The entry-level 2 Series is the most affordable way to get behind the wheel of a BMW. But it's far from a watered-down badge-derived creation. The 2 offers the sort of handling and performance goodness that buyers have come to appreciate in BMW sports cars, but in a more condensed package.
For 2017, the 2 Series is available as a traditional hardtop Coupe or a soft-top Convertible, with the models receive some mechanical updates with new engines and new names. The high-performance M2 Coupe is also available and is covered in a standalone report.
The 228i, the entry-level variant, is now the 230i. It's still a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 16 valves and a turbocharger, but this is an all-new design that comes from BMW's new modular family. Power is up slightly by eight horsepower to 248, while torque increases by the slimmest of margins to 258 lb-ft, up from 254. A six-speed manual is standard equipment on the rear-wheel-drive Coupe, with an eight-speed automatic available for $1,600. The 230i xDrive all-wheel drive Coupe and Convertible come standard with the automatic. An optional Track Package adds bigger brakes, sport-tuned suspension, variable steering, larger wheels, and stickier tires for greater performance abilities.
As for the six-cylinder 2 Series, it now wears the M240i badge. The 3.0-litre straight-six turbo offers slightly more gains: 15 hp and 39 lb-ft, bringing the totals to 335 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. These figures put the M240i in close proximity to the M2, which generates 365 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. Both Coupe and Convertible M240i are available with rear- or all-wheel drive. A six-speed manual with rev-matched downshifts is standard on rear-drive M240is, with an eight-speed automatic offered as an extra. All-wheel drive M240is come exclusively with an eight-speed auto.
What sets the 2 Series apart from some of its rivals is its two-door-only body style. While that might initially limit its viability for some potential owners, interior space is on par with similarly sized competitors. All 2 Series models have a decently sized trunk, with the Coupe offering standard 60/40 split folding rear seats with an optional ski pass-through. The interior design of the 2 Series is similar to that of the 3- and 4 Series and comes finished in premium materials. Instrumentation is fuss-free with simple to read gauges, and the iDrive screen is prominently featured front and centre.
As with many BMW products, the standard 2 Series has a comprehensive options list, but standard equipment includes leatherette upholstery (leather on the M240i), sport seats with eight-way adjustability, automatic climate control, a 10-speaker audio system, 18-inch alloy wheels, and iDrive with a 6.5-inch display.
Key options for the 2 Series are grouped into packages; highlights include front and rear parking sensors, a reverse camera, navigation with a larger iDrive display, heated steering wheel, power sunroof, Harman/Kardon audio system, and in-car internet. The 2 Series is also available with emergency autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot warning, speed limit information, and an automatic parking function.
Pricing for the 2017 230i Coupe starts at $36,700, with the M240i xDrive Convertible selling for $56,450.
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