Vehicle: BMW 218i luxury
Test driven by: Samantha Keogh
Test Drive made possible by: Auto Alphina Springs
There’s a new BMW in town and the open road is possibly its, and your, new best friend.
The 218l has all the features you have come to expect from this luxury brand, and then some.
It carries BMW’s first 1600 three cylinder motor and is a front wheel drive – also a first for the motoring company.
Like previous BMW models, the 218i comes standard with an automatic stop/start function which reduces fuel consumption by automatically switching off the engine when the vehicle comes to a temporary stop.
It also boasts keyless operation and a six speed automatic transmission with a six speed manual option available.
While petrol heads will be interested in all specs, its the added extras that I always look for in a luxury brand and the 218i packs them in.
The first thing I noticed was that although this is a family sized car with plenty of boot space for the entire family’s luggage it doesn’t feel too huge to drive.
Pulling away I was immediately struck by how comfortable I felt driving through town despite having a preference for smaller cars.Its a family sized car but, with all the features offered this car was a cinch to manoeuvre around town and an absolute dream on the highway.
The ease of driving is greatly enhanced by the sheer comfort of the seat which moves forward and up for those of us with shorter legs.
Added to this the steerwheel has, to my mind, and impressive amount of movement allowing the driver to get the perfect steering angle for effortless driving.
Leg room in the back is also quite impressive and parents should hear no complaints of being squashed on long trips from their teenage offspring.
Although aircon is standard, the full panoramic sunroof – electronically operated – offers a cool breeze on a hot day.
While the boot has ample space, if you still find yourself with shopping bags and no space to put them, simply fold part of (or the entire) back seat down to make space.
The seat folds in a 40/20/40 configuration and once down locks until the release straps are pulled to allow the seat to spring back into position.
The back seat can also be moved forward and the boot also boasts a 220V adaptor.
In this digital age, I find having to find information in the instruction manual a pain.
Not so with the 218i which has the user manual included in the car’s on board computer.
All the information you require – service info, tyre pressure checks, the user manual – can be found by using the mouse located near the gear stick to scroll through the extensive menu.
“This runs like an automatic system diagnostic,” says Alphine Auto Springs’ Phillip van Putten.
Next on my list of inspection criteria – and for me one of the most important aspects of a new car – was the entertainment system.
The entertainment system offers myriad fun options including auxiliry and USB interfaces in the centre console.
Bluetooth also comes standard, as does a 12V power socket in the centre console.
For those who use their phones as MP3 players, extended bluetooth (optional extra) will allow you to play all your music through the car’s sound system – a feature I find most useful on a long trip.
While the vehicle does not come with a CD player you can have this fitted as an optional extra.
Although why you would need a CD player, with the auxiliary, USB and bluetooth options available to you, is unclear.
When it comes to safety you can rest assured that BMW puts you in good hands.
The car boasts six air bags, three point seatbelts, and child seat ISOFIX attachment with anchorages for one child seat.
Perhaps most interesting to me, however, is the crash sensor which disengages central locking to facilitate the exit of occupants or to expedite outside assistance in the event of an accident.
It also switches on the car’s interior lights and activates the hazard lights.
Windscreen wipers are, for many, a bane. They never seem to work at exactly the right speed but BMW have addressed this perfectly with automatic wipers which will “decide” on the correct speed when you are caught in that unexpected deluge on the way home.
All in all this is the ideal family car for both comfort and a sound and safe driving experience.
