[vincE92M3]

Just checked out the M2 for the first time in person. Some of my thoughts...

-The car has major presence. It really does have a bulldog stance. The flares are really quite impressive.

-The "crooked" seat issue is not noticeable. Think this is something blown out of proportion yet again by the forums.

-Long beach blue looks fantastic, but black sapphire metallic looks even better. It tones down some of the styling in a good way. It's just plain menacing. I'll still order alpine white though.

-The 437M wheels are really aggressive on the M2 from the factory. The offsets make it look like spacers are in place. The tires look stretched and I'm guessing upsizing tires would be possible.

-The dry carbon does look a bit cheap, but it's good to know its real carbon fiber. I could see how it could have been mistaken though.

-The seats and Dakota leather are quite lackluster. I understand this is an entry level M, but would have been nice to be given a carbon cloth/manual seat option. The plus side of Dakota could be its durability though? Seems to be more rigid.

-Other than the seats, the rest of the interior is really nice. I guess they could be replaced if anything.

Overall, very impressed with the overall package. The price can't be beat for what you get. It's a shame that it seems the cost cutting focus was on the interior.

[IDABMW]

I agree about the crooked seat...it's something I don't notice. The car is a blast to drive.

[c63er]

Great review. Thx

[Adem1534]

Didn't notice a single thing about the crooked seet. Nothing at all. I didnt even look for it, so I have yet to even observe it.

[bim2er]

Originally Posted by Adem1534

Didn't notice a single thing about the crooked seet. Nothing at all. I didnt even look for it, so I have yet to even observe it.

Time to update the signature!

[her02k]

Are the side gills really fake?

[miiipilot]

Originally Posted by her02k

Are the side gills really fake?

Yes, PepBoys special.

[omasou]

Why is everyone dumping on the "dry" carbon fiber? I never really liked the "wet" carbon fiber look b/c "I thought it looked cheap" with a thick layer of resin over the fiber making it look like a bar top.

[vincE92M3]

Originally Posted by masou

Why is everyone dumping on the "dry" carbon fiber? I never really liked the "wet" carbon fiber look b/c "I thought it looked cheap" with a thick layer of resin over the fiber making it look like a bar top.

Because it looks like plastic.

[FAN_F1]

Good honest summary.

Thank you.

[gtr]

Originally Posted by vincE92M3

Because it looks like plastic.

The sad part is that a high quality plastic would look more expensive.

[atxsk8r]

Originally Posted by masou

Why is everyone dumping on the "dry" carbon fiber? I never really liked the "wet" carbon fiber look b/c "I thought it looked cheap" with a thick layer of resin over the fiber making it look like a bar top.

+1

I like the dry CF better, the glossy CF is what looks cheap to me. It reminds me of my good ole Civic days where people would install those glossy CF trim kits, the cutout would stick on over the stock interior piece, rad! LOL

[nishmaster2k]

Originally Posted by miiipilot

Yes, PepBoys special.

You mean, kinda like the E46 and E92? ;-)

The F8x does open into the wheel well to reduce air pressure there, but that's about it.

[nishmaster2k]

Originally Posted by vincE92M3

Because it looks like plastic.

Fun fact, resined carbon fiber is a plastic!

But indeed, the weave-only parts do seem to be divisive in this car. The expensive part of CFRP is the carbon fibers, not the resin, and finishing a good piece is not particularly labor intensive. So I'm not actually sure the choice was for cost reasons. Seems to me like a design element.

[vincE92M3]

Originally Posted by nishmaster2k

Fun fact, resined carbon fiber is a plastic!

But indeed, the weave-only parts do seem to be divisive in this car. The expensive part of CFRP is the carbon fibers, not the resin, and finishing a good piece is not particularly labor intensive. So I'm not actually sure the choice was for cost reasons. Seems to me like a design element.

I believe it was a design decision as well.

Think it ultimately reminds people of 3M vinyl wrapped trim! Something that you wouldn't expect in a $55k car; even if it's an "entry-level" M.

[miiipilot]

Originally Posted by nishmaster2k

You mean, kinda like the E46 and E92? ;-)

The F8x does open into the wheel well to reduce air pressure there, but that's about it.

those both were functional. the e9x had a dummy one on the hood just for symmetry, but actual gills

[F80seven]

Originally Posted by vincE92M3

Just checked out the M2 for the first time in person. Some of my thoughts...

-The car has major presence. It really does have a bulldog stance. The flares are really quite impressive.

-The "crooked" seat issue is not noticeable. Think this is something blown out of proportion yet again by the forums.

-Long beach blue looks fantastic, but black sapphire metallic looks even better. It tones down some of the styling in a good way. It's just plain menacing. I'll still order alpine white though.

-The 437M wheels are really aggressive on the M2 from the factory. The offsets make it look like spacers are in place. The tires look stretched and I'm guessing upsizing tires would be possible.

-The dry carbon does look a bit cheap, but it's good to know its real carbon fiber. I could see how it could have been mistaken though.

-The seats and Dakota leather are quite lackluster. I understand this is an entry level M, but would have been nice to be given a carbon cloth/manual seat option. The plus side of Dakota could be its durability though? Seems to be more rigid.

-Other than the seats, the rest of the interior is really nice. I guess they could be replaced if anything.

Overall, very impressed with the overall package. The price can't be beat for what you get. It's a shame that it seems the cost cutting focus was on the interior.

Its better that cost cutting was focused on interiors rather then performance.

[vincE92M3]

Originally Posted by F80seven

[/B]

Its better that cost cutting was focused on interiors rather then performance.

I could have done with some of the fancy tech in the M cars.

[OrangeCrush]

Originally Posted by vincE92M3

I believe it was a design decision as well.

Think it ultimately reminds people of 3M vinyl wrapped trim! Something that you wouldn't expect in a $55k car; even if it's an "entry-level" M.

Design element to control glare and reflections in the interior much like use of alcantara in the interior of the 1M.

[Transfer]

Originally Posted by OrangeCrush

Design element to control glare and reflections in the interior much like use of alcantara in the interior of the 1M.

I have shiny dark wood in my 235i and there are no glare issues. But I agree with the open carbon being a stylistic choice and I like both styles.

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by Adem1534

Didn't notice a single thing about the crooked seet. Nothing at all. I didnt even look for it, so I have yet to even observe it.

I find this surprising, given your proclivity to be OCD about changing other aspects of the car - such as the planned mods, and then your crazy delivery process, the F-35 look alike, etc. As a detail oriented person, which you appear to be, it just seems strange to overlook such a flaw - which it is, whether it is noticeable or not.

Couldn't buy the car because of it - I really couldn't. Even with the understandable reasons for this feature (which I know exist), I could not get over feeling like I was cock-eyed somehow when sitting in the seat. Or wondering why in the hell they hadn't just made it straight to begin with?

I wonder if the feeling is exacerbated by a MT? Perhaps a driver can slightly alter his or her position in the seat for a DCT car without knowing it.

Another analogy is noticing your first ding or rock chip - once you know it's there, it never leaves your head - or mine anyway.

[OrangeCrush]

Originally Posted by Transfer

I have shiny dark wood in my 235i and there are no glare issues. But I agree with the open carbon being a stylistic choice and I like both styles.

Oh yes you do! You have all kinds of glare!!!!