Thinking about 218i Auto

[hilltop]

I'm seeing a few of theses at the dealers in M-Sport trim and I'm considering one. It's time to go auto, because of a lingering sports injury from many years ago in my left groin that I'm sure is aggravated by the clutch and smallish seat in the Mazda 2 I bought last year, I was okay in the 3 door Focus I previously had (I miss the big doors and over the shoulder visibility). Plus various other niggles with the Mazda. This will be my first experience of a BMW.

I don't need huge performance, but enough for easy over taking moves (which the Mazda cannot do). It will only be carrying 2 people. Had a short accompanied test drive and all seemed okay, but would welcome feedback from folks who have one of these and have an opinion on the 218i/auto spec (or equivalent 1 series). If it helps, I'm 6' 1" slim build.

Thanks
Roger

[ColdZinc]

hilltop said:

I'm seeing a few of theses at the dealers in M-Sport trim and I'm considering one. It's time to go auto, because of a lingering sports injury from many years ago in my left groin that I'm sure is aggravated by the clutch and smallish seat in the Mazda 2 I bought last year, I was okay in the 3 door Focus I previously had (I miss the big doors and over the shoulder visibility). Plus various other niggles with the Mazda. This will be my first experience of a BMW.

I don't need huge performance, but enough for easy over taking moves (which the Mazda cannot do). It will only be carrying 2 people. Had a short accompanied test drive and all seemed okay, but would welcome feedback from folks who have one of these and have an opinion on the 218i/auto spec (or equivalent 1 series). If it helps, I'm 6' 1" slim build.

Thanks
Roger

I adore mine (auto), especially the balance (you can really throw it around, it just takes everything in its stride (if you get the tyre pressures right, the handling seems pretty sensitive to tyre pressures)), the braking, the looks and revving it (but I came from many years of diesel).

But the one thing it struggles with is easy overtaking. Motorways and dual carriageways are fine of course (it's not that bad!) but single carriageway overtakes will only be easy if there's something pretty slow in front of you. It really doesn't bother me, though.

Similar build to you, and with nobody in the back there is plenty of room.

[rosejem]

I have the 118i hatch in Sport trim , before that a 116i M sport , I prefer the softer ride of the sport . The 1.5 petrol 3 cylinder seems to be a good proven engine .
Given the choice of 218i M Sport or 220i sport I would go for the more powerful 4 cylinder engine as apposed to the looks of the M sport package.

[redneckLT]

Which 2-series? FWD Active/Gran Tourer or RWD coupe (older) or FWD Gran Coupe (new).

I lease new Grand Tourer - new dual clutch gearbox is very good, older cars will have a different gearbox. Engine - OK for normal driving, but nothing to write home about, overtaking needs some planning. Economy 35mpg. OK as 3 cylinder noise, better than typical 4 cylinder. Grand Tourer is much better car than I expected to transport the family of 5, better than sum of it's not very good parts (crap MPV as no individual seats in the middle row, underpowered engine, FWD BMW )

2.0 4 cylinder probably would be better and not much more thirsty I think.

[BFleming]

redneckLT said:

Which 2-series? FWD Active/Gran Tourer or RWD coupe (older) or FWD Gran Coupe (new).

The "older/newer" nomenclature is a bit misleading here as you can still buy each variant new from BMW today. All are available as manual or auto.
The 2 series Coupe F22 & Cabrio F23 is a rear wheel drive platform, longitudinal engine & ZF 8 speed gearbox powering the rear wheels. Even the replacement 2 series Coupe & Cabrio due in 2021 is retaining this layout.
The 2 series Active Tourer F45 / Gran Tourer F46 are based on a Mini platform, so they have a transverse engine, front wheel drive & a DCT gearbox.
The 2 series Gran Coupe F44 is a FWD platform again, like the new 1 series, again using a DCT gearbox.

All variants use the B38 1.5 3cyl (amongst other engines), and there are all wheel drive variants too, just to confuse things even more.

I had assumed the OP wanted a 2 series Coupe judging by their description of their requirements, but maybe the OP can clarify.

[hilltop]

BFleming said:

I had assumed the OP wanted a 2 series Coupe judging by their description of their requirements, but maybe the OP can clarify.

Yes, it's the Coupe I'm looking at. 2 doors and RWD, back where I started a long time ago with a Ford Escort.

[Touring442]

They're a really nice car and the last traditional BMW (i.e with a proper handbrake). There were some early gremlins with the B38 but overall it's good. I'd still have the 220i though - plenty of go and excellent economy. The mid range Sport rides noticeably better than the M Sport.

[Dizeee]

BFleming said:

.

There won't be a new 2 series cabrio, the F23 is the last.

[Dizeee]

228i.... a rare and decent engine 2 series. Not many about at all.

[Earthdweller]

They are a nice place to be and handle well

The 3cyl is better than you’d think and sounds quite nice .. but it’s no sports car

If you enjoy driving I’d be looking for a 220 or even better a 228

The ZF8 auto is brilliant, I assume the 3 cyl has that and not the 7 speed one in the minis/active tourer which is no way as good imo

Good cars

[Dizeee]

230i would also be a good call.... more of those about I think