2018 (18) BMW 2 Series 220d M Sport 2dr [Nav] Step Auto

By Jonathan Crouch

Introduction

Torn between a small, sporty cabrio and a proper roadster in your search for an affordably sporty small car from the second half of this century's second decade? You don't have to be. BMW reckons its F23-era 2 Series Convertible offers the best of both worlds. So, you get four seats - but rewarding rear wheel drive handling. A decent boot - but dynamic looks. Reasonable running costs - but all the power you could reasonably want. The result is a benchmark car in this segment from its era.

History

Barring a lottery win or a legacy, most of us aren't likely to ever find ourselves owning a truly exotic open-topped sporting car. Still, perhaps that might not matter too much if you can find yourself a small fast but fashion-friendly fabric-roofed model - perhaps a contender like this one, BMW's F23-era 2 Series Convertible. The Munich maker has a successful history when it comes to this class of cabrio, this car's 1 Series Convertible predecessor a best seller in its segment. That model though, was somewhat short of competition, being one of the few high quality choices in a sector that otherwise left you with either a cramped, noisy open-topped MINI, Audi's dumpy first generation A3 Cabriolet or something very obviously based on an ordinary family hatch from Peugeot, Renault or Volkswagen. You didn't have to think too hard to pick up the BMW keys from that bunch of options. Launched in 2014, this 2 Series Convertible had a much tougher task ahead of it, primarily because its arch-rival, that Audi A3 Cabriolet, had by then considerably sharpened up its act in MK2 model guise. On top of that, in this period cabriolet versions of cars like the Volkswagen Beetle and the Citroen DS3 were offering characterful and much cheaper wind-in-the-hair options for buyers requiring rear seats. Those not needing this feature in a little drop-top from this period might also look at out-and-out sports models like Mazda's MX-5 - or stretch to entry-level versions of models like Audi's TT Roadster or BMW's own Z4. In other words, with the extra choice on offer in this segment in the 2014-2021 era, you've really got to want to buy a 2 Series Convertible. But you might. Compared to its 1 Series Convertible predecessor, this F23 design was after all quieter, more spacious and will cost less to run, so is easier to justify as everyday all-the-year-round transport. Plus it's more comprehensively equipped, better connected and, probably most importantly, a good deal more stylish to look at. Interestingly, there was a touch more masculinity compared to the previous design, an impression especially emphasised by the potent six cylinder M235i variant that slotted in at the top of the range, there to offer near-supercar levels of performance (and replaced by an M240i model in 2017). Whichever version you choose, a proper BMW driving experience should be on the cards. It all means that unlike some cars of this kind, this one is more than just a fashion statement. The F22 coupe version of this design was replaced by a second generation model in late 2021, but that was only offered in fixed-top form, so the Convertible F23 range carried on a few months longer.

What You Get

Cast your mind back: how many really pretty four-seater compact convertibles can you think of? If, like us, you're struggling to remember many, then you'll particularly appreciate what BMW tried to do here. In place of its predecessor's rather apologetic look, this 2 Series has a more confident, assured demeanour. The stretched silhouette is certainly BMW through and through, with its long bonnet, short overhangs and rear-based cabin. But you'll be wanting to know about the roof. There don't seem to be too many downsides in this case to having a fabric hood rather than a metal folding one. The tough three-layered material used here is as resistant to Stanley knives and malfunctioning garage car washing machines as it will be to the ravages of the toughest snowy winter. With the hood up, you get a pretty reasonably-sized 335-litre boot - that's 15-litres more than you get from a rival Audi A3 Cabriolet. This advantage disappears though, if you retract the roof again, thanks to the way cargo room reduces to 280-litres, though that is still 30-litres more than the old soft-top 1 Series model offered. And behind the wheel? Well a driver-focused car should have a driver-focused cockpit - and this one does. In fact, there are very few small sporting models in the world from this era that set you up better behind the wheel. Take a look around and it's functional rather than flash, with the Munich-maker's familiar design language of two black-faced instruments in a driver-focused cowl. What about the rear seat? Well here, you'll predictably find leg and headroom as tight as it is with most models in this class - certainly tighter than it would be in a comparable 2 Series Coupe, though small improvements were made here over the old 1 Series model - enough to make these pews more usable for adults on short journeys.

What to Look For

Our owner survey did reveal many satisfied users of this car but inevitably, there were a few issues reported. Obviously, you should check the functioning of the powered hood (ideally running it through a wash wash to identify any leaks). And you'll need to check out the infotainment functions; of course, a fully-stamped service history is vital. Frequent issues include a need to replace the air conditioning condenser and the ABS control module. One owner in our survey reported an Exhaust Valve Flap Actuator squeak. Another left his car parked for a week, then found it wasn't making full power under hard acceleration, at which point he got a drivetrain malfunction saying 'maximum power output not available'. We've heard that there was a fuel pump issue on early cars, evidenced by a warning lamp and an error message display in the instrument cluster before the engine cuts out. The fuel pump should have been replaced to sort this. Models built between 2015 and 2017 might have EGR Cooler issues too. Faulty airbag modules in some models made between August 2016 and November 2016 may not activate correctly in a collision; new modules will need to be fitted to solve the issue. An issue with the crankshaft sensor was reported on some cars made between May 2018 and June 2018 - which could lead to the engine going into an emergency reduced power mode, limiting performance. Otherwise, it's just the usual things. Look for signs of child interior damage and check the alloys for scratches and scuffs.

Replacement Parts

[based on a 2015 model 218i Convertible auto] Parts prices for a 2 Series Convertible from this period can be reasonable if you shop around. We trawled around the internet and found these on autodoc.co.uk: An air filter costs around £5-£12. An oil filter is in the £5-£18 bracket. A pollen filter is in the £6-£24 bracket. Front brake discs cost in the £30-£86 bracket, though pricier brands can cost more. Rear brake discs cost in the £28-£300 bracket, though pricier brands can cost in the £72-£76 bracket. Front brake pads sit in the £15-£40 for a set. A set of rear pads is around £15-£27. A wiper blade costs in the £4-£12 bracket.

On the Road

So, what's it like? Well, you settle in behind the wheel and everything seems just right, the driving position perfect: already, you're feeling like driving rather than merely travelling. Punch the starter button, set off and you'll find yourself looking forward to finding a road that will put the Bavarian maker's bold claims for this car to the test. Get to the first open bend and you find yourself pushing a little harder than you might normally - just to see. Sure enough, power into a corner, dab the brakes, turn the wheel and it's true. There's a feeling of perfect control. Yes, this Convertible model's extra weight does detract a little from the razor-sharp handling you get in the 2 Series Coupe: that's down to the extra strengthening BMW added into this derivative, making it fully 20% stiffer than the old 1 Series drop-top. This model still easily sets the dynamic standard in its class though, thanks to ideal 50:50 axle load distribution, optimised aerodynamics, a long wheelbase and a low, ideally balanced centre of gravity. All of it combines with the distinctive rear wheel drive layout that's unique amongst four-seater models in this class and there to give this car its impressive agility. On the move like this with the roof up, you might notice that progress is surprisingly refined - in comparison with its predecessor, this car is claimed to be 4db quieter. But of course, there are some times when you really want to hear the engine - roof-down for instance. Retracting the hood takes just 19s and can be completed at speeds of up to 30mph. There's a bit of buffeting involved of course in driving al fresco, but it's not too bad by class standards and you can keep the blowyness in check by fitting an optional wind deflector over the back seats. All 2 Series Convertible models get Twin Power Turbo technology and any one of them is going to be a pretty rewarding thing to own - and to drive. It's as well though, that the German marketeers decided not to carry across the feeblest powerplants from the 1 Series hatchback into this 2 Series line-up. Which means that the range begins with the 136bhp 218i petrol model, plus there's the the alternative of a 143bhp 218d diesel derivative. Better still is the 190bhp 220d diesel variant. If you prefer not to fuel from the black pump, the 184bhp 220i petrol variant improves that showing to 7.5s and 143mph. These kinds of figures give you some idea of the performance potential lurking further up the line-up. Which of course is where the really exciting engines are to be found. Take the rare 228i, the petrol-powered pocket rocket that gives you a four cylinder engine with the punch and performance of a 'six'. In this case, we're talking of a 245bhp 2.0-litre turbo four that catapults this coupe to sixty two mph in just 6.1s on the way to 155mph. It's a desirable machine then - but you may well want to stretch to an even nicer one, the awesomely fast M235i. At launch, it was the only six cylinder 2 Series Convertible model you could buy and the 3.0-litre powerplant has 326bhp on tap, 11bhp more than a Porsche Boxster S from this period if you're interested. So it's seriously quick - and quicker still in the uprated M240i form this car was launched in back in 2017, when the original M235i engine was tuned up to 335hp.

Overall

The 2 Series Convertible was the small, compact sporting convertible that many of us always felt BMW was capable of delivering. True, it wasn't the most efficient car in its class in its period - and there's the usual premium pricing to consider. What's important though, is that this 2 Series Convertible is so much more usable and self-assured than its predecessor - and the kind of car you really don't need to make too many compromises to own. Not that there's anything wrong with well-judged compromise. In fact, in terms of market positioning, that's exactly what you're getting here, a car that's as comfortable in taking on out-and-out sports models like Audi's TT Roadster as it is in dealing with the same brand's more boulevard-orientated A3 Cabriolet. That's impressive. So is this 2 Series Convertible's style, refinement and multi-media connectivity. In the final analysis though, what'll sell this thing to you is its roadgoing experience, its lust for life and the way it'll remind you of what driving used to be about when all that's ahead is a ribbon of twisting tarmac. Ultimately, it's the kind of car that BMW does better than almost anyone.