In-Depth: BMW 2 Series Coupe Review
Anybody that keeps up-to-date with what happens in the BMW world will know that the coupe and convertible 1 Series models have now been moved across to a new 2 Series, with the 1 Series retaining the hatchback models.
The German car manufacturer has done a lot of chopping and changing with their car models, with the previous notable change being the end of the iconic BMW M3 (the M3 will remain with the saloon version of the 3 Series, with the coupe becoming the BMW M4 – yes, that’s right, it’s gone over to the 4 Series)!
Confusing model renumbering aside, the BMW 2 Series coupe has a lot of potential and is the perfect choice for those seeking a great-looking BMW that isn’t as big as its other brothers.
What’s the BMW 2 Series coupe like to drive?
The BMW 2 Series coupe comes in with a choice of three petrol engines and one diesel, with all engines having a twin-scroll turbocharger (twin-scrolls are divided turbochargers). For normal everyday driving, I would recommend the four-cylinder diesel engine (220d) as it packs 181 brake horsepower and will get you to 60 mph from idle in just 7 seconds.
For those that want a top of the range model, there is the M235i which has a 3.0-litre 6-cylinder turbocharged engine capable of delivering 321 brake horsepower! The M235i can go from 0 to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds and has a top speed of 155 mph.
Buyers of the BMW 2 Series have the choice of opting for the eight-speed automatic transmission (standard on the 225d, optional on the other models), or the six-speed manual transmission. The automatic transmission is actually the better gearbox than the manual, because the gear changes are considerably smoother than in the manual, as strange as that sounds!
Handling is pretty spot on with the BMW 2 Series coupe. According to Jardine Motors, if you enter a corner too quickly the front wheels will run “wide” of your chosen path so that you don’t end up crashing your pride and joy! The ride is comfortable across all models, even with the rough roads that you are likely to encounter on a regular basis.
How noisy is the cabin when you’re driving?
For a lot of cars, one of the biggest problems is wind noise when you are driving at speed. Sadly, this is something that the BMW 2 Series suffers from too although it’s not as bad as you might think as the wind noise seems restricted to the front pillars only.
If you buy the diesel coupe, you are likely to find it much noisier than the petrol engine equivalents, and you will even feel some vibrations from the diesel unit through the pedals – something to weigh up if you are considering this fuel-efficient version.
What’s it like inside of the BMW 2 Series coupe?
The interior is basically inherited from the 1 Series, and although there is plenty of room up front, things can get a bit cramped for those sitting in the back – especially for taller passengers! The boot capacity is 390 litres, so there is plenty of cargo space.
In terms of equipment, the best model to go for is the SE, which features rear parking sensors, climate control, and a Bluetooth & DAB-enabled stereo system.
