[redgs4]

It’s been a month since I picked up my 2020 HS M2C. My prior fun car, soon up for sale, is a lightly modded 2006 S2000. The M2C is quiet, refined, smoother riding and has a substantially higher WAF. This is my first BMW and my first German car. My daily driver and bad weather vehicle is a Ford Raptor. We also have a Forester and LX470 in the stable.

I’m getting older [I’m retired] and was looking for an upgrade. I looked at the usual culprits which include used GT4s, new GT350s and of course M2Cs. I briefly considered a variety of other vehicles like the RS3 and RC-F but in the end I did not want to settle for an auto. That fateful weekend I visited multiple Porsche, BMW and Ford dealerships. I spent weeks scouring Autotrader and Craigslist and almost ended up with a GT4.

I’m not the patient type. I don’t have what it takes to order and wait. I went to several Bay Area dealerships - Fremont, no M2Cs. Stevens Creek had 6 in stock but they were so busy they did not seem to care about getting my business. Pleasanton had just the one, freshly delivered. It was supposed to be a “scouting” trip but I ended up purchasing. After 30 years of marriage my dear wife is used to this type of behavior.

Between travel and other activities I don’t think I have hit 600 miles yet. It’s still stock but I have been digging deep into the forums to figure out what to do first [rims & coilovers] and next and next after that … I’m looking forward to some local gatherings [post covid-19] and some spirited back area drives.

[Kankles]

Congrats and welcome to a great car. Thanks for keeping the MT alive

[Sarg33]

Congrats and I am sure you will enjoy the car. I considered multiple cars and narrowed it down to the M2C, M340I and the RS3. The MT was my deciding factor as well. That and multiple YouTube videos. lol

[Al Bundy's Dodge]

Congrats on the new car!

M2 is the perfect balance of sport and practicality. I think you made a great choice...it's such a great driving experience. Even around town running errands can be fun.

And like the posters before me said, as a 6MT driver, thank you for choosing a manual and helping keep driver engagement alive!

[BigKutta]

Excellent, congrats! Please post some pics.

You will love the M2C

[M2Cmtl]

I honnestly don't think I would have considered the M2C if it was auto only. Congrats!! What interior color did you get (blue or orange?)

[redgs4]

No pics yet - I have a dirty, stock HS. Wheels and a height adjustment are first on the list.

I spent so much time reviewing magazine articles, watching YouTube and the like. At least recently the M2C has rarely come out on top relative to performance. But nearly every reviewer came away with "damn that's a fun car", especially the MT. It is very good to great in all the categories that matter to me.

I like how well the car blends - at least the HS. I'll have to be careful with the mods to keep it under the radar. I have been driving a Rio [metallic] Yellow S2000 with aftermarket intake, headers, HFC, exhaust with custom CCW rims lowered on Ohlins. I get comments / attention every time I drive. And the Raptor probably gets [just] slightly less attention.

God bless the bottomless torque! I'm still in the break-in period but it is so much fun noodling through the gears.

Gas mileage is poor [maybe my driving ] - not a big deal but the tank is small. I almost ran out of gas on my first long drive in the boonies.

[redgs4]

The Build ... $67.4 MSRP

HS with Orange Stitch
Exec Package
HK Audio + Sirius / Apple Car Play
MP Steering Wheel
14 Way M Sport Seats
CF Interior Trim, Door Sills
CF Mirror Caps, Side Grills, Rear Diffusor
LED Door Projectors
Floating BMW Center Caps
Black 788 with MPSS

[M2Cmtl]

Nice! Post some pics if you can. I'm waiting for an HS with orange stitch as well.

[xxyion]

Hey a local!! I'm in fremont as well! I also own an S2000. 2005 Suzuka Blue and modded for autocross and the track. Did you go to any of the meets?

You should scan the local forums for this car here. We did a drive up to Alice's about 3 weeks ago and we were goin to do another drive before the whole lockdown thing happened. Hope to see you around either at a meet or at a drive!

Black Sapphire Metallic M2C, its my daily and you'll prob see me between Union City and Newark.

[bmwv]

Beautiful car. I set in you car when i got an oil change.

[Moflow]

Welcome to the club! Your build is almost identical to mine, though you have a few more CF goodies/different steering wheel.

The small gas tank is kind of a PITA, I drove the car to the Bay Area and back from Seattle a while ago and it seemed like I was stopping all the time to fill up. Other than that though, it’s a decent enough road trip car.

[redgs4]

Originally Posted by xxyion

Hey a local!! I'm in fremont as well! I also own an S2000. 2005 Suzuka Blue and modded for autocross and the track. Did you go to any of the meets?

You should scan the local forums for this car here. We did a drive up to Alice's about 3 weeks ago and we were goin to do another drive before the whole lockdown thing happened. Hope to see you around either at a meet or at a drive!

Black Sapphire Metallic M2C, its my daily and you'll prob see me between Union City and Newark.

I keep seeing your posts here and on S2Ki so I expect I'll see you around. I hover more than post but that has been mostly due to focusing on kids / family the last 10 years or so. I attended a couple of recent S2Ki meets and some activities on the Raptor forum. But I was really active on the Club Lexus forum thus the redgs4 moniker. I was out of town for the Alice's drive otherwise I would have been there.

[redgs4]

Originally Posted by bmwv

Beautiful car. I set in you car when i got an oil change.

Too funny. I camped in several M2C's, GT350's, Caymans, and 911's across the bay area. That was pre-lockdown of course.

[redgs4]

Originally Posted by Moflow

Welcome to the club! Your build is almost identical to mine, though you have a few more CF goodies/different steering wheel.

The small gas tank is kind of a PITA, I drove the car to the Bay Area and back from Seattle a while ago and it seemed like I was stopping all the time to fill up. Other than that though, it’s a decent enough road trip car.

Too bad they don't have a larger tank option or a slightly larger tank to start. I have not done any long drives and very few drives at freeway speeds. I'm mostly zipping along the back roads in sport+, not good for mileage.

I do find the fat steering wheel a bit odd but I'm getting used to it.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Congrats

[nearwater4me]

Had an ‘07 Silverstone. Had so much fun in that car. Finally gave in and went to American V8 after that.
Congrats on the new M!

[redgs4]

I was in love with my S2000 until the M came in the door. Now my former garage queen, the S, is sitting outside with a dead battery. I need to get that thing sold ASAP but now is not the best of times to sell a used car.

[xxyion]

Originally Posted by redgs4

I was in love with my S2000 until the M came in the door. Now my former garage queen, the S, is sitting outside with a dead battery. I need to get that thing sold ASAP but now is not the best of times to sell a used car.

Yeah i admit i havnt driven the S in a while. Probably going to start her up and drive a bit around the block to make sure she's still ticking. Largley due to the lockdown but ive been trying to get to my breakin period so fast that i havnt driven her at all.