[mitoda]

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[Artemis]

Opening phrase: "The BMW M2 may be the cheapest M car in history".

???

[WAY]

Yes that is correct in Australia. E36 was the first M3 sold here and it was more expensive than the 1M/M2 (even without adjusting for inflation). 1M was $99,990, and the M2 Pure is $89,990. It's reasonably cheap here relative to other cars.

[johnnydad]

As Way says, the E36 was $125K when released here in 1994 so the M2 is considerably cheaper in outright terms.

It's a bit disappointing that Motor didn't manage to get any lap and acceleration times due to the poor weather, but they seem a fan of the M2 on local roads which is what matters most to me.

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by WAY

Yes that is correct in Australia. E36 was the first M3 sold here and it was more expensive than the 1M/M2 (even without adjusting for inflation). 1M was $99,990, and the M2 Pure is $89,990. It's reasonably cheap here relative to other cars.

Well then hopefully same goes for the M2 CS.

[ddnmkun]

year 2017 ends in March? Its just a weird time for a "of the year award"

[WillSkill]

Definitely want one of these in my garage one day

[WestBankM4]

Such a fun car to just use purely as a track beast. If I had to use something, it would be the M2.

[ORIGIN M.]

Motor who?

[Franzino]

Originally Posted by WestBankM4

Such a fun car to just use purely as a track beast. If I had to use something, it would be the M2.

The M2 is no way a track beast...! You can make a track beast of it if you spend some money on it (tyres, brakes, suspension, less weight)... The standard M2 shines as a lovely, useable, comfortable, fun daily car that is also good to drive on track (with some brake mods).

[WestBankM4]

Originally Posted by Franzino

The M2 is no way a track beast...! You can make a track beast of it if you spend some money on it (tyres, brakes, suspension, less weight)... The standard M2 shines as a lovely, useable, comfortable, fun daily car that is also good to drive on track (with some brake mods).

Right you are. What I meant to say was that if I had to choose a car between BMW's current models, I'd love to take the M2 out as a pure track car.

[ORIGIN M.]

Thanks for posting!

Originally Posted by mitoda

[johnnydad]

Originally Posted by ddnmkun

year 2017 ends in March? Its just a weird time for a "of the year award"

People always forget that Australia is ahead in time, not behind. Most don't realise that its not only Tuesday lunchtime, but 2018 here.

[AllwaysLow]

^^^

[gsrbri]

Originally Posted by Franzino

The M2 is no way a track beast...! You can make a track beast of it if you spend some money on it (tyres, brakes, suspension, less weight)... The standard M2 shines as a lovely, useable, comfortable, fun daily car that is also good to drive on track (with some brake mods).

Completely disagree on your comment. What car is a good foundation for a track car, without building one, in your estimation? This car is inherently designed as a street/track car from a clean-sheet design (rigid subframe, forged aluminum suspension, F80/82 brakes, larger oil cooler and secondary radiator, F80/82 LSD, Lightweight forged wheels). I drive an M4, which is basically almost the same level of design/engineering, except for the exotic bits (CF Driveshaft, roof, trunk lid, and aluminum subframe), and it is an exceptional foundation for a track car. I install racing brake pads, racing brake fluid, and R compound tires and it is TRACK-READY. The M2 is likely my next car for a 50% DE/50% street car. I just plan to install racing seats/harnesses and a low-profile roll bar. I suppose a suspension mod is a good idea, but the stock suspension is pretty sorted, so it seems.

Unless you're speaking of a Porsche 911GT3/GT3RS or Cayman GT4, there is hands-down no better street-driveable track car out there.

My $.02 anyway.
-Brian

[raysspl]

Now if it could also come in red...

[///M-pressed]

Originally Posted by gsrbri

Completely disagree on your comment. What car is a good foundation for a track car, without building one, in your estimation? This car is inherently designed as a street/track car from a clean-sheet design (rigid subframe, forged aluminum suspension, F80/82 brakes, larger oil cooler and secondary radiator, F80/82 LSD, Lightweight forged wheels). I drive an M4, which is basically almost the same level of design/engineering, except for the exotic bits (CF Driveshaft, roof, trunk lid, and aluminum subframe), and it is an exceptional foundation for a track car. I install racing brake pads, racing brake fluid, and R compound tires and it is TRACK-READY. The M2 is likely my next car for a 50% DE/50% street car. I just plan to install racing seats/harnesses and a low-profile roll bar. I suppose a suspension mod is a good idea, but the stock suspension is pretty sorted, so it seems.

Unless you're speaking of a Porsche 911GT3/GT3RS or Cayman GT4, there is hands-down no better street-driveable track car out there.

My $.02 anyway.
-Brian

A 'track beast' and a 'foundation for a track car' are two different things.

[Kirven]

Originally Posted by raysspl

A 'track beast' and a 'foundation for a track car' are two different things.

All cars look better in red imo!

[chambolle]

[QUOTE=johnnydad;21371282]As Way says, the E36 was $125K when released here in 1994 so the M2 is considerably cheaper in outright terms.

Holy buckets! I realize the US version of the E36 M3 was a bit watered down, but I bought mine new in late 1994 for about 36,000 USD. And still own it. That was money well spent.

[Bimmed Out]

Originally Posted by Artemis

Opening phrase: "The BMW M2 may be the cheapest M car in history".

???

Exactly. You never want to start out a review by saying something that instantly costs you all credibility.

[DoggieHowser]

Originally Posted by kepler

Exactly. You never want to start out a review by saying something that instantly costs you all credibility.

And if you read the next post, you will see that the review is for Australia - and that statement is thus correct.

[mike@x-ph.com]