Handsome styling; nice BMW interiors; lots of technology; a super drive
Restricted rear three-quarter visibility with the roof closed
Someone really should tell BMW about the Bureau Of Meteorology. The week of the NRL kick-off the German giant wheeled-out a soft-top – and a very good one too in the form of the all-new 2 Series Convertible.
Of course Autumn arrival of a convertible in Australia relates to production schedules in Europe. But as the 2 Series’ predecessor - the BMW 1 Series Convertible – was the world’s most popular open-top premium model, sales of the all-new model will be brisk regardless of the weather.
In fact Australia was the fourth-largest global market for the BMW 1 Series Convertible. BMW Australia ushered more than 5,000 1 Series Convertibles out the door to rank us one place ahead of Belgium on the international sales chart…don’t really think of Belgium as a convertible colossus do you?
BMW 2 Series Convertible Overview
Head to your local BMW dealer now and you’ll see the 2 Series Convertible in 220i and 228i models. You’ll need to wait a few weeks to see the sporty range-topping M235i.
BMW enthusiasts will know the M235i has historic significance – it is the first drop-top M performance vehicle.
The really good news is the BMW 2 Series Convertible - despite impressive extra equipment – has arrived boasting a $54,900 starting price. That actually undercuts the now-gone 1 Series.
Like the BMW 2 Series Coupe, the Convertible is longer and wider than the outgoing 1 Series model and this delivers a substantially more impressive on-road stature. It means more interior and luggage space too.
The BMW 2 series convertible model range aligns with the coupe. This means: the’ Sport’ line option is standard on 220i and a no-cost option on 228i; the Modern line option is an extra cost option on 220i and a no-cost option on 228i; M Sport is an extra cost option on both 220i and 228i.
The full 2015 BMW 2 Series Convertible range is:
| Model | Price |
| 220i | $54,900 |
| 228i | $68,900 |
| M235i | $85,800 |
BMW 2 series Convertible Engine
No surprises here: a pair of turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder and engines and a turbocharged 3.0-litre six-cylinder. Yep that would be the same as the BMW 2 Series Coupe.
The 220i serves-up 135kW from 5,000 – 6,250pm and peak torque of 270Nm from 1,250 – 4,500rpm. For zero to 100km/h the BMW 220i Convertible requires 7.6 seconds and fuel consumption is rated at 6.2l/100kms.
Turning to the 228i we have 180kW from 5,000 – 6,250rpm and peak torque of 350Nm from 1,250rpm – 4,500rpm. Zero to 100km/h scores 6.0 seconds and fuel consumption ranks at 6.6l/100kms.
And the six-cylinder M235i chimes-in with 240kW from 5,800- 6,000rpm and peak torque of 450Nm from 1,300 – 4,500rpm. Zero to 100km/h? That would be just 5.0 seconds and fuel consumption scores 7.9l/100kms.
All drive the rear wheels via an eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission with steering wheel paddle-shifters for manual changes (sports version for the M235i). You can order all three with a six-speed manual if that is your want.
BMW 2 Series Convertible The Interior
Apart from the roof, inside there is little to separate the BMW 2 Series Convertible from the Coupe.
We liked the adjustable lumbar support in the seats of the M Sport model 228i we drove but really all models deliver the hallmark excellence we expect from BMW interiors. That means to-notch driving positions, the usual classy conventional instrumentation and lots of technology.
Centre dashboard is the screen (6.5-inch for 220i, 8.8-inch for the rest) for navigation and audio.
Like others in this segment the rear seat is really only suitable for youngsters (or adults on very short trips). They will find two nicely-shaped seating positions however.
You can use a lever in the boot to fold the rear seat flat for extra luggage. Compared to the 1 Series Convertible, cargo capacity in the 2 Series is up by 30-litres to 335-litres (roof closed) or 280-litres with the roof open. The boot is also longer and deeper and BMW demonstrated its usefulness with a BMW-branded (of course) golf bag…it was the smaller ‘self-carry’ variety and didn’t contain clubs but we got the point.
BMW 2 Series Convertible Exterior & Styling
While the BMW 2 Series convertible is all-new, naturally it’s based on the Coupe model and it has the familiar high-class look we expect from all BMW convertibles.
There’s the kidney grille (forward-slanting), short overhangs, long wheelbase and set-back passenger compartment. Dimensionally, the 2 Series Convertible considerably larger than the outgoing 1 Series – 72mm longer (4,432mm), 26mm wider (1,774mm), 30mm longer wheelbase (2,690mm), 41mm wider front track (1,521mm) and 43mm wider rear track (1,566mm).
Naturally styling follows the BMW 2 Series Coupe with the exception of the roof and that rear-end which has muscular flowing shoulders.
The 220i runs 17-inch alloy wheels and the 288i runs 18-inch alloys with 18-inch ‘M’ wheels as part of the M Sport package and standard on the M235i.
BMW is very proud of the new folding roof for the 2 Series Convertible. Over the superseded 1 Series it has gained extra thickness (now five layers) which BMW says has delivered a 5 db(A) reduction in noise in the front seats and 7 db (A) reduction in the rear.
The roof is available in three colours. Black is standard or you can go for anthracite with a silver effect or brown with a silver effect.
Fold the roof and the 2 Series Convertible displays the hallmark BMW ‘boat deck’ rear with a flat surface all the way to the bootlip. Folding takes 20 seconds at speeds up to 50km/h.
BMW 2 Series Convertible On The Road
Sadly no M235i models were in the country but www.carshowroom.com.au enjoyed extensive seat time in a 220i Luxury Line, a 228i Sport Line and a 228i with the M Spot Package. The roads were the familiar sweeps and dips from Adelaide to Port Elliott and back.
Of course the fundamental difference is the powerplant. A few immediate observations – the 228i with its twin tailpipes has a more purposeful exhaust note but we detected a smidge more turbocharger lag when getting back on the gas coming into corners.
All things considered we’re going with the BMW 228i with the M Sport package as our favourite. The extra rubber from the 18-inch wheels and the M Sport suspension makes things distinctly sportier and there’s no doubting the aesthetics - the wheels, the aerodynamics kit and the gorgeous leather-wrapped M Sport steering wheel just for starters.
Not that the lower output BMW 220i was overshadowed. In fact over some nice roads near Port Elliott, the 220i got the job done in no uncertain terms – rapid gear changes from the steering wheel paddle shifters delivering nice response.
But regardless of the model, the BMW 2 Series Convertible delivered top-shelf driving dynamics (just as you’d expect). We liked the ‘pointiness’ of the variable electric steering and the usual BMW rear-biased feel was a delight allowing you to chuck it into high and low-speed corners with verve.
‘Sport’ mode was our default setting but even so, regardless of your preference, the BMW’s compact hatchback is a car driving enthusiasts will enjoy.
Good weather enabled us to enjoy much of the day with the roof folded but back in the city we closed-up and we must say refinement levels were impressive with isolation from outside noise amongst the best of any convertible we’ve driven – regardless of the size.
BMW 2 Series Convertible Issues
On first acquaintance, reverse parking the BM 2 Series Convertible is a little challenging due to the thickness of the roof where the B-pillar would be. Familiarity would overcome that irritation and of course the standard reversing camera is your friend.
BMW 2 Series Convertible Verdict
Driving open-top premium Europeans is a delight no doubt about it. In fact the BMW 6 Series Convertible is one of our all-time favourites.
Of course the all-new 2 Series Convertible is in a different league but it does inherit the same DNA. That means it exudes class and it’s a brilliant steer.
As we know, the BMW 2 Series is a massive advance from the hot-selling 1 Series and that just underscores its value. The Convertible isn’t the cheapest car in its class but there’s no denying it is bursting with goodies.
BMW was on a winner with the 1 Series Convertible and the all-new 2 Series is better in every way. Dealership staff best get their order books ready for the rush.
BMW 2 Series Convertible The Competition
Our other favourite in this segment is the Audi A3 Cabriolet which the Ingolstadt crew has very sharply priced from just $47,300. The open-top A3 certainly looks the part – perhaps even more sporty that the 2 Series – and boasts the usual Audi excellence and quality wherever you look. The $54,900 1.8 TFSI (132kW/280Nm) with Quattro all-wheel-drive is simply brilliant.
Peugeot’s 308CC isn’t the newest design these days and is really more of a tourer than the 2 Series or A3. But it puts on the ‘glam’ and delivers a lot of car for $52,990.
Same with the Renault Megane CC (from $38,490). Our pick is the GT-Line at $43,990 and it must be said the Renault has the opposition covered when it comes to boot capacity.
