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      06-15-2017, 05:45 PM   #23
SkysTheLimit
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster View Post
Your initial impression " heavy and bulky " is spot on. I've never owned an E9x but they are a great car and fun drive. I've driven them on and off track and even as a pace car for a BMW CCA club race.

However, as others like @mwho have mentioned , if your dance partner is light on its feet for the size , or "gets out of the way surprisingly well" those are just euphemisms that explain that the weight really is an issue.

If You didn't get that " just right " feeling on your first few times driving an E9x, it's not likely that will change. The E9x marks the point at which the M3 really aspired to be more like a 5 series. The 1M and of course the M2 are what the typical E30, E36, and E46 owner would appreciate more so than the typical E9x or F8x owner.

The S65 is glorious, and I could live with that engine note and sound for quite awhile, but ultimately I prefer a truly nimble car, not one that does pretty well at being nimble.
How much of that is due to the weight of added options? I am seeking a no-option E9X, which I believe to weigh nearly 3500lbs or in other words very close to my fully loaded E46.

Most of the E9X I see for sale, including one I have driven, have been optioned out quite heavily. NAV - 20-30lbs. Sunroof on sedan - 40lbs up top. DCT - quite heavy over 6MT. Power seats, sunshade, unnecessary sensors...these things all add up and then you are at a car easily 100-200lbs more than a base model. And I agree - a 3700lbs M3 is no dancer.

I have driven multiple M2's now and I do agree with some of the sentiment here. It feels like it's being suffocated. I think that is a perfect analogy to the power delivery. I have not been thoroughly impressed, despite knowing that the car is physically fast 0-60/etc.

I also am not happy with the steering in the M2. While the car itself is superbly nimble and rotates like no BMW M car I have driven before, I can't help but feel like the car leaves a lot left to be desired in terms of feel, numbness, and communication. This is why I am eagerly searching for a late model E9X ZCP 6MT.

Talking to others, I seem to be one of the only ones who feels this way, but I also think most have bought in to the new BMW model. I also can't help but notice the demographic has changed, and most purchasing these cars only care about comfort, ease of driving, and straight line speed.

Thoughts?
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      06-16-2017, 02:30 PM   #24
chris719
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Do you really think the E9x is more tactile? I haven't driven one, just an honest question. The steering might be, but I don't know, it seems like the E9x is already one step too GT for your wishes.
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      06-17-2017, 09:19 PM   #25
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Originally Posted by rich8566 View Post
I put nearly 50,000 miles on an M235i and I loved every minute of driving that car. It was quite, comfortable, handled well, had plenty of power, got great fuel mileage and was extremely reliable. I'm now driving an M2 and I've loved every minute of the 2400 miles I've put on it since April 8th.
How big of a difference have you noticed in fuel economy between the M235i and the M2? If you are easy on it and cruise at 75-80Mph on the freeway can you get good fuel consumption on freeway/highway like you can with M235i?
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      06-17-2017, 09:59 PM   #26
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stylinexpat View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by rich8566 View Post
I put nearly 50,000 miles on an M235i and I loved every minute of driving that car. It was quite, comfortable, handled well, had plenty of power, got great fuel mileage and was extremely reliable. I'm now driving an M2 and I've loved every minute of the 2400 miles I've put on it since April 8th.
How big of a difference have you noticed in fuel economy between the M235i and the M2? If you are easy on it and cruise at 75-80Mph on the freeway can you get good fuel consumption on freeway/highway like you can with M235i?
Fuel mileage is definitely lower in my M2 compared to my 235i. Fuel consumption is about 9-10% higher in my M2 compared to my 235i. In my daily driving I got about 26 mpg in my 235i and I now average about 24 mpg in my M2. On long highway trips I was able to get 30-31 mpg in my 235i at 70-75 mph and now I get about 28 mpg in my M2.

One really noticeable difference is that I need to fill up the M2 after just two 30 minute track sessions (at Watkins Glen) vs after every third track session in the 235i. I also lowered my track lap time by 4 seconds in my completely stock M2. I don't regret moving to the M2.
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      06-24-2017, 08:06 PM   #27
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I was in the same boat.It was either the m2 or e92 comp pckg. I went with the m2. By all means I do not regret it, but I have a little part of me that wishes I went with the e92 instead. I love the s65. I think that is one of the best engines produced by them(personally). The f87 I feel like is to new. I miss the real heavy steering in the e46 as well as the low end torque. The e92 still has some character left in it, which I feel the m2 is just fun, amazing at track days, but nothing compared to how they started. I will be buying an e92 6mt with in the next year tho.. because both are amazing cars.
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      06-25-2017, 12:05 AM   #28
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Maks///M2 View Post
I was in the same boat.It was either the m2 or e92 comp pckg. I went with the m2. By all means I do not regret it, but I have a little part of me that wishes I went with the e92 instead. I love the s65. I think that is one of the best engines produced by them(personally). The f87 I feel like is to new. I miss the real heavy steering in the e46 as well as the low end torque. The e92 still has some character left in it, which I feel the m2 is just fun, amazing at track days, but nothing compared to how they started. I will be buying an e92 6mt with in the next year tho.. because both are amazing cars.
Don't get this at all. I had to look this up just to confirm, because although I have driven the E46 M3, I have not owned one. Peak torque on a stock E46 M3 was 251 ft. lbs at 4900. The M2 blows the E46 M3 away on torque, and especially low end. The E36 M3 was my previous Bimmer, and even with a Dinan kit on it the low end torque on the M2 is distinctly better than that was...

Now, the steering I get. I think the M2's steering is precise, but somewhat numb compared to those early M cars.
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      06-25-2017, 04:14 AM   #29
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BruceM View Post
Don't get this at all. I had to look this up just to confirm, because although I have driven the E46 M3, I have not owned one. Peak torque on a stock E46 M3 was 251 ft. lbs at 4900. The M2 blows the E46 M3 away on torque, and especially low end. The E36 M3 was my previous Bimmer, and even with a Dinan kit on it the low end torque on the M2 is distinctly better than that was...

Now, the steering I get. I think the M2's steering is precise, but somewhat numb compared to those early M cars.
Ha, there is no 'low end torque' in an E46 M3 6MT neither in an E9x M3 6MT.....they don't feel 'fast' in low and medium revs. They have to be revved rather highly to get speed out of it.

So I 'm not getting this either, though having owned both E46 and E90 M3.....

Cheers
Robin

Last edited by Robin_NL; 06-25-2017 at 04:31 AM..
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