BMW 2 Series Coupe (2014 – 2020) Review

The current BMW 2 Series Coupe is the final throw of the dice for this compact rear-wheel-drive car. A new model, coming soon, will see it replaced, leaving a big gap in the marketplace. With handsome styling, a truly engaging driving experience and a strong engine range, the 2 Series is a joy to own. There are downsides, notably the stiff ride, especially on M Sport models, which is caused by a sportier suspension setup. Space for passengers in the rear is also very limited, although the boot is more generously proportioned.

Good looking and even better to drive, the BMW 2 Series Coupe has found plenty of fans since launch in 2014. It still holds plenty of appeal now, with time having not dulled its handsome lines, and the rear-wheel-drive layout continuing to win over enthusiastic drivers. 

The intended replacement will be a front-wheel-drive and four-door Gran Coupe, which does not quite have the same instant kerb appeal.

Compact premium coupes are a rarity to begin with, making the 2 Series an endangered species. An Audi TT lacks the same level of driver involvement, while a Toyota GT86 is far more spartan on the inside. 

Buyers have clearly loved what this car offers, with more than 750,000 examples of the 2 Series Coupe and its Convertible cousin sold so far. Sharp styling and balanced proportions on the outside have undoubtedly persuaded some to buy, while a test drive is likely to convert those still wavering. 

Although it proves to be more accommodating than the 1 Series Coupe it replaced, this is still a compact car on the inside. Front-seat passengers will be fine, but the back seats are notably short on space. Trying to cram adults into the back is likely to result in arguments, leaving them for use with child seats at best. The boot is at least generously sized, with 390 litres of luggage space beyond the saloon-style opening. 

The interior itself is a lesson in German restraint, with plenty of solid-feeling trim, but not much in the way of excitement.

Standard levels of equipment are at least generous, with automatic air conditioning, DAB radio and a 6.5-inch iDrive multimedia screen included on all cars. Metal and gloss black trim elements add a touch more interest to the cabin, but the emphasis here is firmly on the driving experience. 

Thankfully, the 2 Series Coupe really delivers on the open road. All models, from the base-specification SE through to the range-topping M240i, offer a degree of driver involvement rarely found at this price level.

Crisp and precise steering allows the car to be placed accurately at speed, and will make threading a series of bends together feel genuinely rewarding. Yet it remains a usable, everyday coupe, just as happy to slog up and down the motorway as commute through town.

The only drawback comes with the stiff ride, caused by the sporty suspension. M Sport models have a particularly unforgiving ride when fitted with larger alloy wheels, but it should not be enough to put many buyers off. 

Engine options range from economical diesels to the wild petrol M240i, The latter uses a turbocharged straight-six engine, and has the pace to scare pukka sports cars. BMW’s xDrive four-wheel drive can be added to certain models, while the eight-speed automatic gearbox is excellent. 

As a relatively compact coupe, the 2 Series cannot be expected to perform packaging miracles. A four-seater on paper only, the rear seats are best reserved for carrying small children.

The problem starts with limited rear legroom, and is amplified by the coupe roofline compromising headroom for adults. Those up front will be perfectly happy though, with lots of legroom and plenty of seat adjustment on offer. There are also no issues with headroom for front-seat passengers. 

Boot space is more generous, with a maximum capacity of some 390 litres. That puts it on par with family hatchbacks like the Volkswagen Golf, although the saloon-style boot is less practical to use. At least the rear seats fold split and fold 60/40, allowing longer items to be slotted through into the cabin. A ski-hatch opening is also on the options list.

There are some elements lower down in the cabin that feel more ‘budget’, but only if you look for them. An Audi TT may be slightly more luxurious, but we are splitting hairs at this level. 

Details such as the cloth and Alcantara (man-made suede) sports seats fitted to the M Sport models, upgraded to full Dakota leather for the M240i, also add a touch of class. 

Satin silver trim is used on the interiors of SE models, with gloss black found on Sport versions. M Sport and M240i cars have an aluminium hexagon design.

BMW leads the way with multimedia systems, and has done for many years. All versions feature a 6.5-inch iDrive infotainment screen, operated by a rotary controller on the centre console. It works extremely well, and makes other systems seem unnecessarily cumbersome. 

All models feature a DAB radio, Bluetooth connectivity, USB ports and satellite navigation. BMW includes Apple CarPlay compatibility as standard, but there is no support for Android Auto users. 

The optional Tech Pack II includes wireless smartphone charging, a black panel digital dashboard and the BMW Professional Multimedia navigation system.

The 2020 2 Series range starts from £25,245 on the road, which nets you a petrol 218i SE with the six-speed manual gearbox. Adding the popular automatic transmission will increase the cost by a not-inconsiderable £1,450. Sport specification is £27,690 for the 218i, with an M Sport version priced from £29,620. Bank on at least £32,355 for a 220i. 

Diesel prices begin at £28,940 for a 218d in SE specification. Jumping further up the range to the more powerful 220d requires at least £32,050 for the Sport version, with M Sport at £33,650. The priciest diesel of all is the 220dM Sport xDrive, with four-wheel drive and an automatic gearbox, retailing at £36,750.

Befitting its sports car ability, pricing for the M240i begins at £41,550. An automatic transmission is standard on this range-topping model. 

While it may be the entry-level engine, the 218i petrol is one of the most popular models on the used market. A manufacturer-approved 218i in Sport specification should cost from around £15,000, securing a two-year-old car with around 20,000 miles on the odometer. Opting for the fancier M Sport trim will increase the price marginally to £17,000. 

Diesels are slightly harder to find, but the 218d should cost from less than £14,000 for a nearly-new example. Moving to the more powerful 220d will push the budget to £18,000, although this will most likely mean M Sport trim. 

Having proved a favourite with BMW fans, a nearly-new M240i is easy to source. And with prices from £20,000, it is hard to ignore.

Diesels offer the best fuel economy, especially when combined with the automatic gearbox. Most economical of all is the 218d in SE or Sport trim, delivering an official 49.6mpg. M Sport trim cuts this slightly to 48.7mpg. Even the more powerful 220d is not far behind, capable of up to 48.7mpg.

Petrol versions are slightly less efficient, but still commendable given their performance. The 218i is the best on fuel, with official fuel economy of 38.2mpg for SE and Sport versions. Going for the 220i sees a potential of 37.7mpg, with even the blazing M240i able to officially hit 32.5mpg. Not bad for such a sporty car...

Providing you haven’t just passed your driving test, insurance should not be eye-wateringly expensive. The entry-level 218i SE should be cheapest to insure, rated as group 20 (out of 50). A diesel 220d M Sport can be found in group 27, while the M240i’s performance status is reflected by a group 39 rating. 

Having been introduced in 2014, the 2 Series Coupe has crossed multiple different VED (road tax) regimes. If you are looking at a used model, make sure you check exactly what you’ll be paying first.

Almost all versions of the 2 Series Coupe sold after April 2017 are eligible for VED of £150 per year. This is apart from the later versions of the M240i, which crossed the £40,000 threshold. It means having to pay an additional £325 for five years after the first year of registration.

Being rear-wheel drive as standard helps, making it feel more lively than front-wheel-drive rivals. 

The steering offers a pleasing amount of feedback and will let you place the 2 Series on the road with confidence. The lure of taking the back roads will be hard to resist, but this BMW will be just as happy in town, or when soaking up miles on the motorway. 

A downside to the sporty suspension comes in the form of ride quality. All versions feel quite taut, but M Sport models have a special lowered setup. These cars can feel very firm, particularly with larger alloy wheels fitted. It makes the Adaptive M suspension a valuable option, allowing the choice of Sport or Comfort settings at the press of a button. 

The M240i has its own upgraded M Performance suspension, which places the car 20mm lower to the ground.

Engine options for the 2020 2 Series Coupe are down to three petrols and two diesels, with BMW having dropped some of the previous choices. 

The 1.5-litre three-cylinder kicks off the petrol range with 136PS, and is the same engine found in the Mini Cooper. The 184PS four-cylinder turbo 220i is a better bet, with more performance and the eight-speed automatic gearbox as standard. 

Maximum performance comes in the form of the M240i. With a 340PS 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six, this moves the 2 Series into sports car territory. It has a wonderful exhaust note, too. 

Diesel options consist of the 150PS 218d, followed by the 190PS 220d. Both use the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit, and offer little difference in terms of fuel economy. It makes picking the more powerful 220d almost a no-brainer. Should you want extra traction, the 220d can also be specified with BMW’s xDrive four-wheel-drive system.

BMW has never submitted the 2 Series Coupe to independent crash testing by Euro NCAP. However, the related 1 Series hatchback gained the maximum five-star rating when it was evaluated. We imagine the 2 Series would be just as safe.

Front, side and curtain airbags, plus rear Isofix child car seat mounts and stability control are all part of the standard safety package. The bonnet can pop-up to protect pedestrians, too. 

Rear parking sensors are fitted to all models, with front sensors on the options list as part of Tech Pack 1. This also includes a reversing camera and cruise control with a brake function.

For an additional £600, BMW will install a detachable tow bar on the 2 Series Coupe. This can be added to all models except the performance M240i.

While it may not be an obvious choice for towing, diesel versions of the 2 Series are going to be better suited to the job. The 220d M Sport with an automatic gearbox can pull a maximum capacity of 1,500kg for braked trailers.

BMW launched the 2 Series Coupe with a number of different trim levels, but has distilled them down since 2014. 

The range begins with SE trim, which includes climate control, iDrive display screen, DAB radio and 17-inch alloy wheels. Sport trim adds gloss black inserts for the bumpers and sports suspension. Cloth sports seats are also part of the deal.

Topping the range is M Sport, installing bespoke front and rear bumpers, plus a set of 18-inch alloy wheels. Bespoke suspension tuning is included, along with M Sport seats part-trimmed in Alcantara. 

The performance M240i (previously the M235i) benefits from leather seats and upgraded brakes.  

Modern and Luxury specifications were offered early in the life of the 2 Series Coupe, but proved unpopular with buyers. They were both unceremoniously dropped.

SE trim gets rear Park Distance Control, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and 17-inch alloy wheels, BMW Professional radio with a 6.5-inch colour display and iDrive controller, a Driving Perfomance Control switch, automatic climate control, Bluetooth, DAB, a Sport multi-function leather steering wheel, rain-sensing wipers and LED rear lights

Sport adds sports seats and black high-gloss interior trim, as well as exclusive 17-inch alloy wheels.

Modern has part leather upholstery, Dark Pearl interior trim and an exclusive 17-inch alloy wheel design.

M Sport models come with 10mm lowered M Sport Suspension, 18-inch M Sport light-alloy wheels in double-spoke design, aerodynamic bodystyling and High-gloss Shadowline exterior trim. Estoril Blue metallic piant can also be specified with the M Sport trim level.