BMW 216 Gran Coupe review: Small package with a big badge
BMW’s cheapest four-door car is outgunned on paper in many ways, but it has something nothing from China can match
WHEN I returned the BMW 216 Gran Coupe test car, waiting for the paperwork to appear gave me time for an idle chin-wag with a salesman on duty. He told me the compact four-door has been attracting buyers with either no or toddler-sized children, and it’s generally more popular than the 116 hatchback, though it’s priced S$9,000 higher.
While the hatch is often bought by wealthy parents as a starter car for their kids (to drive, not just sit in), or even as retirement wheels for themselves, some people seek out the 216 Gran Coupe because it’s not a lofty sport utility vehicle (SUV), and thus better tied down to the road.
I can totally relate, because that is pretty much why I liked the little BMW, too. It’s neither powerful nor fast, and it doesn’t even sound particularly nice. But it’s a reminder of why driving a petrol car that’s relatively low-slung can still be a jolly activity.
While the 216’s thrummy, three-cylinder engine makes the 260 kmh speedometer look optimistic to the point of comedy, a turbocharger helps the little four-door feel sprightly enough in town, and the dual-clutch gearbox does a decent job of keeping things lively.
More importantly, the car itself feels light on its feet. BMW says it worked hard on the car’s handling, giving it a stiffer body than its predecessor, new shock absorbers and different suspension geometry, and it shows.
Turn the wheel and the 216 responds instantly, darting into a gap in traffic or carving a clean line through a corner with a sense of eagerness that the bigger BMWs don’t quite match.
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It’s easy on the eye, too, which is not something you can say about some of BMW’s current cars. The Gran Coupe’s proportions are neat, and the roofline swoops just enough to add style without impinging too much on rear headroom. And in M Sport trim, which lowers the stance a little, it manages to exude a sense of defiance.
What the Gran Coupe doesn’t have are the rough edges that usually come with small cars. Unlike many of them, it isn’t bouncy on the move, and it doesn’t batter your ears on the highway. The driver’s seat is just as supportive as those in some of BMW’s bigger, plusher models, too. You could happily spend an hour or two on the expressway without feeling that you cheaped out.
Still, the 216 doesn’t completely escape its entry-level status. The touchscreen is laggy, and useful features such as a 360-degree parking camera or a head-up display are missing altogether. The sound system is tinny, and the narrow air-con slits are asthmatic.
Ultimately, the 216 Gran Coupe simply doesn’t feel like a lot of car for the price, which is S$238,888 with a Category A Certificate of Entitlement. These days, countless electric cars from China offer much more space and equipment for less money.
Yet, owning one does let you say that you drive a BMW. That might seem like a shallow reason for choosing a car, but it’s the one need the 216 Gran Coupe fulfils that no Chinese car can.
BMW 216 Gran Coupe M Sport Engine 1,499 cc, in-line three-cylinder, turbocharged Power 122 hp from 3,900 to 6,500 rpm Torque 230 Nm from 1,500 to 3,600 rpm Gearbox 7-speed dual-clutch automatic 0-100 kmh 9.9 seconds Top speed 214 kmh Fuel efficiency 6.6 L/100 km Agent Eurokars BMW or Performance Motors Price S$238,888 with COE Available Now
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