[Pete_vB]

Originally Posted by golf_234

If development continues on this path, I would take a brand new M2 over a brand new E46 M without hesitation. In fact, I would argue it is quite an evolution of that same design ideology really. The E46 M is built on 1999 design logic and technology, I mean, things have improved since then.

I went from an E46 M3 to the 1M. The cars have a number of similarities, but despite the fact that I'm a fan of normally aspirated engines I have a lot more fun in the 1M. I think it's philosophy more than technology. Both are "old school" cars on some level, however the 1M is slightly psychotic, an overpowered hooligan in the vein of the previous M Coupes, while the M3 is in comparison relatively sensible.

Here's hoping they keep the M2 off its meds.

[golf_234]

Originally Posted by Pete_vB

I went from an E46 M3 to the 1M. The cars have a number of similarities, but despite the fact that I'm a fan of normally aspirated engines I have a lot more fun in the 1M. I think it's philosophy more than technology. Both are "old school" cars on some level, however the 1M is slightly psychotic, an overpowered hooligan in the vein of the previous M Coupes, while the M3 is in comparison relatively sensible.

Here's hoping they keep the M2 off its meds.

Agree! while I didn't have the luxury of the 1M, i did have the N54 135i all tuned up, shown in sig, so I definitely get your sentiment. I drove a manual E46 over the weekend of my friend's out in los angeles, and my thought was definitely, great car of course, but you could feel how dated it is compared to the newer platforms. Having driven the M235i, and really loving it, I am going to say it is safe to say the M2 will be sweet. Let's be honest, they are all fantastic in their own way really.

[m3dragon]

Originally Posted by Pete_vB

I went from an E46 M3 to the 1M. The cars have a number of similarities, but despite the fact that I'm a fan of normally aspirated engines I have a lot more fun in the 1M. I think it's philosophy more than technology. Both are "old school" cars on some level, however the 1M is slightly psychotic, an overpowered hooligan in the vein of the previous M Coupes, while the M3 is in comparison relatively sensible.

Here's hoping they keep the M2 off its meds.

Is the M2 enough to make you trade the 1M? Possibly higher production numbers and less Frankenstein monster.

As for the E46 M3, I am biased so no need to comment there.

[Pete_vB]

Originally Posted by m3dragon

Is the M2 enough to make you trade the 1M? Possibly higher production numbers and less Frankenstein monster.

I don't think so- I like Frankenstein. I suspect the M2 will go too mainstream out of necessity. I doubt they could make it nearly as much of a wild child and still keep insurance rates affordable even if they wanted to, and I'm not convinced they do. We'll see though...

Currently I've got a deposit down on a Cayman GT4. Ideally I'd keep the 1M and add it, but depending on what comes it's one of the few cars I can imagine trading the 1M for.

[m3dragon]

I want to see what the car will actually look like. My ego wants the exclusivity of owning a 1M but the eye likes the looks of the M2 renders. Like you said we will see.

1M has been rock solid and my work horse car for drives and road trips. Don't really want to let her go for that alone.

[bitcore]

Originally Posted by evolution80

they better build some dedicated seats this time! (since it is going to be more expensive anyway - i want other seats than in the regular series!!!!)

Perforated leather/leatherette or CLOTH/Alcantara!! I'm tired of having a sweaty back. Even with the AC on max, on trips longer than 45 minutes, it's uncomfortable. I'm not a particularly sweaty person either. It's really bad in the summer.

[IEDEI]

Originally Posted by bitcore

Perforated leather/leatherette or CLOTH/Alcantara!! I'm tired of having a sweaty back. Even with the AC on max, on trips longer than 45 minutes, it's uncomfortable. I'm not a particularly sweaty person either. It's really bad in the summer.

I had an Audi with perforated alcantara in the past and that did nothing to prevent a sweaty back! If anything Alcantara is sweatier as it is a polyester like fabric.

Leather breathes better than any of the others....sorry to say!

[bradleyland]

Originally Posted by IEDEI

I had an Audi with perforated alcantara in the past and that did nothing to prevent a sweaty back! If anything Alcantara is sweatier as it is a polyester like fabric.

Leather breathes better than any of the others....sorry to say!

Drove a Ford Taurus rental recently. It had perforated, ventilated A/C seats. Every BMW should have these as an option. So incredible!

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by bradleyland

Drove a Ford Taurus rental recently. It had perforated, ventilated A/C seats. Every BMW should have these as an option. So incredible!

+1

It's the only time when shrinkage is good.

[bradleyland]

Originally Posted by BimmerEngineer

Bradly, no such thing as AC/cooled seats. Ventilated yes. Since our butts feel rather warm, having seats that move air gives a cooling effect, hence ventilated.

Maybe not in BMWs, but in that Taurus, the controls are clearly labeled "A/C" for the seats.

[golf_234]

Originally Posted by BimmerEngineer

I wouldn't go half that far. The newer machines are nice but no longer "the Ultimate Driving Machine" but rather "Computer Controlled Machine" these newer bmw's are not a drivers/enthusiasts car anymore. If you say they're, you've never been a driver or enthusiast and owned many bmw's in the last 30 yrs. The new bmw's are soft and quiet. Don't hande as good as they used to and are not as reliable as they were.

No, I just understand the evolution. I mean, I have an e36 in my garage right now that I can drive and have had many classic Bmws and Mercedes. Of course they are different. I welcome the advancements, but at the same time, of course understand where you are coming from. Just unfair to compare. That being said, I love the refinement of the new machines, and the computer integration doesnt bother me. Naturally I am a mechanical engineer/computer engineer double major so I appreciate all of this. Now, if they take away our 6 speeds, I will be disappointed. no doubt.

[Dackelone]

Some more pics of the M2 out testing in the Wild...

The sensor on the roof is for vehilce speed. You see cars with this sensor when BMW is testing different tire sizes.

[phoenixbmwlife]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Some more pics of the M2 out testing in the Wild...

The sensor on the roof is for vehilce speed. You see cars with this sensor when BMW is testing different tire sizes.
Attachment 1074985

Attachment 1074986

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Attachment 1074989

The more I see it the more I love it!

[sdpauly]

Something about the rear of the 2-series makes the wheels look disproportionately small. In the last two pics of the M2 test mule you can see what I mean. The rear wheels are (presumably) the same diameter as the fronts, but in those pictures the rear wheels actually look smaller than the front, even when the rear is closer to the camera. It's a strange aspect to the design... Hopefully with the right kind of fender flares and design language they can overcome this...

The M2 render (the red one) at the beginning of this thread is by far the best I have seen and if the M2 really looks like this I will be screaming at BMW to take my money now.

[Cavpilot2k]

Originally Posted by Aust350z

Front of the orange. Back of the red.

BMW just take my money now.

Sold!

I really am torn between a 235 ED when my 135 lease is up in March (I will be in Germany anyway in April) or maybe buying my 135 out of the lease and waiting for an M2.

Truly torn.

And yes, Front of the orange, back of the red - perfect combo.

[Devon K]

Originally Posted by sdpauly

Something about the rear of the 2-series makes the wheels look disproportionately small. In the last two pics of the M2 test mule you can see what I mean. The rear wheels are (presumably) the same diameter as the fronts, but in those pictures the rear wheels actually look smaller than the front, even when the rear is closer to the camera. It's a strange aspect to the design... Hopefully with the right kind of fender flares and design language they can overcome this..

Part of that is because of the visually larger wheel wells at the front in those oblique photos (you see more of the underside) - but it's also due to the much higher quarter panel hips at the rear relative to the lower quarter panels at the front, which creates an optical illusion due to the tire height being a lower proportion of the overall vehicle height at the rear. I see this phenomenon on a lot of contemporary cars which have gone with the popular "high-ass" shape - compare to an E30 or E46.... these high-ass cars really need staggered wheel sizes to look proportionally correct.

[nachob]

Originally Posted by bitcore

Perforated leather/leatherette or CLOTH/Alcantara!! I'm tired of having a sweaty back. Even with the AC on max, on trips longer than 45 minutes, it's uncomfortable. I'm not a particularly sweaty person either. It's really bad in the summer.

ditto!