[W///]

Originally Posted by Hazey82

This may help others but for my own sanity this is what I came up with

M2

Negatives (in order)
Seats
No M Mirrors
M buttons
Weight
No CF Roof
No Power Dome
Notes: Has been restricted by M division

Positives
Sounds better than F80/F82
Footprint/Tossable, Coupe (Back to old school M3 size e.g E46)
Price
Road Presence
Last small size manual non Hybrid M car??
Notes: Can change seats, Mirrors, Add CF Roof or wrap

M3
Negatives(in order)
Size/Footprint/Playfulness??
Exhaust Sound (replacing exhaust is $$ and I don’t think it does much)
Price

Positives
Bespoke Engine (beast)
Seats / Interior
CF Roof and other CF bits
Mirrors
Weight reduction
Power Dome
M3 badge
M buttons
Road Presence
Last manual non Hybrid M car??
Notes: All the bits, M gave it everything

In conclusion it comes down to at the end of the 5 years do I want

M2) Smaller 2 door Manual M car that will retire to become the weekend toy and have a separate family car. Last small sized playful coupe manual M car?? Has hints of E30, E46. Desirable in 5-10yrs +

M3) Practical full M car covers family and play duties. Last manual M car?? Desirable in 5-10yrs +

Option of leasing M2 for 3 years and then making the switch to M3 on a 5 year lease is too much money to blow over 7 years.
I'm leaning toward the F80 and will take one for a good drive around some twisties to see if the size is really a issue

Note: Price difference between the M2 and M3 in Aus will be about 20-30K The M3 comes pretty loaded here in Australia I'm going to guess its like a $75-80K loaded US car.

Now if only I could afford to keep my E46 M3 while getting the F80 that would be perfect as it covers both options.

I personally would go the other direction. Lease the M3 for 3 years, then get an M2 if you think it'll be worth it. That way, you'll be able to get not only an M2 with LCI, but probably have more leverage to work out a deal by then.

That's what I plan to do. If the M2 is not as amazing as we all think, I'll buy the leased M3 at the end of the 3 years.

And in your case, I'd definitely do E46+F80 combo. Add, not replace