One Snag To Diesel 2 Series

Essentially the replacement to the previous generation 1 Series Coupe which was loosely based on the 1 Series hatch, the 2 Series looks more substantial in the metal than its predecessor, thanks to its bespoke design that little resembles the current 1 Series.

Earlier this year we attended the launch of the model in KwaZulu-Natal and were suitably impressed by the sporty nature of the M235i in particular and the rest of the range in general. I recently spent a week in the company of the 220d kitted out in the company’s M Performance parts addenda and, right off the bat, the thing simply looks superb. In part this was thanks to the carbon fibre treatment given to the wing mirror covers and boot spoiler, while the extended front valance with gaping air intakes and a jutted lip spoiler add some visual venom to the front end.

Add to this the achingly good-looking 19-inch alloys wrapped in 35 profile tyres and red brake calipers with M lettering and you get, in my view, one of the best M Performance parts cocktail to come from the marque. At a price of R78,393 the figure seems worth it, as everyone I encountered during the test tenure could not help but heap praise on the vehicle. The interior, meanwhile, offered a nice blend of light brown leather pews, brushed aluminium accents and contrasting black plastic elements that worked in unison. Being a strictly 2+2 seater, taking three of your mates on a night on the town is out of the question, but I could not be bothered by this as piloting the vehicle is all that matters here.

Thanks to excellent ergonomics and a near perfect seating position, I quickly became comfortable with the vehicle. Under the bonnet is the company’s familiar 2.0l TwinPower turbodiesel engine pushing out 138kW and 380Nm through the superb eight-speed automatic transmission. While the engine has become a tad agricultural over the years, the company has a new family of engines that includes a new 2.0l turbodiesel which will feature in the forthcoming 2 Series Active Tourer and updated X3. I have it on good account that the engine will also find its way into the 520d and, while there is no official confirmation that it will be offered in the 220d, I am of the opinion that it will.

While the sporty exterior screams performance from the rafters, that accolade is more suited to the feisty M235i, but the 220d can still hold its own against pesky Golf GTI drivers. The easy-going nature of the engine allied to the automatic gearbox saw me average 7.1l/100km over the test tenure, which included some bouts of spirited driving. Dialling Sport+ on the driving experience control toggle switch partially deactivates the traction control and allows some wheel spin off the line, while the transmission assumes a quicker and more aggressive shift pattern. While aurally the vehicle lacks some engine acoustics under full load, performance remains sprightly at worst. Turn off the traction aids and it gladly wags its tail out of corners to the driver’s delight.

Interestingly, not once did I feel shortchanged on the performance front nor did I find myself lusting for the M235i instead. Of course, the M235i is a proper driver’s car par excellence, but the 220d seems to offer a blend of performance and economy that makes this an ideal daily commuter. Add to that a fairly compliant suspension in spite of the low profile tyres and I would look at this model prior to considering something like, say, a Golf GTI. If there are bugbears, then these will point at the rear light clusters that look a little out of place and the engine clatter while idling, particularly during cold starts.

Other than that I was rather engrossed in the model and found it ideal for those who relish exemplary economy, sporty looks and lively performance when the need to dispense with a couple of hot hatches arises. Should you require more passenger space then the 1 Series would be your best bet, but if a bit of individuality is what you require, then perhaps a 220i or the 220d replete with the M Performance Parts items (which can only be specified over and above the M Performance package) would certainly suffice. The only snag is that, with this price tag, you could easily settle for the M235i manual retailing at R558 000.

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-Lerato Matebese