[xiwrestledabear]

This is a bit of a new member introduction post so if it’s not in the right place I apologize.

Back in October I sold my 2019 Civic Type R with plans to move up the sports car tier list a bit. I test drove A LOT of options (M3 xdrive, Shelby GT350, Porsche 718 Cayman, etc.) I came really close to buying a 2020 718 with sports chrono in manual back in January. I drove it multiple times throughout the week I was considering it. It sounded great with the engine right behind you but the shifting experience in my opinion just wasn’t as nice as the CTR. I hated that the clutch wouldn’t grab until it reached the top of its travel. The gear shifter felt great but I still preferred my type r shifter (even with the grinds every now and then). Just felt like it had character. The cayman didn’t feel significantly faster either but I figure that could be resolved with an APR tune or getting a GTS. The Porsche does absolutely destroy the Type R in terms of features and that luxury feeling with the full leather package.

With those thoughts fresh in mind there I sat at the Porsche dealership, pen in hand about to sign. There was a breif while I waited for the finance manager to print some documents down the hall. The salesman and I started talking BMW. I had seen a beautiful E30 driving on my way to the Porsche dealership and couldn’t stop thinking about how much fun that guy looked like he was having and how much love he put into that car. It looked pristine. Turns out that was the Grandpa of the salesman who was trying to sale this Cayman to me. The salesman drove an E46 M3 and even though he sold Porsche he smiled like a kid when he talked about it. Well that made my mind up for me. I wanted to be a part of the BMW community. I thanked both the salesman and finance manager for their time and left without signing.

I immediately looked more at BMW models. I’d test drove the G80 xdrive and really liked it but it felt heavier than I liked. I wanted something lighter like my type R but also fun to drive around and take corners in with more punch when I wanted it.

The only car I found that compared for me was a BMW M2. It’s the first car I’ve driven where I could not stop smiling like an idiot when pushing it. It’s ultimately what I ended up buying, a 2020 M2C in LBB with 7k miles on the odometer.

I’m happy to finally be a part of the BMW family and would love to hear any tips for future mods or recommendations.

[Al Bundy's Dodge]

Welcome!

And nice find with only 7k miles on her!

I’ll leave the modding recs to others as my 2018 is mostly stock.

Enjoy in good health!

[ThreeStripes]

Congrats and welcome. Great story. Also love me a Honda shifter.

[jefe2000]

Great story! It’s fun to hear your journey to this point. Welcome!

I’ve found the folks here to be a welcoming and helpful bunch. I’ve learned so much from the fellow forum folks over the past coupe years. There’s so much M2-related knowledge that’s just a quick search away.

Here’s to many more miles of smiles!

[3t3p]

Good story thanks for sharing, a test of courage to not sign so far in well done!

Amazing machines, do the daily so well yet reward so much on a hard drive.

[IcewaterPete]

Fantastic story! Welcome and hope you enjoy the M2 as much as the rest of us. I’m all stock except for some minor cosmetic stuff so I’ll defer to the mod masters on here.

[(K)]

Welcome!

I bet that salesman learned a valuable lesson in sales that day lol.

[Jacob_Seattle]

Awesome, great choice. The salesman's passion couldn't be overshadowed. Hondas were my favorite cars for a long time and I even owned a gen 1 NSX for a few years. My wife was in an accident in a 3 series (e46 4 door) about 20 years ago and it held up so well. The accident was bad as an old lady T boned her when the old lady ran a stop sign. As the car took damage, my wife walked away and the other car..... well... not very good. So, I have been a fan of BMWs ever since. I changed that car out with an e39 540, then an e39 m5 (still have it).

Then a long list of 4 other m5s and I just replaced one of the e34 m5s with a 2021 M2C. Best choice. These M2s are the best M car BMW makes atm.

[m2ss]

Originally Posted by xiwrestledabear

The only car I found that compared for me was a BMW M2. It’s the first car I’ve driven where I could not stop smiling like an idiot when pushing it. It’s ultimately what I ended up buying, a 2020 M2C in LBB with 7k miles on the odometer.

Ha! Exact same thing happened to me, picked up a 2020 M2C LBB with similar mileage.

I found myself driving the wife's OG all the time so not surprising...

Congrats.

[b2point0h]

Similar story, sold my 2019 Type R back in October and just stepped into a 2020 HS Comp, congrats!

[xiwrestledabear]

Originally Posted by b2point0h

Similar story, sold my 2019 Type R back in October and just stepped into a 2020 HS Comp, congrats!

Congrats to you as well. Enjoy it!

[Apexeater]

I want to if know if you ended up with a manual M2 and how that compares to the civic and 718.

[jkoral]

Originally Posted by xiwrestledabear

... would love to hear any tips for future mods or recommendations.

Assuming you got the 6MT after mentioning CTR and 718 shifting feel:

https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1613458