[trey100]

Originally Posted by jeremicium

I'm thinking the same thing. There was endless debate about this on M4 forums. I have a 2016 and it sounds great. Yeah the cold start is harsh, but the engine sounds great after a minute, and under load it's fantastic.

For what most drivers on here will do the performance difference between the two is not going to be a discernible factor. I have a moderate amount of track time and I know i can't even come close to the limit of the M4. As a daily driver i'm guessing the M4 will be more composed, more comfortable, but will definitely feel heftier when tossing it around during spirited drives.

Thing is, unless you are a track junkie neither car will be a letdown on the track. That is unless you are coming from a Porsche or from some truly lightweight track car. In that case, both of these will fail to deliver that visceral track experience.

They both look great, M4 is sleeker, sexier. M2 is more of a bruiser. Looks tough, short, and squat.

Final comment. S55 feels so much stronger than the N55. I can't imagine the N55 in the M2, even properly tuned, delivers power as well as the S55. The comments about more immediate response in the M2 baffle me.

I'm looking to get an M3 but I wouldn't assume the tuned N55 will be worse than the S55 in all cases. I posted this another time but look at the results of the road test (same magazine) of the M2 and M4. The overall acceleration all out has some differences but notice how the top gear acceleration is actually better in the M2. I've always suspected that the S55 gets started a little later as every dyno I have seen doesn't show a sharp increase in torque until 2500-3,000 rpm which is higher than the specs suggest. I have a gut feeling the N55 may spool faster even though it would defy logic as the S55 should be quicker to get going with 2 smaller turbos.

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by Rudeboy

M4 owner here:
Both cars look absolutely stunning and I can totally understand why one would choose the M2 over the M4. It's less money, looks great, sounds good and from the reviews so far it's performs well. However the M4 is the standard of which the M2 was designed. After having my M4 for about 6 months now, I have to say this car is fucking incredible and puts a smiles on my face everytime. It can be docile when you want it or brutal in it's power delivery so you have to have some level of respect for her. So if the extra money is not an issue M4 all day, everyday!

Correction.

The 1M is the standard from which the M2 was designed. Not the M4. The M2 does borrow M4 parts ... Just like the 1M did with the E90 however... While the M2 was indeed designed after the M4, its not the standard of which it was designed

[Zyal8r]

Admin should sticky this amazing post. Great photography too.

Question: What size were the wheels and tires and how hard was he ride??

Many thanks

[vampire81]

the greatest post of the year.
i just sold my SO m4

[Hiigaran]

Originally Posted by Zyal8r

Admin should sticky this amazing post. Great photography too.

Question: What size were the wheels and tires and how hard was he ride??

Many thanks

19 inch wheels with 245/265 tires, the ride feels hard but wont actually shake ur spine, road noise is loud, feels exactly like bimmer

[firedown31]

Originally Posted by dsm918

Indeed. My answer was to slap on a M Perf Exhaust. A lot better now

MPE I'll admit, my M3 sounds pretty terrible when cold, or sitting there revving. But it sounds so so good while actually driving it.

[Rudeboy]

Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster

Correction.

The 1M is the standard from which the M2 was designed. Not the M4. The M2 does borrow M4 parts ... Just like the 1M did with the E90 however... While the M2 was indeed designed after the M4, its not the standard of which it was designed

Not true:
the M2 borrows many parts from the M4 parts bin such as the brakes, some suspension parts, same wheels, same LSD, even the same DCT and only BMW knows what else!

[Rudeboy]

Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster

Correction.

The 1M is the standard from which the M2 was designed. Not the M4. The M2 does borrow M4 parts ... Just like the 1M did with the E90 however... While the M2 was indeed designed after the M4, its not the standard of which it was designed

Not true:
the M2 borrows many parts from the M4 parts bin such as the brakes, some suspension parts, same wheels, same LSD, even the same DCT and only BMW knows what else. I would even speculate as to a simular but smaller chassis design of the M4!

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by Rudeboy

Not true:
the M2 borrows many parts from the M4 parts bin such as the brakes, some suspension parts, same wheels, same LSD, even the same DCT and only BMW knows what else!

Right - but the momentum to make such a car (aka a smaller, less complicated package) was an experiment by BMW with the 1M. They've taken it to another level with additional testing/R&D with the M2, but the formula remains the same.

The 1M was basically an E92 M3 underneath and from the belt line down - it was the same parts-sharing mentality. But with the shorter wheelbase and more playful characteristics, the 1M/M2 cars have or will have a very different feel about them compared to the bigger brothers. And that's the point...

90-95% of the performance for 75% of the cost of the bigger M brothers. Less options and less luxury. That's what he's getting at...

[Robin_NL]

and 105% of the performance in the bends/on track

Cheers
Robin

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by Robin_NL

and 105% of the performance in the bends/on track

Cheers
Robin

Of course. I should have said straight-line performance.

[Roundown]

You lost me at this bit:

"The S55’s cooling system is one of the main reasons that crush the V8 S65.
You can drive the F8x around tracks many many times without over-heating.
But the cooling block is on the TOP of the engine, and it’s heavy, obviously. "

Great pics though.

[gonoyaro11]

M4 is so much better than M. hah

[Cooltones]

VERY NICE write up, Op!
And the *English* was perfectly fine...

Cheers,
-Tony

[dpgfunk]

The chubby little brother

[Bavarian Barbarian]

How does the inner suspension and outer fender wheel clearance compare between the M2 vs. M4? From the underside photos they look very similar. I know M4 has the same wheel size but with 255 / 275 instead of 245 / 265. I'm ready to get some extra rubber on my M2 when it arrives...

[jeremicium]

Originally Posted by trey100

I'm looking to get an M3 but I wouldn't assume the tuned N55 will be worse than the S55 in all cases. I posted this another time but look at the results of the road test (same magazine) of the M2 and M4. The overall acceleration all out has some differences but notice how the top gear acceleration is actually better in the M2. I've always suspected that the S55 gets started a little later as every dyno I have seen doesn't show a sharp increase in torque until 2500-3,000 rpm which is higher than the specs suggest. I have a gut feeling the N55 may spool faster even though it would defy logic as the S55 should be quicker to get going with 2 smaller turbos.

Thinking about it, this does actually make sense. My experience with both engines is primarily with a 6 spd, so the DTC may be different.

While the S55 feels much stronger through most of the range as you apply throttle, I do notice that if you apply heavy throttle when really low in the RPM range it takes a little before the really strong surge builds up. So i guess the comment isn't really so baffling after all

This is much more of a factor when cruising on the streets than at the track where you are going to pay very close attention to being in the optimal gear, at optimal revs at all times.

[mrduder]

wow.... this is the first time i have to admit, the M4 sounds horrible compared. what a difference..... sounds like a rice rocket compared. but the M4 looks lightyears better to me. Like way better. I like how small the M2 is, but the M4 still looks better in every way. Inside and out.

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by ZGirl07

The ebrake is all leather. I had a boyfriend that used to yell at me when I got crumbs on the seat and fingerprints on his window when I opened the door. He trained me well.
Oh wait...I left his ass.

My wife and daughter like those "TUC" crackers from LU when we're on the road (typical purchase at the gas station: "oh look, they got some TUC here"). Gonna be a mess with the open weave CF...

[CalCarNut]

Originally Posted by confusion

The M2 and M3 are so much better looking than the M4.

Not to me...The M4 is a prettier car...however the M2 looks much more aggressive and has a meaner stance than the M4.....

[CalCarNut]

Originally Posted by Roundown

You lost me at this bit:

"The S55’s cooling system is one of the main reasons that crush the V8 S65.
You can drive the F8x around tracks many many times without over-heating.
But the cooling block is on the TOP of the engine, and it’s heavy, obviously. "

Great pics though.

Comparing it to the MBZ car maybe?

[Bavarian Barbarian]

Originally Posted by Bavarian Barbarian

How does the inner suspension and outer fender wheel clearance compare between the M2 vs. M4? From the underside photos they look very similar. I know M4 has the same wheel size but with 255 / 275 instead of 245 / 265. I'm ready to get some extra rubber on my M2 when it arrives...

Anyone have any idea on this?