[Rideit]

Hello,

Currently looking for a new car to replace my Audi TT 8j. My first option was the M2 DCT, since the manual isnt available at Portugal, unfortunatelly. Never drove a DCT, but after reading dozens of reviews I'm afraid i'll find it boring.

Last weekend I saw a 420d M pack and started wondering if it wouldn't be a better option to get a manual 440i with some extras, instead of the M2. I'm sure the M2 is more fun to drive and has better overall perfomance, but the car looks poor comparing to the 440i. Both cars will cost the same ~75.000€. The M2 interior looks cheap for a car with this price tag.

The car wont see tracks, only road. Do you think I will be disapointed with the power output and overall perfomance in the 440i?

Regards

[Ex-MINI]

Originally Posted by Rideit

Hello,

Currently looking for a new car to replace my Audi TT 8j. My first option was the M2 DCT, since the manual isnt available at Portugal, unfortunatelly. Never drove a DCT, but after reading dozens of reviews I'm afraid i'll find it boring.

Last weekend I saw a 420d M pack and started wondering if it wouldn't be a better option to get a manual 440i with some extras, instead of the M2. I'm sure the M2 is more fun to drive and has better overall perfomance, but the car looks poor comparing to the 440i. Both cars will cost the same ~75.000€. The M2 interior looks cheap for a car with this price tag.

The car wont see tracks, only road. Do you think I will be disapointed with the power output and overall perfomance in the 440i?

Regards

Sounds like you've already decided against the M2. Wouldn't it make more sense to ask this in the 4 Series forum, and/or test drive the 435/440?

[zenmaster]

Originally Posted by Rideit

The car wont see tracks, only road. Do you think I will be disapointed with the power output and overall performance in the 440i?

With the 440i you're going to have more options available, more rear-seat passenger room, and a better sounding stereo system. The interior will look marginally better as well. As as you said, the exterior is more appealing to you.

The B58's power output will be similar to the M2's N55. However, the 440i's road handling will be immensely inferior to what the M2 offers. The 440i is also a noticeably heavier and larger car.

The way I look at it is if you don't care about performance handling, which is basically the key distinguishing feature of the M2, get the 440i. Do you want more comfort or more fun?

[SeanWRT]

Lets settle this first:

"M2 looks poor compared to 440i"

Did you listen to yourself?

[OrangeCrush]

Originally Posted by SeanWRT

Before comparing values seen in the 2 cars, lets settle this first:

"M2 looks poor compared to 440i"

Did you listen to yourself?

This. And what makes the M2 interior look cheap while the 440 is awesomely luxurious?

[Rideit]

Don't take it personally, it's just a car you're paying to drive.

Originally Posted by OrangeCrush

This. And what makes the M2 interior look cheap while the 440 is awesomely luxurious?

You didn't hear me say the 440 is luxurious. But at least it doesn't have that crappy plastic panels in the interior. It's clearly inferior to some other sport cars, take the Cayman for example. But the main concern is the availability of a manual gearbox. And I wonder how many of us are racing the car frequently, or taking it side ways in public roads..

I'll try to test-drive both in the next weeks.

The question is, would you choose the 440i instead of the M2 solely based on the availability of a manual gearbox?

[ClothSeats]

Unless you get the leather dash the interiors feel almost identical to me. I never understood why so many people blast the 2 interior but not the 3 or 4 series. Is it because of the number?

[Benzima]

M2 vs 440i?!? Two completely different cars.

[paradoxical3]

Do you enjoy driving or not?

[Rideit]

A lot... manual..

[paradoxical3]

If you like driving a lot, this isn't even a question.

[scoale]

Originally Posted by Rideit

Hello,

Currently looking for a new car to replace my Audi TT 8j. My first option was the M2 DCT, since the manual isnt available at Portugal, unfortunatelly. Never drove a DCT, but after reading dozens of reviews I'm afraid i'll find it boring.

Last weekend I saw a 420d M pack and started wondering if it wouldn't be a better option to get a manual 440i with some extras, instead of the M2. I'm sure the M2 is more fun to drive and has better overall perfomance, but the car looks poor comparing to the 440i. Both cars will cost the same ~75.000€. The M2 interior looks cheap for a car with this price tag.

The car wont see tracks, only road. Do you think I will be disapointed with the power output and overall perfomance in the 440i?

Regards

Sounds like you would be happier with 440i. You want a stick, you prefer interior and exterior, you will not be disappointed with 440 power, and the M2 handling advantage is muted if "the car wont see the track".

[Robin_NL]

Originally Posted by scoale

Sounds like you would be happier with 440i. You want a stick, you prefer interior and exterior, you will not be disappointed with 440 power, and the M2 handling advantage is muted if "the car wont see the track".

If the M4 already feels way less agile in normal driving than M2, the 440i feels even more like a yacht.

Cheers
Robin

[Verdi]

I can see what you're saying but a couple of things needs to be addressed.

1. The interior of the 4 series is not that different from the M2 (owned a F36 435d myself just recently). But if you don't like the naked CF panels then I see your point.

2. The value of the M2 will hold up better than the value of the 440i despite being evenly priced as new.

3. The 440i will be more comfortable, but also way less fun to drive. Forget about the engine and straight line pace. It's about the steering, the brakes, the handling, the sound. That special feeling you get when you just cruise around. You simply won't get that, as much, in the 440i. It's a great car but it's not special.

[OrangeCrush]

Originally Posted by Rideit

Don't take it personally, it's just a car you're paying to drive.



You didn't hear me say the 440 is luxurious. But at least it doesn't have that crappy plastic panels in the interior. It's clearly inferior to some other sport cars, take the Cayman for example. But the main concern is the availability of a manual gearbox. And I wonder how many of us are racing the car frequently, or taking it side ways in public roads..

I'll try to test-drive both in the next weeks.

The question is, would you choose the 440i instead of the M2 solely based on the availability of a manual gearbox?

No, but you did say that the M2 looked poor in comparison. The only 3 series I have been in was in base form and I had it as a loaner when my 1M was getting serviced. Talk about cap interior...

Anyway, the 4 series is also riddled with plastic so yeah.

[Rideit]

Originally Posted by Verdi

I can see what you're saying but a couple of things needs to be addressed.

1. The interior of the 4 series is not that different from the M2 (owned a F36 435d myself just recently). But if you don't like the naked CF panels then I see your point.

2. The value of the M2 will hold up better than the value of the 440i despite being evenly priced as new.

3. The 440i will be more comfortable, but also way less fun to drive. Forget about the engine and straight line pace. It's about the steering, the brakes, the handling, the sound. That special feeling you get when you just cruise around. You simply won't get that, as much, in the 440i. It's a great car but it's not special.

Very clarifying, thanks. I have to try both to make the final decision.

I'm leaning towards the M2, and then replace some interior parts with some real CF, when available. Gotta get rid of the blue stitching and blue callipers aswel. Already looking for some solutions.

If you like driving a lot, this isn't even a question.

And the fact that you only could get a DCT, wouldn't make you blink?
I think that's the most important factor (have driven automatic vehicles, but never a DCT).

Cheers

[gmzanatta]

Originally Posted by Rideit

1) replace some interior parts with some real CF, when available.


2) And the fact that you only could get a DCT, wouldn't make you blink?
I think that's the most important factor (have driven automatic vehicles, but never a DCT).

1) It is real CF in the car, about as real as it gets. It's raw carbon fiber, just without the shiny lacquer most other cars get.

2) You can get it as a 6MT...

[Rideit]

2) I can't in Portugal.

[koastal]

Who cares about interiors

[quikM2]

Originally Posted by koastal

Who cares about interiors

so true... now if it was a 7 series we are talking about i can see the point but an M coupe with that engine, suspension and those brakes AND at that price I'm surprised they had money left over to put a passenger seat in.

[OrangeCrush]

Originally Posted by gmzanatta

1) It is real CF in the car, about as real as it gets. It's raw carbon fiber, just without the shiny lacquer most other cars get.

2) You can get it as a 6MT...

Truth. I happen to prefer the M2 cf. It's different, looks more sporty/badass and I also think the glossy cf lloks cheap and it's played out!

[BruceM]

I like the glossy on exterior bits...probably because naked on the exterior bits would last maybe a nanosecond. But naked inside has grown on me, once I actually got in a cockpit and drove the car.