2 Series Gran Tourer
Discussion
Not much love for this then - understandably with it being FWD etc, but we just swapped an S-Max for one so would be interested in other feedback (if there is any..)
This is the family car, and primarily driven by my wife, but spec is:
220d (not X-Drive) Luxury, Auto
It has a few add ons to the spec, but nothing outrageous
Interestingly comes with non-RFT tyres (on 205 section tyres)
I've only driven it for a couple of short spells but the ride is very good - better than the S-Max, and the handling seems pretty reasonable, but I will update when I've covered more miles. Auto box is great - leagues ahead of the 6 speeder in the S-max.
Space wise - slightly tight in the back for 3 car seats (although much better than a 5 Series), and the boot floor is probably a little higher than the Ford - still plenty of room for 2 good sized dogs.
Anyone else considering one? And it's not quite so ugly in the flesh, but then I own a 1 series too....
This is the family car, and primarily driven by my wife, but spec is:
220d (not X-Drive) Luxury, Auto
It has a few add ons to the spec, but nothing outrageous
Interestingly comes with non-RFT tyres (on 205 section tyres)
I've only driven it for a couple of short spells but the ride is very good - better than the S-Max, and the handling seems pretty reasonable, but I will update when I've covered more miles. Auto box is great - leagues ahead of the 6 speeder in the S-max.
Space wise - slightly tight in the back for 3 car seats (although much better than a 5 Series), and the boot floor is probably a little higher than the Ford - still plenty of room for 2 good sized dogs.
Anyone else considering one? And it's not quite so ugly in the flesh, but then I own a 1 series too....
So when this thread is eventually unearthed in 2020 with someone wanting one as a minicab...
I just did a 600 mile round trip and the car is decent enough - damning with faint praise, but it is an MPV.
2.0d engine is still tight with only 700 miles on the clock now, but it works really well with the 8 Speed ZF Auto. Ride is very nice - it does have non RFT tyres and 55 section sidewalls - no active suspension, but that would probably be pointless.
Driving position is good and seats are comfy - I was concerned that they weren't sport seats, but I didn't have any aches after 5-6 hour runs.
Weather was pretty poor on the way back and the optional LED's made a huge difference when driving in heavy rain.
Interior is a big step up from the ford, even if it's slightly less practical (you can fit 3 child seats in the middle row, but it's very tight).
Maybe I'll join up to mumsnet to fully discuss it...
I just did a 600 mile round trip and the car is decent enough - damning with faint praise, but it is an MPV.
2.0d engine is still tight with only 700 miles on the clock now, but it works really well with the 8 Speed ZF Auto. Ride is very nice - it does have non RFT tyres and 55 section sidewalls - no active suspension, but that would probably be pointless.
Driving position is good and seats are comfy - I was concerned that they weren't sport seats, but I didn't have any aches after 5-6 hour runs.
Weather was pretty poor on the way back and the optional LED's made a huge difference when driving in heavy rain.
Interior is a big step up from the ford, even if it's slightly less practical (you can fit 3 child seats in the middle row, but it's very tight).
Maybe I'll join up to mumsnet to fully discuss it...
Fox- said:
Actually it's not the ZF 8 speed - this is not compatible with FWD applications.
It's actually an Aisin AWF8F35.
Interesting - makes sense of course, but I hadn't noticed a huge difference in its performance compared to my old F11 530d.. It's actually an Aisin AWF8F35.
Have had a few more Cornwall - London drives in it since first notes - performs well - not exciting of course, but I didn't notice any of the steering issues noted above on the guy who had the 218d on hire.
And the point about it being a glorified 6 seater is accurate - but 95% of the time it seems my wife prefers the slightly smaller size compared to the old S-Max.
I don't think anyone was suggesting it as a particularly PH car ;-)
That said, from my limited experience with MPV's, most are horrible things to drive and the only two I really thought about were this one and the S-Max. The S-max is more practical, and looks better, but inside and in terms of switchgear etc, the BMW beats it hands down. That it handles better than the S-Max is a small bonus.
In terms of cost, there's not much in it so with a better engine and gearbox it's not a daft decision.
When the kids are older though I'd be straight back in a 5 series if possible though..
That said, from my limited experience with MPV's, most are horrible things to drive and the only two I really thought about were this one and the S-Max. The S-max is more practical, and looks better, but inside and in terms of switchgear etc, the BMW beats it hands down. That it handles better than the S-Max is a small bonus.
In terms of cost, there's not much in it so with a better engine and gearbox it's not a daft decision.
When the kids are older though I'd be straight back in a 5 series if possible though..
The 2 car is much bigger in the back than either a 3 or 5 series tourer, both for seating, and luggage.
The rear seats are probably a little more upright than the 5, but it seems comfortable enough. The interior is good quality.
Options - we got a deal on a dealer stock one that my wife liked - the only option I would have liked in addition is heated seats, but SWMBO doesn't like them anyway.
LED lights are really good - park assist is OK, but I've used it twice, just to get some laughs from my 7 year old son..
We have 17's on ours and that seems to really help with the ride - they look OK too (they're simple 5 spoke ones).
Basic Nav is fine - pro obviously better, but for the use it gets with us works fine.
The rear seats are probably a little more upright than the 5, but it seems comfortable enough. The interior is good quality.
Options - we got a deal on a dealer stock one that my wife liked - the only option I would have liked in addition is heated seats, but SWMBO doesn't like them anyway.
LED lights are really good - park assist is OK, but I've used it twice, just to get some laughs from my 7 year old son..
We have 17's on ours and that seems to really help with the ride - they look OK too (they're simple 5 spoke ones).
Basic Nav is fine - pro obviously better, but for the use it gets with us works fine.
Infotainment is much better in the 2 series than the S-Max.
Comfort is better, but I just did a 5+ hour drive in ours with a slightly sore back and it was worse after sitting in it than it would be in my 1 series with sport seats - lack of lumbar is the issue I guess.
I don't know what seating options there are, but this maybe worth checking - still better than the S-Max though in this regard
Comfort is better, but I just did a 5+ hour drive in ours with a slightly sore back and it was worse after sitting in it than it would be in my 1 series with sport seats - lack of lumbar is the issue I guess.
I don't know what seating options there are, but this maybe worth checking - still better than the S-Max though in this regard
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