2015 BMW 2 Series Convertible review

BMW’s new baby convertible replaces the highly popular 1 Series version, which was a sales winner for the company locally, bringing in plenty of new customers at its relatively low price point. Will the new 2 version have the style, and substance, to replicate that feat?

WHAT IS IT?
It’s the 2 Series coupe range, minus the diesel – 220i, 228i and M235i – and the solid roof, which is replaced by a new, five-layer soft-top that’s meant to be exactly as quiet as the coupe version, right up to 150km/h. In a very style-focused market, it’s important to note that it’s also slightly sexier, roof down, than the coupe.

WHY WE'RE TESTING IT
Australia was the fourth-largest market in the world for the 1 Series Convertible, so the new one is clearly a car that will garner a lot of interest here. We’re also keen to see whether the typical driving attributes of a BMW – the “sheer driving pleasure” bits – remain when you drop this far down the price list.

MAIN RIVALS
The arguably even prettier, but less muscular and manly (the previous 1 Series Convertible was bought 50/50 by men and women) Audi A3 Cabriolet is the obvious competitor, and it comes to market significantly cheaper, with a starting price of $47,300 (for a 1.4-litre version, or $51,900 for the 1.8) versus the 220i at $54,900.

THE WHEELS VERDICT
Sharp styling will make it a hit with the target market and there’s plenty of ever-so-slightly-muted joy in the driving experience, but ghosts of run-flats past do raise their head with the ride on 18s. Overall, it’s a highly capable and attractive entry point into BMW Convertible ownership.

PLUS: Exterior and interior styling (as long as you tick some options); genuinely quiet, coupe-like cabin with slick, thick roof up; short wheelbase means cornering fun
MINUS: Giant blindspots over both shoulders with roof up; engine sounds a little on the weedy side; 220i not exactly fast; ride quality compromised in 228i

THE WHEELS REVIEW
THE existence of BMW’s 6 Series is a mystery, much like the existence of Clive Palmer, KFC and cruise ships.

This was brought even more starkly into relief at the local launch of the new 2 Series Convertible when we were steering a humble, four-cylinder 220i with 135kW and 270Nm and got stuck behind a 6 Series Convertible, which BMW had brought along for reasons unknown.

What we do know is that, even driven enthusiastically, the Clive-like 6 is no match for the short wheelbase and sharp handling of the 2 Series, which also wins by being far more attractive and hugely cheaper, starting at just $54,900 (realistically about $60K, with minimal options).

Sure, in a straight line the 220i would be humbled, not only by a 6 Series but plenty of other cars, with its yawning 7.6sec 0-100km/h time, but on a twisty road in the sunshine, roof down, this matters not a jot. This is BMW driving pleasure, and style, at a damn near affordable price.

It might be small – BMW claims that it has “usable rear seats”, but carrying adult humans is not one of those uses – but this entry-level drop-top has a history of punching above its weight that makes it very important to the company.

This car replaces a 1 Series Convertible that was so popular here we ended up being its fourth largest market, after Germany, the UK and America. More than 5000 were sold locally, which adds up to a tidy profit, but more importantly for BMW, one third of those buyers were aged below 35; 74 percent were conquest buyers and 59 percent of those invaluable new customers were from non-premium brands.

That makes buyers of that car, who also surprisingly split 50/50 male/female, potentially BMW people for life.

Less surprisingly, their number one reason for buying was design and style, and BMW has clearly focused on making the new one even better looking. A slicker, meaner front end leads to a nicely scalloped side profile with short overhangs and a neat, flat rear deck. The designers apparently wanted it to mirror the proportions of a boat, but not a cruise ship, presumably.

An extra layer has been added to the roof lining, which BMW reckons makes its cabin as quiet as the coupe at speeds up to 150km/h. Even roof down, noise intrusion is commendably low.

Boot size is up 10 percent to 335 litres with the roof up (280 litres down) and the whole car is 72mm longer, while the track has increased by 41mm, giving it a wider, better-planted stance. It’s grown, and it’s more grown-up looking.

We really enjoyed the 220i’s feisty, zippy personality on windy roads and found its ride, on 17-inch alloys, excellent, although it does lack aural drama. A reasonably keen driver who’s never tried a European car before will be blown away by the quality of the steering and handling.

You do get a slightly rortier exhaust note, and more turbo flumping, from the $68,900 228i, with its beefed-up output of 180kW and 350Nm pushing it to 100km/h in a more credible 6.0 seconds.

Sadly you also get 18-inch wheels, which seem to do unpleasant things to the ride and bring to mind the jiggly, unpleasant experiences of some of BMW’s earlier run-flat efforts.

The extra torque and mid-range rush are undeniably pleasant, but this is one of those exceedingly rare cases where the average buyer might actually be better off plumping for the cheaper model.

You’ll also save a tiny bit on fuel, with the 220i claiming 6.4L/100km versus 6.6 for the 228i.

The genuine enthusiast, of course, should wait, and save up $85,800 for the BMW M235i Cabrio, which will pack 240kW and 450Nm into this pocket rocket, launching it to 100km/h in five seconds flat.

That car might even be capable of giving the 4 Series Convertible we found ourselves struggling to keep up with in the afternoon a run for its money.

Unlike Audi, which offers its 2.0 TDI A3 Cabriolet at a highly competitive $51,900 (the 1.8 TFSI is the same price, with 132kW and 250Nm) the 2 Series Convertible is not available as a diesel, due to perceived lack of demand, even though you can buy a 220d coupe.

The 228i does come with sun-reflective leather seats, however, which have special pigments that sound like they might be handy in human skin, and will stop yours from being burned on a summer day. There’s also a special film over the central screen to reduce reflections in direct sunlight.

A rear camera is standard across the range, and vital, because with the roof up you have a blindspot, particularly over your left shoulder, that you could park a caravan in.

The new 2 Series also features air-conditioning with a special convertible mode, and a roof that raises or lowers in just 20 seconds at speeds of up to 50km/h.

SPECS
Engine: 1997cc 4cyl, dohc, 16v, turbo
Max power: 135kW @ 5000rpm
Max torque: 270Nm @ 1250-4500rpm
Transmission: 8-speed manual
Weight: 1530kg
0-100km/h: 7.6sec
Fuel economy: 6.5L/100km (ADR)
Price: $54,900
On sale: now