Fancy a sporty cabriolet you can drive every day?
The BMW 2-Series convertible has now replaced the drop-top 1-series and offers four seats,
a reasonable boot and economy of up to 64mpg, with prices starting from just under £30,000.
It certainly looks better than before, with a prettier nose and better proportions thanks
to it being both longer and wider.
But, is it good enough to tempt you away from models like the Audi A3 Cabriolet?
There’s only one way to find out.
The rear-wheel drive 2-Series convertible boasts perfect 50:50 weight distribution,
so it has an immediate advantage over most of its rivals.
Drive normally in Eco Pro or Comfort mode and it’s OK, but the steering is very light
and the manual gearshift can be a bit notchy.
But, switch to Sport and the wheel weights up and at higher speeds the gearbox feels
more intuitive, especially as it blips the throttle on downshifts.
You also get to appreciate the handling, which is certainly sharp, but not so firm it makes
the car uncomfortable.
We’d recommend the excellent Auto though, we think it suits the car better and even
makes it slightly faster and greener.
There isn’t a slow version of this car, both the 220i and 220d we’re driving today
take 7.5 seconds to reach 62mph and top 140mph, while the 228i takes 6.1 seconds.
For the first time, there’ll also be an M version, the M235i with 326hp, 5.0 second
acceleration and a 155mph top speed to really rearrange your hairstyle.
Economy tops out at 64mpg for the 220d auto, while the 220i can manage 44mpg.
The M235i is thirsty, but not horrendous considering its performance, getting 35.8mpg.
The 2-Series has a snug-feeling cabin, with a smaller windscreen than most rivals, and
a view out over the flat bonnet.
The dashboard has a layered design, with a wide-screen infotainment display above more
traditional controls for the stereo and climate control.
The instruments are clear and there’s lots of information about how you’re driving,
including tips to save fuel in Eco Pro mode.
The i-Drive controller is intuitive once you get used to it, and everything is snappy in
its responses, with maps loading quickly.
There’s a lot going on here though, so you can drill down into settings and even read
the handbook sat on your drive.
Go for the Real Time Traffic Updates if you hate queues as much as I do.
Bluetooth is standard, along with automatic air-con, keyless start and sports seats.
The M Sport trim should prove popular, adding a sports body kit and stiffer suspension.
There’s also M Sport Plus, with xenon headlamps, a Harman kardon stereo and uprated brakes,
as fitted to this car.
Access to the rear seats has been improved slightly, but it’s still tight back there,
so only suitable for short trips.
The 335-litre boot is more impressive, beating the A3 Cabriolet by 15 litres, but it’s
a bit of an awkward shape.
The rear bench folds down, revealing a hatch for longer items.
The roof is now better insulated and reduces cabin noise by 4dB.
It takes 20 seconds to lower or raise and can be operated at speeds up to 30mph, ideal
for the unpredictable British weather.
The
2-Series Convertible is an interesting car.
Its sporty, without quite being a sports car, can seat four – just about – has a decent
boot and impressive economy.
You can justify it as a wholly sensible purchase, but then drop the top and blast the cobwebs
away.
But, what do you think of the BMW 2 Series Convertible?
Let us know in the comments section and for more videos don’t forget to subscribe.
To watch reviews of its rivals, click on the links at the end of the video.