[LuvMyE92]

... but I'm seriously considering selling the M2.

I'm being honest here. We're all here because we love the car. It's great. I've had Porsches and Corvettes and 4 M5s and an M3 in there somewhere, and each had their charms and warts. The M2 has few warts.

But I'm getting older (aren't we all?) and honestly, the day I got the thing I realized that I may have made a mistake. It's awfully loud, the ride is stiff and that exhaust is just miserable at certain speeds. I could tear out that enormously expensive MPE and put in an aftermarket system that may or may not have the same resonance, but it would likely be louder still. And I'd still have the annoying road noise and stiff ride.

But I do enjoy the way it handles and brakes and all the other things that make the M2 so much better than an M3/M4.

And I spent way too much buying it, so I will take a huge loss selling it.

But life is short, and I like cars, and I've actually kept this one (18 months) longer than many of its predecessors. I am a flipper.

In the back of my mind though, I can't think what I'd replace it with. No more Porsche for me, no more Corvettes, and I don't like where BMW has gone with the other M cars.

I was actually kinda thinking maybe a VW GTI. I don't like FWD and it is nowhere near the M2 in performance. But they are rather inexpensive, very practical for hauling stuff from Home Depot and are fun to drive. My track days are behind me. The Miata popped in my brain too, but it's just too low and small for me.

One reason I'm not going back to Porsche or Corvette is because it's just getting too difficult for me getting in and out of those low cars. And all the big burly trucks around here scare me when I'm in a little car. I know the GTI is kind of little, but it's tall and visible and being German, is probably safer than those alternatives.

I'd still have my 540i as my DD, and it's a great car but it's no M and I do like to row my gears occasionally. The GTI (or whatever replaces the M2) would just be an occasional "toy" car. The amount of traffic, congestion and stupid clueless distracted drivers around here (RTP area of NC) just sucks all of the pleasure out of driving, most days.

Thoughts, comments, opinions?

[Conissah]

Something I do when contemplating getting rid of a vehicle, is actually envision that I've sold it. Don't drive it, don't look at it, don't think about it in your garage. Imagine that it was actually gone, and how does that make you feel? If you go out to garage after a week, hop in, and it brings a smile to your face, it may not be time to get rid of it. If you honestly don't care when you're behind the wheel and it doesn't bring you joy any more, then it may be time to sell.

There are a ton of options out there to chose from, even if manual sports cars are dying. Something higher up and more comfy, perhaps a manual Dodge Challenger would be good, Scatpack/SRT or Hellcat? New Camaro, still might be a bit too low. Golf R come in manual and are AWD, as do Focus RS's. Civic Type R is great fun and manual, super comfy, but very binary styling and also wrong wheel drive. Subaru WRX, AWD and manual, might be a bit more comfy and less jarring, dunno about height though. Mustang is also a potential option, ATS-V Caddy...? Some new Mini's are also offered in manual, but I'm still weary on their new turbo drivetrains, also probably too low.

I think all sport cars will ride harshly though. I don't think the M2 rides bad, it's just not particularly comfy. It's a sports car though, not a grand tourer. It's no where near as bad as GTR's though, good lord those ride bad.

Also FWIW, you can make pretty good power in the Golf R's for relatively cheap, and you'll have an AWD rocket. Mighty Car Mods on YouTube did a couple videos on their Golf R, with some bolt ons and a tune, they were consistently running mid 11's in the 1/4 mile. That's quick.

[BigKutta]

I'm not sure what you mean by old, but the M2 by no means has a jarring ride or is overly loud to me and I'm in my 40s. I mean, no more that what I expected from the car. Sounds like you still enjoy good driving, so not sure what else would make you happy. Perhaps an M240 may be what you are looking for?

[mr_lab_rat]

The Golf is fun but can't you make the M2 work if it's only going to be a fun car?

Swap the exhaust with someone for a stick one, install some Ohlins with custom softer springs, add some sound insulation form a regular 2 series?

[Conissah]

Originally Posted by mr_lab_rat

Swap the exhaust with someone for a stick one, install some Ohlins with custom softer springs, add some sound insulation form a regular 2 series?

I do want to add that removing ASD and putting in the supplemental door seals helped a TON with interior isolation.

Is the M Perf exhaust actually loud inside, or is the stupid ASD making it drone? ASD is surprisingly loud, and turning it off made a huge difference.

EDIT: So loud in fact, that it was very difficult to hold a conversation at highway speed, especially in Sport or Sport+. It's very very loud, and if you haven't bypassed it yet, I HIGHLY recommend you do so.

[DanG]

Originally Posted by BigKutta

I'm not sure what you mean by old, but the M2 by no means has a jarring ride or is overly loud to me and I'm in my 40s. I mean, no more that what I expected from the car. Sounds like you still enjoy good driving, so not sure what else would make you happy. Perhaps an M240 may be what you are looking for?

I agree with this post. I am a grandfather of 5 grandkids but so I am rather old. I found for sound just bypassing ASD cured the cabin noise problem. I also have an MPE exhaust and I love the sound of it. Some of my friends joke with me and ask how many noise tickets I have gotten.

I actually love this car and plan on keeping it for a long time.

[Al Bundy's Dodge]

What about going a completely different direction like a Jeep Wrangler with a stick?

Trade in the more intense experience with something laid back and leisurely? And still something that is fun to mod if you want?

[Sarg33]

If it is your 'fun' car and you are not having fun...time for a change.

My short list would include M340i, M240ix, Audi RS3, S3 or S4 all are still sporty and have adaptive suspension, so you could have a semi-comfy ride when you wanted.
Just my 2 cents.

[Sarg33]

Originally Posted by Al Bundy's Dodge

What about going a completely different direction like a Jeep Wrangler with a stick?

Trade in the more intense experience with something laid back and leisurely? And still something that is fun to mod if you want?

I like the thought, but from what I have read, Jeep did a horrible job gearing the new manual in the Wrangler. It is highly recommended to not get one with a manual transmission.

[Al Bundy's Dodge]

Originally Posted by Sarg33

I like the thought, but from what I have read, Jeep did a horrible job gearing the new manual in the Wrangler. It is highly recommended to not get one with a manual transmission.

I test drove a couple last summer, and I agree its weird gearing. Its really a 5 speed. 6th is useless unless you are on a flat highway going 70. I had to be in 3rd to climb the Colorado mountain hills at +55mph.

I was also used to being able to accelerate and zoom up mountain passes while in 6th gear in my 335, so it was quite the shock.

But still, for cruising around town I think its a fun drive. All depends what you're after I guess.

[BigKutta]

Originally Posted by Al Bundy's Dodge

What about going a completely different direction like a Jeep Wrangler with a stick?

Trade in the more intense experience with something laid back and leisurely? And still something that is fun to mod if you want?

Jeeps are no longer loud and uncomfortable? When did that change?

[tranck]

I'm almost 63 (as you kinda sorta know) and have put 55K miles on my M2.
Go wash and wax it - like I just did yesterday for 4 hours.

Come on old man!

[xxyion]

As much as i do love the GTI (my girlfriend and my bestfriend both own one) and as much as i do actually recommend that car...

Going from years and years of RWD cars into a FWD honestly will really leave you wanting. Torque steer, understeer, lack of proper power delivery or even being able to put power down efficiently are all things you will immediately notice.

There are a lot of great options here that people have suggested. M240i is a great "fun" car. Sure its not as racecar as the M2, but its a hell of a lot more comfy and still puts the power down really well. ANd it uses the same Engine as the new Supra which has gobs of potential.

Either way i definetly recommend taking a lot of what people are saying in here to heart. Lots of good advice on this thread.

[medphysdave]

Originally Posted by Conissah

I do want to add that removing ASD and putting in the supplemental door seals helped a TON with interior isolation.

Is the M Perf exhaust actually loud inside, or is the stupid ASD making it drone? ASD is surprisingly loud, and turning it off made a huge difference.

EDIT: So loud in fact, that it was very difficult to hold a conversation at highway speed, especially in Sport or Sport+. It's very very loud, and if you haven't bypassed it yet, I HIGHLY recommend you do so.

I found this useful. A lot of fluff in the video, but even host was surprised.

[Al Bundy's Dodge]

Originally Posted by BigKutta

Jeeps are no longer loud and uncomfortable? When did that change?

If you go test drive a new Sahara, you might be able to answer your questions

[TemjinX2]

your probably more of a canidate for the new m340 xdrive with the adaptive suspension

[LuvMyE92]

Originally Posted by xxyion

Either way i definetly recommend taking a lot of what people are saying in here to heart. Lots of good advice on this thread.

Oh, absoltively! Thanks everyone (so far) for the comments, and the observations on the GTI also.

I have already added the sound insulation from the 240 including door seals, I have coded out the ASD (first thing I did) and certainly it's better, but it's still loud. I've added additional Dynamat, and that hasn't helped much. I suppose that new, less aggressive (all season) tires might help as well, but that's an expensive experiment if it doesn't work. 5600 miles on the OE set.

My wife has a Wrangler (with the unfortunate auto, since she can't drive a stick) and I absolutely hate driving that thing. I love the idea of the Jeep: top down, doors off, but the reality is that it is 1950's technology, heavy, tall COG, no power, freakin' dangerous handling and abysmal technology. But it looks good. She likes it. I hate having her drive it, but it's her toy and sits in the garage most of the time.

Maybe I'll revisit the Mustang GT. Instead of going for a new one with no options, maybe the deluxe (??) version with all the leather, but used, may be better. That cheap interior really turned me off.

[BigKutta]

Originally Posted by Al Bundy's Dodge

If you go test drive a new Sahara, you might be able to answer your questions

I probably wont do that LOL, but I was just basing my comment on my experience riding in them (although 15 years ago), and previous owner's comments. If things have changed, then good for Jeep! I'll believe you.

[LuvMyE92]

Originally Posted by medphysdave

I found this useful. A lot of fluff in the video, but even host was surprised.

A lot of fluff? OMG, that guy just goes on and on. That's why I despise so many YouTube videos, these people don't know how to edit themselves.

Sorry, he lost me at "the car is so much faster in sport plus mode". Come on dude, the only thing that changes is the throttle sensitivity. It's not faster, you're just giving it more gas.

And that car, I'm pretty sure, did not have MPE.

But hey, if it worked for you, and you found it useful, that's great. Thanks for the suggestion.

Like I wrote earlier, the first thing I did after I bought the car was to turn off ASD and other nonsense, like the disclaimer screen.

[Sarg33]

Originally Posted by BigKutta

I probably wont do that LOL, but I was just basing my comment on my experience riding in them (although 15 years ago), and previous owner's comments. If things have changed, then good for Jeep! I'll believe you.

If you ride in or drive a 4 door Wrangler JK or even better the newest JL the longer wheel base has smoothed out the kidney pounding most people associate with a Wrangler. Plus the interiors have been really refined for what they are. The bonus is a Wrangler is like a Lego set with unlimited customizable possibilities. But all of that is neither here nor there as the OP
s wife owns some form of Wrangler already. And yes, they are under powered and not meant for racing around. Just like the M2 is not meant for off-road.

[atomsapple]

Originally Posted by TemjinX2

your probably more of a canidate for the new m340 xdrive with the adaptive suspension

Agreed with this, while my M2 was in the shop getting some exhaust work done, I hopped in my buddies M340i. The B58 is magnificent.

[GiacomoH]

I moved to an M2 because I found it to be practical and comfortable compared to my S2000.
What about a C63 AMG?