Good review Paul \ Stig. Do more!

I just purchased one and I’d say yes to the question asked in the title. My opinion may be biased as I’m a first time bmw owner and not well versed in their various models and their performances. I’m coming from a 2021 VW Jetta rline. The driving experience doesn’t compare to this Beamer. I’ve had a TON of fun. Plus in comparison to other cars in its class the amount of features in the cabin is insane. If you want something sporty, but not super fast, and well equipped with comfort features that look and feel more luxurious than some of its rivals & are looking for efficient fuel economy. Buy it. Who cares what bmw enthusiasts think. Everybody has an opinion on everything. Buy your 228i & go do 60 on a ramp (safely, please 🙄 ) to know what I mean. The xdrive does exactly what it’s supposed to do. I wouldn’t dare to 60 on a ramp in the Jetta.

In Europe you can get a 218i with 140hp or a 216d with 115hp as a base model.... And you guys are complaining about a 228i. LOL.

I love how people think every Bmw should be on a track. This car's intention isn't to be on the track it is to be a great daily car for someone that doesn't want to spend a lot of money on a car. To be honest it looks great given the price and size.

@budyeddi5814

3 жыл бұрын

Them: Need a car that doesn't cost much BMW: 50K

@junkstarz155

2 жыл бұрын

@@budyeddi5814 😂😂😂

@Me-eb3wv

4 ай бұрын

@@budyeddi5814these people are out of touch 😂

Oh and in person the car looks WAY better than online in videos & pics. You’ll appreciate it once you see and feel it.

I bought a 228i last month and love it. Better than the four MB's i've owned before

@XDominiqueXFranconX

2 жыл бұрын

I love mine, too.

Thank You for the continuously AMAZING content over the last decade. Hats off to the whole team. You guys rock and deserve much success!

I know i am the odd one for liking the styling on this but in person i found it looks better. Cause i saw a M235 gran coupe at my dealer when taking my X1 into service and i thought it looked fine. I also wonder how the M235 would do around IMI.

@kmckenzie2461

3 жыл бұрын

I would buy this over any bmw in the pretty blush green color. Love the styling of it! My kinda car!

Paul is so humble referring to employment as the "Stig" on Top Gear USA, rather than the prestigious position of the hot shoe for TFL. ;O)

Wow! First full review by paul! Keep them coming

This is a useless review...no one in their right minds would buy a bmw 228 for testing or driving it on track...at least if it was m235 then it’s kind understood...but not the base model...

That extra 4% in the front is for when you have groceries in the trunk, obviously!

Really enjoying Paul taking over the Hot or Not series. More sporty cars! More sporty cars with Paul!

FROM THE SIDE IT LOOKS LIKE A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA😂😂

@twinturbro8315

4 жыл бұрын

🤣

@rmas199

4 жыл бұрын

That's a typical comment for someone who can't afford a bmw. I'm sorry but this one is not a Hyundai.. Definitely...

@Fleadabomb99

3 жыл бұрын

I'd say I'd actually buy most hyundai's today over this bmw.

@ratty383

3 жыл бұрын

Exactly my thought when I first saw it, I’m getting used to the front but from the B post back it’s a dogs dinner....

@jal9396

3 жыл бұрын

@@Fleadabomb99 serious? Cheap Korean cars? You cant afford probably. I'd at lease use a GTI to compare.

An unbalanced transverse mounted engine in a BMW car... Yep, 2020 is turning out to be quite the year for crazy things.

@moneyparhar

4 жыл бұрын

Its minicooper

@neilmurphy845

4 жыл бұрын

Ya that doesn't deserve the m badge at all it could barely turn

@unowen-nh9ov

2 жыл бұрын

@@moneyparhar Who BMW have been engineering for 20 years.

@unowen-nh9ov

2 жыл бұрын

@@neilmurphy845 When did 228i become M?

@unowen-nh9ov

2 жыл бұрын

Guess you've never seen Isetta, 700, i3 or Motorrad.

Thanks, very informative!

It depreciated 5k while filming this video

@florinvid

3 жыл бұрын

🤣🤣

@billenkhbold8246

3 жыл бұрын

Hahhaha

I love the idea of the premium subcompact class-was really hoping BMW would’ve brought something like the A3/ILX that is a pure, entry drivers car.

I wonder how it would do with a tune? E30+93 octane tune could probably squeeze out almost 280hp; combine that with a manual override forcing 25%/75% Front/Rear power distribution.. might be quite a handful, especially considering 3500lbs (light for today's cars)

I think these are really cool. It’s quirky and reminds me of the 318i from the 90’s. Probably outperforms everything from that era too ironically haha.

I like how the front looks.

Why is the 235i not being used instead of the de powered version?

Was thinking about getting one of these but not anymore when he said the HP and Torque. My 2020 Accord 2.0 is more powerful. Maybe there is higher trim levels of this car? Still the design of this car is awesome.

This thing is made for people who want to party with the big boys, but don't have big boy money.

Anybody got an army tank to blow that 2-Series GC to bits?

man i wish they jus made the 3/4 series smaller instead of messing w the suspension that much.... still a cool car tho

Fun fact... this "car" is actually a small crossover disguised as a "sedan". It's based on the UKL2 platform which it shares with the X1, X2 and MINI Countryman. This also explains why this compact "sedan" weighs over 3,500 lbs and why reviews say it drives like a crossover.

i remember when "M" actually meant something

@swada02

4 жыл бұрын

But this isn't even an M variant, meaning not an M2 or M235i performance version, M sport pack is purely cosmetic and slighlty stiffer suspension tune.

@Authan65

4 жыл бұрын

JogBird remember when you posted a stupid comment?

@desertaliend_b9840

4 жыл бұрын

Audi started throwing S line on most of their cars too. S and M don’t mean what they used to be.

@swada02

4 жыл бұрын

@@desertaliend_b9840 M does mean what is always has, the top spec model in BMW, M8, X5M, M760Li, but the germans have broadened the theme into cosmetic packages too. True M models haven't gone anywhere don't worry.

@desertaliend_b9840

4 жыл бұрын

Swayda M cars were created for BMW’s Motorsport racing division. Top of the line performance. The fact that they are using M as an appearance package is just for marketing and sales. AMG, SRT, Shelby, Type R, Nismo, etc,. are just some performance variants of economy car. And that’s what M used to signify. It no longer does. This waters down the M appeal because, it doesn’t represent just top of the line anymore.

How much?

Nah just get a 3 series

@jayhiggins5239

4 жыл бұрын

Just get the Civic Si or Mazda3

@Anonymous-mu5bl

4 жыл бұрын

Get a Audi A3 Quattro S line progressive 👍

It's too bad TFL didn't test the VW Alltrack on the track.

These are cheap 2nd hand, don't need *too* much excessive maintenance and according to Fuelly, some are hitting 40-42 MPG freeway, not a bad small AWD car!

Great breakdown and review. I’d definitely save a ton of money and pick up the 2021 Mazda 3 AWD turbo.

Thats not fair, all season tires? :/

Good review but guys the music especially during the track test most wanna hear the car not space age sounds it's hard enough to hear the driver comments over the road noise

@jedironin380

4 жыл бұрын

Yes, please- no "music" during the track segment! :)

@glenf4115

4 жыл бұрын

Agreed, maybe copy the UK old school Clarkson Top Gear and have music playing in the car when they cut to the in-car scene with Paul commenting during the driving scenes. Also, you have to name the segments of the IMI Motorsports track.

The xDrive will be an option in 2021.

Not everyone wants a track car necessarily. It’s getting harder and harder to find a comfortable boulevard cruiser for all these journalists complaining about track times. “Newsflash” - It’s actually a disservice for many of us that just want a comfortable yet relatively sporty car to drive to work.

Honestly it looks like a Kia.

@mitchellsteindler

4 жыл бұрын

Which would be sweet if it was a kia. Imo. But it's a bmw.

@rmas199

4 жыл бұрын

So if it looks like a Kia, just buy a Kia..

@rmas199

4 жыл бұрын

@@Anonymous-ji4sb to be honest I really like this car, didn't like it at the beggining but after seeing it on the road I completely changed my mind, with the right extras It looks really great.

It’s hot till check engine shows up

Tire pressure looked low

In addition to being not hot, it's also not prestigious as Paul claimed it was.

Aren’t all the completion in this segment front wheel based platforms? I won’t do front wheel drive but this is not a car for enthusiasts.

@unowen-nh9ov

2 жыл бұрын

How many decades have fwd. Mini won rallys? Learn to drive...

I wouldn’t mind a used one at 20K and still under warranty. 😝

@moneyparhar

4 жыл бұрын

More like $7500 in couple of years. 20k for that ugly ass mini cooper. SMH

@Slime_threezus

4 жыл бұрын

only only agreed this might be the worst bmw ever . Or the least bmw (bmw )ever

@vvt2257

4 жыл бұрын

slime carter literally the 3 series is better in many ways so I’d rather lease a 3 series and not buy a 2 series

I like the looks of this car. Idk if I'd by it tho because of reliability 🤷. Love the content!

I’ll save my money and get an E90 M3 4 door manual for nearly half.

@rmas199

4 жыл бұрын

Just keep saving it for a decade. If you are comparing this one with that car it's because you like this one more than you believe

@lakmalantony8505

4 жыл бұрын

Rui Silva you make no sense

@rmas199

4 жыл бұрын

@@lakmalantony8505 sorry, now I see the car you talked about 😁

Civic Si or Mazda3 AWD.

Very coooold

I have owned BMW's since 2005. Nothing beats the formula of a rear wheel drive car. For handling and feel, a rear drive vehicle is awesome. But for someone who just wants to have a "BMW ", this 228 is a good start. I do think is cheapening the brand, and it is definitely not an " ultimate driving machine".

@twinturbro8315

4 жыл бұрын

I see what u mean but if Ferrari making the California , Lamborghini making the Gallardo and Porsche making the Cayman was cheapening the brand the this is hogtieing the brand and tossing it in a river with a weight attached to it ..... not fair I dont want to see BMW fall

@unowen-nh9ov

2 жыл бұрын

Most of their volume this century is awd. X crossovers, why expanded Spartanburg is their biggest factory & they are Amerikuh's biggest exporter of vehicles. Anything you think you know about this brand is about to change (again) as they halve ICE production for 25 neu EV, stop living in the past & bad adverts.

Wow I mistaken one for a Corolla. LOL

Someone “I got a BMW!” Everyone “Yep, you wasted your money”

@rmas199

4 жыл бұрын

Also Everyone.. "lucky you, I can't afford one..."

I have sat inside the hatchback version and ngl the interior felt so robust and the quality was excellent for their cheapest car, I think if you're gonna buy the 2 series buy the hatchback cause in my opinion it looks better.

Haven’t seen many bmws on the road. Are they even selling cars ?

@yes8032

4 жыл бұрын

In europe they do very well

@Slime_threezus

4 жыл бұрын

Where do u live ? I see mannnny of them in nyc even in the tough neighborhoods you’ll find current models spec’d out nicely

@yes8032

4 жыл бұрын

slime carter in the Netherlands people buy them most if they can’t afford Mercedes they also pick audi very often I am glad they are selling well here

@mitchellsteindler

4 жыл бұрын

I see new ones every day in ohio...

@MrBillsfishin

4 жыл бұрын

They are all over here in California. Super common.

Why the **** is this car so heavy. You pay all this money and they cant add some ******* aluminum?

Badge shoppers will be very pleased... On another note, Paul is really an excellent presenter!

54% of weight in the front for FWD.... no traction when u accelerate then...

@jamesgjt

4 жыл бұрын

a 2017 mazda 3 is equal to it omg...

The words "ENTRY LEVEL" should not be over looked when talking about this car but unfortunately, it happens. The majority of people looking to own one of these don't care that it's not rear wheel drive, don't care that the engine is transverse mounted, don't care that it's "not a real M car" and they most certainly don't care how it performs around the track. Most just want to own a good looking BMW. The enthusiasts however, they'll want with this car doesn't offer so they won't be looking at this anyways.

Front wheel drive? Not a bmw

Depends how much it costs and what else you can get for the same price.

BMW Bring My Wallet and then some lol

but who wants to drive that car on a track????

Front just looks a bit weird to me :/

every time i see a 1 series on the road i can't help but see an angry birds pig coming at me. this is a little better looking but still butt ugly

@twinturbro8315

4 жыл бұрын

Lol same here but I see the big evil boss pig more (X7) and I wanna cry for help 🤣

@dj331

4 жыл бұрын

I like the new 1 series looks better in the flesh

As soon as you see Bridgestone Turanza tires, taking the car around the track would be pointless. Bridgestone Turanza, as Bridgestone states, is for the most quiet ride possible. If you want performance, you will have to use Bridgestone Potenza. However I do remember TFL stating they test vehicles based on how they come from the factory, and stack it against other vehicles. Respect for that. I'd love to, in that case, see some actual economy cars in the mix then such as Toyota Yaris, Corolla, Nissan Sentra, some entry-level Dodge vehicles, and so on.

@unowen-nh9ov

2 жыл бұрын

Since when is this a track car?

"... which could fool the car into thinking it's an accident-avoidance maneuver." Which is why I have always wanted to get Progressives "nanny module" installed in a car and take it on a track day! hehehe Look at all of the 2016(!) cars that were faster than this! OUCH!

It's like you want a good car but can't stand Toyota badge. Marketing, they know it will sell and they don't care about brand image...

I’d not buy this car or any car for track use purposes, just daily normal driving!!!!!!

The 228I is a good Mini, but a bad BMW. Everything that is wrong with BMW right here. A coupe 4 door, a 4 door 2 series, hideous styling, understeer everywhere, and a fwd based BMW (Mini).Hopeless. No one inspires to own this.

Is the damn thing a hybrid!? Been driving the 228i for a month and can't figure out what's going on with "charging" under breaking. Also, feels cheap for a Bimmer. Learned it's because it was a fancy MINI 😂

Is it just me , or are all new BMW's just plain ugly and boring ?

@gavincolgan1827

4 жыл бұрын

Yep, they’re just building cars for the mass market that normal boring people will like.

@jal9396

3 жыл бұрын

You need a Corolla

Not! I like the 4 and 8 gran coupes...but this gran coupe is a mess.

glad i just got a f22 228i RWD and not this crap

Who would've thought BMW would sell a terrible Korean knock-off car in the year 2020 lol

NOT

an frs, fusion, and civic si are faster- let that sink in.

@unowen-nh9ov

2 жыл бұрын

If only there were other, faster BMWs.

This is the best looking and best driving BMW of all time!! I’m sorry, its just I dont know what the opposite of best is.

Been Making Waterdownedcars....

hi

чо тут новый ведущий?

@lolboy5636

4 жыл бұрын

Nobody speaks your weird language.

The Douche bag factor alone would prevent me from driving one and the BMW's legendary lack of reliability and high cost of maintenance and repairs prevent me from owning one. But all of that could be forgiven to some if at least it drove well but in this case it obviously doesn't. So who buys this car? Badge shoppers who want to look like a DB but is on a budget.

@somguy5035

4 жыл бұрын

"Badge shoppers who want to look like a DB but is on a budget" I was trying to imagine who chooses this, and that's literally the only category of buyer I can imagine Could probably refine further with lease/new requirements, since a 2 yr old 3-series would be a better value

@tmwei396

4 жыл бұрын

@@somguy5035 As a person who has owned German vehicles as well as my father I've decided that I will never own one that is out of manufacturer's bumper to bumper warranty. I've seen things go wrong within 3 years of ownership since new that just shouldn't have gone wrong, especially with modern vehicles and there are so many excellent ones out there.

@LafemmebearMusic

4 жыл бұрын

Expensive to repair, and reliability arent the same thing. Also you cant paint the whole brand with a swathed ideal. For example 5 series of old , nightmares but, i had an e90 and a first gen x1, essentially an e90 as well, and both those care. NEVER left me stranded or gave me any major issues. Meanwhile i bought a new Audi q7... looovvee it...when it works, its in and out of the shop so often, its making want to do a dumb thing like be upside down on the loan sigh...

@tmwei396

4 жыл бұрын

@@LafemmebearMusic Fantastic. You love your BMW and that's all that matters. To each their own. It's just not for me.

NOT definitely NOT HOT TFL 🤣

Great review of an uninspiring car!

This is one expensive toy

No..it's not hot...sorry BMW😕

If we lived in a world pre Tesla, this would be my most desired car.

Kind of look like a Toyota corolla??? Ew

What BMW needs to do with this car is hand it over to Alpina and I truly believe this car would be something good.

Bavarian Marketing Works 🙄

@budyeddi5814

3 жыл бұрын

*Bayerisch ;)

At the same price you can get a real BMW, a 3 series and will hold the value better. Moreover it looks horrible !!!

The ugliest BMW ever, look at the rear design 🤮🤢🥴😷

0.08 That my friends is how to ruin an engine and why BMW's have no reliability reputation long term. That is not even the M235i performance spec and look how it's been revved.

@khakiswag

4 жыл бұрын

Swayda You can rev a Honda or Toyota like that with no problems. BMW poor reliability reputation is because they make luxurious junk.

@swada02

4 жыл бұрын

@@khakiswag Yea been a Toyota man my life since driving in 2005. My old man however bought an X5 40i M Sport all blacked out, brand new in 2017 and my goodness i enjoyed driving it everytime.

@123devinzz1

4 жыл бұрын

revving an engine up within the manufacturers set rev limiter for that small amount of time should never hurt an engine.

@swada02

4 жыл бұрын

@@123devinzz1 Rev a production vehicle to the limiter like that regularly is asking for trouble. Ware and tear on the engine components and overall life is drastically diminished.

@swada02

4 жыл бұрын

@Big Crunch Theres many factors involved you're right. However the core fundamentals remain the same. Treat your car like you treat your woman, gently, and you won't go wrong. Abuse and thrash it and you're going to have issues.

It’s not a terrible car but the 2020 cla is 100 times better than this

first

Hot Garbage is what it is.