Timing is paramount and we drew the short stick the week we had the 2015 BMW 228i Convertible in for testing. Maybe our call for sunshine and puffy white clouds didn’t get through to the right people. Instead, Boulder, Colorado got a deluge of rain the entire time we had the keys to BMW’s new 2-Series convertible. Despite the damp weather, we had fun anyway.
Under the hood is BMW’s efficient 2.0-liter twin-scroll turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that produces 240 horsepower and can giddy-up and go from zero to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. Top speed for those who dare to go that fast is 130 mph and is governed electronically. An 8-speed automatic transmission is the only choice for flipping the gears, but it can squeeze 23 mpg in the city and up to 35 mpg on the highway.
BMW says they’ve improved this model quite a bit over its predecessor, the 1-Series convertible. The top is more insulated so it’s quieter when it’s up. It retracts in just 20 seconds at speeds up to 30 mph and is two seconds faster than the old car. The rear seat has more legroom, but real people barely fit. Plus there is more luggage space in the trunk with the top up or down. If more cargo space is needed, simply drop the back seat down with by pulling a single lever.
Torsional rigidity is up by around 20 percent, but that comes with a weight penalty. The 228i convertible tips the scales at a hefty 3,625 pounds compared to the coupe’s 3,345 pounds configured with the same 8-speed automatic transmission.
Overall, we like the fact that the 228i convertible is a well-engineered and fun car to drive. Initial build quality is fantastic; we can’t find a single flaw. Fuel economy is good, the car is incredibly quiet inside, especially for a convertible. Plus this car is available as a 235i and it comes with a 320-horsepower six cylinder if you are willing to spend $10,000 more for the M235i model.
Come with us as Roman drives the new 228i Convertible with the top up (unfortunately).
Other cars to consider:
Audi A3 Cabriolet, Volkswagen Eos, Infiniti Q60 Convertible
