[kmajid]

I went back and forth between the 228 and M235 for quite a while. I almost gave up on getting a manual due to how rare they are. But it all came together when i came across this beauty! A 2015, Certified M235 with premium package, black leather and, most importantly, 6MT! I just picked her up!

After test driving the M235, the 228 simply didn't feel like as much fun. Since I'll be keeping the car for a few years, i figured i would probably stay in love with the M235 for a lot longer than the 228. That, and the fact that i found a manual, sealed the deal for me.

I want to thank everyone who contributes on this site as I've gotten so much good information and opinions. I'll get some better pics this weekend, but I wanted to share the news.

I've been so excited since picking it up. Driving this thing is such a joy!

[crabu2]

congrats!

[BEM-S4]

Congrats! Love the red on the coupe.

[p912guy]

Congrats. M235i with MT is a wonderful "drivers" car. It has just enough tech to feel modern today and for the next several years and yet still somewhat analog feeling with the tach and speedo right up front and the MT fitting perfectly into your right hand. Enjoy.

[Dylan86]

Originally Posted by p912guy

Congrats. M235i with MT is a wonderful "drivers" car. It has just enough tech to feel modern today and for the next several years and yet still somewhat analog feeling with the tach and speedo right up front and the MT fitting perfectly into your right hand. Enjoy.

Well said, about "enough tech, still somewhat analog". 100% the reason I bought this car as well.

Congrats, OP she's a gem.

D

[CAMOETO]

Congrats! Red FTW!

[3rdcoast228i]

Nice car. Wish they didn't put the silver mirror caps on everything though.

[kmajid]

Thanks guys! I didn't think I'd like the red, but i totally fell in love with it. I love the "enough tech" comment. That's definitely on point.

I'm hoping to get it tinted this weekend. Might also look into getting the wheels painted, black.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by kmajid

Thanks guys! I didn't think I'd like the red, but i totally fell in love with it. I love the "enough tech" comment. That's definitely on point.

I'm hoping to get it tinted this weekend. Might also look into getting the wheels painted, black.

You should definitely do the mirror covers black in that case, look here or in the 3-series classified section they come up often enough (the parts are the same, and 3 is a bigger pool to fish from). Grilles maybe too if you're going to go down that route. $100 from Brian at Sun BMW.

Wheels - no idea what that runs. Did you get PPS or square with RFT? You might even be able to trade someone who has the darker OEM ones on the off chance they want the lighter option. Worth posting and giving it a week or two to see what happens.

If it were me I'd wait until tires were due for replacement to paint wheels. Avoid paying extra for remove, remount, balance etc. and it's better for the tires.

[aaaaah]

Car didn't happen to come a VA dealer did it?

I called about that one the day before the one I bought went for sale down in Fort Lauderdale interestingly enough.

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

If it were me I'd wait until tires were due for replacement to paint wheels. Avoid paying extra for remove, remount, balance etc. and it's better for the tires.

Actually, tire wear doesn't matter because reputable places that coat wheels rarely deal in tires.

OP: You'll need to find a reputable wheel repair or wheel supply shop in your area that powder coats wheels. This process is different from paint; it's far more resilient. Depending on your situation, look for one that will take your car and do the whole shebang -- remove wheels, dismount tires, re-finish wheels, re-mount tires, balance wheels, then re-install them on your car -- in 24-48 hours.

Generally expect to pay $100-$130 per wheel.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by Viffermike

Actually, tire wear doesn't matter because reputable places that coat wheels rarely deal in tires.

Correct but if you wait until you are due for tires you'd have them removed, powder coat the wheels, then have the new ones installed. Save what, I don't know, $100 maybe more?

So using your example OP would show up with car and new tires. Otherwise when he gets new tires he will pay for remove mount and balance which is already needed for powder coat.

If current tires are brand new I wouldn't worry about it but if you're going to need new ones in 6 months might as well get it all done at once.

[BEM-S4]

That said if I were to want black wheels I'd pay $250 per for BBS SX, for the extra what $500 versus powder coating stock you end up with a much better quality wheel and can sell the stock ones to offset the cost.

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

That said if I were to want black wheels I'd pay $250 per for BBS SX, for the extra what $500 versus powder coating stock you end up with a much better quality wheel and can sell the stock ones to offset the cost.

Yep: this is also an option, OP. The OEM wheels are known to be a rung below what they should be strength-wise -- though the roads in the Miami area are supposedly in good shape, so bending rims may not be quite the same issue that it is in other cities.

In any case (forgot to say this): congrats!

[CAMOETO]

I would personally get a take-off orbit grey set from the forum instead of powder-coating the OEM rims. They are pretty close to black in color and it's not uncommon for a set with < 10k miles to come up for $800-$1000 including tires and TPMS. Powder-coating the OEM rims will reduce the resale value of the car besides costing you $500-$600.

[bryan_G01]

nice looking car,
wasn't a big fan of red, but looking at your pic...
Black roof, blk mirrors, front splitter, rear diffuser on blk wheels would look really good.

[CAMOETO]

If you're looking for an OEM Orbit Grey (black) set, there is a guy in FL that has one for sale right now that is almost new for a reasonable price:

http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1399788

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by CAMOETO

If you're looking for an OEM Orbit Grey (black) set, there is a guy in FL that has one for sale right now that is almost new for a reasonable price:

http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1399788

This is a good option as well. By the time you get these to get the color you want then sell yours even for $500 you're even money with powder coating and have a factory OEM finish.

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by CAMOETO

Powder-coating the OEM rims will reduce the resale value of the car.

With wheel refinishing being such a common option these days -- both aftermarket and via the dealer when the car's new -- I very seriously doubt this is the case if the re-finish is in a common color such as black and if the re-finish is done professionally.

Particularly with the 2 Series -- the LCI of which includes an option for black wheels -- this makes about as much sense as saying tinting your windows reduces the resale value of your car.

Do you have proof?

[kmajid]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

You should definitely do the mirror covers black in that case, look here or in the 3-series classified section they come up often enough (the parts are the same, and 3 is a bigger pool to fish from). Grilles maybe too if you're going to go down that route. $100 from Brian at Sun BMW.

Wheels - no idea what that runs. Did you get PPS or square with RFT? You might even be able to trade someone who has the darker OEM ones on the off chance they want the lighter option. Worth posting and giving it a week or two to see what happens.

If it were me I'd wait until tires were due for replacement to paint wheels. Avoid paying extra for remove, remount, balance etc. and it's better for the tires.

I'll definitely take a look at the classifieds to see what's out there. I would eventually like to do the grills too. With all that said, i would also have to replace the silver in the back as well. It's amazing how the expenses grow so quickly haha

Thanks for the suggestion regarding the wheels, too. I was also considering buying a new set and selling mine. We'll see how it goes. Car currently has the run flats on.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by Viffermike

With wheel refinishing being such a common option these days -- both aftermarket and via the dealer when the car's new -- I very seriously doubt this is the case if the re-finish is in a common color such as black and if the re-finish is done professionally.

Particularly with the 2 Series -- the LCI of which includes an option for black wheels -- this makes about as much sense as saying tinting your windows reduces the resale value of your car.

Do you have proof?

I could see an argument for diminishing value of wheels i.e. if you were selling black wheels that were powder coated vs someone else selling OEM black wheels you might get a bit less. But I am thinking $100s not $1000s.

In terms of resale on the entire car, no way you'd have an issue it wouldn't impact resale value at all.

The only place it could potentially bite you in the ass is if you lease then try to turn in with powder coat, might be a hassle and/or expensive to return to stock.

[kmajid]

Originally Posted by aaaaah

Car didn't happen to come a VA dealer did it?

I called about that one the day before the one I bought went for sale down in Fort Lauderdale interestingly enough.

I bought the car from Vista BMW in Pompano. They were great! My salesman Delano made the whole process really easy. Apparently they were about to send the car to auction the day after I went in, since they had it for so long (2+ months, i believe). I feel like i lucked out, big time.