USED BUYER'S GUIDE BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé

FROM £13,000 Small four-door saloon is ideal for those who put driving fun before practicality

- Richard Dredge

CAR makers have created niches within niches over the past few years, leading to an array of cars that can leave you wondering who is meant to buy them. The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé is just such a car, because it's a four-door saloon with limited space for those in the back. As such it doesn't offer the practicality of a 3 Series, and it's more costly than a regular 2 Series, without offering much extra in return.

Even so, the 2 Series Gran Coupé has sold in good numbers, so if you want a compact saloon that's good to drive, well made and generously equipped, but offers relatively limited usability, it could be the car for you.

HISTORY

THE 2 Series Gran Coupé arrived in March 2020, just as the first Covid lockdown was being imposed. Petrol fans could choose between the 138bhp 218i with a 1.5-litre threecylinder engine, and the 302bhp M235i xDrive, with four-wheel drive.

Diesel lovers had the 187bhp 220d, which like the M235i, featured a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine.

The range was extended in July 2020, to include a 148bhp 218d, still with the 2.0-litre engine. At the same time a 220d xDrive option was introduced with four-wheel drive.

A facelifted 2 Series Gran Coupé is about to appear, with a refreshed exterior design and new driverassistance systems. There will be just the 168bhp 220i M Sport, with mild-hybrid tech, and the M235i xDrive. Diesels are no longer offered.

WHICH SHOULD I BUY?

WE wouldn't suggest that you avoid any 2 Series Gran Coupé, whatever the engine or transmission. However, the M235i isn't quite as sensational to drive as the M badging might suggest, so the sweet spot comes in a model lower down the range.