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      11-18-2014, 11:15 AM   #1
f32guy
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Input on a 235i vs 428i

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I have yet to make my purchase, but I was very close to pulling the trigger on a 428i. The 428i comes pretty loaded it is a 2014 , in 6MT at the dealer that is the last one left. It comes with Driver Ast Package, Navi w/ Touchpad, M Sport, M Sport Brakes, Full LED, Premium Package + Black Leather. Now the MSRP is 52k on this and my dealer is giving me 45k invoiced... I found that to be a pretty good deal considering the options that it had come with. I've seen the 235i and it looks real good, sat in it and was quite comfy. I'm OK with a two seater, but I'm about 6'0. 170 lbs. The price for a new built 2015 235i would come out to be around the same price mark, plus the additional power. For me, I'm driving to work as a commuter, but also would love to enjoy the fun of a BMW. This wouuld be my first BMW purchase and I don't want any regrets. I like the look of a 4, but the 2 is also pretty aggressive looking. I know this may be Bias posting in 2addicts, but wanted to get some input... again, please give an honest opinion as to why you got a 2, and maybe it can help sway me to getting one. I was looking to go back to the dealer this week to talk more and see if he can budge any lower.
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      11-18-2014, 11:34 AM   #2
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Originally Posted by f32guy View Post
I have yet to make my purchase, but I was very close to pulling the trigger on a 428i. The 428i comes pretty loaded it is a 2014 , in 6MT at the dealer that is the last one left. It comes with Driver Ast Package, Navi w/ Touchpad, M Sport, M Sport Brakes, Full LED, Premium Package + Black Leather. Now the MSRP is 52k on this and my dealer is giving me 45k invoiced... I found that to be a pretty good deal considering the options that it had come with. I've seen the 235i and it looks real good, sat in it and was quite comfy. I'm OK with a two seater, but I'm about 6'0. 170 lbs. The price for a new built 2015 235i would come out to be around the same price mark, plus the additional power. For me, I'm driving to work as a commuter, but also would love to enjoy the fun of a BMW. This wouuld be my first BMW purchase and I don't want any regrets. I like the look of a 4, but the 2 is also pretty aggressive looking. I know this may be Bias posting in 2addicts, but wanted to get some input... again, please give an honest opinion as to why you got a 2, and maybe it can help sway me to getting one. I was looking to go back to the dealer this week to talk more and see if he can budge any lower.
Well the 2 is going to be MUCH MUCH faster if that is important to you. It will also handle better.

Back seats in the 2 are not much worse than 4 with the exception of about an inch of headroom.

Front seats in the 2 are great, you ont have any problems. From up there is there almost no difference between 2 and 4.

4 is actually fairly large, 2 is much easier to drive in city and park etc.

The deal you are getting on the 4 sounds pretty good. for 42 grand your 2 will be bone stock. Which is even stocker than a 4 comes. As a daily commuter you need to decide if these options are important to you.

Mileage on the M235i will be comparable to 428i when you factor the extra weight and drag etc.

Resale would probably be better on the 2 just because in my experience options don't factor well into the price where a trim level does.

I cross shopped mine with a 435i, the 2 came 15 grand cheaper with what i wanted. Easy decision. I don't want my friends that comfortable in the back seat anyways asking for rides and shit.

You will be happy either way, but you need to decide what is important to you.

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      11-18-2014, 11:48 AM   #3
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what options did you go with? what was your invoiced price out the door?
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      11-18-2014, 11:51 AM   #4
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You should see if you can locate a local M235i and test drive it.

If you add leather and pick alpine white you're looking at the same price as that 4 you've been offered. Definitely something to consider if you prefer all the bells and whistles and can live without the power, not that the new 4 cylinder is a slouch by any means.

And you probably should have posted this is the regular 2 series forum, not the M2 subforum.
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      11-18-2014, 11:54 AM   #5
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Originally Posted by f32guy View Post
what options did you go with? what was your invoiced price out the door?
My Canadian car is fully loaded minus auto-park with a take home price of $57k CAD

It should be noted that 235's being relatively in demand (particularly when i bought mine 2nd in the city) are not subject to much of any discounting.
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      11-18-2014, 12:21 PM   #6
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oops.. wrong subforum, can any mods move this to the appropriate thread? sorry for the noobness..
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      11-18-2014, 01:06 PM   #7
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If you don't want speed and liked the 4. Try the 4gc.
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      11-18-2014, 01:08 PM   #8
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      11-18-2014, 01:28 PM   #9
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no idea this is a really tough choice... another downside for the m235i i have to place an order, no dealers around me have what i want in a 6MT if i were to get it. possible wait for production to delivery would take about ~3 months!
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      11-18-2014, 01:42 PM   #10
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Test drive the M235i ...
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      11-18-2014, 02:32 PM   #11
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no idea this is a really tough choice... another downside for the m235i i have to place an order, no dealers around me have what i want in a 6MT if i were to get it. possible wait for production to delivery would take about ~3 months!
tbh i wouldn't have bought my car without the options. I get so much enjoyment out of them. Its expensive but worth it to me.

What are you currently driving? There is a good chance the 428i is going to feel quite fast to you anyways so its like getting the best of both worlds?
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      11-18-2014, 05:56 PM   #12
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I am driving a 2003 WRX, AWD background here
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      11-18-2014, 07:38 PM   #13
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428i might not be quicker than your current ride then. Hard to say.
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      11-19-2014, 09:17 AM   #14
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its a tough call. I am not a huge fan of the M235i styling or the 428i either for that matter. It basically comes down to what you are going to be using the car for. One is more of a cruiser and the other is more performance oriented. If you want the bells and whistles that come with the 428i for the price you have yourself a great deal on your hands. Or if performance is your main goal, I think you have your answer.
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      11-19-2014, 11:09 AM   #15
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I wouldn't even think about it. Unless you're some sort of fuel budget get the 235
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      11-19-2014, 04:00 PM   #16
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test drive both and see which one you like best.
if it was the E platform i would say pick the 135 ( since there are no 235) but with the F it is a really tough choice.
the N26 is a really good engine
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      11-20-2014, 10:17 AM   #17
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drove a m235i today and 435i... kind of not what i expected from both perspectives. in terms of power they seem to be not far off from when i drove them. 235i accelerates a bit quicker. the 435i , was not too satisfied from what i expected. that may be because i've driven pure awd subarus, but they were definitely nice either way. im going to try the 428i and compare and see if its worth the differential, otherwise if they're not too far apart in power, i may stick with the 428i. keep in mind i had them both in sport + and it didnt seem to hit "boost" that well, i was hitting 5-6k rpms in 2,3rd gears.
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      11-20-2014, 12:17 PM   #18
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Originally Posted by f32guy View Post
drove a m235i today and 435i... kind of not what i expected from both perspectives. in terms of power they seem to be not far off from when i drove them. 235i accelerates a bit quicker. the 435i , was not too satisfied from what i expected. that may be because i've driven pure awd subarus, but they were definitely nice either way. im going to try the 428i and compare and see if its worth the differential, otherwise if they're not too far apart in power, i may stick with the 428i. keep in mind i had them both in sport + and it didnt seem to hit "boost" that well, i was hitting 5-6k rpms in 2,3rd gears.
For all intent and purpose they have the same amount of power so thats not surprising haha.

These cars have no turbo lag so you dont " hit boost " like a subaru. They are very linear like a NA car.
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      11-20-2014, 12:29 PM   #19
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Interesting... the turbo definitely kicks in throughout, but Subarus are so different that its hard to compare. The subaru is more of a stronger boost pull when it does hit, but like you said it is linear like a NA car with that extra push to it. I guess i have some getting use to... I'll see how the 428i feels and go from there! THanks!
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      11-20-2014, 12:43 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by f32guy View Post
Interesting... the turbo definitely kicks in throughout, but Subarus are so different that its hard to compare. The subaru is more of a stronger boost pull when it does hit, but like you said it is linear like a NA car with that extra push to it. I guess i have some getting use to... I'll see how the 428i feels and go from there! THanks!
I was in the same boat as you for my most recent acquisition. After driving the 428 and 235 I immediately had an answer. The engine sound and handling made the decision easy for me. However, I will concede that the 4 has a more adult/refined look. If the decision didn't become immediately clear after test-driving both cars, and practicality and/or looks don't really tip the scales either way for you, then just take the best deal.

I found the ride, acceleration and road feel to be clamshit crazy different between the 428 and 235. As such, the two cars didn't warrant cross-shopping after testing.
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      11-20-2014, 12:52 PM   #21
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Again they really are different cars. Like chopping for a full sized car vs an SUV to be dramatic. They both achieve the same purpose but in very different ways.

At some point you need to make a choice about what is important.
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      11-20-2014, 05:54 PM   #22
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I was going to get a 4. saw the 2 and fell in love. I never realized how big the 4 was til I saw it next to a 2.
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