[fueledbymetal]

Long story short, my M3 just feels like "too much" car for me. The power is totally intoxicating and it's excellent for road trips, but around town I can't even come close to fully exploiting it. I was OK keeping it reigned-in the first few months, but now I'm just frustrated not being able to ring it out regularly. So I was looking at alternatives that would get me back to something smaller but still with a manual tranny and enough back seat to carry my two young boys (last car was an FR-S, but would like something with a more premium interior from here on out). The 228 w/ track package looks perfect on paper, but there isn't one around for me to test drive. Can anybody with any experience driving one comment on how it compares from a handling perspective? Obviously it will be slower, but my S2000 is fast enough for me, so my acceleration needs aren't that high!

[SD_E88]

Had 2012 328i with the N20 motor for a few years. It really was a great car. That motor will bring you many smiles. It is capable of so much when you actually do wring it out, and it's very well behaved in city driving. It really is an excellent balance of torque and horsepower. It eagerly winds into the high rev ranges and comes alive.

The one thing I missed was a good exhaust note in the lower rpms... I sold it before I put on the muffler I wanted for it. The ark exhaust would have been my choice.

[Sportstick]

228 with THP is the best handling 2 Series now available, as the car has a perfect 50/50 weight distribution in rear wheel drive configuration. Yes, it's a bit slower than other cars and the one you have, but it has plenty of power for any situation. It does reinforce the old maxim that it's more fun to drive a slower car quickly than a faster car slowly!

[caycep]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

228 with THP is the best handling 2 Series now available, as the car has a perfect 50/50 weight distribution in rear wheel drive configuration. Yes, it's a bit slower than other cars and the one you have, but it has plenty of power for any situation. It does reinforce the old maxim that it's more fun to drive a slower car quickly than a faster car slowly!

Technically, it's not a slow car :P

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by caycep

Technically, it's not a slow car :P

Completely agree!

Just making reference to his M3.

[huma]

Keep the M3. You're going to lose a lot of money trading it in so soon. At least keep it for three years.

[Transfer]

This is a good example why these high power cars are not good for the street. Too much power that just can't be used. You should hold out for the M2 reveal as that will likely be a better handling and less powerful option compared to the M3. It will still be a very fast car though. The next step down is M235i which is quick but it's much harder to get into trouble with it and you can wind it out regularly.

[fueledbymetal]

Originally Posted by Transfer

This is a good example why these high power cars are not good for the street. Too much power that just can't be used. You should hold out for the M2 reveal as that will likely be a better handling and less powerful option compared to the M3. It will still be a very fast car though. The next step down is M235i which is quick but it's much harder to get into trouble with it and you can wind it out regularly.

I was thinking about the M2 for the smaller dimensions, but I'm afraid I'd find the same frustration of not being able to ring it out on a daily a basis without getting thrown in jail That's why I'm leaning towards the 228 w/THP over the M235 - I don't need the extra power and it's lighter & better balanced.

[ralawren]

The exhaust note of the N20 is my only disappointment with my 228i with THP. For public streets it has all the performance I was looking for. The exhaust is so muted it makes me think f the complaints with the F1 Power Units. I realize that the 228i is not a hybrid but even at full throttle it is nothing like the Boxster I traded in or even my 2010 128i.

Everything else is great though. Lots of acceleratin from the turbo, great balance/handling and I lke the dual personality the adjustable suspension provides.

[bluemeanie]

I also owned an FRS prior to my 228i with MSport and THP. The 228i engine has nice low end torque, the lack of which was my chief complaint about the FRS. Handling of the 228i is on par with the FRS, a bit less rear end slidey, which to me is a good thing. I have tracked both cars and the 228i was more fun IMO. I like having torque to power out of curves, whereas the FRS is a momentum car--avoid slowing down because it takes some time to regain speed. As others have mentioned, the absence of sound is an issue with the 228i. I often find myself driving around in 3rd or 4th gear at 60 mph because the engine is so quiet. It will be a shocking sound difference coming from an M3. Hopefully, when budgets allow, the sound deficit in my car will be fixed via an aftermarket exhaust.

[W///]

Originally Posted by fueledbymetal

I was thinking about the M2 for the smaller dimensions, but I'm afraid I'd find the same frustration of not being able to ring it out on a daily a basis without getting thrown in jail That's why I'm leaning towards the 228 w/THP over the M235 - I don't need the extra power and it's lighter & better balanced.

The 228i will be quite a bit lighter than the M2. And even though the M2 won't get the S55, that car will be more than fast enough that you can use all its power on the public road, I have no doubt about that.

It sounds like you really should go for the 228i. This should also help you as the guy has both:
http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1085151

[Ramsen]

I've had a THP 228i in LA for close to a month. It's definitely fast enough for the road, although it would be hard for me to turn in an M car if I had one.

[fueledbymetal]

Thanks all! I've asked the dealer for a quote, so we'll see what he comes back with...

[fueledbymetal]

To follow up, I could only get 50k offer on a trade for my M3 from the dealer and I really don't want to go through the hassle of selling privately, so I'll just "suffer" and keep it for now - first world problem, can't be too disappointed!

[huma]

$50k is almost enough for a even swap for a M2.

[fueledbymetal]

Originally Posted by huma

$50k is almost enough for a even swap for a M2.

Haha true! But honestly, I'm disappointed in the M2. I was expecting it to be further differentiated from the regular 2 series and more focused on performance. Instead, it's not much lighter than my M3 and the 19" wheels are form over function. Still a good car overall, just not as special as I had hoped.