What’s it like?
Although the BMW X1 first arrived way back in 2009, it wasn’t until the second generation of the German company’s smallest crossover had appeared in 2016 that a coupe spin-off – christened the X2 – was mooted. Related not only to the X1 but also the MINI Countryman, the X2 of 2017 was essentially a crossover based on an inherently front-wheel-drive platform, all topped off with unusual, squat styling that was less coupe-like and more akin to a chunky hatchback.
Nevertheless, it proved a hit, mainly because a lot of X2 models were in fact fitted with xDrive all-wheel drive, rather than just sending their power to the front wheels alone. And as a rival to the varied likes of the Audis Q2, Q3 and Q3 Sportback, Mercedes GLA, Lexus UX and Volvo XC40, among more, the BMW still represents one of the sharpest-driving cars of this type – as you’d expect of this marque. Here’s how to bag a good used first-generation X2.
Which model to go for?
Here in Ireland our range of available cars focused on the more efficient models. Predominantly, all used examples of the X2 are automatics, although a tiny number of six-speed-manual variants can be sourced – these are generally the lowest-powered diesel models.
In the simplest terms, any X2 with ‘sDrive’ badging is front-driven, while the all-wheel-drive cars go under the ‘xDrive’ model banner. There’s then a two-digit number to show relative power in the range, plus a final suffix letter which’ll either be ‘i’ (for petrol cars), ‘d’ (for diesels) or ‘e’ for the desirable plug-in hybrid (PHEV).
Most X2s are also fitted with 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder combustion engines, with the exceptions being the sDrive18i – a 140hp three-cylinder 1.5-litre petrol engine – and the xDrive25e PHEV, which used the 18i’s three-cylinder engine as its basis but then augmented it with an electric motor and battery pack for an overall 228hp. The rest of your choices are the sDrive18d (150hp), the xDrive20d (190hp) and the far rarer xDrive20i (192hp), with trim levels running Sport and M Sport.
There was one remaining X2 which made it to Ireland that we can talk about, but the chances of stumbling across one of these on the used market is incredibly slim. It was the high-performance flagship, simply called the X2 M35i xDrive, and it used a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine with 306hp and 450Nm to deliver a 0-100km/h time of just 4.9 seconds. However, as it consumed fuel at a rate of 6.9 litres/100km and emitted 158g/km, it wasn’t a popular choice here – and so you’re far more likely to pick up an 18d, 20d or 25e on the second-hand market. After that, it’ll be the 18i and then the 20i as the hardest-to-find X2s.
Does anything go wrong?
No significant issues are known with the Mk1 BMW X2 or any of its componentry which was shared with other BMW Group vehicles, so you’re generally looking out for the overall condition of the car here to see if it’s a vehicle which has had a tough life on urban streets. Other than that, watch for electrical gremlins with the instrument cluster and infotainment, and check the car has been serviced and maintained fastidiously; as a premium product, any former owners should have looked after an X2 with no expense spared.
BMW issued five recalls for this generation of X2, which were for incorrect welding of the servomotor’s hollow shaft; a potential hydraulic fault with the integrated braking system; a faulty microgas generator in the seatbelt retractor; a missing spherical-collar disc on the tie-rod end of the steering gear; and, finally, pertaining specifically to the xDrive25e PHEV, a potential fire risk caused by a welding bead that could create a short circuit in the high-voltage battery pack.