The sporty looks of the BMW 220d Coupe M Sport have your fingers itching to get behind the wheel. At first, I felt slightly disappointed in its performance – but soon realised I was unconsciously comparing it to the M240i which is an extremely unfair comparison to make. Once you take those expectations out of your mind (and most purchasers of the turbodiesel version are unlikely to have that in mind, to be fair) the 220d certainly is not lacking in the performance department.
It has plenty to offer in its drive which is responsive and energetic. With a diesel-powered vehicle, you get the bonus of much better fuel consumption compared to its petrol-powered siblings. I normally believe that buyers of a car like this are unlikely to be too worried about fuel consumption but as we hover around the R25/l mark again, improved consumption is a huge bonus.
The drive
The BMW 220d Coupe M Sport has a 4-cylinder, 2-litre turbodiesel engine. This gives its drivers 140 kW of power and 400 Nm of torque. Consequently, driers can enjoy a vehicle that is energetic and not lacking in vigour. This engine can actually be found in some of BMW’s larger vehicles and want for little there, so you can rest assured, it more than performs in the 220d. Drivers can also select between eco, normal (comfort) and sport modes.
In the compact 220d, the
power is more than enough, whether you want to dash away on take-off or overtake other vehicles, whether small or large. When you need a lively response from the accelerator there is little turbo lag, if any at all. You can trust there is more than enough power whatever the driving scenario and a hard throttle is seldom required.
Handling is a pleasure particularly if you have the opportunity to test it around curves. It has the smooth yet sharp handling that comes with a compact rear wheel drive.
The claimed fuel consumption is an impressive 4.8L/100km. We achieved a somewhat higher 8.2L/100km, only using half a tank and with driving that was not focused on achieving the best fuel economy. I believe this could definitely be bettered, right down to the lower sevens minimum, if you ‘behave’ yourself while driving.
The design
Updates to the design include an increase in the
length, width and wheelbase. There is also a 12% increase in torsional rigidity which likely is responsible for the confident and solid drive that it provides. Uneven roads can be felt, however, not very noticeably and it is unrealistic to expect otherwise.
A number of design features from the 4-Series are carried over into the 220d and account for the majority of the changes to design and package offering. The M Sport suspension is now standard, it has low-profile 19-inch tyres, reverse cameras, USB and C-port chargers, and keyless entry and exit. There are some features that you would like, and possibly expect, from the 220d like adaptive cruise control, that are only available as optional extras.
Stepping inside
The interior trimmings
exude quality and an executive air. The bucket seats are a leather-suede combo. I did wonder, however, how comfortable the bucket seats would be for someone with a larger stature. Despite experimenting with the seats, other than the extension on the bottom of the seat, I could not see how to make it less snug when a male passenger commented on this.
M coloured trim adds flair to the 220d. One night when I only partially closed the door, I saw the ambient lighting turns from blue to red which many other BMWs likely have, I just never noticed before because the doors were always closed properly.
As expected from the series, you have your ideally placed infotainment screen and functions as well as the knobs for easier control while driving.
Ideally, the BMW 220d is not the car you would select for a big family. While I do not recommend cramming
two adults into the rear it is suitable for two kids and the 390 litre boot would also be adequate for day-to-day needs, yet not quite that long distance trip with the family. There is also the two-door challenge to deal with. Ultimately, it is not going to, and never has appealed, as a family car but rather a sporty, youthful one.
Perhaps I have delusions of being sporty and youthful but the 2-series is one that always tugs at my heartstrings. The 220d is no different and it is difficult to fault it on much. Once I adjusted my initial expectations, I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the car.
Good to know
The specs
Engine: 2L, 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine
Transmission: 8-speed Steptronic
Power: 140 kW
Torque: 400 Nm
Fuel consumption: 4.8L/100km (claimed)
Price: starting at R889 706
Warranty and maintenance plan: two year/unlimited km warranty and five year/100 000km
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