[baege]

are you happy with the move?

I am debating the m2c or a cpo 981

had 2 981s in the past...but feel like despite that still might be the right move

[MystroX5]

I came from a 911 c4s to the M2C. 30 years of 911’s. I tested the 992 and wasn’t that impressed with the direction of the car.
The M2C just feels mote fun and organic. It does everything well.

[baege]

Originally Posted by MystroX5

I came from a 911 c4s to the M2C. 30 years of 911’s. I tested the 992 and wasn’t that impressed with the direction of the car.

I take it you are happy with the move?

how would you compare your experiences ?

[Killed by Death]

I moved to BMW because low sitting P cars were killing my back....That said, I'd take a M2C over a non S 981.

[MystroX5]

Originally Posted by baege

I take it you are happy with the move?

how would you compare your experiences ?

Extremely. There is a “x” factor in this car very similar to my earlier 911’s. You just know it when it’s there. Unlike a lot of performance cars costing twice as much $$, the M2C feels alive in its feedback of the road and personality. This is so rare in a modern car. A lot of cars are fast but the way they go about it feels numb and dead. I don’t want merely an appliance of speed as it’s too easy to get bored. I still own classic air-cooled 911’s but I am probably done with modern Porsche models. On a different note: I tried to like the new Cayenne Turbo but felt the new G05 X5 50i M-Sport was a better all around. I ended buying one of those as well.

[RET 46]

I traded my 2018 Porsche 718 for a 2020 BMW M2 competition and can't believe how much l am loving the BMW. The 718 was great but this car is amazingly fun to drive.

RET

[cptobvious]

Originally Posted by RET 46

I traded my 2018 Porsche 718 for a 2020 BMW M2 competition and can't believe how much l am loving the BMW. The 718 was great but this car is amazingly fun to drive.

RET

What made you decide on the trade? Like, did you need a 4 seater with practical trunk space, etc., etc.? Or was the decision driven by "this is more fun to drive" considerations? Or, did you just want a new toy? Ha!

[Hingle Mccringleberry]

I went from a 2016 981 GTS to my current '20 M2C. The sound from the NA flat-6 Cayman was amazing, but otherwise am really enjoying almost every aspect of the M2 more... PDK/DCT vs Manual is a matter of personal choice and preference, but I was kind of board with the PDK on the Porsche and missed a stick, so that aspect of the new car is more fun. I did a handful of track days in the Porsche and have done one in the BMW. I like the M2C better on the track. I think it has to do with the pull from 45-100mph that feels much stronger in the BMW. BTW, tuning to 500hp next week with the Dinan+ tune and heat exchanger for $3k (labor included). About the only power increase I could do reasonably on the NA 3.4L Porsche engine was the bigger intake plenum, which gained about 20hp for $1500...

Get a new M2C + Geico with Mechanical breakdown insurance + Dinan tune with HE = 500HP little Bimmer with a 7yr/100k warranty

[baege]

Originally Posted by turley59

I went from a 2016 981 GTS to my current '20 M2C. The sound from the NA flat-6 Cayman was amazing, but otherwise am really enjoying almost every aspect of the M2 more... PDK/DCT vs Manual is a matter of personal choice and preference, but I was kind of board with the PDK on the Porsche and missed a stick, so that aspect of the new car is more fun. I did a handful of track days in the Porsche and have done one in the BMW. I like the M2C better on the track. I think it has to do with the pull from 45-100mph that feels much stronger in the BMW. BTW, tuning to 500hp next week with the Dinan+ tune and heat exchanger for $3k (labor included). About the only power increase I could do reasonably on the NA 3.4L Porsche engine was the bigger intake plenum, which gained about 20hp for $1500...

Get a new M2C + Geico with Mechanical breakdown insurance + Dinan tune with HE = 500HP little Bimmer with a 7yr/100k warranty

very helpful direct experience
for me it's really about the potential for feeling less connected in the driving experience
back in the day I test drove a 128i and 135i back to back and I preferrred the 128i even though the 135i was much faster
the rubber band of turbo lag is something I seem to especially adverse to

I have to say after 1.5 years with the m240i, while turbo lag bothers me less, I still feel the sense of less connection with the car

with an NA car with a properly responsive throttle like my 981S had, you simply feel so directly connected to the car
my 981S was also a manual

so I've lost 2 key points of connection going to the xdrive m240i (NA response and manual), my M2c would be manual so I'd get one back, but I still wonder how much I would miss the other

on the other hand I love low end torque!

hence the dilemmna

[Davil]

There is absolutely zero rubber band in M2C. My other car is a GC8 WRX. That has rubber band (which I rather like). In the M2C, absolutely none. For daily driving it kills any high powered naturally aspirated engine. There is very limited joy in driving a car with all of its power at the top end on the the road. Track is different of course. A low powered naturally aspirated car is fun in its own way though. Probably more fun on the road than a high powered one.

[beMtroubleYou]

Originally Posted by RET 46

I traded my 2018 Porsche 718 for a 2020 BMW M2 competition and can't believe how much l am loving the BMW. The 718 was great but this car is amazingly fun to drive.

RET

I almost went 718/997.2 but decided its too much money.

Bought a M2C.

997 S/GTS have gained alot pricewise. They are even more expensive then M2C here, 2011 vs 2018.

997 GTS 2011 is 79k$ thats pretty much full specced M2C!
718 GTS 2017 is like 70k$, but in the end I loose rear seats, warrenty, some services and get to pay higher insurance.

I would love to own a 911, but paying for one is hard when numbers are so gr8 with BMW.

[Harroldv]

I have had a Porsche Cayman S (2009), a Cayman GT4 (981) and then a 991.2 CS. They are great cars but I'm just enjoying my F80 M3 and my new M2C way more.

I have not had any regrets moving from Porsche to BMW M. Porsche makes great sports cars but I love the everyday driveability of the M's and it's more discrete if you keep the exhaust low profile.

I have not looked back and when my friends ask me why I changed to M's instead of a Porsche 911 or other type, I just have to say that the Porsche looks and drives great but I'm happier with the M.

The engine and the dct transmission is very good, the sound is ok but Porsche isn't any better and the way we are heading with the emissions, things will not get any better soundwise.

Get what makes you smile when you drive the car and that makes you feel good. Either car brand, BMW or Porsche makes great cars.

[1mm2]

Originally Posted by Harroldv

I have had a Porsche Cayman S (2009), a Cayman GT4 (981) and then a 991.2 CS. They are great cars but I'm just enjoying my F80 M3 and my new M2C way more.

I went from a BMW 1M to a 991.1 to a 991.2 and then my wife got a 2018 M2.

I found myself driving the M2 way more than the 991.2 so decided to sell it and dump the proceeds into the mkts (last Dec, lucky timing).

Simply put the M2 (DCT) was and still is a blast to drive, more so than the 991.2 for some odd reason I can't pinpoint.

I am now looking at an M2C vs 718 GTS and after extensive comparisons leaning towards the M2C due to my driving habits (daily) and difference in cost.

Overall for daily driving the M2C takes it (muscle car feel) while track duty would go to the GTS. The only reason I'm torn is that we would have two M2s and can't get my head around that yet.

[RET 46]

I spent a year researching and buying my 2018 718 and when l went to pick it up l could not believe how beautiful it was sitting on the forecourt of the Porsche dealership. What an exciting drive home too. I drove it for 2000 kms and then traded it in on the M2 Competition exactly on the one year anniversary partly because l am a serial car buyer and mostly because l hated the sound of the four cylinder engine even with the sport exhaust. I was going to trade it for a base 992 but l got tired of waiting for the manual transmission to be announced so bought the M2 instead. The M2 really is fun and is so quick with a great exhaust sound. It may not be as pretty as a Porsche but it comes fully loaded plus has a manual available and also 4 years of maintenance so l may keep it longer then l normally keep my cars.

RET

[1mm2]

Originally Posted by RET 46

The M2 really is fun and is so quick with a great exhaust sound. It may not be as pretty as a Porsche but it comes fully loaded plus has a manual available and also 4 years of maintenance so l may keep it longer then l normally keep my cars.

RET

Funny how subjective sound and looks are.

I find the M2C very aggressive looking (I like the stance) where I found the 718 "pretty" in a feminine way (NTTAWWT).

On sound I find the M2C below my wife's stock OG18 and definitely in need of an aftermarket option. The 718 sport exhaust didn't bother me.

I guess YMMV truly applies here...

[Thescout13]

Originally Posted by 1mm2

I went from a BMW 1M to a 991.1 to a 991.2 and then my wife got a 2018 M2.

I found myself driving the M2 way more than the 991.2 so decided to sell it and dump the proceeds into the mkts (last Dec, lucky timing).

Simply put the M2 (DCT) was and still is a blast to drive, more so than the 991.2 for some odd reason I can't pinpoint.

I am now looking at an M2C vs 718 GTS and after extensive comparisons leaning towards the M2C due to my driving habits (daily) and difference in cost.

Overall for daily driving the M2C takes it (muscle car feel) while track duty would go to the GTS. The only reason I'm torn is that we would have two M2s and can't get my head around that yet.

My wife and I both had F80s for a while before I got my M2C. It's not that hard to get your head around once you've done it haha. Just don't get matching ones. Make sure that yours, whether through color or other differentiating mods, has something that feels unique to you.

[1mm2]

Originally Posted by Thescout13

My wife and I both had F80s for a while before I got my M2C. It's not that hard to get your head around once you've done it haha. Just don't get matching ones. Make sure that yours, whether through color or other differentiating mods, has something that feels unique to you.

Well mine would be the M2C vs her OG therefore I'd have the real "M" car to her wannabe...

[Hegge]

Originally Posted by MystroX5

I came from a 911 c4s to the M2C. 30 years of 911’s. I tested the 992 and wasn’t that impressed with the direction of the car.
The M2C just feels mote fun and organic. It does everything well.

Care to explain why you were not impressed with the 992 911?

[///AVM]

Originally Posted by baege

are you happy with the move?

I am debating the m2c or a cpo 981

had 2 981s in the past...but feel like despite that still might be the right move

Baege

(1) To be clear, I think the M2C is a FANTSTIC car. In my mind, no sport car offers more performance for the money.

(2) Between the M2C and 718 CGTS and CPO 981 GTS, I decided upon the 718. As much as I am a fan of the M2C, I felt - and continue to feel - the 718 CGTS offers better overall performance and more fully encompasses other factors important to ME. As is unanimous, the 981 NA F6 offers engine/exhaust acoustics not approached by the 718, or M2C. Otherwise, the 718 far outperforms the 981. . . unless, perhaps, you are a tracker who lives above 4K RPMs. I am not. All my comments reflect spirited daily driving.

(3) Lots of reference to more purely subjective matters, such as the M2C looking ‘aggressive’ and the 718 ‘feminine,’ etc. Such subjectivity is never going to be of any value to you whatsoever. I realize that my performance points made in (2) above most likely are more subjective than objective. Thus, I must ultimately refer to (5) below. All said, I think the M2C is a fine-looking vehicle – ‘aggressive’ – however, I see nothing ‘feminine’ about my 718 CGTS. What do YOU see? What do YOU like?

(4) I think if you posed the same questions on a 718 or 981 forum you are going to find there are an equal number of former/current BEEMER owners who find their Cayman superior in comparison. No opinion is right or wrong, but I do believe ownership bias can be both significant and misleading to anyone considering one versus another brand or model. I do not have to go out of my way to repeatedly state just how much I like the M2C, but I am a 718 CGTS owner and personal bias cannot be avoided.

(5) The ONLY truly objective and meaningful manner to arrive at the ‘right’ answer for YOU is to get behind the wheel of whatever models you are considering. This type of statement is not simply a cliché. Well, perhaps it is a cliché . . . and for good reason. Obviously, you have a lot of seat time in the 981 Cayman, so all you really need to do is spend some time behind the wheel of an M2C to gain valid opinion specific to YOU.

Matt, a frequent poster on this and Cayman forums, recently considered the M2C versus a 718 Cayman. Matt spent considerable time behind the wheel of the M2C and 718 Cayman as part of his decision process. My impression according to his comments on the M2 subforum was that he was leaning heavily toward the M2C. Probably because most of his early comments were based on his impression of the M2C PRIOR to his having the opportunity to drive the M2C. In any regard, Matt recently took delivery and announced he decided to go with a CPO 718 Cayman. I am not surprised, nor would I have been if Matt had decided the M2C was the ‘right’ vehicle for HIM.

I look forward to hearing which direction you decide to take in your purchase between the M2C and CPO 981.

///AVM

[baege]

Originally Posted by RET 46

I spent a year researching and buying my 2018 718 and when l went to pick it up l could not believe how beautiful it was sitting on the forecourt of the Porsche dealership. What an exciting drive home too. I drove it for 2000 kms and then traded it in on the M2 Competition exactly on the one year anniversary partly because l am a serial car buyer and mostly because l hated the sound of the four cylinder engine even with the sport exhaust. I was going to trade it for a base 992 but l got tired of waiting for the manual transmission to be announced so bought the M2 instead. The M2 really is fun and is so quick with a great exhaust sound. It may not be as pretty as a Porsche but it comes fully loaded plus has a manual available and also 4 years of maintenance so l may keep it longer then l normally keep my cars.

RET

funny, I have been thinking this way lately too

the 992 just seems a little too big for me

the 981 has no low end torque and comes with the costs of a true sports car, harsher ride, difficult entry and exit, less visibility, have to be more careful not to scrape

it's definitely more of an event to drive, but it's also more of a chore

the 2 series is just such an accessible vehicle, great visibility, easy to get in and out of, no real clearance issues

it's just such easy accessible fun!

the m2c also has the looks and the manual that could give me back the passion for my car and driving that I have been missing (and even more so since watching Ford vs ferrari)

[baege]

Originally Posted by ///AVM

Baege

(1) To be clear, I think the M2C is a FANTSTIC car. In my mind, no sport car offers more performance for the money.

(2) Between the M2C and 718 CGTS and CPO 981 GTS, I decided upon the 718. As much as I am a fan of the M2C, I felt - and continue to feel - the 718 CGTS offers better overall performance and more fully encompasses other factors important to ME. As is unanimous, the 981 NA F6 offers engine/exhaust acoustics not approached by the 718, or M2C. Otherwise, the 718 far outperforms the 981. . . unless, perhaps, you are a tracker who lives above 4K RPMs. I am not. All my comments reflect spirited daily driving.

(3) Lots of reference to more purely subjective matters, such as the M2C looking ‘aggressive’ and the 718 ‘feminine,’ etc. Such subjectivity is never going to be of any value to you whatsoever. I realize that my performance points made in (2) above most likely are more subjective than objective. Thus, I must ultimately refer to (5) below. All said, I think the M2C is a fine-looking vehicle – ‘aggressive’ – however, I see nothing ‘feminine’ about my 718 CGTS. What do YOU see? What do YOU like?

(4) I think if you posed the same questions on a 718 or 981 forum you are going to find there are an equal number of former/current BEEMER owners who find their Cayman superior in comparison. No opinion is right or wrong, but I do believe ownership bias can be both significant and misleading to anyone considering one versus another brand or model. I do not have to go out of my way to repeatedly state just how much I like the M2C, but I am a 718 CGTS owner and personal bias cannot be avoided.

(5) The ONLY truly objective and meaningful manner to arrive at the ‘right’ answer for YOU is to get behind the wheel of whatever models you are considering. This type of statement is not simply a cliché. Well, perhaps it is a cliché . . . and for good reason. Obviously, you have a lot of seat time in the 981 Cayman, so all you really need to do is spend some time behind the wheel of an M2C to gain valid opinion specific to YOU.

Matt, a frequent poster on this and Cayman forums, recently considered the M2C versus a 718 Cayman. Matt spent considerable time behind the wheel of the M2C and 718 Cayman as part of his decision process. My impression according to his comments on the M2 subforum was that he was leaning heavily toward the M2C. Probably because most of his early comments were based on his impression of the M2C PRIOR to his having the opportunity to drive the M2C. In any regard, Matt recently took delivery and announced he decided to go with a CPO 718 Cayman. I am not surprised, nor would I have been if Matt had decided the M2C was the ‘right’ vehicle for HIM.

I look forward to hearing which direction you decide to take in your purchase between the M2C and CPO 981.

///AVM

Agreed, seat time is critical but hard to come by with a manual M2C. I've driven 2 and got some impressions.

sound is better than I expected
definitely strong engine, but didn't feel much stronger than my b58 at low rpm (which is all I was able to expose given the newness of the test drive vehicles)
manual was a tad rubbery (I know there's a fix)
very precise body control and feel, nice handling car
great size and visiblity

I definitely liked it, but didn't walk away saying "I want this car!".

But i have come to realize without spending significantly more, I don't think I will ever get that feeling again (the last time I had it was 6 years ago on a test drive of a 981S and I've driven MANY cars since then).

So I am leaning towards the M2C now.

[Cannondale900]

Originally Posted by 1mm2

I went from a BMW 1M to a 991.1 to a 991.2 and then my wife got a 2018 M2.

Overall for daily driving the M2C takes it (muscle car feel) while track duty would go to the GTS. The only reason I'm torn is that we would have two M2s and can't get my head around that yet.

I would never be able to get my head around having two similar chassis codes in the garage at the same time. At one time, before I picked up my 2010 535ixT, I considered an E53 4.8is. The problem was my wife had an E53, that I loved, for nearly 8 years. As much as I liked the E53, I just couldn't bring myself to pass up experiencing a different car.