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      02-11-2016, 10:54 AM   #23
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Quote:
Originally Posted by F1zbo View Post
Hehe, so did I actually but the fact that Ford in Sweden did not provide any discounts on the RS but BMW did for the M2 the price premium ended up being only 10%(base price differences are 25% between the two) to get the M2.
Not a difficult choice TBH.


Oh really? That is interesting. I never actually made it that far to inquire. Once I caught wind of the M2 I forgot about everything else. Lol.
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      02-11-2016, 11:37 AM   #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by W///
Great review. You're very lucky to get to drive them back to back like that, not many people will be able to.

I was able to drive the M235i back to back with an M3, and came away with a very very similar conclusion to yours. It's just that the M2 will take it up a notch.
The M235 is really THAT good?
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      02-11-2016, 11:46 AM   #25
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Thanks for the review... pretty much aligns with what I might have guessed the differences to be.
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      02-11-2016, 12:27 PM   #26
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fraggy View Post
The M235 is really THAT good?
Me and my friends got to do a bmw drive day last year where we got to drive the m235i back to back with the m4 around Phillip island (where the moto GP is held in melbourne)
The 4 of us came away with the same conclusion that even though the 235i didn't have as much power, it felt better balanced and more nimble around the track. That's why when the m2 was announced I had no hesitation in putting a deposit down.
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      02-11-2016, 12:46 PM   #27
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fraggy View Post
The M235 is really THAT good?
I'm not saying it's GT4 good, but I certainly had a blast. The size felt right, the brakes were good, and it was just FUN. I definitely saw potential in the M2 a long long time ago (thus why I became so active on this forum).

The reviews don't lie. Look at how many journalists absolutely loved the M235i, whereas the M3/4 reviews were very hit or miss.
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      02-11-2016, 12:46 PM   #28
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Does the M2 have a lower center of gravity?
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      02-11-2016, 12:48 PM   #29
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zenmaster View Post
Does the M2 have a lower center of gravity?
I doubt it given no CF roof and I don't believe the car is actually any lower but I don't think I have seen anything on it.
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      02-11-2016, 12:55 PM   #30
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Can't wait to drive the M2 (March 7 & 8) with a few fellow forum members at The Thermal Club! Your review has me even more giddy.
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      02-11-2016, 12:55 PM   #31
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Nice, thanks for sharing and thanks for the honest feedback.
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      02-11-2016, 12:56 PM   #32
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PrematureApex
What's the chassis balance like?

A lot of understeer? Less than the M4?

Or were you not allowed to drive the tires up to their limits?
M4 leans toward oversteer characteristics, not understeer.
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      02-11-2016, 12:57 PM   #33
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Brilliant. I'm counting my nickles and dimes as I type this.
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      02-11-2016, 12:57 PM   #34
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Thanks for the review!
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      02-11-2016, 12:59 PM   #35
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Attuale
A lucky few of us here in Australia were invited to Australia's official launch of the M2 and we allowed to drive the M2 around Australia's Mt Panorama circuit. It was an epic day and a very well planned event by BMW and much credit goes to them.

The day went like this:

We did 2-3 laps in the M2, followed by 2-3 laps in the M3 and then 2-3 laps in the M4 which was brilliant as we got to compare all three.

Here are my impressions on the M2. I'll try and break it down by each aspect of the car.

Steering & Handing
It feels very direct and weighty and loads up nicely on the corners. It doesn't have all the sport settings that the M4 does, but it's fine as it is.

It feels beautifully planted and very nimble and changes direction quite easily. It didn't want to break traction as much as the M4 did, but I also put that down to the more power that the M4 has.

Engine
There is plenty of pull and the DCT shifts were amazing. I myself have ordered a manual, but the DCT was tempting. Brilliant gearbox and it did 'blap' the exhaust on upshifts like the M4 does.

Styling
They had a Mineral Grey, Long Beach Blue and Black Sapphire Mettalic at the event. I hate to be a sour puss, but the grey doesn't do much for this car. The Long Beach Blue is a really nice colour and the black is very attractive as well. There was no Alpine white. The flared rear wheel arches are simply a sight to behold and make the car very aggressive. The M2 is definitely a looker and looks a lot better in real life than the photos suggest.

Now for the comparison against its big brother the M4. I had never driven an M4 before today, and I got to really see what it could do on a track. I have a lot of respect for this car and anyone who buys one, take it to the track because it is a brilliant track tool.

My thoughts compared to the M2, as briefly as possible.

Handling
The M2 changes direction better and you can feel its more compact chassis holds the road a little better through corners. Definitely that little bit of weight saving makes a difference.

Engine
M4 is quicker and has more pull than the M2. The M2 is no slouch, but you can feel the M4 is quicker, but not by much.

Braking
Much of a muchness really as they both use the same braking set-up.

Feel
The M2 felt like a more direct and raw car than the M4, but that was to be expected considering its smaller dimensions.

Sound
I think the M4 sounds good, but I preferred the sound of the M2. More raspy and less farty than the M4

Styling
Those flared wheel arches did it for me. The M4 is much more toned down in the styling.

My conclusion is, the M4 is an amazing car and the M2 is not better than the M4 (BMW were never trying to do this). It is very close to its performance for a lot less and BMW have done a fantastic job in creating this car. Anyone who has ordered an M2 will not be disappointed and now I can't wait till mine arrives!
Fantastic review thx!
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      02-11-2016, 12:59 PM   #36
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Attuale
A lucky few of us here in Australia were invited to Australia's official launch of the M2 and we allowed to drive the M2 around Australia's Mt Panorama circuit. It was an epic day and a very well planned event by BMW and much credit goes to them.

The day went like this:

We did 2-3 laps in the M2, followed by 2-3 laps in the M3 and then 2-3 laps in the M4 which was brilliant as we got to compare all three.

Here are my impressions on the M2. I'll try and break it down by each aspect of the car.

Steering & Handing
It feels very direct and weighty and loads up nicely on the corners. It doesn't have all the sport settings that the M4 does, but it's fine as it is.

It feels beautifully planted and very nimble and changes direction quite easily. It didn't want to break traction as much as the M4 did, but I also put that down to the more power that the M4 has.

Engine
There is plenty of pull and the DCT shifts were amazing. I myself have ordered a manual, but the DCT was tempting. Brilliant gearbox and it did 'blap' the exhaust on upshifts like the M4 does.

Styling
They had a Mineral Grey, Long Beach Blue and Black Sapphire Mettalic at the event. I hate to be a sour puss, but the grey doesn't do much for this car. The Long Beach Blue is a really nice colour and the black is very attractive as well. There was no Alpine white. The flared rear wheel arches are simply a sight to behold and make the car very aggressive. The M2 is definitely a looker and looks a lot better in real life than the photos suggest.

Now for the comparison against its big brother the M4. I had never driven an M4 before today, and I got to really see what it could do on a track. I have a lot of respect for this car and anyone who buys one, take it to the track because it is a brilliant track tool.

My thoughts compared to the M2, as briefly as possible.

Handling
The M2 changes direction better and you can feel its more compact chassis holds the road a little better through corners. Definitely that little bit of weight saving makes a difference.

Engine
M4 is quicker and has more pull than the M2. The M2 is no slouch, but you can feel the M4 is quicker, but not by much.

Braking
Much of a muchness really as they both use the same braking set-up.

Feel
The M2 felt like a more direct and raw car than the M4, but that was to be expected considering its smaller dimensions.

Sound
I think the M4 sounds good, but I preferred the sound of the M2. More raspy and less farty than the M4

Styling
Those flared wheel arches did it for me. The M4 is much more toned down in the styling.

My conclusion is, the M4 is an amazing car and the M2 is not better than the M4 (BMW were never trying to do this). It is very close to its performance for a lot less and BMW have done a fantastic job in creating this car. Anyone who has ordered an M2 will not be disappointed and now I can't wait till mine arrives!
Should I be worried that there's no steering section?

Edit: I see it now!

Thanks for the info!
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      02-11-2016, 01:11 PM   #37
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What did you think of the M3? Obviously, performance wise, it will be the same as the M4, but if you thought the M4 was more understated styling wise, my opinion is that the M3 is more aggressive and different than the normal 3 series. If you're a sucker for the fender flares, the M2 and M3 are your winners imo.
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      02-11-2016, 01:13 PM   #38
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Roundown View Post
Should I be worried that there's no steering section?

Thanks for the info!
It's towards the top.

"Steering & Handing
It feels very direct and weighty and loads up nicely on the corners. It doesn't have all the sport settings that the M4 does, but it's fine as it is."
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      02-11-2016, 01:18 PM   #39
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Attuale View Post
Steering & Handing
It feels very direct and weighty and loads up nicely on the corners. It doesn't have all the sport settings that the M4 does, but it's fine as it is. ... It feels beautifully planted and very nimble and changes direction quite easily.
Chalk up another win for EPS.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Attuale View Post
It didn't want to break traction as much as the M4 did, but I also put that down to the more power that the M4 has.
The higher-powered M cars absolutely MUST have xDrive eventually. At least as an option.
Either that or a permanent hybrid eDrive AWD system like the i8.
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      02-11-2016, 01:34 PM   #40
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PrematureApex View Post
What's the chassis balance like?

A lot of understeer? Less than the M4?

Or were you not allowed to drive the tires up to their limits?
Make sure you consider the source when asking questions like this, especially if the answer doesn't contain any sort of context/credentials. Even when people are allowed to take tires to their limits, novices who are timid will never be going fast enough to be in a position to discuss understeer/oversteer tendencies, and novices who are ham-fisted will charge the corner entry, crank the wheel, experience understeer, crank the wheel harder (usually lighting up stability control at this point) and complain that "the car won't turn!!" And even among more experienced drivers, in an unfamiliar car their negative impressions of the car's dynamics could be due to them not adapting their driving technique appropriately for the car they're currently driving as opposed to their own car.
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      02-11-2016, 01:34 PM   #41
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"you can feel the M4 is quicker but not by much"...

not sure how this is possible... there is a 60-70 hp difference there with near identical weight.
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      02-11-2016, 01:37 PM   #42
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ASAP View Post
"you can feel the M4 is quicker but not by much"...

not sure how this is possible... there is a 60-70 hp difference there with near identical weight.
Sensation of speed is not always correlated with actual speed. Ever caught a ride in a Lotus Elise on track? It's on the slow side of the spectrum, but when you're in one it feels ridiculously fast. There's also the question of whether the OP is discussing straight-line or cornering speed. If the M2 was more confidence-inspiring (and being slightly lighter and apparently lacking an oversteer tendency in the M3/4, I can see how it might have been), then the OP might have been able to go faster more easily. Also keep in mind that 2-3 laps will only tell you so much. The impressions may well have shifted given more time to acclimate to the cars.
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      02-11-2016, 01:41 PM   #43
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sounds like an awesome ride, I cant wait to test one, the M3 has brutal force but I feel like it definitely has leaned more towards a GT and away from a sports car, the M2 i think is gonna do it the other way around, I def see this car becoming BMWs next cult car.
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      02-11-2016, 02:33 PM   #44
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