BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BMW M2 Forum > M2 vs... > M2 VS M3 (A therapy thread for those who can't decide)

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      10-29-2015, 02:51 PM   #67
W///
Lieutenant General
W///'s Avatar
7434
Rep
12,293
Posts

Drives: F82GTS, E36/E92M3, Z4M
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SC

iTrader: (13)

Quote:
Originally Posted by G8rGrl View Post
The M3 is better than the M2. Period. BUT...I see the M2 as a car I would buy, pay off, and keep for 15 years as a "small fun second car". I don't ever see myself keeping the M3 as a "fun second car". I would buy it, love it for 3-4 years, then trade it for the next "best" car within my budget.
If you really want a second toy car, there are so many good choices out there. Plus I'd want N/A cars for easier maintenance. Think S2k (they are great), E36 M3, Z4M, used Porsches, ect ect...

Luckily, I've found my weekend cars that I want to keep, and that's the E36 and E92. Both super fun in their own ways. The stripper F80 would become my workhorse. That was the idea for the M2 originally, but that's why I'm thinking the M3 would be better at being the DD.

Food for thought

P.S. I wouldn't want an F80 as a fun second car either. There are far more personable cars out there IMO.
__________________
Current:
16 F82 M4 GTS, Black Sapphire/Black, DCT
08 E92 M3, Sparkling Graphite/Bamboo Beige, 6MT
07 E85 Z4M Roadster, Alpine White/Red, 6MT
99 E36 M3, Techno Violet/Dove Grey, 6MT
Appreciate 1
      10-29-2015, 03:05 PM   #68
John Tanglewood
Porn Star
John Tanglewood's Avatar
Jamaica
1309
Rep
3,349
Posts

Drives: E60 M5 | F95 X5M | F90 M5
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Stamford, CT

iTrader: (13)

I'm only on the fence for a couple reasons. Power and creature comforts.

I have an M2 allocation but up until I saw the pics, I was closing in on an M3 lease takeover.

I love that the M3 has a strong motor stock. I love that with minimal tuning I can make it even faster.

And I love the newer creature comforts like the HUD, etc. Love the CF roof and the extra space for when you're shuttling around doing errands.

I have a 4Runner as my second car, but by no means was my previous M3 (and then R8) a weekend car. I drove them as much as the 4Runner, usually only relegating the 4Runner to "road trip" and "dog transport".

So I'm torn.
__________________
Appreciate 1
      10-29-2015, 03:05 PM   #69
dmboone25
Lieutenant General
dmboone25's Avatar
4971
Rep
10,200
Posts

Drives: 2024 Golf R / 2022 718 Spyder
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Dallas, TX

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2007 E92 328i  [10.00]
2007 328i  [10.00]
Between these two...F80 unless you are solely set on the value proposition provided by the M2.

the M3 is better looking (subjective), faster (objective), more practical (objective) and more special (pretty objective). But it is priced accordingly as well.

Like I was saying in one of the other threads, if BMW were to make a 5 door RWD 1M or M2GC, my Cayman would have a garage mate. Short of those choices becoming available (not likely, at least for this generation), it will be an F80....
__________________
Past rides: 2016 981 BGTS, 2020 MINI JCW, 2017 F80, 2015 981 CS, 2014 F22 235, 2011 E82 135, 2008 E82 135, 2007 E92 328, 2007 E92 328 (My lady drives an OG M2. So does my dad)
Appreciate 1
      10-31-2015, 05:55 PM   #70
blefevre
Private First Class
blefevre's Avatar
175
Rep
149
Posts

Drives: E36 M3 Track Car, (M2 sold)
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Colorado

iTrader: (0)

Here is my opinion. I am also deciding between a M2 and M3. Today I finally had time to test drive a M4 (M3 wasn't available) with a 6MT. I also drove a M-sport 2 series for the seats / size check.

I will try to refrain from being repetitive in the praise of the M3/4. It's an amazing car and if price isn't a concern then just go F80 and never look back. A few key points specific to M2 vs. M3.

Size: The M3/4 is huge. There is no way around that. However, with the M3 you have four doors with good passenger space and a useable trunk. It's size is justified if you will use it as a DD and have a family. The M4 is just a land boat and I would never consider it. I didn't feel that the size of the car prevented it from reacting fast or having fun on the streets. Of course the M2 should be more nimble on paper, but I am not using that as a deciding factor.

Seats: Yeah, yeah, I know enough already. However, this was the first time I spent quality time in a Msport 2 series. The seats are acceptable, but nothing to write home about. My Golf R seats are more comfortable, more supportive, and better quality leather. That is not a deciding factor for me and I will live with the lesser seats in the M2. The seat height was very high though (power seats). I hope manual seats are available. I plan on getting no sunroof, but I don't think I would fit with my helmet on with power seats and a helmet. I suggest sitting in a 2 series if you are tall and plan to track the car.

Overall: I drove the 2 series and the M4 to try to mentally imagine what the M2 will be. What I found is that the M3/4 is a lot of a car. Probably too much car for my wants and desires. I will be very satisfied with the speed of the M2 to keep it a little more "fun" without getting too dangerous. I would go with a M3 in a heartbeat if the M2 didn't exist. The idea of saving ~10k on a car with similar traits to a M3 is very appealing and ultimately what is causing my decision for M2. Count me in the group of someone trying to get into a lower cost M car.
Appreciate 2
      11-02-2015, 06:13 AM   #71
W///
Lieutenant General
W///'s Avatar
7434
Rep
12,293
Posts

Drives: F82GTS, E36/E92M3, Z4M
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SC

iTrader: (13)

Quote:
Originally Posted by blefevre View Post
Here is my opinion. I am also deciding between a M2 and M3. Today I finally had time to test drive a M4 (M3 wasn't available) with a 6MT. I also drove a M-sport 2 series for the seats / size check.

I will try to refrain from being repetitive in the praise of the M3/4. It's an amazing car and if price isn't a concern then just go F80 and never look back. A few key points specific to M2 vs. M3.

Size: The M3/4 is huge. There is no way around that. However, with the M3 you have four doors with good passenger space and a useable trunk. It's size is justified if you will use it as a DD and have a family. The M4 is just a land boat and I would never consider it. I didn't feel that the size of the car prevented it from reacting fast or having fun on the streets. Of course the M2 should be more nimble on paper, but I am not using that as a deciding factor.

Seats: Yeah, yeah, I know enough already. However, this was the first time I spent quality time in a Msport 2 series. The seats are acceptable, but nothing to write home about. My Golf R seats are more comfortable, more supportive, and better quality leather. That is not a deciding factor for me and I will live with the lesser seats in the M2. The seat height was very high though (power seats). I hope manual seats are available. I plan on getting no sunroof, but I don't think I would fit with my helmet on with power seats and a helmet. I suggest sitting in a 2 series if you are tall and plan to track the car.

Overall: I drove the 2 series and the M4 to try to mentally imagine what the M2 will be. What I found is that the M3/4 is a lot of a car. Probably too much car for my wants and desires. I will be very satisfied with the speed of the M2 to keep it a little more "fun" without getting too dangerous. I would go with a M3 in a heartbeat if the M2 didn't exist. The idea of saving ~10k on a car with similar traits to a M3 is very appealing and ultimately what is causing my decision for M2. Count me in the group of someone trying to get into a lower cost M car.
Absolutely agree with everything you say. The M3 makes complete sense because it can be very practical if you want it to be. If I could only pick one car, I'd probably go with the M2 over the M3/4
Appreciate 0
      11-02-2015, 11:47 AM   #72
scottomfg
Lieutenant
scottomfg's Avatar
287
Rep
439
Posts

Drives: '14 Cayman S 6MT, '21 X5 45E
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Oregon

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by blefevre View Post
Size: The M3/4 is huge. There is no way around that.
The M3 is 4% longer than the M2 (7 inches) and the wheelbase is also 4% longer (4 inches). Weights and widths are essentially the same. M4 is shorter by an inch, M3 is taller by an inch.

If the F8X are Huge, then the M2 is Huge minus 4%, which I don't think is even enough to put it in a different category, but if you did, then it would have to be Very Close to Huge.

In other words, if the M4 is a land boat, taking a measly 4% off the length and 80 pounds off the weight aint gonna make the M2 *not* a land boat.

[Side Note: this helped me visualize how insignificant the difference is: 4 inches is less than the width of my hand, and 7 inches is less than the length of my hand—that's the size difference between M2 and M3]
__________________

2014 981 Cayman S 6MT, X73 Suspension, SES
2021 X5 45e MSport, Manhattan Green, Coffee Merino, Review & Photos
Previous: '18 340 GT, '15 M235i 6MT, '15 i3 REx, '15 x1 xDrive28i
Appreciate 1
      11-02-2015, 12:32 PM   #73
Yellowflash21
First Lieutenant
Slovenia
370
Rep
354
Posts

Drives: M2
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Slovenia

iTrader: (0)

I had F30 328i a week ago until I decided to place order for M2 coupe, and here are the reasons behind.

First of all 4 years ago my dream car was 1M, but it was very hard to get it back then, and I didn't like few exterior bits about it.

In early 2013, I started to consider to get M135i as a budged sport car, and gave up on that idea after some time as again I didn't like the shape of it (it looked to common), + it didn't have a proper lsd.

Middle of 2014, I was about to place the order for M235i, but couldn't wait for 3 months delivery and took F30 328i M-sport and fully spec from the dealer with huge discount.

328i, made me happy with stage 1 tune on it, but I didn't like the car feel in the hard corners + it had ZF automatic. Driving it on the longer road trip was a blessing to be in it and I deeply enjoyed the overall comfort.

Few months ago, I started to look what would be ideal M-car for me.
M3&M4 were one of the options, but both of them are a little bit too pricey for my budget and I'm very irritated by ASD and how it sounds in general.
On top of that M3 looks very similar to F30, except front bumper, the standard equipment didn't offer to many things for the price I was suppose to pay and I just didn't feel that it was worth those bucks.

In one moment even Alpina B3/D4 got on my mind, but I couldn't order those easily from here.

A month ago, I even approached Audi dealer, and had a chance to check brand new AUDI RS3. The sounds of the exhaust note is amazing, but inside it felt like regular A3 to be honest. I didn't like the seating position, and the outside look was ok.

Looking at online reviews about RS3, many journalist agreed that it wasn't worth that money, and that Golf R is probably much better option, so I simply postpone the idea about maybe getting it.

Now, on 14th October when I heard the news about M2 launch and announced specs. I just knew that's what I wanted to have. Perfectly reshaped M235i per my taste, wider and more aggressive front bumper. M3/N4 suspension, M differential, M transmission, and N55 With most of the key parts from S55. Lets not forget about LBB color which is my favorite color.

So I didn't have to think twice, phoned the dealer, asked when I can have my M2 delivered and if swap is available.

We finished everything in few days, and now I'm sitting on this forum and counting days,hours, minutes until delivery...
Appreciate 0
      11-02-2015, 01:56 PM   #74
blefevre
Private First Class
blefevre's Avatar
175
Rep
149
Posts

Drives: E36 M3 Track Car, (M2 sold)
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Colorado

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by scottomfg View Post
The M3 is 4% longer than the M2 (7 inches) and the wheelbase is also 4% longer (4 inches). Weights and widths are essentially the same. M4 is shorter by an inch, M3 is taller by an inch.

If the F8X are Huge, then the M2 is Huge minus 4%, which I don't think is even enough to put it in a different category, but if you did, then it would have to be Very Close to Huge.

In other words, if the M4 is a land boat, taking a measly 4% off the length and 80 pounds off the weight aint gonna make the M2 *not* a land boat.

[Side Note: this helped me visualize how insignificant the difference is: 4 inches is less than the width of my hand, and 7 inches is less than the length of my hand—that's the size difference between M2 and M3]
Yes, that is a enough length difference to have an impact on vehicle class. Let's just look at length for M2, M4, M6.

M2: 176.2"
M4: 183.9" (4.4% increase from M2)
M6: 192.8" (4.8% increase from M4)

The % increase is small, but close, and I think we all agree the M4 and M6 are in different classes. It should be no different for the M2 vs. M4.

I'm not bashing the M4 if you are hurt about the land boat reference. I like boats...and M4s. I am just stating the fact that the M4 is a larger class then the M2 and to me, that car class is on the "too large for me" scale. Some people love that class size, I am cool with that.

One more reference - My cars include E30, E36 318ti, Golf R, etc....which are all small. So if I made the jump to a M4 it would definitely be on the huge scale. It's all reference and personal preference.
Appreciate 1
      11-02-2015, 01:58 PM   #75
W///
Lieutenant General
W///'s Avatar
7434
Rep
12,293
Posts

Drives: F82GTS, E36/E92M3, Z4M
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SC

iTrader: (13)

Quote:
Originally Posted by scottomfg View Post
The M3 is 4% longer than the M2 (7 inches) and the wheelbase is also 4% longer (4 inches). Weights and widths are essentially the same. M4 is shorter by an inch, M3 is taller by an inch.

If the F8X are Huge, then the M2 is Huge minus 4%, which I don't think is even enough to put it in a different category, but if you did, then it would have to be Very Close to Huge.

In other words, if the M4 is a land boat, taking a measly 4% off the length and 80 pounds off the weight aint gonna make the M2 *not* a land boat.

[Side Note: this helped me visualize how insignificant the difference is: 4 inches is less than the width of my hand, and 7 inches is less than the length of my hand—that's the size difference between M2 and M3]
For me, it's all about how they "feel" from the driver's seat. So you are right, a couple of inches here and there is not going to kill the driving experience. But the cabin in a 2er feels more intimate than the one from the M3/4, just because those things are so damn big inside. So it won't "feel" as huge as an M3/4, even though it'll be almost just as wide.
__________________
Current:
16 F82 M4 GTS, Black Sapphire/Black, DCT
08 E92 M3, Sparkling Graphite/Bamboo Beige, 6MT
07 E85 Z4M Roadster, Alpine White/Red, 6MT
99 E36 M3, Techno Violet/Dove Grey, 6MT
Appreciate 1
      11-02-2015, 06:32 PM   #76
JustChris
General
JustChris's Avatar
No_Country
17423
Rep
25,086
Posts

Drives: Tesla MYRWD
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by scottomfg
Quote:
Originally Posted by blefevre View Post
Size: The M3/4 is huge. There is no way around that.
The M3 is 4% longer than the M2 (7 inches) and the wheelbase is also 4% longer (4 inches). Weights and widths are essentially the same. M4 is shorter by an inch, M3 is taller by an inch.

If the F8X are Huge, then the M2 is Huge minus 4%, which I don't think is even enough to put it in a different category, but if you did, then it would have to be Very Close to Huge.

In other words, if the M4 is a land boat, taking a measly 4% off the length and 80 pounds off the weight aint gonna make the M2 *not* a land boat.

[Side Note: this helped me visualize how insignificant the difference is: 4 inches is less than the width of my hand, and 7 inches is less than the length of my hand—that's the size difference between M2 and M3]
Ssssshhhh, haven't you heard, M2 is a tiny compact bundle of fun..!
__________________
My car made front page of Bimmerpost
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:30 AM.




m2
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST