As VW Golf GTI prices head north of £40k, new rivals home into view. Is a lower-rung BMW 2-series too tough to overcome?
Perhaps surprisingly, then, the BMW 230i M Sport is the cheaper of the pair. It’s £41,065 basic or a plumper £47,435 as tested here in fetching Portimao Blue paint with a trio of major option packs fitted, their most tangible additions being 19in alloys, the subtle rear spoiler, uprated brakes and a Harman Kardon stereo.
It's flipping firm, mind, with no lack of focus in its suspension. My first few miles saw me shortcut straight to its ‘Special’ drive setting, honed on the ‘Ring and partially responsible for that 13sec saving. Doing so feels nerdy as hell but the myth that Nordschleife development ruins road cars is one I’ll never tire of busting. Indeed, the ride feels nicely judged in ‘Ring mode, making it a shame that the overwrought Sport steering comes with it.
All of which means there’s an immediate simplicity and rightness to the 230i when you clamber into it after the GTI. A sense of purity. You’re sat lower and more centrally in the wheelbase, a feeling exaggerated by how much of the bonnet visibly rolls out ahead of you. By comparison the Golf seems to perch you high over the front axle.
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