[trey100]

Hi everyone. I posted awhile back as I contemplated some future options. My F80 M3 6MT lease goes back in a month so I need to figure out my next car. Since then, I've ruled out the non-M options as I just don't think I'll be happy after awhile in one. For reference, we have an SUV for kid hauling duties but my kids do ride in my car often because we're always running around. Looking for opinions.

To remove biases, I'll leave colors out.

Option 1 is an offer I received for a new leftover 2018 M2 DCT with exec in my 2nd color option. I wanted to keep driving a 6MT but not totally against a DCT (although I do worry about getting bored after awhile). Attraction to this option is its new, has exec for heated steering wheel which I like as well as hex lights, will carry full warranty for the full 4 years I plan to keep it. Price is about 2-4K more than option 2.


Option 2 is for a low mileage (less than say 6k) well maintained (with records) 2018 in my 1st color choice and 6MT which is my preferred transmission. No exec though. Even though this car stickered for probably 4.5k less, and is lightly used, the price is only 2-4K less than option 1 being new. 1 less year of warranty so I'd probably sell this one in year 3.

Option 3 is to keep my M3 (buy it out). Cost is 7.5k LESS than option 1 and 5.5k-3.5k LESS than option 2. Problem is I drive a lot of miles (45k now) so my concern is any perceived savings now will be eaten up in 3-4 years (90k-105k) trying to sell a high mileage and older year M3 never mind any repairs needed. The plus for this option is that the M3 is a great car and there is more space for just throwing stuff in the back or taking kids around.

I have NOT driven the M2 yet but have a test drive scheduled this coming week.

Which way would you go? I'm leaning option 2 even though it's used because I feel like the color and transmission choice will be more important to me in a year or two and I still get the full warranty.

Thoughts are appreciated.

[No Boost]

Option 2 without hesitation

[Yvette]

Of course option 2,
Get what you want. For me, all I wanted was AW, dct, no sunroof and heated steering wheel. I didnt care about adaptive LED.

[McGary911]

Have you ever driven a DCT? When I was shopping for my e46 M3 I was looking for a MT, but found an otherwise perfect car for me....with an SMG tranny. I pulled the trigger wondering how much I would regret not having the MT. It turned out I really liked the SMG; enough so that when I ordered my M2, I got the DCT and am very happy with it.

It's a personal preference, but if you haven't tried it, don't assume you'll dislike it.

I might lean toward option 1 as it's not much more $ for the new car as opposed to the used one (and it has your exec pkg). If there was a bit of wiggle room on the price for option 2, that could mitigate that some.

Either way, you're going to be getting a heck of a car. Good luck.

[DanG]

With the DCT being faster and gets better mileage, I went with option 1. This is my first M car without a 6 speed. I really like the DCT.

So I would go with option 1.

[M2GT]

Option 2... I loved the OG

Originally Posted by trey100

Hi everyone. I posted awhile back as I contemplated some future options. My F80 M3 6MT lease goes back in a month so I need to figure out my next car. Since then, I've ruled out the non-M options as I just don't think I'll be happy after awhile in one. For reference, we have an SUV for kid hauling duties but my kids do ride in my car often because we're always running around. Looking for opinions.

To remove biases, I'll leave colors out.

Option 1 is an offer I received for a new leftover 2018 M2 DCT with exec in my 2nd color option. I wanted to keep driving a 6MT but not totally against a DCT (although I do worry about getting bored after awhile). Attraction to this option is its new, has exec for heated steering wheel which I like as well as hex lights, will carry full warranty for the full 4 years I plan to keep it. Price is about 2-4K more than option 2.


Option 2 is for a low mileage (less than say 6k) well maintained (with records) 2018 in my 1st color choice and 6MT which is my preferred transmission. No exec though. Even though this car stickered for probably 4.5k less, and is lightly used, the price is only 2-4K less than option 1 being new. 1 less year of warranty so I'd probably sell this one in year 3.

Option 3 is to keep my M3 (buy it out). Cost is 7.5k LESS than option 1 and 5.5k-3.5k LESS than option 2. Problem is I drive a lot of miles (45k now) so my concern is any perceived savings now will be eaten up in 3-4 years (90k-105k) trying to sell a high mileage and older year M3 never mind any repairs needed. The plus for this option is that the M3 is a great car and there is more space for just throwing stuff in the back or taking kids around.

I have NOT driven the M2 yet but have a test drive scheduled this coming week.

Which way would you go? I'm leaning option 2 even though it's used because I feel like the color and transmission choice will be more important to me in a year or two and I still get the full warranty.

Thoughts are appreciated.

[trey100]

Originally Posted by McGary911

Have you ever driven a DCT? When I was shopping for my e46 M3 I was looking for a MT, but found an otherwise perfect car for me....with an SMG tranny. I pulled the trigger wondering how much I would regret not having the MT. It turned out I really liked the SMG; enough so that when I ordered my M2, I got the DCT and am very happy with it.

It's a personal preference, but if you haven't tried it, don't assume you'll dislike it.

I might lean toward option 1 as it's not much more $ for the new car as opposed to the used one (and it has your exec pkg). If there was a bit of wiggle room on the price for option 2, that could mitigate that some.

Either way, you're going to be getting a heck of a car. Good luck.

No I haven't driven a DCT so no experience with it. It's so difficult to get test drives on these cars.

[doug_999]

What about re-leasing another F80 or F82? Or are you one of those never get the same car type of peeps (which I totally respect).

[trey100]

Originally Posted by doug_999

What about re-leasing another F80 or F82? Or are you one of those never get the same car type of peeps (which I totally respect).

I did look into this option but the rates are quite a bit worse than what I had gotten back in 2016. Even with the rebates, the overall cost is significantly more than I want to spend. Some of this is because the cars that are left that I would consider are higher optioned cars typically with about $5k or more in options that I don't care for. Then you have the other side of the spectrum, where they are optioned with carbon structure, etc which I don't want. Colors left also would be a compromise. I've searched the entire nation countless times. Lol.

[Dav3]

Originally Posted by trey100

For reference, we have an SUV for kid hauling duties but my kids do ride in my car often because we're always running around. Looking for opinions.

To be brutally honest with you, M2 ain't a great car to DD with more than one passenger. Back seats are 'okay' for short hauls but it being a two door coupe, it isn't ideal imho.

Don't know if your M3 was configured with adaptive suspensions but just in case you should know that the M2 only mounts passive ones and the ride quality will be harsher.

Assuming you have taken good care of your car and it hasn't showed any early signs of failure/malfunction, I'd consider buying out the lease.

[trey100]

Originally Posted by FiatMultiplaAkrapovic

To be brutally honest with you, M2 ain't a great car to DD with more than one passenger. Back seats are 'okay' for short hauls but it being a two door coupe, it isn't ideal imho.

Don't know if your M3 was configured with adaptive suspensions but just in case you should know that the M2 only mounts passive ones and the ride quality will be harsher.

Assuming you have taken good care of your car and it hasn't showed any early signs of failure/malfunction, I'd consider buying out the lease.

This is absolutely on my mind. I haven't had a coupe in probably 15 years. I won't know what life is like with one until I'm living with it. For sure the M3 has the utility/performance thing hands down.

I'd say 5 out of the 7 days, it is just me doing commuter stuff. On the weekends, coordinating kid activities, they'll be with me. If my wife is with me, we are likely not in my car. I'm bringing at least one of the kids with me to sit in it to make sure it's not completely annoying.

Ride-wise, I've been tracking the thread discussing ride quality versus the M3. Seems there are some people that find the M2 almost unlivable and others saying the opposite. With my M3, it's not even a thought. Stiff but fine. In the city, it isn't ideal and need to track around ruts in the ground but up in the 'burbs no issues.

I hope my test drive will make this obvious but as we know, a short test drive is not great with figuring these things out. I did test drive a C43 recently and I think that is pretty rough riding but I could live with it.

If my test drive is negative in some way, then I will probably buy out my M3 and roll the dice with it. I've been leasing my cars and I just like the idea of never thinking about service, repairs, cars aging, etc. If it was a weekend car, then I'd be buying all my cars.

[GoneIn4Secs]

Keep the m3

[ShelJW]

My suggestion, rent an M2 from Turo for a day or two, so you REALLY get to see what it's really like! A 20, 30 minute test drive with a salesman looking over your shoulder won't really let you know the things you'll love, as well as minor things that'll annoy you.

I personally have a DCT '18 M2, and LOVE the launch control!

Keep in mind, with manual transmission, you do NOT get launch control and the car is slightly slower.

A buddy of mine has a manual M2 in Los Angeles, and now regrets it. When he's stuck on the 405 freeway, manual is not much fun.

With the DCT, you can manually choose your gears, but of course, you don't have the 3rd pedal. However, the car remains in whatever gear you choose, when in manual mode. I have driven other cars where, once in manual mode, they'll revert to automatic and change gears under certain situations... the M2 doesn't do that.

You have GOT to check out launch control, before you make your final decision... my two cents.

Bottom line, nice choices to have! I don't think you can go too wrong.

[trey100]

Originally Posted by GoneIn4Secs

Keep the m3

I'm interested in your thinking seeing that you have an M2.....

[Dav3]

Originally Posted by trey100

This is absolutely on my mind. I haven't had a coupe in probably 15 years. I won't know what life is like with one until I'm living with it. For sure the M3 has the utility/performance thing hands down.

I'd say 5 out of the 7 days, it is just me doing commuter stuff. On the weekends, coordinating kid activities, they'll be with me. If my wife is with me, we are likely not in my car. I'm bringing at least one of the kids with me to sit in it to make sure it's not completely annoying.

Ride-wise, I've been tracking the thread discussing ride quality versus the M3. Seems there are some people that find the M2 almost unlivable and others saying the opposite. With my M3, it's not even a thought. Stiff but fine. In the city, it isn't ideal and need to track around ruts in the ground but up in the 'burbs no issues.

I hope my test drive will make this obvious but as we know, a short test drive is not great with figuring these things out. I did test drive a C43 recently and I think that is pretty rough riding but I could live with it.

If my test drive is negative in some way, then I will probably buy out my M3 and roll the dice with it. I've been leasing my cars and I just like the idea of never thinking about service, repairs, cars aging, etc. If it was a weekend car, then I'd be buying all my cars.

M2 is totally liveable with well maintained roads. However if your roads are piss poor and full of potholes, you'll most likely end up trading in your M2 in less than a year.

Not exactly much experience with the M3 but with the M4 cruising on the highway was extremely comfortable. M2 isn't as great though, something something ride quality and comfort of the interior.

M3 is more of a utilitarian car with sports car capabilities while the M2 is more of a sports car with some utilitarian functionalities. Your heart probably wants the M2 while your brain is more comfortable with the M3. If anything, I'd find a way to make the M2 your weekend car because that's where you'll enjoy it the most!

[seis-speed]

Option 2 if going into an M2.

I owned an M2 and I have a 2015 F80 M3 with passive suspension.

The suspension on the M2 is fine, I have no idea what people are complaining about, TBH. M3 is stiff, every sports car ever, can be stiff, it is a tradefoff of sports cars. M2 is a little more bouncy due to shorter wheel-base, M3 is harsher on road imperfections, both are good.

As to DCT.... If you are a manual person do not get a DCT.

Being out of warranty is not the boogey man. It may cost you some time and a little money, but a depreciating new car finance is going to cost you much more.
The F80 has been extremely reliable so far.

Use.....
The 4 doors are much easier with kids. The biggest issue with the coupe is the length of the doors, it depends how much you want an M2. If you are happy to have it and know there will be some inconvenience with backseat, then it will be fine, the backseat is big enough, but 4doors is much easier for entry and exit.

Option 2 and try a shorter wheelbase platform, or keep your car until G80 comes out with a 6MT, would be my suggestion.

[Poochie]

The latest review of the M2C, which shares a the same suspension as the M2, summarizes it perfectly:







.

[Whyte Dynamyte]

Find something to bridge you until the G80 Pure

[Saphirschwarz]

All i can say is that i regret pickin the AT every single day.

[Kef9]

Option 2 for sure.

[GoneIn4Secs]

Originally Posted by trey100

I'm interested in your thinking seeing that you have an M2.....

In your particular case, i would say option 3 because you will miss the s55 power, on the hwy, the nicer interior and 4 doors and more plusher suspension, driving every day,

Since you do alot of miles, the suspension will wear you down unless you are a proactive driver who is always looking out for potholes and such, and sometime you dont want o have to worry about these things and just drive

For others like.me who drive a beater to the train station daily and drive the m2 on weekend or off hours, its more for the enjoyment of driving , but i suspect in you case you are looking for more of a 'normal' car that youll be driving alot, also a manual tranny can get cumbersome too in heavy slow traffic

[trey100]

Originally Posted by GoneIn4Secs

In your particular case, i would say option 3 because you will miss the s55 power, on the hwy, the nicer interior and 4 doors and more plusher suspension, driving every day,

Since you do alot of miles, the suspension will wear you down unless you are a proactive driver who is always looking out for potholes and such, and sometime you dont want o have to worry about these things and just drive

For others like.me who drive a beater to the train station daily and drive the m2 on weekend or off hours, its more for the enjoyment of driving , but i suspect in you case you are looking for more of a 'normal' car that youll be driving alot, also a manual tranny can get cumbersome too in heavy slow traffic

This is very reasonable. I do agree at some level. Also my dealership says they believe they can get some more money off of the buyout which makes the delta even greater. Car is in excellent shape even though I do a lot of miles and it's a known entity. Really the only risk is what the market for a 2016 M3 will be in 3 years with 90,000 miles (or 4 with 105k).