BMW 230i M-sport Review - Best non-M BMW in a generation (Review)

[@JamesPlaysWithCars]

What's your favorite BMW coupe of all time? Leave a comment!

[@hfhifi6878]

2002 tii

[@postalpancho]

I currently own a 2023 230i with all the M sport goodies and it is an amazing car. The 230i is just such a sweetheart. Wish the b48 engine was a little more theatrical but it is plenty powerful. 230i is a little on the heavy side but it hides it weighs very well, feels just as light as the last generation but the chassis is way better.

[@matimckinney]

One of the best reviews I’ve scene on this car!

[@JRZ67]

I just bought a ‘24 230i xdrive Sapphire Black with Canberra Beige interior. I love it. Got it for a great price. With non run flats, it’s lighter on its feet than my ‘22 330i.

[@AnonN-sr6uu]

What would you consider to be a “great price”?

[@PandaG007]

What are the down payment, monthly payments and interest please?

[@aover7220]

Why'd you go x-drive instead of the RWD?

[@Youppp]

I’ve just ordered my 230i rwd. I had an xdrive touring b4. I threw in all options including sunroof total price £50’800.00 monthly is £540.00. I also tested this against an M2 monthly’s we’re about 599. With 6k dealer contribution and loyalty reduction. But I felt like they were trying to sell M2 at any cost. Maybe they are not selling. It was much harder to get a reduction on the coupe. As for the drive. The 230i felt sublime. You could make it step out nicely, controllably. But it was the acceleration that was eye popping. It was so quick it felt like a 310bhp car. You felt like you could throw it around and traction was rock solid it was real fun.The M2 was a bit of a handful to drive. It felt like taking a pack of hyenas on a leash and having to restrain them from chasing a pack of antelope. The sheer grunt of the M2 was too much. I couldn’t get it to feel drivable without having to blip the throttle and let it off the leash. Steering was vague. It wasn’t fun. Acceleration was mind blowing. I blipped the throttle on a dual carriage way for a split second and was at 130mph. It was just too much. My wife said it was too fast for the road. I agreed, it’s a track car. The 230i is the gem in the coupe line up. Definitely worth a test drive.

[@aover7220]

@@Youppp 540/mo? Did you lease or purchase?

[@scottyk329]

Contrary to some, I love the new design. It's quite aggressive and after seeing a friend's M240i xdrive in the metal, i was sold. So much so that I ordered the M2. TR with carbon roof. Hopefully I'll see her in April or May.

[@Youppp]

Why carbon roof. Why not sunroof. Are you gonna track the car?

[@davidchung3923]

Hey, I was also a teenager in the early 2000's and I also found myself drawn towards BMW's and sporty coupes! Something about the way those cars were made during that time I guess. My dream car in high school was a BMW M3. But, after watching your video I think I would give this thing a try if I got the chance to test drive one in the near future.

[@darrell9616]

As someone who owned a 2015 m235i x-drive, I agree with you. The suspension on that car was a mess, which I didn't realize until I drove other cars later. A lot of people really overrated the previous gen car. I'm glad to see this car up is worth considering.

[@daveed4475]

Excellent review. Thanks! I may finally be ready to upgrade from my 2012 128i.

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

Awesome colors. Love the looks of this. And the instrument cluster has been my pet peeve with these latest BMWs. As always, great content.

[@ballkans]

Great review! I think your chanel will grow fast. Greetings.

[@mikelodge1957]

Excellent video 👌

[@thebachelorpad1110]

Thank you so much for the review, absolutely love it!

[@speed817]

Great review! Can't wait to get mine soon....

[@porfiriato84]

Did you get it? I really want one myself. Been looking at Elantra N, FK8 CTR and surprisingly this 230i It's come down to the CTR and 230 😅

[@speed817]

@@porfiriato84 Yes! Picked up my m240i at the end of August last year after waiting 6 months. Been great so far!!!

[@scottyk329]

Thorough review by the way

[@maayownsundar6097]

What’s up James. I’m trying to decide whether i should get a DCT E92 M3 or a G42 230i (msport). Is the E92’s driving experience worth it enough to sacrifice reliability and MPG?

[@Youppp]

I’ve just ordered my 230i rwd. I had an xdrive touring b4 I got a good price also and threw in all options including sunroof total price £50’800.00 monthly is £540.00. I also tested this against an M2 monthly’s we’re about £599. With 6k dealer contribution and loyalty reduction. But I felt like they were trying to sell M2 at any cost. Maybe they are not selling. It was much harder to get a reduction on the coupe. As for the drive. The 230i felt sublime. You could make it step out nicely, controllably. But it was the acceleration that was eye popping. It was so quick it felt like a 310bhp car. You felt like you could throw it around and traction was rock solid. The M2 was a bit of a handful to drive.

[@Daveyboy_RS3]

My MK7 Golf R was recently stolen and totaled. Been looking for something around 40K. Was thinking of a low mileage F22 m240i LCI... Or a new G42 230i with the $3,150 M sport package, and The $1,900 dynamic handling package which would add up to about $42k all in. Sure, I'd be getting the B58 in line 6 in the F22, But it'll be pre-owned. I've also heard that the 230 does feel a little more playful and light on its the m240i. Or maybe just get an OG M2 and be done with it lol

[@dinosoarmotorsports]

Yes, this is a great, great car! (I did upgrade to my own wheels with 255 Pilots on all four corners). I have not yet felt understeer, though I don't track it, nor drive 10/10ths on the street.

[@dg7438]

What is your opinion of the cheaper Macpherson front suspension, and not the double like the more expensive Bimmers?

[@hassanmourad5052]

Thanks for the informative video I would like to know your opinion about getting m240 or m440 if I don’t care about rear seats

[@JohnJohnson-dv1ds]

I love mine.

[@joeykitty2892]

I have to say, my 2017 Elantra Sport manual, is possibly one of the most underrated sports sedans of the modern era. At a little over 3000lbs; 201hp; 195lb ft torque, it's perfectly balanced and powered IMO. It does not have LSD, but I don't believe it needs it. It handles cornering and curves brilliantly. The steering in perfectly weighted and excellent on-center, as well as responsive. I say all this because, I have the 230/240i in my sights as a replacement. So, this video contributes to my consideration. It's gonna get interesting with the arrival of the Integra S, in addition to the already available Civic Type R; GTI, as to which one I choose. Oh, I forgot to add, the 17 ES was the first car Albert Biermann put his touch on when hired away from BMW by Hyundai....jus sayin'. OK, I know, enough already 😊

[@rembo183]

Would you buy a 23 Mach1 instead of this?

[@davidkestenbaum3804]

Trying to decide between M240 and this 230i M sport.. Also CPO or new, or just used? Thanks!!

[@johnstone7697]

I found the M sport suspension too stiff on normal (lousy) roads. The run flats and 19s certainly don't help.

[@michaelleys2982]

How about the nose increase ore decrease what can you do …?

[@DavidD-rd6oc]

Great review James. Considering this BMW 230i M-sport. What do you mean by best non-M? Is it not an M?

[@porfiriato84]

A quick Google search would help you know. If you can use KZbin, you can use Google

[@stevehs4287]

It’s not in between the size of an E46 and E92 - the G42 is actually quite a bit wider and only a couple of inches shorter than an E92 . It feels like a bigger car on the road due to the increased width .

[@udeshhhhhh]

Does this car need the LSD to do some light skids? I know that LCI models aren't able to be equipped with the optional LSD and it's currently a deal-breaker for me as I'd like to have some fun in the rain like how I dO with my GR86

[@jedalaoui5581]

In the UK, it gets the lsd as part of the pro package, i think it's called handling package in the US

[@blaisegolden1733]

Very nice review. Have you driven the m240i? I love the 2 series but wanted a bit more power so put an order in for the m240i.

[@boygonewhoopdataZZ]

You won't be missing anything, matter of fact you got the whole package if you bought all the performance packages.

[@JamesPlaysWithCars]

Hi Blaise, I haven't driven the inline 6 version yet, but would love to sometime. Congrats on your order for the M240i!

[@AshSavageTube]

The G42 weighs almost 200kg more than the f22. It's not s quick as the f22 in 230 or 228i guise. The f22 228i with m sport package is a lighter more agile car and you'd definitely be able to feel that difference. It's like having 2 heavy people in the car with you all the time.

[@izzy3155]

Great video. I want a 230i as a second car to be my daily driver. In negotiations with my dealer now. Hope we can come to an agreement.

[@RE-wf2hz]

Good video. You talked a little too much and showed yourself in the car driving but did not really show any features or it’s handling and performance🧐

[@Tsukuyomi8]

I thought this car had a tablet dashboard... thank God I was wrong

[@khanmimaad]

‘23 and onward do, iDrive 8 models

[@BIGLOVE4TRUTH]

I own a 2020 230i M sport convertible. Pretty rare and the last year of f the convertible. I simply love driving it. Especially after I replaced the awful factory run flat tires for continental constant contacts. Amazing ride and handling. I don’t care for the updated style of this model.

[@__Leon__]

😘

[@rickslaughter7500]

A 4 cylinder; please.