I get it that the 3 series is bigger but I bought a 240 yesterday base except for heated seats black paint and a wireless charger for 52k (with a 2k discount from the dealer). The same price I would have paid for a base 330i. Seems like the 2 series is a way better value for money.
value for money depends on what you value. the 3 series is larger, gets more options, different build process, more sound deadening. The 3 series gets more light weight stuff in the chassis as well, the 330i weighs like only 120 pounds more than the 230i.
im not sure if its still a thing but the 3 series offers individual color options. at least on the M3. This was never available on the 2 series