Just drove the M2 ....

04S · 03-07-2016, 01:55 AM

... On the Phillip island Grand Prix circuit in Victoria, Australia today. Back to back with the m3 and m4. The M2 was amazing. Not as powerful as its bigger brothers, but way more nimble. It was really noticeable. Steering feel was way better in the m2 as well.

The DCT in the M2 with the N55 was amazing. I missed some of the items in the m3/4 like HUD and shift lights.

On the main straight the m2 was accelerating hard in 5th going through 225 kmh. Only marginally slower than the m3/4.

I am posting this on the plane on the way home so apologies for the brevity.

I was really genuinely surprised how competitive the m2 was with its big brothers.

What a day !

Prodigy. · 03-07-2016, 01:57 AM

You lucky bugger, sounds like you were impressed with the little M.

jtodd_fl · 03-07-2016, 04:29 AM

Exciting report. Thanks. Great that you got to drive them together. Would be interested in your subjective impression of the interior. Did it "feel cheap" or make a first impression of cheapness? Don't really need or want it to be an M4 inside, but am curious of the impression it makes. One last question, if you don't mind. How did you find the exhaust sound? Thanks.

swagon · 03-07-2016, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtodd_fl

Exciting report. Thanks. Great that you got to drive them together. Would be interested in your subjective impression of the interior. Did it "feel cheap" or make a first impression of cheapness? Don't really need or want it to be an M4 inside, but am curious of the impression it makes. One last question, if you don't mind. How did you find the exhaust sound? Thanks.

I think you can just go to your dealer and sit in a regular 2 Series. It's no different, except the carbon trim and Alcantara bits & bobs.

jtodd_fl · 03-07-2016, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swagon

I think you can just go to your dealer and sit in a regular 2 Series. It's no different, except the carbon trim and Alcantara bits & bobs.

Oh cool. Thanks. So the seats (other than stitching) and the other materials are basically the same?
Edit: Never even been in a 2. Heh.

Verbiage · 03-07-2016, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtodd_fl

Oh cool. Thanks. So the seats (other than stitching) and the other materials are basically the same?
Edit: Never even been in a 2. Heh.

That's what I did, there was an M235i on the showroom floor. It was pretty cozy inside. Not that it matters anymore, in my case.

jtodd_fl · 03-07-2016, 07:11 AM

I think maybe I'll do that next weekend. Mmmm... love cozy. Thanks guys.

Nine Lives · 03-07-2016, 07:18 AM

Sounds like you had a ball ! Great little write up,completely nails it and nice to have something from other than a motoring journo.

It makes the wait more painful though

jtodd_fl · 03-07-2016, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtodd_fl

I think maybe I'll do that next weekend. Mmmm... love cozy. Thanks guys.

Hey I quoted myself... weird.
Anyway, I went to look at photos of the interior of the M235i that my local dealer has to compare. If anyone is going to do this, remember that there are some other M differences, like the SHIFT KNOB. I about died when I saw that in the picture, till I remembered that there is an M-dedicated shift knob. Just saying to people who follow the advice to not panic. Cross check with photos online before you FTFO (like I about did).

swagon · 03-07-2016, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtodd_fl

Hey I quoted myself... weird.
Anyway, I went to look at photos of the interior of the M235i that my local dealer has to compare. If anyone is going to do this, remember that there are some other M differences, like the SHIFT KNOB. I about died when I saw that in the picture, till I remembered that there is an M-dedicated shift knob. Just saying to people who follow the advice to not panic. Cross check with photos online before you FTFO (like I about did).

Lol yeah the M's have an illuminated knob.

jtodd_fl · 03-07-2016, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swagon

Lol yeah the M's have an illuminated knob.

Yeah, and one that doesn't look like it is made for a boat. That shape is... dreadful. I have never owned a non-manual, non-M BMW before. Why did they make it look like that? WHY BMW!!! #firstworldproblems

Edit: Added photo comparo in order to not add another post that may take this further away from OP intent.

Benzima · 03-07-2016, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aussie F10M

... On the Phillip island Grand Prix circuit in Victoria, Australia today. Back to back with the m3 and m4. The M2 was amazing. Not as powerful as its bigger brothers, but way more nimble. It was really noticeable. Steering feel was way better in the m2 as well.

The DCT in the M2 with the N55 was amazing. I missed some of the items in the m3/4 like HUD and shift lights.

On the main straight the m2 was accelerating hard in 5th going through 225 kmh. Only marginally slower than the m3/4.

I am posting this on the plane on the way home so apologies for the brevity.

I was really genuinely surprised how competitive the m2 was with its big brothers.

What a day !

Thanks for your review. Great to hear that the baby M performs like the bigger brother.

As expected, the M4 is faster, but I am happy that you confirm the M2 is really close behind

.

jtodd_fl · 03-07-2016, 07:50 AM

Soo... don't suppose you had a GoPro?

zenmaster · 03-07-2016, 07:55 AM

In what manner is the steering feel way better on the M2?

dmk08 · 03-07-2016, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aussie F10M

... On the Phillip island Grand Prix circuit in Victoria, Australia today. Back to back with the m3 and m4. The M2 was amazing. Not as powerful as its bigger brothers, but way more nimble. It was really noticeable. Steering feel was way better in the m2 as well.

The DCT in the M2 with the N55 was amazing. I missed some of the items in the m3/4 like HUD and shift lights.

On the main straight the m2 was accelerating hard in 5th going through 225 kmh. Only marginally slower than the m3/4.

I am posting this on the plane on the way home so apologies for the brevity.

I was really genuinely surprised how competitive the m2 was with its big brothers.

What a day !

Thanks for the info. I expected the M2 to be more nimble but "way more nimble" sounds impressive. Cant wait to drive one.

Verbiage · 03-07-2016, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swagon

Lol yeah the M's have an illuminated knob.

Oh you.

swagon · 03-07-2016, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Verbiage

Oh you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtodd_fl

Yeah, and one that doesn't look like it is made for a boat. That shape is... dreadful. I have never owned a non-manual, non-M BMW before. Why did they make it look like that? WHY BMW!!! #firstworldproblems

But that's a gear selector / electronic gear shifter. A gear knob is the thing in the GIF I posted. You should've bought it and not that dreadful silver thing.

You seen this? Now this is a dreadful shape.

The SAT one is actually pretty cool and I like it. Also comes in a black ceramic finish.

ChrisK · 03-07-2016, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtodd_fl

Yeah, and one that doesn't look like it is made for a boat. That shape is... dreadful. I have never owned a non-manual, non-M BMW before. Why did they make it look like that? WHY BMW!!! #firstworldproblems

Edit: Added photo comparo in order to not add another post that may take this further away from OP intent.

Your second image is not a DCT - it's an auto - it has park. I'm not sure if that was intentional or not.

Prodigy. · 03-07-2016, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisK

Your second image is not a DCT - it's an auto - it has park. I'm not sure if that was intentional or not.

I believe he's just showing the difference between the M235i knob and M2 knob.

By the way, my 135i is DCT and also has a park button.

ChrisK · 03-07-2016, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prodigy 72

I believe he's just showing the difference between the M235i knob and M2 knob.

By the way, my 135i is DCT and also has a park button.

Didn't know that - DCT in M cars do not have park "Button".

Artemis · 03-07-2016, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swagon

Lol yeah the M's have an illuminated knob.

Of recent ///M cars, the 1M did not feature an illuminated gear shift knob.

Some retrofitted the M5 6MT knob in their 1M:
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=695034
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=794922

Don't know whether the M2 6MT gear shift knob is illuminated. It's supposed to be the one of the M3/M4 6MT. Too lazy to check. Can someone please "enlighten" me on this one ?

Waiting for the first to shout "Deal breaker !", "I cancel my order" or "No real ///M", of course.

Robin_NL · 03-07-2016, 09:27 AM

Thanks for sharing, how was the DCT downshifting?

Cheers
Robin

03-07-2016, 01:55 AM	#1
04S Captain 174 Rep 837 Posts Drives: M4 xDrive, X5 40i and U11 X1 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (0)	... On the Phillip island Grand Prix circuit in Victoria, Australia today. Back to back with the m3 and m4. The M2 was amazing. Not as powerful as its bigger brothers, but way more nimble. It was really noticeable. Steering feel was way better in the m2 as well. The DCT in the M2 with the N55 was amazing. I missed some of the items in the m3/4 like HUD and shift lights. On the main straight the m2 was accelerating hard in 5th going through 225 kmh. Only marginally slower than the m3/4. I am posting this on the plane on the way home so apologies for the brevity. I was really genuinely surprised how competitive the m2 was with its big brothers. What a day !
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03-07-2016, 01:57 AM	#2
Prodigy. Lieutenant Colonel 698 Rep 1,514 Posts Drives: ///M2 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	You lucky bugger, sounds like you were impressed with the little M.
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03-07-2016, 04:29 AM	#3
jtodd_fl 2nd Asst to Dept Undersecretary 6704 Rep 1,298 Posts Drives: People crazy Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Florida iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 F82 M4 [9.00] 2016 F87 M2 [0.00] 2011 E92 M3 [0.00]	Exciting report. Thanks. Great that you got to drive them together. Would be interested in your subjective impression of the interior. Did it "feel cheap" or make a first impression of cheapness? Don't really need or want it to be an M4 inside, but am curious of the impression it makes. One last question, if you don't mind. How did you find the exhaust sound? Thanks. __________________ This space for rent.
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03-07-2016, 07:11 AM	#7
jtodd_fl 2nd Asst to Dept Undersecretary 6704 Rep 1,298 Posts Drives: People crazy Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Florida iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 F82 M4 [9.00] 2016 F87 M2 [0.00] 2011 E92 M3 [0.00]	I think maybe I'll do that next weekend. Mmmm... love cozy. Thanks guys. __________________ This space for rent.
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03-07-2016, 07:18 AM	#8
Nine Lives Captain 602 Rep 886 Posts Drives: Austin Maxi Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Sounds like you had a ball ! Great little write up,completely nails it and nice to have something from other than a motoring journo. It makes the wait more painful though
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03-07-2016, 07:50 AM	#13
jtodd_fl 2nd Asst to Dept Undersecretary 6704 Rep 1,298 Posts Drives: People crazy Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Florida iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 F82 M4 [9.00] 2016 F87 M2 [0.00] 2011 E92 M3 [0.00]	Soo... don't suppose you had a GoPro? __________________ This space for rent.
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03-07-2016, 07:55 AM	#14
zenmaster Brigadier General 1577 Rep 3,888 Posts Drives: '17 M2 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (1)	In what manner is the steering feel way better on the M2?
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03-07-2016, 09:27 AM	#22
Robin_NL S0THPAW 8717 Rep 7,846 Posts Drives: HS M2 Competition Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: The Netherlands iTrader: (0)	Thanks for sharing, how was the DCT downshifting? Cheers Robin
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