Ever since I was finishing up my previous project car, I’ve been keeping my eye out for a new project to work on. One morning before going into work, I found a 2004 BMW 330XI with a 6-speed manual that was newly listed on Craigslist. I reached out to the owner, but didn’t hear anything back right away which is not uncommon.

With the BMW Ultimate Driving Experience, you are given an opportunity to take part in several events including: autocross with the M440i xDrive Coupe, an electric-SUV drag race, and test drives of their newest vehicles. It’s a nice way to spend a few hours doing some fun driving with the latest BMW models.

The BMW 228i is simply put, a very good car that looks great and does great across a wide range of driving conditions. The base model is incredibly affordable and even without all the costly add-ons, is still a very capable machine. The ride is characteristic of what I expect from a BMW, which is the solid and sturdy body feel of a slightly heavier vehicle. It is this, combined with the harmonious combination of suspension and steering feel that makes driving this car so great.