun to drive thing, I enjoy pushing the motor and rowing thru the gears, stretching the performance envelope. Do this in the BMW and I'm over 100 in no time, fun over, time to slow down and look around for cops.

Just glad I only went for the 4 cylinder, 6 would have been a waste of money and fun.

Anyone who wants can keep going with the old 4 vs 6 debate, but the more interesting point here is the idea of having the old/other/"beater" car around. I know completely what you mean and have the same experience with my Crosstrek. Take that Boxer engine to its peak, drive anywhere/anytime, park anywhere without a thought or worry...it's quite liberating! The old saw about the fun of driving a slow car fast is so true...but today is dry, sunny, and roads are clear, so the 2 will be out and about soon...but the Crosstrek zipped to Costco and Kroger this morning, squeezed into crammed spaces, and hauled the load back home. Door dings? Don't know...haven't looked.

[P7X]

Originally Posted by Shovelman

Just glad I only went for the 4 cylinder, 6 would have been a waste

Said no car guy ever....

Originally Posted by Sportstick

Anyone who wants can keep going with the old 4 vs 6 debate, but the more interesting point here is the idea of having the old/other/"beater" car around.

Agreed, the 4 Vs 6 debate is everyone's self justification for what they bought. The multiple cars thing is much more interesting. I've always had to buy my car knowing that it needed to do multiple things but I've always leaned on the side of performance and fun while spending 90% of its time as my DD A to B car.

Having two cars would be ideal. Have each of them focused more toward their usage. A "beater" DD that you don't care as much about, good on gas, cheap to run and potentially even AWD with an automatic transmission. Then you'd have your other car which you take better care of and a focus more on performance and driving enjoyment.

[B58togo]

Originally Posted by Maynard

Same for me - rather drive the 228, with better balance. Probably only 5% of the time would I really enjoy the extra power. Modern tech has chased the 'bench racers' right into ridiculous territory - you can't really appreciate 400+hp anywhere but a track.

If you say so!

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by P7X

Having two cars would be ideal. Have each of them focused more toward their usage. A "beater" DD that you don't care as much about, good on gas, cheap to run and potentially even AWD with an automatic transmission. Then you'd have your other car which you take better care of and a focus more on performance and driving enjoyment.

Exactly...AWD/Auto is my other ride. It's like having a tool chest with more than just a hammer...it's also part of the entertainment to look at two sets of keys and decide what feels/works best for that moment! Here's the problem...lol...the low cost go-anywhere ride has a certain quirky charm to it, is fun to toss around, and I'm getting more and more attached to the plusses of the fun without the anxiety of worrying where it is parked, etc.! I don't want to start caring about it so much that it loses its primary reason for being! Not sure how this will turn out....already installed strut tower brace, upsized anti-sway bar, and tune! Yikes!

[hundy]

I have a really nice Yugo you might be interested in.

[Realdread1]

Originally Posted by Kayevman

Spoken like someone who has the 4

Haha ditto

[Dylan86]

Originally Posted by P7X

Having two cars would be ideal. Have each of them focused more toward their usage. A "beater" DD that you don't care as much about, good on gas, cheap to run and potentially even AWD with an automatic transmission. Then you'd have your other car which you take better care of and a focus more on performance and driving enjoyment.

Absolutely agree, 2 cars (even if the 2nd is worth $1k lol) really gives you the ability to have the best of both worlds. Makes the "sporty car" experience that much better, IMO.

I'd take this car with a 4cyl for a DD, but since I have one of those, I went with the smooth operator N55

[petegtsv10]

Originally Posted by Maynard

Same for me - rather drive the 228, with better balance. Probably only 5% of the time would I really enjoy the extra power. Modern tech has chased the 'bench racers' right into ridiculous territory - you can't really appreciate 400+hp anywhere but a track.

There certainly is a hp limit beyond which you can't appreciate it on the street..........but that number is far north of 400! Traction is an issue beyond 650 hp, but 650 still feels more thrilling than 500 during a freeway entry or a country road pass. Once you live with 650 (ZO6) for a while, it doesn't feel absurd anymore and that's a sub-3-second 0-60!

[dalrx]

the n20 car sorely lacks power and handling....that's why my m2 coming will fix all those issues!

[DF]

This got ugly quickly

[fbsm]

Originally Posted by 3.0L

Different strokes for different folks.

This is why BMW offers the F22 a couple different ways

Choice is good

[3.0L]

Originally Posted by fbsm

This is why BMW offers the F22 a couple different ways

Choice is good

Bingo.

Meanwhile, I think some of us get a bit weary of others hinting that their choice was more intelligent than other folks. At least, that's the veiled suggestion.

To them I say, hang it in your ear. Or a bit more bluntly, sit on it and rotate.

Enjoy your ride.

Let others enjoy theirs.

[p912guy]

The two vehicle concept isn't really all that unique. If you're married or have a significant other, chances are you have at least two vehicles to choose from anyway. Really, the question is, is your 2 Series (whatever flavor it is) a true DD or not? For some, like the OP, it's not since he has his "beater". In my case, my "beater" is my Titan 4x4 quad cab pickup, even though I really only use it for runs to HD / Lowes, tailgating at football games and towing boat trailers. Otherwise, it's my 235 for everything else, UNLESS we need room for 4 passengers, or we're traveling on vacation, or making a grocery run or my wife just wants to take her car, or, or, or, in which case it's my wife's Q5. While I couldn't live without a truck (or my wife and her Q5), I am most impressed with the guys who only have their 2 Series and do it all with their true DD.

[wstntime]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

Anyone who wants can keep going with the old 4 vs 6 debate, but the more interesting point here is the idea of having the old/other/"beater" car around. I know completely what you mean and have the same experience with my Crosstrek. Take that Boxer engine to its peak, drive anywhere/anytime, park anywhere without a thought or worry...it's quite liberating! The old saw about the fun of driving a slow car fast is so true...but today is dry, sunny, and roads are clear, so the 2 will be out and about soon...but the Crosstrek zipped to Costco and Kroger this morning, squeezed into crammed spaces, and hauled the load back home. Door dings? Don't know...haven't looked.

Whaddaya mean! I do the same thing with the 235, haha. More to worry about than a couple of door dings.

Although a couple of years ago I did go through the hassle of getting the whole bumper 'fixed' and repainted on my 4-series because of a near invisible mark that a lady made when she rear-ended me in snail's pace traffic. She pissed me off with her attitude so I put the whole thing through her insurance just for spite.