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The first impression

The test car arrived which has been long awaited as the 2-Series was launched in April, but you know what they say, “good things come to those who wait.” Six months after its local debut in Umhlanga, Durban, I’m reviewing a 220d M Performance.

Its arrival represents the replacement to the booted version of the previous 1-Series. The 2-Series’ DNA can be linked to BMW’s 2002, a car introduced in the early 1960’s and produced for 15 years. It was a car which ensured BMW's solvency after the company's financial crises of the 1950’s and established the identity of BMW automobiles as sports sedans.

It is also an extension of what began with the 6-Series. The introduction of the even numbered badging, which has grown into a fully-fledged franchise recently - now with a 2, 4 and 6-Series. BMW reserves odd numbers for 4-door sedans and the even numbers for 2-door coupes and or coupe like cars with 4-doors.

The 2-Series is all new - featuring its own ‘face’ which is truly unique and not a duplication of other BMW product, albeit the family thread is obviously evident. Now bigger than the car it replaces and more modern, it is even more boyishly sporty.

To prove the point that the 2-Series is truly a sporty driver’s car. An online commercial was filmed using five red M235i’s in a synchronized power slide, also referred to as ‘drifting’. A fellow motoring colleague, Phuti Mpyane, Editor of Cars in Action, has his own take on the subject: “Drifting a car from side to side, up and down. This is a man’s way of twerking!” The commercial was filmed during our winter season in Cape Town, closing off a city block in the heart of the city’s centre. The clip posted to YouTube is called 2-Series Driftmob.

On the road

The 2-Series is not cheap and you can feel it. Sometimes designer brands create cheaper diffusion lines, allowing the greater masses access to their products. Well the 2-Series isn’t like that. Just because the badging’s numeric value is lower than say a 3, it doesn’t mean it costs or feels anything less - certainly not diffused. In fact, it is quite the contrary.  It would appear that BMW’s badged with odd numbers like the 1, 3, 5 and 7 are mainstay products for the brand, and as such are the bread and butter of the business, while the even numbered 2, 4 and 6’s are more experimental. These experimental models are sculptural and coupe like, which gives them a unique edge over their more conservative brethren.  

Currently the 2-Series is available in petrol variations: 220i, 228i, M235i and a diesel powered 220d, which is being reviewed.

All quick, all efficient and all dynamic. The feel of the 2-Series carries a generic “BMW-esque” quality that can be felt in BMW’s of loftier prices and numeric badging. The quality is tangible; it is a sensation that runs through your fingers, up your arms and into your entire body. The overall feeling sends a message to your head affirming that this car is beautifully made and exhilarating to drive.  

The 2.0 turbo diesel engine is powerful enough to be considered rapid, yet runs frugally enough to be deliberately stingy in its need to quench its thirst for fuel. City driving yields consumption figures of just over 7l/100km with long haul cruising dropping to figures as meagre as 5.4l/100km.

The automatic gearbox is an 8-speed, flicking precisely and effortlessly up and down each of its gears, intuitively selecting the right gear to give you the exact amount of power you need. It is flawless and quite possibly in the top three gearboxes I have reviewed.

The 2-Series is very mature in its way, surprisingly so!  Its exterior looks especially with the M Performance embellishment kit suggests an aggressive performance machine. It features 19” black detailed alloy rim, fitted with super skinny sports tyres and detailed with low hanging bumper and side sill skirts with red accents. The overall look is rather pronounced, which is probably a better physical match for the M235i. The 220d is more the guy who goes about his business confidently, quietly and is known for his high levels of achievement. In the M Performance garb it looks like he has taken to the gym, built some bulk and now ready to show it off.

What I liked

• Its boyish good looks.
• Its high levels of refinement.
• Gloriously high levels of torque (shove) from the diesel engine.
• Seamless 8-speed automatic gearbox.
• Generously sized boot.
• Surprisingly supple ride despite the super low profile tyres fitted to the 19” M Performance rims.

What I’m not mad about

• Limited rear leg and headroom.
• M Performance kit, though it enhances the cars looks it also lowers the cars ride height. It makes navigating speed bumps and steep driveways a hair raising experience trying to prevent grazes.

The figures

The extra stuff

The BMW 2-Series comes standard with a 5yr/100 000km maintenance plan. Euro NCAP crash rating figures have not been released on the 2-Series, but as it is built off the same platform as the 1-Series that did receive 5 stars, it would be safe to expect a similar rating.

The verdict

The 2-Series is the perfect single person’s sporting vehicle. Its looks the part, it is outstanding to drive and reasonably practical too. So rear leg room isn’t brilliant, but you’re not buying it for that.

Personified, the M Performance 2-Series would be Mark Wahlberg. Stout, strong, athletic, good-looking, cocky, humorous and altogether likable.

The problem comes in when we discuss the sordid topic of coin. In standard guise its preppy looks come in at around R440 000, which is marginally cheaper than its bigger brother, the 3-Series, and lacking some optional extra gadgetry. With a full house spec and buff body kit (M Performance), you are looking at figures in excess of R500 000.

In life I believe you get what you pay for, quality isn’t cheap nor is all the work that has gone into the development of the 2-Series. But let’s be practical people, if you have that cash to blow get an M235i, if not, R400 000 will get you a fantastic 220i.

In all fairness to the Beemer, the VW clan can’t really compete and the C-Class Coupe is on its way out. My choice begins with the 220i and ends with the M235i.

www.bmw.co.za