I’ve been test-driving a bunch of cars lately, and I decided this morning to stray a little from the somewhat sensible sedans and wagons I've been checking out, and dip my toes in something slightly less pragmatic. So, shining up my wingtips and throwing on my least-wrinkled trousers, I headed over to the BMW Store, where I test drove a 2-series: a non-xdrive, 230i 8AT with the m-sport and track pack.
Test conditions: pouring rain 😊
In short, this was a fantastic car. As anticipated, it felt essentially like a torquier, slightly spryer, maybe homelier version of my old ’05 330Ci M-sport. This was my first drive in a modern, turbo’d, 8AT’d bimmer, and it exceeded expectations.
The 8AT was remarkably responsive and the car had plenty of scoot off the line, right up until about 4,500 rpm. It even sounded pretty good – at low revs, a lot like a big N/A inline 6. Maybe that’s crazy, maybe I just haven’t listened to a lot of inline-6’s lately. But there you go, leave it to BMW to make a 4-banger sound pretty darned good.
I’ve read descriptions of the motor as “diesel-like” in its power delivery and I would agree. At lower revs and especially around town, I really couldn’t see myself missing the bigger 6-cylinder turbo of the 240i, such was the power available, but as the revs increased and the power tapered off, I could envision coveting the bigger motor – even if by then I’d also be firmly in license-revocation territory. So, for the ~3400 lb. 2-series, this is a great drivetrain.
The car steered and rotated very well indeed; about as well as I remembered 330 m-sport doing, and even in the rain, felt like it had far more control and ability than the driver, which is what I like about FGC’s.
The Track Pack included variable ratio steering and adaptive dampers, and even in my tame city driving, I found the different drive modes noticeable and useable, firming/loosening the steering and suspension as desired. It’s probably more gimmick than necessity for my driving style and level of skill, but I certainly enjoyed cycling through the modes; i.e. when I wanted to relax, Eco Pro was great for leisurely cruising, and when I wanted to “get after it”, Sport + firmed things up perfectly.
The seats, visibility and driving position were excellent for my long legged 6’2 frame. I’d say the volvo r-design seats, which I tried in a V60, are just as supportive while offering more cushioning, but the rest of the Volvo’s cabin isn’t nearly as driver-focused.
The car I tested was pretty much loaded, but I’d be very happy with a stripper CPO 228i, with heated sport seats, sport suspension, and sunroof. Not sure if I’d want the 8AT or a stick; the auto was impressive, but as an only-car I might miss having a stick, especially considering how they are vanishing from the marketplace.
All in all, even in lowly 4-cylinder guise, this 2-series was an awesome piece. It's highly desirable and no doubt worth the premium over things like the GTI and Mustang, provided you like what it offers, and it's certainly a strong rebuttal to the oft-heard refrain that BMW has lost its mojo.
