Used BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer 2015-2022 review

What's the used BMW 2 Series like?

BMW is lucky in having a very loyal fanbase who, having grown out of its range of sports cars and executive saloons, will look without hesitation to have that badge on the front of an MPV or an SUV big enough to transport their growing family and associated paraphernalia.

Hence the 2 Series Gran Tourer, which shares its underpinnings with the 2 Series Active Tourer, the firm’s able five-seat, front-wheel-drive MPV, but stretches the distance between the front and rear wheels by 11cm to fit in two extra seats in the third row. Add in the usual range of highly efficient petrol and diesel engines, a number of decently equipped trim levels and the sort of upmarket feel you would associate with BMW and you’ve got yourself a very popular premium people-carrier. It sold well and this generation ran from 2015 until 2022.

Overview

The BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer is well equipped and reasonably efficient but there are more spacious MPVs

Pros

• Efficient engines
• Well equipped
• Good handling

Cons

• Poor third-row space
• Still quite expensive to buy
• Not the most practical

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Those engines include BMW’s three-cylinder 1.5 petrol and diesel engines, the 218i and 216d. There’s also a 187bhp 2.0-litre petrol (220i) and a series of 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel units in either the 218d or 220d, as well as the option of four-wheel drive. On the road, it’s no sports car with any of those options, but it’s surprisingly refined and certainly handles well for a seven-seat MPV.

Trims range from the SE, which includes such goodies as sat-nav, dual-zone climate control, rear parking sensors and automatic lights and wipers, through Sport, which adds bigger alloys and sports seats, to M Sport, with its sporty bodykit and suspension. The interior feels plush. There’s the flexibility to slide the rear seats forward to accommodate taller passengers in the rearmost seats or increase boot space and the option of stowing all passenger seats for maximum space. Luxury trim was added to the range and includes 17in alloy wheels, but it has a different set of visual upgrades inside and out to Sport models and leather seats.

On the road, the 220d diesel doesn't feel as punchy as it does in some other BMW cars but, even when the car is fully laden, it produces enough torque low down that the eight-speed automatic gearbox doesn’t have to shuffle down too many cogs for you to make progress. The slightly less punchy 218d is not quite as quick, but it’s significantly cheaper to buy and has more than enough punch to cope with a full load.

With a little less weight to shift and a smidge more power at its top end, the 220i petrol feels sprightlier. However, with less torque to call on, the auto 'box is more eager to change down in search of higher revs. The petrol is easily the more refined, though, staying quieter when worked hard and sending less vibration back through the controls.

The 218i, meanwhile, feels very refined for a three-cylinder engine and pulls the considerable weight of the 2 Series Gran Tourer very well. The three-cylinder 216d diesel is refined and smooth, but can feel a little overstretched when faced with extended inclines. For the extra power and stability that it brings, the 220d in xDrive form is about as good as it gets.

To drive, it’s no sports car with any of those options, but it’s surprisingly refined and certainly handles well for a seven-seat MPV. The ride is generally smooth, but can turn sharp and harsh over broken surfaces, while there's more body lean than you'd expect in corners from something wearing the BMW badge, perhaps.

Size-wise, the 2 Series Gran Tourer sits in a bit of a niche. It’s smaller than seven-seat rivals such as the Ford Galaxy and Seat Alhambra, and a cut above the Ford Grand C-Max and Renault Grand Scenic. It has a decent amount of front space for tall adults and enough room for two more in the middle row. The sixth and seventh seats can be pulled up from the boot floor using one hand and can be accessed easily by folding down and sliding forward an outside middle-row seat. However, you won't want to be in there for long as an adult.

On models fitted with a sliding bench, you can push the middle row forward to free up knee room for the rearmost occupants but, if you’re an adult, by the time you'd be happy there's very little space left for the passengers directly in front.

With the third row folded away and the middle row slid right back, there's a 560-litre boot that has a wide opening, a flush boot lip and a usefully square shape. Sliding the middle row forward increases boot space to 720 litres but decreases leg room.

The middle-row seats can be folded in a 40/20/40 configuration and, when down, they lie almost flat. This can be done electronically using buttons on the boot walls (standard on Luxury and Sport, optional on other models). This feature works well and increases boot space to 1820 litres. The front passenger seat can also be folded flat to leave a load bay that’s 2.6m long, as long as you avoid the electric seat option.

If you're interested in buying a used BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer, or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to our used car classifieds site here.

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Ownership cost

What used BMW 2 Series will I get for my budget?

The starting point for a used 2 Series Gran Tourer is now under £10,000 for a high-mileage example, but we'd look for one with an average mileage for the year. Spend between £10,000 and £12,000, which buys you a clean example of a 2015/2016 car, with an average mileage and a full history, bought from an independent dealer. Between £12,000 and £15,000 will buy you an excellent 2016 or 2017 car, maybe even a 2018 model if you shop around, again with a full history and from a franchised dealer. Upping the ante to £15,000-£20,000 will secure you a late 2019 or 2020 car with a nominal mileage, from a BMW dealer, often in top-spec M Sport trim or even with the xDrive four-wheel drive. Look to spend around £20,000 to £24,000 on the last 2021 and 2022 cars.

Our recommendations

Which used BMW 2 Series should I buy?

The 218i and 220i are both smooth and reasonably powerful petrol engines and do a good job of moving the 2 Series Gran Tourer around in a refined fashion. However, if you do an average to high mileage, you’ll pay more for fuel, as neither can match the economy of the diesels. The 216d is the smallest and least powerful diesel, but it only really struggles on steep hills when fully loaded; the majority of buyers will find it perfect for urban use. You’ll also get a claimed average fuel consumption figure of 68.9mpg. The 218d gains an extra cylinder and more power, but we’d stick with the 216d. The 220d is a tempting package, too, with reasonable economy and plenty of oomph, but unless you can face the higher bills, we’d opt for the smallest diesel.

All 2 Series Gran Tourer cars are well equipped, with the entry-level SE coming with a long list of desirables including sat-nav, DAB radio, Bluetooth, dual-zone climate control, rear parking sensors and automatic lights and wipers. Step up to Sport and you’ll add bigger 17in wheels, sports seats and a host of visual upgrades inside and out. Luxury adds leather seats and some trim details, while top-spec M Sport gives you larger alloys and sports seats, as well as a stiffer suspension that we don’t recommend as it ruins the ride quality.

Our favourite BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer 216d SE

Alternatives

What alternatives should I consider to a used BMW 2 Series?

In some ways, the 2 Series Gran Tourer has no natural rivals on size and price.

Size-wise, it sits between large seven-seat MPVs such as the Ford Galaxy and Seat Alhambra at one end, and the smaller Ford Grand C-Max and Renault Grand Scenic at the other. The larger cars are more spacious and more practical, and in many ways, both are as good to drive as the BMW, while the Grand C-Max and Grand Scenic both push it close on practicality.

Meanwhile, the Volkswagen Touran can be specced to a level classy enough for most while offering considerably more space and practicality and a better driving experience, too.

In terms of price, the 2 Series Gran Tourer is more expensive to buy both new and on the used car forecourts, model for model. Indeed, top-spec versions rival the Land Rover Discovery Sport, a supremely competent SUV all-rounder as good on the muddy byways as it is comfortable for a family on a cross-continent cruise.

BMW would argue, as would most of its loyal supporters, that none of the aforementioned cars can match the premium feel offered by this car. Certainly, in interior appointments and material choices, the 2 Series Gran Tourer feels a cut above them all.

If you're interested in buying a used BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer, or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to our used car classifieds site here.

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