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      12-20-2017, 05:17 PM   #1
doug_999
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Well that was a mistake... I just drove an M3

The M2 got on my nerves over the weekend. The suspension, the space, the lack of a 3rd seat in back...

So I just drove a M3.

Uh... wow...
First off, the thing I hate the MOST about the M2 - the Rev match seems to be much less intrusive and you can turn it off by putting the throttle into sport plus - I also loved that I can/could individually adjust suspension, steering and throttle.

The suspension was also much more compliant and I loved the steering in sport plus (like BMWs of old).

And the sound - ok, the sound, first off, just like the M2, it is fake, but damn, I think I might have preferred it? A low rumble that does not exist in the M2.

And yes, the space, trunk so much bigger, and yes, 4 doors and a rear seat that you can get in and out of.

Ugh... I wish I had not driven that thing.
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      12-20-2017, 05:28 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by doug_999 View Post
The M2 got on my nerves over the weekend. The suspension, the space, the lack of a 3rd seat in back...

So I just drove a M3.

Uh... wow...
First off, the thing I hate the MOST about the M2 - the Rev match seems to be much less intrusive and you can turn it off by putting the throttle into sport plus - I also loved that I can/could individually adjust suspension, steering and throttle.

The suspension was also much more compliant and I loved the steering in sport plus (like BMWs of old).

And the sound - ok, the sound, first off, just like the M2, it is fake, but damn, I think I might have preferred it? A low rumble that does not exist in the M2.

And yes, the space, trunk so much bigger, and yes, 4 doors and a rear seat that you can get in and out of.

Ugh... I wish I had not driven that thing.

Well if you're going to trade then do it NOW before the Comp hits.
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      12-20-2017, 11:49 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by akkando View Post
Well if you're going to trade then do it NOW before the Comp hits.
I personally don't think the CS is going to change much.
1. it is going to cost a bunch more
2. The M2 market is now saturated - and that won't change with the intro of the CS.

For some reason everyone seems to think the M2 with the S55 will crush the N55 one - I disagree. The N55 M2 will start a normal depreciation schedule starting....

NOW.
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      12-21-2017, 12:18 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by doug_999 View Post
I personally don't think the CS is going to change much.
1. it is going to cost a bunch more
2. The M2 market is now saturated - and that won't change with the intro of the CS.

For some reason everyone seems to think the M2 with the S55 will crush the N55 one - I disagree. The N55 M2 will start a normal depreciation schedule starting....

NOW.
I don't think the Competition M2 will cost a lot more than the current M2 - it will probably be square in between where the M2 and M3 are right now in terms of price (ie. ~$60k MSRP).

It will have the S55 engine, but think about what you said. It probably won't have the adjustable dampers, the M settings as you mentioned, less space, etc. Not to mention, it seems mostly for marketing reasons the engine will be slightly detuned in order to keep the M hierarchy (ie. M2 Competition the little brother of the M3).

If you are talking about a more limited track oriented model, like a loaded CS/CSL/GTS I'm with you and can see that being a mid-$70k car, but that doesn't look like what we're getting in 2018, and even if we did it sounds like it would be sold in conjunction with, not in lieu of the 'Competition' M2
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      12-21-2017, 06:46 AM   #5
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It looks to me OP bought the wrong car to begin with. Comparing m2 to m4 on practicality and road compliance. Plus a favor of m4 exhaust sounding over m2.

A side note. Like GTS, CSL should be almost double the price of base version, a 100-110k car for sure if it ever gets made.
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      12-21-2017, 06:53 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by doug_999 View Post
The M2 got on my nerves over the weekend. The suspension, the space, the lack of a 3rd seat in back...

So I just drove a M3.

Uh... wow...
First off, the thing I hate the MOST about the M2 - the Rev match seems to be much less intrusive and you can turn it off by putting the throttle into sport plus - I also loved that I can/could individually adjust suspension, steering and throttle.

The suspension was also much more compliant and I loved the steering in sport plus (like BMWs of old).

And the sound - ok, the sound, first off, just like the M2, it is fake, but damn, I think I might have preferred it? A low rumble that does not exist in the M2.

And yes, the space, trunk so much bigger, and yes, 4 doors and a rear seat that you can get in and out of.

Ugh... I wish I had not driven that thing.
While I do have a lot of complaints about the M2, I really would never choose an m3/m4 over it.

The m3/m4 is a performance luxury coupe, big as a boat with a Honda Civic exhaust. It’s the type of car you buy if you’re a highway warrior! But at that price point you may as well start considering a luxury sedan, at least all passengers are comfortable

M2 biggest issue is that it has a shit interior, too much plastic and no goodies like hologram speedo and sport seats. Only aspect where the m3/m4 outshines the m2

Last edited by Dav3; 12-21-2017 at 08:40 AM..
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      12-21-2017, 07:45 AM   #7
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Sure M3 is a better car. 3>2 right? it costs more right? I hope it is better.

To me, M3 is too big for a weekend toy. For Daily, I would love an M3 but I have a crappy beater for daily parallel parking duties in the city.
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      12-21-2017, 08:10 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lopm2 View Post
While I do have a lot of complaints about the M2, I really would never choose an m3/m4 over it.

The m3/m4 is a performance luxury coupe, big as a boat with a Honda Civic exhaust. It’s the type of car you but if you’re a highway warrior! But at that price point you may as well start considering a luxury sedan, at least all passengers are comfortable

M2 biggest issue is that it has a shit interior, too much plastic and no goodies like hologram speedo and sport seats. Only aspect where the m3/m4 outshines the m2
I agree with this. I have a lot of gripes about my M2, but the M3/M4 were not what I was looking for in a sporty "compact" car. However, if I were shopping for an M3, I most likely would have gone the C63 or Guilia route instead.
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      12-21-2017, 09:23 AM   #9
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Sounds like you didn't do much research before you bought your m2. Some of us sought out the m2 for its pure basics. If you needed the heated butt massager, you should have looked more closely at the available options. While I really enjoyed the fun options in my M5, I went right past another. Also didn't really consider the m3 or m4. The car that will remain the classic option will be the one without tons of expensive technology in it that will soon become outdated and obsolete. Pure simple basics. For those upset about a shit interior, it is a very nice functional interior. It pales in comparison to other m cars, but not at less than 60k. Wanna see cheap, hop in my wife's honda or my kids' nissan or subaru. BMW infotainment is light years ahead also.

M3 is an amazing car. But the more m3 you add to the m2, the less m2 it becomes. S55, power sun shade, adaptive this and that, now you have an 80k m2 that is ironically no longer an m2
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      12-21-2017, 09:58 AM   #10
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yeah..you bought the wrong car. everything except the blip is why i love the m2. Also to those of you concerned with CS i just talked to my SA he said there will be 30 in canada lol.
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      12-21-2017, 10:36 AM   #11
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Funny, there’s the opposite thread on the M3/M4 board right now.

http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1441192
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      12-21-2017, 10:52 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by matty_f View Post
Funny, there’s the opposite thread on the M3/M4 board right now.

http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1441192
Funny.

My buddy just took delivery of an M3 in Ocala. I have to get down there to see it and take a drive. I've driven one before, but that was before having my M2. I think the M2 is almost 100% right for me. I'd love nicer seats (and leather) like the M3/4 have, but that would likely add a lot to the bottom line for BMW.

I know it's been said a lot, but yep,.....first world problems.
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      12-21-2017, 11:00 AM   #13
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Picking between the M2 and M3/M4 was easy for me. I could barely afford the M2.
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      12-21-2017, 11:08 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bartginger View Post
Picking between the M2 and M3/M4 was easy for me. I could barely afford the M2.
Lol - same here, I'm maxed out on the M2. But I remain so happy that BMW launched a performance car (and one of the best on the market, at that) which is genuinely affordable considering what you get.

(I DO wish it came with an HUD option though, that would be cool
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      12-21-2017, 11:41 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by matty_f View Post
Funny, there’s the opposite thread on the M3/M4 board right now.

http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1441192
funny how the OP got everyone going and then did a 180
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      12-21-2017, 11:54 AM   #16
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It is quite possible I bought the wrong car - however, let's remember, a new M3 was not possible when I got the M2. They weren't making the car then and I would have had to wait until they re-started production again - even then I wanted the tanzanate blue - which they took out as well until recently.

And yes, in thinking about this, the M3 is a luxury car compared to the M3 - I just didn't think it was THAT different.

Of course now I need to figure out if I should make a deal on the mineral white one with CF roof (looks so good) or order a Tanzanite Blue and deal with trading in the M2 in March/April.

Or keep the M2... which honestly is an incredible car.
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      12-21-2017, 12:01 PM   #17
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One more thing...
Granted, it is winter here - but the M3 did NOT feel oh so much faster than the M2. All these people who say "you will miss the power if you leave the M3/M4". I think the M2 is FAST and is the only car I've ever had where I have never thought "wish this car had a little more hp and/or torque".
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      12-21-2017, 12:02 PM   #18
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I appreciate those who are maxed with the msrp of the m2. Not trying to sound like an ass here, but i am fortunate enough to have had the option of most of the m cars, and i still chose the m2.
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      12-21-2017, 12:10 PM   #19
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Had an F80 6MT with MPE for 15K miles, sold it and got the M2. Still very happy with my decision

IMHO, the last of the great M3's ended with the E46 (though my friends with E92's would beg to differ)
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      12-21-2017, 12:34 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SeanWRT View Post
It looks to me OP bought the wrong car to begin with. Comparing m2 to m4 on practicality and road compliance. Plus a favor of m4 exhaust sounding over m2.

A side note. Like GTS, CSL should be almost double the price of base version, a 100-110k car for sure if it ever gets made.
The E46 M3 CSL was £58K, and the regular E46 M3 was ~£40K, the last time I would say BMW had a very successful track day special sports coupe. They should listen to this. M2/M3/M4s are not GT4s or GT3s.

For reference the 981 Porsche Cayman GT4 had an MSRP of $85,595. I'd have no words if even a CSL M2 were the same or more than the GT4.

Sorry for , hopefully back on topic
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      12-21-2017, 01:17 PM   #21
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Apples and oranges comparison as the M3/M4 is at least $15,000+ over the M2.
Even if they liked it better, I suspect a fair portion of M2 buyers either couldn't afford it (or were unwilling to spend the extra money) and/or favored the M2 in a performance vs. price comparison.

BTW, I've owned the last three generations of the 3-series, although not an M.
I could afford an M3/M4, but wanted to go back to a smaller, more personal size, hence the M2 purchase.

I generally skip over forum nit picking. Ever car has it's faults. If you don't like it, don't buy it.
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      12-21-2017, 08:26 PM   #22
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I've had my 6MT ZCP F80 M3 for about 1.5 years now. It's a very nice car, and if you need four doors you are done. I have a long-term E39 M5 and a Z4M coupe, so I've got a few bases covered. I'm actually thinking of going to the M2 CS for a slightly smaller DD. I'll probably move to the G30 M3, if available with a MT and M xDrive - you really need a rear biased AWD system to handle the low-down torque on these modern engines. That is my main complaint about the F80 M3. But it is a great car overall and IMO looks fantastic.

P.S. You can't turn the rev-match off in any M2 mode?? I'm already annoyed that rev-matching is not independent of any other modes on the M3/4 (e.g., it doesn't have its own switch), but to not be able to have a mode where it is off is nuts!

P.P.S. I see you have a 1M, among my favorite cars that I have driven extensively. Unless you bought the M2 to keep miles off the 1M (which I would understand), the M3 may better complement your stable.
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