BMW 2 Series (2014-2021) Review

Coupe buyers perhaps won’t be overly concerned with practicalities such as rear-seat space, which is a good thing in the 2 Series Coupe’s case. It’s tight in there, and only having two doors makes it tricky to get in and out.

However, coupe buyers will be looking for a car that’s stylish, feels good to sit in, and is great fun to drive. On all three fronts, the 2 Series Coupe really delivers. Each one is entertaining, and the performance versions are brilliantly grin-inducing.

The sheer breadth of the line-up will help you find a 2 Series that suits you – from economical diesels, to easygoing automatic petrols, to those exceptional M Performance range-toppers. There is, of course, also a drop top version, the BMW 2 Series Convertible.

All are pretty good, you’ll be pleased to hear. This is a sporty car, so BMW was careful not to use an engine that risked feeling underpowered and spoiling the experience. Even the fact that later 218i models came with an eyebrow-raising three-cylinder turbo petrol needn’t worry you – it’s the engine from the MINI Cooper. It’s well worth a look if you want a fuel-saving petrol.

The 220d diesel is very powerful-feeling because it has a lot of pulling power. This engine makes light work of a larger 3 Series, so really doesn’t struggle in a 2 Series. As for trims, SE is OK but not quite special enough. We’d go for at least a Sport, and an M Sport if possible (although they often carry a price premium that reflects this desirability).  

And then there’s the M235i and M240i. Simply put, if you can, do it. You won’t regret it.

Compact coupes are a bit thin on the ground. Audi has never sold a direct rival to the BMW 1 Series and 2 Series, for example, preferring instead to let the TT sports car do the work. The same goes for Mercedes-Benz - its A-Class has never been offered as a coupe.

Alternatives are out there, but there aren’t many of them. The Volkswagen Scirocco is a good competitor, following a simpler philosophy to the BMW, albeit with front-wheel drive and a hatchback, rather than rear-wheel drive and a stubby boot.

You could also argue that BMWs sister brand MINI offers an intriguing alternative in the form of the MINI Hatch, especially in Cooper S guise. It too is performance-oriented, doesn’t give much thought to rear seat space and is a blast to drive. Enthusiasts of a certain mindset will certainly consider it an alternative.

BMW does make its cars better-built and more robust than the mainstream brands, and some of that is in evidence here. The body panels are thick, smoothly-painted and tightly assembled. Inside, there’s a depth of quality to things such as the carpets, the buttons on the dashboard, and the solid feel of the column stalks.

It arguably doesn’t quite match Audi quality and luxury in terms of some of the materials though. The dashboard is premium, with soft-touch materials and not a hint that something might creak or vibrate. But Audi’s eye for detail goes a little bit deeper. Whereas BMW will just use a chunky piece of plastic, Audi will take more care to make it look pretty.

Perhaps this is why the BMW doesn’t have the full-scale wow-factor when you step in. But be in no doubt, it’s still a genuinely premium car with very good quality and finish.

Infotainment is an area where BMW really does lead the pack. All 2 Series Coupes get a smart 6.5-inch screen on the dashboard, controlled by the familiar iDrive dial in the centre console. It’s breathtakingly simple to use – even the sat-nav system if fitted (sat-nav would later become standard on all new BMWs).

Later navigation systems included BMW Proactive Drive, which used the mapping to match gearshift points to the road ahead – for example, not changing up when it detected a corner approaching. It would even do this when the sat-nav wasn’t set and operational.

In 2016, infotainment was enhanced with the latest iDrive interface, which makes the system’s ever-growing array of functions easier to find and operate. As with earlier cars, an upgraded BMW Professional navigation system was offered, with a full-size widescreen display, plus extra treats such as wireless charging, a wi-fi hotspot and enhanced Bluetooth.  

Whichever 2 Series Coupe you choose, you’ll get a top-notch infotainment system to use, one that makes most of its rivals seem cumbersome and awkward.

The 2 Series is not a particularly compact small coupe. It measures around 4.4 metres long and over 1.9 metres wide. However, that rear-wheel-drive layout does steal some space, which meant BMW had to make some compromises. 

Not so for the front-seat passengers, who will be perfectly happy with the laid-back seating position they’re given. They can be selfish with the seat adjustment and enjoy a nice sense of being sat centrally within a powerful car with a reasonably long nose ahead. Even the doors are long, to give an authentic coupe feel – and they’re frame-less, for extra cool points.

Not much of that length is given over to helping people get into the back, though. It’s a head-stoop, foot-thread and fall-in sort of process – and we guarantee there will be complaints before the front seat is even back in position. Front-seat passengers will certainly have to compromise in order to free up leg room, and head room isn’t exactly abundant either.

At least it gets better in terms of boot space. Total capacity of 390 litres is almost as big as a Volkswagen Golf, and the shape is wide and surprisingly deep (thank that stubby rear end). Seats are split 60:40 as standard, so folding them down for a flat load space may be preferable to putting up with the whinging from your unlucky back-seat pals.

BMW also offers an extended storage pack, with nets on the floor to lash down loads, plus a through-loading slot behind the rear armrest to facilitate long loads. Stowage space in the cabin isn’t bad either, with handy cubbies in the centre console and two cup holders. Any 1 Series Coupe owners will be very envious.

The 220i Coupe uses a 184PS 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine, which is speedy enough, but even better in 245PS 228i guise. The latter does 0-62mph in just 5.7 seconds. They’re both more potent than the 143PS 218d, which is why many prefer the 220d turbodiesel. With 184PS, it matches the petrol for power, but delivers much better fuel economy.

We rather like the later 218i, with a 136PS 1.5-litre three-cylinder MINI Cooper engine. It’s throbby and fun, and also gets extra bragging points for being the engine found in the BMW i8 hybrid. BMW also followed up later with a 225d diesel producing 218PS, giving 0-62mph in 6.3 seconds.

The 225d came as standard with the brilliant eight-speed Sport automatic gearbox, which was optional on other models. While the six-speed manual is enjoyable, with a short lever (even shorter in M Sport) and a snappy shift, the automatic is uncannily able – and actually gives faster acceleration than manual cars.

The M235i has the 3.0-litre straight six turbo engine that we’ve already fawned over. It produces 326PS for 0-62mph in just 5.0 seconds. It’s an utter joy, with a stupendously addictive engine note, and became even more idol-worthy in 340PS M240i guise. With the auto ’box and launch control engaged, this is capable of 0-62mph in a scant 4.6 seconds – a figure you’d normally associate with the Porsche 911. With a hefty amount more pulling power, it truly is glorious.  

The 2 Series Coupe isn’t as quiet as a larger 3 Series, but it’s still refined enough to make you feel the premium badge on its bonnet is warranted. Although the diesel engines can get a bit clattery, and the four-cylinder engines are throbby when revved, all the motors are smooth, particularly the 1.5-litre and 3.0 turbos. They fade into the background at speed – but a blare from the M Performance models’ dual exhausts is only a toe-flex away, which is pleasing.

Road noise is a bit noticeable, because the 2 Series Coupe generally runs on larger alloy wheels, with tyres that throw up a bit of a row. As it’s a smaller car than, say, a 4 Series Coupe, there’s less space for noise isolation material. The ride itself can get audibly crashy on broken roads.

The overall feel of the interior is one of refinement, though. The climate control fan rarely annoys, for example, and the warning chimes use a soft, soothing noise, rather than an awful buzz or bleep. Another little example of the premium car difference.

Euro NCAP didn’t test the 2 Series Coupe when newly launched, as it is a variant of an existing car, the BMW 1 Series hatchback. So, looking at that car’s Euro NCAP score gives us a sense of how safe its coupe car is.

It performed well, with 91 percent for adult occupant protection and 83 percent for child occupant protection. Safety assist received 86 percent, although pedestrian safety was more average, at 63 percent.

All 2 Series Coupes get front, side and curtain airbags, rear ISOFIX mounts and stability control. There was a seat belt reminder for all five seats (something else to wind up that poor person sitting in the middle), although a knee airbag was not available.

More everyday safety features include rear parking sensors, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, rain-sensing wipers and bright LED rear lights. Full LED headlights at the front were added later too.

The updated iDrive system from summer 2016 also has some neat safety extras, including an enhanced version of the eCall auto-alert system that dials emergency services in the event of an accident – and uses onboard GPS to help them locate you.

The cheapest 2 Series Coupe to insure is the 218i, rated as group 20. A 220i goes up to group 25, or group 26 for the more outlandish M Sport version. Meanwhile, a 218d is group 20 or group 21 for the M Sport.

Like the potency of the 228i and later 230i? You’ll be paying group 30 insurance – the same as for the 225d performance diesel. And if you really want power, get your cheque book out: the M235i is in group 38, which rises to group 39 for the even more powerful M240i.

Pick a 220i manual and you’ll enjoy annual VED (road tax) of £165 a year. Take an auto and it drops down to £150, thanks to the lower CO2 emissions. It’s the same for the 220d: a manual is £125 a year, as it emits 125g/km CO2. The auto cuts CO2 emissions down to 117g/km and annual VED to just £30.

Even the M235i isn’t so bad, given its performance: £305 for a manual, £265 for the auto. Incredibly, it falls further for the M240i auto, which costs £240 a year to tax.

At launch, BMW offered some silly and undesirable trim lines called Modern and Luxury. They’re really not well suited to the 2 Series Coupe, which is why many ignored them and stuck with the core model line of SE, Sport, M Sport and the M Performance M235i (later M240i).

You get premium-grade equipment even in a basic 2 Series Coupe. They all come with 17-inch alloy wheels, the iDrive display, climate control, Bluetooth, DAB, rain-sensing wipers and a button-packed sport leather steering wheel. Sport includes attractive high-gloss black trim on the outside, a different design of 17-inch alloy and, inside, a great set of sports seats.

M Sport has the very visually appealing combination of 10mm lower suspension and 18-inch double-spoke alloys. Buyers could also pick Estoril Blue paint, a colour not offered on any other variant. There was a comprehensive M bodykit and an even sportier interior. M Performance variants are another step up again, with detailing so comprehensive they even get their own boot badge.