ride and handling, standard equipment levels
Road noise on secondary surfaces
Marc Greig road tests and reviews the BMW 2 Series at its Australian launch.
The BMW 2 Series is the successor to the BMW 1 series coupe that allowed mere mortals the chance to own and drive a Germany designed and built coupe. The rear-wheel-drive, two-door coupe is now more sportier across the range than the 1 Series that it replaces.
In Australia BMW is launching a three model line-up, 220i, 220d and the M235i, we miss out on the 218d and 225d. Those looking for the convertible will need to wait a little while longer.
BMW 2 Series Overview
BMW are never ones to do things by halves and the BMW 2 series is no different. The level of standard equipment across the 2 Series range includes: 17' alloy wheels, 8-speed sports transmission, paddle shifters, Drive Experience control, Start/Stop technology, cruise control, 6.5' sat-nav, bluetooth, dual climate air, sport seats and aux & usb ports.
The M235i gains 18” BMW M light-alloy wheels, Adaptive M Suspension, variable sports steering, sports brakes, twin exhaust, rear spoiler, Bi-Xenon headlights, leather seats, 8.8' navigation. Just like all BMW's on offer the myriad of options and packages that you can add to your car is even longer.
Sport Line, Modern Line and M Sport packages can be added to the 220i and 220d adding a host of design, safety and performance features to the cars. Sport Line and Modern Line packages are no cost option but the M Sport package will set you back $5700.
The BMW 2 Series Pricing:
220i Coupe $50,500
220d Coupe $52,500
M235i Coupe $79,900
BMW 2 Series Engine
With a choice of two petrol and one diesel engine the BMW 2 Series offers the buying public a good choice. Buyers can opt for engines that suits their needs, whether that need is performance or fuel economy. All engines are turbocharged and matched to an eight-speed automatic transmission with gearshift paddles on the steering wheel. A manual transmission can be added as a no cost option.
Entry-level 220i sees the 2.0-litre, four-cylinder with 135kW/270Nm. The 220i can go from zero to 100km/h in 7.0 seconds, all the way up to 230km/h. Fuel Consumption on the combined cycle is only 6.0l/100kms, and CO2 Emission of 139 g/km.
In the middle of the BMW 2 Series pack is the excellent 220d, the 2.0-litre, four-cylinder diesel produces 135kW/3800Nm. This excellent diesel engine is only 0.1 seconds slower getting from 0 to 100kmh than the 220i. Using only 4.4l/100kms it would be possible to drive close to 1300kms on a single tank.
Rounding out the BMW 2 Series offering is the barn storming M235i performance option, the 3.0-litre, six-cylinder petrol engine produces 240kW/450Nm. A light right foot will see the M235i return fuel economy figures on the combine cycle of 7.6l/100km. We expect very few people to achieve those fuel consumption figures, in our time behind the wheel of the M235i we managed to double that with ease. The six-cylinder can sprint from 0 to 100km/h in 4.8 seconds and is good all the way up to 250km/h.
BMW 2 Series Interior
Just like the 3 Series and latest 4 Series the BMW 2 Series has one of the best interiors going around. Seat yourself in to the cockpit of the BMW 2 Series and you will notice that inside the snug cabin everything is within easy reach. BMW designers have worked hard to make sure that ergonomics work, simple ideas like facing the upper part of the centre console towards the driver make light work of no driving inputs..
The front seats in the BMW 2 series offer great support but the sports seats in the M235i's are excellent, the thick bolsters provide good support when you're giving the car a good workout on the twisty roads.
In the rear the legroom has been increased by 21mm but it's still only suitable for children or adults on a short trip. Luggage capacity is up 20-litres to 390-litres with the 40:60 or 40:20:40 with a ‘ski’ port in place.
BMW 2 Series Exterior
BMW have gone with a more aggressive and sporty look for the BMW 2 series. The sporty looks starts upfront with pointed headlights and continues across the bonnet with the four contour lines streaming through it. The signature kidney grille is present, depending on which model and package you choose this maybe 8 slats in black or 11 in grey.
The side profile of the BMW 2 Series delivers a classic coupe look, large wide opening doors to aid entry and exit for rear passengers. The sloping roofline looks the business but rear passengers might say otherwise.
From the rear of the BMW 2 Series coupe you can notice just how wide the car is, the wide low stance creates a powerful looking car from the rear. The L-shaped LED taillights are framed by the boot lid, on the M235i a spoiler lip is added to the boot.
The BMW 2 Series is 72mm longer, 26mm wider and has 30mm more wheelbase than the 1-Series Coupe its also 5mm lower, with most of the extra size being in the chassis rather than the body. The aerodynamic design sees the drag CD come in at just 0.29
BMW 2 Series Challenges
AS with most BMW's buying your BMW isn't a simple task, with so many packages and option trying to work out the exact set-up of the car you want may take some time. On rough surfaces the road noise in the cabin is a little harsh.
BMW 2 Series On the Road
Driving on some spectacular roads out of Hobart in Tasmania down to Cygnet and back, we had the opportunity to drive the M220i, M220d and M235i
As you would expect from BMW no matter which model, wheel size and specs, the balance, the feedback, the precision, the road-holding and the refinement where all top notch.
the Drive Experience Control has 4 modes Eco Pro, Comfort, Sport and Sport+ selecting the mode for the type of driving you wish to do will change throttle response, gearbox changes and steering sensitive. In Sport+ mode all three cars come to life with amazing changes to the car delivering great driving dynamics.
Over bumpy roads with did find the suspension sometimes was a little harsh, but this is to be expected when the car has been developed to deliver sporty ride and handling.
We had the chance to test out all three cars on the racetrack at Baskerville raceway just out of Hobart. Putting each car through a slalom course allowed us to experience just how well balanced the rear-wheel drive 2 series is. It's perfect weight distribution alloys the car to change direction without so much of a hint of body roll. of course the M235i was able to complete the slalom course much easier and much quicker than the 220i and 220d.
BMW 2 Series Competitors
Like the saying goes you can't have one without the other and in this case the other is Mercedes Benz and Audi.
Mercedes Benz offer the CLA in a four-door coupe priced from $49,900 for the 1.6 litre CLA 200. the 1.8 litre diesel is priced at $50,400 and their performance offering is priced higher at $86,900 but does come wiry all-wheel-drive.
Audi offers up the A3 but buyers might also consider the Audi TT which starts ar $69,350 for the 1.8litre TFSI.
BMW 2 Series Verdict
The BMW 2 Series is huge step-up from the previous 1 Series coupe. The BMW 2 Series is now more refined, sportier and a better all round car.
The 220i and 220d will be the volume sellers but the ability of M235i to go from docile city car to fire breathing road warrior is amazing. Most cars that put the fun and excitement back in to driving are difficult to live with on a day-to-day basis but not the M235i.
