02-25-2018, 10:45 AM | #1 |
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M2 Test Drive Impressions
Featured on BIMMERPOST.com I found my way over to an office/industrial park, where there were some nicely paved roads with a combination of straights and curves. I definitely put the car through its respective paces, while also keeping the RPMs under 5K. The ride probably lasted in the ~20 minute range. General Takeaways: 1). Overall, it is a great little car and package - you couldn't ask for much more at this price point. 2). The car feels quick, but not in the same way as my F80. It is a little less, eager, perhaps? You can tell it is quick, but not scary if that makes sense. The M3 "pins" me back in my seat much more easily. I would not go as far as to say the car is underpowered, but I think the extra oomph of the S55 will be appreciated when the Competition comes out. 3). It has really nice steering - perhaps a shade sharper than the M3. Or maybe it is just a little quicker - not sure, might be able to tell with more seat time. Overall, I really liked the steering. 4). I know the weight of the M2 is only slightly less than my F80, but the car felt lighter on its feet, or it seems to handle the weight a little better. Again, in such a short amount of seat time, maybe this impression would change a bit. 5). The brakes felt like they engaged a little more quickly - as in, less pedal travel was necessary to get them to bite. I am not sure if I liked that or not - I just noticed it. They felt very strong overall. 6). The DCT shifted and reacted a hair slower than my F80. The shifts were snappy and quick, but not quite as crisp as the M3. I was a little disappointed in that - especially on downshifts. It didn't display the same urgency as I am used to - and this was in Sport + as well. 7). The car kept reverting back to Comfort mode, which was also annoying - I was sitting at a light and moved the DCT into neutral so I could rev the engine and hear the exhaust (more on that in a minute) and that took the car from Sport + to Comfort. This is not the case in the F80 and I don't see why it is coded to behave this way. 8). The exhaust is definitely...underwhelming. I know a lot of people knock the S55 for the way it sounds, but I didn't think this sounded any better. In fact, that was something I was looking forward to the most, and turned out to be disappointing. Under load with the windows down, it makes a nice sound, especially when shifting to the next higher gear, which was nice. But no real pops or gurgles like the ZCP. Maybe that would get better with time, but this car would need an upgrade in the sound department if I ever got one. 9). The LCI headlights look awesome in person and when they're on - I was initially not sold on how they looked, but I am a big fan for sure now. The front end of the car looks nasty mean (in a good way). 10). I also think I have been a little unfair in regards to the overall quality of the interior. While obvious that it's not as upscale as the M3, it's a nice place to be, and all of the blue stitching looks really nice. I don't love the matte finish of the carbon fiber bits, and the area around the shifter looks/feels like you're in a cheaper car, but no complaints otherwise. The LCI dash is beautiful - I prefer it to the analog dials in the M3. It was easy to see and read, and I think BMW did a really nice job here. I DID miss the HUD a little, and found myself looking down more than I am used to. Perhaps this will appear on the Competition? It would be perfect for me if that was the case. 11). The seats are ok, but I prefer the ZCP seats. It also "feels" like you sit a little higher than you do in the F80. Not sure if that's actually the case... It was a very fun test drive, and I really enjoyed the car. I know for a fact that I prefer the size of it over my F80. It's definitely still in the running for my next vehicle, and my small list of complaints could be addressed pretty easily. PS - I did NOT notice the crooked driver's seat.
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Past rides: 2016 981 BGTS, 2020 MINI JCW, 2017 F80, 2015 981 CS, 2014 F22 235, 2011 E82 135, 2008 E82 135, 2007 E92 328, 2007 E92 328 (My lady drives an OG M2. So does my dad)
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02-25-2018, 11:10 AM | #2 |
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Just goes to show we all have different ears. I test drove an F82 WITH the MPE exhaust and it immediately brought to mind a raspy bucket of clattering bolts. Instantly distinguishable from the M2 to my ears.
I didn't drive the M2 for long before installing a catted DP, though. That freed up the sound considerably. |
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02-25-2018, 11:20 AM | #3 |
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A few pics of the car I got to drive.
LBB is growing on me...
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Past rides: 2016 981 BGTS, 2020 MINI JCW, 2017 F80, 2015 981 CS, 2014 F22 235, 2011 E82 135, 2008 E82 135, 2007 E92 328, 2007 E92 328 (My lady drives an OG M2. So does my dad)
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02-25-2018, 12:56 PM | #4 |
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If you order, just go with 6MT. It does not change modes when transitioning from neutral. It's a bit slower than DCT but fun. Come to think of it, it's odd that the DCT would that. I drove the DCT at the M school and don't recall it doing that. Perhaps some DCT owners can chime in.
Mine has the Fabspeed DP with stock exhaust and it sounds great. I'd do that before replacing stock exhaust. Adds a bit of hp and really frees up the revs as well. Win-win. Add a Dinan sport tuner for the street and you are likely around low 400hp. Great street setup imho. Powerwise, this setup should be very close to your F80. |
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02-25-2018, 01:06 PM | #5 |
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As far as the DCT I find the shifts to be faster and more crisp in sport and harder but often lazier in sport+
if I could have the shifts from sport in sport+ I would. I also think sport+ always assumes you next decision will be one based on going as fast as possible, so it's pretty much always going to assume feel like 5th you're going to 4th because 6th isn't really the go fastest choice at street speeds, so it predicts 4th unless you're really revving out 5th. in sport I think it would just assume if you're accelerating in 5th you'll want 6th next even if you're not high revs, and it will be ready. I believe in the f80 you have an individual setting for shifting, in the M2 you just get whatever was programmed into the mode, which is one of my biggest complaints. In fact it would be cool if a tuner could let you configure that on your phone or something. People keep asking can you really even use the N55 to it full potential? Why do you need an S55? I think your experience shows that the more powerful engine changes the character of the car even when it's not really pushed. You said the N55 isn't scary, well some people might want something a little scary when it comes to a fast car. I don't think you need to be able to use 100 percent of an engine and car to justify a faster car. |
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02-25-2018, 01:15 PM | #6 | |
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I don't recall the DCT doing this, but I rarely go into neutral, I'll take a look. |
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02-25-2018, 01:47 PM | #7 |
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Nice write-up dmboone25! And you're coming from the speed and luxury of an M3 - imagine what that M2 is going to feel like to us, coming from a 2004 Jalopy Mazda3 We're jumping 200 HP and almost 2 decades worth of automotive advancements and quality. Forget the wonderment of iDrive, or driver assist features, or the LSD...my car doesn't even have an AUX jack for my iPhone. My neighbor's 4-year old daughter has a Big Wheel, and if I don't get a good start off the line she will beat me in the quarter mile. Something tells me we are in for some serious M car shock...
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02-25-2018, 01:53 PM | #8 | |
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I DO want something scary in my sports car - which is why the S55 M2, especially with a tune, might just be the sweet spot. I loved my 981 CS, but it needed more power too. The regular chassis could have easily handled more power, and I feel like the same could be said for the M2 as well. But still a very good package.
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Past rides: 2016 981 BGTS, 2020 MINI JCW, 2017 F80, 2015 981 CS, 2014 F22 235, 2011 E82 135, 2008 E82 135, 2007 E92 328, 2007 E92 328 (My lady drives an OG M2. So does my dad)
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02-25-2018, 01:57 PM | #9 | |
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I'm not sure if the N55 has a little more lag than my S55 (I had a 235 with the N55, but that's been a while back, and I wouldn't be able to recall that well if the engine felt a little lazier or less eager because I had the 981 and then F80 afterwards). I am sure you're going to love the car - it's very very nice. The test drive has given me a lot to think about. but I consider that to be a good thing...
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02-25-2018, 07:42 PM | #10 | |
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02-25-2018, 08:18 PM | #11 | ||
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02-25-2018, 08:26 PM | #12 |
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Thanks for the write up. I'm also thinking about picking up M2 Competition for my next DD...maybe it will be the last MT M car I can order new.
My hope it is that it will combine the best of both the current M2 and F80 (for me anyway). So, what are your impressions about the traction of the M2?
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02-25-2018, 08:34 PM | #13 | |
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To be fair, however, I wasn’t pushing the M2 super hard. I was keeping the revs at an acceptable break-in level, so maybe others can chime in on how it behaves when you can really let it loose. Another thing that I noticed is that the tail doesn’t try to step out as quickly as the M3 does. Could be a function of less power, but I noticed that as well.
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02-25-2018, 09:37 PM | #14 | |
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02-26-2018, 02:12 AM | #15 |
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Good morning from the uk, you got me thinking about the DCT, when mine is in sport it stays in sport after you put it into neutral
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02-26-2018, 08:19 AM | #16 |
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Perhaps I was doing it myself somehow? I don't know - I just noticed that it was back in Comfort after the two times I moved it into Neutral...
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02-26-2018, 11:04 AM | #17 | ||
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So when he gets an S55M2 it will scare him and put him back in the seat which he will LOVE .. until the rear end loses control and frustrates him off the line in inclement conditions.. which he will HATE There were 11 points listed above ... and I didn't count but it sure seemed like as many votes for the M3 as the M2 .. |
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02-26-2018, 11:12 AM | #18 | |
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You too have complained about the newer Ms to put the power down - I mean, who doesn't want more power? It's great to have, when it is propelling the car in a predictable way. That's all I am saying.
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Past rides: 2016 981 BGTS, 2020 MINI JCW, 2017 F80, 2015 981 CS, 2014 F22 235, 2011 E82 135, 2008 E82 135, 2007 E92 328, 2007 E92 328 (My lady drives an OG M2. So does my dad)
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02-26-2018, 12:22 PM | #19 |
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Get the RS3?
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02-26-2018, 01:55 PM | #20 |
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I had no problem getting 100% traction on the 265s when I first got the car with Dinan sport tuner already installed (+20-30 bhp). Now at +100 bhp, wider rubber is needed. Therefore, 295s have been ordered for the spring time. I'm confident this will solve any slippage issues.
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02-26-2018, 02:18 PM | #21 | |
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Wel, I did testdrive the M4 DCT extensively, more than 1500km in just one weekend; I did love the car, though I hated the DCT. Even in the fastest settings (S6 when I remember correctly?) it lacked the sheer crispiness, the intuitive way of changing gears compared to my previous 981 CGTS PDK, the PDK IMHO wins hands down, not by a small margin, there is no way DCT can hold its own to the PDK. I ended with a 6MT M2 (looking out for a 718 GT4 PDK, if available) |
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02-26-2018, 03:18 PM | #22 | |
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That said I am sure PDK is better. |
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