Test: BMW 218d Active Tourer
Test Drive

Test: BMW 218d Active Tourer

Well, now the riddle is not difficult, but if I had asked it to the sworn fan of this brand five years ago, a big question would have arisen above his head. BMW and limousine van? Okay, I'll digest it somehow. BMW and front wheel drive? In no case. “Times are changing” is a phrase that BMW has not used for the first time. Remember from history when aircraft engines were first made, then motorcycles, and only then cars? This time around, the transformation isn't enough to get stockholders to call a crisis meeting, but it has scared the ardent advocates of BMW's dynamic nature nonetheless.

Why? BMW's diplomatic response would be that market analysis showed segment growth with an emphasis on roominess and usability, and a more realistic answer would be, "Because the closest competitor sells a huge number of this type of vehicle." B, which was largely taken over by buyers of the previous A-Class when they realized at the dealership that they were getting a much larger car for a thousand more. Unfortunately, BMW does not have such an internal sales accelerator. Let's focus solely on this car, which by its full name sounds like the BMW 218d Active Tourer.

Already the outer lines reveal to us his mission: to show a dynamic version of a limousine-van. Despite the fact that the short bonnet is followed by a high roof that ends with a steep slope at the rear, BMW has nevertheless managed to retain the characteristic exterior features of its home models. This is where the characteristic kidney mask and the LED light signature in the form of four rings help a lot. The indicative lines of the exterior also confirm the observations from the inside: there is enough space in the front for passengers, and for those in the back. Even if the driver takes full advantage of the available longitudinal seat offset, there is still plenty of knee room in the rear seat. They'll touch the slightly stiffer plastic on the front seatbacks, but it's still recessed to leave more legroom.

If you are carrying a third passenger in the back seat, it will be a little more difficult for the latter to put their feet up, as the center ledge is quite raised. Flexibility is also equal to the highest standards of this type of vehicle: the rear seat is movable longitudinally and reclining, is divided in a 40:20:40 ratio and can be lowered to a perfectly flat bottom. Thus, the standard 468-liter trunk suddenly increases to a volume of 1.510 liters, but if the front passenger backrest is folded down, we can carry objects up to 240 centimeters long at the same time. Although the environment around the driver suddenly becomes typical of the Bimvi, you can still notice some freshness in the design. The choice of two-tone upholstery is already more suitable for this type of segment, and some changes have been made at the expense of requiring more storage space. For example, on the center console, a convenient box is inserted between the parts of the air conditioner and the radio, and the armrest is no longer a separate box, but an advanced storage compartment system.

There are also wide pockets in the doors, which, in addition to large bottles, store many other small items. Since we know that all of the items listed are part of the classic limousine van offering and as such do not yet form a premium class, we were able to understand why BMW is included in this vehicle group by using a host of technologically advanced auxiliaries. . It is clear that the test model was richly equipped with accessories, but already in the basic version you can find equipment such as a collision avoidance sensor, six airbags, keyless start ... One cannot lose sight of the paradox that they are in such a family natural car. ISOFIX child restraint system in the list of optional equipment. Well, yes, but we can add that installing them in the Active Tourer is an extremely simple task. We were also able to test a new cruise control on a test vehicle, which can be divided into classic and radar based on the principle of operation.

Although it does not detect vehicles in front, it can brake when the vehicle enters a sharp corner at too high a speed or exceeds the speed on a downhill. There is also a new urban speed collision avoidance system, the sensitivity of which is adjusted via an easily accessible button at the top of the dashboard. And let's focus on the job that bothers sworn Beamweiss the most: Does a front-wheel-drive BMW still drive like a real BMW? You can calm down before reading the next lines. The Active Tourer drives surprisingly well, even when it comes to more dynamic driving. Has anyone doubted that they would dare to make a car on BMW that completely contradicts the brand's policy? We're not going to say that an otherwise excellent chassis completely eliminates the feeling and perception of the car being driven from the front. Especially in slightly tighter corners and with more decisive acceleration, you can feel the resistance of the desired direction of travel on the steering wheel. However, when it comes to leisurely driving and overcoming highway mileage, we can easily add a five to the Active Tourer.

These more advanced users will tune the car to their liking with a button to adjust driving dynamics (engine performance, transmission, power steering, shock absorber stiffness ...), and we must add that the Comfort program is written in leather. Also due to the 218d turbo diesel engine with high torque, which develops 110 kilowatts and feels great at engine rpm no higher than 3.000. The superb eight-speed automatic transmission, which is designed for and at the same time has the greatest advantage of being completely invisible, also ensures that it does not rotate endlessly.

This motorized transport in all driving segments will fully satisfy the needs for which this machine is designed, without having to worry about consumption, as it will be difficult for you to climb above six liters, relying on torque. BMW has gained experience with front-wheel drive on a polygon that sounds like a Mini, so there's no question of technical excellence. They are not familiar with the minivan industry either, but they responded with useful solutions and listened to the needs of passengers. However, if we add to all this advanced technological elements and the highest quality workmanship, we can easily crown it with an award in this segment too. This is also confirmed by the price.

text: Sasha Kapetanovich

218d Active Tourer (2015)

Basic data

Sales: BMW GROUP Slovenia
Base model price: 26.700 €
Test model cost: 44.994 €
Power:110kW (150


KM)
Acceleration (0-100 km / h): 8.9 with
Maximum speed: 205 km / h
Mixed flow ECE: 4,3l / 100km
Guarantee: 1 year general warranty


Varnish warranty 3 years,


12 years warranty for prerjavenje.
Oil change every 30.000 km
Systematic review 30.000 km

Cost (up to 100.000 km or five years)

Regular services, works, materials: 0 - included in the price of the car €
Fuel: 7.845 €
Tires (1) 1.477 €
Loss of value (within 5 years): 26.113 €
Compulsory insurance: 3.156 €
CASCO INSURANCE (+ B, K), AO, AO +7.987


(
Calculate the cost of auto insurance
Buy up € 46.578 0,47 (km cost: XNUMX


€)

Technical information

engine: 4-cylinder - 4-stroke - in-line - turbodiesel - front transverse mounted - bore and stroke 84 × 90 mm - displacement 1.995 cm3 - compression 16,5:1 - maximum power 110 kW (150 hp) at 4.000 rpm - average piston speed at maximum power 12,0 m / s - specific power 55,1 kW / l (75,0 l. injection - exhaust turbocharger - charge air cooler.
Energy transfer: engine-driven front wheels - 8-speed automatic transmission - gear ratio I. 5,250 3,029; II. 1,950 hours; III. 1,457 hours; IV. 1,221 hours; v. 1,000; VI. 0,809; VII. 0,673; VIII. 2,839 – differential 7,5 – rims 17 J × 205 – tires 55/17 R 1,98, rolling circumference XNUMX m.
Capacity: 205 km/h top speed - 0-100 km/h acceleration in 8,9 s - fuel consumption (ECE) 4,9/4,0/4,3 l/100 km, CO2 emissions 114 g/km.
Transportation and suspension: limousine - 5 doors, 5 seats - self-supporting body - front single suspension, spring legs, three-spoke wishbones, stabilizer - rear multi-link axle, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, stabilizer - front disc brakes (forced cooling), rear disc, ABS, parking mechanical brake on the rear wheels (switching between seats) - rack and pinion steering wheel, electric power steering, 2,5 turns between extreme points.
Mass: empty vehicle 1.485 kg - permissible total weight 1.955 kg - permissible trailer weight with brake: 1.300 kg, without brake: 725 kg - permissible roof load: 75 kg.
External dimensions: length 4.342 mm – width 1.800 mm, with mirrors 2.038 1.555 mm – height 2.670 mm – wheelbase 1.561 mm – track front 1.562 mm – rear 11,3 mm – ground clearance XNUMX m.
Inner dimensions: longitudinal front 890-1.120 mm, rear 590-820 mm - front width 1.500 mm, rear 1.450 mm - head height front 950-1.020 960 mm, rear 510 mm - front seat length 570-430 mm, rear seat 468 mm - trunk 1.510 –370 l – steering wheel diameter 51 mm – fuel tank XNUMX l.
Box: 5 places: 1 suitcase (36 l), 1 suitcase (85,5 l),


1 suitcases (68,5 l), 1 backpack (20 l).
Standard equipment: airbags for the driver and front passenger - side airbags - curtain airbags - ISOFIX mountings - ABS - ESP - power steering - automatic air conditioning - front and rear power windows - rear-view mirrors with electric adjustment and heating - radio with CD player and MP3- player - multifunction steering wheel - remote control central locking - steering wheel with height and depth adjustment - rain sensor - height-adjustable driver's seat - separate rear seat - on-board computer - cruise control.

Our measurements

T = 13 ° C / p = 1.035 mbar / rel. vl. = 64% / Tires: Continental ContiWinterContact TS830 P 205/55 / ​​R 17 H / Odometer status: 4.654 km
Acceleration 0-100km:9,7s
402m from the city: 16,8 years (


138 km / h)
Flexibility 50-90km / h: Measurements are not possible with this type of gearbox.
Maximum speed: 205km / h


(VIII.)
test consumption: 6,1 l / 100km
Fuel consumption according to the standard scheme: 5,4


l / 100km
Braking distance at 130 km / h: 73,6m
Braking distance at 100 km / h: 39,7m
AM table: 40m
Noise at 50 km / h in 3rd gear59dB
Noise at 50 km / h in 4rd gear58dB
Noise at 50 km / h in 5rd gear56dB
Noise at 50 km / h in 6rd gear55dB
Noise at 90 km / h in 3rd gear62dB
Noise at 90 km / h in 4rd gear61dB
Noise at 90 km / h in 5rd gear59dB
Noise at 90 km / h in 6rd gear58dB
Noise at 130 km / h in 3rd gear65dB
Noise at 130 km / h in 4rd gear62dB
Noise at 130 km / h in 5rd gear60dB
Noise at 130 km / h in 6rd gear57dB
Idling noise: 38dB

Overall rating (333/420)

  • Although it only has one competitor in the premium class, it is not said that they will compete for the same buyers. Thanks to this car, especially the followers of the brand received a car that can satisfy all the needs of family transport.

  • Exterior (12/15)

    Although he is from a segment that beauties don't come from, he still represents the brand well.

  • Interior (100/140)

    Plenty of space both front and back, materials and workmanship are only the finest.

  • Engine, transmission (52


    / 40)

    The engine, drivetrain, and chassis give it a lot of points, but we still have to subtract some from the front-wheel drive.

  • Driving performance (58


    / 95)

    The position is excellent, some problems are caused by crosswinds.

  • Performance (27/35)

    The engine convinces with torque.

  • Security (41/45)

    The already standard Active Tourer is secure with six airbags and a collision avoidance system.

  • Economy (43/50)

    The price of the base model does not allow it to score more points.

We praise and reproach

workmanship

engine and transmission

chassis flexibility

entrance space

advanced cruise control

number and usability of polygons

plastic seat back

ISOFIX at extra cost

hands-free unlocking on the rear pair of doors does not work

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