The Coupe I’d Actually Buy! (BMW 230i Coupe 2023 Review)
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- Опубликовано: 4 июл 2024
- Should you buy the new BMW 230i Coupe? This RWD two-door coupe is all about driving pleasure, but it’s kind of practical as well.
The BMW 2 Series coupe is not related to the FWD Gran Coupe model. Instead, it’s a classic BMW: front engine, rear wheel drive. There is an AWD M240i xDrive, but the 220i and 230i models are RWD and are quite pure. The M2 is coming soon, too, with a manual. For now the 230i is eight-speed automatic only.
The BMW M2 competes with the Toyota Supra, Nissan Z and a range of other sporty cars for under $100,000.
As always, we don’t accept advertising from car manufacturers, and we’re powered by Budget Direct - so this is an independent, honest review of the BMW 2 Series.
Time codes:
0:00 - Intro
1:07 - Interior & Tech
3:38 - Boot Space
4:52 - Running Costs
6:34 - Driving Dynamics
10:16 - Verdict
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BMW must have heard us. The day this video went up, BMW Australia announced a new five year warranty!
Great news. I am waiting for new M50i delivery towards the end of this year. It is the additional bonus.
Pitty they wont back date it I bet it will only be for new cars bought from xx
@@allfitat56 slightly backdated to deliveries from 1st October. I’m glad this has been resolved, the situation was untenable. How do you buy into a brand that doesn’t stand behind its product.
Wow! I was going to say I'd consider buying one but a 5 year warranty would be better! Well I better look into this! 😄
I have one of the very first 230 M Sports made (for US market) and I've loved it for over a year now. I have the budget for an M240 or M2, but I do not think I care to spend that much more for performance not usable on public roads...this car is it!
Totally agree!
I think BMW Australia just introduced the 5-year warranty today, 7th Nov. Which is the same day this video uploaded😂
6:00 BMW actually is now 5years warranty. It is effective as of 1st of November
The 230 is actually good for people like me who don't have the time to constantly manage frequent services that something like a m240 or m2 would demand. $70k is pretty much on the ball
this is so much more expensive than buying in europe or usa
Just took one for a drive today and was very nice the only downside I felt was the brake pedal feel, it just felt like there was no brakes or very spongy brakes. I own a 2023 VW polo gti and the brakes in that feel so much tighter and more direct than this car at twice the price what is the go with that?
Why is bmw so f**king expensive in Australia!?
I test drove both the M240 and 230... I actually wound up choosing the 230 loaded msport. I think it handles much better due to less weight up front, has plenty of power for the streets. The M240 is an amazing car and very fast. That said, you can't have as much fun with it without breaking the law... If I was going to track the car I'd get the 240 but I'm not so the 230 is perfect.
I test drove one yesterday and loved it.
I was extremely disappointed to find after my drive that in all forward deliveries the two digital dash screens and physical climate control buttons have now been replaced by one giant digital screen that controls everything. 😢
Why did BMW feel this was change was necessary?
BMW Just announced 5 year warranty. As in, today! Also, when does the Civic Type R embargo lift in Australia? Is it next week?
Nice review, Tom. I have one of these on order with pretty much all of the option packs. It won’t have those physical climate controls as it runs BMW OS 8 iDrive.
Is the rear seat serviceable? Thanks..
Excellent review, thank you!
I like how you compared with 3 series and include after maintenance info.
Just great! What a spectacular car 👏 great review as well -
The small GT car I've been searching for.
did you actually knocked down a cone 7:02 😆lol but great review as usual........finally 5 years warranty!!! (ABOUT TIME)
A proper drivers' BMW - keep them coming. You also get used to the steering wheel.
Interesting how people view this as nimble and small, when dimensions are a tiny bit bigger than a current Civic, which is considered the biggest hatchback available :)
I bought the M240i and I think it took me a month and the steering wheel feels normal. now sure it's thick but muscle memory fix that quick enough
I considered buying one of these to replace my M240i, but unlike in other markets, you can't option an MSport differential here. It's crazy that my 1.5l MX-5 can send power to both back wheels, but BMW coupes with over 400nm are single spinners.
Physical hardware between the MSport diff and the stock diff is identical; MDiff just engages more dynamically. You will not be dealing with 1-wheel-drive with a bone stock G42 230i. Might even be available to option on via software upgrade at some point. Only physical difference is the Brembo brakes, which you can also purchase separately and have installed via dealership. Don't let that dissuade you
Don't think this design will ever grow on me.
I agree that the 230i would be the sweet point, it's a pity in my market, we only got 220i and 240i,
Well done. Clearly the irresistible pressure of your review. Note that Australian consumer law trumps car warranties in any event and covers you for manufacturers faults waaay beyond most warranty periods (say, 10 years or 100K as a rough/reasonable benchmark). Regarding BMW's annoying 'updates'; I have a BMW 328i M Sport (F30), which has been great. I was looking to trade for the latest 330i. but I knew it would give me the shits every time I got in it... Steering wheel way to fat (why? mines perfect), and that dash! Dear BMW, tachos are round and go clockwise! Check out the competition! Decades of the best dashes in the industry and not even an option of an alternative facsimile of a traditional BMW dash... And don't get me started on losing a proper gear selector in the 2023 'update'...
Would be great if they offered the m240ixdrive in red like in the US ..
Nice Review but I don't think this is the 2023. The 2023 has the new upgraded displays
The bmw website says 40k for 230i, why this vid say 70? Is it a different model
With our crap roads after the rain - and repairs done by year 11s on work experience - I wouldn't go for the 19" wheels with 225/40 x 19 tyres. I'd stick with the 18s.
my thoughts as well, i got mine with 18s
Don't all 2023 2 Series cars come with iDrive 8? This looks like a 2022 Model. Great review though, can't wait for my M240i!
Can you get a golf bag in sideways ?
would the Mr Tom Spec of 230i match his attire ? ... green over tan
You can do that at great expense - BMW individual colours go for about $11K in Australia now! Cognac tan leather is a regular option at $2K
I would like this in my garage, room for my wife and myself and heaps of room in the back seat for our miniature schnauzers.
Longer reviews of cars like this please Tom.
Same here, room for me and my wife and my miniature schnauzer 😂
Best of the best ever
Sorry but the 2023 models have lost the centre gear stick and feature a super wide Live Cockpit Professional - like their EV's
Indeed, the best coupe in the market right now. I wouldn't buy an M240i or even worse, an M2, if i didn't intend to track them. Due to the 2 series coupe chassis, the inline 6 adds considerable weight in the front and ruins the 50-50 balance considerably (even worse with xdrive). I would prefer the I6 in the M440i, not the M240i, where the car is more fuel efficient apparently (lower WLTP figures), and more balanced, and such a powerful engine makes more sense in a longer, more practical GT car like the 4 series coupe. The 2 series is more of a fun daily for shorter commutes, and benefits tremendously from the lighter engine and the removal of the xdrive. The 230i is plenty fast anyway in a straight line, unless you want to race it. Making it nimbler is more fun in public roads, plus, less expensive, better mileage, and cheaper to maintain, and you don't have to get the 19inch wheels and sacrifice comfort, in my market the 230i can get the default 17inch wheels and the 18inch with the m sport package. You can also get the M sport differential as a seperate item in the 230i. Overall, i think the 230i with msport, the differential, and the 18in wheels that are wider in the rear, is the best combination and the best value for money.
I have the 230i without the MSport or differential, just the base trim with 18” wheels. It came with the Convenience package only. It does have heated seats and a heated steering wheel too. The MSRP was $39,500. I can honestly say it drives great. It’s fast and nimble. It also gets amazing gas mileage. It’s in Alpine White with the Cognac interior. I think it’s a great bargain purchase from BMW. You really don’t need more if you’re just using it as a daily commuter. Im not into tracking or racing so I guess the M2 isn’t a good idea as a daily driver. This 230i should be on everyone’s shopping list if you’re interested in a luxury and relatively economical compact sports coupe.
I've got big hands, so I love the thick steering wheel.
I'm sure it's a great vehicle...but lack of a 5 year warranty is a dealbreaker for me. I'm in the target demographic...but no Bimmers for me till they catch up on some of the basics
The interior is sadly changed now.. there is a double screen like on the electric ones..
I drove one with x-drive the other day. Very refined, a high-quality product but not as well resolved on the road as my mk8 GTI, especially when pushed.
In what way do you find the GTI more resolved? Turn in? More nimble?
Im in the market for both. What colour is your GTI?
Either way can't go wrong with either. Besides maintenance, which is a gamble with German cars.
@ilyaslobodkin3811 Steering is a bit more alive, brakes aren't grabby and have very little slack in the top of the pedal travel, and I prefer dsg over the ZF box, though both are excellent. Overall, I just feel like I can push the GTI harder and have more fun than the BMW. I do miss the premium interior and the rear wheel drive feel of the 230i. Like you said, you can't go wrong with either car. As far as reliability goes, I've only owned one BMW(e36 328i) but I've owned 5 GTI's and the last 3 have been pretty reliable with few complaints.
On the other hand, I did see an M240i with the track pack for sale the other day. 😉
Here in USA it already has I drive 8, which to me is borderline a deal breaker
I got a 230i with IDrive 8. Coming from an idrive7 330i, I can tell you from experience that IDrive 8 is better. Loosing the shift lever cleans up the center so it doesn’t get in the way. The screens are easier to read. There is more ways to customize what you want to view. It is just better. I was concerned at first because I lost physical buttons for the hvac system but I don’t miss them. See the car to 70F and now it cools when it’s hot and heats when it’s cool, I don’t even think about it. Give it a shot before calling it a deal breaker. Just because VW and Toyota build crappy infotainment doesn’t mean BMW also will. IDrive 8 is likely the best infotainment on the market currently.
@@postalpancho I have a G20 with id7 too. I would've been happier if they kept manual HVAC, and touch screen everything else, but hopefully it's good, as I'm waiting for the G87 M2. A car without a shifter is a dealbreaker for me though, so I hope the M2 keeps it
@@andrew22334455 why do you need a shifter? Lol it isn’t a manual. I understand the “save the manuals” sentiment, I’ve owned 5 manual cars, but a shifter in a automatic is just an imitation of a manual. It is pointless, the paddle shifters work better anyways because your hands stay on the wheel. It really isn’t a big deal, it is just a mental barrier you have given yourself. People hate change, even when it is for the better.
The Coupe I've Actually Bought would be a more meaningful heading.
3 year warranty is fantastic...means I can buy a 3 years old BMW like this at a very reduced price!
growing on me, but no way in hell can i give up my M2 Comp for this gens 2
it's a sad state of affairs when a heavy coupe with no manual option and questionable aesthetics is bmw's best car!
This one vs Nissan Z ?
Depends what you want. For the same money the Z is faster but the Z doesn’t have brimbo brakes, back seats, or limited slip. The BMW is the better all around car.
Two different cars. But both 70 grand(roughly).
Civic Type R(front wheel 4 door, magic manual transmission, goes like a bat out of hell) vs this (rwd, 2 doors, well driven, auto with paddles).
i am 187cm and 100kg would i fit comfortably?
Height shouldn’t be a problem, make sure to test drive
@@chasingcars thanks a lot
Warranty is now 5 years.
i30n Sedan or this?
This
What kinda question is that? Lol
Go for the 2 coupe unless it is out of your budget. The dynamics of FWD will never feel as nice as RWD. No amount of tuning can change that.
230i way better and faster too
holly crap 68k will get you M2 in USA lol
Shame the LCI will ruin what's good about the current interior.
If you’re referring to iDrive 8, no physical climate controls and a toggle for gear shift, it’s not actually an LCI update. But I feel your pain.
This is not a 2023 model…
Much prefer the 240i. Got to drive a bmw properly like a moron on highway.
New 230i vs Used F80 🤔
Wow 71k
About 80k drive away
Very informative video👍🏻
I had a test drive recently in a 2023 M240i Xdrive with the intention of placing an order…….but after noticing the hard, scratchy black plastic interior door panels I’ve decided to look at an alternative.
It is not OK to have such cheap nasty plastic trim in a £55,000 car. No other BMW model has such cheap trim!
I mean.. its still a 2 series, the money in the 240i is used for the performance aspects rather than expensive materials
No 5 year warranty as this car breaks in year 4
It looks like a Toyota Camry. Thought about it bought an x2
Not iDrive 8?😮
This might actually be a 2022 model. AFAIK all 2023's come with iDrive 8 but maybe not in Australia?
iDrive 8 is included for all AUS cars built late 2022 onwards.
It's crazy you could buy a Rogue 4x4 Hilux top of the range for the same money as this coupe, especially when it doesn't even have the options added.
Wow. I can’t believe Toyota charge that much for a Hilux!
70k forget it...baaaad value for money...no mech LSD a joke...and after putting all that money down for it, can never escape it'll always have the exquisite looks of a ....sports running shoe.
You could easily pick up a straight 6 turbo M2, one owner, bugger all miles, for same money.
G바디는 너무 크다.. 최대 단점
It’s uglier than the m4, didn’t think that was possible
It's hideous like all of BMWs new lineup. M2 is a joke like a guy in the Phillipines made the body out of wood and clay.
What's with the random racism!? Keep your unintelligent hot takes to yourself.
Why the racism???
@@jhonnydrop7100 I don’t think you understand how racism works.
@@postalpancho and you would know right? Are you even a person of color? Do you think his comment should be taken well by Filipinos?