[PokGuy]

hey guys, just wanted your feedback on the M2, I just lease returned my M4 and it had a pretty good kick to it. Wanted to see what your opinion after driving it for a couple months?

Like hows the power, quality of the car, any problems, any dislikes etc

Been thinking about the car a lot, around 52-55k for no options manual M2 is pretty worth it to me, but dont know if I'll enjoy the power decrease.

Thoughts? Thanks!

[slowbrick]

If you are not an M car loyalist, there are better options for the price. The performance of the 2 is great, the interior is subpar in my opinion and yes I own one.

[DoggieHowser]

Are there faster cars for the money?

Sure.

But what makes the M2 and M cars of old is the feel. How it feels connected to you. How it feels like an extension of you.

It's that good. And I haven't even gotten my car yet.

[six-n-twins53]

Love mine. No regrets. Everyone seems to have these bizarre gripes about extraneous things. Interior is cheap? No, not really. It's not 7 series nice, but it is far from cheap. No M4 mirror caps? WTF who cares? It's actually pretty nice. Ergonomics are great. Car is an eye catcher without being a boy racer winged out ride. For 55K from BMW it's a screaming bargain. Tons of fun to drive. Sounds great. No complaints so far. I plan on keeping it as a permanent part of my collection

My last car was an M5 FWIW

[M2Nebula]

Originally Posted by six-n-twins53

Love mine. No regrets. Everyone seems to have these bizarre gripes about extraneous things. Interior is cheap? No, not really. It's not 7 series nice, but it is far from cheap. No M4 mirror caps? WTF who cares? It's actually pretty nice. Ergonomics are great. Car is an eye catcher without being a boy racer winged out ride. For 55K from BMW it's a screaming bargain. Tons of fun to drive. Sounds great. No complaints so far. I plan on keeping it as a permanent part of my collection

My last car was an M5 FWIW

Very well said here....A couple minor complaints for me would be the gauges are hard to read during the day, especially in funky lighting situations. It has been discussed here many times. The new LCI model has supposedly addressed this. Also, I wish it had an oil temp and oil pressure gauge. Last, the electronic steering is a bit numb, I would have preferred a hydraulic system, but then they wouldn't have been able to change it as easily for the sport settings, etc...

[stefan]

Originally Posted by slowbrick

If you are not an M car loyalist, there are better options for the price. The performance of the 2 is great, the interior is subpar in my opinion and yes I own one.

There are? I've driven and cross shopped a few of them and I kind of disagree if you want a small car with RWD/6sp/LSD/good power. I think you're very limited. And I'm not being biased here I just can't think of alternatives otherwise I'd be checking them out. Mustang GT is heavy/poorly built, FRS/BRZ very slow, M4 too big/too expensive. 718 cayman 2 seater. Everyone else has the wrong transmission. I'm picking up an M2 but to be honest I don't love it, just don't know what the (under warranty) alternatives really are.

[3Si]

Somewhere between a Lotus Elise and a Bentley Continental.

[DETRoadster]

Originally Posted by stefan

There are? I've driven and cross shopped a few of them and I kind of disagree if you want a small car with RWD/6sp/LSD/good power. I think you're very limited. And I'm not being biased here I just can't think of alternatives otherwise I'd be checking them out. Mustang GT is heavy/poorly built, FRS/BRZ very slow, M4 too big/too expensive. 718 cayman 2 seater. Everyone else has the wrong transmission. I'm picking up an M2 but to be honest I don't love it, just don't know what the (under warranty) alternatives really are.

Totally agree. There's not really anything else out there that ticks the boxes that were important to me (Good power, small footprint, good quality, 2 door, 4 seats, manual trans, sub $60k).

I too have some minor gripes about the car but all of them are far outweighed by the positive.

[WAY]

To me it drives much better than the M3/M4.

[Semi-Poor]

As good as it gets for 50-60k IMHO, love the size and simplicity.

[jdarwin]

I came from a 135is - didn't want a "bigger" car - just a "better" version of what I had. The M2 met those requirements. If you need "big" (i.e. 4 doors) and all the techno bells and whistles, this isn't your car. Its not my DD so I don't need all the trappings of luxury or technology to enjoy it. The car isn't cheap. But it's value proposition in it's space is hard to beat.

[stren]

Plenty of options for either faster on the ring or straight line or "nicer" but for the money a ~55K M2 is in a pretty unique position for "fast enough" "nice enough" "good enough handling" "cheap enough" + rwd + 6mt + "2+2" BUT most importantly it has the fun and involvement factor. It's a good balance of everything. The perfect all rounder for those who don't need or want more. With rwd and 6mt's going away, there may not be many more of this kind of car.

[Bluenose-2er]

I agree with most here... for me, it is a perfect combo of good speed, very good handling, OK interior looks, great exterior looks, envy factor (I get head turns, thumbs up, or people asking be about it all the time)... all in a really fairly priced package.

There are other options at the price point if all you care about is straight line speed... or one or two of the above. But it ticks all the boxes for me. Great fun to drive, and can get your adrenaline going if you really want to push its limits.

[doug_999]

I frickin love my M2!

Came from a 650GC

Love the size (ok, seriously, it is normally me and MAYBE one person in the car).

Love the way it sticks for a RWD car. Drives great in dry, rain, and even snow (with snow tires of course)

LOVE the sound

LOVE the looks.

lots of little things about it suck - CarPlay, iDrive 5, ride (almost too stiff?), dead spot on center with steering.

But I really don't notice most of these cause I'm having such a great time driving it. From what I heard (and noticed the one time I drove a M3), that the current M3/M4 have a hard time putting the power down. Not so with the M2.

Did I mention, I love this car!

[akkando]

Originally Posted by stefan

There are? I've driven and cross shopped a few of them and I kind of disagree if you want a small car with RWD/6sp/LSD/good power. I think you're very limited. And I'm not being biased here I just can't think of alternatives otherwise I'd be checking them out. Mustang GT is heavy/poorly built, FRS/BRZ very slow, M4 too big/too expensive. 718 cayman 2 seater. Everyone else has the wrong transmission. I'm picking up an M2 but to be honest I don't love it, just don't know what the (under warranty) alternatives really are.

People seem to really like the new Camaro SS LE. Obviously there are reason why some wouldn't prefer that car but, A LOT of people really like it. Also it's cheaper. Comes with a manual and RWD!

Most people who just want a "fun" car would be perfectly happy with an sporty Audi I am sure, if they are not looking for RWD and Manual.

[mike in o.c.]

I don't own one yet. I plan to place my order tomorrow. Replacing my 2006 M3 ZCP. Don't want a new M3 or M4. They've become too big and heavy and expensive. I look at the size of the M2 and it's almost exactly the same as an E46 M3. But, more power, better electronics, updated looks, better transmission (yeah I like the SMG; ordering the DCT). I think it's great value for the money. Look at my window sticker for the M3 and compare what you got 10 years ago with what you get now with the M2 and the M2 is $10K cheaper! No brainer for me.

[stren]

Originally Posted by akkando

People seem to really like the new Camaro SS LE. Obviously there are reason why some wouldn't prefer that car but, A LOT of people really like it. Also it's cheaper. Comes with a manual and RWD!

Most people who just want a "fun" car would be perfectly happy with an sporty Audi I am sure, if they are not looking for RWD and Manual.

After sitting in one, I couldn't stand the interior and the lack of visibility. The rear seats seem to have less legroom than the M2 also to the point where with a tall person like myself they are essentially a large parcel shelf. It was so bad that I didn't even bother to test drive to check out the 'fun' factor.

[pruettfan]

I love my M2 for several reasons, great ergonomics (important to me because of a fused back), great driving dynamics, good trunk space, solid sound system and most important nice power/braking and handling. I believe it is a good value and is a unique car that car people respect but others just see as another car which I like. We live in a time of great choices in terms of cars so I won't say its the best car to buy but it is a great one. Most of the other cars in class either have compromised ergonomics, usability or are significantly more expensive. For example I would love a Cayman S but its way more expensive and not as usable.

[ClothSeats]

There is nothing like the M2 on the market because there is no other compact front engine RWD coupe with a good engine.

You can get one without the engine (BRZ, 370), and you can get one without the small size (Camaro/Corvette/Shelby) but not both. I do miss the size and "nimbleness" of a sport compact, but on the other hand the V8 sound is just so good. (and the handling + ride quality is nothing to sneeze at)

I'm looking forward to the M Track day at COTA to form a better basis of comparison.

[PokGuy]

thanks for the comments everyone, some great points. Do plan on keeping it for a long time and dont want the gauge to bug me, probably get a LCI one haha.

[No Boost]

Originally Posted by PokGuy

thanks for the comments everyone, some great points. Do plan on keeping it for a long time and dont want the gauge to bug me, probably get a LCI one haha.

Yes, poorly lit gauge cluster sucks. Everything else is aces. Get it tuned so you don't miss the juice from the S55. Specifically, bigger turbo.

[Tralfaz]

Originally Posted by stren

After sitting in one, I couldn't stand the interior and the lack of visibility. The rear seats seem to have less legroom than the M2 also to the point where with a tall person like myself they are essentially a large parcel shelf. It was so bad that I didn't even bother to test drive to check out the 'fun' factor.

I had to get the rear end fixed on my 135i once and eventually ended up with a Camero as a rental. Obviously it was the cheaper base version, but I really did not like that car. As you mentioned, the visibility was terrible it was so big (and felt like it) but really didn't feel bigger on the inside. It was at least better than the Grand Caravan that was leaking oil that I got originally.