12-21-2017, 09:08 PM | #23 |
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After driving the M3/M4 in anger (back to back with the M2 too) at the 1-day M School, I had the completely different experience...M2 is a way better and more fun car to drive...
Trunk space? Rear seats? lol...ever had a Porsche? |
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12-21-2017, 10:13 PM | #24 |
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12-21-2017, 10:18 PM | #25 |
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All I know is my wife says my M2 is ‘cute’. She didn’t say that about the m3 or m4. I’m not sure how to take that....
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12-21-2017, 10:54 PM | #26 | |
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The M2 is a great car but not as special as the 1M. The M4 is cool, but is a really HUGE coupe. The M3 has 4 doors which makes it a million times more practical than a 1M or an M2 , of which you have both! Next , you feel the M2 will begin to tank in value possibly so making a jump at the time when values are softening makes perfect sense also. However, as a 17 year former owner of an E30 M3, and a current 6-7 year 1M owner , I relate the current engine change to the 98-99 vs the 01-02 M roadster and coupe. Sure the S52 was the motor to have , but they are all holding their values quite well. That's because the M roadster was a unique car that people are rabid about. The same is true of the M2 regardless of what motor. There are just 5-7 thousand M2 in the US .. at a time when BMW seems near the end of the making sports cars .. and in truth the entire 2 series lineup is awesome. I'm sorry but I think in 15 years these cars will be sought for more than the E46 is right now. An F88 M2 sedan would have kicked ass but i digress. Keep the 1M. Sell the M2. But Drive if through the winter ( unless you have another potential daily ). Go for the M3. The practicality is awesome, and you get more utility from not having two coupes. Mineral white is awesome but I would get Tanzanite, it's a seriously proper blue. Also Do European delivery, because on the plus side you will have to trade the M2 in sooner, and you can take a helluva vacation in the spring. |
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12-21-2017, 10:54 PM | #27 |
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Driving dynamics are really subjective, I will take M2 over regular M4 10/10 in term of driving pleasure.
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12-22-2017, 12:08 AM | #28 | ||
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And yes, people see both the 1M and M2 and say "why do you have two of the same cars?". The fact is, I'm afraid to drive the 1M and I'm afraid to sell it. It is like a black widow - I just stay away from it Quote:
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12-22-2017, 10:55 AM | #29 |
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I understand the argument of having two very similar cars (1M and M2)... but if that smaller sports coupe is the car style that hits all the right buttons, why would I NOT want both? We all know they are similar but different in great ways.
The practicality of the M3 is undeniable if $$ is no big deal - but too many people claim they are boring. That's a lot of money for more luxury/space and similar performance to the M2. I'd claim it's a waste of money if it doesn't feel fun. If it does, great, you're set! I would rather DD an old E46/E39 wagon or E46 ZHP and load up on the M cars (1M, M2, E46M, E36M, M coupe) for every other day I don't need to haul people/things. At the end of the day, almost every M car is a fantastic DD. Drive the 1M! You only live once. This is a great problem to have! |
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12-23-2017, 07:31 AM | #30 | |||
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12-23-2017, 08:05 AM | #31 |
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To the OP.
As an owner of zcp M3 and 1M I can say I am very happy with both. I had a highly tuned m235 prior so I am very familiar with the n55 and in fact it was definitely more powerful then the stock M2. My experience with the M2 has only been on the track where I found it the most enjoyable of all the modern M cars. That being said the M3 is a great DD and my need for 4 doors at this stage trumps most things. As you are aware the M2 and 1M share some qualities but differ in others. This certainly is the case with the M3 and M2. The quality is a step up and the s55 engine is excellent especially when kept reving high. On the road with regular DD not so much. I have thought about dumping my M3 and going with a n55 M2 in the next two years or so but then I take the 1M out and for me the M2 is not different enough from the 1M driving experience. I rather get a 350gt or something totally different. I do appreciate your comments at the start of this thread and hope you go and enjoy the 1M more. Unless you are regularly on a track I would greatly consider the M3 as a DD and leave the 1M in the garage for the weekend. Just my 2 cents BTW people always knock the M3 sound and I think most of their opinions are based on the original exhaust before the sport exhaust came out. With a little work the exhaust on an M3/M4 can sound very good. For me it was the x-pipe by Dinan. Just the right mix to have great sound while maintaining it as a DD and not pissing off the neighbors to much. |
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12-23-2017, 09:03 AM | #32 | |
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12-23-2017, 09:29 AM | #33 | |
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So YMMV. Seriously. I think personal taste makes a big difference here. BTW for much, much less than the price difference between the M2 and M3 you can have a far superior suspension setup to any BMW M car from the factory by going with something from KW or Ohlins.
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12-23-2017, 01:56 PM | #34 | |
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http://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1418405 Back then I test drove both F8X M3/4 --a luxury I didn't have when ordering the M2; there wasn't even one for me just to look at in person. I walked away not wanting either F8X --personal choice on perceived driving dynamics. For most purposes of a 4-door sport/performance sedan, to me, the '18 M550i xDrive is a much better overall utilitarian AND performance proposition. At about the same price. And the engine sounds glorious. May you and your beloved ones enjoy a wonderful / meaningful Christmas / Holiday celebration.
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12-23-2017, 01:58 PM | #35 |
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^^ this.
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12-23-2017, 07:00 PM | #36 | |
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12-23-2017, 08:30 PM | #38 |
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Well, this may be the first time I've heard somebody say he preferred the sound of an M3 over an M2. To me, the S55 sounds like raspy bolts rattling around in a tin can.
There are reasons to prefer the M3, I suppose, but I wouldn't even think of sound as one of them. And I'd code out ASD on either one of them. |
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12-23-2017, 08:39 PM | #39 |
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Had a Porsche turbo. M3/4 for $80-90k? Not worth it, much better options.
M2 for $55k, great value. |
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12-23-2017, 08:55 PM | #40 |
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Price aside.. even if they were all priced the same and I was basing my decision purely on driving experience I would pick the M2 every time.
I did a M Track day at Homestead and drove the M3 and the M2 back to back on the full circuit and then an M4 on the Autocross layout and the M2 felt more predictable and nimble. M3 and M4 you could feel the weight difference and on the edge pushing it was even more noticeable. Size and space is not an issue for me.. that's why I daily a 135i. Like others said, OP I think you bought the wrong car right off the bat. And although sound preference is highly subjective I have yet to have heard an N55 sound as good as my N55 with my exhaust setup.
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12-24-2017, 12:08 PM | #41 | |
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I drove the M2/M3/M4 at the one day M-school. I also loved the M3 (was already an M2 owner). The M3 I drove had the competition package. I liked the power and felt the handling was just as good as the M2. I still prefer the sound in the M2, but had no problem with the M3 sound. I had a 335i prior to my M2, and wanted something smaller and sportier, so the M2 was a great option. M4 was just too big, and didn't want another 4 door car. Initially, I kept both, but eventually sold the 335i because I felt bad having two manual BMWs, neither of which my wife could drive. Also, I have 2 small kids in car seats, so needed something a little bigger. I got a subaru forester for my daily commute and enjoy the M2 on weekends and occasionally on the track. Now that I daily a forester, I have even more appreciation for the M2. I am blown away every time I drive it. It's miles ahead of the 335i I had. The value of the M2 is hard to beat. Even after the M-school experience, I don't think I could justify another 30k (at least) for a competition M3 over the M2. When I'm ready to spend close to 100k, I'll be getting a 911. We all get so spoiled driving BMWs. I can't understand people hating on the M2... drive an underpowered SUV with a CVT daily and then tell me how the M2 has a crappy interior and isn't a real M car. The M2 is amazing and I'm keeping this thing forever. |
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12-24-2017, 05:57 PM | #42 |
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12-24-2017, 08:20 PM | #43 | |
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Mike
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12-25-2017, 11:18 AM | #44 | ||
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Yes - but with 19" wheels (the same wheels as the M2)
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And on a more serious note thanks to the others for the feedback. The M2 is a perfect scalpel when you want to seriously drive. What I'm challenged with is, how often I do that vs. how often I just drive. And as for an update... the interior with the black merino leather (on the Mineral white one I'm looking at), is really dark. I've commented numerous times that I don't really miss the sunroof in the M2 - I think that is because the Dakota leather is lighter than the Merino. And as a reminder, I live in the north, where sunshine is rare and a dark interior is depressing Long story short, I will drive it again this week and report back. Right now, sort of leaning towards sticking with the M2.
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