BMW 2 Series coupe 2014 review

The best BMW in Australia is now a 2. The 2 Series coupe mixes decent suspension - great if you buy the adaptive version - with a beguiling chassis and pricing that pitches the two-door coupe directly at its Euro rivals. The fact it doesn’t suffer in the comparison is a good indication that this next-gen Beemer has taken note of the criticism levelled at previous models and addressed it.

VALUE

There are only three vehicles available at launch, starting with the 220i for $50,500. The diesel adds $2000. Both cars ride on 17-inch alloys and have satnav displayed on a 6.5-inch screen, wheel-mounted paddle shifters for the eight-speed auto and rear parking sensors.

There’s then a massive rise to $79,900 for the M235i. That leaves plenty of room to slot in the 228i later this year. The extra spend on the M Performance car buys the acclaimed 3.0-litre turbo six-cylinder engine, adaptive suspension, 18-inch rims, a bigger display screen, front and rear parking sensors, upgraded sound system and bi-xenon headlamps.

TECHNOLOGY

Proven engines are housed within a lightweight chassis to give the coupe the genes of a sporty handling car. The default transmission is an eight-speed automatic, though buyers can choose to have a six-speed manual.

It’s a no-cost option that only the pedantic or resolutely committed enthusiast will take, given the auto’s manual mode and paddle shifters do the same job faster and smoother. The M235i also rolls on adaptive suspension, which adjusts damper firmness depending on the setting.

DESIGN

The 2 Series is 26mm wider, 5mm lower and 72mm longer than the 1 Series coupe it supercedes. Despite the stretch it hasn’t added weight and is one of the best-proportioned Beemers in the current crop.
The nose, especially the fog light surround, changes its look depending on which “line” (style package) the customer opts for. The inside is typical, uncluttered BMW. The front console gently angles toward the driver and the switches and their placement will be familiar to existing owners. It’s not broke, so don’t bother reinventing it.

SAFETY

The 2 Series still hasn’t been crash testing in Europe, so there’s no official rating. The car shares elements with the 1 and 3 Series, both of which are rated five-star cars, so it’s more than likely the 2 will earn the top mark.

DRIVING

Precision is the hallmark of the 2 Series. The car can be pointed at any piece of road and will unerringly track to it. The petrol engines are the pick simply because they better reflect the sporty intent of the car.  The diesel is an admirable engine in its own right - and almost as quick as the base petrol - but it lacks the touch-the-throttle immediacy the 2 coupe demands and deserves. No, the oilburner will find a far more convivial match when it is installed in the cabriolet.

The base 220i is capable of hitting 100km/h seven seconds after start, making it more than a good thing. It is quiet, efficient and an elegant execution of small-capacity turbo performance. The M235i steps things up with a whole new gearset. The 100km/h mark is reached just 4.8 seconds after take-off and the turbo feels as though it is always on, with no hesitation before pummelling the car and driver with 450Nm.

As a sports coupe it’s a winner - providing owners can forgo the utility that comes with a second set of doors. Even with the extra room, getting in and out of the rear seats quickly becomes tiresome for all involved. Four-door coupes are in fashion and, given its 4 Series form, BMW is bound to build one at some point. The ride is composed, though the initial stiffness means small irregularities flow back into the cabin. All if forgiven at higher speed as the 2 tackles mid-corner camber changes with ease and irons out some of the poorer paved sections of the Tasmanian road network.

VERDICT

If you can get by with two doors the 2 Series is the one to own. Great looks, engaging dynamics and potent engines make it a grin-inducing drive.