[Evoking]

Yes, yes I know these are apples and oranges. I know you guys fully understand that what car you pick depends on what cars would flank it, objectives etc!

So let me give some background...

The stable:

15 Huracan - main toy for nearly 3 years
17 Land Cruiser - Family car, occasional wheeling
68 Charger - classic hot rod toy
05 CL55 - daily car which M2 or M4 cab will replace. Near new and ultra low miles

About me:
We have a 2 year old and one in oven. I love a variety of vehicles as you prob noticed. We are moving to SoCal in a few months. Though I am generally not a convertible person (though I've had M Roadster, NSX-T, S2k, SL, Elise to name a few), I was thinking it might be cool to have a droptop in CA. I was also thinking I haven't had a manual since my 997TT so am craving one! I was originally thinking 993 or 997 S or C4S Cab. But after researching room for carseats a rearward facing one is next to impossible! Not to mention room for other crap. Plus, although no where near the Huracan it is still another serious sports car...

So I focused on M4 and figured I would drop it on some killer wheels to harden it then declare game over. Family-convertible-cruiser-canyon-carver.
However... the purist in me also loves the M2. And I just drove one for the first time today!!! What a cool little car. Reminds me of my Z3 and Z4 M Coupes. Just a #+*@ the establishment sort of car... unabashedly fun... AND a decent back seat unlike my old coupes. New M2 just about for the price of a low mileage 15 M4 convertible.

I am really struggling with this one... Trying to imagine which might be the most enjoyable ownership proposition. The M2 is simple hobby like fun. The M4 would be fun and also have a "pimp factor" which I suppose can be both good and bad haha.

Of course I know its my decision. But perspective always helps confirm whichever we might subconsciously be leaning!

Thoughts? And has anyone here owned both?

[dmboone25]

It's funny, I used to think of Chicago as a car town...until I lived in Dallas. seriously, in that city, you see some of the great stables like you have - that's quite the garage.

But the heat in Dallas is...hard to deal with. I would say that you probably won't use the drop that much on your M4 if you went that way. It's just too damn hot most of the year.

M2 might be a better choice (amongst other reasons, like cost, rarity, etc.). Just my $.02.

[DanG]

I went with the M2. The M4 just felt to big and bloated for me. The M2 is a lot more tossable. You may want to wait for the M2 Competition. The extra 40hp should be a kick.

[Evoking]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

It's funny, I used to think of Chicago as a car town...until I lived in Dallas. seriously, in that city, you see some of the great stables like you have - that's quite the garage.

But the heat in Dallas is...hard to deal with. I would say that you probably won't use the drop that much on your M4 if you went that way. It's just too damn hot most of the year.

M2 might be a better choice (amongst other reasons, like cost, rarity, etc.). Just my $.02.

We move to OC in a couple months ;-). Otherwise I concur. SoCal living makes the choice a bit more tough.

Regarding cars and Dallas... Chi def the bigger city with lots of crazy $. But I suppose cool cars per-capita would have to go to the warmer big cities.

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by Evoking

We move to OC in a couple months ;-). Otherwise I concur. SoCal living makes the choice a bit more tough.

Regarding cars and Dallas... Chi def the bigger city with lots of crazy $. But I suppose cool cars per-capita would have to go to the warmer big cities.

Gotcha.

There's just a TON of crazy nice cars in DFW - just have to go to Cars and Coffee once in Plano to see that.

By your stable, you seem to be more of a driver's car man to me - my dad just got the M2 and I have the ZCP M3 (I know that's not an M4 Cab, but bear with me) - and I really miss having the small, nimble car feeling. The M2 is such a great little package, and there don't seem to be that many around, no matter where you are.

I would say to get the M2 and add a 981 BS to your stable (to satisfy the drop need). Then you've got the best of ALL worlds.

[ShelJW]

I was looking at a Cayman, and decided to rent one for two days from Turo. Best thing I could have done... made me realize that, while it's a fantastic car there were some things that weren't right for what I was looking for.

Rented an M2 a few weeks later, again for two days, and decided rather quickly to go to a BMW dealership, and order one! However, the fact that the M2 was the right car for me doesn't mean it'll be the right car for you!

My suggestion... if you can, rent whatever car you're considering and use it for a couple of days. A 30 minute test drive does NOT give you enough time to really get to know any car, it's merits and it's blemishes...

LOVE Turo! It's so great to be able to test drive, for a day, two days, nearly any car you'd like!

Oh, and an early welcome to California! It's a great state (I was born here), great weather, tons of activity and (for the most part) great people! I'm sure you and your family will love it here!

[baege]

nice stable!
i would go with m2
i test drove both in search of a replacement for my 981CS
the m4 had uninspiring engine sound
felt big cumbersome
rhe m2 felt compact nimble...much better sound
More fun
proof is in the pudding...i ordered an m240i

turo suggestion is a very good one

[HODLM]

What no one has mentioned so far: you will be one of MANY in the M4 in SoCal. There is nothing unique about the M3/4 in SoCal or Miami. I grew up in SD and live in Miami, and I refused to get the M4 because I see about 6 a day.

Now for the M2, you'll be lucky to see 1 a month. So, go for the M2. More fun, definitely more unique.

[Evoking]

Originally Posted by HODLM

What no one has mentioned so far: you will be one of MANY in the M4 in SoCal. There is nothing unique about the M3/4 in SoCal or Miami. I grew up in SD and live in Miami, and I refused to get the M4 because I see about 6 a day.

Now for the M2, you'll be lucky to see 1 a month. So, go for the M2. More fun, definitely more unique.

Good points. However, regarding the S55 engine, I suspect the car will be another $10-15k more. If so I think that begins to defeat the point of the bare-bones simple, fun and relatively affordable toy! I also suspect with the same amount of cash a lot more power can be generated from the current TT 6 no?

[dtmpower98]

An M4 is almost a commoner car here in SoCal it seems now lol. I never see other M2's on the road. When i do, they're always amped to see another fellow M2. Quite honestly you should spend a little bit more time driving each one and decide which one personally gives you the best feedback. I don't really believe the M2 has much less pimp factor here in SoCal with the abundance of M4's.

[arwin]

I'd get the m4 cab if I were u. I like drop tops though:

[akkando]

Originally Posted by Evoking

Good points. However, regarding the S55 engine, I suspect the car will be another $10-15k more. If so I think that begins to defeat the point of the bare-bones simple, fun and relatively affordable toy! I also suspect with the same amount of cash a lot more power can be generated from the current TT 6 no?

No way it's going to be that much more, it completely throws out the hierarchy BMW has. They could only do that if it was a special limited edition which it's not.

[akkando]

Have you considered an m240i drop top?


Anyway renting both for a couple days seems like the best thing to do. I do feel like people who buy an M2 generally wanted an M2. People who buy M4s maybe just wanted an approved cool car.

[Evoking]

The S55 will only be available in the CS and is expected around Sept... The question is whether I can hold off that long without a daily toy ;-)

[No Boost]

An F83 defeats the purpose of what makes the M4 (and M3) desirable against its competitors, which is weight. F83 is 400 lbs heavier than its fixed roof sisters. While the F80/82 bests the C63/Alfa Q/etc. in track times, meaning it handles better, the vert is just too can heavy to be nimble. Might as well go with a C63 vert, and all the mass is possesses, if you desire an open air GT lux Autobahn cruiser.

[M3_WC]

C63S Cab.

It is a lovely car to listen to with top down.

[M3_WC]

Originally Posted by Stage IV

An F83 defeats the purpose of what makes the M4 (and M3) desirable against its competitors, which is weight. F83 is 400 lbs heavier than its fixed roof sisters. While the F80/82 bests the C63/Alfa Q/etc. in track times, meaning it handles better, the vert is just too can heavy to be nimble. Might as well go with a C63 vert, and all the mass is possesses, if you desire an open air GT lux Autobahn cruiser.

+1

[chmura]

The only convertible I will drive is a Targa (Porsche, NSX, Supra, etc).

I would get a Porsche Targa.

M4 vert is fugly.

[Rupes]

That's a hell of a collection. Here's how I view your checklist...

Amazing sports car? Check!
Family car? Check!
Classic car? Check!
Daily? Check!

Southern California convertible? ...

You have to have one of those if you're in CA. To all the people talking about rarity as a reason for owning the M2, the man has a f**ing Huracan. That's an important factor for us common folk, but a (slightly rareish) BMW as a 5th car is going to be much less important for a Lamborghini owner.