2018 BMW 230i Review - The Best Handling BMW Is NOT An M Car?

[@TexasRiverRat31254]

Long ago BMW made really light, nimble cars that got by with 4 cylinder N/A engines. They're really hard to find but if you get the chance to experience one you'll realize that a 2002/1600 with round taillights was the answer before Miata's existed.

[@pan4632]

it's such a shame BMW does not make enthusiast focused non-M products anymore. Not everyone wants to spend $60k+ or needs 500hp. But there's a lot of people who want fun to drive, usable, and practical cars. IMO, the regular 3 series and 2 series should still offer an MT and M sport pack.

[@nathancwhite]

230i Handschalter when

[@toddstevens8506]

I think the take rate for that kind of car doesn't make it worth while, especially with the financial stress car manufacturers are under now.

[@orlmont]

the regular 2 and 3 series does get an m sport pack, they're pretty fun to drive tbh even without the manual with both the b48 and b58 versions. the zf 8 speed is very responsive and could be even better with an xhp tune

[@pan4632]

@@orlmont agreed, they are fun and the ZF is a great transmission.

[@twostep9266]

BMW is the enthusiast brand every loves to hate, yet it's the only brand consistently making enthusiast cars that consumers actually buy. They made the cars you're talking about, no one bought them so they stop making them. That's sound business. The problem with the M235i, M240i is that it's under tired and can't fit much more than a 255. Being torquey turbo engines, journalist love the poor traction and sell it off as fun. The other thing is price between the M2 and the M lites was only 5-6 grand so true enthusiast who wanted the higher capabilities chose M2/3/4.

[@Affalterbach1967]

Reviewers praised the light 318is e36 around 1997 vs heavier six-cylinder 328iis brother. Track pack is hard to find on f30 320i from around 2017, but were available. Lighter and simpler is often better.

[@ogmechsftw]

I used to hate on stuff like this... but honestly I respect it. A car doesn't to be the fastest, best handling or even the best value for money if it ticks the owner's subjective boxes. At the end of the day, enjoyment and satisfaction are totally subjective - let the owner waste their own money if it makes them happy.

[@Wonderlaust]

I worked for BMW during the F series, the 228/230 were so much fun to drive. Genuinely preferred it over the M3/M4 for spirited street driving

[@Unicornpirate]

For 20k, I'd rather get a E82 128i. While yes the B48 makes more mid range torque, the sweet smooth sounding NA inline 6 N52 is better IMO. Throw on some coilovers, wheels, tires, LSD, I/H/E combo with a tune and you got yourself a nice daily pocket rocket. Plus hydraulic steering

[@rhiiine]

In many ways the 4-cylinder Alfa Romeo Giulia replaced the non-M enthusiast BMW. Rwd, 280ish HP, LSD with good suspension and brakes in a nice package. Sadly no manual, but the ZF 8-speed will bang off the limiter and makes the most of the torquey turbocharged engine and the moose antler paddles are fun.

[@ambitiouspurr]

i just dont think it looks good

[@rhiiine]

@ pshhh

[@MaxSpeedMike]

I'm thinking a 128i (Manual) would be a better buy/better value. In a weird way i want to see a video with that car. I'll have to go back and watch the 128i that was setup for the track that you reviewed.

[@nlxsteve]

I have a 128i street/track setup and I can tell you that it def handles better than a stock 1m. It’s 3125lb with 3/5 gas tank and it’s a great combo of the “last of” items like an NA straight 6, hydraulic steering, and lightweight.

[@toadsurf714]

Advise nathan to get monoball thrust arms(UCA) and wishbones(LCA). Consider either, VAC or Millway(from Sweden). these will provide almost old school levels of steering feel and precision with virutally no increase in NVH, just better feel of the tire position and contact with the pavement.

[@nathancwhite]

I've done this to my other car (a 635CSi), so I see the appeal. I'm trying to decide between doing monoballs for the current control arms, and buying M2 control arms that add much-needed camber. What are your thoughts on that?

[@toadsurf714]

@@nathancwhite do the M2 arms also change the caster? it does on the F3/4 series. not a big deal but still something. personally, i'd prefer doing the stock arms with monoballs and a quality adjustable camber plate, however i often read camber plates are sometimes noisy. if you're daily driving, i'm not sure i'd like being stuck with the extra negative camber and slightly forward caster. tough choice...

[@nathancwhite]

⁠​⁠​⁠@@toadsurf714Yep, the M2/3/4 control arms are the same part - and have the same effect on the F2x as on the F3x. I'm hesitant to fit camber plates for the possible NVH reasons you mention. I've got camber plates on my old 635CSi, but they're a novel design that actually retains the top mount bushing. Vorshlag plates have a poly bushing inside them that should minimize the compromise. You can also statically add camber with a different wheel hub knuckle (?), which is already fitted to the M240i. None of this is cheap, mind you. Tough call, indeed.

[@toadsurf714]

@ the m2 arms would be the cheapest. personally, i'd do monoball stock arms, vorshlag and a 7.5mm spacer front spacer with extended lug bolts when the negative camber is increased for tracking. if/when you do this, it'll be interesting if zygrene can drive it again and see his thoughts...

[@infidel900rr]

I have a 228i - it handles amazingly well. tuned, downpipe, rear sway bar, dinan springs & koni dampers. Way faster & sharper than my old e36 m3.

[@GXKid06]

I always felt the m sport 230 had better looking wheels than the m240i

[@hongkong322]

b48 underrated

[@Brian-or2jy]

The German equivalent of a Camaro turbo 1LE. A strange combo that nobody really wanted when it was available but it's coveted when it's gone.

[@nathancwhite]

That's exactly what I compared it with! I love that Camaro, but it's got a much lower roofline. If you're looking at this car or that one, I also highly recommend a Ford Mustang Ecoboost HPP w/Magride. In stock form, I think it's the best one.

[@Brian-or2jy]

@@nathancwhite I found the Mustang always drove a bit sloppy. The Camaro is the best engineered car, but I can't live with the high belt line. I'd love a 2-series, but not the BMW cost of ownership.

[@nathancwhite]

@@Brian-or2jy The HPP makes a huge difference. It comes with a significant rear sway bar upgrade, and much stiffer, Magride adjustable suspension. It still feels like it has a high center of gravity, but it's super capable. And there's a real sense of occasion to it. Is it as sharp as a Camaro? Of course not. But it's faster, more practical, better-equipped... and I'd argue more fun. Probably. I wouldn't hate another test drive to find out...

[@mikej1348]

My friend had a 228i with an auto. It’s a good dual use car. The steering does not really have any feel like other BMW electric steering and the rack is long. The manual gearbox would help with turbo lag. Decent on gas unlike the 6 and a small gas tank. A tune would probably get the power up to a 6. A limited slip is a good idea.

[@Bmwstephen]

How is the 1-2 shift in these 4 cylinder turbos?

[@nathancwhite]

Forums say the 230i has the same issue as the M240i and M2, but it's a bit less noticeable as the engine has less torque. Certainly, it's a hard shift to do smoothly. But this is my first stick, so it's hard to know how much of it is down to the car.

[@mark_e82]

Would rather a 128i from the previous gen.

[@brandonsever2576]

Makes me feel good about mine. 6 speed, M sport, slicktop. Truly the best fun daily I've ever driven, after owning an FRS, an E46, a C5 corvette, and a 350Z.

[@AliasHSW]

Why?

[@Stanleyguy101]

Manual sport package/m sport are very rare though and much better than base ones. Hold onto that thing. I bought one of two for sale at the time 5 years on cargurus and unfortunately got in a fender bender in mine and it was totalled. I bought a 235 after that.

[@mark_e82]

because NA inline 6 with hydraulic steering > turbo 4 with EPS. Also -250lbs

[@Zygrene]

Those are great too, but the B48 2 series is a better daily

[@bitcoinworld6288]

The n20 228i manual is a bargain as well. The 2016+ don't have the timing chain issues. Take a look!

[@nathancwhite]

I've seen some under $10K nowadays, which is insanely good value.

[@ashkonsenaati8530]

Try the new 230i supposedly same type of driving dynamics

[@nathancwhite]

I just test drove the new one, and it most certainly does. The key chassis sensation you get in both of these cars from the factory is this lovely lateral rotation in the rear suspension that allows you to place the front end how you see fit, and is quite forgiving when applying power. The Birds kit makes my car in particular sufficiently stiff in the rear end that this does not happen anymore - instead introducing just a hint of additional understeer, and engaging the differential sooner / more progressively. I will say that the locking differential and superior damping on the new model combine to substantially improve this mid-corner rotation feeling at high speeds. It's a good package, and easy to recommend. The F22 does feel more nimble in tight corners, though. And the engine feels more urgent when combined with a manual, even if it's ultimately slower.

[@ashkonsenaati8530]

@nathancwhite that's great to hear I have one on order actually. How is the steering feel? Pretty numb?

[@nathancwhite]

@@ashkonsenaati8530 Good luck with that! Hopefully you added the Dynamic Handling Package, which adds a more aggressive setting to the electronic locking differential in these cars. I didn't feel anything through the wheel - remember that the one I test drove had no performance package - but I also didn't feel a severe absence in confidence like I've experienced with some CarMax-grade F30s. I don't know much about the CLAR-platform Bimmers, but I expect similar upgrades are available to what you can find with the F22. Slot some monoball bushings into the front control arms, and with a modest NVH cost you can probably overpower the damping effect of the electric power steering motor. I'll add that the engine felt sharp when, and only when, I was shifting with the paddles. So take advantage of those!

[@ashkonsenaati8530]

@nathancwhite yea I added both the dynamic handling and the m sport package. I also got the moonroof delete. Yeah I read that about the monoballs and thanks for the tip on paddle shifting. I think the stock engine will be plenty of power for me.

[@ouch9326]

bring back bmw i3 , 1.5 L inlin 3 toyota iA style . dont need power, just good momentum preservation fun

[@jimbo6612]

For this price and the purpose of a vehicle like this I'd rather just get a model from the 86 platform; much better driving experience and reliability

[@nathancwhite]

If I wasn't 6'5", I'd be doing that too. Stock-to-stock, I think the increase in sharpness and composure is more than worth the comforts you lose. But I'm committed. The Birds suspension narrows the gap quite a bit already. And cost of operation is one thing, but a B48 with B58 cooling seems like a great recipe for surviving track day abuse. Time will tell.

[@desaturat8d]

@@nathancwhite I'm slightly shorter than you at 6'3" but I became more intrigued when it was mentioned you were "well over" 6'. I'm far from owning an enthusiast car but I find my size being a slight barrier when researching the relatively affordable options. People go on and on about cost to own a BMW (although the b48/58 certainly receive their flowers) but anything of note on that from an actual owner?

[@nathancwhite]

@@desaturat8d So far, my experience has been faultless. But at 30K miles it damn well better be. So I'll default to cliche. BMW builds a ton of *durable* engines (M30, N52, B58), but their cars are still expensive to service due to high labor needs / strange tools / expensive parts. And you'll still want to change the oil early. Maybe a water pump or something while you're at it... I'm expecting this thing to be stupid tough. STROM Motorsports sells turn-key race cars where this same engine puts out nearly double the power. Nurburgring race car rental services love the B48 on a cost/mile basis - which is partially down to a durable design, partially down to the factory being nearby (so cheaper parts), but also down to the fact that you can run enough radiators to keep a 450hp M2 CS happy while only putting out 250. My brother's Toyota 86 has a 50-degree oil temp spike when he passes somebody; mine only goes up 10 degrees after 20 minutes of sustained load on-track. My 230i has been running hard track miles for its entire life, and it feels pretty good at the moment. I'll also say that I've done a road trip in a 228i (with the N20 engine) at 145K miles, and things still felt pretty well screwed-together. But "tough under abuse" doesn't necessarily, exactly, translate to low operating costs. I wouldn't count on it personally.

[@emmanuelguerrero3751]

Wonder how this compares to 135i. I think you could find clean ones in the high teens.

[@Zygrene]

Good comparo idea

[@pascutia]

Perfect timing. I'm cross-shopping a 230i 6 speed and a MK7 Golf R manual. Any thoughts on them? I love the RWD of the 230i, but I know that the steering feel of the BMW EPS is rarely any good. I currently have an E90 330xi 6 speed, and I love how that car drives.

[@CarsMeetsBikes]

I’d pick the 230i, RWD >> But like Zygrene said, they’re not easy to find. I was hunting for one for a while and never found a good example at the right price

[@nobleman-swerve]

Yeah it's a borderline Goldilocks car in this spec, whereas Golf R's while not a dime a dozen are pretty straightforward to find used. Is this going to be your only car? Because if so I'd probably go with the golf just because it's a surprisingly decent hauler and better for passengers.

[@Zygrene]

230i is more fun. MK7 R much higher performing

[@nathancwhite]

Find the KZbin video where Chris Harris directly compares the Golf R with the M235i to get a sense of how they compare. Basically, the Golf has better damping, better steering feel, and obviously more practicality - but the BMW is grin-inducing anyway. I drove and hated several F30 variants before driving this car, specifically on the basis that I didn't trust the steering at all. In this spec, there is at least *some* feel - so long as you stay in Comfort, and avoiding smothering the feel with artificial weight. It helps that the four-cylinder is light up front, and it helps that I'm on summer tires that aren't runflats. Birds claims you can improve both feel and responsiveness with 10nm wheel spacers up front - that's next on my list. Many people also replace the control arm bushings with monoballs. That'll absolutely work, though I'm exploring the effects on my E24 first. The Birds suspension kit also goes a long way to closing the damping gap with the Golf. I run very bumpy back roads - and in that environment, the BMW suspension falls apart. It used to ping-pong constantly, and the Birds kit has simply deleted that behavior. And what I'm now doing is comparing a tactfully modified vehicle with a stock one. In the interest of fairness, I think a stiffer rear sway bar would do wonders to make the Mk7 R similarly tail-happy. I chose the 230i, so my preference is clear. I personally think I would be a lot less happy in a Golf R. But I also have zero need for the extra practicality of the Golf, benefit ergonomically from having a 2-door, and also benefit from cooling designed for a bigger engine. If I was shopping 5 years ago, with less of a willingness to tweak, zero track use and a significant other, I'd buy the Golf R.

[@jayczyzyk9707]

In shape and form it’s highly unreliable

[@johannesmendoza4078]

I’m also curious about the B48 powered Supras

[@Zygrene]

Me too. Can't find any to review.

[@ftovr2957]

I recall Best Motoring doing a comparison, from memory the takeaways were similar.

[@aceyang9499]

Had a Supra 2.0 before I traded in for the 3.0. Large portion of the 2.0's engine is behind the front wheels and 50/50 weight distribution; definitely more tossable than the 3.0. It also uses a smaller turbo than the 3.0 and I feel the slight lag in the 3.0. It was faster than my brother's turbo 86 and cousin's sc 86 without feeling like the car's coming apart. My only issue with the car was, power would literally fall off a cliff at 80mph. Everyone hates on it though, if that bothers you lol. I traded it bcuz I wanted the Matte Grey color and sold it back for same price I bought it for with 10k miles.

[@nathancwhite]

Zygrene did a Z4 30i comparison test a few weeks ago which should give you valuable insights, despite the minor tuning differences from the Supra.

[@taelee347]

So… are you getting this instead of your (nth) S2000 next then? :P

[@Zygrene]

Lol no. Next car will need to be faster on track than my Integra

[@slinkster1772]

For this money....e46 m3 is the answer

[@operationgetthugs232]

How dated is the interior?!

[@ouch9326]

doesnt matter

[@kimchee411]

Vastly preferred and bought Mk7 GTI over this car.

[@TYAC_red]

It probably needs a V4.

[@TML34]

Honestly, Nathan should stop the mods at this point. It sounds like he couldn’t quite afford the 6 cylinder variants but is trying mod this to “make up” the difference. Save the mod money, enjoy this for what it is and buy a more capable car next time.

[@icebruner]

LMAO there wasn't any performance mods done what are you talking about 😂

[@bigslowbro]

@@icebruner Dude put coilovers on a f22 and some elitist thinks he can't afford a 6 cylinder lmao.

[@TML34]

@@bigslowbro i know how the mod game goes, it doesn’t stop at coilovers. Next it will be an LSD, then a shift kit, then sway bars, then bushings and end links and on and on. This isn’t a track car, it’s a DD. And deleting the adaptive dampers was a misstep too, you can get upgrades that keep this feature. Still, if he stops here then fine, but you need to know that all the mods is money down the drain.

[@pan4632]

​@TML34 let him do his thing, it's his car lol. He clearly wanted this specific version of the car, as Zygrene mentioned he looked for 6 months for a 6mt 230i with track handling pack. A handling focused build with the lightest version of the car could be a ton of fun. It's far more interesting than the typical B58 downpipe tune with pops and bangs build...

[@shamalabadingdong]

​@TML34 the f series m240i is a 3800lb boat lol. It will also have many of the same problems as the 230i in terms of handling ie: an overly soft suspension, understeer and open diff rear. Clearly, the owner has a focus on handling, and not everyone wants a 350+ HP boat. The 230i is one of the lightest modern BMW's money can buy and a lot of owners like to build them this way