I May Buy 2016 228i

Jamesjedi · 02-21-2021, 12:35 PM

Hi, first post here. I am looking at a 228i (vin WBA1F5C54GV343931). It is a 6 speed manual. I am still trying to determine what it has with regards to options.

Is this the car with the revised engine that solved the timing chain issues? Bearing issues? ? Any other issues to be aware of.

I would like to track the car and do autocross. Cheers and thanks to any replies.

amancuso · 02-21-2021, 01:04 PM

2016 would have the upgraded timing chain components. Use https://www.mdecoder.com/ to check the options. Be aware this site will cut you off after checking a few VINs then you will have to wait 24 hours for it to reset before you can check any others. Best of luck in your search!

leftoverture · 02-21-2021, 01:18 PM

We have a 2016 228i cabriolet. Love it. Wish we had the manual, though. You'll be happy with it so if it checks out, go for it.

jzeiler4 · 02-21-2021, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amancuso

Use https://www.mdecoder.com/ to check the options. Be aware this site will cut you off after checking a few VINs then you will have to wait 24 hours for it to reset before you can check any others.

I have never been able to use this site as it always says I have exceeded my limit.

amancuso · 02-21-2021, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jzeiler4

I have never been able to use this site as it always says I have exceeded my limit.

To get around it I try my cell phone on their network, not wifi.

Jamesjedi · 02-21-2021, 02:30 PM

Thanks for the replies. Do the engines have bearing issues? Do they need oiling modifications?

Jamesjedi · 02-21-2021, 03:21 PM

The decoder worked well. Thanks.

leftoverture · 02-21-2021, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamesjedi

Thanks for the replies. Do the engines have bearing issues? Do they need oiling modifications?

No issues that I'm aware of. Ours only has 35k miles but we've had zero issues.

Jamesjedi · 02-21-2021, 06:05 PM

Thanks to all who responded.

PeanuKeeyes · 02-22-2021, 09:24 AM

53k miles on my ‘16 228i 6 speed. I drive it daily, I tracked it last summer and generally drive it hard. No issues at all! Battery is coming due soon, other than that just change oil/filter every 5k miles and the thing shouldn’t let you down. I follow a more rigorous preventative maintenance schedule, but it has not been unreasonably expensive to stay ahead of things. Well under the “true cost to own” that Edmunds published.

GoldfishRT · 02-22-2021, 02:10 PM

4th owner, 56k miles on my 228. Bought it 8 months ago with 46k. 6SPD M-Sport. Not exactly highest mileage or longest ownership but I hope my experience might still be of value to you. I drive my car with enthusiasm every time I get in it!

Got the timing chain stuff done under warranty. That's a big ticket item if you have to pay for it out of pocket. Car has been very dependable otherwise. Previous owners did a number on the clutch so I'm having that replaced next week along with a coolant flush and brake fluid. Other than that, it's been two oil changes and gas. Maintenance costs are high but not soul-crushing as well. More expensive than not-BMWs but it's not even close to my buddy's Cayman for instance. Stock pads are hard on the rotors, engine gets hot when you're pushing it, but nothing that isn't solvable.

The only funny business the car has given me is sometimes if it's cold and wet the iDrive system decides to do a full restart. Hardly dealbreaking stuff.

Jamesjedi · 02-26-2021, 11:45 AM

Thanks again for the replies.

I did a test drive. It is what I call a perfect car in terms of options - it has almost none. No sunroof, manual seats, 6 speed. Definitely a drivers car. Was not as fast as I would have thought. I am sure it is fast enough. Did not go near rev limiter.

I will look at a Cayman (2008) this weekend. A base Cayman, I would not buy an S. They are more prone to engine issues. Cheers!

4Hockey4 · 02-26-2021, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamesjedi

Thanks again for the replies.

I did a test drive. It is what I call a perfect car in terms of options - it has almost none. No sunroof, manual seats, 6 speed. Definitely a drivers car. Was not as fast as I would have thought. I am sure it is fast enough. Did not go near rev limiter.

I will look at a Cayman (2008) this weekend. A base Cayman, I would not buy an S. They are more prone to engine issues. Cheers!

Or look at 235/240. Plenty of pep

Good luck in search

ralawren · 02-26-2021, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamesjedi

Thanks again for the replies.

I did a test drive. It is what I call a perfect car in terms of options - it has almost none. No sunroof, manual seats, 6 speed. Definitely a drivers car. Was not as fast as I would have thought. I am sure it is fast enough. Did not go near rev limiter.

I will look at a Cayman (2008) this weekend. A base Cayman, I would not buy an S. They are more prone to engine issues. Cheers!

My '15 228i has the ZTR option which is sport brakes, adaptive dampers and variable steering. I had Dinan shockware added and am very satisfied with the car. Did about 11 days of HPDE at VIR and CMP.

This is as close to an e46 3 series you can get now. If you can work on a Porsche yourself you will be okay but if not maintenance and repairs are really expensive.

dradernh · 02-26-2021, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamesjedi

I am looking at a 228i.

I will look at a Cayman this weekend.

These are totally different animals. I'm guessing you're aware of that.

4Hockey4 · 02-26-2021, 09:46 PM

This is as close to an e46 3 series you can get now.

Going to have to disagree with that, as I own a 235 and 01' 330ci. (bro had E46 with few mods too) Of course I changed out pads, and lower bushings also lol. The feel and drive of the 4 banger 228/230 vs the E46 is not alike IMO, the six is closer, but so many differences TBH. Equal HP doesn't even enter this equation for me.

Jamesjedi · 03-13-2021, 08:56 AM

Have not pulled the trigger. Cayman is $8000 more.

I loved the Cayman. The 228i is much newer. Ultimately, there is a point of "you will not be any happier".

GoldfishRT · 03-13-2021, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamesjedi

Have not pulled the trigger. Cayman is $8000 more.

I loved the Cayman. The 228i is much newer. Ultimately, there is a point of "you will not be any happier".

Is the car only going to be a toy?

I find the real specialty of the 2 is being a sporty RWD coupe that can be daily driven. I don't think it would be my first choice as a toy for motorsport.

Jamesjedi · 03-13-2021, 07:08 PM

I have another car. Any track car driven in the street will be a compromise. There is something appealing about the versatility. The handling reviews are positive, the price is great.

Jamesjedi · 03-13-2021, 07:10 PM

I asked this in another thread, but no response yet - do they require ANY engine oiling mods to be reliable on the track?

Jamesjedi · 04-17-2021, 05:15 PM

Thanks to all who replied here. I ended up buying a 2015 M235i Performance edition. Sunroof delete, 6 speed manual and LSD. Too fast!

Jamesjedi · 04-17-2021, 05:22 PM

Picture of course.

02-21-2021, 12:35 PM	#1
Jamesjedi Private First Class 27 Rep 189 Posts Drives: NA Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	I May Buy 2016 228i Hi, first post here. I am looking at a 228i (vin WBA1F5C54GV343931). It is a 6 speed manual. I am still trying to determine what it has with regards to options. Is this the car with the revised engine that solved the timing chain issues? Bearing issues? ? Any other issues to be aware of. I would like to track the car and do autocross. Cheers and thanks to any replies.
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02-21-2021, 01:04 PM	#2
amancuso Lieutenant Colonel 724 Rep 1,756 Posts Drives: 330it, 428ix, 430i Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Lawrenceville, GA iTrader: (1)	2016 would have the upgraded timing chain components. Use https://www.mdecoder.com/ to check the options. Be aware this site will cut you off after checking a few VINs then you will have to wait 24 hours for it to reset before you can check any others. Best of luck in your search! __________________ 2016 428ix, r, 2018 430iC, 2018 330it
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02-21-2021, 01:18 PM	#3
leftoverture Captain 438 Rep 615 Posts Drives: 2016 BMW 228i Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Edina, MN iTrader: (0)	We have a 2016 228i cabriolet. Love it. Wish we had the manual, though. You'll be happy with it so if it checks out, go for it.
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02-21-2021, 02:30 PM	#6
Jamesjedi Private First Class 27 Rep 189 Posts Drives: NA Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the replies. Do the engines have bearing issues? Do they need oiling modifications?
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02-21-2021, 03:21 PM	#7
Jamesjedi Private First Class 27 Rep 189 Posts Drives: NA Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	The decoder worked well. Thanks.
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02-21-2021, 06:05 PM	#9
Jamesjedi Private First Class 27 Rep 189 Posts Drives: NA Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Thanks to all who responded.
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02-22-2021, 09:24 AM	#10
PeanuKeeyes First Lieutenant 366 Rep 311 Posts Drives: E34 \| MX5 Join Date: May 2019 Location: New Haven, CT iTrader: (0)	53k miles on my ‘16 228i 6 speed. I drive it daily, I tracked it last summer and generally drive it hard. No issues at all! Battery is coming due soon, other than that just change oil/filter every 5k miles and the thing shouldn’t let you down. I follow a more rigorous preventative maintenance schedule, but it has not been unreasonably expensive to stay ahead of things. Well under the “true cost to own” that Edmunds published. __________________ E34 525iT 5 spd \| 228i ZTR 6 spd [SOLD] \| MX-5 NA 6 spd Last edited by PeanuKeeyes; 02-22-2021 at 03:23 PM..
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02-22-2021, 02:10 PM	#11
GoldfishRT Private First Class 76 Rep 115 Posts Drives: 228i M-Sport Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: Denver iTrader: (0)	4th owner, 56k miles on my 228. Bought it 8 months ago with 46k. 6SPD M-Sport. Not exactly highest mileage or longest ownership but I hope my experience might still be of value to you. I drive my car with enthusiasm every time I get in it! Got the timing chain stuff done under warranty. That's a big ticket item if you have to pay for it out of pocket. Car has been very dependable otherwise. Previous owners did a number on the clutch so I'm having that replaced next week along with a coolant flush and brake fluid. Other than that, it's been two oil changes and gas. Maintenance costs are high but not soul-crushing as well. More expensive than not-BMWs but it's not even close to my buddy's Cayman for instance. Stock pads are hard on the rotors, engine gets hot when you're pushing it, but nothing that isn't solvable. The only funny business the car has given me is sometimes if it's cold and wet the iDrive system decides to do a full restart. Hardly dealbreaking stuff. __________________ 2014 228i M-Sport 6MT "And the Porsche is still behind us..."
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02-26-2021, 11:45 AM	#12
Jamesjedi Private First Class 27 Rep 189 Posts Drives: NA Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Thanks again for the replies. I did a test drive. It is what I call a perfect car in terms of options - it has almost none. No sunroof, manual seats, 6 speed. Definitely a drivers car. Was not as fast as I would have thought. I am sure it is fast enough. Did not go near rev limiter. I will look at a Cayman (2008) this weekend. A base Cayman, I would not buy an S. They are more prone to engine issues. Cheers! Last edited by Jamesjedi; 02-26-2021 at 12:22 PM..
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02-26-2021, 09:46 PM	#16
4Hockey4 Banned 832 Rep 674 Posts Drives: Pinto Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Here iTrader: (0)	This is as close to an e46 3 series you can get now. Going to have to disagree with that, as I own a 235 and 01' 330ci. (bro had E46 with few mods too) Of course I changed out pads, and lower bushings also lol. The feel and drive of the 4 banger 228/230 vs the E46 is not alike IMO, the six is closer, but so many differences TBH. Equal HP doesn't even enter this equation for me.
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03-13-2021, 08:56 AM	#17
Jamesjedi Private First Class 27 Rep 189 Posts Drives: NA Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Have not pulled the trigger. Cayman is $8000 more. I loved the Cayman. The 228i is much newer. Ultimately, there is a point of "you will not be any happier".
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03-13-2021, 07:08 PM	#19
Jamesjedi Private First Class 27 Rep 189 Posts Drives: NA Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	I have another car. Any track car driven in the street will be a compromise. There is something appealing about the versatility. The handling reviews are positive, the price is great.
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03-13-2021, 07:10 PM	#20
Jamesjedi Private First Class 27 Rep 189 Posts Drives: NA Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	I asked this in another thread, but no response yet - do they require ANY engine oiling mods to be reliable on the track?
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04-17-2021, 05:15 PM	#21
Jamesjedi Private First Class 27 Rep 189 Posts Drives: NA Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Thanks to all who replied here. I ended up buying a 2015 M235i Performance edition. Sunroof delete, 6 speed manual and LSD. Too fast!
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04-17-2021, 05:22 PM	#22
Jamesjedi Private First Class 27 Rep 189 Posts Drives: NA Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Picture of course. Attached Images Last edited by Jamesjedi; 04-18-2021 at 10:06 AM..
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