The BMW 230i Coupe fills the hole between the entry-level 220i and the extra ballistic M240i xDrive, that are what I name the “common” 2 Sequence Coupe fashions.
There’s the brand new M2 due imminently, however it’s going to be a special beast altogether.
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So, is that this gap-filling mannequin the best-go for a purchaser after a sporty luxurious coupe? There’s rather a lot in its favour, together with lower-than-you’d-think pricing, a extra sensible cabin than could be anticipated of a automotive like this, and the very fact it doesn’t actually have any direct rivals.
There are some issues that aren’t as peachy about it, however I’ll cowl them off under.
How a lot does the BMW 230i Coupe price?
As acknowledged, the BMW 230i is the gap-filler.
It’s a smidge dearer than the bottom 220i, however nicely and actually justifies the additional expense by the use of extra energy and torque which makes it quicker by an honest margin, and it has extra normal tools too.
It’s simple to see why it may very well be the candy spot for an entire bunch of patrons. Even with on-road prices and some choices added, you’re taking a look at nicely below $100ok for a four-seater with 400Nm and a stack of ordinary package (particulars under).
Now, on the subject of elective extras, this automotive had a couple of containers ticked. Firstly, the Enhancement Package deal ($3900), which incorporates 19-inch wheels, a sunroof, and metallic paint. Then there was the Consolation Package deal ($1400), which incorporates steering wheel heating, entrance seat heating, and entrance seat electrical lumbar adjustment.
The color, if you happen to’re questioning, is Portimao Blue Metallic. Different choices (individually priced at $1308) embody Black Sapphire Metallic, Brooklyn Gray Metallic, Thundernight Metallic (Purple), Melbourne Purple Metallic, and Mineral White Metallic. Alpine White Stable is the one no-cost possibility.
2023 BMW 2 Sequence Coupe pricing:
- BMW 220i Coupe: $67,700
- BMW 230i Coupe: $73,200
- BMW M240i xDrive Coupe: $94,900
- BMW M2 Coupe: $119,900
Costs exclude on-road prices
What’s the BMW 230i Coupe like on the within?
I’d simply spent every week within the newest BMW X1 once I switched into the 230i, and I used to be fairly stunned at how dramatically totally different the new-gen fashions could be.
The two Sequence already feels a bit outdated inside, due to the X1’s fashionable and screen-centric cabin – try James’s review of the sDrive18i to see what I’m speaking about.
However that’s to not say that I didn’t like the inside of the 2er Coupe. In actual fact, in a couple of methods I really most popular it.
That’s as a result of it’s extra historically aligned to what we’ve come to count on from BMW. Horizontal screens, easy controls, and a bunch of high-quality buttons and dials with a technical German really feel to them.
I’d have the arduous air-con controls and stereo buttons and knobs in a heartbeat over contact controls, so this can be a successful combo for me. However, I do know there are individuals who love the big-screen issue, and this one – regardless of having a 10.25-inch contact show – isn’t as outlandishly trendy as some others on the market.
I had no points with the display – wi-fi Apple CarPlay labored a deal with – and the digital driver’s cluster (a 12.3-inch show) was additionally a cinch to familiarize yourself with.
The storage on provide within the automotive is sweet, with a pair of cup holders, a coated centre console bin, a storage cubby with a wi-fi cellphone charger in entrance of the shifter, and respectable door pockets with bottle holders, too.
And it appears and feels the half for a luxurious sports activities coupe too – the supplies are pretty, with the microsuede (Alcantara) and leatherette (Sensatec) seat trim providing a primo really feel, in addition to the stylish M blue stitching by the cabin.
The two Sequence Coupe is a four-seater – the place a center seat would historically be is only a clean storage zone, although it does have a 40:20:40 rear split-folding mechanism, so you may drop the center all the way down to retailer skis, maybe. In case you want 5 seats and demand on a 2 Sequence, the Gran Coupe is your automotive.
Whereas it’s not likely a automotive that you simply’ll wish to take 4 adults in on a regular basis, you may match smaller occupants within the again. I managed to slot in (I’m 182cm or 6’0) and it was okay, however I wouldn’t wish to be there for quite a lot of minutes if somebody my measurement was driving.
Fortunately there are intelligent levers that electronically slide the seat ahead to permit easy-ish entry. However belief me, becoming a toddler seat within the again is a problem – the door openings and folded seat entry nonetheless made it a little bit of a hassle.
In case you do wish to match a child seat, there are ISOFIX factors in each seats, and top-tether factors as nicely.
Additionally price noting – normal gear within the 230i contains local weather management for the again row seats, a few USB cost ports, and directional air vents. There are some storage cubbies in there, too.
Boot house is kind of good, too. BMW claims the cargo capability is 390 litres, which is greater than loads of small hatchbacks available on the market (a VW Golf has a 374-litre boot, for example).
A part of the rationale the Bimmer’s bottom is so massive, although, is as a result of it doesn’t home a spare wheel. Like many of the BMW vary, the two Sequence rides on run-flat tyres.
If you have to get extra baggage load house, there are distant launch levers within the boot space you could pull to fold down the rear seats. BMW doesn’t provide a quantity determine for that configuration, nevertheless.
What’s below the bonnet?
The 230i grade – as with the 220i under it – runs a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine.
Nevertheless it will get much more than simply 10 additional regardless of the badge numbers are imagined to imply lately.
There’s a whopping 190kW of energy (6500rpm) and 400Nm of torque (1550-4400rpm) on provide, representing an enormous 41 per cent energy and 33 per cent torque enchancment over the entry grade.
It’s rear-wheel drive and has an eight-speed automated transmission as normal – paddle shifters are included, too.
The 0-100km/h declare for the 230i Coupe is a speedy 5.Eight seconds – nearly two full seconds quicker than the 220i (7.5s), however not practically as fast because the speedy all-wheel-drive M240i xDrive (285kW/500Nm turbo inline six, 0-100 in 4.3s).
How does the BMW 230i Coupe drive?
Whether or not this automotive is the fitting variant for you’ll rely upon whether or not you might be searching for a luxurious coupe that occurs to be sporty, or a sporty coupe that occurs to be from a luxurious model.
That’s as a result of the journey consolation is inferior to it may very well be, as a consequence of a agency suspension setup together with runflat tyres that make for an at occasions disagreeable expertise.
And look, I perceive that if you’re searching for a sports activities coupe, some ingredient of journey firmness is to be anticipated. However the uneven nature of the suspension on this automotive was somewhat overbearing, and as a each day cruiser, it took away from the drive expertise.
I haven’t pushed a 2 Sequence on the usual 18-inch wheels, nor have I pushed one with adaptive suspension, however I do count on – having skilled the adaptive chassis system in different BMW fashions – that it will make an amazing distinction. It could be price investing in… if it had been provided right here.
The 230i isn’t out there with adaptive suspension, at the same time as an possibility. You’ll must shell out for the considerably dearer M240i xDrive, which will get that gear normal.
The suspension could be a bit a lot for metropolis dwellers daily-driving this automotive, however if you happen to’re shopping for it as a Sunday automotive otherwise you typically take the street much less travelled only for the heck of it, then you may actually exploit the firmness of the chassis setup.
It has immense dealing with capabilities, and holds a line by corners superbly due to that agency suspension.
The steering is excellent, with a pleasant quantity of directness to the motion as you apply lock. It may be a tad too direct on-centre at occasions, and I discovered myself adjusting the steering somewhat bit greater than I would really like on straight-ish roads.
So what concerning the powertrain then? Nicely, like I mentioned, I reckon this may very well be the candy spot as a result of it’s as punchy, highly effective and fast as most individuals are ever going to want with out being overbearing, not to mention intimidatingly potent.
It strikes the stability for somebody who’s extra after a sporty automotive to drive, slightly than a balls-out sports activities automotive. I feel that’s a phenomenal distinction, because it means that it’s going to attraction extra broadly than one thing like an M2.
There’s a candy revving nature to the engine, and it builds velocity admirably. The eight-speed automated transmission is a peach; not as soon as did I discover that it was doing the incorrect factor, and it provides fast and intelligent shifts no matter whether or not you might be simply driving round city below mild throttle, or pushing arduous.
In fact, it’s at its most assertive within the Sport mode, and there’s a Sport Plus mode for much more aggression in addition to an Particular person mode that lets you change the engine, transmission and steering traits.
What do you get?
The usual tools record for the 230i Coupe is fairly complete, and it provides some considerate additions over the bottom mannequin – which frankly, is provided like a base mannequin.
230i Coupe provides over 220i Coupe:
- Keyless entry, begin
- Digital key
- Electrical entrance seat adjustment
- Adaptive LED headlights
- Auto high-beam
- Adaptive cruise management with cease/go
- HiFi Loudspeaker sound system
- M Sport brakes
220i Coupe highlights:
- M Sport Package deal
- M Sport suspension
- Sport steering
- Head-up show*
- 12.3-inch instrument binnacle
- 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- DAB+ digital radio
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- Satellite tv for pc navigation
- Parking Assistant
- 6-speaker sound system
- Wi-fi cellphone charging
- Ambient lighting
- LED headlights, tail lights
Is the BMW 230i Coupe secure?
The two Sequence Coupe line-up was awarded a four-star Euro NCAP ranking in 2022, although it’s unrated by ANCAP.
The 2er Coupe misplaced factors for performing “marginally” when its AEB system got here to detecting cyclists, and in addition as a consequence of “nearly solely poor” safety of a pedestrian’s pelvis in simulated pedestrian strike testing.
However that doesn’t imply it’s unsafe, extra broadly. It nonetheless has a laundry record of ordinary security expertise and tools fitted as anticipated of a brand new BMW.
Commonplace security options embody:
- AEB incl. Pedestrian, Bike owner detection
- Ahead collision warning
- Cruise management incl. braking perform
- Lane departure warning
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Site visitors signal recognition
- Proactive rear collision safety
- Parking Assistant
- 6 airbags
The 2er Coupe doesn’t provide junction collision avoidance help, nor does it have rear AEB for pedestrians.
How a lot does the BMW 230i Coupe price to run?
BMW provides a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee, which is bang on the common for all the luxurious manufacturers and mainstream makers alike.
There are additionally service plans to select from, with the preferred being a five-year/80,000km pay as you go service pack, which prices $2050.
There aren’t any common service intervals – the model provides what it calls “situation based mostly servicing”, the place the automotive’s laptop and sensors let you know when upkeep is required.
However, financial institution on taking it in each 12 months or so anyway, which suggests a median annual upkeep price of $410 earlier than consumables. BMW additionally contains three years of roadside help without charge.
As for gasoline use, the official mixed cycle determine for the 230i Coupe is 6.Four litres per 100 kilometres, which goes to be arduous to realize in real-world driving, based mostly on what I noticed over every week with the automotive.
Throughout my testing – which included freeway, freeway, city and suburban drives – I noticed a return of 8.1L/100km.
CarExpert’s Tackle the BMW 230i Coupe
In case you can overlook the arduous journey and lower-than-hoped-for security ranking, this can be a terrific possibility for patrons out there for a sporty European coupe.
The 230i looks like a fantastic thing about a balancing act between worth and efficiency.
MORE: Everything BMW 2 Series
Execs
- Spectacular worth for cash
- Appears terrific
- Extra sensible than you’d suppose
Cons
- Experience could be very arduous, even for a sports activities coupe
- Not going to thrill just like the six-pot or M mannequin
- 4-star security rating
High Line Specs
- Energy: 190kW
- Gas Kind: Premium Unleaded Petrol
- Economic system: 6.4L/100km
- CO2 Emissions: 147g/km
- ANCAP Security Score: Untested
