The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer (F45 - 5-seater) and Gran Tourer (F46 - 7-seater) mark a historic turning point for the Bavarian brand: they are BMW's first MPVs and the first models based on the UKL2 front-wheel-drive platform (shared with MINI). Although shunned by purists, they have been very successful with families thanks to their spaciousness, premium finish, and surprising dynamism for the segment. The facelift (LCI) in March 2018 brought minor aesthetic changes, an infotainment update, and the introduction of dual-clutch gearboxes (DKG) on some petrol engines. The diesel engines (B37 and B47), central to this analysis, proved to be significantly more reliable than the old N47 generation, although they were affected by the infamous massive recall of EGR valve coolers.
The BMW 2 Series Active/Gran Tourer is an excellent family MPV that has retained the brand's dynamic DNA. For diesel engines, the 2.0L unit (218d/220d) is the top choice: it eliminates the timing chain problems of the previous generation and offers a high level of driving pleasure. However, buying a used diesel model is strictly conditional on verifying the history of the EGR valve recall. If the cooler has been replaced with the corrected version and the automatic gearbox has been serviced, it is an extremely robust vehicle. Avoid diesel models used exclusively in the city, and budget for minor peripheral defects (gear lever spring, front silent blocks).