[vt_m2]

Hi everyone. My first post here. Never owned a BMW before, but often rent it on vacations in Europe, and my brother had have plenty, including Z4... My summer daily driver is Boxster 981S, and I have Mazda6 for when need more than 2 seats and in the (Michigan) winter. Working remote for last two years I realized that Mazda's good fuel consumption and reliability is not a priority anymore... So long story short I decided to trade it for something nice, light and sporty with 4 seats and priced around 50k. That list is unfortunately came very short, and M2 is a winner.

So now I'm looking at 2018 M2 with 10K miles. Price is ridiculous at 52K, but that is today's market

I have 3 questions - first, looks like 2018 is a sweet spot with good engine and less nannies then next year competition model? Reviews say it sounds better too?

2 - can you look at build sheet and tell me if it's a good config? Looks like there is not many packages available for M2, is anything missing on the sheet that collective mind thinks is good and necessary?

3 - color. I like blue color, but never seen one in person. Is that as nice color as looks in the pictures? I would honestly prefer Miami Blue of porsche, but not much choice here

Thanks,
Vlad

[DanG]

Actually it is a good price for a low mileage M2.

The only other factory option was a sun roof. You get more headroom without a sun roof.

Blue was the most popular color. It looks good in person.

[GoneIn4Secs]

You got the adaptive headlights which is good option for the og m2

[jkoral]

Originally Posted by vt_m2

2 - can you look at build sheet and tell me if it's a good config? Looks like there is not many packages available for M2, is anything missing on the sheet that collective mind thinks is good and necessary?

You are correct, very few packages/options. Essentially transmission, exec pkg, sunroof and color.

For reference is the 2018 M2 Pricing Guide: https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...86&postcount=7

[vt_m2]

Great! Thanks! Don't actually like sunroofs on sports car. More weight and not that useful

What about the year 2018? Am I missing much not going for '19 competition trim? Which I understand is actually quite different?

[jkoral]

Originally Posted by vt_m2

What about the year 2018? Am I missing much not going for '19 competition trim? Which I understand is actually quite different?

Tons of threads comparing the two models (OG M2 vs M2C).

IMHO, this sums it up: https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-car...n-quick-drive/

[vt_m2]

Originally Posted by jkoral

Tons of threads comparing the two models (OG M2 vs M2C).

IMHO, this sums it up: https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-car...n-quick-drive/

That article says that competition gets a new, better gage cluster. But I understand that 2018 also gets a "new" gage cluster (compared to 2017). Is it the same in 18 and 19?

[DanG]

Originally Posted by vt_m2

That article says that competition gets a new, better gage cluster. But I understand that 2018 also gets a "new" gage cluster (compared to 2017). Is it the same in 18 and 19?

Yes. LCI cluster is the same as M2Cs.

[RAM_F30_F87]

Long Beach Blue color shifting by sunlight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Js2mfAcsZg

[TheHaze]

The LCI has an analog cluster with a black background and backlit white lettering. I'm not 100% positive, but I thought the M2c went to a digital cluster. Someone with more knowledge between the two may chime in.

The car you're looking at is a nice build and the price is honestly pretty reasonable IMO. I've seen Long Beach Blue in person a few times. It's a nice color, just not really my style. There are lots of threads debating M2 vs. M2c on here. It really depends what your plans are for the car long-term, but as a street car you really can't go wrong with either.

[jefe2000]

The motor, gearing, and power delivery of the 2018 M2 with the N55 motor is better-suited for street driving. There's a little more feeling of torque low in the rev range, which is nice for the street. The S55 motor in the 2019+ Competition model has that high end power that's great for the track. So, choosing the M2 vs the M2 Comp somewhat depends on how you'll use the car.

Price is a big difference too. You can have an M2 for low-to-mid $50K USD. Nice examples of the M2C are at least another $10K USD higher. The price you found for that mileage is a good price here in mid-2022.

There are subtle styling differences between the two models. The wheels are a big part of that difference. The 2018 model's wheels are lighter and FAR easier to clean. The brakes are smaller too, which makes the pads cheaper and easier to replace, but, again, less-well-suited to serious track duty.

I purchased my new-to-me 2018 LBB 6MT M2 in January with a sunroof and 28,000 miles for $54K. The one you found looks great on paper!

[allinon72]

52k is an excellent price for an LCI with 10k miles. Assuming it has a clean history.

[vt_m2]

Thank you all for feedback

Yes, carfax looks good... And I plan to use car as a daily driver, not a track toy. So everyone seem to suggest that 2018 is a good choice. 50/50 with my Boxster in a summer, and 100% daily in winter, which in reality more like 3 times a week, as I'm working remote. I know it's not perfect in the snow, but I have my wife's awd SUV for too bad weather.

The thing is I will have to fly cross country to even see the car or a test drive... I never driven M2 before, but drove lots of regular bimmers, including 2-series coup rental trip... So I kind of know what to expect, but still... Once I commit, I will have to commit

By the way - is there a spare tire in the car?

[jefe2000]

Originally Posted by vt_m2

[COLOR="DarkRed"]By the way - is there a spare tire in the car?[/COLOR]

No, no spare tire. They come with a fix-a-flat kit: essentially an air compressor and can of sealant.

[vt_m2]

Originally Posted by jefe2000

No, no spare tire. They come with a fix-a-flat kit: essentially an air compressor and can of sealant.

So no way to lighten it

[KevinC]

Originally Posted by DanG

Yes. LCI cluster is the same as M2Cs.

Well, almost. LCI cluster has a plain font for the numbers - typical traditional BMW, looks great. M2c got a "new" font that is now commonly used. But functionally they are identical.

[jefe2000]

Originally Posted by vt_m2

So no way to lighten it

Heh heh! Yup, some say the lack of compact spare is a cost-cutting measure and others say the car is pre-lightened. I like that last perspective.

[SteezeforMyBimmerMon]

Originally Posted by vt_m2

So now I'm looking at 2018 M2 with 10K miles. Price is ridiculous at 52K, but that is today's market

... better than being waitlisted for a new car if you can buy it today. I like the price on this one

[vt_m2]

It's almost MSRP on a 4 year old car!

[DanG]

Originally Posted by vt_m2

It's almost MSRP on a 4 year old car!

Yep. Welcome to todays used car market.

[akkando]

Originally Posted by vt_m2

It's almost MSRP on a 4 year old car!

If you're thinking about gaining big power for tuning get the m2c. The regular m2 doesn't have much headroom for tuning. The regular m2 also has a weak intercooler making the car run at reduced power if it's run hard in warm weather on crap gas. M2c also has more customizability as far as drive modes. The m2 is lighter and sounds better though.

[hybrid90]

Originally Posted by vt_m2

Thank you all for feedback

The thing is I will have to fly cross country to even see the car or a test drive... I never driven M2 before, but drove lots of regular bimmers, including 2-series coup rental trip... So I kind of know what to expect, but still... Once I commit, I will have to commit

By the way - is there a spare tire in the car?

You didn't specify where you were located but you should look around to see if any of the dealers have an '18 M2 for you to "test drive" so you can see for yourself. Here on the West Coast in Cali, there is an '18 6spd in Mineral Gray with Dinan Stage 1 (intake/mild tune) that is asking $53K and only has 17K miles. I've driven it and it is absolutely a steal and was taken care of. If I was willing to spend that much on a used car, I would definitely be looking at that one.