[shibujp]

I went to get a feel of the X1 at the BMW showroom and got a chance to try out the 2.

I must say it struck a chord from the minute i first hit the accelerator. The operating word is sporty and more than anything it's an effect of how the suspension is tuned.

The car felt so eager to move. The X1 and the 3 series Grand Limousine felt so bland compared to this. I simply loved the drive to bits. It's quite impractical for a family and the 50 lakh on-road price is crazy but the way it drives makes you forget all that.

The fun is not so much as the lighter weight compare to the 3 but more to do with the way the suspension is tuned.

Drive on,
Shibu

[Dr.RG]

I have a 2015 ecosport tdci. Lovely car but Bangalore traffic gets me everyday and I've been looking at the 220i as an automatic replacement. Is BMW offering any discounts on the 220i M sport? Plan to buy within 90 days.

[dealer]

Originally Posted by Dr.RG

I have a 2015 ecosport tdci. Lovely car but Bangalore traffic gets me everyday and I've been looking at the 220i as an automatic replacement. Is BMW offering any discounts on the 220i M sport? Plan to buy within 90 days.

As a 320i owner, I would suggest to stretch your budget and go for the 330i Sport instead. All other reasons aside (engine,RWD,segment and handling etc.) , my suggestion is based on my experience with the B48B20A engine of this car. This engine is the high compression variant of the B48 version (11:1 compression) and can be prone to knock on regular Indian fuel. So, I would advise you to go for the 330i Sport or Msport depending on your budget and save yourself the headache.

[Varun B]

Hello,
Looks like a cheaper sports variant is out.

https://www.autocarindia.com/car-new...90-lakh-420306

With discounts, this could be a good deal.
Audi A4 vs 2 series?
1. Both front wheel drive & both 190hp.
2. Both have good quality interiors.
3. Might impact the Superb as well - for people who want the badge

[ajmat]

I drove the M220i today.

The interior and ergonomics are spot-on. It is decently equipped.

Engine is pretty refined and responsive. However, I did feel the M220i is a bit nose-heavy compared to a Mini Cooper with the same engine. I later drive a new A200 which confirmed. Handling has a lot of heft, i.e. it will show its mettle at speed. The ride was very firm although bumps were felt, it was not as choppy or hard like a Swift with big wheels.

The seats are excellent and hold you tight. Interiors are a little tight but only matters if one carries adults habitually. The boot is long and shallow in order to accommodate the space saver.

It all comes down to the price. Its spitting distance from a basic 330i. A used 3 series is a more tempting prospect. If it was Rs 15 lakhs cheaper, it might be worth looking at.

[agambhandari]

Originally Posted by ajmat

I drove the M220i today.

.

Engine is pretty refined and responsive. However, I did feel the M220i is a bit nose-heavy compared to a Mini Cooper with the same engine.

I would request not to the refer to it as M220i , it is incorrect and just dilutes the M name

Other than that agree on all aspects. 3 series is the biggest danger to this. And the car is not any more fun to drive or any more practical than the 3 series. And to add to it, looks worse than the 3 from most angles.
An easy choice to make.
Infact if one isn't hell bent on driving pleasure, the X1 is the same price for vastly better practicality

[Turbanator]

Originally Posted by agambhandari

I would request not to the refer to it as M220i , it is incorrect

Yes, it’s 220i M Sport.

I believe, initially the response was low maybe due to preference of Petrol at least here in NCR. But off late, I have seen some of these on road.

One of my known went with his teen kids and they won’t even look at anything else except 2. The car does look nice, frameless doors and overall layout. It’s a different matter that I made him drive the 530i and he picked one of the last pieces at a good deal. I think, they need to improve interiors on 3. Prices of 2 are not going down anywhere given the present trend.

Many customers shopping in this segment won’t even know how’s a front drive going to make any difference.

[Vid6639]

Looks like BMW is pushing the 220i M sport to the buyers vs the 330i Sport. The 330i Sport loses a lot of features and is same price was 330i Sport.

You get all the fancy visible M bits as he 330i M sport but with lesser power and FWD vs RWD. But as Turbanator said, not many even care about the RWD and will happily pick the cooler 2 series with frameless doors vs the relatively boring and plain 330i Sport.

Those who appreciate the RWD and know what they are looking for, will opt for the 330i M sport with the additional goodies.

It's a clever way of moving the 2 series by pricing it same as base variant of 3 and then tempting buyers with the M bits and extra goodies.

[itwasntme]

Originally Posted by Vid6639

Looks like BMW is pushing the 220i M sport to the buyers vs the 330i Sport. The 330i Sport loses a lot of features and is same price was 330i Sport.

Agree. While waiting for my 330i service, I was astonished to see the number of new 2 Series vehicles stored in the workshop.

Chatted with the Service guys and they informed there is considerable interest in the 2, but they were unsure how many were being converted into a sale.

[Venkatesh]

BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe Black Shadow Edition teased, limited to only 24 units.









Link

[Venkatesh]

BMW has launched the 2 Series Gran Coupe Black Shadow edition in petrol 220i guise at Rs 43.50 lakh.

Limited to 24 units.

Black Shadow Edition gets a high-gloss black mesh pattern M front grille, black wing mirrors, sporty high gloss rear spoiler, black chrome tailpipe tips.

The car runs on 18-inch M Performance Y-Spoke Styling 554 M forged wheels painted in Jet Black Matt.

It is available in two colour options - Alpine White (non-metallic) and Black Sapphire (metallic). The upholstery colour options are Sensatec Oyster, Black and Sensatec Black.









Link

[FNM]

Does anyone know authoritatively what the the ground clearance of 2 Series is? BMW themselves do not state it, and I am hearing conflicting reports of 152 to 157mm. Would be good know the real figure.

[sunsbhp]

Happened to TD the 220i GC MSport Pro today, and here's some first impressions;

Please note, its been some time since the initial review and some feedback that followed, but I think the equation has slightly changed now with BMW only offering THE3 Limo version which is priced substantially higher than THE2.

Moving from the 3GT after 3.5 years, and having driven the earlier THE3 (2020) for few weeks recently, definitely the 220i MSport is different from both cars. The 320i driving pleasure on good roads (NH) was lot better than my 3GT. It was lot smoother and lighter to drive around, while the GT had the grunt of the Diesel engine, it was becoming an old hag.

With the 320i Limo version becoming longer than 3GT and much higher priced (than earlier THE3), the 220i seems a better option with some compromise. Interior space is tad cramped at the rear, but the sitting comfort is better than 3GT definitely (for not so tall passenger). But for me, at 6ft, the driver seat was very comfortable. The MSport steering wheel is indeed a different experience. Few latest technologies like guesture control, headsup display, wireless charging, a 10 speaker Harmon Kardon system, 10" touch screen and the super sporty dash, makes it worth buying at the offered price.

Definitely, the FWD is not going to put up a competition for RWD, but I think it's not a sham - when it comes from BMW. As ShibuJP mentioned above, its still fun to drive car. I did push the engine in both Comfort and Sports mode, and it has the power delivered from the engine more in a linear way, but definitely not snappy as 320i. Didn;t feel much of a body roll, definitely not liek 3GT. It was quite planted on the road and felt quite under control with the MSport steering wheels. The shifting also was good but it missed the refinement of 320i. Again, to me, this is a better one over 3GT - since I was looking for a tad compact sedan and an easier driving experience.

I liked the Coupe "like" design, sporty front grill and head lights with MSport finish. The 17" MSport Alloys are not best looking, nor the best comfort. The rear view has a new look - guess it's a love or hate situation. Tail lights are modern and sporty, and so is the rear bumpers and body lines.

Bottomline, if you can't stretch the budget to get a 320i Limo, or if youre looking for a compact sedan, then this is definitely a very good car for city drive and highway rides for a better price, with little compromises on the interior space, and the BMW purist feeling

Cheers!

[Vid6639]

Originally Posted by sunsbhp

Happened to TD the 220i GC MSport Pro today, and here's some first impressions;

With the 320i Limo version becoming longer than 3GT and much higher priced (than earlier THE3), the 220i seems a better option with some compromise. Interior space is tad cramped at the rear, but the sitting comfort is better than 3GT definitely (for not so tall passenger). But for me, at 6ft, the driver seat was very comfortable. The MSport steering wheel is indeed a different experience. Few latest technologies like guesture control, headsup display, wireless charging, a 10 speaker Harmon Kardon system, 10" touch screen and the super sporty dash, makes it worth buying at the offered price.

Bottomline, if you can't stretch the budget to get a 320i Limo, or if youre looking for a compact sedan, then this is definitely a very good car for city drive and highway rides for a better price, with little compromises on the interior space, and the BMW purist feeling

Cheers!

I am a bit confused with your review as you are comparing with a model that doesn't exist.

The 220i GC is the one you drove but you mention 320i. There is no such variant. The 3 series is only 320d or 330i both in Li version.

Can you please clarify?

[sunsbhp]

Originally Posted by Vid6639

I am a bit confused with your review as you are comparing with a model that doesn't exist.

The 220i GC is the one you drove but you mention 320i. There is no such variant. The 3 series is only 320d or 330i both in Li version.

Can you please clarify?

Ah apologies, that was a typo... yes I meant the 2020 model 320d (Not the Limo/Long Wheel) that I had a chance to drive for few weeks. My bad!

Definitely not a 1:1 comparison, but was more of comparing the THE2 vs THE3 (and 3GT), more from a driver perspective and not technical specs perspective.