[230ixtortion]

Im on the fence about 230i RWD vs X Drive (M sport suspension), Used RWDs are hard to find. X drives abound.

Has anyone driven both back to back to see if the xdrive saps any of the handling prowess? Fun?

All the youtubers are screaming about how much fun thr 230i is compared to 240 and M3 because its lighter, sharper, purer.

Want know if xdrive is a demerit.

[ednir98]

Sir, this is a Burger King.

No but seriously you might get better feedback if you put this in the 2 series site.

[Squidget]

G42 forum is here: https://g87.bimmerpost.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=926

Also, to your question, my analogy is this: if you have to ask "do I need a lightweight $10,000 carbon fiber bicycle," then the answer is almost certainly no. You'll KNOW when you really need it. Maybe later as you become more experienced, but not now.

Same logic applies for RWD/AWD question. If you aren't sure, then you are are not at the level where it matters. Just get the AWD, and enjoy its many advantages over RWD. If you outgrow it in 5-10 years, THEN consider looking for a RWD. But don't let RWD snobs convince you that you NEED RWD, you definitely do not.

(Disclosure: I only drive RWD cars, but I accept that's a matter of taste and AWD is fun too.)

[two_three_two]

Originally Posted by 230ixtortion

Im on the fence about 230i RWD vs X Drive (M sport suspension), Used RWDs are hard to find. X drives abound.

Has anyone driven both back to back to see if the xdrive saps any of the handling prowess? Fun?

All the youtubers are screaming about how much fun thr 230i is compared to 240 and M3 because its lighter, sharper, purer.

Want know if xdrive is a demerit.

if you want lighter, sharper, purer.... miata is your answer. no, seriously. G42/87s are heavy across the board and have a level of luxury and isolation that IMHO doesn't allow the car to feel "sporty" until you hit at least the M240. otherwise, just get the xdrive and have a little fun with it while enjoying the benefits of a modern entry level luxury car.

[OldButSmooth]

I had my car in for service last week and was given a 230i coupe as a loaner. I was pleasantly surprised how well the smaller engined car performed. Don't get me wrong there will never by a substitute for horse power, but, all in all a very competent car and some 50k cheaper than the M2 in Australia.

[Squidget]

Originally Posted by two_three_two

if you want lighter, sharper, purer.... miata is your answer. no, seriously. G42/87s are heavy across the board and have a level of luxury and isolation that IMHO doesn't allow the car to feel "sporty" until you hit at least the M240. otherwise, just get the xdrive and have a little fun with it while enjoying the benefits of a modern entry level luxury car.

Or many other options, depending on preferences. Corolla GR, Supra, ITS, Civic R, GT86/BRZ. All are perfectly fine sporty cars. It just depends on your tastes.

Or Caterhams, or Minicoops, or... etc etc so many choices.

[two_three_two]

Originally Posted by Squidget

Or many other options, depending on preferences. Corolla GR, Supra, ITS, Civic R, GT86/BRZ. All are perfectly fine sporty cars. It just depends on your tastes.

Or Caterhams, or Minicoops, or... etc etc so many choices.

totally agreed. still get little pangs of jealousy when i see a corolla GR circuit edition around.

[MineralGreyMetallic]

- AWD is super fun
- RWD is not fun to live with in snowy climates (in my opinion)
- Don't listen to 99% of YouTubers on 99% of topics

[RockCrusher]

Originally Posted by 230ixtortion

Im on the fence about 230i RWD vs X Drive (M sport suspension), Used RWDs are hard to find. X drives abound.

Has anyone driven both back to back to see if the xdrive saps any of the handling prowess? Fun?

All the youtubers are screaming about how much fun thr 230i is compared to 240 and M3 because its lighter, sharper, purer.

Want know if xdrive is a demerit.

Didn't drive them back to back but I owned a 2022 230i and put nearly 8K miles on it then traded it in in April 2023 when I bought my M2. Then some months later in December 2023 I bought a 2024 230ix.

I didn't track the 230i/230ix cars but I did drive them both on interesting roads in the area. I didn't feel any real difference between the two cars. Maybe at 9/10ths or 10/10ths there would have been a difference.

I do know the WSJ auto writer/reviewer Dan Neil raved about the 230i and cover your eyes recommended it over the 240 model.

One reason I bought a 230i instead of a 240i. And the 230i was a great car. Probably should have kept it but I had a desire to own an M2 and the month before I bought the M2 I had just bought a 2023 MINI JCW. So I traded in the 230i. This in April 2023.

By December 2023 as much as I liked the JCW I decided to replace it with a 230ix (AWD). I used the fact this area (Benton County AR) received some snow to justify the x-Drive feature.

The 230ix was a great car. Didn't really get a chance to use the AWD feature. That is I drove some in snow but not much of it. I have the luxury of if the weather is bad if the roads are bad I don't have to be out and about.

It was with some reluctance a few months ago I decided to get rid of 230ix and just make do with my M2. Poor poor pitiful me...

Love my M2 to be sure. But I miss the 230i/ix. They were great cars and complimented the M2. Both were automatics -- the M2 has the 6-speed manual gearbox -- and great for running around town. I took the 230i on a 1500 mile drive to CO and back and it was a great road car. Drove the 230ix to KC MO and back -- just over 500 miles round trip -- and it was a great road car.

[230ixtortion]

Originally Posted by RockCrusher

Didn't drive them back to back but I owned a 2022 230i and put nearly 8K miles on it then traded it in in April 2023 when I bought my M2. Then some months later in December 2023 I bought a 2024 230ix.

I didn't track the 230i/230ix cars but I did drive them both on interesting roads in the area. I didn't feel any real difference between the two cars. Maybe at 9/10ths or 10/10ths there would have been a difference.

I do know the WSJ auto writer/reviewer Dan Neil raved about the 230i and cover your eyes recommended it over the 240 model.

One reason I bought a 230i instead of a 240i. And the 230i was a great car. Probably should have kept it but I had a desire to own an M2 and the month before I bought the M2 I had just bought a 2023 MINI JCW. So I traded in the 230i. This in April 2023.

By December 2023 as much as I liked the JCW I decided to replace it with a 230ix (AWD). I used the fact this area (Benton County AR) received some snow to justify the x-Drive feature.

The 230ix was a great car. Didn't really get a chance to use the AWD feature. That is I drove some in snow but not much of it. I have the luxury of if the weather is bad if the roads are bad I don't have to be out and about.

It was with some reluctance a few months ago I decided to get rid of 230ix and just make do with my M2. Poor poor pitiful me...

Love my M2 to be sure. But I miss the 230i/ix. They were great cars and complimented the M2. Both were automatics -- the M2 has the 6-speed manual gearbox -- and great for running around town. I took the 230i on a 1500 mile drive to CO and back and it was a great road car. Drove the 230ix to KC MO and back -- just over 500 miles round trip -- and it was a great road car.

You trade cars often my friend! Thanks for your thoughts.

Sorry for posting in incorrect subforum.

Car and driver and TST were both screaming about how the 230 was more agile and more fun than the 240i Xdrive because of the lower weight and simpler powertrain.

[two_three_two]

Originally Posted by 230ixtortion

You trade cars often my friend! Thanks for your thoughts.

Sorry for posting in incorrect subforum.

Car and driver and TST were both screaming about how the 230 was more agile and more fun than the 240i Xdrive because of the lower weight and simpler powertrain.

its still bare minimum a 3,519 lb coupe. for context a new CTR is 3,188 and a corolla GR is 3,252. as usual, my recommendation is to not read any of the PR lapdog "reviews" and just go drive them to see what you like the best. Xdrive is only a ~120 lb penalty and its all very low on the car.

[230ixtortion]

I disagree. Reading what car reviewers, C&D etc, who drive cars for a living is the best source of info. (I dont read PR lapdogs.) They get to test everything and when a majority agree that a car is outstanding, its justified to consider it. I dont care about lap times. I car about engagement.

3500 for a compact 2 door is not light. 250 extra lbs is one fat dude in the seat next to you.

M2s reviews have been meh...230i have been surprisingly positive for the slow, base model because its so much lighter than the M240i and M2. That got my attention.

[BradMX5]

Originally Posted by 230ixtortion

I disagree. Reading what car reviewers, C&D etc, who drive cars for a living is the best source of info. (I dont read PR lapdogs.) They get to test everything and when a majority agree that a car is outstanding, its justified to consider it. I dont care about lap times. I car about engagement.

3500 for a compact 2 door is not light. 250 extra lbs is one fat dude in the seat next to you.

M2s reviews have been meh...230i have been surprisingly positive for the slow, base model because its so much lighter than the M240i and M2. That got my attention.

Most reviews I see they love how the car drives and that it feels lighter than it is and the issue most people have are the looks of it.

[two_three_two]

Originally Posted by 230ixtortion

I disagree. Reading what car reviewers, C&D etc, who drive cars for a living is the best source of info. (I dont read PR lapdogs.) They get to test everything and when a majority agree that a car is outstanding, its justified to consider it. I dont care about lap times. I car about engagement.

3500 for a compact 2 door is not light. 250 extra lbs is one fat dude in the seat next to you.

M2s reviews have been meh...230i have been surprisingly positive for the slow, base model because its so much lighter than the M240i and M2. That got my attention.

car "reviewers" are frequently grifters with zero expertise or particular enthusiasm for cars in it for the free trips and press cars. everything seems great and wonderful to them because they are on all expenses paid 5 star vacations and if they say nice things about the latest 911 GTR-R Burgerkingring Carbon Ballsack edition, they get invited back next year and stay on everyone's good side, especially the PR programmers. theres zero integrity in the profession for those employed by major or even minor rags. thats why the only things that come even remotely close to objective are people who don't rely on press cars.

yes, thats my point. all 2 series are heavy. if you want maximum engagement, either pony up to the M2 or go to a different platform.

i'll take your word for it that the "reviews" have been "fine". i dont read them. but you should read this chris harris bit on it.