I live close to the city of Austin, TX, but, apparently, not close enough. Had I ventured out for a BBQ lunch at Franklin’s or a bite to eat at a food truck, I would’ve caught sight of a convoy of 2015 BMW 228i Convertibles.
One of Autoblog’s writers recently tooled around the “Live Music Capital of the World” in one. Although Seyth Miersma says the new droptop’s steering isn’t as fast as that of the outgoing open-air 1 Series and that the 2 isn’t as easy to rotate as its predecessor, he praises the 228i for its controlled ride quality and quietness with the top up or down. The 240-horsepower turbo four under the hood gets high marks for its delivery of its 250 pound-feet. That engine is paired with an eight-speed Steptronic gearbox, which is a good match for the 228i’s personality. However, it’s currently the 228i’s only transmission option. If you want a six-speed manual, you’ll have to plump for the sportier M235i Convertible.
Ultimately, Miersma deems the 228i “a better product for the small-luxury convertible intender” than the 1 Series it replaces. It, along with its 320-horsepower M235i brother, will launch this spring and be available with rear or xDrive all-wheel drive.
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
