2023 BMW 230i M Sport Coupe Review

BMW has been known for some legendary sports cars and performance models since the 1980s, particularly with cars like the E30 3 Series and while – like many manufacturers – its modern day lineup is jam packed full of SUVs, it still makes the 2 Series, which harks back to the E30 in size. For the 2022 model year, BMW released the new 2 Series Coupe initially with the entry-level 220i and range-topping M240i, while for the 2023 model year, the mid-spec 230i was introduced. We tested the 2023 BMW 230i M Sport Coupe to see if it’s all the driving fun you could ever need.

Unfortunately, there aren’t many similarly priced competitors for the BMW 2 Series with just the Nissan Z, Ford Mustang and Audi TT offered and the Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86 twins sitting $30,000 below. It’s clear that buyers have largely forgotten about coupes, which is a shame, in our opinion. With all of that in mind, should we be celebrating the 2 Series’ existence?

Price & Equipment: 8.5/10

The 2023 BMW 2-Series Coupe range kicks off with the 220i that is priced from $66,700 plus on-road costs (around $73,500 drive away) and the mid-spec 230i we tested here costs $73,900 plus on-road costs (around $79,500 drive away). Compare this to the $65,500 price tag for the previous shape 230i and you’ll note that this new model (much like everything these days) has become more expensive.

For the money, there’s a decent standard equipment list with 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic LED lighting with front and rear daytime running lights, automatic wipers, leather and suede upholstery, an auto-dimming rear mirror, an electric driver’s seat with memory, auto up/down windows, tri-zone climate control, keyless entry with push button start, heated and auto-folding mirrors, an 10.25-inch infotainment system with live services such as traffic and weather, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless phone charger, satellite navigation, digital radio, a 10-speaker sound system, one USB-A, one USB-C and a 12-volt outlet in the front cabin, two USB-C ports for rear passengers, a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display and configurable ambient lighting.

Safety kit on the 2023 BMW 230i Coupe includes six airbags, auto emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane departure warning with lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert (with braking), Matrix adaptive high beam functionality, driver attention alert, speed sign recognition, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera and self parking ability. The 2 Series has a four-star Euro NCAP rating.

Our test car was fitted with the $1,400 Comfort Package, which includes a heated steering wheel, electric lumbar for the front seats and heated front seats. Out test car was also equipped with the $3,900 Enhancement Package with larger 19-inch wheels, a sunroof and premium paint. Other options include the $2,538 Executive Package that includes a 14-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system, an alarm, rear privacy glass and tyre pressure monitoring, and the $1,154 M Sport Plus Package that adds black exterior elements and a rear spoiler.

The only no-cost exterior colour option is ‘Alpine White’ while ‘Thundernight’ (purple), ‘Mineral White’, ‘Melbourne Red’, ‘Brooklyn Grey’, ‘Black Sapphire’ and our test car’s ‘M Portimao Blue’ cost $1,308 extra. While a black alcantara/leather combination is standard, you can also option ‘Vernasca’ leather upholstery for $2,200 in black, red, beige or tan. While the 230i is well equipped, we think it should have the Comfort Package, tyre pressure monitoring, rear privacy glass and an alarm as standard equipment. Adding these items would make it better value for money.

Rivals in current market are the $73,300 plus on-road costs Nissan Z Coupe and the $84,000 +ORC Audi TT 45TFSI. While the Nissan is a more performance-focused coupe with only two seats and significantly more performance, it is very similar in cost to the BMW. The Audi is more akin to the 2-Series Coupe as it offers similar performance, but is less practical, more expensive and only has this year remaining for production, unfortunately.

Engine & Performance: 9/10

Under the bonnet of the 2023 BMW 230i Coupe 2.0-litre twin-scroll turbocharged petrol four-cylinder engine that is also used in other BMW products. It produces 190kW of power at 6,500rpm and 400Nm of torque between 1,550rpm and 4,400rpm. It is available solely with an eight-speed torque converter automatic transmission and sends power to the rear wheels. Its claimed 0-100km/h sprint time is just 5.8 seconds and it hits 250km/h as a top speed.

While it could sound a bit nicer, we quite like the ‘B48’ engine in the 230i. It’s quite peppy and always has a get up and go attitude. There is plenty of grunt low in the rev range – peak torque hits at just 1,550rpm – and yet, it is always happy to rev out when the mood takes you. It is a free revving engine with a linear power band and while accelerating it makes a throaty note adding to the experience. The eight-speed torque converter automatic is also quite hard to fault, and is well suited to the engine as well. When driving normally, the shifts are largely imperceptible and don’t disrupt the driving experience – plus, the paddle shifters add even more fun when you’re in the mood for it.

There are a few driving modes to choose from in the 2023 BMW 230i Coupe. The default mode is comfort, which weights everything for daily use. When you want to be a little frugal, there is an ‘Eco Pro’ mode that changes the gearbox shift ratios, makes the steering a little lighter and lightens the throttle response for more economical driving. Being a BMW product, there is also a sport mode that sharpens up the steering, makes the throttle response sharper and holds gears for longer for the full sporty driving experience. For those who want a bit more out of their 2-Series, there is also an individual mode where you can customise all of the aspects to tailor the driving experience to you.

The claimed average fuel consumption figure for the 2023 BMW 230i Coupe is 6.4L/100km and its CO2 emissions are rated at 147g/km. In our week with the 230i, we saw an average fuel consumption figure of 8.5L/100km, which we were happy with. It requires 98RON fuel and has a 52-litre fuel tank.

Ride & Handling: 8.5/10

One of BMW’s best traits is that its products handle well, and thankfully, the 2023 BMW 230i Coupe is no exception. The wonderful weight balance, well weighted steering and taut suspension set up is great and you can corner quite hard in the 230i without upsetting the chassis. The suspension is quite comfortable for a sporty coupe, though on the optional 19-inch wheels of our test car, it can be a touch firm around town. It must be said that BMWs of old – and indeed the GR86 and BRZ twins – are more communicative – especially through the steering rack – but for modern standards, the 230i is quite fun.

Elsewhere in the driving experience of the 230i, the visibility is reasonably good for a coupe – though the high belt line can be annoying – and the road noise levels are impressively low too. We quite like BMW’s range of active safety equipment as well – the lane departure warning system isn’t hyper sensitive and will vibrate the steering wheel and nudge the car in the right direction without making a huge song and dance about it. The forward collision alert is also subtle but effective and to us, that’s the mark of a well tuned active safety package.

Interior & Practicality: 8.5/10

BMW’s cabins have moved away from being solely focused on the driver in recent years – just look at cars like the XM and you’ll see what we mean – so it’s good to see that the 2 Series’ interior reminds of BMW cabins of old. The screens and dash angle slightly towards the driver and while the digital driver’s display does display a decent amount of information, it’s very simple to read from behind the wheel.

The materials used throughout the cabin of the 230i Coupe are generally quite good and everything in the 2 Series’ cabin feels expensive and well built. There’s leather, metal trim, suede and carpets nearly everywhere inside. There are a few harder plastics used lower down on the centre console, but everything you touch – including the lovely leather steering wheel and stitched faux leather parts on the centre console to rest your knee – feels high quality.

Interior storage is also not bad for a coupe. There are deep door bins with bottle holders, a wireless charger for your phone, two cup holders in front of that with a cover to hide items, a small storage bin beside the driver’s right knee to hide a wallet or set of keys, a large centre console (with a USB-C port) and a decent-sized glovebox.

Centre of the 230i’s interior is a huge 10.25-inch touchscreen that features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, digital radio and satellite navigation with live traffic updates. It’s a great system with excellent colours, a crisp screen and extensive customisation. You can also control the screen via the rotary dial with shortcut buttons in the centre console of the car, this makes it easier on the move and easier to use than the later 8 operating system that features in cars like the new X1. We love that the Australian tuning for the maps features Bunnings stores and while had some trouble with the Android Auto, the wireless Apple CarPlay worked flawlessly.

Stepping into the rear seat of the 2023 BMW 230i Coupe is easier than you may think thanks to the handles on the back of the front seats that move the seats out of the way. The electric seat operation then moves the seat forward leaving plenty of space to get into the rear. Once you are back there there is reasonable space and plenty of amenities, including its own climate zone, a storage tray in between the seats, a centre arm rest with cup holders, two USB-C charging ports and map pockets.

Open up the bootlid of the 230i coupe and it will reveal a generous 390-litres of space, which is a lot more than you receive in the Audi TT and Nissan Z. There are also small storage nets on either side of the boot that can carry smaller items, and some underfloor storage as well. The rear seats in a 40:20:40 split to allow for longer and more bulky items to be loaded.

Service & Warranty: 8/10

BMW recently upgraded its warranty to five years/unlimited km, matching the best-in-class warranty period shared by Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Genesis, Audi and Jaguar Land Rover. Its roadside assistance doesn’t match best in class period of five years, however, and is three years instead.

BMW’s servicing is condition based – as in the car’s computer decides when it’s due for a service – but once yearly/every 15,000km is a general guide. A five-year service pack costs $2,050 ($410 per service). In comparison the Audi TT 45TFSI can come with a five-year or 75,000km service plan for $3,070 ($614 per service) which is a lot more than the BMW.

2023 BMW 230i M Sport Coupe DiscoverAuto Rating: 8.5/10

Overall, we quite liked our time with the 2023 BMW 230i M Sport Coupe. It’s a great all-rounder, providing thrills and fun behind the wheel, reasonable performance and yet reasonable thrift as well, a great quality cabin with lots of premium inclusions, reasonable practicality with a big boot and surprisingly roomy rear seat, a long standard equipment list and a list price that while it’s risen over the last-generation car, it’s not bad either. We also love that it’s a nod to BMW’s past, a sign that the company hasn’t forgotten its roots and an acknowledgement that not everything has to be an SUV.

Of course, it’s not perfect – there’s too much optional equipment that raises the price quite quickly, it’s not the last word in driving feel like older BMWs still are and it can be a touch firm in regular driving – but we love that it still exists in today’s motoring world. Those chasing automotive thrills and nothing else should be on their way to a Toyota or Subaru dealership, but the 230i adds a much nicer cabin, more practicality and an overall better all-round package. Buy as many of these as you can because we aren’t sure how much longer they’ll be around. Future classic? You betcha!