Alright. But then, if you take the "driving enthusiast" edge out of a BMW, there's no reason left to buy it. You would just buy an Audi or Mercedes instead, wouldn't you, because they are superior in either a technological or luxurious way. If BMW doesn't mean "sporty" and "exciting" anymore, what reason is there to buy a BMW...?
Mgoblagulkablong I beg to differ...Audi quality has increased while BMW has stayed too conservative with their refreshed interiors....Mercedes is trash so I agree
Although I completely agree with you, unfortunately others seem not to. They buy it solely for the badge. It's a shame that BMW puts more emphasis on luxury now instead of handling and performance.
The low tier BMWs are best described as "Climber cars" for people with self esteem issues that would otherwise drive a Corolla. Very few of these cars get the Sunday morning with driving gloves treatment. Actually the same is true for all tiers. Only change is the lease payment.
It's always been corporate shit. Without the marketing teams Germans wouldn't make a goddamn dime for the stupid shit they pull, especially BMW. I'm at least satisfied they got some boring but comfy compact for those mid-level business bros in NYC who didn't want to bother with the utter trainwreck of NVH and quality the F30 was. You've got the G20 now, so this pearl-clutching outlook is kaput.
Got myself a 2014 3-series after my 2003 3-series. Boy, was it underwhelming. While 2003 version was built as solid as rock, 2014 felt like an overpriced corolla.
David Nieves Jr. usually people who do that either enjoy driving or are not paying attention. Either way it’s kinda selfish, it scares the opposing traffic.
That caught my eye and annoyed me, too. Going over the center line on an open turn with good sight lines and no other traffic is no big deal, but doing it to oncoming traffic is sheer ignorance.
I know nothing about design aesthetics, but it seems the proportions are off in the front--grill too large compared to headlights and in the rear, the proportions also seem off. The tail lights seem to overbearing and ugly. It's just an ugly car. Also, $45,000, for THAT??
@japanwatchconnection To be fair, the Toyota is an economy/utilitarian brand and is not intended to compete with (much higher-priced) BMW vehicles. A better comparison would be the Lexus IS (which is still priced less than the 2020 BMW 228i). I find absolutely no value in prestige brands. Poor and middle class people and the police see BMW and think you're a rich a-hole. Rich a-holes see BMW and chuckle, "It's a pity the poor bastard couldn't afford to spring for a Mercedes."
So the target buyer is a young guy just out of college, starting his first job at a bank, and has a limited budget but wants the BMW roundel to impress the ladies?
I couldn't afford a $45k BASE car out of college lmfao This is going to be a lease special for sure for people who just want a BMW just for the badge. European Luxury car manufacturers watered down their brands to get more people into their cars :(
@@augustortiz And which ones are those?The carbonchoked,directinjection-propelled crs from any other manufacturer?Or the Fords with their "use the wrong oil or miss the oil change and then have a timing belt failure" engines? Or the VW's with the "chip me by manufacturer and kill me under 100k km despite being a diesel" engines? Nope.....german cars aren't what they used to be,not even at Porsche.....for the money they charge you get a real bad bargain.....and don't buy used.....too high cost over a year.....
I trust this channels opinion on cars over pretty much any other, you guys don’t sugar coat anything and accurately describe all the little nuances and downsides of every car along with it’s upsides, and I think you guys nail the feelings the ups and downs produce as well. GOOD STUFF
Maybe BMW will learn SOMETHING about reliability from Toyota and not "inspect quality in" - it would be nice not to have five different EXPECTED sources of oil leaks, or super expensive original BMW equipment like "high tech" coolant tanks or kidney grills that crack.
@@EMichaelBall There is no full-self driving on a Tesla, you're giving away your money to something being federally investigated. The Model 3 is not much more fun to drive, as an owner, unless you're addicted to electric torque and tablets
I sat in one of these at the Toronto autoshow. The interior quality was honestly terrible... Nowhere near the quality of the 2-series coupe or the other "proper" models. CLA-Class is much better
Alan Horn I believe overseas markets already have the Mazda 6 diesel version available. The US is expected to receive a Mazda 6 diesel this year, but no specified date has been given. The RWD platform Mazda 6 is currently slated for another two years out; 2022.
Incoming people yelling yOuR jUsT hAtErS at us just for critising this car for being anti-enthusiast, BMW needs to remove "driving pleasure" from it's marketing if that's what they want to do
Funny enough I was working on my M3 e36 and I took a moment to watch the review. The brand really shifted, more profit, more this or that, business after all. But I find it super ugly, it looks and sound more boring than the rest because you expect it to be a true bmw, whereas with other brands, you don't expect much and you can be very very pleased. As a kid I wanted to work on cars because I liked them, today I hate them. I won't be buying any BMW (if I had the money), I'd go to Mazda instead 😁
I drive an e30 with a M52b28 (240hp)and and an e36 318is. I really love old BMWs but the brand really changed. The only real BMW is an M2 Competition or an M3.
@@steffenkawa8374 I have 2 e30, 325is and a 325iX touring thats off the road for an engine overhaul. I use my 525e e28 or my diesel 325tds everyday. Those were affordable when I was working at the dealership 10 years back. I couldn't afford an e46 or e39 yet. Those were the true days of the brand to me. And it all started to fade slowly I think. Keep those old ladies, it must be a joy, and for the future, I'll go a different way if I have to change my e36 tds. Still lots of life in it though
No one ever seems to mention this, but even for drivers who don’t necessarily need their cars to have really sharp handling and aren’t back-road weekend warriors... When in a condition where you have to make a quick decision to: -Not hit a dear -Swerve around someone that cut you off, etc. Having a car that car maneuver like that isn’t just fun, it’s also safer to drive.
That was very nice to be so kind to the interior, to me it feels like a jetta, did you happen hear the gas slosh around while you were making maneuvers?, that drives me nuts, just crazy how time flies over a decade ago, you could get a 335 with a sport pack for the same money, this with out the even weight distribution is a bummer, I understand what it is for the market, a 500 lease payment on a new BMW, but what that used to get you makes me feel old:) thanks for the review!
I was just thinking the same. You used to be able to get a 335 for less money and it was a superior car. Not just for the time but compared to this new car.
Wow, now that you bring up how much a 335i used to be, it makes me even sadder when I see this turd. But even a base 328i. It was such a nice car and it drove so well. That 10 year old 328i made me fall in love with BMW. It was a base model with no options. But that straight 6 was bliss and it hugged the road with communicative steering. I hate the direction that modern BMW is going.
With this starting at 37k and a 3 series starting at 40k I really don't know why anyone would buy this, its basically a sedan but cramped, badly designed and ugly as sin.
@@MrCarGuy I like the stinger, but the 2 series Gran coupe definitely has the higher quality interior. I used to work at a Hyundai/Kia dealership and I’ve been in both. You can feel it in the plastics, the carpets and other materials, the way it’s been put together and everything as a whole. The stinger is a nice car, but the Bmw is better without a doubt, even if I’m not a big fan of the design.
@@Daniel-dj7fh You're used to their poor reliability. Also, most Europeans don't drive anywhere near the number of miles Americans do, so many are effectively still driving nearly new cars for years. Check out Consumer Reports reliability ratings for five-year-old cars and you'll see what we're talking about. For the first few years German cars are OK, becauae they (finally) improved their QA so the cars are screwed together correctly. But after the first few years a lot of problems develop, and they're very expensive to fix. In contrast, most Japanese cars, and recent Korean models, continue to be reliable until parts eventually start to wear out from old age. If they were people, a Japanese car would be that sensible woman who treats her body right and is still mall-walking in her eighties. The German car would be the gymbot who is strong when young, but goes to seed before he's forty and develops high blood pressure and diabetes.
Starting MSRPs: 2021 BMW 228i Gran Coupe: $35,700 2021 BMW 330i: $41,250 For those extra $5,550, you get an extra 27 horses, 37 lb-ft of torque, a larger more usable vehicle, and crucially a longitudinally mounted engine with RWD (the ingredients of a real BMW). Besides, by the time you spec up that shitter of a 2 series to have most of the same features of the 3 series, you’ve matched the price. I get that the 2 series gran coupe is adequate for mode people, but a BMW is supposed to be a BMW imo. If you want an entry level luxury car that treats you well, I’d suggest the cheaper Audi A3 ($33,300), the faster Audi A3 Quattro ($36,500), or the nicer Mercedes-Benz CLA250 ($37,850). 2021 BMW M235i xDrive Gran Coupe: $45,500 2021 BMW 330i: Still $41,250. Even here, I’d save the money and go for the 3 series. You are losing some power, torque and speed, but once again gaining usability and RWD, not to mention saving $4,250. Mercedes-“AMG” A35 ($44,950) is also a good option, as well as Audi’s S3 ($43,000). Both of these competing cars provide similar performance with lower price tags and, in the case of the Merc, a nicer interior. The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe is not the ultimate driving machine. It’s not even a BMW. Thanks for reading.
everythinghasalreadyhappened this looks nothing like the new corolla stop reaching. The corolla XSE looks cooler then this and is much more sharp looking. This look like some Kia product
I kinda expected this car to be torn to pieces. Great take on the review. Shows your class, guys! I actually don't like the design, but it overall seems to be really decent quality!
Speaking of "inexpensive BMW", any chance the savage goose will review BMW's illegitimate English stepchild, MINI? (I hear there's a few MINI dealers in greater Chicago).
@@layne4376 He just did an Equinox (and plenty of FCA garbage) so there's a chance Thor gets his MINI review. I personally wouldn't bother. They suck. A lot.
Mini coopers are an abomination of a car. anyone who has bought a mini Cooper personally I spoke with and they had absolutely no idea how terrible everything in that car is. If he ever reviews a mini I hope he is one hundred percent honest about it. Because it is worser than any car in America that I have ever rode seen or heard of.
Wow, unabashed vitriol opinions on the internet. Funny how checking MINI reliability on the same internet shows average reliability. I must have a bad connection...
I have been waiting for a latest gen Mini review as well, hopefully he can get his hands on the one that actually exemplifies the hot hatch mindset, the two door hard top Cooper S or JCW with 6spd manual. I own one, a 2016 Cooper S (F56) and have been happy so far all around, especially with a stiffer rear sway bar! Regarding reliability, it is well known the 2007-2015 are pretty horrific, I'm no fan boy and will not defend that generation at all. The new F-series, a big step up mechanically. Most likely they will try and give him a JCW with every possible option and he'll make fun of the price, as he should, I think a lower optioned S is the sweet spot.
@@a1234ddf What?? The M series barely look different from the models they are based on. People buy M cars for the prestige, driving behvavour and performance not because of their looks.
BigHeadClan I hope you know that this cars performance is already good enough!! It’s only Lacking looks add a bigger turbo no difference from m series performance wise.. no kidding
I was told by a dealer last week that 80% of BMWs are leased. That means BMW has almost zero incentive to make cars that last beyond three or four years, and can cut corners like mad as long as they aren't obvious. In general, BMW has been far surpassed by even cars like the Mazda3. I drove the Mazda3 six speed hatch, and it was lightyears better driving than the 2021 made-in-Mexico BMW 3 series I had as a loaner recently. That is a very sad state of things.
86% are leased and many of the other german manufacturers are doing the same such as Audi since most there vechiles are leased. Even Merc follows the same mindset.
Dude, I know you live in IL, but your expert close-up cinematography is undermined by having a dirty show car. :11 and :15sec into the vid. I do however appreciate your comprehensive review that does not shy away from technical/engineering aspects that help us learn more details about these cars. Your crude sense of humor affords you multiple free passes compared to other uninspiring reviews from fellow UA-cam reviewers.
For the money, the Genesis G70 3.3T seems like a better deal. It feels like BMW is coasting on is brand and selling inage rather than an excellent handling car. The irony is that they seem to have copied the Hyundai designs.
I appreciated this review especially, not about the car so much but your argument about what BMW is trying to accomplish in filling their margins. We just got an entry level 2017 330xi for half the price of this new, because we want to test our experience with a luxury car and the costs of ownership. The car has blown us away in comparison to other our cars and those in the segment and that's before the performance which is excellent for what the car is. Now we want an M340 for our next Bim, so their strategy is working.
Despite all its deficiencies with suspension and engine parts, I loved my old E46 330ci. When the bangle era came I thought “this too shall pass”...I was wrong. The slow erosion of BMW styling finally bottoming out here with this SG video, is complete. The exterior styling is nothing special and the digital dash is Xbox copycat. Quite frankly the only hope for the old time BMW enthusiast is that “everything old is new again” but I fear it’ll never happen. It hurts to say this but if I’m going to blow 40 grand on a high performance car it’ll be a Civic type R; it has more of the E46 M3 soul than any BMW today. JMHO
@@pnourani The Accord drives excellently. It's what disaffected 3 series owners should be buying. Much better than this little shitbox. They go for that in 1-2 years because nobody wants to deal w all their BS outside of warranty.
@@smokesgtp drive the new accord and then drive an Audi or BMW. I mean come on you can't argue it. The accord is built to drive as easily and numbingly as possible with no feedback.
@@USA-qm2bk that's a misconception about German cars. Sure some are over engineered but my A4 has had zero issues in 8 years besides normal maintenance. Just do your research and keep it maintained.
I second this. I have a '16 two door Cooper S with 6spd manual, same platform, but shorter, and with a bit of character injected. Been real happy so far especially with a stiffer rear sway bar.
You’d be surprised at how well this will do. There are a lot of people who care so much about being able to be seen (or insta post) in a bmw or Mercedes that they will shell out extra $ for the cheapest and worst BMW or Mercedes ( for example the CLA ) regardless of how it stacks up against any other car without that label.
I think you would find the 235i Coupe pretty incredible. I went to an intro/drive even and was surprised at how fast it was. Was not expecting the performance. Didn't get to "track" it, but didn't notice any front drive torque steer in the short time I drove the car.
*Why the hell would you by this over a completely LOADED Honda Accord is beyond me.* Along with BMW's infamous depreciation, this 228i will literally just blow up in 8 years. I will genuinely shake my head and LAUGH at the people I see driving these for the sake of being brand snobs.
If this were rear wheel drive, as was the tradition at BMW, I would actually like it since it’s a quirky looking fastback with a nice interior and decent cargo space.
I would love to own one. For me, my wife, and dog, this is a great solution for our vehicular needs. It's sporty enough, and practical enough, but adds a bit of luxury and style compared to what we drive now. My biggest issues with it are the name and and the piped in engine sound. It's a sedan, not a coupe, or even a "coup-eh?" . It's not my first choice, but if I won one of these, or got a great deal on one, I'd drive it with a smile.
I just picked up a very gently used 2016 228i X-drive convertible. And to quote the jingle...ba dap bap bah bah, I'm lovin' it. There's no fake engine noise, because it predates that. It's basically the size and performance of an older 3 series. Is it going to win a CarWow drag race? No. Is it a track monster? No. Was it a bargain? Oh yeah.
This is for the 25 year old who just got their real estate license. It's been their dream to get a bmw. They worked hard for it. They got screwed on financing. But look at that badge.
Real estate license? Maybe but they are living at home with mom and and dad who pays for their cat insurance Real estate is a very tough biz to break into
It is totally a asian design (back - Kia Rio 2020 + Kia Sportage, front - Corolla Fielder ) . It has ugly fake (digital) dash, fake engine noise, tiny interior space, mediocre reliability and you pay $45k for this. Yep, that's for bmw-type people.
Many of the comments below are not well thought out and many of the folks I suspect are not BMW owners. Having said that, I think the car is a worthy effort to get the younger people into the brand. If the sale price can be kept below 38k, then I think it will be okay.
Anti-enthusiast indeed. The proportions are all off, and they made a 4 door out of a 2 door sports car. Why!? 3-7 series all have 4 door options. Gone are the days of true sports cars from bmw.
I used to want to buy a BMW or Audi when I could afford it, but after almost 20 years experience with Mazda, especially my last Mazda 6 and now a 2019 CX-5 Signature I find they are great car and better more reliable value for the money.
Its not for a business person. Its for kids who are being bought their first car by rich parents. Or people in entry-level office jobs who want to flex and look far more successful that they are/ will ever be. Like the Mercedes A-Class and CLA, it'll be bought by people who post pictures of their steering on Instagram, but never the entire car.
Me briefly glancing at the thumbnail: "Wow, that's a nice Hyundai"
Julian Williams same here. Thought “hey, that Elantra ain’t bad looking”.
Same
Even a Hyundai Elantra is looking better than this dont even!
Can you afford a Hyundai
Other than the grill this even looks like an older generation Hyundai or a Kia ecobox.
This is BMW’s attempt to get back at Hyundai for stealing their M division engineer. I don’t think it works that way
lmfao
😂
the BMW 2-series sedans really do look like mutated Kia Forte GT’s lol
Loll
Alright. But then, if you take the "driving enthusiast" edge out of a BMW, there's no reason left to buy it. You would just buy an Audi or Mercedes instead, wouldn't you, because they are superior in either a technological or luxurious way. If BMW doesn't mean "sporty" and "exciting" anymore, what reason is there to buy a BMW...?
Nowadays BMW has very good interior quality, they got better in that regard while Audi & Mercedes got worse.
Mgoblagulkablong I beg to differ...Audi quality has increased while BMW has stayed too conservative with their refreshed interiors....Mercedes is trash so I agree
Although I completely agree with you, unfortunately others seem not to. They buy it solely for the badge. It's a shame that BMW puts more emphasis on luxury now instead of handling and performance.
Meteor Media the badge. The only reason that ever existed
The low tier BMWs are best described as "Climber cars" for people with self esteem issues that would otherwise drive a Corolla. Very few of these cars get the Sunday morning with driving gloves treatment.
Actually the same is true for all tiers. Only change is the lease payment.
"Ultimate driving machine", "Sheer driving pleasure" has well and truly lost its meaning and is now only corporate jargon...
Sad times
Most of their buyers are after the badge, and the perception that goes with it. In the end you should always get the real deal, and you'll pay for it.
Yup. It's basically driving a laptop with wheels. I took a ride in my friends 1991 M5. Oh how the mighty have fallen.
It's always been corporate shit. Without the marketing teams Germans wouldn't make a goddamn dime for the stupid shit they pull, especially BMW. I'm at least satisfied they got some boring but comfy compact for those mid-level business bros in NYC who didn't want to bother with the utter trainwreck of NVH and quality the F30 was. You've got the G20 now, so this pearl-clutching outlook is kaput.
Whispering Bomb.....anyone?....I'm sooo old.
I have owned two 2002's and a 530 "Bavaria". Long ago, those were BMW's.
Got myself a 2014 3-series after my 2003 3-series. Boy, was it underwhelming. While 2003 version was built as solid as rock, 2014 felt like an overpriced corolla.
5:30 I hate it when people cross the double yellow line in a turn! The trailer wheel was totally over the line.
I came looking for this comment when I saw that trailer crossing the line. He had to swerve a little.
David Nieves Jr. usually people who do that either enjoy driving or are not paying attention. Either way it’s kinda selfish, it scares the opposing traffic.
That caught my eye and annoyed me, too. Going over the center line on an open turn with good sight lines and no other traffic is no big deal, but doing it to oncoming traffic is sheer ignorance.
@Nissan370Z Unless you live in an area with rail trails between communities, it's suicide trying to really ride out here.
Hay wagon trails! 😝
This is the car a lawyer or dentists buys their 16 year old daughter
No, a daughter won't accept this, daughters want at least an X1 SUV, if they got this they would scream and cry until they got a SUV.
The daughter get a MINI.
He buys her a miata so there's nowhere to get horizontal.
Defy Convention 😳🤣🤪
lol dentist buy Volvos
hideously ugly, the BMW designer must be a double-agent for Mercedes
Ahaha so true
The ''Karens'' of the world are going to love this 2series....
I know nothing about design aesthetics, but it seems the proportions are off in the front--grill too large compared to headlights and in the rear, the proportions also seem off. The tail lights seem to overbearing and ugly. It's just an ugly car. Also, $45,000, for THAT??
Bad Elantra rip-off. So disappointing. Even with varying design language since the E46 series end, this is probably the worst I've seen from them.
I agree, but sadly thats what most people are buying these days.
$45k entry level sedan.. $hit I'm not entering it. What happened to $35-40k 3 series??
Youn Gu inflation happened
It’s now 50k not even fully loaded
DroidTech yes my dad had a 2020 330i xdrive as a loner the sticker was 50k and it didn’t have all the options
DroidTech the one I was talking about was a four cylinder 50k for a four cylinder is a little too much
Right?!
5:40 "I didn't say I liked it, I said 'Objectively it's very good.'." Mr. Goose has found his voice.
Affalterbach Brackley 1967. It's excusesgeese in full effect
@japanwatchconnection To be fair, the Toyota is an economy/utilitarian brand and is not intended to compete with (much higher-priced) BMW vehicles. A better comparison would be the Lexus IS (which is still priced less than the 2020 BMW 228i).
I find absolutely no value in prestige brands. Poor and middle class people and the police see BMW and think you're a rich a-hole. Rich a-holes see BMW and chuckle, "It's a pity the poor bastard couldn't afford to spring for a Mercedes."
Zachary Zarko That’s funny yeah Mercedes the only company with a little class left
9:00 "BMW is no longer what it used to be"
should probably be in every bmw review
Nobody is what they used to be besides American cars. And I HATE American cars, they’re powerful but there’s no real care in it and you can tell
The new 3 series is great though
@@basket1099 American cars are the least reliable garbage piles out there nowadays
@@Sashashka uf the new 3 and now 5 series looks hella good in wagon form
Sorry you can't afford a BMW.
Is this a corolla?????
omg yes that's what I see too
Corolla actually looks more sharp, this one looks like it was designed by a group of people that had completely different ideas and taste.
Exactly what I was thinking!
Yes. A fancy one.
No, a Corolla is a better car for less 💰. Much less.
Finally! After years of hard works and saving $$s, my dream came true! I just spent 500$ on DAC and AMP to embrace your intros!
Not a fan of the fact that BMW has gone FWD, however 90% of consumers won't care especially for this entry level market.
Could they at least not have a greenhouse that looks like a Toyota Corolla's? Bring back the formal sedan roofline!
rockn roll it really does tho. My friend has a 116d with 116hp and it drives a lot better than anything else at that hp level just because of rwd
Looks like a corolla but most ppl just want the brand so they don’t actually care about the mechanicals
That should be appear when they started going full bore on suvs.
People who buy these see nothing past the badge
The "I just want the badge," BMW.
EXACTLY
Who actually buys luxury FWD compact cars? At this price tag I would rather purchase a mid-size sedan in top trim level (and save some money).
Agree, you can do a lot better for that kind of money.
Badge snobs.
Nobody buys them, they get leased for a couple of hundred bucks so people can look rich
This is alright for countries with extreme vehicle taxes. And it really feels like those countries are the aim of this car
@@HellzHonour That's the PC name. Just call them brand whores.
BMWs lost their soul like 10 years ago and it gets worse with every generation
Meister Kleisterr So has almost every manufacturer. MB and Audi both make low end luxury cars. It’s all about money
E90/E92 was the last good 3-series
@@v60polestar88 not all indeed, mazda for example is as good as ever, peugeot has improved from the 2000s
The cars get uglier.
The interiors get cheaper.
The reliability gets smaller.
*_But the grill, it gets bigger._*
M5 being a case in point. It's sad when CADILLAC builds cars that handle like BMWs
"I want to speak to your Manager." types.... We all know some.
😂😂😂
Love it!
Yeah i'm gonna have to borrow that line.
45000 for a 4 cylinder fwd automatic that is a joke
Or you can get a uglier looking Nissan or Toyota
Dave T .....which will last longer and have better resale value
mercedes a35 amg, bmw m140i, both about this price and 4cyl fwd cars, both i'd gladly take
Daniel u stupid?! M140i is Rwd, thats what makes it special
@@hanzz082 think he meant the new 135i even though its awd
at 5:31, that guy pulling the trailer in the opposite direction was really coming over the yellow lines with the trailer!
So the target buyer is a young guy just out of college, starting his first job at a bank, and has a limited budget but wants the BMW roundel to impress the ladies?
The technical term for that person is "douche nozzle."
Dan Adams yea because you cant afford it
If you’re fresh outta college and can afford a 45K car, plus living expenses and student loans, you’re doing really good for yourself.
@@MrBigBoy4Life loan from the bank of mom and dad
I couldn't afford a $45k BASE car out of college lmfao
This is going to be a lease special for sure for people who just want a BMW just for the badge.
European Luxury car manufacturers watered down their brands to get more people into their cars :(
I can’t imagine the resale value of these in 4-6 years.
If it doesn't self grenade.These BMW they loose big money first year.
lose
Thomas More not quite.. especially not the good ones.
@@augustortiz And which ones are those?The carbonchoked,directinjection-propelled crs from any other manufacturer?Or the Fords with their "use the wrong oil or miss the oil change and then have a timing belt failure" engines? Or the VW's with the "chip me by manufacturer and kill me under 100k km despite being a diesel" engines? Nope.....german cars aren't what they used to be,not even at Porsche.....for the money they charge you get a real bad bargain.....and don't buy used.....too high cost over a year.....
Basically any European car
I trust this channels opinion on cars over pretty much any other, you guys don’t sugar coat anything and accurately describe all the little nuances and downsides of every car along with it’s upsides, and I think you guys nail the feelings the ups and downs produce as well. GOOD STUFF
Who else got nervous at 5:30 ???
Yup, I was just about to comment about that as well. It would have turned out to be a very well recorded accident if things went south.
Bruhh
madness! only in Jesusland!
An original example of cutting corners being very bad.
So is Toyota now making cars for BMW? Because this looks like a Toyota.
BMW helped make the supra. Toyota helped BMW make this
Tx G did they really? That makes sense.
Maybe BMW will learn SOMETHING about reliability from Toyota and not "inspect quality in" - it would be nice not to have five different EXPECTED sources of oil leaks, or super expensive original BMW equipment like "high tech" coolant tanks or kidney grills that crack.
The side profile is definitely Corolla-esque...sad.
Looks like a Yaris with a BMW badge!
“The new BMW 228i Gran Coupe. It’s adequate.”
$37,500 - $47,800 (plus tax) is a lot for, “Yeah... it’s OK.”
$37,500 to $47,800 ???? LoL. I can get a baseline Cummins turbo diesel for the higher spec'd model and drive in style.
MrFoof82 just for the record: a V6 Audi S5 is $53k.
@@phprofYT but then you're driving some douchetruck.
For $47k plus tax, I can get a Model 3 Standard Plus with the Full Self Driving option, and have something way better and with RWD.
@@EMichaelBall There is no full-self driving on a Tesla, you're giving away your money to something being federally investigated. The Model 3 is not much more fun to drive, as an owner, unless you're addicted to electric torque and tablets
I sat in one of these at the Toronto autoshow. The interior quality was honestly terrible... Nowhere near the quality of the 2-series coupe or the other "proper" models. CLA-Class is much better
i heard the two series had a bad interior in general
Cla is really plastic and rattles
Thought it was a Hyundai in the thumbnail
Carolla for me
asdf same. reminiscent of an elantra/avante
Yeah I think it’s the back lights that make it look like that for me.
@Joshua Jacob As someone who owns that Elantra sport, could've fooled me lol
Kia forte for me
Pass! I think I’d rather take my chances on the supposedly up and coming rwd platform Mazda 6
Good point - if the driving dynamics are solid, and the design styling is anything in the realm of the Mazda 3, they'll knock it out of the park
Is that going to be available before or after the Mazda 6 diesel?
Alan Horn I believe overseas markets already have the Mazda 6 diesel version available. The US is expected to receive a Mazda 6 diesel this year, but no specified date has been given. The RWD platform Mazda 6 is currently slated for another two years out; 2022.
Nice! Mazdas are seriously well made cars, so underrated
I think your bank account made that decision for you, not this video.
$45,000? LOL.
10k for a new name, typical BMW 🤦🏽♂️
You can get a Mazda 3 and engineer your own Mazdaspeed 3 instead.
Basically the badge price.
Incoming people yelling yOuR jUsT hAtErS at us just for critising this car for being anti-enthusiast, BMW needs to remove "driving pleasure" from it's marketing if that's what they want to do
He said it’s relatively cheap.
This is actually a BMW Series 1 (sold in Europe) made as a sedan.
The 2 series GC is sold in Europe too, we have both 1 series hatch and this^
There is a sedan 1 series that is sold on china and other coutries, not the same quality than this or the hatch 1 series
In the E8X generation, we had the 1 series hatch and 1 series coupe. Now we have the 1 series and the 2 series GC.
no the 1 series sedan is a different car.
They killed an amazing 1 series and 2 series to make these. I better buy a rwd 1 series hatch before they become legal to import to US.
The rwd 2 series coupe still exist and will continue to be made. It coexists with the fwd 2 series gran coupe
Levent Ergün I thought these were always available in Europe
I have an E87 in my garage since 2008😀
rockn roll This is the 2 series sedan. The 2 series coupe and the M2 are proper BMWs (RWD+manual+straight six).
I love my 1 series
Imagine having to write a check every month, 60 times, to make this dream machine yours.
@aces95421bahahah stoopid poor people
Imagine having a good financial advisor so that you can pay cash.
Funny enough I was working on my M3 e36 and I took a moment to watch the review. The brand really shifted, more profit, more this or that, business after all. But I find it super ugly, it looks and sound more boring than the rest because you expect it to be a true bmw, whereas with other brands, you don't expect much and you can be very very pleased. As a kid I wanted to work on cars because I liked them, today I hate them. I won't be buying any BMW (if I had the money), I'd go to Mazda instead 😁
Frozen Pete amen!!!
I drive an e30 with a M52b28 (240hp)and and an e36 318is. I really love old BMWs but the brand really changed. The only real BMW is an M2 Competition or an M3.
Waiting for Mazda to release their 6 cylinder!!
Hell yes. My bmw 120i will be my only one. Next time a miata
@@steffenkawa8374 I have 2 e30, 325is and a 325iX touring thats off the road for an engine overhaul. I use my 525e e28 or my diesel 325tds everyday. Those were affordable when I was working at the dealership 10 years back. I couldn't afford an e46 or e39 yet. Those were the true days of the brand to me. And it all started to fade slowly I think. Keep those old ladies, it must be a joy, and for the future, I'll go a different way if I have to change my e36 tds. Still lots of life in it though
Man, you guys are the best. SUCH an underrated channel! My favourite part was when you would both pause and laugh at the car together.
No one ever seems to mention this, but even for drivers who don’t necessarily need their cars to have really sharp handling and aren’t back-road weekend warriors...
When in a condition where you have to make a quick decision to:
-Not hit a dear
-Swerve around someone that cut you off, etc.
Having a car that car maneuver like that isn’t just fun, it’s also safer to drive.
BMW: The Ultimate /Deriving/ Machine.
What is that wheel in your pfp
@@johnbacon4997 1985 Pontiac 6000 STE.
@@PintoPopProductions that's probably before me. I was born in 98. Is that a important car to you?
@@johnbacon4997 My first car. I still have it.
@@PintoPopProductions do you like It?
That was very nice to be so kind to the interior, to me it feels like a jetta, did you happen hear the gas slosh around while you were making maneuvers?, that drives me nuts, just crazy how time flies over a decade ago, you could get a 335 with a sport pack for the same money, this with out the even weight distribution is a bummer, I understand what it is for the market, a 500 lease payment on a new BMW, but what that used to get you makes me feel old:) thanks for the review!
The Stinger is better for the price and definitely has the better interior quality.
I was just thinking the same. You used to be able to get a 335 for less money and it was a superior car. Not just for the time but compared to this new car.
Wow, now that you bring up how much a 335i used to be, it makes me even sadder when I see this turd. But even a base 328i. It was such a nice car and it drove so well. That 10 year old 328i made me fall in love with BMW. It was a base model with no options. But that straight 6 was bliss and it hugged the road with communicative steering. I hate the direction that modern BMW is going.
With this starting at 37k and a 3 series starting at 40k I really don't know why anyone would buy this, its basically a sedan but cramped, badly designed and ugly as sin.
@@MrCarGuy I like the stinger, but the 2 series Gran coupe definitely has the higher quality interior. I used to work at a Hyundai/Kia dealership and I’ve been in both. You can feel it in the plastics, the carpets and other materials, the way it’s been put together and everything as a whole. The stinger is a nice car, but the Bmw is better without a doubt, even if I’m not a big fan of the design.
If that's a coupe, I'll just wait for the fixed hardtop convertible.
Cankersaurus 😁😁
Congratulations BMW, you made a Corolla with German unreliability.
And German price tag.
im german and i've never hear of german cars being unreliable other than minor things like leakyboi headgaskets on audis 5cylinder motors
@@toxy3580 the german pricetags are very unattractive i agree, for 45k you could get a used golf r or a new gti or an audi s3
@@Daniel-dj7fh German echo chamber
@@Daniel-dj7fh You're used to their poor reliability. Also, most Europeans don't drive anywhere near the number of miles Americans do, so many are effectively still driving nearly new cars for years.
Check out Consumer Reports reliability ratings for five-year-old cars and you'll see what we're talking about. For the first few years German cars are OK, becauae they (finally) improved their QA so the cars are screwed together correctly. But after the first few years a lot of problems develop, and they're very expensive to fix. In contrast, most Japanese cars, and recent Korean models, continue to be reliable until parts eventually start to wear out from old age.
If they were people, a Japanese car would be that sensible woman who treats her body right and is still mall-walking in her eighties. The German car would be the gymbot who is strong when young, but goes to seed before he's forty and develops high blood pressure and diabetes.
Starting MSRPs:
2021 BMW 228i Gran Coupe: $35,700
2021 BMW 330i: $41,250
For those extra $5,550, you get an extra 27 horses, 37 lb-ft of torque, a larger more usable vehicle, and crucially a longitudinally mounted engine with RWD (the ingredients of a real BMW). Besides, by the time you spec up that shitter of a 2 series to have most of the same features of the 3 series, you’ve matched the price. I get that the 2 series gran coupe is adequate for mode people, but a BMW is supposed to be a BMW imo. If you want an entry level luxury car that treats you well, I’d suggest the cheaper Audi A3 ($33,300), the faster Audi A3 Quattro ($36,500), or the nicer Mercedes-Benz CLA250 ($37,850).
2021 BMW M235i xDrive Gran Coupe: $45,500
2021 BMW 330i: Still $41,250.
Even here, I’d save the money and go for the 3 series. You are losing some power, torque and speed, but once again gaining usability and RWD, not to mention saving $4,250. Mercedes-“AMG” A35 ($44,950) is also a good option, as well as Audi’s S3 ($43,000). Both of these competing cars provide similar performance with lower price tags and, in the case of the Merc, a nicer interior.
The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe is not the ultimate driving machine. It’s not even a BMW.
Thanks for reading.
20 min of content crammed into an 12 min review
Yes, I found this review too quick and fast paced.
BMW: The Ultimate Kitchen Appliance
Coupes have 4 doors now, diesel SUVs are deserving of the M badge now (M50d). Nothing means anything anymore.
Car looks like a wanna-be Toyota Corolla.
So true!
everythinghasalreadyhappened this looks nothing like the new corolla stop reaching. The corolla XSE looks cooler then this and is much more sharp looking. This look like some Kia product
I was thinking that or a Dodge Dart.
Toyota4Life the corolla looks gaudy and has no performance.
Reminds me of a Kia
I feel you guys just went through this car as quickly as you possibly could lol
That’s a...interesting idea for a intro, “dell technologies”. Never seen such thing before :P
The “I want to speak to your manager types” 😂
Right and it'll definitely be purchased in white!!
Do the C8 and bring Scott back from the dead for it.
I definitely hope he can be a special guest for that video!
MrSchn3ll if he clutches the gulag
I like how both guys acted like they cant wait to finish this video and get away from this car. Honesty is appreciated.
I know it’s not just me who would get a G70 for the same amount of money.....like who in their right mind would pick this over a G70?!?!
Byron Nasem lots of people. It’s a BMW. Regardless of anything else.
People who buy it for the name. I own a e36 and love it but i would never buy this over a mew genesis or kia stinger
No to Genesis, just not good enough support
Bmw over genesis any day no matter what😊
The "I want to talk to your manager types of the world"...lol. Perfect description of who this vehicle is created for.
I kinda expected this car to be torn to pieces. Great take on the review. Shows your class, guys!
I actually don't like the design, but it overall seems to be really decent quality!
This new Kia Forte looks real nice.
Lol. Meanwhile the real Forte is way better looking.
Speaking of "inexpensive BMW", any chance the savage goose will review BMW's illegitimate English stepchild, MINI? (I hear there's a few MINI dealers in greater Chicago).
@@layne4376 He just did an Equinox (and plenty of FCA garbage) so there's a chance Thor gets his MINI review. I personally wouldn't bother. They suck. A lot.
Mini coopers are an abomination of a car.
anyone who has bought a mini Cooper personally I spoke with and they had absolutely no idea how terrible everything in that car is.
If he ever reviews a mini I hope he is one hundred percent honest about it.
Because it is worser than any car in America that I have ever rode seen or heard of.
MINIs are so unreliable that it even scares BMW buyers.
Wow, unabashed vitriol opinions on the internet. Funny how checking MINI reliability on the same internet shows average reliability. I must have a bad connection...
I have been waiting for a latest gen Mini review as well, hopefully he can get his hands on the one that actually exemplifies the hot hatch mindset, the two door hard top Cooper S or JCW with 6spd manual. I own one, a 2016 Cooper S (F56) and have been happy so far all around, especially with a stiffer rear sway bar! Regarding reliability, it is well known the 2007-2015 are pretty horrific, I'm no fan boy and will not defend that generation at all. The new F-series, a big step up mechanically. Most likely they will try and give him a JCW with every possible option and he'll make fun of the price, as he should, I think a lower optioned S is the sweet spot.
When did BMW start copying Korean designs?
Well it's technically the other way around but yeah this looks like a turd.
Makes sense. They sell the most
Bmw is smart!! If every bmw looks so sporty who would buy the m series !! This is how a entry base model 2 series suppose to look.
@@a1234ddf What?? The M series barely look different from the models they are based on.
People buy M cars for the prestige, driving behvavour and performance not because of their looks.
BigHeadClan I hope you know that this cars performance is already good enough!! It’s only
Lacking looks add a bigger turbo no difference from m series performance wise.. no kidding
the BMW 228i: When you want a BMW, but still want a Honda Accord.
I was told by a dealer last week that 80% of BMWs are leased. That means BMW has almost zero incentive to make cars that last beyond three or four years, and can cut corners like mad as long as they aren't obvious. In general, BMW has been far surpassed by even cars like the Mazda3. I drove the Mazda3 six speed hatch, and it was lightyears better driving than the 2021 made-in-Mexico BMW 3 series I had as a loaner recently. That is a very sad state of things.
86% are leased and many of the other german manufacturers are doing the same such as Audi since most there vechiles are leased. Even Merc follows the same mindset.
@Jose No, it has handling, reliability and is a blast to drive. Horsepower is meaningless if you're BORED.
As clicked on this I mouthed "yes please crush this thing."
Dude, I know you live in IL, but your expert close-up cinematography is undermined by having a dirty show car. :11 and :15sec into the vid. I do however appreciate your comprehensive review that does not shy away from technical/engineering aspects that help us learn more details about these cars. Your crude sense of humor affords you multiple free passes compared to other uninspiring reviews from fellow UA-cam reviewers.
Its ugly wtf BMW went from one of my favorite car company to making the most hideous cars yet.
Its brutal looking, its like a prius and a hyundai had an accident and this is the result.
This is what kids want to buy , i think gta make that posible
The grills on these make me think "cow nostrils".
Just bought my second e46 now went for the 2005 330ci and its just the best thing ever, gotta love the classic BMW days
Thankfully they still make the 2 series coupe, ya know, the one with two doors, which will be redesigned soon and supposedly stays on its RWD layout.
They ruined it too, how unfortunate
Waited my whole life for this review...
For the money, the Genesis G70 3.3T seems like a better deal.
It feels like BMW is coasting on is brand and selling inage rather than an excellent handling car.
The irony is that they seem to have copied the Hyundai designs.
I appreciated this review especially, not about the car so much but your argument about what BMW is trying to accomplish in filling their margins. We just got an entry level 2017 330xi for half the price of this new, because we want to test our experience with a luxury car and the costs of ownership. The car has blown us away in comparison to other our cars and those in the segment and that's before the performance which is excellent for what the car is. Now we want an M340 for our next Bim, so their strategy is working.
Despite all its deficiencies with suspension and engine parts, I loved my old E46 330ci. When the bangle era came I thought “this too shall pass”...I was wrong. The slow erosion of BMW styling finally bottoming out here with this SG video, is complete. The exterior styling is nothing special and the digital dash is Xbox copycat. Quite frankly the only hope for the old time BMW enthusiast is that “everything old is new again” but I fear it’ll never happen.
It hurts to say this but if I’m going to blow 40 grand on a high performance car it’ll be a Civic type R; it has more of the E46 M3 soul than any BMW today. JMHO
I'd rather save 10 grand and buy an Accord Touring
The new accord drives like shit. Most German cars will go for the price of a new accord touring after one or two years.
@@pnourani The Accord drives excellently. It's what disaffected 3 series owners should be buying.
Much better than this little shitbox.
They go for that in 1-2 years because nobody wants to deal w all their BS outside of warranty.
Perry and last three or four
@@smokesgtp drive the new accord and then drive an Audi or BMW. I mean come on you can't argue it. The accord is built to drive as easily and numbingly as possible with no feedback.
@@USA-qm2bk that's a misconception about German cars. Sure some are over engineered but my A4 has had zero issues in 8 years besides normal maintenance. Just do your research and keep it maintained.
At $45K, wouldn't you get the G70 instead?
Nobody buys this car. They lease them.
The list of cars I would get before this "Gran Coupe" is long and distinguished. And yes, the G70 would be high on that list.
The production on these is so fucking good. I wish he'd do some older/used car reviews.
Speaking of FWD and BMW, You guys ever going to get a stab at one of the newer Minis?
They really should try to get their hands on the 300hp jcw clubman/countryman or even better yet, the GP3
I second this. I have a '16 two door Cooper S with 6spd manual, same platform, but shorter, and with a bit of character injected. Been real happy so far especially with a stiffer rear sway bar.
I think a regular Mini (not JCW) has way better steering and is generally more fun to drive than a regular 3 series (not M).
A lot of people would be very happy to have this as their sporty practical daily driver.
This car looks awful, I rather just buy the mini.
i would just get a m140i or the previous 1 series which was still a rwd
Comparing Prices wise... A Class Sedan at 38K is a freaking steal.... Can't wait for the review on that.
"M" now stands for Meh.
You’d be surprised at how well this will do. There are a lot of people who care so much about being able to be seen (or insta post) in a bmw or Mercedes that they will shell out extra $ for the cheapest and worst BMW or Mercedes ( for example the CLA ) regardless of how it stacks up against any other car without that label.
and then act like they are much more than they actually are if you know what i mean
I literally thought 'another corolla review?' When i saw the thumbnail 🤣
The corolla is more preferable for me than this POS
Saab/Volvo, Audi/Subaru were ahead of the game, the mainstream is going to be semi luxury Fwd&Awd vehicles.
Remember the days when BMW made fun of FWD vehicles
Yes and their cheapest model was the 3 series
They have become the very thing they swore to destroy.
At 45k, i’d rather have a typeR. Power, fun to drive, go autocross, better resale. Thanks for the review of a car I had no idea existed.
The interior in this is just awesome. I've got the 1 series which is just the hatch version of this and it has been just perfect so far.
I love the pure sound and exhilarating top end thrill of bmw diesels.
I think you would find the 235i Coupe pretty incredible. I went to an intro/drive even and was surprised at how fast it was. Was not expecting the performance. Didn't get to "track" it, but didn't notice any front drive torque steer in the short time I drove the car.
*Why the hell would you by this over a completely LOADED Honda Accord is beyond me.* Along with BMW's infamous depreciation, this 228i will literally just blow up in 8 years. I will genuinely shake my head and LAUGH at the people I see driving these for the sake of being brand snobs.
What a funny 😄 title for a BMW review...I can’t stop laughing 😂
If this were rear wheel drive, as was the tradition at BMW, I would actually like it since it’s a quirky looking fastback with a nice interior and decent cargo space.
It looks like a Hyundai Elantra from behind lol
THIS CHANNEL IS AWESOME!
So much info.. :D
One of thw most cynical BMW cars ever. It looks so much like a VW Jetta that it might as well be one
Jetta looks much better
@@CristiBaciuHD I'm not sure about that. Nazi cars extort you when it comes to the option sheet
@@pontiacGXPfan you are not wrong but the jetta looks better than this "bmw"
I would love to own one.
For me, my wife, and dog, this is a great solution for our vehicular needs. It's sporty enough, and practical enough, but adds a bit of luxury and style compared to what we drive now.
My biggest issues with it are the name and and the piped in engine sound. It's a sedan, not a coupe, or even a "coup-eh?" .
It's not my first choice, but if I won one of these, or got a great deal on one, I'd drive it with a smile.
00:40 one of the ugliest back of a car in the history of the automotive industry. Hideous.
I just picked up a very gently used 2016 228i X-drive convertible. And to quote the jingle...ba dap bap bah bah, I'm lovin' it. There's no fake engine noise, because it predates that. It's basically the size and performance of an older 3 series. Is it going to win a CarWow drag race? No. Is it a track monster? No. Was it a bargain? Oh yeah.
This is for the 25 year old who just got their real estate license. It's been their dream to get a bmw. They worked hard for it. They got screwed on financing. But look at that badge.
Real estate license? Maybe but they are living at home with mom and and dad who pays for their cat insurance Real estate is a very tough biz to break into
Lmao so true
LMAOO
The Subaru Hyundai joint project really delivered by the looks of it.
It is totally a asian design (back - Kia Rio 2020 + Kia Sportage, front - Corolla Fielder ) . It has ugly fake (digital) dash, fake engine noise, tiny interior space, mediocre reliability and you pay $45k for this. Yep, that's for bmw-type people.
BMWs are becoming products for fake people lol
Many of the comments below are not well thought out and many of the folks I suspect are not BMW owners. Having said that, I think the car is a worthy effort to get the younger people into the brand. If the sale price can be kept below 38k, then I think it will be okay.
7:38 Karens, LOL
God that was so funny to me 🤣😂🤣
07:26 - 07:38: That sentence summarised the car and probably the whole video! :D
Anti-enthusiast indeed. The proportions are all off, and they made a 4 door out of a 2 door sports car. Why!? 3-7 series all have 4 door options. Gone are the days of true sports cars from bmw.
What so the M3 isn't a true sports car?
I used to want to buy a BMW or Audi when I could afford it, but after almost 20 years experience with Mazda, especially my last Mazda 6 and now a 2019 CX-5 Signature I find they are great car and better more reliable value for the money.
Mazda made 2 hit cars recently and you got both of them
The ZF 8 speed trans are tits though
45 Grand for that dopey little compact car?!? Hahaha! Car prices these days are hilarious.
Its not for a business person. Its for kids who are being bought their first car by rich parents. Or people in entry-level office jobs who want to flex and look far more successful that they are/ will ever be. Like the Mercedes A-Class and CLA, it'll be bought by people who post pictures of their steering on Instagram, but never the entire car.