BMW 2 Series Convertible 218i Luxury (M) First Drive Review
26 Feb 2018|14,834 views
Facelift (What's New)
Revised head lights and tailights
Updated iDrive infotainment system
1.5-litre turbocharged engine producing 134bhp and 220Nm of torque
Earlier this year, I headed up to Lisbon, Portugal, to drive the brand new BMW X2. Whilst there, I also had the opportunity to drive the Life Cycle Impulse (LCI) 2 Series Convertible. LCI in BMW speak basically means a mid-cycle facelift, which brings a host of updates to the 2 Series range.
The LCI 2 Series Convertible retains its sylish good looks
Facelift? It looks the same...
Looks-wise, the exterior of the 218i remains relatively untouched, save new standard bi-LED head lights, a slightly wider kidney grille, as well as reworked rear lights. Save the little nip and tuck here and there, the 218i doesn't stray too far off from the pre-facelift model. That's a good thing, though - it remains a nicely proportioned and good-looking car. And of course, it's a soft-top, so it instantly has that cool factor about it.
The interior is where you will feel the upgrades the most. The LCI 2 Series gets the new tiled iDrive infotainment system, and it remains one of the better systems in the market, with its quick yet intuitive operation. The instrument panel has been updated as well, sporting a more modern look and feel. Overall, the interior feels sleeker and more refined.
The six-speed manual gearbox offers greater levels of driving engagement
Is it any fun to drive?
Powering the 218i is a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine, generating 134bhp and 220Nm of torque. Those are fairly modest numbers, but the engine is a sweet little unit and certainly fun to use, especially in combination with the manual gearbox. In a way, the lack of instant power makes the experience that much more rewarding because you do have to work for your power. So yes, it's quite fun to drive.
The ride in the Convertible is also much more sorted compared to the 225d Coupe I drove - that one had the lowered M suspension, which made the ride all jumpy and nervous. The 218i doesn't, and actually feels much more comfortable on highways and sharp enough in corners
Facelift? It looks the same...
Looks-wise, the exterior of the 218i remains relatively untouched, save new standard bi-LED head lights, a slightly wider kidney grille, as well as reworked rear lights. Save the little nip and tuck here and there, the 218i doesn't stray too far off from the pre-facelift model. That's a good thing, though - it remains a nicely proportioned and good-looking car. And of course, it's a soft-top, so it instantly has that cool factor about it.
The interior is where you will feel the upgrades the most. The LCI 2 Series gets the new tiled iDrive infotainment system, and it remains one of the better systems in the market, with its quick yet intuitive operation. The instrument panel has been updated as well, sporting a more modern look and feel. Overall, the interior feels sleeker and more refined.
Is it any fun to drive?
Powering the 218i is a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine, generating 134bhp and 220Nm of torque. Those are fairly modest numbers, but the engine is a sweet little unit and certainly fun to use, especially in combination with the manual gearbox. In a way, the lack of instant power makes the experience that much more rewarding because you do have to work for your power. So yes, it's quite fun to drive.
The ride in the Convertible is also much more sorted compared to the 225d Coupe I drove - that one had the lowered M suspension, which made the ride all jumpy and nervous. The 218i doesn't, and actually feels much more comfortable on highways and sharp enough in corners
The 218i is a pretty sweet driving car. It is nimble and light-footed thanks to the short wheelbase. The steering isn't particularly engaging, but there's enough there to let you know what's happening.
But perhaps where the 2 Series Convertible excels the most is in being a stylish and comfortable cruiser, a role that it fully embraces. The noise insulation is surprisingly good with the roof up, and manageable even with the roof down. It's comfortable and easy to drive. Hell, I was driving with the roof down in 10-degree weather!
The electronically operated fabric soft-top can be opened and closed while driving at speeds up to 50km/h
Can it make me smile?
Soft-tops have a reputation for being slightly underwhelming cars to drive (additional weight from the roof mechanism, compromised body stiffness from the lack of a hard roof), but the 218i performed entirely respectably. It's no sports car, but it's composed and dynamic enough that you do want to chuck it into corners with fair eagerness.
But in some ways, judging this car solely on its dynamic merits seems entirely beside the point. That's what the Coupe and the M performance models are for. The Convertible is a car that should reward you equally at 30km/h or at 90km/h, and in this regard the 218i certainly does. It's a loveable and liveable soft-top that puts a smile on your face.
The 1.5-litre engine may be modest in power, but it's a sweet, engaging and rev-happy unit
The LCI 2 Series Convertible is currently already available in Singapore. Admittedly, it's going to be a fairly niche product, with strictly limited appeal. That said, it really is a sweet little thing and, for what it's worth, rather delightful indeed.
But perhaps where the 2 Series Convertible excels the most is in being a stylish and comfortable cruiser, a role that it fully embraces. The noise insulation is surprisingly good with the roof up, and manageable even with the roof down. It's comfortable and easy to drive. Hell, I was driving with the roof down in 10-degree weather!
Can it make me smile?
Soft-tops have a reputation for being slightly underwhelming cars to drive (additional weight from the roof mechanism, compromised body stiffness from the lack of a hard roof), but the 218i performed entirely respectably. It's no sports car, but it's composed and dynamic enough that you do want to chuck it into corners with fair eagerness.
But in some ways, judging this car solely on its dynamic merits seems entirely beside the point. That's what the Coupe and the M performance models are for. The Convertible is a car that should reward you equally at 30km/h or at 90km/h, and in this regard the 218i certainly does. It's a loveable and liveable soft-top that puts a smile on your face.
The LCI 2 Series Convertible is currently already available in Singapore. Admittedly, it's going to be a fairly niche product, with strictly limited appeal. That said, it really is a sweet little thing and, for what it's worth, rather delightful indeed.
Facelift (What's New)
Revised head lights and tailights
Updated iDrive infotainment system
1.5-litre turbocharged engine producing 134bhp and 220Nm of torque
Earlier this year, I headed up to Lisbon, Portugal, to drive the brand new BMW X2. Whilst there, I also had the opportunity to drive the Life Cycle Impulse (LCI) 2 Series Convertible. LCI in BMW speak basically means a mid-cycle facelift, which brings a host of updates to the 2 Series range.
The LCI 2 Series Convertible retains its sylish good looks
Facelift? It looks the same...
Looks-wise, the exterior of the 218i remains relatively untouched, save new standard bi-LED head lights, a slightly wider kidney grille, as well as reworked rear lights. Save the little nip and tuck here and there, the 218i doesn't stray too far off from the pre-facelift model. That's a good thing, though - it remains a nicely proportioned and good-looking car. And of course, it's a soft-top, so it instantly has that cool factor about it.
The interior is where you will feel the upgrades the most. The LCI 2 Series gets the new tiled iDrive infotainment system, and it remains one of the better systems in the market, with its quick yet intuitive operation. The instrument panel has been updated as well, sporting a more modern look and feel. Overall, the interior feels sleeker and more refined.
The six-speed manual gearbox offers greater levels of driving engagement
Is it any fun to drive?
Powering the 218i is a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine, generating 134bhp and 220Nm of torque. Those are fairly modest numbers, but the engine is a sweet little unit and certainly fun to use, especially in combination with the manual gearbox. In a way, the lack of instant power makes the experience that much more rewarding because you do have to work for your power. So yes, it's quite fun to drive.
The ride in the Convertible is also much more sorted compared to the 225d Coupe I drove - that one had the lowered M suspension, which made the ride all jumpy and nervous. The 218i doesn't, and actually feels much more comfortable on highways and sharp enough in corners
Facelift? It looks the same...
Looks-wise, the exterior of the 218i remains relatively untouched, save new standard bi-LED head lights, a slightly wider kidney grille, as well as reworked rear lights. Save the little nip and tuck here and there, the 218i doesn't stray too far off from the pre-facelift model. That's a good thing, though - it remains a nicely proportioned and good-looking car. And of course, it's a soft-top, so it instantly has that cool factor about it.
The interior is where you will feel the upgrades the most. The LCI 2 Series gets the new tiled iDrive infotainment system, and it remains one of the better systems in the market, with its quick yet intuitive operation. The instrument panel has been updated as well, sporting a more modern look and feel. Overall, the interior feels sleeker and more refined.
Is it any fun to drive?
Powering the 218i is a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine, generating 134bhp and 220Nm of torque. Those are fairly modest numbers, but the engine is a sweet little unit and certainly fun to use, especially in combination with the manual gearbox. In a way, the lack of instant power makes the experience that much more rewarding because you do have to work for your power. So yes, it's quite fun to drive.
The ride in the Convertible is also much more sorted compared to the 225d Coupe I drove - that one had the lowered M suspension, which made the ride all jumpy and nervous. The 218i doesn't, and actually feels much more comfortable on highways and sharp enough in corners
The 218i is a pretty sweet driving car. It is nimble and light-footed thanks to the short wheelbase. The steering isn't particularly engaging, but there's enough there to let you know what's happening.
But perhaps where the 2 Series Convertible excels the most is in being a stylish and comfortable cruiser, a role that it fully embraces. The noise insulation is surprisingly good with the roof up, and manageable even with the roof down. It's comfortable and easy to drive. Hell, I was driving with the roof down in 10-degree weather!
The electronically operated fabric soft-top can be opened and closed while driving at speeds up to 50km/h
Can it make me smile?
Soft-tops have a reputation for being slightly underwhelming cars to drive (additional weight from the roof mechanism, compromised body stiffness from the lack of a hard roof), but the 218i performed entirely respectably. It's no sports car, but it's composed and dynamic enough that you do want to chuck it into corners with fair eagerness.
But in some ways, judging this car solely on its dynamic merits seems entirely beside the point. That's what the Coupe and the M performance models are for. The Convertible is a car that should reward you equally at 30km/h or at 90km/h, and in this regard the 218i certainly does. It's a loveable and liveable soft-top that puts a smile on your face.
The 1.5-litre engine may be modest in power, but it's a sweet, engaging and rev-happy unitThe LCI 2 Series Convertible is currently already available in Singapore. Admittedly, it's going to be a fairly niche product, with strictly limited appeal. That said, it really is a sweet little thing and, for what it's worth, rather delightful indeed.
But perhaps where the 2 Series Convertible excels the most is in being a stylish and comfortable cruiser, a role that it fully embraces. The noise insulation is surprisingly good with the roof up, and manageable even with the roof down. It's comfortable and easy to drive. Hell, I was driving with the roof down in 10-degree weather!
Can it make me smile?
Soft-tops have a reputation for being slightly underwhelming cars to drive (additional weight from the roof mechanism, compromised body stiffness from the lack of a hard roof), but the 218i performed entirely respectably. It's no sports car, but it's composed and dynamic enough that you do want to chuck it into corners with fair eagerness.
But in some ways, judging this car solely on its dynamic merits seems entirely beside the point. That's what the Coupe and the M performance models are for. The Convertible is a car that should reward you equally at 30km/h or at 90km/h, and in this regard the 218i certainly does. It's a loveable and liveable soft-top that puts a smile on your face.
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