BMW makes aspirational cars – and they come at a price that not everybody is willing to or able to afford. And while we all know “that person” who simply wants to buy a BMW for appearances’ sake, some of the cheapest BMW offerings boast a pretty impressive value. While you may be able to find vehicles that offer more extensive driver assistance or infotainment options in some areas, today’s cheapest BMWs are a far cry from the rattly 320i penalty box of yesteryear. In fact, the cheapest BMW you can get today might even be the most fun: the 2 Series.
Well, let’s not get carried away. The 2 Series Gran Coupe is technically the least expensive BMW on sale today, with an MSRP of just $38,795. If that doesn’t sound particularly cheap, you’re not wrong; you might just remember that the 2015 320i started at $33,945. But the 2 Series Gran Coupe offers a lot of standard equipment that the starter 3 Series couldn’t dream of. Of course, it’s slightly less dynamic due to its front-wheel drive architecture.
Standard equipment on the 228i Gran Coupe is formidable. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a one-year SiriusXM subscription, and a navigation system are complimentary. That puts it right in line with most competitors like the Audi A3 and Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class. It beats its contemporaries handily when it comes to power, though – besting the Merc by 20 horsepower and almost 40 pound-feet of torque and the Audi by considerably more. Plus, the BMW gets a better automatic transmission and, though understeery, is still less sterile to drive.
If I was to build a 228i Gran Coupe, I’d opt for the $1,650 Convenience Package and not much more. Keyless entry and a moonroof are all you need to make this entry-level BMW feel as premium as the badge suggests. Even if it drives like a wet shoe when compared to some other BMWs. Of course, there is another way…
Another, slightly more expensive BMW 2 Series exists. For just $400 more than…
