The 2020 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe starts at $37,500

"LJ909" (lj909) 01/13/2020 at 11:06 • Filed to: 2020 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, 228i, M235i

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New for 2020, the BMW 2 Series GC looks to allure younger buyers and new people to the brand in the same way Mercedes lured over buyers with the CLA: the badge. It should work given that this is BMW. Here is the pricing/options.

There are 2 trims to choose from. BMW splits them into “Core” and M Sport. The Core model is the base 228i xDrive. I assume they call it core to avoid calling it base. This is the model that starts at $37,500. It comes powered by BMW’s 2.0 TwinPower Turbo I4 with 228 horses paired to an 8 speed auto with paddle shifters. That power gets routed through xDrive awd, the only available drive option. Impressively it also comes standard with launch control. They claim a 0-60 time of 6 seconds and 33 MPG and I believe it.

There are 2 designs to choose from. BMW further splits its car models into designs. So you choose between core and M-Sport models, and then from there you choose Sport line and M-Sport design trims. The Sport line is standard and comes with:

Rear view camera

Park distance control

Active driving assistant

Anthracite headliner

Choose M Sport however, and it adds on $4k to the price. It includes:

Rear View Camera

Park Distance Control

Active Driving Assistant

M Sport Steering

M sport suspension

M steering wheel

Aerodynamic kit

Rear spoiler

Shadowline exterior trim

I choose the M Sport design. There are 10 different exterior color choices; 2 non metallic and 8 metallic. All the metallic colors are $550 save for one. Called Storm Gray Metallic its a $1,200 option. 2 of the colors (Mineral White & Seaside Blue Metallic, itself almost an M3 like Blue) cant be had with the M Sport design. The same can be said for the standard non metallic Black color. You cant get it with the M Sport trim. They pretty much force you into getting the $500 Black Sapphire Metallic color.

There are 7 wheel options spread across 3 17” options, 3 18” options and one 19” option. And in typical BMW fashion, all are run flat tires. Not a single 17” option can be had with the M Sport trim along with one of the 18” wheels ( a multi spoke bi color wheel with all season run flats for $600) leaving you only being able to choose, if you get the M Sport design trim, between the 2 remaining 18” options and the one 19” option. I choose the 19” option. An M design, they ride on performance tires and are double spoke bi color wheels.

Inside, the 2 GC is handsomely styled, with sport seats available either in standard non leather BMW Sensatec in 2 colors, or 5 Dakota leather choices, which are all $1,450. I choose Magma Red seats. Dash trims are split between 2 weirdly named trims.

You can choose between Illuminated Boston, which is just a silver textured trim on the dash, or Illuminated Berlin, which is the same texture but comes across as almost a faux carbon fiber on first glance. Both are no cost.

Option packages are simplified. In a nod to try and appeal to younger buyers, BMW has bundled popular options together into 2 packages: Convenience &Premium. The Convenience package is already equipped on the 2 GC and comes with:

Comfort access keyless entry

Pano roof

SirusXM sat radio with 1 year subscription included

Along with the pano roof, the M235i comes with M sport seats.

The Premium package is more attractive as it comes with more features and customization. Again another nod to younger buyers. BMW says you can fine tune this pack to get the car with the features you want. For $3,050 it includes:

The ability to either add or delete the pano roof, shaving a grand off the price

Live cockpit pro which includes 2 10.5” display screens, iDrive 7.0, 2 USB ports and 20 GB of multimedia storage.

Full LED adaptive headlights

HUD Display

Keyless entry which includes foot activated trunk release

Ambient interior lighting

Heated seats and wheel

4 way power lumbar support

All in, you’re looking at a pricey small BMW. With the options I added, the 2 Series GC M Sport design rings in at $47,150. Its a little cheaper on the standard Sport trim due to a couple differences. For instance you can only choose between the 17” & 18” wheels You also cant choose any leather choices. Only Sensetec. Also the Convenience pack isn’t standard like it is on the M design. Its a $1700 option if you don’t choose it. And the Premium pack is $4750, a $1700 difference over the M design. But the good thing is you don’t need to select both as the Premium pack comes with the items from the Convenience pack plus more. All in the standard 2 GC Sport design is $42,850.

The next and final trim of the 2 Series GC is the M235i xDrive Gran Coupe. Starting at $45,500, it gets powered by a 2.0 TwinPower Turbo I4 with 301 horses routed to xDrive awd through an 8 speed sport tuned auto. It also comes with M tuned sport suspension and a Torsen LSD. BMW claims 32 mpg with a 4.7 second 0-60 time. Other standard features include:

M Sport Brakes

M Sport suspension

M steering wheel

Frontal Collision Warning w/ City Collision Mitigation

Active Blind Spot Detection

Lane Departure Warning

Navigation System

Rear View Camera

Park Distance Control

Apple CarPlay Compatibility

The M235i is broken down into 2 designs. The standard M and a Shadowline. The Shadowline is $500 more and includes:

Extended Shadowline Trim

Mirror Caps in Black

M Performance - weight reduction with overboost

M Sport Brakes

M Sport suspension

I choose it since its only $500 more. Exterior colors are for the most part the same, except the M gets 7 standard colors (1 non metallic, 6 metallic) to the standard 2’s 10. Wheel options differ as well. The M gets 6 wheel options (3 18” and 3 19”) with either all season or performance run flat tires. 2 of the wheel options though cant be chosen with the Shadowline design.

Interior options on the M differ in that you can only choose between the 6 Dakota leather choices. None of them are extra charge. I stuck with the Magma Red like before. The M also differs in trim. In addition to the Boston and Berlin trims, it gets an Illuminated Brooklyn trim which is pretty much a non textured silver trim. But availability on this is late as BMW states it won’t be available until April.

There are only 2 options for the M235. There’s a parking assistance pack for $200 that includes parking assistance, active park distance control and a rear view camera. But you cant just add this option alone. Adding this requires the addition of the $2650 Premium pack. Its pretty much a lightened version of the Premium package from the standard 2 GC. Weirdly, you can add this alone without the parking assistance pack.

  All in, a M235i will set you back an eye watering $50k even.

The 2 GC looks appealing. Until you delve into the details. Its nothing more than a small 4 door based on a fwd architecture from Mini that’ s for those who want the badge above all else. For the price of both, a better and more powerful driving experience can be had elsewhere. Not to mention the pricing of the M235i is insane when you can get a 330i xDrive M Design for pretty much the same amount of money if you don’t go crazy with the options. As I have to always point out, the existence of the Stinger/G70 in both 4 and 6 cylinder versions make the purchase of the 2 GC a fools errand as well. Sadly it will most likely attract a lot of fools for no other reason than for them to be able to say they drive a BMW.

Maxima Speed > LJ909 01/13/2020 at 11:30

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Excuse me. Why does this exist?

LJ909 > Maxima Speed 01/13/2020 at 11:35

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Because BMW most likely thinks that younger buyers can afford or will be willing to shell out $40k for a small “entry level” sedan because BMW. I wouldn’ t buy it. It’ll probably be a great used buy in a year or 2.

For Sweden > LJ909 01/13/2020 at 11:39

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May I have an AWD Mini Cooper instead?

LJ909 > For Sweden 01/13/2020 at 11:42

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You could. But it could possibly be just as expensive and smaller.

Textured Soy Protein > LJ909 01/13/2020 at 11:45

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Sticker price on the M235i is roughly equivalent to the Stinger GT with similar options. Maybe a couple grand more. Yes the Stinger has crazy discounts below sticker that this probably won’t have. And yes, the M235i is a 4-banger vs a V6 in the Stinger GT but it’s also a much smaller & lighter car. The Stinger GT is a whole foot longer and 220-420 lbs heavier for rwd or awd vs. the M235i.

Also, the available Live Cockpit Pro will hopefully mean those cars get updated to Android Auto (wireless-only, no USB) in July. BMW when they announced Android Auto mentioned that all cars with iDrive 7.0 which is part of that Live Cockpit Pro will get Android Auto when they roll it out through an OTA update. Only problem is certain specific Pixel and Samsung phones officially support wireless Android Auto and it’s a very small list. There’s a workaround, but...it’s a workaround.

The closest competitor is of course the Mercedes CLA. With the CLA35 being the AMG-lite model and closest to the M235i. If I had to choose I might actually go with the M235i because its roofline looks to be less of a rear headroom compromise than the CLA. The M235i has a front eLSD. While the full-fat CLA45 has a torque vectoring rear differential, I believe the front & rear diffs on the CLA35 are both open. 

Tripper > LJ909 01/13/2020 at 11:47

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Hey BMW make something besides the M2 that is good, I dare you.

LJ909 > Textured Soy Protein 01/13/2020 at 11:49

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You have to approach it from more of a value standpoint though. The Stinger is just one of many options at this price point that offer way more car and features for the money. I wouldn’t touch this thing, at least new. I would say its overpriced by about $5-8k.

Right now with the Live Cockpit, for whatever reason the cars only come equipped with Apple CarPlay. No Android Auto yet. And thats if it ever comes. Something tells me they are assuming that buyers will be more iPhone users than Android users, which would be a dumb move.

AestheticsInMotion > Tripper 01/13/2020 at 11:57

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Lol, my thoughts exactly. Pray they at least keep it in the lineup. 

I do like the i3 though. 

Textured Soy Protein > LJ909 01/13/2020 at 12:02

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I’m assuming that the M235i is going to be far from the volume seller. But the 228i gives BMW a much lower priced entry point for cheap leases like the CLA has been providing for Mercedes. Although while the CLA used to be Mercedes’ sub-$30k option, both the 228i GC and CLA250 are around $36-37k starting price now. The A220 is now the bottom rung here in the US. Now sure, both the 228i GC and CLA250 are basically equivalent to like, a Jetta GLI but with fancier badges for a lot more money, but hey, people like luxo badges.

( After many years of lagging behind other car companies, BMW is finally getting its shit together with phone mirroring. The Android Auto update for iDrive 7.0 is happening in July , roughly. BMW is going to be the first car company to support wireless Android Auto but they’re not supporting Android Auto over USB at all.)

Tripper > AestheticsInMotion 01/13/2020 at 12:02

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Yea the i3 has grown a lot on me. If I had a long commute that would be my first pic.

Textured Soy Protein > For Sweden 01/13/2020 at 12:06

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The M235i drivetrain is available in the J CW Clubman & Countryman.

Ash78, voting early and often > LJ909 01/13/2020 at 12:06

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I drove a 428 Gran Coupe last week and liked the dynamics, but damn that back seat was a bit of a joke. I’m veering away from wagons, but still want some usable rear cargo space, so the new crop of liftbacks have been a little intriguing (Stinger, too obnoxious; A5 Sportback, way too hard to find).

These are definitely not for people who want a more practical sedan. They are for people who want a coupe but are sick of moving their seat to let people in.

Those panoramic sunroofs are cool, but you don’t often hear about how they take up a full 2" of headroom. They simultaneously open up the cabin (visually) and close it in (physically)

Ash78, voting early and often > Textured Soy Protein 01/13/2020 at 12:08

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The Stinger is a land yacht compared to this. And I mean that in a good way. It fits 4 actual human beings inside, not dismembered.

LJ909 > Textured Soy Protein 01/13/2020 at 12:11

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Yea the 228 should be the volume sellers. I see lease deals on this thing being as good as lease deals usually are on bare bones 3 Series. Honestly though it was needed. I’ m sure they saw all the sales the CLA/A Class were getting at Mercedes (unfortunately the people that get these things are the worst kind of dumb buyers)

Textured Soy Protein > Ash78, voting early and often 01/13/2020 at 12:14

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I was a little disappointed with the back seat room in the Stinger and G70 when I test drove them. Both of them passed my sit-behind-myself test, but not with a ton of room to spare. The Stinger has a lot more not-for-people space than this.

Since this is a transverse engine layout and the roofline isn’t as drastically sloped as the CLA, I think it has a halfway decent chance of passing the same test.

LJ909 > Ash78, voting early and often 01/13/2020 at 12:17

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Yea I sat in one at the LA Auto show a few months back and thought that what makes it a Gran Coupe also cuts into the room in the rear, making the whole thing pretty much pointless. The backseat in this 2 GC is almost as small as the 2 Coupe with it having just 1.4" more of rear legroom. Headroom is even worse most likely due to it being a Gran Coupe and the Pano roof (like you mentioned).

I cant believe though you find the Stinger obnoxious though, or that you cant find an A5 Sportback.

Ash78, voting early and often > LJ909 01/13/2020 at 12:33

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The Stinger mainly didn’t pass my wife’s “You might as well get a Camaro” test. I liked it okay and neither of us have any badge snobbery about Kia. It was just a little too over the top with the styling cues...and to be honest, our Kia dealers are marginal at best (for ongoing support). I love the rarity, though... but it makes the used market thinner.

The A5 sportback has only been around 2 years now, so I should clarify I’m looking at CPO — naturally, none of them have come off lease yet, so pickings are very slim compared to BMW and Kia liftbacks.

To be honest, I’ve found a couple off-lease X3's that I like (loaded, with I6 turbo) that are absolute sleepers and meet all my needs. They also make me look like a senior citizen in a compact luxury SUV , so maybe cops will ignore me. But check out this headroom, even with the pano roof. Seat is all the way down and I’m 6'2"

Arrivederci > LJ909 01/13/2020 at 12:34

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Man this thing is a turd.  I’m sure we’ll soon see them everywhere.

fintail > LJ909 01/13/2020 at 12:39

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Waiting for the GT model, saw a 6er the other day, woof.

feather-throttle-not-hair > LJ909 01/13/2020 at 13:35

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I know people who buy this are not looking for a sports car, but it does kind of bug me that the standard 2-series has a more powerful (248 hp) 4-cylinder engine while starting at 2 grand less than this. It also comes with RWD and a manual...now excuse me for a second while i yell at some clouds.

feather-throttle-not-hair > AestheticsInMotion 01/13/2020 at 13:39

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BMW has confirmed that they will continue to build the M2. The next generation is even going to stick to RWD still.

feather-throttle-not-hair > fintail 01/13/2020 at 13:41

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Waiting for the GT model, saw a 6er the other day, woof.

Apparently there are people out there who are like “I really like the 5-series, but I wish there were a less practical, worse looking and more expensive alternative...”

Saracen > LJ909 01/13/2020 at 13:48

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I’ll be looking for a car in this class in a year or so, so I compared this to the Mercedes A-class and CLA at the LA Auto Show. BMW and Mercedes were like 100 feet from each other. This new 2-series does not feel anywhere near as quality as the Mercs. Granted, I have not driven them, but so far I’d go for the baby Mercs.

LJ909 > Ash78, voting early and often 01/13/2020 at 15:10

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You’re almost in the same boat I am, except its revered with me. My son wants me to get a Kia Stinger simply because he loves them. My girl would like me to get a Mustang GT convertible because shes been wanting us to have something fast with open air. I can see how your wife would think the styling of the Stinger is over the top though. I find it more handsome in the rear than looking at it from the front.

A5's being slim pickings must be due to where you live. Here in SoCal there are a few within a hundred miles of me. I think about 40. Nearly all are CPO . I think with about 40k miles you can get one for just under $33k. They depreciated fast.

That X3 has a ton of headroom. You being 6'2 and there still being that much room with a pano roof is crazy. I would try to spring for the M40i. But those things still command $50k used.

LJ909 > fintail 01/13/2020 at 15:12

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The day that BMW makes a 2 Series Gran Turismo is the day I’ m officially done with them.

LJ909 > feather-throttle-not-hair 01/13/2020 at 15:15

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This car exists simply for badge whores and nothing else. For the Instagram generation. For those that want to flex online by showing they drive a Bimmer, with a random key or steering wheel pic, but never fully showing which BMW they drive.

A regular 2 Series makes more sense than this simply because its not trying to be something its not like this is. And with it being rwd and having a more powerful engine while being cheaper and having nearly the same interior room, the choice is clear.

LJ909 > Saracen 01/13/2020 at 15:17

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Thats what I would do as well. I had my own reservations about the A Class before it came but having seen them in person and sat in them, if I were going to go for a small entry lux model like the A/CLA/2 GC/A3 sedan, I would go with the A Class all day.

Ash78, voting early and often > LJ909 01/13/2020 at 15:33

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The wife still gets a lot of say because it may end up being her car in a couple years, then I can buy something less practical.

Where I live in AL, BMW still outnumbers Audi about 20:1. And of the three Germans, Mercedes is hands down king (3:1 over Bimmer; ie 60:1 over Audi ).

So Audi has the deck stacked against them. Our metro area is only a little over a million, so I could easily go a couple hours to Atlanta and find a ton, I’m just not that motivated for something I haven’t even sat in.

And honestly, the X3 was a very pleasant surprise (and they’re EVERYWHERE). The M40i is definitely nice, but in typical BMW fashion there’s some diminishing returns for the very top trim. The X3 35i with all the options is SO close, plus I don’t have to pay for 21" tires :)

I also really like the SQ5, but the BMW just had the edge on reliability. And my 70-something parents already have a Q5 and it felt a little bit “me too”

fintail > feather-throttle-not-hair 01/13/2020 at 16:33

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Hopefully it doesn’t sell, and they lose money on it. I’ve only seen one on the road, which bodes well.

MB and BMW continue to try to out-niche each other, while at the same time getting simple wagons in this market is insanely difficult.  Smart shoppers don’t want a CUV “coupe”.

fintail > LJ909 01/13/2020 at 16:33

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It must be just around the corner.  There will be a watered down “///M” version, too.

Vicente Esteve > LJ909 01/13/2020 at 20:25

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Another god  damned S3. 

LJ909 > Ash78, voting early and often 01/14/2020 at 00:24

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It sounds like you should go for the X3. Thats what I would do. I wouldnt touch the Audi. Plus no other competitor will drive as good as the X3, unless you can spring for more and get a Macan.