Today's F30-generation BMW 3-series is great—it's still a 10Best winner, after all—but it has matured into a cushier, more spendy, and more widely focused car than ever before. As such, the mantle of "relatively affordable sporty BMW" has been passed on to the new 2-series coupe. This model is the first subject of our new series where we spec the perfect example of a given vehicle, so read on to find out what our BMW 2-series would look like if it were us signing papers in the dealership.
MODEL:
BMW M325i manual (base price: $44,025)
Right off the bat, we're already pouring money into our 2-series. The turbo-four-powered 228i starts at $33,025, but the M235i and its turbocharged straight-six are too fantastic to pass up, even at an 11 grand premium. The extra money gets you more output (320 hp and 330 lb-ft versus 240 and 258), and a sport-tuned suspension, an engine-oil cooler, an electrically controlled limited-slip diff, mean-looking body addenda, a sunroof, automatic and active HID headlamps with washers, sport seats, blacked out trim, and some kickin' 18-inch wheels. Is that—plus the smoothness of the six-cylinder and superlative driving dynamics—worth $11,000? We say yes. Thankfully, the manual is a no-cost option, although we do remember the days when choosing to row-your-own actually saved you money.
OPTIONS:
Estoril Blue Paint ($550)
Dakota Coral Red Leather ($1450 alone, see below)
Cold Weather Package ($550)
Driver Assistance Package ($950)
Premium Package ($2300, includes leather upholstery)
Few manufacturers—okay, none—possess a blue as distinguished and eye-catching as BMW's Estoril Blue, so we'd gladly fork over the $550 for our car. We're also fans of classic color combos, and blue over red is a traditional choice for sporting cars, so we're gong with the Dakota Red leather interior with black highlights. Would synthetic leather get the job done? Sure, but it's only available in black, and we want a car and not a cave. (If you're into cleaning bills, the light Oyster Dakota leather could also be a nice choice.)
To avoid an absolutely stupid final price, we think it's prudent to go light with the options. So we limited ourselves to the $550 Cold Weather package, which includes heated seats and a heated steering wheel because, although this is an optional option for much of the country, it's a necessity in Michigan. We can park and drive all by ourselves just fine, thank you, but we also have kids and pets, so we decided to add the $950 Driver Assistance package, which bundles a backup camera and parking sensors. Finally, the Premium package looks intimidating at $2300, but it also includes the leather interior as part of its price, and the additional $850 seems fair for convenience items like auto-dimming mirrors, proximity entry and start, satellite radio, and a universal garage-door opener.
- 2014 BMW M235i Driven: The Past Perfect Conjugation of M3
- 2014 BMW 435i Manual Tested: A 335i in Witness Protection
- 2014 Audi A3 Driven: A Sporty Sedan Tailor-Made for America
All in, our perfectly spec'd 2014 BMW M235i rang up at a not-unsubstantial $48,375. (Remember, we said relatively attainable up top.) But with less than 10 percent of the base cost added in options, you still get a premium-feeling car with a superstar chassis and a spectacular engine, and the BMW most emblematic of the brand's Ultimate Driving Machine ethos. Stuff we avoided included automatic high beams, automatic parking, and the $2150 Technology Package, which has more advanced infotainment plus navigation, but we'll just use our phones for apps and maps due to the bundle's high cost. We also skipped the $875 Harman/Kardon premium audio system, but we wouldn't hold it against you for splurging there—after all, a great drive can sometimes be made transcendent with a fantastic sound track.
from Car and Driver Blog http://ift.tt/nSHy27
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