[drexplode]

Love the m240i, so much power on demand in a fun small package. But, requires a m-performance limited slip differential to improve control, and increase giggles and smiles.

[cbr1100xx]

Didn't notice any turbo lag in the 230i A8s that I test drove. I was really impressed with the car. Plenty quick and fun.

My budget was around $30K so was looking at low mileage used. I ended up getting a new Camaro SS for just a few grand more so went that direction instead and don't regret it.

But if $ is not really an issue, the 235/240 would probably be even better.

[Clear_Blue22]

I love my 2018 230i. It has some bits with the DINAN CAI, stage 1 v2 tune, lowering springs, carbon spoiler, and exhaust. The 240 exhaust symmetrical pipes are much more appealing to me. The 240 exhaust is a direct bolt on, all I needed was the diffuser to match. Picked up the mperf diffuser and front splitter and had them paint matched.

I only notice the turbo lag when I shift poorly. Too late or too early and bog the engine down a bit. But even moderate driving there is no turbo lag. Wot is the only time I've noticed it. The car is snappy and fast on the street. I get around 400 miles to a tank highway and about 370 city. In city I don't exactly drive gently. The back end will still break loose in a power slide on warm dry roads. Wet roads you still need to be careful. Sure the 240 has more power, but for city driving daily driver grocery getting and even road trip car, it's comfortable, quick, great gas mileage, and still looks exactly as stunning for more than 10k less. If you're on the fence about the 240 then just get the M2..

[Lynx_Rufus]

They're both great cars. However, I just returned from a spirited evening drive in my 240...holy @#$&, what a car!

That's all I have to say right now.

[B58togo]

Originally Posted by Clear_Blue22

I love my 2018 230i. It has some bits with the DINAN CAI, stage 1 v2 tune, lowering springs, carbon spoiler, and exhaust. The 240 exhaust symmetrical pipes are much more appealing to me. The 240 exhaust is a direct bolt on, all I needed was the diffuser to match. Picked up the mperf diffuser and front splitter and had them paint matched.

I only notice the turbo lag when I shift poorly. Too late or too early and bog the engine down a bit. But even moderate driving there is no turbo lag. Wot is the only time I've noticed it. The car is snappy and fast on the street. I get around 400 miles to a tank highway and about 370 city. In city I don't exactly drive gently. The back end will still break loose in a power slide on warm dry roads. Wet roads you still need to be careful. Sure the 240 has more power, but for city driving daily driver grocery getting and even road trip car, it's comfortable, quick, great gas mileage, and still looks exactly as stunning for more than 10k less. If you're on the fence about the 240 then just get the M2..

That makes sense, said no one ever.....

[Hap]

Just checking for any updates on this topic. I just sold the M235 and wanted something newer. I have looked at all other manufactures and I keep coming back to BMW. I may have not appreciated the M235 while I had it. It was a very nice car and impressive in many ways. I did like the power and all around car. So I was thinking I have to buy a m240 to replace it but now I wonder if the 230 with a possible manual transmission may be the fun I am looking for in a newer car. In my area the AWD cars out number rear wheel drive 10-1. What will I notice with a AWD vs a rear wheel drive ? Is the rear wheel drive superior for handling and all around fun driving this car? This will be my 3rd car so a weekend or special trip driver. With the dealers being limited open I haven't made a trip to look. I also live 100 miles from all BMW dealers so haven't really picked one yet. Thanks for any additional updates to you guys experience with what I am thinking.

Hap

[msej449]

For me, if I had to replace my M235i convertible, the choice would be between an M240i vert' and a 218d vert', not a 230i. Having recently hired a euro 118d I was impressed by its torque and obviously, much greater range.

[BimBimM2]

Originally Posted by msej449

For me, if I had to replace my M235i convertible, the choice would be between an M240i vert' and a 218d vert', not a 230i. Having recently hired a euro 118d I was impressed by its torque and obviously, much greater range.

Isn't the diesel known for torque at 300 (or 400?)? I believe the engine itself is rated at 150 hp or something. What a strange matching that would be. I am guessing you aren't based in the US?

Edit: checked your profile! Of course you aren't, hence the love for diesel

[Maynard]

Originally Posted by Hap

Just checking for any updates on this topic. I just sold the M235 and wanted something newer. I have looked at all other manufactures and I keep coming back to BMW. I may have not appreciated the M235 while I had it. It was a very nice car and impressive in many ways. I did like the power and all around car. So I was thinking I have to buy a m240 to replace it but now I wonder if the 230 with a possible manual transmission may be the fun I am looking for in a newer car. In my area the AWD cars out number rear wheel drive 10-1. What will I notice with a AWD vs a rear wheel drive ? Is the rear wheel drive superior for handling and all around fun driving this car? This will be my 3rd car so a weekend or special trip driver. With the dealers being limited open I haven't made a trip to look. I also live 100 miles from all BMW dealers so haven't really picked one yet. Thanks for any additional updates to you guys experience with what I am thinking.

Hap

Whoa - shifting from '230 vs 240' right into awd vs. rwd' is enough to provoke whiplash - you should also throw in MT vs. Auto, and perhaps a debate on best colors to really drum up the subjective musdlinging and opinioneering. . You will want to go test drive an AWD and RWD back to back - very different dynamic, and as you'll see from other posts on this, polarizing in terms of what people like. And IIRC, the only way to get MT is in a rwd, so if you are set on MT it may be a moot point.

[LennyAswall]

235i for that performance

[PeanuKeeyes]

Not to beat a dead horse here, but if we boil it down to numbers, the M235i/240i is in a similar category to the E46 M3, (as has been stated many times on this forum)... and the 228i/230i seemingly out-performs the E30 M3 Evo 2 by a bit. Sure, they’re heavier cars now, the steering is dim-witted, there’s no sense of “genuine” theater due to fake engine noise and raspy turbos that sound like Darth Vader’s last attempt at life, there’s power everything, yada yada... but IMO, it’s hard to go wrong with either option. I drove the hell out of an M235i and it was the fastest, most aggressive thing I’d ever had the privilege to drive at the time. — The OG M2 I test drove after that was fantastic but too much money to insure, too similar to the base model 2-series interior, the auto-rev-match down-shift was patronizingly German, much like the suggested gear indicator. In the end, I luckily happened upon a 228i m sport, sans roof hole, manual seats, manual trans with a m235i Performance exhaust installed and active-sound disabled — it won me over for half the price and more of the analogue feel. A $100k Audi RS7 tried to outrun me on the freeway yesterday and couldn’t. For those claiming the 228i doesn’t have enough passing power, I say nay, drive it like you mean it!

[BimBimM2]

Originally Posted by PeanuKeeyes

Not to beat a dead horse here, but if we boil it down to numbers, the M235i/240i is in a similar category to the E46 M3, (as has been stated many times on this forum)... and the 228i/230i seemingly out-performs the E30 M3 Evo 2 by a bit. Sure, they're heavier cars now, the steering is dim-witted, there's no sense of "genuine" theater due to fake engine noise and raspy turbos that sound like Darth Vader's last attempt at life, there's power everything, yada yada... but IMO, it's hard to go wrong with either option. I drove the hell out of an M235i and it was the fastest, most aggressive thing I'd ever had the privilege to drive at the time. — The OG M2 I test drove after that was fantastic but too much money to insure, too similar to the base model 2-series interior, the auto-rev-match down-shift was patronizingly German, much like the suggested gear indicator. In the end, I luckily happened upon a 228i m sport, sans roof hole, manual seats, manual trans with a m235i Performance exhaust installed and active-sound disabled — it won me over for half the price and more of the analogue feel. A $100k Audi RS7 tried to outrun me on the freeway yesterday and couldn't. For those claiming the 228i doesn't have enough passing power, I say nay, drive it like you mean it!

If you are going for that "analogue feel" then you couldn't have stumbled upon a better car good on you, and it seems like a wild ride!

[PeanuKeeyes]

Yes, it’s never a dull day as it hustles right along and I often find myself wondering how anyone, (Myself), could want more. Certainly don’t need more.

I’ve even come to re-appreciate the quirk of relearning how to shift when the A/C is turned on, now that it’s 90 degrees and the 4 pot simply can’t manage to save face under the added burden. A rev-hang to rev-crash range of left foot timing required to keep it smooth.

[WolfGTI]

Not taking anything away from your 228i - but an RS7 will run away from you and hide if the driver is competent.

Originally Posted by PeanuKeeyes

Not to beat a dead horse here, but if we boil it down to numbers, the M235i/240i is in a similar category to the E46 M3, (as has been stated many times on this forum)... and the 228i/230i seemingly out-performs the E30 M3 Evo 2 by a bit. Sure, they’re heavier cars now, the steering is dim-witted, there’s no sense of “genuine” theater due to fake engine noise and raspy turbos that sound like Darth Vader’s last attempt at life, there’s power everything, yada yada... but IMO, it’s hard to go wrong with either option. I drove the hell out of an M235i and it was the fastest, most aggressive thing I’d ever had the privilege to drive at the time. — The OG M2 I test drove after that was fantastic but too much money to insure, too similar to the base model 2-series interior, the auto-rev-match down-shift was patronizingly German, much like the suggested gear indicator. In the end, I luckily happened upon a 228i m sport, sans roof hole, manual seats, manual trans with a m235i Performance exhaust installed and active-sound disabled — it won me over for half the price and more of the analogue feel. A $100k Audi RS7 tried to outrun me on the freeway yesterday and couldn’t. For those claiming the 228i doesn’t have enough passing power, I say nay, drive it like you mean it!

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by WolfGTI

Not taking anything away from your 228i - but an RS7 will run away from you and hide if the driver is competent.

Especially on the highway - that thing is a long range missile pushing what close to 600 hp? In the tight twisties yeah the 2 can keep up but on the highway you're like an annoying mosquito on that car's ass if the guy really wants to open it up.

[harma24]

Originally Posted by PeanuKeeyes

A $100k Audi RS7 tried to outrun me on the freeway yesterday and couldn’t. For those claiming the 228i doesn’t have enough passing power, I say nay, drive it like you mean it!

Originally Posted by WolfGTI

Not taking anything away from your 228i - but an RS7 will run away from you and hide if the driver is competent.

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Especially on the highway - that thing is a long range missile pushing what close to 600 hp? In the tight twisties yeah the 2 can keep up but on the highway you're like an annoying mosquito on that car's ass if the guy really wants to open it up.

I feel like we're comparing apples to oranges again here. An RS7 might have a good bit more power, but it could also fit a 228 in it's glove box. They're not the same class of car; no point comparing the two.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by harma24

no point comparing the two.

I still don't find the point in any comparison of who is faster. Who cares? Find the car that most pleases you and it is of no consequence what others do or do not have. Anyway, no matter what one does to their car, there will always be something faster...an endless, pointless chase even for those who feel compelled to prove something.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

Find the car that most pleases you...

Thank you for boiling it all down so simply to all that really matters.

It would be nice, too, if those of us who have found what really matters to us would be kind to those who favor some other configuration.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by dradernh

It would be nice, too, if those of us who have found what really matters to us would be kind to those who favor some other configuration.

Some here have that ability. Others have not progressed that far yet.

[PeanuKeeyes]

Originally Posted by WolfGTI

Not taking anything away from your 228i - but an RS7 will run away from you and hide if the driver is competent.

Oh it didn’t just run away, it teleported four cars ahead while glancing down to change the station. However, it opened up an opportunity to see if I could stay with them. I know my 245ish hp car can’t outrun something like that, but did he/she lose me over 100 miles of highway? No. Did we end up taking turns in the lead at times? Yes. Were they taking a much larger risk during sprints upwards of 100+ Yes. (This is I95 we’re talking about) Was I having more fun with less anxiety being behind their spirited driving? Probably. — the only point I was trying to convey is this: It’s plenty fast in real life situations, it’s less expensive to own than the competition, and unless you are a serious track goer, the slightly faster acceleration onto an on-ramp is not worth thousands of dollars more IMO. The fact that we even have these kinds of dialogues here really goes to show how spoiled we all really are with whatever motor we choose.

[Hap]

I took advice of a fellow poster and went to the dealer to specially drive them back to back.

230 very nice machine. (not 235)
240 took it home.

[GoldfishRT]

Originally Posted by PeanuKeeyes

I say nay, drive it like you mean it!

2 weeks ago I also stumbled across a manual 228i M-Sport as well, at the right time and right price. I had actually resolved to keep my penalty-box Corolla for another 2-3 years in order to save for an M2 and a garage to put it in.

But I had never driven a manual 228i. I fell in love with it. For the record, it seems like there are 2000 automatic x-drive base models for every 1 manual M-Sport variety car in Colorado, USA. The steering feel is leagues better than any x-drive model I've found. It was also remarkably clean. I bought it on the spot.

For less than half the purchase and insurance prices of even the cheapest M2, or 8,000-10,000 USD less than the nicest comparable M235 I could find, it's not even a contest.

And I still end up driving like a maniac. Just slightly less likely to go to jail or end up dead for it lol.