I think we need to get the boring details off the bat as I feel like it would be overshowed by the rest of this review, and here it is. The BMW 220i Coupé price tag starts at R815 000(incl VAT) & can run up right to R1 100 000 for the M240i xDrive(given that you might want to throw in a few extras), comes in both petrol & diesel variations and includes a standard 5 year/100 000km Motorplan – and that’s that on the “boring” details.
The 2 series has a rather fun history in South Africa after its first introduction back in 2014 within the subcompact executive car(C-segment) range offered by BMW in both Convertible and Coupé. The car has seen a few iterations and subsequently getting “smaller” from the F22 series to the current series the G42/G43 whilst maintaining its “fun” element.
Personally, I tend to be weary of Coupés as I have a dispositioned (for a lack of better word) belief that they would make me feel like I was cramped into the car, but there was none of that in 220i – in fact I was planted so much that I had thoughts of what it would feel like throwing this pocket rocket around the Kyalami Raceway track. The car has a fun element to it, even when navigating normal traffic in “comfort” mode, I didn’t feel like there was a lag when I put my foot down (when the situation required it at that) and I was able to navigate through traffic with ease. The 135kw 4-cylinder rear-wheeled engine can really hold its own and surprisingly, has the suspension setup in such a way that it absorbs the bumpy roads in our backyards, giving credit to the adaptive M suspension with optimal damping that gives off notable sports handling on the drive. The fuel efficiency is also something to write home about with a claimed 6.3l/100km – mine varied as I switched between “comfort” and “individual sport” mode hence the varying details, but it was within the range.
Moving on to the design of the car, the biggest notable feature on the 220i must be how the front and rear have been molded beautifully on the M Sport pack. The is no “disconnect” in the exterior design, and the sport feel follows through into the cabin of the car with the adjustable sports seats and the redesigned dash which now offers a relooked digital entertainment display that feels at ease with the basic functions needed by the driver. The headlights have been designed in a “two-eye” design that gives off a striking display and the triangular intakes coupled with the v-shaped lines create a modern look on the M Sport pack.
The big disappointment in this 220i is that there is minimal leg room for rear occupants and essentially means that it would be very uncomfortable in the rear seat for your best mate if the driver happens to be the average South African height (say 1.75m) – which is to be expected considering it is a Coupé after-all. In a surprising twist, there is plenty of room in the boot for at least 2 sets of golf clubs and training bag should you feel the need to make it a busy day (considering the fun aspect of driving the car).
Off to the tech features, I love the digital key through the myBMW app has integrated into the car. This allows one to gain access to the car even if they had misplaced their keys (as one would do when rushing out unbeknown to them). Further integration through the app allows the driver to closely monitor the car from the comfort of their space – say when you need to close the sunroof because the heavens decided to be unpredictable, as has been the weather this week.
Going back to the infotainment system, I loved how the native system is seamless in function and easily integrates into the myBMW app and setups up your user profile accordingly. The driver can further make changes to their profile and those settings will reload on their next visit to the car(say updating the climate control or your Sport driving profile).
Ultimately, I feel like the 220i has reinstated my fun loving for BMW cars as I felt like they’re made for joy rides more than comfortable rides – but this one showed me just how wrong I was in that regard.
