Compare the2023 BMW 2 SeriesVS 2023 MINI Cooper Convertible

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The 2 Series offers optional Active Park Distance Control that use rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. The Cooper Convertible doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The 2 Series offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Cooper Convertible doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The 2 Series M240i offers an optional Surround View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Cooper Convertible only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The 2 Series’ blind spot warning system uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. The Cooper Convertible doesn’t offer a system to reveal objects in the driver’s blind spots.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the 2 Series’ standard Cross Traffic Warning uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Cooper Convertible doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

Both the 2 Series and the Cooper Convertible have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and driver alert monitors.

There are over 3 times as many BMW dealers as there are MINI dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the 2 Series’ warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than MINI vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in initial quality. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles, MINI is rated lower.

The 2 Series has more powerful engines than the Cooper Convertible:

As tested in Car and Driver the 230i 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the MINI Cooper Convertible turbo 3 cyl. (automatics tested):

On the EPA test cycle the 2 Series gets better mileage than the Cooper Convertible:

The 2 Series has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Cooper Convertible (13.7 vs. 11.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The BMW 2 Series comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the Cooper Convertible.

All wheel drive, available in the 2 Series, provides the best traction for acceleration in wet, dry, and icy conditions. In corners, all wheel drive allows both outside wheels to provide power, balancing the car. This allows for better handling. The MINI Cooper Convertible is not available with all wheel drive.

For better stopping power the 2 Series’ brake rotors are larger than those on the Cooper Convertible:

The 2 Series’ standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Cooper Convertible are solid, not vented.

The 2 Series stops much shorter than the Cooper Convertible:

For better traction, the 2 Series has larger standard tires than the Cooper Convertible (225/45R18 vs. 195/55R16). The M240i Coupe’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Cooper Convertible (F:245/35R19 & R:255/35R19 vs. 205/40R18).

The 230i’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Cooper Convertible’s standard 55 series tires. The M240i Coupe’s optional tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Cooper Convertible’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 230i has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Cooper Convertible. The M240i’s 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels optional on the Cooper Convertible.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 2 Series’ wheelbase is 9.7 inches longer than on the Cooper Convertible (107.9 inches vs. 98.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the 2 Series is 3.6 inches wider in the front and 4.1 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Cooper Convertible.

The 2 Series’ front to rear weight distribution is more even (51.6% to 48.4%) than the Cooper Convertible’s (61.9% to 38.1%). This gives the 2 Series more stable handling and braking.

The M240i Coupe xDrive handles at .98 G’s, while the Cooper Convertible pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The design of the BMW 2 Series amounts to more than styling. The 2 Series offers aerodynamic coefficients of drag from .28 to .3 Cd (depending on bodystyle and options). That is significantly lower than the Cooper Convertible (.36 to .37). A more efficient exterior helps the 2 Series go faster and keeps the interior quieter. It also helps the 2 Series get better fuel mileage.

The front grille of the 2 Series uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Cooper Convertible doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the 2 Series a Subcompact car, while the Cooper Convertible is rated a Minicompact.

The 2 Series has 12 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Cooper Convertible (88 vs. 76).

The 2 Series has .4 inches more front legroom, 4.9 inches more front shoulder room, 1.3 inches more rear legroom and 12 inches more rear shoulder room than the Cooper Convertible.

With its coupe body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the 2 Series offers cargo security. The Cooper Convertible’s non-lockable remote release defeats cargo security.

The engine in the 2 Series is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Cooper Convertible. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The 2 Series offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Cooper Convertible doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

When two different drivers share the 2 Series, the memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations. The Cooper Convertible doesn’t offer a memory system.

The 2 Series’ power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Cooper Convertible has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The Cooper Convertible’s optional cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The 2 Series’ optional adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

The 2 Series has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Cooper Convertible doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

The 2 Series has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Cooper Convertible Signature/Iconic.

For greater rear passenger comfort, the 2 Series has standard rear a/c vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The Cooper Convertible doesn’t offer rear vents.

The 2 Series M240i’s optional Parking Assistant can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Cooper Convertible’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the BMW 2 Series and the MINI Cooper Convertible, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The BMW 2 Series outsold the MINI Cooper Convertible by almost four to one during 2022.