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I currently own a 2013 FR-S and a 2014 228i. It's nice to meet someone else that shares similar opinions on both of these cars. I bought my 228i as a winter car and summer daily. The FR-S is now the track car and garage queen. I have the luxury of keeping both but if I had to get rid of one; I would give up the 228i as well but for different reasons.
I'm a decent home mechanic so I do all of the maintenance on the 228i and honestly it isn't bad and wouldn't be why I would give the car up.
The 228i just doesn't feel as focused or sporty as the FR-S. Especially when I take into account the MSRP, the list of "M" options and numerous "M" badges adorned throughout; the 228i just doesn't deliver the type of driving experience I expected. I thought the 228i would be a comfortable sports car; but in reality it's a compact grand tourer/highway cruiser (it's a commuter car).
My biggest issue with the car are with the weak plastic components that break during disassembly. BMW designs cars with novel, industry leading features and technology; but manufactures and sells them like commodity items.
Years from now the FR-S will be remembered as a once in a generation sports car for its uncompromising driving experience. The 228i will be remembered as a BMW that wasn't an SUV.
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