[MikeT]

Lately I've noticed a strange phenomenon. I receive more compliments from strangers about my 2015 m235i now than I did when it was new 5.5 year ago. Which is bizarre to me. I've owned first-year/second-year models in the past, and they do tend to attract a greater than average number of comments from random people at gas stations, food drive-thru, etc in the first year or two. but tends to wear off pretty quickly as the vehicle become a more familiar sight.

Anyone else notice the same thing? Thoughts?

I wonder if this is possibly affected by the overall decline of passenger cars relative to trucks and SUvs. Just the body style of a 2-door coupe has perhaps become a bit exotic.

[TonM3]

Originally Posted by MikeT

Lately I've noticed a strange phenomenon. I receive more compliments from strangers about my 2015 m235i now than I did when it was new 5.5 year ago. Which is bizarre to me. I've owned first-year/second-year models in the past, and they do tend to attract a greater than average number of comments from random people at gas stations, food drive-thru, etc in the first year or two. but tends to wear off pretty quickly as the vehicle become a more familiar sight.

Anyone else notice the same thing? Thoughts?

I wonder if this is possibly affected by the overall decline of passenger cars relative to trucks and SUvs. Just the body style of a 2-door coupe has perhaps become a bit exotic.

I do think it is the pendulum swinging back from all the SUV silliness I addition to the huge increase in car size. Ours is just a timeless design.

SUVs in general I think have peaked. Minivans even seem to be attracting attention.

[morphomeman]

Yes, small coupes are rare these days, especially pretty ones.
Some of the colors are also unusual and the colors of vehicles in general have become more uniform and drab. My neighbor down the block, who knows nothing about cars, has often commented on my Estoril Blue, which is admittedly quite striking.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by morphomeman

Yes, small coupes are rare these days, especially pretty ones.
Some of the colors are also unusual and the colors of vehicles in general have become more uniform and drab. My neighbor down the block, who knows nothing about cars, has often commented on my Estoril Blue, which is admittedly quite striking.

I get repeating comments from a couple of neighbors who think the car is new, and react to the orange. Given the age of my neighbors, I think it may be a first impression for them each time.

[Jnat]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

I get repeating comments from a couple of neighbors who think the car is new, and react to the orange. Given the age of my neighbors, I think it may be a first impression for them each time.

Sitting in traffic in central nj friday night on the way home, look to my right and the gentleman in his suv is checking my 2 out, we make eye contact and i get a thumbs up. thank you, i agree the 2 is a winner!

[TonM3]

Originally Posted by Jnat

Sitting in traffic in central nj friday night on the way home, look to my right and the gentleman in his suv is checking my 2 out, we make eye contact and i get a thumbs up. thank you, i agree the 2 is a winner!

What's not to love

[leftoverture]

I suppose I'm in the minority here but even though I own a 2 series, I wouldn't exactly call it gorgeous. It's not ugly, but I don't think it's above average either. Though I saw a 235 vert in red the other day that I thought looked better than my 228 in white. Like many modern automobiles, I find the styling a bit bland. Maybe it's just because I'm older and remember the days when automotive design was unique and changed significantly every year.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by leftoverture

I suppose I'm in the minority here but even though I own a 2 series, I wouldn't exactly call it gorgeous. It's not ugly, but I don't think it's above average either. Though I saw a 235 vert in red the other day that I thought looked better than my 228 in white. Like many modern automobiles, I find the styling a bit bland. Maybe it's just because I'm older and remember the days when automotive design was unique and changed significantly every year.

True, it's no boat-tail Riviera, but in a world where utility vehicles freely roam the earth, it's becoming increasingly atypical...and people react to difference.

[harma24]

Originally Posted by leftoverture

even though I own a 2 series, I wouldn't exactly call it gorgeous. It's not ugly, but I don't think it's above average either.

100% agree. It pained me when I bought my 240 that it looked like every other BMW out there (save for the i's). There's nothing distinctive about it (unless you have Estrolil Blue; that does stand out from all the rest). But, that's part of what I love about it; it's not overly flashy (or so I though). That being said, I do get random complements from people occasionally. (I think most of them think I have an M2 and don't realize the difference).

[leftoverture]

Originally Posted by harma24

100% agree. It pained me when I bought my 240 that it looked like every other BMW out there (save for the i's). There's nothing distinctive about it (unless you have Estrolil Blue; that does stand out from all the rest). But, that's part of what I love about it; it's not overly flashy (or so I though). That being said, I do get random complements from people occasionally. (I think most of them think I have an M2 and don't realize the difference).

My coworkers think I'm rich because I have a 228... but most of their trucks and SUVs cost far more than I paid for my used cabriolet.

[pmcmtnbkr]

Originally Posted by leftoverture

My coworkers think I'm rich because I have a 228... but most of their trucks and SUVs cost far more than I paid for my used cabriolet.

same here have heard coworks say how does he afford that on a nurses pay yet their SUV is 3 times what I payed for mine

[harma24]

Originally Posted by leftoverture

My coworkers think I'm rich because I have a 228... but most of their trucks and SUVs cost far more than I paid for my used cabriolet.

YES!!! I had someone comment the other day on my car. I had to point out that their Siverado 3500 likely cost more than my car!

[BrettKA7]

I've had a guy get out of his car to come talk to me at a drive through and other strange interactions for what is essentially a standard BMW. I think the car is very pretty, but I'm in SoCal so there are much nicer cars around.

I blame it on the wheels. They made the entire car design for me.

[Jnat]

Originally Posted by BrettKA7

I've had a guy get out of his car to come talk to me at a drive through and other strange interactions for what is essentially a standard BMW. I think the car is very pretty, but I'm in SoCal so there are much nicer cars around.

I blame it on the wheels. They made the entire car design for me.

On that note the wheels do look great! Specs on rims and tires ftr...

[BrettKA7]

Originally Posted by Jnat

On that note the wheels do look great! Specs on rims and tires ftr...

They're cheap, safe, and well-made. Easily worth twice their price if it wasn't for the generic name. Used my original staggered tires.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-alzor-pa...-four/030-5kt/

Really happy with them 6 months post-install. Everything is holding up perfectly other than the ///M decals I got to fill the rectangular cut out on Amazon.

[XutvJet]

I get compliments all the time, even when the car was stock back in early 2016. I also have guys trying to race me all the time or at least show me what their car is capable of.

I think certain colors are far more eye catching in the 2 series than others. The car definitely needs the right color to pop the body work. Silver, Gray, and Mineral White definitely do the job the best on these cars when it comes showing off the body creases and bulges.

The 2 series has a timeless and classic BMW design. All it needs is proper size tires, wheels with the right offset, a mild drop, and very minor tweaks exterior tweaks to really set it off.

[dradernh]

The only comments I've received about my car were from some P-car drivers at the track in 2018 who were favorably comparing its Estoril Blue color to a P-car color they liked.

[aerobod]

Originally Posted by dradernh

The only comments I've received about my car were from some P-car drivers at the track in 2018 who were favorably comparing its Estoril Blue color to a P-car color they liked.

Most likely Sapphire Blue:

[PeanuKeeyes]

When I had staggered 19’s on it last year, got a lot of, “is that an M2?”
It’s more subdued now with 18’s at stock height, but it remains one of the most refined and moderately aggressive looking cars in a parking lot at any given time. Still receive thumbs up from people often. When I first picked it up, it had flashy bronze wheels and an M badge on the back from previous owner. That solicited a different sort of response back then. “Nice car a$$hole!” being one that comes to mind as I was pulling out of a dunkins in Maine.

[leftoverture]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

The 2 series has a timeless and classic BMW design. All it needs is proper size tires, wheels with the right offset, a mild drop, and very minor tweaks exterior tweaks to really set it off.

Hmmm. Interesting perspective. When it comes time to put the summer rubber back on, I'm going to use your post to justify new wheels to my wife. Wish me luck.

[Tomskeed]

Originally Posted by BrettKA7

I've had a guy get out of his car to come talk to me at a drive through and other strange interactions for what is essentially a standard BMW. I think the car is very pretty, but I'm in SoCal so there are much nicer cars around.

I blame it on the wheels. They made the entire car design for me.

+1 for the Alzor 030's

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by BrettKA7

I've had a guy get out of his car to come talk to me at a drive through and other strange interactions for what is essentially a standard BMW.

This reminded me of a couple of years ago at a local BMW Club "cars and coffee". My trunklid is debadged...a couple of attendees were looking at the car and finally asked me, "What model is this?"