SCANS: M2 VS M235i, 228i, 1M and E30 M3 (Road & Track July 16)

jeremicium · 06-15-2016, 06:47 PM

I thought there was a huge difference in feel between the 228i and 235i in MT form. It doesn't surprise me that the 228i is better balanced for the track...but honestly how many of us use these cars frequently enough on the track that it is a factor. Generally speaking, if you want a track car and you're going to spend $40-$50K, i don't think you choose any BMW except maybe a used M.

As for daily driver, I think the N20 paired with MT doesn't make good use of the torque curves...N20 with ZF does better, and 235i certainly cuts the mustard.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2msport

Forsure. I have driven the N20 ZF auto. I am also a MT 4lifer but when I drove BMWs auto I was blown away. Telling all my car buddies I never thought I'd say it but I would drive that auto as a DD.

I think I miss understood you in that you were saying the auto is better suited for the 228. Certainly a preference thing. The auto is definitely faster/closer spacing (and easier to drive lol) but I've never had any doubts with my MT. What I was really getting at was, how do the 235 MT and 228 MT differ in feel.

On a side note, it's interesting you feel the gears are too wide. My buddy who drives a Mustang liked how "closely spaced they are". I'm not disagreeing with you at all. I think it comes down to what you've driven before. And since you have a m4 and s2000 I'm not surprised you'd come to that conclusion. Always good to get a different perspective.

doccyber · 06-15-2016, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qnet

Quote:

Originally Posted by doccyber

I read the article and all I have to say is that to each his/her own. The 228i, M 235i or the M2 are all better than most cars out there....choosing among them is like splitting hairs.

I agree. If I had to do it over again, I may have looked at a 228i, but the M2 is the car I really wanted. I'm very happy with my M235i, but in a few years or sooner, if they're still making them I'm getting an M2.

I'm also very happy with my M235i. M2 is too much of a beast for me. ;-)

zenmaster · 06-15-2016, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyberdemon

It's also ironic since C&D in their 10best described the M235i steering as "The steering informs you of the road’s every nuance."

BULL!!

2msport · 06-15-2016, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sportstick

Actually, I would have wished the spacing was wider from 5th to 6th. I would prefer a lower engine speed for long-distance cruising. The ratios show 6th is an overdrive gear, but still seems to be spinning more than needed for a constant 70-75 mph.

Haha I hear ya

2msport · 06-15-2016, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeremicium

I thought there was a huge difference in feel between the 228i and 235i in MT form. It doesn't surprise me that the 228i is better balanced for the track...but honestly how many of us use these cars frequently enough on the track that it is a factor. Generally speaking, if you want a track car and you're going to spend $40-$50K, i don't think you choose any BMW except maybe a used M.

As for daily driver, I think the N20 paired with MT doesn't make good use of the torque curves...N20 with ZF does better, and 235i certainly cuts the mustard.

Thank you for your comparison on the MT differences. That's all I was after.

My 228 MT ECU tuned making 235 power is a fantastic daily

XutvJet · 06-15-2016, 08:26 PM

FYI, the 6MT in the M235 is the same one used in the M2/3/4 and is a beefier unit than the 6MT used in the 228 and 3 and 4 series.

Kolyan2k · 06-15-2016, 09:05 PM

6-speed in m235i is pretty damn good, love it so far

Xiaoxi · 06-16-2016, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XutvJet

FYI, the 6MT in the M235 is the same one used in the M2/3/4 and is a beefier unit than the 6MT used in the 228 and 3 and 4 series.

Now that's interesting. Source?

nike001 · 06-16-2016, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

Direct injection was a negative for me. I wanted a car without or hybrid

For what reason?

XutvJet · 06-16-2016, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xiaoxi

Now that's interesting. Source?

It's the GS6-45BZ transmission. It was used in the 1M as well. You can see the part numbers on realoem.com. The other current manual offerings use a different, less robust 6MT.

Kolyan2k · 06-16-2016, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nike001

For what reason?

Carbon buildup. All manufacturers have been suffering lately. Current generation engines seem to adress the issue partially

Toyota has been making dual injection that almost fully takes care of this

jeremicium · 06-16-2016, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

Carbon buildup. All manufacturers have been suffering lately. Current generation engines seem to adress the issue partially

Toyota has been making dual injection that almost fully takes care of this

eh, walnut shell blasting every 50k miles takes care of that problem.

BMW335iOn18s · 06-17-2016, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeremicium

I thought there was a huge difference in feel between the 228i and 235i in MT form. It doesn't surprise me that the 228i is better balanced for the track...but honestly how many of us use these cars frequently enough on the track that it is a factor. Generally speaking, if you want a track car and you're going to spend $40-$50K, i don't think you choose any BMW except maybe a used M.

As for daily driver, I think the N20 paired with MT doesn't make good use of the torque curves...N20 with ZF does better, and 235i certainly cuts the mustard.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2msport

Forsure. I have driven the N20 ZF auto. I am also a MT 4lifer but when I drove BMWs auto I was blown away. Telling all my car buddies I never thought I'd say it but I would drive that auto as a DD.

I think I miss understood you in that you were saying the auto is better suited for the 228. Certainly a preference thing. The auto is definitely faster/closer spacing (and easier to drive lol) but I've never had any doubts with my MT. What I was really getting at was, how do the 235 MT and 228 MT differ in feel.

On a side note, it's interesting you feel the gears are too wide. My buddy who drives a Mustang liked how "closely spaced they are". I'm not disagreeing with you at all. I think it comes down to what you've driven before. And since you have a m4 and s2000 I'm not surprised you'd come to that conclusion. Always good to get a different perspective.

Did the clutch/shifter feel different?

IndyRed128i · 06-27-2016, 09:23 PM

Did anyone else see the road and track article basically saying that the new 228i is the best overall pick of these new 3 BMW's. I drove a 228i a while back and while the tech updates are nice, it just feels more catered to the masses than the 1 series

Anyone else test drive a 2 series?

Taskmaster · 06-28-2016, 09:03 AM

Anyone seen it yet?

I just wish they would stop throwing the E30 back into the comparison tests. None of these cars will be an E30.

EuroDude · 06-28-2016, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheAxiom

Anyone seen it yet?

I just wish they would stop throwing the E30 back into the comparison tests. None of these cars will be an E30.

Yes, already saw it.

http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1271162

squidge · 06-28-2016, 09:34 AM

This was a great issue. Their reasoning is that the 228i is the lightest, most tossable, and most fun to drive of the three, while also being much less expensive than the M235i or the M2. And since we know 128i > 228i, I'm inferring that the 128i is the king of the heap from a driver's car perspective. Which I already knew. Which is why I bought one.

IndyRed128i · 06-28-2016, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by squidge

This was a great issue. Their reasoning is that the 228i is the lightest, most tossable, and most fun to drive of the three, while also being much less expensive than the M235i or the M2. And since we know 128i > 228i, I'm inferring that the 128i is the king of the heap from a driver's car perspective. Which I already knew. Which is why I bought one.

I like your logic!! :thump:

I was half way tempted when the 228i came out, but I just couldn't give up my 128i

Viffermike · 06-30-2016, 09:08 AM

Uhhh ... WTF, mods?

Not sure why the mods saw fit to move this string from the 2Addicts to the 1Addicts forum since the vast bulk of the piece -- as well as any use-able conclusions for those interested in purchasing one of these cars since the 1M is virtual unobtanium, even used -- regards the 2 Series cars.

Just throwing this out there. Perhaps one of the mods can re-post the scans in the original forum?

Thanks for whatever you can do.

AUSf22 · 09-01-2016, 06:01 AM

feels good to own a 228

06-15-2016, 08:26 PM	#138
XutvJet Major General 5554 Rep 5,372 Posts Drives: 2011 Cayman Base, 2016 M235 Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Kansas City iTrader: (-1)	FYI, the 6MT in the M235 is the same one used in the M2/3/4 and is a beefier unit than the 6MT used in the 228 and 3 and 4 series.
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06-15-2016, 09:05 PM	#139
Kolyan2k Major General 922 Rep 5,538 Posts Drives: 2006 S2000 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Boston iTrader: (1)	6-speed in m235i is pretty damn good, love it so far
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06-27-2016, 09:23 PM	#146
IndyRed128i Private First Class 223 Rep 165 Posts Drives: 2022 BMW 230I(Red) Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (0)	Road and Track 228i/M235/M2 Did anyone else see the road and track article basically saying that the new 228i is the best overall pick of these new 3 BMW's. I drove a 228i a while back and while the tech updates are nice, it just feels more catered to the masses than the 1 series Anyone else test drive a 2 series?
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06-28-2016, 09:03 AM	#147
Taskmaster Banned 2465 Rep 9,004 Posts Drives: M235i 6MT / E92 328 Msport 6MT Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Florida iTrader: (6)	R&T 228i vs M235i vs M2 vs 1M vs E30 M3 Anyone seen it yet? I just wish they would stop throwing the E30 back into the comparison tests. None of these cars will be an E30.
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06-28-2016, 09:34 AM	#149
squidge First Lieutenant 91 Rep 373 Posts Drives: 1997 Porsche 911 Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Sunnyvale, CA iTrader: (4)	This was a great issue. Their reasoning is that the 228i is the lightest, most tossable, and most fun to drive of the three, while also being much less expensive than the M235i or the M2. And since we know 128i > 228i, I'm inferring that the 128i is the king of the heap from a driver's car perspective. Which I already knew. Which is why I bought one.
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06-30-2016, 09:08 AM	#151
Viffermike Colonel 1753 Rep 2,942 Posts Drives: '18 black-n-blue 718 Cayman Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Big D iTrader: (0)	Uhhh ... WTF, mods? Not sure why the mods saw fit to move this string from the 2Addicts to the 1Addicts forum since the vast bulk of the piece -- as well as any use-able conclusions for those interested in purchasing one of these cars since the 1M is virtual unobtanium, even used -- regards the 2 Series cars. Just throwing this out there. Perhaps one of the mods can re-post the scans in the original forum? Thanks for whatever you can do. __________________ --Life is a journey made more exciting with a fast car.-- --Helmets are for closers.-- <<Current: "Blackened" '18 NBM Porsche 718 Cayman ... Gone (but not forgotten): "Blackened" MG '15 228i M Sport w/aFe filter/scoop, Hertz drivers, P3Cars multigauge, other goodies>>
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09-01-2016, 06:01 AM	#152
AUSf22 Lieutenant Colonel 2690 Rep 1,977 Posts Drives: 2020 M2C HS & Ferrari Roma Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 M2 Competition [9.83]	feels good to own a 228 __________________ 2020 M2 Competition \| Hockenheim Silver \| 437M Wheels / 763M Wheels \| RHD \| 2NH Brakes OEM M2 CS Steering Wheel \| MP Carbon Steering Wheel Trim \| MP Pedals \| MP Dash \| MP Interior Kit OEM M2 CS Bonnet \| M Performance Coilovers \| MP Rear Spoiler \| MP Rear Diffuser\| Perl Carbon Front Lip \| Remus Race Exhaust
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