BMW 2-Series running costs and reliability

Item: BMW 2-Series (2021 onwards)
Rating: 3.5
Author: Keith Adams

2021 onwards (change model)

Running costs rating: 3.5 out of 53.5

BMW 2-Series Coupe 220i Static front three-quarters

Written by Keith Adams Updated: 29 November 2023

Miles per pound (mpp) ⓘ

Low figures relate to the least economical version; high to the most economical. Based on WLTP combined fuel economy for versions of this car made since September 2017 only, and typical current fuel or electricity costs.

Petrol engines	4.7 - 6.5 mpp
Diesel engines	7.5 - 7.7 mpp

What is miles per pound?

Fuel economy ⓘ

Low figures relate to the least economical version; high to the most economical. Based on WLTP combined fuel economy for versions of this car made since September 2017 only.

Petrol engines	32.1 - 44.1 mpg
Diesel engines	58.9 - 60.1 mpg

View mpg & specs for any version

Surprisingly economical in petrol form
No PHEV or electric options
Finance costs are competitive

What are the running costs?

How much it costs to run really depends on which engine you choose, and how gently you drive it – but the potential is there for all to see. The discontinued diesel is the most frugal, while the 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol gobbles the most fuel. There are only three engine options. First up is the four-cylinder petrol 220i. In gentle driving, expect 35-40mpg, but drive it keenly and that will fall closer to 30mpg – given its performance, this is perfectly acceptable economy. The 230i is likely to be only slightly less efficient in the real world.

Then there’s the fastest model, the M240i. On a motorway run from Coventry to London we achieved 36.6mpg. Around town it’s more like 25mpg and you can expect less on fast cross-country jaunts. Again, when you consider this car’s performance, that’s an excellent result.

Find a 220d and fuel consumption is very impressive indeed. Experience of the identically-engined BMW 320d and 420d put its real world economy at 50mpg, with 60mpg within reach when driving gently – a brilliant result for a car that dashes from 0-62mph in 6.9 seconds.

Arguably all the 2 Series you’ll ever need.

Servicing and warranty

BMW offers several servicing plans, including one where an upfront payment will cover at least the first four years worth of services. BMW also offers monthly service plans to spread the cost of your workshop bills.

The 2 Series comes with a three-year unlimited mileage warranty that includes breakdown cover. These days, that’s looking tight compared with five-, seven- and 10-year plans offered by Hyundai, Kia, MG and Toyota. However, this is on the pace of premium rivals, Audi and Mercedes-Benz.

Reliability

Too early to really tell
Shares parts with reliable and proven models
No recalls yet

The 2 Series is a new car so it’s too early to make any judgements about reliability so far. We had a model in for review for three weeks and can confirm nothing went wrong.

Head to our owner’s review section to see what owners make of it.

It does at least share lots of mechanical parts with the 3 Series and 4 Series range, which have proven to be reliable enough so far, regularly topping industry polls such as the FN50 survey of company-owned cars.