BMW M235i xDrive Gran Coupé
Baby sports saloon struggles to justify its price tag
BMW, along with its German rivals, has become known for filling niches, and the 2 Series Gran Coupé is certainly one of those. It’s based on the 1 Series platform, so it shares engines and tech with the hatchback (it comes with either front or four-wheel drive), yet it has a saloon body.
It’s not really a coupé, despite the name, because it has four doors and there’s enough room in the back for the kids, or adults on short trips. It’s not as big as a 3 Series, yet it’s not far off – and this flagship M235i comes close to the larger model in terms of price.
It costs from £37,255, and for that you get a 302bhp four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, an eight-speed auto gearbox and four-wheel drive. It’s the same set-up as you’ll find in the latest M135i hatch. The car we tested car came with options, including the M235i Plus pack, the Comfort Pack 2 and the Technology Pack, all of which brought its total price to £43,065.
That’s a big outlay, and with it comes big expectations. Those are just about met with the interior quality, which is very good, even with some cheaper plastics here and there. On the whole it feels like a premium product inside, and the hi-res infotainment and dial display screens add to that. They’re easy to use and very sharp, and feature nearly everything you’d want; there’s sat-nav, connected services and Apple CarPlay. It’s a shame that Android Auto still isn’t available in the BMW range, though, because this excludes a lot of phone users.
The M in the car’s name also carries a weight of expectation. It’s BMW’s Motorsport division’s seal of approval, and the previous M235i was absolutely worthy of the name, with its six-cylinder engine driving the rear wheels, and delightful handling.
This new model strikes an immediate bum note with its engine, though. The fourcylinder unit has a droning exhaust tone, which isn’t helped by the fake-sounding noise pumped into the cabin when you accelerate. The power delivery is just as disappointing, because the engine doesn’t relish revs; its best work is done well before the red line, so you end up short-shifting up to the speed limit, which is unsatisfying.
It’s a blisteringly fast car, though. 0-62mph takes just 4.9 seconds, yet we’re used to these kinds of figures in 2020. Almost all hot hatchbacks can keep up with the M235i, so buyers will want the car to offer something more than just pure speed. You don’t get this from the engine, and while the gearbox
“Power delivery is disappointing; the engine’s best work is done well before the red line”
is great in normal driving, it’s a bit jerky when you’re going quickly. In auto mode it delivers smooth shifts, and if you use the paddles behind the wheel to change gear manually, it’s responsive enough. It’s when you’re accelerating quickly through the gears that it loses composure, especially in the lower gears, throwing you back in your seat as it jerks into the next ratio.
The 2 Series does excel when it comes to handling, though, which is a real strength. The chassis brings a lot of agility, moving around on the throttle when desired, and the four-wheel-drive system straightens the car’s line out of corners. The steering could do with more precision, but that’s true of nearly all BMWs these days.
Yet all of these characteristics are also true of lesser models in the range. A 218i Gran Coupé is every bit as agile as the M235i unless you’re right at the limit on a circuit – and the three-cylinder engine in that model is actually more fun to use than the 2.0-litre unit in the M235i, despite the latter’s impressive performance.
Adaptive dampers are available on the options list for £500, but the standard fixedrate dampers are good enough. They control body roll well and allow plenty of grip in corners as a result – while also dealing with lumpy UK roads reasonably well.
There’s some vibration over roads with lots of small potholes and bumps, but the damping is assured and big bumps aren’t harsh or unpleasant. This is also helped by the comfortable seats and driving position.
The M235i is a good motorway cruiser, too; overtaking is easy, it’s settled at speed, you get all the tech you need to keep you oriented and entertained, and there’s enough room in the back seats for the family. Taller adults might find headroom a bit tight in the back, but it’s fine for kids.
The M235i is decent fast family transport, but it’s just missing the sparkle and joy of a truly great performance saloon.