FRS vs BMW 228i

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by Jaden

p.s. not related to the op's post but a response in this thread and other threads.. I don't get the comparison of the twin's sound to that of a tractor... I've driven many a tractor and the twins don't sound like any of them...

This one even starts up like a Toyobaru! (engine noises start about 2 minutes in)

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gN6kofSNRtI&noredirect=1"]david brown cropmaster - YouTube[/ame]


If I could find a video of one of these cars being lugged then I would post it but idle dip near stalling will do:

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OypIpZ68hA"]2013 FRS RPM DROPPING WHILE IDLE - YouTube[/ame]



And DI tickety tackety with countryside crickets:

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8NgXU8rU-g"]Subaru BRZ High Pressure Fuel Pump Chirping Noise at Idle. - YouTube[/ame]

[Re~Mix]

Originally Posted by Koa

Not a bad review. Nitpicking, but at the very least bolding headings for each section would help readability a lot.

I really was too lazy to adjust this from my original article, doing so now.

[DeeezNuuuts83]

Originally Posted by juliog

228 vs 428, the second is ~300 lbs heavier with no performance advantage. Still two doors, still impractical rear seats, but $8000 more expensive.

M235 vs 435, the 4 is again heavier, no performance advantage, and much duller handling. Similar base price.

Other than the M4, all the 4 series cars have no real purpose IMHO. People still buy them because of the badge (4>3!!), but in most cases they'd be better served with 2 series cars —and if anyone really needs to use those four seats often, they get a 3 series. I will concede that the proportions of the 4 series look better than the 2.

But that's exactly why... the 4-Series is very good looking, more so than the 2. I don't think that was done by accident on BMW's part.

Anyway, as I mentioned in another thread, I was thinking about putting my brother in a BRZ Limited, but we ended up going with a 3. We'd have considered a 2 or a 4, but the 4s are a lot more money than a comparable 3, and there are a lot fewer 2s on lots to the point where they likely won't discount them as heavily as a 3.

[Speed2th]

I felt it is like comparing a premium brand name steak vs a costco Kirkland steak. Sure, if you don't care about the premium feeling and status, the ft86 platform is really fun to drive. I pick up the BRZ instead of bmw is that I don't felt bad beating it around! I trusted its reliability and it's definitely cheaper to fix than a bmw. it is a fun toy!

[xRavenFRSx]

Good review. Ive been really interested to drive a 2 as soon as I can get my hands on one. I was surprised by a much heavier and more expensive 428 with some m-sport options that I wasn't and am still not very informed on. It was fun and agile for its size and weight and felt a lot more capable than I was willing to test. But it definitely wasn't the car for me... even if I could afford it. I think il enjoy the 2-series. My resources are lacking, soooo maybe il get the opportunity to try one. Id be happy to even get a dealer test drive of a base 228.

[chaoskaze]

Great real world comparison review. Frs is really a bit too spartan stock to stock wise compare to other cars. Really wish they put in a bit more sound deadening and they probably will on 2nd gen. But if u start to lean towards driver comfort and such, I think the real competitor for the 2 series is the CLA because if u put CLA and 2series together. I dont think nothing comes up top other then the fact 2s are RWD.

[tahdizzle]

I have no idea why you guys are talking like a 4 series is a pig when compared to a 2 series.

The 4 series is only 170 lbs heavier.

[xRavenFRSx]

Originally Posted by tahdizzle

I have no idea why you guys are talking like a 4 series is a pig when compared to a 2 series.

The 4 series is only 170 lbs heavier.

I was under the impression that even the 428 was like 3600+lbs. Until I read this, and searched a few different sites for specs. It looks much heavier than it is.


Didn't see your post further above.

[tahdizzle]

Originally Posted by xRavenFRSx

I was under the impression that even the 428 was like 3600+lbs. Until I read this, and searched a few different sites for specs. It looks much heavier than it is.

the 6 cyl, 435i is 3600+ lbs.

the 428, 4 cyl is 3470.

[Re~Mix]

Originally Posted by xRavenFRSx

Good review. Ive been really interested to drive a 2 as soon as I can get my hands on one.

I'd definitely recommend taking it out for a spin, the car really did surprise me and thats how it ended up in the garage. It's a hidden gem amongst the current BMW lineup.

Originally Posted by chaoskaze

But if u start to lean towards driver comfort and such, I think the real competitor for the 2 series is the CLA because if u put CLA and 2series together. I dont think nothing comes up top other then the fact 2s are RWD.

The CLA is the direct competitor, yes (and the Audi A3)... however the BMW is a driver's car and a lot more engaging/fun than the CLA. Sure you could spring for the CLA45 AMG, but at that price you could get a M235i with a manual transmission and nearly every reviewer gives the nod to BMW. The CLA 250/45 is a great platform, I think it needs another design spin though...

[tahdizzle]

Pricing aside, the m235i does not outperform the CLA45 AMG.

That being said, the m235i is a better bang for your buck than the AMG. A much better bang.

The CLA is still a better performer when you wanna get to the nitty gritty.

[Griever423]

Originally Posted by tahdizzle

The OP in his evaluation states clearly that ~10k is not even considered.

And a Base 2 series with the "M Line" is 37,560.
A base 4 series with the "M Line" is 45,400.

So yes, there is ~8k difference (which shouldn't even be considered according to the article).

And the 4 cyl 4 series weighs 3470 lbs.

the 6 cyl weighs 3621 lbs.

P.S. Oh yeah... I like my manual cars too.
And yes I know you can get these cars in manual blah blah blah. But the one tested is not a manual, and the manual BMWs are slower than their automatic counterparts because their DCGs are that good.

He said the 10k difference between the fr-s and the 2 series was not to be considered. Add another 8k and you do the math, not the same thing the OP was talking about.

[tahdizzle]

Originally Posted by Griever423

He said the 10k difference between the fr-s and the 2 series was not to be considered. Add another 8k and you do the math, not the same thing the OP was talking about.

You need to read the thread again.

I am comparing the 2 series and a 4 series.

[reni]

Not taking price into account made this review completely pointless. If you're spending $12k more it's not really surprising to get more power and a nicer interior. The review could have actually been interesting if it was instead trying to answer the question of whether or not the BMW is good enough to justify the price premium over the FRS. (and not just the price to buy the car but the total cost of ownership as well)