BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer Diesel

This car has tons of sensor issues after 2 weeks of ownership. The kick sensor is highly unstable and the boot door will open or close on itself although the 2 feets are firmly on the ground while loading grocery bags into the boot. On few occasions the boot door hit my wife's head while she was loading grocery bags into the boot. Had complained to PML but was asked to switched off the sensors instead as they can only reset the software but the problem still persists. Seems like I have gotten myself a lemon!

The ultimate family car for families, especially those with more than 1 kid!

The car is a notch above the rest mainky because of the BMW CONNECTED DRIVE functions including satnav, remote control of car lock/blower/lights etc.

You can even talk to a convierge who can help you just as if you were at a hotel.

Collision warning/lane departure are helpful.

Design is stylish with nice curves even though it is an MPV.

Engine feels powerful.

Spacious enough to place 2 child seats in middle row and still have space for an adult in the middle.

Good drive. Afterall, its a BMW!

I was a bit of a skeptic when BMW first succumbed to peer pressure to develop a compact MPV that made huge $ for brands like VW, Citroen, Renault and of course the many Jap models (the 7-seater kind, mind you!).

Having driven and owned a BMW sedan before, there were already expectations that I would have brought to viewing it as I sold my fuel hungry ride for a fuel sipping one. Having seen what the French had to offer for Compact MPVs, I was impressed.

The overall styling was and is handsome in its own right (obviously in comparison with other MPVs out there). It's evergreen styling and spot-on kidney grills are hallmarks of a Bimmer. While the interior is very well built and fitted with quality fittings and leather, the cockpit is a familiar sight. So no surprises there as you jump from 1 model to another - everything feels right there!

As it is a 5+2 compact MPV, families needing a full-time one shouldn't be even considering this. So I won't be comparing it to the Odysseys and Wishes out there. However, it is still versatile with one-touch button to fold the 2nd row seats and a quick lever to fold the 3rd row if you need the extra space. Otherwise ferrying small people (aka KIDS!!) are recommended for the last row and nothing more than a short jiffy if you need to squeeze any adults on the last row.

Power from the 3-cyl Diesel engine is impressive with plenty of torque delivering respectable amount of pull at full-load! It definitely didn't feel sluggish and I must say I'm impressed by this. It's no slouch in overtaking along highways so I must say the pocket-size Turbo-Diesel surprises me! And what surprises me further is that it's front wheel drive (also 1st for BMW!) was very impressive in the handling dept!

Some obvious engine clatter, from the outside, which is expected but one can use a sound proofing material under bonnet to reduce a few decibels down (not much but it helps!). Inside the car, its minimal and the usual above-average stock sound system does the job to drown it out.

Overall, what gave in on my decision to get this car ultimately boiled down to the extended warranty & services assurances, higher resale value in the future and the "Little" Prestige in driving this Bavarian MPV!

Review

Having collected this car in Nov'16. I would say it's an excellent car, spacious for front and middle row and superby sound system.

It was an eye turner whenever I parked the vehicle and people would admire and look at it. I first saw it at Forum Carpark last year and yes, i got it when the deal(Good deal) was too good to be missed. Plus I was having problem with my old XC90.

But there are still some drawbacks. But I would still recommend this car to family with kids/elderly.

Coming from a previous 3 series I6, the driving dynamics is definitely not as good, and engine not as smooth. But deep down, still very much a bmw with good response overall, and whenever you need the power, the sports mode plus DS helps to bring back the feel of the sportiness. Overall a good fun car with nice space layout and interior feel.

Have misconception that the car will be noisy since running on diesel.

Surprisingly the nose level is lower compare to that of the X1 S18.

The interior is spacious and nice wood trimming

This is a great car which look elegant. It is indeed an intelligent car which is very comfort and provides with many features which you will not believe. The price is reasonable with the prestige badge and warranty. It is only 1.5 litres with turbo charged but feel the power of more than 2 litres with its high torque. The fuel consumption is really low to what i thought and a full tank is capable of running about 1000 km. Great sound system and navigation system for a mid range car. You will never find another better car in the range. Test drive and see the car yourself else i am like a salesman to the 216GT. :)

Its a BMW, but not really. Actually looks more like a Kia Carens than any other BMW I know.

Its a MPV, but not really. Get placed in the 3rd row and you'd be thinking nasty thoughts of the driver.

It handles like a BMW, but does not accelerate like one. And when its accelerating hard, it brings back warm memories of your recent ride in a ComfortDelgro.

But still, despite myself, I think I rather like it.

To fully appreciate the 2 GT, you have to go in with an open mind - you cannot be thinking of what it isn't but need to think of what it is. Its biggest weaknesses are its biggest strengths.

First impression is positive - it boasts of BMW quality (with soft touch materials, and solid ergonomics throughout the cabin) without typical BMW 7-seater pricing. There are hard plastics at the lower half of the cabin, but its not obvious.

NVH insulation is commendable, with little diesel rattle or vibration at idle. Engine noise is more intrusive when you push the car, but for the most part, its well managed.

From a space perspective, I think it is more than sufficient for most families with 2 or 3 kids, with an occasional need to ferry grandparents. Is it as big as a Honda Odyssey ? No, but it is perhaps more practical than a Nissan Xtrail from a 3rd row legroom perspective. Width wise, its on the narrow end, hence 3 adults in the second row may not have the most comfortable of rides.

Handling is pretty good - definitely more BMW than MPV - with a responsive steering and suspension tuned towards sports more than comfort. I am not sure the average MPV buyer appreciates a taunt suspension and heavy steering all the time, but I suppose that's a trade off that most BMW drivers will probably gladly make.

Power? Probably more MPV than BMW. But on the flip side, its got mind-blowing fuel efficiency.

I think the generous features kit list is where the BMW 2 GT separates itself - I would venture to say that it has every feature you could ask for in a car at this price point, with the possible exception of cruise control. It has automatic emergency braking, GPS, auto parking etc.

Net net, I think if you are looking for a 5+2. There are few options out there that strike a better balance between practicality vs desirability, pricing vs badge value.

I have driven a few MPV before, and this is one of best car I got so far. Car is responsive, and I have enjoyed every time I driving it.

I have been driving this car for almost 11 months now. It is a brilliant car, with a smooth engine, excellent GPS and superb sound system. But it has a few drawbacks like noisy engine, claustrophobic 3rd row, poor positioning of aircon on second row and not so good fuel consumption. The sales person had represented to me the fuel consumption is about 16km per litre. But I can only get around 13km per litre with 50% Highway and 50% City driving. So I hope potential buyers do not make the decision to buy this car on account of its purported good fuel consumption. It's not that good considering it's diesel.

Sometime towards the end of last year, I happened to spot a white MPV that seemed to have a BMW logo, so much so I had to take a second look to confirm.

That same day, I googled "BMW 7-seater" And voila, indeed there was such a model! It was a Straits Times article announcing that the Gran Tourer had arrived in Singapore!

Previously, the only MPV that BMW carried was an X5, but it was not quite a 7-seater, because the rear 2 seats were more like children-sized seats.

Anyway, earlier this year, my wife and I went to Performance Motors to check it out and to test-drive it. It handled excellently (it being a BMW after all), but what was pleasantly surprising was that it was only half the price of an X5. The 1.6 litre diesel version was brought into the local market to keep the price low, and also to lure those looking at alternatives such as a Toyota Wish or a Honda Odyssey.

We were originally planning to only get it at the end of the year, but after test-driving it, we decided to book it on the spot!

After driving it for the past 6 months, I must say that we are very happy with it. Fuel consumption is an impressive 15km/L (advertised as 23km/L but that is probably when travelling on expressways alone). Furthermore, because diesel is cheaper and gives better mileage, a visit to the nearby petrol station only takes place twice a month at just $40 each time. Yes, that's like only $80 per month!

Being a BMW, the car has lots of features too.

(1) The BMW Connected app allows one to connect to apps such as Spotify, Twitter, Audiobooks and GoPro.

(2) The BMW Remote app allows one to remotely "Pre-condition" The car. If you happen to park in an open-air carpark under the hot sun for a several hours, you can use this function to ventilate the car, say half an hour beforehand, so that the interior would feel like an oven by the time you pick it up to drive off.

Test drive twice, 22nd July and 13 Aug.

Build quality remain BMW standard, with very attractive features package in this Luxury Line model. Diesel engine quiet than expectation, although still can't compare to petrol engine. Driving 2GT is fun, smooth and powerful. Due to this a diesel engine, can't help to have a very minimum vibration feeling, but you sure unable to hear the diesel engine sound inside the car.

As well knew, 3rd row seat is a problem for this car, which is kind of BMW standard design, which more on driver instead of passengers, but if only for kids, like mine, I still can live with it.

Good value solid car bought at price of $157K.

Total different driving experience compared with my last altis.

BMW Ser 2 Gran Tourer Diesel is a very comfortable family vehicle. Excellent storage room when it is used as a 5 seater. Fuel consumption is excellent. I am able to get an average 1080 Kms with full tank in a mixed city and highway driving condition.

Connected drive is an excellent feature that helps in navigation assistance and also able to remotely lock, horn, flash your car through internet connectivity. Sending the navigation destination using the BMW remote application is a very useful feature.

Bluetooth connection and audio quality is excellent.

It definitely does not loose out in terms of drive and other 2l petrol MPV of the same category. Features wise, I must say that I am very impressed with the standard specs that PML is providing for the 2-series B&B car.