[nafelabdal]

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I took my G20 330i for service Friday and was given a new 2021 228i Gran Coupe for the weekend. I was really surprised and thought I share my impressions with you:

1. The 228i I drove was front-wheel drive, and I can say with confidence that it is a certified piece of poop. The front-wheel iteration completely ruins the car.

2. The steering is poop, no feeling and very light. The brakes were so touchy and felt cheap. Didn't have good stopping power. Every time I applied the breaks with varying degrees of force, it would just jolt the car!

3. The suspension was floaty, hard on road imperfections, car jolts on most imperfections (base model not M Sport)! and felt VERY uncomfortable to drive, NO CONFIDENCE. As if I was driving a cheap $10,000 Japanese car. The chassis was so off the mark, I would not differentiate it from a non BMW Japanese brand.

4. The Auto Hold DOES NOT work as good and as SEAMLESS as with my 330i. Why, I have no Idea!

5. Even though I tuned down all the Driver Assist features (just like with my 330i) The car was so touchy even to the slightest digression into the other lanes. It felt uncomfortable and as if you have no control over the steering at certain times. This never happens with my 330i!

6. From the side profile, the car is UGLY. Front is OK, rear is OK. When I say OK, I mean for a 2 Series.

7. The interior is fine for the starting price range. Although I did not like the "open space" underneath the climate control section.

8. The standard features on the car are good for the starting MSR. Also, although my loaner came with the Premium Package. A big +. However, at the point the car is > $40,000.

Overall, I understand the business side of BMW having the 2 series to capture more market shar in this segment and price range. I also think that for those that aspire to drive a BMW for the first time but want to pay the absolute MINIMUM dollars, it is a choice to consider.

Personally, I stay as far away as possible from this car. I would go as far as to say the CLA as a better choice! What are your thoughts?

[premier3is]

Nice write up. I have never had the desire to get a 2 series unless it is an M2. You mentioned the auto hold doesn't work as well as the 330i, what do you mean by that? It basically only has 1 function (I never use it and leave it off) but if it fails at that, there can be some serious damage so what exactly do you mean by it doesn't work well?

[madpistol]

Isn't the X1 and 2 GC based on a Mini platform? I can't speak to the 2 GC, (although you're not the first to complain about it being a proverbial turd compared to the rest of BMW's lineup), but I think the X1 is a fantastic vehicle, especially considering that it too rides on a FWD platform. The suspension on that car is very well sorted and it feels premium, even if it isn't as premium as the rest of BMW's lineup.

The interior on the 2 GC is nice as it mimics BMW's latest interior design language, and it is available with nearly all of the same features as the 3 series. Unfortunately, it is a FWD-based AWD platform, so much of the weight is over the front wheels, and that will definitely upset the car's balance... especially compared to BMW's RWD cars. It is sad, but I'd probably recommend a current gen Civic over the 2 GC. Honda really figured out their suspension tuning with the previous generation, and it made the car feel very planted to the road.

[Rob_G77]

Originally Posted by madpistol

Isn't the X1 and 2 GC based on a Mini platform?

Something like that and grossly overpriced (my opinion) for a bottom tier SUV (SAV). I'd rather get a 4Runner. People are far better off spending a little more and getting an X3.

Rob

[alpinewhite3]

The 4 series coupe is no different. Sloppy awful steering/chassis, floating all over the place. Car rocks like a boat when coming to a stop. And my wife has the RWD model. BMW should really stop advertising these cars as having 'razor sharp handling" and just embrace the luxury highway cruiser market they are already set on catering to. It's actually insulting when i read the descriptors on the website for the 4 series coupe. I guess the flip side is the posers buying these cars don't even know what razor sharp handling is. if it wasn't for the cheap lease deals, i wouldn't touch any new BMW.

[stein_325i]

I don't disagree, I have also had the displeasure of having a 228i Gran Corolla as a loaner, and I can say confidently that even a Mazda 3 is a more convincing luxury sedan.

[PLF69]

Originally Posted by stein_325i

I don't disagree, I have also had the displeasure of having a 228i Gran Corolla as a loaner, and I can say confidently that even a Mazda 3 is a more convincing luxury sedan.

Totally agree, this car is a total flop for BMW, salesman told me they if anyone wants biggest discounts it's on a stock 2 GC.

Mercedes A class even with its flaws is a much better execution within this segment.