Like a 4 Series baby, the 2 Series Coupe offers traditional BMW sporty handling in a grown-up alternative to that hot hatch you might otherwise have envisioned.
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The verdict of the Auto Trader expert:
Available new from £34,980
Like the rest of the automotive world, BMW must reinvent itself for the electric age, even as it continues to play with the traditions and the fan base that made its name. And the 2 Series Coupé is a very traditional BMW, sharing nothing with the other models. apparently in the same family. In fact, he shares more with the Series 3 and Series 4, using a rear-wheel-drive setup to deliver the signature handling balance that BMW fans have come to appreciate over the years. If you’re feeling indulgent, you can still have it with a big, powerful six-cylinder engine, although the more frugal 220i driven here will be top-selling and offer more reasonable running costs.
Reasons to buy:
- BMW plays with its fans
- Fun to drive
- More upscale than a hot hatch
Running costs of a BMW 2 Series
“BMW has long been a master at making sure its internal combustion engine (ICE) cars do the best numbers possible to improve running costs”
Expert Rating: 3/5
Reliability of a BMW 2 Series
“The brand hasn’t done particularly well lately on reliability scores, although the 2-series coupe uses proven engines”
High-end brands like BMW tend to suffer from reliability studies because the cost of repairs tends to be higher when things go wrong. Even taking that into account, the marque hasn’t been doing particularly well lately on reliability scores, although the 2-Series Coupe uses proven engines and other parts that will hopefully deliver the more premium ownership experience than you expect.
Expert Rating: 2/5
Security for a BMW 2 Series
“Combination cruise control and an adjustable speed limiter are also standard, with the option of full active cruise control”
As a modern BMW, the 2 Series Coupe comes with all the driving aids you’d expect, including forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection and tweaks to the steering to keep you in the lane on the highway. These are thankfully less intrusive than some systems, but can be disabled via a simple ‘hot key’ on the dash if needed, although they reset each time you switch off the engine. Parking sensors are also standard and can be upgraded to multi-purpose cameras with the Parking Assistant Plus option. Combined cruise control and an adjustable speed limiter are also standard, with the option of full active cruise control which can automatically stop you in traffic and then start again when the car in front drives away, the all without you having to touch the pedals.
Expert Rating: 4/5
How comfortable is the BMW 2 Series
“For two people, the 2 Series Coupé is a more luxurious choice, with a more traditionally sporty and low-slung seating position”
We’ve described the 2 Series Coupe as a hot hatchback alternative, but what sets it apart from rivals like the Golf GTI is also its biggest weakness in terms of practicality, the two-door layout meaning that access to rear seats will be a bigger faff than in a hatchback. It’s a very different machine, but if you want a fast BMW for family use as well, the M135i would be a better choice in that regard. If you don’t have kids to carry, the format still works and for two people the 2 Series Coupe is a more luxurious choice, with a more traditionally sporty and low seating position. Regular models like the 220i we tested get M Sport-branded suspension for a supposedly sportier feel behind the wheel, but on the bumpy roads we were driving on, we felt very “busy” and, frankly, a little tiring after a few hours at the wheel. BMW would say this more aggressive character is a deliberate move for a sportier feel than the larger 3 and 4 series it’s based on – maybe we’re getting older, but it may have gone too far in that direction to be a comfortable daily driver. Based on that, we’d like to try the Adaptive M suspension available as an option on the M240i on the basis that it has a comfort setting among its modes for hopefully a more refined character.
Expert Rating: 2/5
Features of the BMW 2 Series
“M Sport is the default trim level, supported by a selection of options grouped into self-explanatory packs such as Technology, Comfort and M Sport Pro”
Expert Rating: 4/5
Power for a BMW 2 Series
“The 220i shifts well, shifts smoothly through the standard eight-speed automatic gearbox and strikes a good balance between performance and real-world running costs.”
Expert Rating: 4/5
