Used BMW 2 Series Convertible 2014-present review

Such was the success of the original BMW 1 Series, despite what some considered its rather divisive looks, that it wasn’t long before the hatchback spawned a traditional three-box coupe and convertible version.

In time, the 1 Series, which continued with its updated hatchback, begat the slightly larger 2 Series, and that range expanded to include not just a coupe and convertible combo but also two MPVs, the Gran Tourer and the Active Tourer.

For fresh-air freaks, though, it’s the 2 Series Convertible that offers a premium product in a relatively compact package. Being larger than the 1 Series Convertible, there’s more room than before and a bigger boot. Being a convertible, there’s an electrically operated folding roof, that goes up or down in a mere 20 seconds. Being a BMW, there’s a good range of punchy and efficient engines, with either three or four cylinders, petrol or diesel, and three trim levels.

For true lovers of speed there’s even a range-topping M240i version, with a six-cylinder petrol engine providing real motive force.

Whichever engine you choose, the rear-wheel-drive 2 Series is good to drive, with a chassis that is composed and balanced and a ride that is comfortable. The diesel engines can be a little gruff, but overall refinement is impressive.

Inside is an interior that feels well built and is of high quality, with the traditional and logical BMW layout of major and minor controls and the excellent iDrive infotainment system with its rotary controller.

So if you’re after wind-in-the-hair fun but don’t want to compromise on build quality or driver appeal the uber-competent 2 Series Convertible is certainly well worth a look. It might not be the last word in dynamic finesse but it’s good enough to make those summer back-road journeys with the roof down a pleasure, and used you’ll find some pretty good deals, too.

If you're interested in finding a used 2 Series head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.

Prices start at around £9,500, this for a 2014 220d with an average to high mileage for the year and a full service history, bought from a trader or an independent dealer. If you’re prepared to spend between £11,500 and £14,000 you’ll find plenty of good 2015/16 cars of varying trims and engines, while £15,000 to £16,000 bags you excellent 2017 or some 2018 cars from franchised dealers. Look to spend around £17,000 to £22,000 on 2019 or some 2020 cars, with that figure rising to circa £26,500 for 2021 models.

MPG

The diesel-engined cars are the most economical, but there’s not so much in it. The most economical 218d and 220d both manage a claimed fuel consumption of 58.9mpg under the older NEDC tests in some trims, while the rest of the variants manage 54.3mpg. The best figure for a petrol-engined 2 Series is the 218i Sport with an automatic gearbox, which achieves a claimed average consumption of 50.4mpg.

Under the newer, more realistic WLTP tests, the 218d averages 46.3mpg, the 220d also 46.3mpg, the petrol 218i 36.2mpg, the 220i 35.8mpg and the M240i 34.2mpg.

Car tax

For cars registered after April 2017, road tax will be £155 per year for petrol and diesel cars. For models costing over £40,000 from new, owners will have to pay £335 per year for years two to five (a total of £1675) on top of the standard rate of VED for the vehicle. You can find out more about road tax costs here.

Servicing and insurance

Insurance groups start off quite reasonably for the lower powered cars, at group 26 for the 218i, but anything approaching performance will boost that up to as high as group 46, in the case of the M240i.

Servicing is due every 18,000 to 20,000 miles, and on the whole costs are reasonable. There are a number of transferable BMW service plan options open to the used purchaser, covering the car for three years or 36,000 miles or sometimes more, for a fairly priced one-off payment, depending on the level of cover required. There are also plenty of independent specialists who will look after a 2 Series, at a reduced rate over that charged by a main BMW dealer.

The four-cylinder diesel engines have enough performance for most situations, even if they are a bit gruff. The 220d can reach 62mph from rest in around 7.0sec and is decently punchy at low revs, but even the lower-powered 118d isn’t slow. The three-cylinder 218i and four-cylinder 220i and 230i petrols lower down the range aren’t sluggish either, but do have to be worked a little harder for a quick turn of pace.

Our pick of the trims is entry-level SE and it’s well equipped: 17in alloy wheels, air-con, BMW’s 6.5in colour screen iDrive infotainment system with DAB radio, sat-nav and Bluetooth, LED headlights, rear parking sensors and automatic lights and wipers are all included. It means there’s little point in seeking out the Sport or M Sport, unless you particularly like their more aggressive styling.

Our favourite BMW 2 Series Convertible: 220d SE

The Audi A3 Cabriolet is a comfortable car that’s also really good to drive. Its interior is classy, too, and features Audi’s excellent rotary controller for its infotainment system. It’s not especially spacious in the back, but if that doesn’t bother you the rest of the A3 Cab is a bit of a peach.

The VW Beetle Cabriolet is viewed as rather a left-field choice these days, but it’s based on sound mechanicals and there are plenty of them to choose from on the used car market. They’re not as sharp to drive as some VW Group products (see the Audi A3 Cab) but there’s no doubting their open-air appeal.

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If you're interested in finding a used 2 Series head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.