[stefan]

My 2c.. The B58 is a better motor hands down with a way higher tuning ceiling. Other than that the decision to purchase an M2 or a 240, if you're financing in particular, is purely emotional. If you're a logical person, you pick the 240. If you want something else and are willing to pay disproportionately more for that, the m2 makes sense.

[DoggieHowser]

Originally Posted by stefan

My 2c.. The B58 is a better motor hands down with a way higher tuning ceiling. Other than that the decision to purchase an M2 or a 240, if you're financing in particular, is purely emotional. If you're a logical person, you pick the 240. If you want something else and are willing to pay disproportionately more for that, the m2 makes sense.

The N55 in the M2 isn't a regular N55 but has parts borrowed from the M3/S55 engine, no?

Why would you think the tuning potential is better on a regular B58 engine?

[STK]

Originally Posted by bradleyland

Yeah, I mean, I don't mean to be argumentative... More just discussion, because I know we all love cars here... But I think it's a matter of perspective.

I owned a 135i and an E92 M3. While I owned the E92 M3, I made a trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains with my brother-in-law who drives an F80 M3. Here's how I would describe each:

135i - Small and toss-able, reasonably well tied down for the street, but ultimately flopped over at 7/10ths.

E92 M3 - Larger and more stable, but more confidence inspiring, and more progressive in every way (limit, steering feedback, etc).

F80 M3 - So stable it boggles the mind; the front goes where you tell it to, but feedback is less present than the E92; less progressive (limit is more abrupt).

The F80 M3 was easily the fastest of the bunch, and on Blue Ridge B-roads, it was the car you could exploit (drive at 8/10ths) with confidence. My E92 M3 was fun, and the singing V8 was hard to let go of when we'd swap, but the chassis on the E92 felt positively floaty in comparison. Each of the cars had many things to like about them, but they both had one thing in common over the 135i: on any road, and at any time, the feel of the car in your hands was superior to the 135i.

Even when you're just making the right hander in to your driveway, you can feel the difference in an M-car. Do you need it? Absolutely not. Many of us could get by driving used Corollas. Is it justified? That's a much harder question to answer, because it depends upon the person buying the car.

Whether or not you should buy the M2 or the M240i comes down to your individual priorities and preferences. Some people don't care about — or flat-out don't want — the tighter suspension you get with an M-car. You have to drive both and see how it feels. If you're the kind of person who likes tighter handling and better feedback, then unquestionably, the M2 is the car you want. Whether or not it makes financial sense is something you have to figure out on your own.

If you can't swing the M2, don't sweat it. It's not the end of the world, and the M240i is a great car. Don't let anyone make you feel bad for making a sound financial decision. Who the fuck cares about the opinion of someone who would look down on you because of the things you own? Buy the car that is right for you.

Written by someone who tracks the car, driven it at the limits of adhesion, and can really feel the differences. The great majority of people wouldn't know the limits of adhesion until it bit them in the ass. That's something you learn and master but how many people take the time or care? Both the M240 and the M2 are past the capabilities of practically anyone who hasn't had multiply track days. So is a Toyota Corella by the way. That doesn't mean you shouldn't buy what you want. An enthusiast doesn't mean a track rat. If these forums show anything it's that there's many ways to be a true enthusiast and more power to each of them. Lots of passion.

But the idea that there is a meaningful performance difference between the M2 and M240 for the vast majority of drivers? Well I don't by it. In fact, in the US, performance is typically straight line speed and the M240 might have an advantage. (Most people could tell a a stiffer suspension because it's bumpier and harsher but think "turn in" is when they leave a chocolate on your pillow in a hotel.)

[stefan]

Originally Posted by DoggieHowser

The N55 in the M2 isn't a regular N55 but has parts borrowed from the M3/S55 engine, no?

Why would you think the tuning potential is better on a regular B58 engine?

For sure the b58 has more headroom. The N55 needed those internals to take the abuse at high temps. As it is the turbo is nearly maxed out and the cooling system is strained. B58 addresses that. And since 240s go for less than msrp with lower financing rates, it's compelling.

A quick search of b58 piggyback tunes will show you pretty quick how ridiculous the potential is.

[bradleyland]

Originally Posted by STK

Written by someone who tracks the car, driven it at the limits of adhesion, and can really feel the differences. The great majority of people wouldn't know the limits of adhesion until it bit them in the ass. That's something you learn and master but how many people take the time or care? Both the M240 and the M2 are past the capabilities of practically anyone who hasn't had multiply track days. So is a Toyota Corella by the way. That doesn't mean you shouldn't buy what you want. An enthusiast doesn't mean a track rat. If these forums show anything it's that there's many ways to be a true enthusiast and more power to each of them. Lots of passion.

But the idea that there is a meaningful performance difference between the M2 and M240 for the vast majority of drivers? Well I don't by it. In fact, in the US, performance is typically straight line speed and the M240 might have an advantage. (Most people could tell a a stiffer suspension because it's bumpier and harsher but think "turn in" is when they leave a chocolate on your pillow in a hotel.)

Yeah, the things I'm talking about aren't about lap time or maximizing performance. It's about how the car feels when you drive it. Even well below the limit, you can feel a difference. Turn-in is a great example. The turn-in on my E92 M3 was much sharper than the 135i, and you could feel it in day-to-day driving. It's that feeling of precision that is always present. For me, it feels better to drive a car like that, even if I never set a lap time, nor come close to the car's limits.

[bradleyland]

Originally Posted by stefan

My 2c.. The B58 is a better motor hands down with a way higher tuning ceiling. Other than that the decision to purchase an M2 or a 240, if you're financing in particular, is purely emotional. If you're a logical person, you pick the 240. If you want something else and are willing to pay disproportionately more for that, the m2 makes sense.

Dude, plz. So, by your measure, the M240i is the "logical" choice, and the only reason to buy an M2 is "emotional". That's such bullshit.

[stefan]

Originally Posted by bradleyland

Dude, plz. So, by your measure, the M240i is the "logical" choice, and the only reason to buy an M2 is "emotional". That's such bullshit.

It offers 9/10ths of the performance for like 7/10ths of the price, financing considered, looks aside. So you have to really really want an M2 and be less interested in easy power gains to buy an M2.

[importriders]

Originally Posted by stefan

It offers 9/10ths of the performance for like 7/10ths of the price, financing considered, looks aside. So you have to really really want an M2 and be less interested in easy power gains to buy an M2.

I plan to track my M2, it is replacing my current track vehicle.

Looked at the M240 and test drove one. Very capable car. Have never driven the M2. I chose the M2 because it plain looked better and the price delta was negligible comparably equipped.

[stefan]

Originally Posted by importriders

I plan to track my M2, it is replacing my current track vehicle.

Looked at the M240 and test drove one. Very capable car. Have never driven the M2. I chose the M2 because it plain looked better and the price delta was negligible comparably equipped.

Of course and 90% of these cars won't see track time. Personally all I'm saying is the M240 is a logical choice. I went M2 as well but fully acknowledge I don't think it's worth the additional cost.

[M2Nebula]

Thought the cost comparison someone posted here earlier showed them to be very close to the same price with comparable options on the 240 ?

[stefan]

Originally Posted by M2Nebula

Thought the cost comparison someone posted here earlier showed them to be very close to the same price with comparable options on the 240 ?

No discounts if not over msrp on M2. Discounts and lower financing on M240.

[importriders]

Originally Posted by stefan

Of course and 90% of these cars won't see track time. Personally all I'm saying is the M240 is a logical choice. I went M2 as well but fully acknowledge I don't think it's worth the additional cost.

People have different definitions of worth and there's nothing wrong with that. IMO, the wider fenders alone are worth the price delta.

[Blurbo311]

IMHO, the M2 is worth the difference in appearance alone, those fenders! The added engine and suspension upgrades are a nice bonus.

I also think that 5 years down the road, a well kept M2 will hold its value over a similarly well kept M240i. If the M2 cost $5k-$10k more new, it will still be worth that $5k-$10k more, so it isn't really more expensive in the long run.

I just wish the M2 offered more interior and exterior colors!

[moff]

Originally Posted by DoggieHowser

The N55 in the M2 isn't a regular N55 but has parts borrowed from the M3/S55 engine, no?

Why would you think the tuning potential is better on a regular B58 engine?

The B58 will be at the core of the next M3 engine too. I wonder why?

[rich8566]

Originally Posted by stefan

My 2c.. The B58 is a better motor hands down with a way higher tuning ceiling. Other than that the decision to purchase an M2 or a 240, if you're financing in particular, is purely emotional. If you're a logical person, you pick the 240. If you want something else and are willing to pay disproportionately more for that, the m2 makes sense.

As I said in another thread, I was just about ready to buyout my '14 235i from my three year "test drive" aka lease. The 235i was a total joy to drive for nearly 50,000 miles. Then my son said Dad, why don't you just get an M2, so I did. And it too is a great car that I love to drive.

[stefan]

Originally Posted by Blurbo311

IMHO, the M2 is worth the difference in appearance alone, those fenders! The added engine and suspension upgrades are a nice bonus.

I also think that 5 years down the road, a well kept M2 will hold its value over a similarly well kept M240i. If the M2 cost $5k-$10k more new, it will still be worth that $5k-$10k more, so it isn't really more expensive in the long run.

I just wish the M2 offered more interior and exterior colors!

I completely agree with this. If we are no longer talking about upfront cost and are shifting to net ownership then I don't suspect but am actually certain the m2 will be cheaper in the long run

[chris719]

Originally Posted by STK

Written by someone who tracks the car, driven it at the limits of adhesion, and can really feel the differences. The great majority of people wouldn't know the limits of adhesion until it bit them in the ass. That's something you learn and master but how many people take the time or care? Both the M240 and the M2 are past the capabilities of practically anyone who hasn't had multiply track days. So is a Toyota Corella by the way. That doesn't mean you shouldn't buy what you want. An enthusiast doesn't mean a track rat. If these forums show anything it's that there's many ways to be a true enthusiast and more power to each of them. Lots of passion.

But the idea that there is a meaningful performance difference between the M2 and M240 for the vast majority of drivers? Well I don't by it. In fact, in the US, performance is typically straight line speed and the M240 might have an advantage. (Most people could tell a a stiffer suspension because it's bumpier and harsher but think "turn in" is when they leave a chocolate on your pillow in a hotel.)

At the current prices, unless you're getting a huge discount, there is no reason to buy an M240i.

I strongly disagree on the meaningful differences, btw. Rebound damping is not good on the M235/M240 as noted in several reviews. Can be seen in some videos. The car will be less confidence inspiring on bad pavement. More body roll, even less steering feel. Will have a harder time putting the power down, and no, please don't bring up the aftermarket-grade M performance differential which is quite expensive. You are going to get more feedback in the M2 and it will be more enjoyable, even if you're not pushing 9/10ths. The M2 already has enough body roll, squat, dive, and secondary motions compared to a car like a base Cayman.

[M2Nebula]

Value, Worth, etc...has different meanings to different people as already pointed out. To me the only benefit of choosing the M240 over the M2 is the exterior and interior color choices, and the moonroof in the US. Otherwise, the M2 is the better value really.

[STK]

Originally Posted by chris719

At the current prices, unless you're getting a huge discount, there is no reason to buy an M240i.

I strongly disagree on the meaningful differences, btw. Rebound damping is not good on the M235/M240 as noted in several reviews. Can be seen in some videos. The car will be less confidence inspiring on bad pavement. More body roll, even less steering feel. Will have a harder time putting the power down, and no, please don't bring up the aftermarket-grade M performance differential which is quite expensive. You are going to get more feedback in the M2 and it will be more enjoyable, even if you're not pushing 9/10ths. The M2 already has enough body roll, squat, dive, and secondary motions compared to a car like a base Cayman.

See my posts #19 and #33. Still think they're right. Yep, 300 posts and 3 months ago.

As for the differences in the suspensions, I don't think most people could tell the difference beyond the harshness of ride. Once again read "most" not "all."

[importriders]

Originally Posted by M2Nebula

Value, Worth, etc...has different meanings to different people as already pointed out. To me the only benefit of choosing the M240 over the M2 is the exterior and interior color choices, and the moonroof in the US. Otherwise, the M2 is the better value really.

Moonroof is now an option on the M2, there's an entire thread about its affect on resale value.

[M2Nebula]

Originally Posted by importriders

Moonroof is now an option on the M2, there's an entire thread about its resale value.

Yes, meant currently available as in today, sorry should have been more specific.

[SW19]

Originally Posted by stefan

It offers 9/10ths of the performance for like 7/10ths of the price, financing considered, looks aside. So you have to really really want an M2 and be less interested in easy power gains to buy an M2.

No it doesn't.More like half the performance of the M2.The M240i has a great engine but that's about it.The car just doesn't measure up to the M2 in the handling department for anyone that is used to driving a real M car.