BMW 2 series

Which BMW 2 Series Version Should You Buy?

The BMW 2 Series data points to three distinct buying paths. Choose the first-generation Cabrio, offered from March 2014 to May 2017, if you want a rear-wheel-drive convertible with a Manual or Automatic gearbox. Consider its restyled Cabrio, offered from May 2017 to August 2023, for the widest mix of Gasoline and Diesel versions, gearboxes and drive systems.

The BMW 2 Series data points to three distinct buying paths. Choose the first-generation Cabrio, offered from March 2014 to May 2017, if you want a rear-wheel-drive convertible with a Manual or Automatic gearbox. Consider its restyled Cabrio, offered from May 2017 to August 2023, for the widest mix of Gasoline and Diesel versions, gearboxes and drive systems. Choose the second-generation Coupe, in production from June 2021 with no end date measured, if outright performance matters most: its M240i 3.0 AT xDrive Steptronic produces 382 hp, reaches 100 km/h in 4.1 seconds and has AWD.

Prices and vehicles for sale cannot be compared because neither figure was measured. The useful decision therefore comes down to engine output, torque, acceleration, consumption, weight and drivetrain.

BMW 2 Series generations: what changed?

The first-generation Cabrio covers March 2014 to May 2017 and has 49 versions in the database, with 12 detailed here. Its documented range runs from the 136 hp 218i 1.5 MT and 218i 1.5 AT Steptronic to the 340 hp M240i 3.0 MT. Every listed version uses Turbo induction. The available layouts include 3-, 4- and 6-cylinder Inline engines, while the listed transmissions are 6-speed Manual and 8-speed Automatic. All detailed versions are RWD except the 326 hp M235i 3.0 AT Steptronic, which is AWD.

The restyled first-generation Cabrio covers May 2017 to August 2023 and has 17 versions, with 12 detailed here. The selection is broader in character: Gasoline or Diesel, 3-, 4- or 6-cylinder engines, Manual, Automatic or Robotic gearboxes, and FWD, RWD or AWD. Some modification records begin in October 2019. Because identical names occur more than once, output or acceleration is needed to distinguish them: 218i 1.5 MT appears with 140 hp and 136 hp, while M240i 3.0 AT Steptronic appears as 340 hp in two records with respective 0–100 km/h times of 4.7 and 4.6 seconds.

The second-generation Coupe begins in June 2021 and has 12 versions. Compared with the earlier Cabrio data, it introduces a Coupe body while retaining a broad choice of Gasoline and Diesel engines. The detailed range spans 122–382 hp, 7-speed Robotic and 8-speed Automatic gearboxes, and FWD, RWD or AWD. Its quickest listed version is the M240i 3.0 AT xDrive Steptronic, while the lowest combined consumption belongs to the 220d 2.0 AT Steptronic.

BMW 2 Series engine specs

The table includes every detailed version. Repeated names remain exactly as recorded and are distinguished by generation, output or performance.

Power density clarifies what each engine delivers for its size. The second-generation M235 2.0 DCT xDrive produces about 150.2 hp per litre, while the 306 hp restyled M235i 2.0 AT Steptronic produces about 153.2 hp per litre. The 382 hp M240i 3.0 AT xDrive Steptronic delivers about 127.4 hp per litre. The earlier 340 hp M240i 3.0 MT delivers about 113.4 hp per litre, so the newer 382 hp car gains 42 hp from the same recorded 2998 cc displacement.

BMW 2 Series performance and fuel economy

For a first-generation Cabrio with balanced performance, the 230i 2.0 AT Steptronic is a strong numerical midpoint: 252 hp, 350 Nm, 0–100 km/h in 5.9 seconds, a 250 km/h top speed and combined consumption of 6.0 l/100 km. Against the 184 hp 220i 2.0 AT Steptronic, it adds 68 hp and 80 Nm, reaches 100 km/h 1.7 seconds sooner, and uses 0.2 l/100 km less in the combined figure.

The first-generation M240i 3.0 MT offers 340 hp and 500 Nm, reaches 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and consumes 8.3 l/100 km combined. Its 1615 kg kerb weight equals about 4.75 kg per horsepower. The 326 hp M235i 3.0 MT takes 5.0 seconds and consumes 8.5 l/100 km, so the M240i adds 14 hp and 50 Nm while improving the measured acceleration by 0.1 second and combined consumption by 0.2 l/100 km.

In the restyled Cabrio range, the 306 hp M235i 2.0 AT Steptronic reaches 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and consumes 7.1 l/100 km combined. At 1570 kg, it carries about 5.13 kg per horsepower. The 340 hp M240i 3.0 AT Steptronic with the 4.6-second result weighs 1485 kg, or about 4.37 kg per horsepower, and also records 7.1 l/100 km combined. That version therefore supplies 34 hp more, accelerates 0.3 second faster and has the same measured combined consumption.

For lower fuel use, the restyled 216d 1.5 SDC records 4.1 l/100 km combined, 4.4 l/100 km in the city and 3.9 l/100 km on the highway. It produces 116 hp and 270 Nm, and the database reports 0–100 km/h in 7.0 seconds. The 220d 2.0 AT records 190 hp, 400 Nm and 4.5 l/100 km combined; it adds 74 hp and 130 Nm while using 0.4 l/100 km more.

Within the second-generation Coupe range, the M240i 3.0 AT xDrive Steptronic is the acceleration choice: 382 hp, 500 Nm and 4.1 seconds to 100 km/h. It weighs 1756 kg, equivalent to about 4.60 kg per horsepower, and consumes 9.0 l/100 km combined. City and highway consumption are not measured. The 374 hp M240i 3.0 xDrive Steptronic takes 4.3 seconds, weighs 1765 kg and consumes 8.8 l/100 km combined, giving up 8 hp and 0.2 second while saving 0.2 l/100 km.

The second-generation 220d 2.0 AT Steptronic is the economy-oriented RWD choice: 190 hp, 400 Nm, 0–100 km/h in 7.0 seconds, a 237 km/h top speed and 4.8 l/100 km combined. City and highway figures are not measured. Compared with the 245 hp 230i 2.0 AT Steptronic, it gives up 55 hp, while the 230i consumes 6.5 l/100 km combined and takes 6.9 seconds to reach 100 km/h.

BMW 2 Series dimensions, weight and wheels

Overall length, width and height are not measured for any listed version, so a BMW 2 Series size comparison cannot be made from this dataset. Weight, ground clearance, fuel-tank capacity and wheel sizes can be compared.

The first-generation Cabrio entries range from 1495 kg for the 218i 1.5 MT to 1670 kg for the AWD M235i 3.0 AT Steptronic. Gross weight ranges from 1965 to 2100 kg. Ground clearance is 140 mm on the regular versions and 130 mm on the M235i and M240i records. Fuel capacity is 52 litres throughout these detailed entries. Listed wheel sizes extend from 205/55 R16 to 245/35 R18; when a version has no wheel data, the size is not measured.

The restyled Cabrio entries range from 1350 kg for the 140 hp 218i 1.5 MT to 1630 kg for the 340 hp M240i 3.0 AT Steptronic with the 4.7-second result. Gross weight ranges from 1850 to 2105 kg. Measured ground clearance is 130 or 152 mm; it is not measured for the 220i SDC. Fuel tanks range from 42 to 52 litres, and recorded wheels include 205/55 R16, 225/45 R17, 225/40 R18 and 245/35 R18.

The second-generation Coupe entries with measured kerb weights range from 1490 kg for the 218d 1.5 DCT to 1765 kg for the M240i 3.0 xDrive Steptronic; kerb weight is not measured for the 230i 2.0 AT Steptronic or 218i 2.0 AT Steptronic. Measured gross weights range from 1950 to 2165 kg, while those same two versions have gross weight not measured. Ground clearance is generally 128 mm, with 145 mm recorded for the 216i 2.0 AT Steptronic. Fuel capacity ranges from 49 to 52 litres. Recorded wheel sizes extend from 225/50 R17 to 255/35 R19; wheel sizes are not measured for several versions.

Which BMW 2 Series version should you choose?

Choose the first-generation 230i 2.0 AT Steptronic if you want a Cabrio that combines 252 hp, RWD and an 8-speed Automatic with 5.9-second acceleration and 6.0 l/100 km combined consumption. The 230i 2.0 MT has the same 252 hp and 350 Nm but takes 6.1 seconds and consumes 6.5 l/100 km combined, making the Automatic quicker by 0.2 second and lower by 0.5 l/100 km in the recorded combined figure.

Choose the restyled 220d 2.0 AT if range-oriented Diesel performance is the priority. It supplies 190 hp and 400 Nm, reaches 100 km/h in 7.5 seconds and consumes 4.5 l/100 km combined. For the lowest listed combined figure, the 116 hp 216d 1.5 SDC records 4.1 l/100 km, but the 220d adds 74 hp and 130 Nm.

Choose the restyled 340 hp M240i 3.0 AT Steptronic with the 4.6-second acceleration result if you want the strongest measured Cabrio performance. It combines RWD, an 8-speed Automatic, 458 Nm and 7.1 l/100 km combined consumption. Its namesake with the 4.7-second result has the same 340 hp and 458 Nm but weighs 1630 rather than 1485 kg and consumes 7.4 rather than 7.1 l/100 km combined.

Choose the second-generation 220d 2.0 AT Steptronic when Coupe economy and RWD matter most: it records 4.8 l/100 km combined and 400 Nm. Choose the M235 2.0 DCT xDrive when you want 300 hp, AWD and a 7-speed Robotic gearbox without moving to a 2998 cc engine; it reaches 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and consumes 8.2 l/100 km combined.

For maximum acceleration, choose the second-generation M240i 3.0 AT xDrive Steptronic. Its 382 hp output is the highest in the supplied data, and its 4.1-second time is 0.2 second quicker than the 374 hp M240i 3.0 xDrive Steptronic and 0.6 second quicker than the 374 hp RWD M240i 3.0 Steptronic Sport. The trade-off is its 9.0 l/100 km combined consumption, the highest measured combined figure among the detailed second-generation versions.