The 2014 BMW 228i Is Four-Cylinder Sport Coupe Excellence

BMW is relatively new to the small, entry-level class of cars, but with the 2014 BMW 228i, they’ve definitely found the nail and hit it squarely on the head. We found it to be a great combination of sport, comfort, style and drive dynamics. Compared to contemporaries in this field, which include the Cadillac ATS (which we’ll review soon) and the Lexus RC, the 228i is very competitive and compelling on many fronts.

The new 2-series replaces the 1-series as a slightly larger car. This is a good thing. I’m six-foot, three-inches tall and well over two hundred pounds. I did not fit in the old 1-series at all. Head, shoulder, and leg room were all shy. In this new 2-series, though, I was comfortable and easily able to do 140 miles in one stint without feeling cramped in the car. I actually put nearly four hundred miles on the car in only five days, a testament to its comfort as many of those miles were short runs and the other half was a 280-mile round trip.

Being a coupe, of course, the BMW 228i has obvious downsides. Namely the back seat, which is largely for kids and insurance discounts only. On the up side, the car itself is extremely comfortable for the class and very well thought out in terms of driver ergonomics. We had it with a few add-ons to include M Sport, Dynamic Handling, and the Premium and Technology packages. These add some hefty weight to the window sticker, but some of them are worth it. The base price for the 2014 BMW 228i as we drove it is $32,100, but adding on those packages plus the destination charge balloons that to $44,450.

The 228i starts with a well-made coupe that is not “special” outside of its signature Bimmer styling. Materials are of quality and the built is top shelf, but the car isn’t all that standout as-is. Add on the $3,000 M Sport package, though, and you get some of the best seating in the business – better, in my opinion, than the premium seats in the i8, which we’ll talk about soon  and some beautiful wood trim, a nice-looking little rear spoiler, and a few other trim upgrades that are well worth the price.

The $4,000 Premium Package, while expensive, is another great add-on, especially for daily use drivers who want the everyday comforts that make a car something you’ll have for the long-haul. More adjustable seating, keyless entry, auto-dimming mirrors (all around), ambiance lighting, and satellite radio are just a few of the updates this package adds. The $2,100 Technology Package augments that with apps and navigation for the touchscreen.

The $1,000 Dynamic Handling package is really only necessary if you feel you’ll be using your 228i as a sports car with the daily use, road going thing being secondary. Since that’s not likely, this is an addition that might best be reserved for the M235i instead. Finally, M Sport Brakes ($650) can be added, but probably aren’t required for the 228i’s power outputs and speed capabilities. They do look good, though.

In the BMW 2-series, the 240-horsepower four-cylinder turbo-pumping engine is a great start and is probably all that most people really need to have both a sport-tuned feel and the appeal of fewer stops at the pump. The M235i, however, can be had with a larger six-cylinder engine outputting 320 horses. Interestingly, though, those extra two cylinders only amount to about half a second in 0-60 speed difference, attesting to the lower-end torque values of the little four. I found the four-cylinder engine to be much more throaty and a lot more powerful than expected. The 8-speed sport automatic is excellent at its job as well, beating me with its shifting times handily.

I would say that when compared to contemporaries with larger six-cylinder engines, the 2014 BMW 228i can hold its own with most of them. It’s a very comfortable, quietly luxurious little car that can easily become the commuter or daily driver for most sport enthusiasts. It enjoys cruising, hard driving, and cornering at all levels. Feedback to the driver is excellent, but not overwhelming, and all in all, the 2014 BMW 228i is a joy to pilot.