[Sleeper]

So current M3 is modern day M5? Fine with me.

[raysspl]

Chris Harris always know to give fun & (somewhat) technical review. Good stuff

[hockyfrk07]

Originally Posted by 2M

Anyone know any vendors selling gloss black M3 badges?

Supreme Power

[bimmer4life24]

Originally Posted by desertfox73

Why can't the M2 just be the M2? Why does it have to be something else, unless you wish it was called the M3?

M3, over the past decades, was always known as the shorter wheelbase, elusive 2-door coupe (yes i know there were m3 sedans also). In todays day, BMW has changed the naming in their lineup to read even numbers for coupes, and odd numbers for sedans. So if naming on the series were never changed, I do believe the M2 is more a modern day M3 vs the big luxurious M4.

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by desertfox73

Why can't the M2 just be the M2? Why does it have to be something else, unless you wish it was called the M3?

The M2 is the M2. But it shouldn't be.

The M2 should still what it originally was instead of BMW Bastardizing the M3 name and applying it to a SEDAN (only).

It all started when BMW wanted to keep the small luxury car sales crown that they just finally lost this year.

BMW decided to move the 3 series upmarket and make it nearly 5 series sized. They decided to split 3 series and 4 series into different named rather than just creating a larger 4 series model above the 3 series line and leaving the 3 series as their smaller sedan. (note how Mercedes brought in CLA and Audi brought in A3... and both companies kept sedans and coupes in the smaller models)

They have moved the 5 up to near 7 series.

They decided to bring in a new model at the bottom and call it 1 series.

The 1 series name didn't take off in the US because it is coupe ONLY and not a sedan.

now they have dumped the 1 series name for 2 series and applied it to what originally was a 3 series.

After multiple generations with the entry level BMW being available in the US in sedans and coupe fork they screwed up and didn't make a small sedan A SECOND time.

Mercedes brings out the cla and wraps up the small luxury sedan line leaving BMW with jacked up model designations from 1 to 6.

[desertfox73]

Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster

The M2 is the M2. But it shouldn't be.

The M2 should still what it originally was instead of BMW Bastardizing the M3 name and applying it to a SEDAN.

I guess I hear what you're saying, but that's a long time to hold a grudge, given that BMW launched their 4-door M3 over 24 years ago!

[TRACK M4STER]

Originally Posted by 2M

Anyone know any vendors selling gloss black M3 badges?

I got mine from IND Distribution. They're great! http://ind-distribution.com/ind/bran...ted-rear-badge

[Yeineken]

It's amazing how good his other videos are and then top gear does this... turning the contrast up, using cinematic pop & flares and making the man use a fake instrument. Does this appeal to kids?

[desertfox73]

Originally Posted by bimmer4life24

M3, over the past decades, was always known as the shorter wheelbase, elusive 2-door coupe (yes i know there were m3 sedans also).

You can't just discount the tens of thousands of M3 sedans that have been produced by adding them as an "also" and have any credibility by saying the M3 has "always" been known as a coupe. And what about the E30/36/46/93 convertibles?

And when you say "shorter wheelbase, elusive 2-door coupe", shorter compared to what? Certainly not shorter than the Z3 coupe (which fits your description), and both the E30 and E90/E92 models had identical wheelbases:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=434484

I think I get where you're coming from, and I know I'm being argumentative. My real point is that the M3 hasn't "always" been any one thing - as one other commenter put it, it has been "bastardized" since very early on in its history.

But the M2 hasn't ever been anything else, and that's something special, I think.

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by desertfox73

You can't just discount the tens of thousands of M3 sedans that have been produced by adding them as an "also" and have any credibility by saying the M3 has "always" been known as a coupe. And what about the E30/36/46/93 convertibles?

And when you say "shorter wheelbase, elusive 2-door coupe", shorter compared to what? Certainly not shorter than the Z3 coupe (which fits your description), and both the E30 and E90/E92 models had identical wheelbases:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=434484

I think I get where you're coming from, and I know I'm being argumentative. My real point is that the M3 hasn't "always" been any one thing - as one other commenter put it, it has been "bastardized" since very early on in its history.

But the M2 hasn't ever been anything else, and that's something special, I think.

Shortest wheelbase. Smallest car in the BMW lineup

[JustChris]

Originally Posted by hoyasaxa

Isn't this old? :

This is like over a year old!! Lols, broadcast in the uk whenever the M2 launched.

[bimmer4life24]

Originally Posted by desertfox73

You can't just discount the tens of thousands of M3 sedans that have been produced by adding them as an "also" and have any credibility by saying the M3 has "always" been known as a coupe. And what about the E30/36/46/93 convertibles?

And when you say "shorter wheelbase, elusive 2-door coupe", shorter compared to what? Certainly not shorter than the Z3 coupe (which fits your description), and both the E30 and E90/E92 models had identical wheelbases:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=434484

I think I get where you're coming from, and I know I'm being argumentative. My real point is that the M3 hasn't "always" been any one thing - as one other commenter put it, it has been "bastardized" since very early on in its history.

But the M2 hasn't ever been anything else, and that's something special, I think.

Sorry my comment was broad, but I was not comparing it to the Z Series. Shorter as in the new gen M3/4 wheelsbase is much longer (longest ever).

I also said 2-door coupe because we're comparing an M2 here. There is no convertible M2 or a sedan M2 (That would be a M1 right?? Wait...)

[King_Slayer]

Originally Posted by Yeineken

It's amazing how good his other videos are and then top gear does this... turning the contrast up, using cinematic pop & flares and making the man use a fake instrument. Does this appeal to kids?

I agree with you, enjoyed mostly all of his videos, this one was just over the top. Felt like he was being way to enthusiastic and just did t seem right. Didn't like this clip at all

[doug_999]

Agree with so many things...

Lots of little "why the heck did they do that" with this car.

and at the end of they day, I'm OK with those things because this car is so amazing to drive... even in Chicago winters

[3M TAPE]

More like successor to the E46 M3

[Cuz5150]

Great stuff, Now if BMW would get their heads out of their a$$'s and up production numbers so, i can replace my aging fleet. However, BMW is too busy cranking out 228/240 and convertible modes. My local dealer has 3 verts. So, F- U BMW, my next car will be a pre-owned Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio

[hpapad01]

Originally Posted by Artemis

"On paper, the Audi RS3 is just a winner - But you don't drive cars on paper."

This is definitely the wrong statement IMO

Now days we drive our cars on the Internet first

[omasou]

Originally Posted by hoyasaxa

Isn't this old? :

Perhaps this is the one that you're remembering?

http://www.topgear.com/videos/chris-...e-bmw-1m-coupe

[omasou]

Originally Posted by desertfox73

Why can't the M2 just be the M2? Why does it have to be something else, unless you wish it was called the M3?

Looks like M3 Adjuster beat me to it and express most of the points I would have.

I think what people are saying and hopefully BMW is listening to is...when we think of the best selling BMW we think of the 3 series...how many years did it win C&D? When we think of M cars we think of the E30M3, E36M3, E46M3, 1M now the M2. I remember the days when PTG raced the E36M3 then E46M3. Then BMW started trying to be everything to everyone...E36M3 vert...E36M3 sedan...Then they had to follow MB and drop an 8 cylinder into our i6 car...yeah it was faster but just like the C43 it was front heavy. And then follow MB again where every model has an AMG, BMW has an M for every model. M use to be about handling...corners...fun...not about spec sheets and HP/TRQ numbers and straight line A to B drag racing...leave that to the 405 crowd.

What I also loved about my E36M3 like my M2 is that there are a few limited number of options. Have you built a M3 or M4? It's crazy the stuff you can add and think you need.

I'm not a total luddite but I enjoy a car that I can change my own brakes, oil, etc. and not having to worry how many house payment the adaptive suspension will cost to replace should it go. That said, on my X5 it makes the SAV handle like its on rails and people cannot believe how it doesn't lean around turns.

So end of day, I guess what we are trying to say is that the M2 is the current BMW production M car that is carrying the M3 soul/crown and what we use to think of when people said M3.

Now if BMW delivers according to rumors a smaller M6 and uses the M2 playbook we may be saying 911 what?

[Law]

Wow look at all the M purists in this thread!


Non-M mirrors, Non-S engine, Non-M seats, no relatation to BMW Motorsport (i.e., factory race car), etc. = Modern M3

4 doors = not an M3


The logic is real strong in this thread, thanks for the laugh

[F87LUV]

Originally Posted by Paul-Bracq-BMW

Love Chris Harris!

Really? He's SO obnoxious. I miss Jeremy.

[F87LUV]

Originally Posted by Law

Wow look at all the M purists in this thread!


Non-M mirrors, Non-S engine, Non-M seats, not related to any BMW factory race car, etc. = Modern M3

4 doors = not an M3


The logic is real strong in this thread, thanks for the laugh

Minor details.