BMW 218i vs 220i: Three-Cylinder or Four-Cylinder 2 Series?
218i vs 220i is the entry-versus-mid petrol decision on the 2 Series coupe, and the interesting part is under the bonnet: the 218i uses BMW's 1.5-litre B38 three-cylinder, while the 220i uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder. Both sit in the rear-drive F22 (2014 to 2021) and the current G42 (2021 onwards), and the choice is about how much refinement and performance you want for the extra money in a compact, driver-focused BMW.
Quick verdict
220i for most buyers: the four-cylinder is smoother, quicker and the better all-rounder, and it suits the rear-drive coupe's character. 218i if the lowest running costs, tax and insurance are the priority and you are happy with the characterful but thrummier three-cylinder. The 218i (1.5 B38 three-cylinder) is an F22-era proposition and the cheapest way into a 2 Series coupe; the 220i (2.0 four-cylinder) is the mid-range sweet spot across both the F22 and the current G42. Both petrols are ULEZ-compliant on Euro 6 builds; verify the V5 on early cars.
Side-by-side comparison
| Dimension | 218i | 220i | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1.5L B38 turbo three-cylinder | 2.0L turbo four-cylinder (N20 early F22, B48 later F22 and G42) | The core difference; three-cylinder character versus four-cylinder smoothness. |
| Power / torque | 136 bhp / 220 Nm | 184 bhp / 270 to 300 Nm | The 220i has a clear power and torque advantage. |
| 0-62 mph | Around 8.5 seconds | Around 7.0 seconds | The 220i is meaningfully quicker and more relaxed when loaded. |
| Refinement / NVH | Characterful three-cylinder thrum, more audible | Smoother, quieter four-cylinder | The clearest experiential difference; the 220i is the more refined. |
| Real-world UK MPG | 42 to 50 mpg combined | 36 to 44 mpg combined | The 218i is a little more economical, though the gap is modest. |
| Insurance / running costs | Lower groups, cheaper to insure and tax | Slightly higher, still reasonable | The 218i is the budget-conscious pick. |
| Generations | Predominantly F22 (three-cylinder era) | F22 and the current G42 | The 220i spans both generations; the 218i is chiefly an F22 buy. |
| ULEZ compliance | Yes on Euro 6 builds (verify V5) | Yes on Euro 6 builds (verify V5) | Both petrol; check the emissions class on early F22 cars. |
218i: deeper look
<p>The 218i uses BMW's 1.5-litre B38 turbocharged three-cylinder: 136 bhp, 220 Nm, and a real-world 42 to 50 mpg, making it the cheapest and most economical way into a rear-drive 2 Series coupe. It is an F22-era proposition, and the little triple has genuine character, a slightly offbeat thrum and eager low-down response, but it is more audible and less smooth than the four-cylinder 220i, and it feels its modest power when the car is loaded or pushed on a fast road.</p><p>As a used buy the 218i suits drivers who want the BMW coupe shape, rear-wheel drive and low running costs without paying for performance they will not use. Insurance and tax sit below the 220i, and the B38 is a well-proven engine shared across much of the BMW and MINI range. Being petrol, there is no DPF to worry about; verify the emissions class on the V5 for ULEZ on early cars, and treat it as the sensible, economical entry point rather than the driver's choice.</p>
220i: deeper look
<p>The 220i uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo (the N20 on early F22 cars, the B48 on later F22 and the current G42): 184 bhp, 270 to 300 Nm, and 0-62 in around 7.0 seconds. It is the smoother, quicker and more flexible engine, and it suits the rear-drive coupe's driver-focused character far better than the entry three-cylinder. It gives up a little economy (36 to 44 mpg against the 218i's 42 to 50) but feels a class above in refinement and pace.</p><p>Across generations, the F22 220i is the value four-cylinder coupe, while the G42 220i is the current, more modern car with a fresher cabin and tech at a higher price. On early F22 cars, check for the pre-2015 N20 timing-chain conversation and verify the emissions class; later F22 and all G42 cars use the well-proven B48 and are Euro 6 ULEZ-compliant. Standard modular petrol items apply (charge pipe, water pump, walnut blasting on higher-mileage cars). For most buyers the 220i is the sweet spot of the petrol 2 Series range.</p>
Decision logic
Start with how you will use the car. If you want the BMW coupe shape and rear-wheel drive but mainly commute and value the lowest running costs, tax and insurance, the 218i is the sensible, economical entry point, and its three-cylinder character is part of the charm. If you want a smoother, quicker, more satisfying car that suits the coupe's driver-focused nature, the 220i is worth the modest premium: more power, more refinement, and the four-cylinder flexibility the 218i lacks. The generation matters too: the 218i is chiefly an F22 value buy, while the 220i lets you choose between the value F22 and the current G42. On early F22 cars of either engine, verify the emissions class and, for the N20 220i, the timing-chain history.
UK 2026 pricing comparison
| Scenario | 218i | 220i | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| F22 218i Sport / M Sport, 60k miles | £9,000 to £13,000 | £11,000 to £15,000 (F22 220i equivalent) | The four-cylinder 220i carries a clear premium over the three-cylinder 218i. |
| F22 220i M Sport, 50k miles | £10,000 to £14,000 (218i equivalent, higher miles) | £12,000 to £16,000 | Later F22 220i uses the B48; verify emissions class on early N20 cars. |
| G42 220i M Sport, 30k miles | Not offered (218i chiefly an F22 buy) | £26,000 to £33,000 | The current-generation 220i is a modern four-cylinder coupe; strong residuals. |
| Convertible / Gran Coupe body (F22 / F44) | £9,500 to £16,000 (218i, by body and year) | £11,500 to £18,000 (220i, by body and year) | The drop-top and four-door body variants add a small premium over the coupe. |
Recommendation by scenario
| Scenario | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Budget-first commuter | 218i (F22) | Lowest purchase price, tax and insurance, with reasonable economy and the BMW coupe shape. The three-cylinder is characterful and fine for everyday commuting. |
| Wants the better all-rounder | 220i | The four-cylinder is smoother, quicker and more flexible, and suits the rear-drive coupe far better. For a small premium it is the more satisfying car to live with. |
| Refinement matters most | 220i | The four-cylinder is noticeably quieter and smoother than the three-cylinder 218i, which thrums more under load. If NVH is a priority, the 220i is the clear pick. |
| Wants the newest car | G42 220i | The 218i is chiefly an F22-era buy, so for the current generation the 220i is the entry petrol most UK buyers cross-shop, with a fresher cabin and tech at a higher price. |
| Enthusiast on a budget | 220i (or step to a six-cylinder M240i) | The 220i is the sweet-spot four-cylinder coupe. For genuine performance, the six-cylinder M240i (N55 or B58) is the enthusiast step up, at a higher price and running cost. |
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Frequently asked questions
Is the three-cylinder 218i smooth enough, or should I get the 220i?
The B38 three-cylinder in the 218i is a characterful, well-proven engine, but it is more audible and less smooth than the four-cylinder 220i, with a distinctive thrum under load. For relaxed commuting many buyers are perfectly happy with it. If refinement and effortless pace matter to you, the four-cylinder 220i is a clear step up and suits the rear-drive coupe better, which is why it is the recommendation for most buyers.
How much quicker is the 220i than the 218i?
Meaningfully. The 220i (184 bhp, 270 to 300 Nm) does 0-62 in around 7.0 seconds, against roughly 8.5 seconds for the 218i (136 bhp, 220 Nm). More important than the numbers is the flexibility: the four-cylinder pulls harder when the car is loaded or you want to make progress, whereas the three-cylinder feels its modest power in the same situations.
Is the 218i more economical than the 220i?
A little. The 218i returns a real-world 42 to 50 mpg against the 220i's 36 to 44 mpg, so the three-cylinder is the more frugal choice, but the gap is modest and both are reasonable for petrol. Combined with lower insurance and tax, the 218i is the cheaper car to run overall; the 220i asks a small premium for its extra performance and refinement.
Which engines do the 218i and 220i use across the generations?
The 218i uses the 1.5-litre B38 turbocharged three-cylinder and is chiefly an F22-era car. The 220i uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder: the N20 on early F22 cars and the B48 on later F22 and the current G42. If you want the current generation, the 220i (B48) is the entry petrol most buyers consider, as the 218i is predominantly a used F22 proposition.
Are the 218i and 220i ULEZ-compliant?
Both are petrol and comply on Euro 6 builds, but you should verify the emissions class on the V5 for early F22 cars. Later F22 and all G42 cars are Euro 6 and ULEZ-compliant. For London daily use, a later F22 or a G42 removes any doubt; on an early car, check the paperwork before buying.
Does the early F22 220i have the N20 timing-chain risk?
Early F22 220i cars use the N20 four-cylinder, which shares the pre-2015 modular timing-chain weakness seen across the range. Later F22 and all G42 220i cars use the B48, which resolved it. Buy an early N20 220i only with documented chain history or budget the roughly £1,500 to £2,500 risk; the three-cylinder B38 218i does not share this particular concern.
Should I stretch to a six-cylinder M240i instead?
If you want genuine performance and can afford it, the six-cylinder M240i (N55 on the F22, B58 on the G42) is far quicker and more special than either the 218i or 220i, but it costs considerably more to buy, fuel and insure. The 218i vs 220i decision is about the everyday four-cylinder-and-below petrol coupe; the M240i is a separate, higher-budget enthusiast conversation.