[BimmerLover98]

Seeking opinions on a 228i vs 328i
Note that i dont need space or "practicality" but im just looking for the best bimmer in this price range

[NO_RETURN]

If you want a 228i You will probably have to order one, they never seem to have more than 1 on the lot if that. I really liked them but I needed 4 doors and a back seat.

[PCR0303]

Originally Posted by BimmerLover98

Seeking opinions on a 228i vs 328i
Note that i dont need space or "practicality" but im just looking for the best bimmer in this price range

They aren't necessarily in the same price range unless a few thousand (which could mean the difference of having significant options or not) isn't a big deal to you. The 228i starts out at 32,100 whereas the 328 starts at 37,500. When you option them out with the best bells & whistles to have (M Sport, Premium, Lighting, Tech, DHP/Track pack for 228, etc) you're looking at a difference of around 6-8k give or take. The 228i will come around to 44k+ and the 328i 51k+. For me that was enough for me to go with a loaded 428 vs a lightly optioned 435.

Now in terms of the 'best' bimmer in the segment, that's probably subjective. Let's say some of those packages don't matter to you then maybe the 228i with the track pack might be it for you. It will be lighter and probably handle better. If some of those packages do matter, well the 3 with M Sport is a seriously attractive car. I always admire one whenever I see one. Plus the interior is a step up in quality from the 2. Also things like the HUD which you can't get in the 2 which is more than just a neat feature. It's significantly useful to have. There is no going back. I would always want a HUD.

Pretty much weigh out the pros and cons, go test drive them and see which features matter or don't matter to you. You may end up saving a couple of grand or you may go all out and not regret it because you love what you buy. Sorry for the long post, just wanted to give my insight.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by BimmerLover98

Seeking opinions on a 228i vs 328i
Note that i dont need space or "practicality" but im just looking for the best bimmer in this price range

If you don't need the space or practicality then the 228i Track package is the car you want.

[BimmerLover98]

Originally Posted by PCR0303

They aren't necessarily in the same price range unless a few thousand (which could mean the difference of having significant options or not) isn't a big deal to you. The 228i starts out at 32,100 whereas the 328 starts at 37,500. When you option them out with the best bells & whistles to have (M Sport, Premium, Lighting, Tech, DHP/Track pack for 228, etc) you're looking at a difference of around 6-8k give or take. The 228i will come around to 44k+ and the 328i 51k+. For me that was enough for me to go with a loaded 428 vs a lightly optioned 435.

Now in terms of the 'best' bimmer in the segment, that's probably subjective. Let's say some of those packages don't matter to you then maybe the 228i with the track pack might be it for you. It will be lighter and probably handle better. If some of those packages do matter, well the 3 with M Sport is a seriously attractive car. I always admire one whenever I see one. Plus the interior is a step up in quality from the 2. Also things like the HUD which you can't get in the 2 which is more than just a neat feature. It's significantly useful to have. There is no going back. I would always want a HUD.

Pretty much weigh out the pros and cons, go test drive them and see which features matter or don't matter to you. You may end up saving a couple of grand or you may go all out and not regret it because you love what you buy. Sorry for the long post, just wanted to give my insight.

Actually really helpful and as I have been driving my dads loaded f10 535i quite a bit i understand how necessary the HUD becomes haha thanks for the response

[64-bit]

Get 228 and add M-Sport, if money is not an issue I would jump to the M235i as that car will hold its value best compared to ANY other BMW

The 135i has been a life proof of that.

I love my car, don't get me wrong, but I have kids otherwise I would definitely have the M4 or a M235i

[geoff7877]

If you're looking between those 2, I would step up to the 235. The 235s are REDICULOUS! Way more power and FAST! I'm sure any dealer will have 2 series. At least 1. Go drive both.

The 2 series is a re-designed 1 series. They are more of a handling "feel the road" car compared to a 328. Just go drive the 2 and 3 and go from there. And again, the 235 is around the same price as the 328.

[S4NoMore]

If you can't or won't go to the 35i, then my opinion would be that the 328i is the better car. I'm a little biased, but I chose the 3 because the 2 seemed too small and down-market inside, and I don't love the exterior styling.

[adhrp]

I would go with the 228i anytime if I didn't need a four door sedan. No need for the more powerful 2-series variants because the 2 is light and small as it is, so the 228i has a ton of power and very good handling. Read this Jalopnik article for their thoughts on why the "228i is the best enthusiast bimmer you can buy".

http://jalopnik.com/the-bmw-228i-is-...buy-1662847106

[S4NoMore]

Originally Posted by adhrp

I would go with the 228i anytime if I didn't need a four door sedan. No need for the more powerful 2-series variants because the 2 is light and small as it is, so the 228i has a ton of power and very good handling. Read this Jalopnik article for their thoughts on why the "228i is the best enthusiast bimmer you can buy".

http://jalopnik.com/the-bmw-228i-is-...buy-1662847106" rel="ugc" target="_blank">http://<a href="http://jalopnik.com/...1662847106</a>

I don't buy the "it's light" argument, because the 328i is only about 100 lbs heavier.

No doubt the 228i is a fantastic machine, but I don't see it being that much better than its F30 counterpart to justify choosing it over the sedan based on dynamics.

[rolltidef32]

PCR hit it square. Loading up a 228i properly with M Sport, Track pack, Tech pack, (prem if you'd like), brings the car to mid $40s. So it's not much of a price savings unless you drive a shameful stripper.

I'm 6'4, and had a lot of room in the front of the 228i. I only order my cars, so consider that a blessing if you can be patient.

The 228i felt quicker than my current F30 and more tossable. I went with a F32 ultimately, but really liked the 228i a lot.

[bahasad]

If you can live with the smaller interior and less practicality, the M235I (which is priced very similarly to a 328I AWD), would be my choice. In fact, I might get one of those or the M2 to replace my 328I when it comes time to turn it in.

[pazzo]

Originally Posted by rolltidef32

PCR hit it square. Loading up a 228i properly with M Sport, Track pack, Tech pack, (prem if you'd like), brings the car to mid $40s. So it's not much of a price savings unless you drive a shameful stripper.

nothing wrong with taking a shameless stripper for a ride.

[dreamspeed]

There are usually way better deals on the 3 series. It may have changed but when I was doing research at the end of last year, the lease payments on a 328 was actually cheaper than a similarly equipped 228

[adhrp]

Originally Posted by S4NoMore

I don't buy the "it's light" argument, because the 328i is only about 100 lbs heavier.

According to Jalopnik it is more than 200 pounds lighter. That is a significant weight difference and certainly much more than 100 lbs...

[S4NoMore]

Originally Posted by adhrp

According to Jalopnik it is more than 200 pounds lighter. That is a significant weight difference and certainly much more than 100 lbs...

No, Jalopnik states that the 228i is "more than 200 pounds lighter than its six-cylinder sibling," referencing the M235i.

[rolltidef32]

Originally Posted by pazzo

nothing wrong with taking a shameless stripper for a ride.

Ha! Thought someone would like that one!

[nicknaz]

OP, if you are leasing you need to check on the residuals and discounts before making a decision. 3er might be cheaper even though sticker is higher

Also, if you are going to finance or pay cash, I think the question becomes whether the car has to be brand new or not. For example, I believe you can get a non CPO E90 M3 sedan for the same price as the 228 or 328 discussed on this thread

[Straight Six]

If the choice is between the 228i and 328i, the 228i is the better "fun" car in my opinion. It didn't take much for us to get it to 100 mph and it handled very well. Even more fun though is the M235i. I gained a lot of respect for the M235i after driving one. As said by others it really depends on your priorities.

[adhrp]

Originally Posted by S4NoMore

No, Jalopnik states that the 228i is "more than 200 pounds lighter than its six-cylinder sibling," referencing the M235i.

Ah, you are right. I just remembered the number from reading that article some time back and didn't recall that it was comparing against the M235i. That means that the M235i is much heavier than the 328i. I am surprised.

[pazzo]

Actually, I've thought about making the move from the 328i to a 228i Sport with Track Pkg and relatively stripped down. It wouldn't be my daily driver like the 328 and I would definitely get a manual (one of the main reasons for doing it).

[Golden Arrow]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

If you don't need the space or practicality then the 228i Track package is the car you want.

If you don't need space or practicality, the BMW S1000RR is what you want.