[Two3five]

The basics...
- Exterior color: Black Sapphire Metallic
- Interior: Coral Red
- Premium pkg.
- Cold pkg.
- M Performance exhaust
- 6 speed manual
- 8 weeks from order to delivery

Aesthetics:
I never felt the 2 series exterior was a ‘looker’ but rather more of a handsome 2 door vehicle that's consistent with BMW’s current brand styling. However, once I got this little monster home and in the garage after the 65 mile drive home from the dealership and I began to clean the exterior from Winter's wrath of salted roads, I realized the car actually is a looker. The interior design is European minimalist excellence with materials that are appropriate for the car’s price point. The Coral Red leather is an amazing color that will work with practically any exterior color.

Driving characteristics:
It’s way too early for me to realistically give an informed report but my initial feelings are the following. This is the perfectly sized fun car for me. It’s not my DD (Audi Q5 holds that designation) but the engine and transmission are well suited for any sort of driving--from local runs to the grocery store, commuting to work, or a day at the track. Since I’m obeying the suggested break in period driving limitations, I have not seen what this car can do under any spirited throttle/cornering/braking fun time. At the time of ordering the car (November), the vehicle was only available from the factory with the all season square tire/wheel set-up (weird!), thus the rubber does not allow the car to fully show off the car’s handling chops. The upside is that it’s winter here and this wheel and tire set up is just fine for now, but once warmer weather reappears it’s time to look for a new set of rims and rubber. The manual transmission is excellent with a precise shift gate and a perfectly calibrated and smooth clutch take up--not too quick or long. MPG is promising. After a reset on the way home, driving at a constant 65-70 mph, fairly flat roadway, in Sport mode, a distance of approximately 35 miles highway, the car was reporting something just shy of 29mpg.

A rant and a rave: First the rave...the M Performance exhaust is amazing if you want to hear a throaty burbly bad ass sound (but it’s got to be in Sport or Sport+). After living on YouTube for the last 8 weeks (kept me sane while waiting for the car to be built) and listening to everyone’s upload of their stock, M, or aftermarket exhaust sound clip, I was blown away with the auditory concert the M Performance exhaust actually delivers. And this is right out of the gate--no break in period needed, the sound is intoxicating. I have not previously heard a factory BMW exhaust sound as robust as this (barring an M) and I highly recommend the option if you want the car to sound like it performs. The rant...happily it’s not about the M235i but rather my previous “fun” car. The car I am referring to is a 2013 Mini Cooper R56 factory JCW. The MSRP on this 1.6 4 banger, without leather, was $35k (no, I did not pay MSRP). For approximately the same money, the 228i offers so much more vehicle from every aspect including power/drivetrain, dimensions, the materials used, utility, standard features, design (competence) in and out. Basically, for the same $$, you can drive home in an optioned out 2015 Mini Cooper S or a non optioned out BMW 228i (that still has more goodies than the MCS).

Happy to be back in a BMW.

[Iceman51sn]

Awesome read! Glad your enjoying it.........it really is a great car. Loved your description of the M performance too. I might decide to go with that one myself.

[shark715]

Really enjoyed reading your post, but one correction. You can order the car with summer tires and staggered wheels any month of the year. Perhaps your dealer simply did not want to knowing that you would be taking delivery of the car in the middle of the winter. For example, I have a sports car with summer tires, and it can be very difficult to even move it around my relatively flat driveway if there is a few inches of snow on it. It's unfortunate, but very often car dealers will give you misleading information that suits their needs. Which dealer did you buy the car from?

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

I have a 110 miles with the M Sport Exhaust and will concur it is intoxicating right out of the dealership...Going to enjoy breaking it in and very glad I got it..

Enjoy the ride OP.

[PHX767]

Glad you like your car. I want the M performance exhaust as well. I have to talk my wife into it. I have two questions.
1. Does it take over the whole cockpit sound wise during normal driving or only when you're getting on it?
2. It doesn't make the car sound like a 19 year olds lowered civic straight out of the "fast and the furious" right? I doubt it but I had to ask. You gotta be so careful not to mess up a beemer. It's a fine art not over modding that beauty.

[Two3five]

Not to worry. The exhaust sound is barely audible while driving normally (in Sport or Sport+). The exhaust burble from the overun is very subtle with the windows up. Drop the windows and you will obviously hear more. The sonorous sounds are best achieved while not in gear and then rev the engine. Also, to alleviate any unwanted exhaust sounds, just put the driving mode into Comfort or Eco Pro and you will hear nothing. It's a very civilized option that behaves as you like it--church mouse or snorty snarky bad ass, and there's absolutely nothing ricer about it! Hope this helps.

[Lucky13]

Mini's are fun but way overpriced. Had a 2010 Mini Clubman S which was about $32.5K but worth realistically 15% less. For the price they charge why bother and yes get a 228 instead. Mini should offer an 8-9 speed and all wheel drive if they want to remain relevant, I believe both are coming.

[Alpine F31]

6MT FTW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Beautiful and perfectly optioned. Congrats!

[Two3five]

Must have that third pedal! Thanks for the

[mvallido]

Nice build. Congrats!

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

Originally Posted by Two3five

Not to worry. The exhaust sound is barely audible while driving normally (in Sport or Sport+). The exhaust burble from the overun is very subtle with the windows up. Drop the windows and you will obviously hear more. The sonorous sounds are best achieved while not in gear and then rev the engine. Also, to alleviate any unwanted exhaust sounds, just put the driving mode into Comfort or Eco Pro and you will hear nothing. It's a very civilized option that behaves as you like it--church mouse or snorty snarky bad ass, and there's absolutely nothing ricer about it! Hope this helps.

I actually wish the overrun burble was a little louder! Hoping as it breaks in maybe...

Agree - tell your wife not to worry..Even in Sport it's not droning or too loud imo.

Almost went with the black on coral OP...Nice combo!!

[gaijin]

Congratulations!

To the OP and Midwest M235i: are your M Performance Exhaust with diffuser or without?

[MrBucket]

Originally Posted by gaijin

Congratulations!

To the OP and Midwest M235i: are your M Performance Exhaust with diffuser or without?

You can see he doesn't have the diffuser but he does have the chrome tips.

I did the MPE with my stock tips and stock diffuser.

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

Originally Posted by gaijin

Congratulations!

To the OP and Midwest M235i: are your M Performance Exhaust with diffuser or without?

Here you go...

[bladeomatic]

Originally Posted by Midwest M235i

I have a 110 miles with the M Sport Exhaust and will concur it is intoxicating right out of the dealership...Going to enjoy breaking it in and very glad I got it..

Enjoy the ride OP.

Ditto.

Have about 8k on my MPE. Not a significant change in break-in sound to my ears (and I'm a former sound engineer). Like the rest of this car, I LOVE the Dr Jekyl/Mr. Hyde split-personality of the MPE.

Motoring around in comfort mode on city streets, it sounds athletic but civilized. Throw it into Sport+, tip the A/T shift lever to Sport/Manual mode and punch the throttle and it gives off a very satisfying howl.

So glad I opted for this.

[mrbrett]

Nice ride! Looks great, love the combo. But please remove that sticker in the back window!

[angelbones]

Two3Five, your car looks great. I have a question for you. How much better looking is the Black Sapphire Metallic over the Jet Black, if you've seen both?

[PHX767]

Originally Posted by Two3five

Not to worry. The exhaust sound is barely audible while driving normally (in Sport or Sport+). The exhaust burble from the overun is very subtle with the windows up. Drop the windows and you will obviously hear more. The sonorous sounds are best achieved while not in gear and then rev the engine. Also, to alleviate any unwanted exhaust sounds, just put the driving mode into Comfort or Eco Pro and you will hear nothing. It's a very civilized option that behaves as you like it--church mouse or snorty snarky bad ass, and there's absolutely nothing ricer about it! Hope this helps.

Thank you for erasing any doubt. I will be getting one.

[nagisak31]

Congrats!

[PHX767]

Since I've already ordered my 235 what is the best way to add my M performance exhaust at this stage in the game? Im semi retarded working on cars but Im fearless working on my motocross bikes. Is the installation straight forward? Is it smarter to order exhaust from my BMW dealer or outside company? Thanks in advance.

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

Originally Posted by PHX767

Since I've already ordered my 235 what is the best way to add my M performance exhaust at this stage in the game? Im semi retarded working on cars but Im fearless working on my motocross bikes. Is the installation straight forward? Is it smarter to order exhaust from my BMW dealer or outside company? Thanks in advance.

Good call...I can't wait to go out in the morning and start the car cold

I haven't felt like that since my E92 M3 with its V8....

[mvallido]

Originally Posted by MrBucket

You can see he doesn't have the diffuser but he does have the chrome tips.

I did the MPE with my stock tips and stock diffuser.

Thanks for sharing. Now I'm 60/40 between MPE and Dinan.