BMW 2 Active Tourer 218d Luxury (Team Review) - Fifth Gear
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ก.ย. 2024
- In this Test Review Vicki, Jonny and Tiff are looking at BMW's 2 Series Active Tourer 218d Luxury. But unfortunately it doesn't not impress with a team test score of 13/30.
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When the Fifth Gear will realize that this kind of tests on the track have nothing to do with the conduct of everyday peoples life. For example, put a BMW Active Tourer 2 make turns at this speed !!!! This is a compact MPV is not a sports car. Of course, it adorns more than a sports bmw, it is clear that this is not a car to make tight turns to 140km / h or 160km / h
In this type of cars we have to realize that the builder gives priority,build quality is exquisite inside and families not in races. So the bmw did well in advance for this segment that all brands are betting and have great sales.When you do this type of testing at least do compared to other cars of the same segment and do a reset in your head and think about the type of cars you are driving.
We are not drivers of competition so make realistic tests.
13/30!!!!!!! I will not even comment
Excuse my english but i just tried to give my opinion
doitavem It actually makes sense to take this car to the track - what is BMW selling it on? On a premise that it is a true BMW (they put their badge on it, for pete's sake!). As such, it should drive like all BMWs do. Well.... it doesn't, as the test demonstrated it well. The rest of your argument is that it should be compared to other, comparable minivans, such as C-Max, Scenic, etc. OK, but then it would come out even more miserable than in the handling course. Why would you want to buy a glorified Kia for a price 30 % higher? Practicality, the most important aspect of minivan also suffers. 2AT has a below average boot and average space in the cabin. Nice interior finish isn't enough to make a good car, I am sorry.
+doitavem nicely said.
+doitavem I agree with you on this. This vehicle is not even built for track race or street race! I personally had test driven this 218d and the design is for comfort, bread and butter day to day drive. The design of interior and dash controls are well thought of. Fuel consumption on diesel is able to give you 1000km per full tank. Of course, i am comparing with the new mercedes-benz B class. Well, this new BMW 2 series AT on diesel wins hands down.
Thus, this review from fifth gear is not accurate at all!
i agree with you.
wilson lim I agree with you.
A lot of similar opinions in the comments here. Fifth Gear, you misjudged this review. It isn't a race track car and somebody buying an MPV is probably more reassured that they won't get stuck in snow. A BMW, but higher, more practical, with that focus on the driver? Count me in...
I saw people with 1 series few years ago that have put snow chains on front wheels . Some BMW drivers are so ignorant that only thing they care about is BMW badge .
Mladen Milić I'd say most are. At least those who buy new ones at BMW dealerships. So it is their opinion and tastes that counts. Sad but true.
Mladen Milić not trying to be mean but some people just have a sporty car and don't want to get another car. And snow chains are for car like that
Some people are stupid , but I won't don't buy a BMW just for the badge.
Mac Blox The point is that the 1series is RWD.
Mladen Milić That's why the next 1 Series will be FWD!! Its buyers never cared driving it in the first place!!
So they rate this car down just because it is "in a territory BMW didn't need to go into".....?
Funny then, how they rate the Porsche (sports car maker) Macan (SUV) 26/30.... because Porsche clearly needs to make tall wobbly SUVs..... LOL COME ON GUYS a bit of consistency and objectivity please. Nobody is going to buy one of these for track days are they.
*****
I called it wobbly because....well just watch their review of it on the track. It looks pretty uncomfortable to me. Your point about diversifying the lineup WOULD be a very valid point if it wasn't for the fact that Porsche is part of VAG (i.e largest car corporation in the world), so they already have Audi, VW, Seat, Skoda and Bentley, not to mention Lamborghini and Bugatti, each with their own specific niche in the market. Thats a pretty diverse portfolio of brands if you ask me! VAG could easily have left the tall heavy SUVs to Audi and VW to shift (Cayenne and Macan are based on VW Audi platforms anyway), but no, they thought dedicated sports car maker Porsche needed them as well. Why? For the same reason they have started offering diesel models....? Popularity. Mass market sales. Only Porsche was never intended to be a mass market brand. Their appeal has always been in their sporting heritage and exclusivity, and by doing diesels and SUVs (however "sporty" a 2.1 tonne diesel bus can claim to be) they are simply diluting that heritage and losing their exclusivity. They may well be competent cars against their direct rivals, but really I think they bring down the appeal of the Porsche badge far more than that 2-series MPV does for BMW (who as you say, have been making mass market everyday cars for decades). BMW NEEDS a diverse lineup because they don't have a huge corporate umbrella empire of other makes to fall back on if they don't meet their sales targets for a specific model.
*****
Well that is your opinion and you are entitled to it. As I am entitled to disagree. The SUVs may be well executed but I do not agree they fit the ethos of the Porsche brand. I think they are merely exercises in badge engineering and cynical marketing to people who think driving a premium "sports SUV" makes them cool and trendy. Those people just want the badge and don't have a clue about the engineering or the heritage of the brand, and probably aren't even real driving enthusiasts. The Porsche brand deserves better than that imo. I will be very upset if VAG decide to dilute the brand values of Lamborghini the way they have done with Porsche.
SuperSayanFitness
Its no more "disgusting" than a diesel Porsche SUV.
Porsche didn't do it first and the macan is very very fast
Porsche didn't do it first and the macan is very very fast
I have the slight impression that these kind of "test teams" sometimes forget while driving for whom and for what their test car is meant for... "It doesn't drive like a BMW..." Well, I wouldn't like to feed the lot who had an "unvoluntary" 180° turn with or ditched their 3-series. Rear wheel drive is not for everyone to take to the limits. When you deactivate all electronic stability devices, well...good luck to you everyday driver on wet roads!
That's bullshit. "oh look, it's a BMW that's a bit different, let's call it shit, despite the fact that in the segment it's competing in, it's still the best car overall".
This car is miles better than something else in the segment, if it had a VW or Opel badge, they'd rave about it.
derbigpr500 It's far from the best car in its class. In fact, it's one of the worst.
derbigpr500 I think it was AMS (auto,motor&sport) who tested the 2series"active"tourer against a ZafiraTourer.
In short: the Zafira had the better suspension, more comfort, space and equal interior/quality/feel as well as being more than 10k (!!!) cheaper.
Verdict: of course the beemer won, because it "felt sportier" and had the 150hp 2.0 litre diesel, mated to an (additional charge) auto transmission .
The (heavier) Zafira on the other hand had to make due with a tiny 1.6 litre 136hp unit instead of a comparable 165hp 2.0 one.
Completely unbiased testing.
Conducted fair and square by "independent" german motoring press. As always.
+derbigpr500 What a fanboy lol
As if a fucking huge worlwide company would give a damn about you defending them.
Man finally someone wrotes this respect to you 👍 almost everybody thinks that Bmw is more than a car but its not because they see a Bmw badge on a car and they said its best, no its not its just a normal car 😐
If I'd go for the score of Fifth Gear reviews I would have to think this is a bad car while the Citroën Cactus is an amazing great car. I still wait for the day car reviewers start to base their ratings on the purpose of the reviewed car and not on some totally unnecessary criteria. I don't buy an MPV to be able to drift (by the way, you can get the Active Tourer with xDrive instead of FWD) and the BMW sport seats are some of the most comfortable seats I've ever sat on, which is for example really important for an MPV (in opposite to those ultra soft Cactus seats where back pain is guaranteed after no more than half an hour of driving).
Those sports seats are only really comfortable when you have forked out for the optional adjustable lumbar support.
My family had one for three years as an everyday car. It had tonnes of space in the back for when we moved house. The interior is fantastic and well-made as well.
so vicky wasnt there to judge that car, she was there judging car makers decisions :D
I had this car for 7 years and it's a practical, fun driving car. When I say fun driving, I mean the handling, steering wheel precision, highway overtaking, not racing. It's a family people mover, why you guys tried to drive it like a M?
Its a well made, well equipped, good driving spacious MPV from a manufacturer you like and where you know how things (i-drive etc.) work and feel. so if BMW is "your" manufactuer, and you want an MPV, why shouldn you not be able to by a BMW one? just because some self proclaimed petrol heads think its "not right"? meh, come one, you don´t have to own one. diversaity is always good.
I have a 2 series grand tourer, for me we need a 7 seater that drives well, is well equipped, good looking and reliable. Ticks every box.
thewheelturners good looking haha
Patrick Henderson show me a better looking 7 seater. Can’t do it can you?
thewheelturners any 4x4
Citroen C4 Picasso
Opel Zafira
Tesla Model X
I could go on
Patrick Henderson yeah i told you to mention a good looking one. All those cars you have listed are ugly, not as reliable and a bloody electric car.
thewheelturners aren’t appearances subjective anyway? I think all of those vehicles look great, you don’t. That’s okay, that’s why you bought the BMW, which apparently is reliable hahahaha
Vicky saying bmw should be mass marketing their range?? BMW’s are one of the worlds most popular cars. And in the UK the 3 series are everywhere
No wonder this programme went off TV. The original Top Gear guys made fun of daft cars, but they loved well made, sensible cars like this, rather than sneering, like this horrible lot did.
Tiff :
" A front wheel drive BMW is not a BMW for me .. "
After 4 years ....
BMW :
" Introducing the new 2019 front wheel drive BMW 1 series " :-))))
i sad of what bmw is becoming..
Petros Dimitrios Pilichos you’re acting like all of their cars are going fwd.
@@dylansterio3227 They will eventually. BMW did a survey with owners and something like 85% said they were FWD when they weren't. All BMWs in the future are either going to be FWD for the cheaper and slower variants or AWD for the more expensive high-performance variants. Engineering a FWD car is a lot cheaper and easier than RWD plus they have the added "bonus" of being more efficient so it will really help them with passing emissions.
A MINI's German cousin
Is a MPV what did you expect? Most of the potencial clients will never go that fast
I drive a Golf GTD, I got loaned a 218d Active T SE auto and I am sorry to admit I really liked this BMW, even though I normally head towards Skoda as I am an inverted badge snob. This car is actually quite fun to drive down a bumpy British country road.
I don't know why everyone hates this car so much. I like it. Space efficient vehicles like this are hugely practical and efficient. Plus I do like the way it looks.
I don't think they hate this car. It's just not their level. This is really an entry level BMW for those who wanted a Premium brand but prefer to pay a less than premium price. For this price, the Active Tourer mini MPV make a lot of sense for the family. The more sporty type would find this car a bore and lacking in gusto.
Trouble with TV car reviewers they only seem to judge test cars v their favourite fast cars. Vicky & J are clearly badge snobs! Judge the car on what it's designed for not as though you're comparing it to a McClaren.
This review isn't fair at all. I have test driven a AT 216d and I must say, it doesn't feel like its driving like a FWD. First, the vehicle of such configuration and specs designed for family day-to-day drive is pretty amazing. Second, the design of interior and access to functions are refreshing too. I had driven a BMW 2006 325Ti and BMW 2012 1 series, 2015 3 series and 2009 7 series, and a few mercedes benz series such as the new A to C series, CLA, GLA, just to name a few. IMHO, if you are looking for roomier cabin space and a spare power socket in your truck, this is the vehicle you'd go for. I'd rate this review a 3 and bottom.
Very unfair review. They scored the car on what they want from a BMW, and not what the car driving public want from a family car.
Sorry, but as an owner of one of these cars, I have to say that I give Victoria, Jonny and Tiff zero out of ten for there poor and meaningless review.
Well said !! Bunch of idiots doing a review on a family car ! Who drives a family car in such ways ? Ridiculous
How is the car guys? I'm planning to get one soon
"First FWD BMW"
So Fifth Gear team haven't heard of the Mini?
Andrei Besleaga "Do you call the Rolls Royce a BMW? Do you call the Porsche an Audi? Do you call a Jaguar a TATA? Do you call the Bentley a VW? "
I thought you were going to tell us all that the moon is made of cheese!
In answer to your question; Yes I do! That's why when i talk about my aunts tragic and costly VW Continental ownership episode, I say "VW Continental" 'brackets' because it's not a Bentley 'end brackets', because it's not based on any Bentley platform, does not have the traditional and age old 6.75 litre engine, and but is based on a VW platform and has a VW engine in it.
By stating the Mini is a Mini simply confirms your ignorance and that in your ignorance, you've fallen for the weakest sales pitch.
...except the R50 MINI (part of the R30 35, R40 75 (R41 75 Tourer) and R50 MINI programme) was designed and engineered by Rover - it even had K Series engine mounts.
hmmm it looks like even C-Max seems to handle more like Bimmer than a 2 MPV.
For me this 2 MPV looks nice.
And one year later, BMW won. Great car to own and enjoy. I drive a tuned 3.5i, but man a 220d is great for well, everything.
Not sure about the looks but having sat in one at a motor show (M version with dark grey alcantara) it had the most comfortable driving position and seats !
We’ve got a 2018 BMW 220d Luxury Grand Tourer. We wanted a 220dx but they are WAY to popular. The other car we were looking at was the Citroen C4 Spacetourer, but the BMW has more power, does 67.3 MPG from London to Bristol and has a better folding seat system so we chose the Beemer.
You know what? When I heard Tiff saying ''2-3 grand more than an equivalent C-Max, it's still a good value'', I was just like that guy in orange: ''Really???'' Just try speccing it decently and you end up with a 30-35k, even a 40k car! That's completely out of reach, even for a humble 218d (specs: B47 4-cylinder diesel engine, 1995cc, 150bhp)!!! And to make matters worse, that's completely out of reach for the even more humble 216d (specs: B37 3-cylinder diesel engine, 1496cc, 116bhp)!!!
i love this car. better than the MB B Class, the quality is amazing, and the practicality is awesome!. is not a race car, is just a racional mpv without the extreme of a X, and no big or huge of touring versions. an excelent option whit the great look of a bmw. I dont want an others and better options, i want a bmw for my family but the 3 series touring is to weird and the X1 is to extreme. this car is perfect.
Are you over 60 or something?
Granted it's not the prettiest BMW but when I saw a clearance Active Tourer going for less than a Ford C-Max and barely more than Kia Carens it was a no brainer. I have a Z4 coupe alongside so my thrills and spills are nowhere diminished.
as my dad owns one its acually good we use it for business and we can fit so much cargo
As I understand most people who drive 1 series don't feel the difference of it being back-wheel drive so this was a genuine decision from BMW. It's cheaper to make + people who will buy this wont care anyway. + for the segment the car is in, it's quite good, and that is on what people who will but this will look at.
this car ist the best mini-van of the world
A car for the mums who doesn't use their blinkers.
......doesnt work like that over here, people actually use indicators in the UK and Ireland even if they are in BMW's, look at america they never use indicators
I think if no one told them it was fwd it would get a MUCH higher score and make them stop saying that it 'feels strange' and alter their opinion and feeling just because of 3 words
Tiff is a former formula one driver. It's not like he isn't going to notice that it's fwd. Also the way the car looks also gives it away.
More BMW(mercedes too)cars will be fwd in the future.Its more economical,practical and allows for more space in the cabin.Someone would expect from a "motoring journalist" to know that.Its 2 years back so your reaction is understandable
I get the point about front wheel drive & not everyone is going to want to drift around corners so I think this road test can be taken as pointless
BMW should of bought SAAB and used that to build FWD cars like this to compete with VW
That is actually a very sensible idea. Well they did it with Mini but Saab was a great way to brand the more classically styled front-wheel-drive car.
Err... Actually BMW bought Rover who made decent FWD cars that had a few reliability issues. If they'd taken a more involved approach they could now be building the best FWD cars in Europe. They need not have continued with the River name; they could have used Triumph or Riley or one of several others
@@cmartin_ok BMW was founded in 1916; Rover in 1878 and had a long and rich history - not something to be carelessly flung in the bin.
I have a new 220d active tourer auto with 4wd and 190 BHP which is great, the fuel consumption is brilliant and in Sport Mode it will go like stink, the 8speed auto gearbox is superb. What do these stupid Herbert's think they are driving, it's a people carrier not a sports car, these are family vehicles built for family's not for tarearsing round a track. These are the sort of thing Clarkson and Co did on Top Gear, this vehicle was never designed to be used like this and these so called experts should know better than to treat the car like an F1. This is the first BMW I have had new but I bought my daughter a 2 yr old X3 Sport 2ltr diesel which is also great, these idiots wouldn't know a good car if it ran over them.
Just ordered the same car as yours (Luxury Line). Test drive won me over in about 5 seconds!
I've driven the 218d in automatic and is great car hardly feels its FWD, I give it 8 out of 10 unlike the jugheads from 5th gear
This car is awesome. I totally get what BMW is trying to do here.
Why put this car on a track?!The market for this vehicle don't care how fast it goes around corners on a track or that its front wheel driveIt should be viewed and judged as a large family hatch back / mpv
2:51 what was that
It's an out of tune review of the reviewers here as always happens. The reviewers are looking for the characteristics of a sports car in people carrier car. It's a useless subjective review.
Tiff was the only "reasonable" reviewer while Johnny and Vicky were acting like full-blown idiots. They need to examine and review the vehicle from the point of view of a potential buyer, not as driving enthusiasts. Naturally it won't drive like a typical RWD BMW, and I don't believe for a second that a potential buyer will track this car and push it to its limits. This is a safe and well-made family car with a BMW badge. Period.
BMW wouldn't make this car if there was no market for it. Plus, BMWs own research has shown that 97% (IIRC) of its customers don't care which wheels are being driven by the engine (read that in an Auto Motor und Sport article last year).
I'm no fan of the 2-Series Active Tourer myself, but I understand why BMW made it and I can understand why people buy it. It's edgy, well-made, drives well (for a FWD MPV) and also has some badge appeal. If I had to choose, I'd go for the Mercedes B-Class (I prefer the styling), but I wouldn't say no if someone gave me a 2-Series Active Tourer free of charge.
well said buddy
Christian W well said!!!
Too true, I have a dislike of premium badges, I got loaned one of these and I thought It was a good car.
It is a good car to drive. My family owned 4 bmws and most were rear wheel drive but one all wheel drive bmw. Ive tested the bmw as a loan after a crash we had, it drives like bmw should. This is why i placed an order for a 218i
Building a bad car just because some of the customers want it and don't care how it drives isn't a good idea. This is because it ends up being a car that is sold only on its badge, and that itself erodes the brand image. It undermines the marketing team- you can't really market a FWD MPV as "The Ultimate Driving Machine." And if BMW did their research properly, they'd realise that the MPV market is one of the fastest-shrinking. Overall, if they wanted to build a small but more spacious car, they should have made a 1 Series Touring. Turning the 1 Series into an estate would be easier and more cost effective than making an MPV out of the Mini platform (which is what they did), and a 1 Series estate would also look and drive much better, both of which would result in stronger sales and more satisfied buyers.
Jokes on them the new 1 series hatch is front wheel drive and so is the x1
We don't get this in the States, and I'm not shedding any tears. BMW has NO business making this. I'll stick with my '05 330xi, and my '86 325es. My FWD car is a '17 VW Jetta. All great, and none of them pretending to be something they shouldn't be.
With any other badge it would've scored much higher, no doubt. It's all about expectations of a badge I guess and maybe there is some truth in that. But, to be honest, when you look at the car you don't think 'Let me take that to the nearest curvy road and trash it!'...
So put a Rover badge on it then. The Rover brand was included when BMW bought the MINI brand. Why not sell the 2 Active Tourer with a Rover badge or is there an ulterior motive to using the BMW badge :raises eyebrow:.
A bit harsh in my opinion, it's not an m3 so try drive it like one
Why test a front wheel drive mini MPV on a racetrack like Rockingham? numbskulls!
This trio should have tested this car on the road for comfort, and the ability to move a small family or a few occupants from one place to another.
Azdee Simon Amir
It's called "fith gear" and not "lets trundle along from an old peoples home to the nearest graveyard"...
-what do you expect?
And btw: You want space? Comfort? Realistic pricing? Scenic, Zafira, C-Max and so on are the way to go.
+alfisti93 But what if you have money, need an MPV and want something better than a zafira? This is the best MPV on the market, BMW nailed it from their first try.
Boris Mihaylov Well, if you have money(!) and are pleased with 4 cylinders, go for a xc90.
Space, safety, ride and 7 seats that are actually usable... Not a silly badge snob machine like this "active tourer".
Also in this 2 series tourer with transverse mounted engine every true BMW-fan will laugh about you.
And on top it offers no advantages over its competition but costs more. Best mpv? Not really :)
Interior space is sub-par
and the ride is ridiculous...
-The two core values for a mpv and its not good at all already. I don't see how it can be "best in market". Just no.
However it doesn't stop it from being sold like hot cakes... I guess badge is everything.
Well maybe if you don't wan't a big SUV as this is easier to drive and still costs half of what an X5 costs. And have you driven the 2? I find the ride to be perfect, the stability impressive for this type of vehicle even at 200kph, and the seating position very comfortable even for long trips.
Boris Mihaylov
Well, you said "if you have money..." ;)
SUVs like XC90, X5 etc are as easy to drive as any mpv, but I give the 2 series one advantage: its not as wide...
However, the ride is underdamped -not to say harsh, space sparse for its class and the standard seats are unbearable. Only the optional comfort/sports seats are fine. Thats my experience.
Also a XC90 or x5 feels much more planted at 200+ kp/h (on german AB)...
For a mpv with sporty ambitions the S-Max is probably the most well-rounded offering of space, ride, equipment, enjoyment and price at the moment. Especially the old one with the volvo 5cylinder petrol was. The 2 series sacifices too much for its pseudo-sporty feeling but isn't close to a real bimmer anyway... I reckon it sells only through its badge.
Oh they didn't....no .....they were supposed to be immune to toy cars & mpv front wheel....there killing the special in bmw....
It's money chasing at the cost of the rep.
New fuel economy standards across the world have forced their hand. A front wheel drive car gets better economy than a rear wheel drive car with the same engine. Also, BMW lost that rep right about the time the X5 and X3 came out...because that was just chasing money. This isn't new territory for BMW by a long shot. Let's also remember that 90% of people who buy a BMW don't ever use it as a sporty, driver's car. It's posturing. There's nothing sporty about taking a motorway, or driving through town. So all that BMW performance and handling is completely wasted by most people who buy them.
I love it
I was so worried the tyres would come out of the rims. .
where is jason?
mercs,jags,porsche,audi, all have gone down this road.i am not a bmw fan but i do take note that that car company will follow whats happening in the motor industry and if a little mpv/crossover is needed,so be it.what we should all take notice is that the german car industry is still in german hands.the english one,which was the best in its day,has gone.that is something you cant take away from the germans.
A "W" for wankers this is just BMW's step into a market they don't belong that is what the mini is for. BMW is about prestige and balance. Not lumpy people carriers . If they wanted to enter a market why not enter back into the micro car and give us a new quick Isetta with their new 3 cylinders to compete with the Smart, fiat, and scion IQ .
Stig Cruise Wanna bet it's coming? I suppose They'll fit it with 2 cylinder turbocharged 55 bhp engine, call it a BMW 0.5 Dynamic city or something like that and people will flock cause it has a BMW badge on it. Come to think of it, they've had twin boxer engines for decades - they fitted it on their motorcycles.
They made something just as grotty before, the e36 3 series compact
Total car snobbery by the presenters, it’s a great versatile car well built with good spec, mines not going on the track so front wheel drive is better especially in winter snow, I’ve had max c4 grand Picasso and other similar cars because I need the space and the BMW 2 series is far better, and it’s not bmw first front wheel drive, they make the mini for years .
I love BMW but I wouldn't personally buy this car cause it's a fucking MPV.
However, they missed the point. They are judging it for what it's not and not for what it is. You cannot test a fucking MPV on a track to determine if it is good or not for gods sake. No one who buys an MPV in this price range, or even an SUV for that matter, care if it is RWD, FWD or AWD. If someone expects an MPV or SUV to be sporty or to have little to no body roll, then go buy an X5 M.
I think this car is a "you get what you pay for" kind of car, it does what it's meant to do and has the attractive badge to attract new buyers to the brand. This car exists because it sells, us car enthusiasts cannot expect to determine the market and only get an M sport kind of experience out of anything with a BMW badge, come on.
BMW make FWD cars MINI.
This is a family car , this is not for racing.
Who wants racing cars M2 .
This a perfect car who wants premium and more space.
I give 9 out of 10
BMW says they make, quote, the "Ultimate Driving Machine" NOT the "Ultimate Premium Machine". Where is the "Sheer driving pleasure" of the 2 series active tourer? A FWD car doesn't have to be bad to drive, the Mini Cooper S has very good dynamics, so why does this 2 Active have such poor body control in corners... surely the suspension needs to be much tauter to offer a BMW "Ultimate Driving Machine" experience? Otherwise BMW own the Rover trademark and should be using the luxurious, premium Rover badge instead of the inappropriate sporty BMW badge for this car.
I’ve got one those 3 totally miss the point , it a good drive comfortable versatile better built than Ford Renault and Citroen , no it’s not a performance car but it’s not designed to be, I think it’s the best small mpv in its class. Absolutely pointless review because nobody who owns one would treat it like a track car, if they saw it de badged it would wipe the floor against the competition in its class BMW first time making this type of car absolutely nailed it well done BMW.
While I agree it's not a "typical BMW" it's still a good success. I'm not a fan at all of mini vans (quite the opposite) but still there could be numerous reasons one would buy it: company cars (many people prefer a mini van for various reasons than a sedan or a "touring"), this new segment for small family cars etc...
Even myself not a fan at all of this kind of mini van I'd rather buy this or the Mercedes B class than a Zafira or Scenic which both are a bit too "family" while the Mercedes or BMW look (never actually drove one, only saw them on the roads, I might try one this week just out of curiosity) like more fun.
This judgement while entertaining was not fair. This is a good product from BMW.
And for those thinking BMW is moving away from its roots... First: they also need money to live. Second: they did get fun models like the 2 series coupe that feels like driving an old (the good way ;) ) BMW !
No company will or would give you a BMW as a company car. Unless you're in multi national big money company.
Andrei Besleaga I don't agree. BMWs arn't as expensive for companies as they seem.
Most (if not all) companies rent cars. The rental cost doesn't only depend on the value of the car, but many other factor (including how much residual value is left on the car after the leasing: the higher its value remains the better).
So total, renting a 3 series BMW can be almost the same price as renting a BMW Passat for companies.
Try it out.
Fifth Gear? At least that BMW has 8 gears and it drives wonderfully... Maybe 5th Gear should adapt themselves for modern times, they miss a few gears by now.. not everybody only races around tracks and do childish things.. (how old is Tiff by now?) BMW has created something very good, you should read in professional magazine about it instead of making these immature Team Review programs just to show off to the world how nice you can burn rubber...
Well BMW its time to drop the "Ultimate Driving Machine" branding from your advertising since you now produce wrong-wheel drive mpv's. Such a shame to see the brand deteriorate. To think you made the engine for the McLaren F1!
just stop, what about their other cars? this is for specific people who don't care about a good driving car but something that is high quality.
spot on chris and sadly in the name of pleasing the green freaks who believe the world will end cos of emissions all future bmws are going to be front wheel drive, this is the end of bmw as the ultimate driving machine
The car was simply produced to be a competitor. Fwd. what were they thinking. Awful car. Also its sooo cramped inside
It’s the ultimate mpv it’s great car best mpv I’ve ever driven, so in that sector it’s the ultimate driving mpv!!!
They totally lost their credentials on this episode.
lol. It's like testing an aventador for school runs. Bit of a failed review.
If only BMW kept the Rover as their budget brand, they wouldn't have to go this far
Seeing as Rover in the 50s/60s were the 'poor man's Rolls-Royce', being downgraded to a budget wouldn't have gone down well.
13 / 30? It is a nonsense! So no other MPV should ever be tested by these guys, since the active tourer is the (slightly) best handling MPV.
Or does the Picasso handle that much better?
If i wanted a racetrack review i'd go for a ferrari test on top gear, much more fun...
before buying a car never see this review as regular ppl will not drive this or any car like this on track. Rather than we drive everyday on the motorways filled with traffic. So it does not matter it slides or is a front wheel car.
The 2 series, is one of those bean counter models, every manufacturer has to create.
Only BMW that I've ever liked. What a ridiculous review. I've never driven any of my cars around Rockingham, as much as I might like too! Cars should be tested based on what their likely audiences are. A BTCC car goes well round Rockingham but I can hardly use one to go shopping!
bit unfair, its not the ideal track monster.
Who do you think this car was made for ???????? 13/30 My My , you have grown up in the world .
You took the least "sporty" version of this model and ragged-it around a track, at least could've tried the M-Sport 220i or 225i variants.
Yes it has it's flaws like any car but BMW AT was one of best all-round packages of any of BMW's packages and it's a shame they (BMW) didn't promote it better but the SUV range was more in fashion at the time and the AT handles better than the equivalently specced X1 (F48) - and much cheaper! Build quality is the same as 3-series of the time, think of this as a horizontally squashed 3er Touring, yes it's FWD but RWD really matters best with the larger engine outputs - or ragging-it round a track, it don't matter d*ck when stuck in traffic thru an average speed-check zone.
But saying that, yeah, the 3-er is a nicer drive when you do get to stretch it's legs on country roads...
It’s a mum‘s BMW. Except my mum wants an M4 cabriolet…
I like the m4 cabrio
compare this to the Sharan or Tiguan, not just how it is..
I don't buy a car based on whether I can drive it at high speed and make it slide on corners...why can't they test a car under "normal" driving conditions and then give an honest opinion ?
Because this is supposed to be a BMW, not a Rover. If was sold under BMW's Rover trademark it would be a fine MPV.
Vicky BMW has been making FWD since 2001.. it's called the MINI
Than it should be Mini 2 Active tourer.
How is this the first Front wheel drive BMW? Do not BMW produce the MINI? I thought the floor pan and mechanics are MINI.
It looks like a first generation Renault Scenic in profile.
the girl sitting in the back reminds of hammond lol
Vicky: so tiff drove it to see is he can make it slide HA
Me: that laugh tho
is a practic/family car not a sport/luxury like 3,5,7 series or a tank like x5,x6,but yes is nice to have rear traction ,and is new model
But BMW had the front-wheel drive territory sorted for years. Just put a Mini badge on it and the World will restore its faith on the car industry!!
Yeah they've definitely done FWD before, although the idea of a MINI MPV makes me violently sick.
+The Real Emile The Countryman isn't that far away of being an MPV, actually
+Humongous Richard True although it is small then this, but I can see them potentially badge engineering this in the future because it'll sell well. Don't see why considering I really can't understand the appeal of any of the modern MINI's
+The Real Emile Neither do I, but I as you've said, there's some sense in badge-engineering FWD BMWs. We just need to make the tough mental process of telling them apart from the original Mini. Shame, but that's the way BMW can make enough profit so they can develop the cars we actually like.
BMW also own the Rover trademark, which would be more suitable for this car. :)
Should of just made it a Mini and kept FWD out of Bimmer land.
5 years later and even there 1 series is fwd 😣
The first BMW FWD car was the Mini.
+Laurentiu Duna But it wasn't a BMW, it was a Mini which is owned by BMW. Just like you wouldn't call a Rolls Royce BMW because they're made by other people with a very different customer in mind.
Oh, for fucks sake! MINI is MINI and BMW is BMW. Do you see a BMW badge on the Cooper? The MINI is traditionally FWD and that is fine.
BMW is RWD from like always and now they shit on their history with
this.
Do you call the Rolls Royce a BMW? Do you call the Porsche an Audi? Do you call a Jaguar a TATA? Do you call the Bentley a VW? Because they are all owned by others, that doesn't make it the same.
You don't step into a Bentley and say "oh, damn, this is just like my golf!".
What a childish, biased and unhelpful “review” (and no, I don’t own one).
Yep absolute nonsense
why does tiff have to drive everything like a lambo or a 458???
He's driving it like a BMW, it's supposed to be a BMW...
So glad I don't have to see this thing here in the States, clogging up boutique shopping mall parking lots and blocking up the left lane while its driver texts her BFFs about wine tasting night.
BMW should have never sold their soul. It's not meant to be mass-owned and easily accessible like a VW.
2 series isn't accesibile by any means, it's as as accessible as the 1 series. And the 1 series was an excellent hot hatch back in 2004. Sure, now it has fwd, so what... I guess for a compact car, for city drive it's justified. And you don't always need rwd to have fun, more so on lower hp engines. And if you do, you have xdrive options
Did you two conveniently forget the X and i lines?
It's not like there's anything BMW about the i3.
Besides, being FWD isn't necessarily a bad thing for a bimmer if you consider the Mini connection.
But yes, it could be a much better vehicle overall.
***** Right, but at least the i3 is BMW venturing into something somewhat different, Isetta anyone? An FWD BMW is like Jesus being reborn and quickly killing himself in a suicide bombing for ISIS.
Unlike most of the posters here, I've actually driven a 218d and it is pretty horrible. The finish is OK (although the iDrive had given up), the ride is harsh, and the road noise is terrible on anything other than super smooth tarseal. If you want a car like this get a Mercedes B-Class.
So BMW doesn´t make a front-wheel drive car. Don´t they make the MINI and who really drives a car like this on a day to day basis. A pointless biased review.
You give it a 13 when a well-known sport car manufacturer (Porsche)makes a car that will cause an accident one day. (the canan.)
Maybe Tiff and Vicki could back to the future new TOP GEAR？？？Maybe find another new guy！But definitely not that Jonny and another one,don´t remember the name.
It looks like a mk 1 Renault scenic
A bit silly ,a bit childish, but I watched it anyway. It's a bit of fun but that's all.
Not BMW's first FWD, that would be what they call a mini. This brat wagon is for those with more money than sense & suffering from badge snobbery.
I like it, but I wouldn't rush to buy one
What I don't understand is why they test it by trying to slide it around a track? What's the point of that? This car car is going to go to the supermarket and on school runs. I doubt the traction control will ever be turned off. Seems like a pointless "test" to me. That said I still wouldn't buy one.......
Dave Boyle They did it to show it is not a proper BMW where turing TC off = fun and that nobody needs a BMW to go shopping. It is just a pointless car and BMW so far haven't produced so many poinless car like e.g. Mercedes. It is just a booring car, for people who want/need a booring car, but now it has a fancy batch.
Test drived one dont know whats so bad on a front wheel drive BMW
This car is meant to compete with Mercedes B Class and the coming Audi MPV, Ford Focus C-Max and a few other MPV's.... I can fully understand why BMW produces this car, the cars in this segment are selling like crazy and BMW want to make a few bucks even in this territory. The reviewers on this TV-show must be idiots...?