[Damage Inc]

I'm looking to downsize my budget a bit. Previously had 01 m3 05 m3 06 m5 08 m6 11 m3 15 m3 14 c4s 15 gts. Dang, that's a lot of cars when you type if out ha ha.

Somehow I climbed up to a $100k GTS and I'm looking to get back down to earth with my car allowance

My first thought was to go back to an E90 M3 since I LOVED that car in a V8 manual, but nothing out there for low miles around $40k. Then looking at E92's but very few with warranty left that meet my specs, even if I spend up to $45k which is kinda a lot for a 9 year old design. Then I read about all the rod issues actuators, etc. I dont like to deal with that crap, and get worried my car will blow up.

Not a fan of the F80. Just too big for back road driving. Its meant for driving fast in a straight line. If I lived back in Detroit where its flat and straight, the M3 would be the move. But I live in Nashville were we have amazing country roads so the M3 is out.

BUT the F80 is a better value than the M2. Why? I see 17 M3 Comp Pack w 12k miles for high 50's. You do get "more car" with an M3 vs.M2. So if price is equal, I think the M3 is the better value. BUT I kinda like the playful nature of the M2 if I"m honest. However resale and value are important to me, I base many decisions on the smarter financial move not always my heart

Exterior
The car is a 10 of 10 from the dead on front. Love it.
Move to the side... its ok.
Rear 3\4 looks... well not good at all lol. When I showed my wife pics she's like "you want to drive THAT"!
Overall I like the bulldog stance. I loved the stocky looking E90 and F80, much more so than the E92 and M4.
Net: I'll always back into my parkiing spots so I see the car straight on

Interior
Spartan as expected, but not as bad as others have stated. The crooked seat is the only real issue for me. Wish it had HUD. But not a dealbreaker.

Steering
Decent, met my expectation. Quick turn in, not much road feel, but precise. The current BMW M trend. 991 much better, but not light years better.

Sound
At first it sounded pretty good. Much more "F1" than the deep M3. However I felt that most of the sound was from the ASD after deeper into the drive. Not much exhaust note unless driving slow around town.

RANT: I've always loved M cars for the "special" motors like the E46, S85/S56. I dont consider any of the new M motors "special". They are too close to a 335i in sound and feel vs. the old NA's. My "wish" is for an M2 with a high revving I6. Come on, why not?? I dont care that its slow, just think how much FUN that car would be Porsche does it in their GT cars to this day.

So back to engine: power was fine, plenty to have some fun. Felt linear for turbo. You dont have to "work as hard" as an NA, so I certainly miss that. But for a fun DD I'm thinking it will be "ok".

Suspension
I read the C/D review about the "harsh" suspension. I dont see it. I felt in all modes it was taught and firm, but not harsh at all. Unless over a very bad road. Handling met expectations for a current M car.

Value:
My goal is to order a base 18 w manual and sunroof. Get $2500 off MSRP. If I can get that, I'm at low $50's, about $8k more than a 13 M3 w 15k miles. Considering its a brand new M, its very good value.

My preference would be to buy a 16 for $45k, or 17 for $47k but its going to be tough. My main concern is depreciation over acquisition cost. If the resale keeps strong, then this car is high value.

Color
White - looks good, but not for me
Black - my favorite, but it looks very "flat" in the showroom. Plus a PIA to keep clean.
Blue - I might get sick of it...
SG - I had this on my M3 and really liked it. Never looked dirty, never see swirl marks, and a modern color. I want to see the flared arches which I think pop best in SG.

Summary
I'm highly considering an M2. I think I'm "over" the GT350 due to lack of refinement and build issues.
Its not a "serious" car like the 911 GTS. And not as "grown up" as the M3, which is really the size of the old 5 series.

Questions

Can I unplug the ASD? In my M3 it was just a cable in the trunk to disconnect.

Exhaust: I see the MPE is $3k, decent value from factory. But what about Dinan? I watched Matt's review of the Dinan M2 and it sounded perfect.

Is the manual pretty good? My 15 M3 was decent. E90 M was rubbery and kinda sucked.

Drone - I heard some drone on the highway, does it go away in comfort? I think it was actually the ASD not exhaust. But it was only 5 min on the highway so hard to decipher.

Prob more q's to come.

I dont think the M2 CS is worth holding out for. 1) I dont track my car 2) I doubt I can get one 3) it will be more expensive, which probably wont hurt the M2 resale too much.

Lastly.. I want to take a spin in a M3 Comp to see if it fixes the steering and exhaust sound. But it wont make the car "smaller"... we'll see.

Thanks for reading.

[tux2005]

ASD isn't quite as easy as just unplugging, you have the options of coding (for 2017 and on, 2016 while it can be coded that results in worse audio) or using a bypass cable. I put up with ASD on my Euro Delivery for 3600+ km (~2200miles) but did also notice drone on the autobahn, I coded it off shortly after redelivery and much happier.

I skipped MPE, I test drove a car with it and found it too loud. Since they don't even claim performance increases it hasn't had much appeal. I can appreciate the sound but it's a bit more than I'd want to live with for a DD.

I'm on a DCT so can't comment on the manual.

I think comfort might have helped a bit with drone but coding was my work around, now any mode is pretty much drone free on highway driving.

[crqflier]

No drone cruising 80mph in 6th on the freeway in comfort mode.

The suspension doesn't adjust - explains why it felt ok in all modes.

No track? M240 probably a better DD for less $$, both up front and on going.

[jmh600cbr]

Originally Posted by tux2005

ASD isn't quite as easy as just unplugging, you have the options of coding (for 2017 and on, 2016 while it can be coded that results in worse audio) or using a bypass cable. I put up with ASD on my Euro Delivery for 3600+ km (~2200miles) but did also notice drone on the autobahn, I coded it off shortly after redelivery and much happier.

I skipped MPE, I test drove a car with it and found it too loud. Since they don't even claim performance increases it hasn't had much appeal. I can appreciate the sound but it's a bit more than I'd want to live with for a DD.

I'm on a DCT so can't comment on the manual.

I think comfort might have helped a bit with drone but coding was my work around, now any mode is pretty much drone free on highway driving.

How hard to code out the ASD? I just ordered an ObD. I ordered my car with the MPE and I feel like the combo of the MPE and the ASD is going to be LOUD. Am I right?

[Seagull]

Originally Posted by jmh600cbr

How hard to code out the ASD? I just ordered an ObD. I ordered my car with the MPE and I feel like the combo of the MPE and the ASD is going to be LOUD. Am I right?

I don't think it's that loud - it's far louder if you are standing behind the car.

[Loupeitak]

MPE + ASD on comfort was liveable, but in Sport it droned way too much. Coded out the ASD with bimmercode and everything became so much better. The MPE makes everything sound much more natural and I don't get a headache driving on the highway for long periods of time.

[seis-speed]

F80 feels pretty nimble for it’s size. M2 feels small and fun, I love it, but be sure to check out the F80 more....it is an amazing machine and seems to check a lot of boxes that you are looking for, IMO.

[pruettfan]

Originally Posted by crqflier

No drone cruising 80mph in 6th on the freeway in comfort mode.

The suspension doesn't adjust - explains why it felt ok in all modes.

No track? M240 probably a better DD for less $$, both up front and on going.

There are a lot of former M235/m240 owners driving M2s that would disagree. I have driven both, both make great DD.

[Saanen]

you can buy the ASD delete cable for $50 and spend another $50-75 to have a local car audio shop install the delete cable; then if you want a slightly deeper and louder exhaust tone add a Fabspeed sport cat....and you get an extra 25+ hp to boot!

[crqflier]

Originally Posted by pruettfan

There are a lot of former M235/m240 owners driving M2s that would disagree. I have driven both, both make great DD.

I cross shopped the 228 (msport, thp) and Cayman S - so I'm all over the board. Suspension on that 235/40 is comfy and plenty fun around town.

[Fangi0]

6MT "feel" (gear ratios are, of course, different) in the M2 and E92 M3 is about the same --rubbery. Can't compare it to that of, say, a 996.

[akkando]

Originally Posted by MojorisinM3

BUT the F80 is a better value than the M2. Why? I see 17 M3 Comp Pack w 12k miles for high 50's. You do get "more car" with an M3 vs.M2. So if price is equal, I think the M3 is the better value. BUT I kinda like the playful nature of the M2 if I"m honest. However resale and value are important to me, I base many decisions on the smarter financial move not always my heart

The f80 is a better value? Is it? Whats the depreciation on that in three or four years?

Exterior? The M2 is a better looking car. Park an M2 next to an M3 and see which one people walk up to.

Interior? The seat isn't crooked, that's fake news bro. Can you really tell? Could you tell the f80 seat is crooked as well? Or is it? Yes I wish it had HUD, oh well.

Sound? I can't tell you how much is the ASD but most people coded it out who don't want it. That's like $25 for the ODB and $20 for the app, and then you can code a lot more things if you want. Or installed bypass harness. It did remove drone for me but I am DCT. As far as hearing exhaust yea you need going slow and windows down. Don't have MPE or Dinan, couldn't say.

Engine? Yeah it would be sick of BMW did like a high rev high HP NA motor for M cars or even just the GTS/CSL but they don't, maybe it would be worth it for them to make an engine just for that as a halo car? They probably think if it's not better than Porsche GT why bother.

Suspension? M2 doesn't have modes for suspension, some other 2 series cars can be optioned to have them. C&D doesn't know what they are talking about, they must mean compared to a random grocery getter, yea okay, it's more harsh than whatever the hot SUV or crossover is this year.

Value for M2? Well if this is your biggest concern why not wait for the MY19 M2 which will have the S55 engine? Doesn't it seem likely it will cause the MY16-17 to depreciate into your range? Or at least get the MY19 version so your MY18 value doesn't tank 3 months after you get it?

Color? I have LBB, sometimes I wish I had MG. The MG is bad ass looking, it looks great, much better than an M4 in the same color. The rear fenders really bulge out on the MG M2.

GT350 isn't grown up compared to the M3? At least the GT350 knows what it wants to be, what the fuck is the f80 M3 even for? You want a fast family hauler? It's for bros to barely make their lease payments? It's for lawyers who don't know which fast car to get?

Manual? People say it's rubbery or "smooth", but I don't have one. Some complaints about first to second.

Drone? A lot of the drone is ASD, but a bunch of MT people complain about it in 6th. Probably depends on your highway speed. I guess figure out what your average high speed is and if that is in the drone range for the MT M2 (2900-3300?)

CS? No probably not, but M2 Competition (base MY19) is coming this summer, but probably hard to get one of those too, for at least 3-6 months at MSRP. Maybe that's when you get MY18 new at a discount or used at a good price.

[Damage Inc]

Originally Posted by crqflier

No drone cruising 80mph in 6th on the freeway in comfort mode.

The suspension doesn't adjust - explains why it felt ok in all modes.

No track? M240 probably a better DD for less $$, both up front and on going.

1. Glad to hear no drone
2. So what does the diff modes actually do? Is it throttle mapping and steering? Per your comment, it doesnt change suspension.
3. Love the aggressive look of the exterior on the M2. 240 doesnt excite me quite as much

[Damage Inc]

Originally Posted by Fangi0

6MT "feel" (gear ratios are, of course, different) in the M2 and E92 M3 is about the same --rubbery. Can't compare it to that of, say, a 996.

Thanks for the info. I'll still be getting the manual for the engagement and lower cost

I'll set my expectations low

[AndrewC1989]

Originally Posted by jmh600cbr

How hard to code out the ASD?

Super easy to do with bimmercode. Takes 2 min, no skill required. It's a must do mod IMO. It eliminated most (if not all) of the cabin drone I was experiencing. Much happier without it. Also reversible with the click of a button so you've got nothing to lose by trying it out.

http://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...338157&page=65

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by pruettfan

There are a lot of former M235/m240 owners driving M2s that would disagree. I have driven both, both make great DD.

I've driven the M240i xDive many many times and he is right....

The M240i is faster in many situations, goes like stink, has a better value, and handles 95% as good as the M2!!

[Blurbo311]

Originally Posted by ORIGIN M.

I've driven the M240i xDive many many times and he is right....

The M240i is faster in many situations, goes like stink, has a better value, and handles 95% as good as the M2!!

While I understand some feel this way... I think the M2 is worth the extra $$$ over a 235/240 just due to how it looks. The extra M2 bits in the engine and suspension are of course worth something too. If you buy new vs new, the M2 will suffer less depreciation over 5 years in my opinion because it will always be worth more than the 235/240s that are out there. This in my opinion, solidifies the M2 as a better value over the M240.

[Ymalo22]

Not to thread jack, I myself have the 18 m2 which I absolutely love, but I have a 09 e90 for sale in space grey under 40k

[horsepower_and_hounds]

I had a M235 before the M4 and with out a doubt the M2 looks hand over fist better. That is worth $$$. And the M2 handles so much better than the F82

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by Blurbo311

While I understand some feel this way... I think the M2 is worth the extra $$$ over a 235/240 just due to how it looks. The extra M2 bits in the engine and suspension are of course worth something too. If you buy new vs new, the M2 will suffer less depreciation over 5 years in my opinion because it will always be worth more than the 235/240s that are out there. This in my opinion, solidifies the M2 as a better value over the M240.

I understand I own an M2 but a lease on a M240i is far more attractive to many because of the lease deals alone.

[Aloha Joe]

Originally Posted by andrewc89

Super easy to do with bimmercode. Takes 2 min, no skill required. It's a must do mod IMO. It eliminated most (if not all) of the cabin drone I was experiencing. Much happier without it. Also reversible with the click of a button so you've got nothing to lose by trying it out.

http://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...338157&page=65

Coded out ASD and have Fabspeed S/C, for me the sound is just right, not to mention improved throttle response with a few extra ponies. Just curious, not that I want it back on, but how do you code ASD back on, on Bimmercode?

[AndrewC1989]

Originally Posted by Aloha Joe

Just curious, not that I want it back on, but how do you code ASD back on, on Bimmercode?

You have to restore it from an older backup.