The latest BMW 3 Series, as with many cars, is notably bigger than previous versions – which has attracted much comment in our letters pages. There are many who think the latest 3, brilliant as it is, is simply too big.
Well, if you dream of a smaller BMW saloon, could the 2 Series Gran Coupe be the answer? The four-door is slightly bigger than an E46-era 3 Series, and marginally smaller than an E90. Almost by accident, it fills the gap the 3 has – quite literally – grown out of.
Of course, size isn’t everything, and before BMW fans seeking a 2019 version of the E46 get carried away, they might care to consider that, like the closely related 1 Series, the 2 Series Gran Coupe sends its power to the front axle. That might well put off those who believe a ‘true’ BMW is driven from the rear.
From our early assessments, the switch to front drive hasn’t hurt the handling or dynamics of the 1 Series – but that model never had the same driver’s car reputation as the 3. But if the front-drive 2 Series Gran Coupe can deliver a BMW-esque drive, it could become the saloon of choice for those who find the 3 has simply outgrown them.
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Depends.....
Two doors, four doors, coupe or saloon, if you think your getting the best of both a Worlds, then yes, you might,you'll also be paying more for it too, and dynamically you'll not be gaining a lot in the driving experience overall, all BMW cars handle really well, currently I'm driving a three series, it seats four just fine, five is a squeeze as there's no proper seat in the middle,so I'd imagine the two series coupe would be more compromised, but, if there's just the two of you most of the time it's not a problem, so it's down to how deep your pockets are if you'd go for a two series over a three series.......
Too much choice?
I guess if we didn't have more choice the car makers would make less...
Poor BMW.
Poor BMW.