[FRZN CS]

I'm currently shopping for a 19-21 M2 6MT as a daily, but may be switching jobs to a hybrid where the plant is 150 miles away, over a mountain pass. I had struggled deciding on M2 vs M4 and have all but written off a M4 comp.

But then I started thinking... how bad would a 2.5 hour drive be in the M2 at 70mph+, twice per week. No driving in snow/ice, in the winter I would drive the wife's Outback while the M2 hibernates in the garage.

Thoughts? Would the M4 be better for the longer drive. Or, f'it, YOLO.

[jefe2000]

I think of the M4 as more akin to a GT car than the M2: better for longer highway trips.

That said: I think the M2 is fine on the highway. Highway driving is not the M2’s main area of competency, but it does fine. To me, it’s not any more fatiguing or louder in the cabin on the highway than either of the Subarus (‘10 WRX, ‘16 Forester) that I’ve owned.

One other thing to consider: the 6MT’s gearing will put the engine up around 3K RPM at 70+ mph speeds.

[Humdizzle]

the m3/m4 dct will be better in that scenario. i've had both f80 6mt and f87c dct. my commute is about 70 miles round trip all highway. you can definitely use a m2 for road trips, but thats not really what its best at. the f80 has more sound deadening, better stereo, better seating position, longer wheelbase... which make it better for highways/autobahn. the m2 is better everywhere else imo though.

[(K)]

What are you currently driving? Your reference point might help make the decision easier.

Personally, I find the M2 to be very tolerable as a highway cruiser. To me, the only real limiting factor is the overall range. Still, it makes for a fantastic everyday car.

[m2ss]

If I may ask, how old are you?

The younger the easier IMHO...

[///MPhatic]

The M2, to me, is weird. I'm very comfortable in it for the first 1.5 hours, but that declines steadily.

Having said that, there is no way I'd mile-out an M2 like that. My commute is 8 miles, just 3 days a week and I wouldn't even subject the M2 to that. I have an RDX that I use as my commuter, which works fantastically.

[FRZN CS]

Originally Posted by (K)

What are you currently driving?

My current daily is a 2010 F-150 FX4 and my commute is 15 miles *per day*. Cruising and whatnot is in the family wagon (2016 Outback).

So it doesn't really have an influence on M2 vs M4.

Originally Posted by m2ss

If I may ask, how old are you?

Probably older than many here, but still a ways away from Medicare.

Originally Posted by ///MPhatic

Having said that, there is no way I'd mile-out an M2 like that.

Honestly, that was also a major reason I'm considering something else, as much as it pains me to think that... but this new job would be a 50% pay increase, so maybe I can buy it as a toy down the road.

[happyjack]

wife and i did a 2,200 mile road trip in my M2C last fall. a couple days where we logged 600+ miles in ~10 hours and neither of us ever felt uncomfortable. i'd have no issues commuting 300 miles r/t in this car a couple times / week. i dont consider myself "old" but my back is...degenerative disk disease is a mofo...so i need to stop about every 2.5 hours on any roadtrip in any car.

for additional context: prior to COVID i was logging 26K miles per year commuting in my 228ix. obviously much different set up than an M2C, but the basic sitting position and ergonomics was pretty much identical.

[carchrism5]

Stock to stock an M4 with EDC on 19s will be more comfortable; not just from suspension but wheelbase. However the M2 is far from bad and I wouldn't trade mine on that premise. The stock M2 suspension is bouncy/crashy to me which is why, like many, I moved to coils that are actually more comfortable. It was even to the point that when my dad came to visit he said "this car feels better now, did you change the suspension, this might be the first time you modified a car and made it feel better rather than more uncomfortable". Take that for what it's worth.

The short is that an M4 is "better" for what you're describing both more comfortable and nicer on the inside, the M2 feels like a 2 series with CF trim. However that's the fun of the M2 and if you want an M2, it is more than fine for what you're describing and I do not think you'd find comfort as an issue or be disappointed.

[jefe2000]

Originally Posted by (K)

What are you currently driving? Your reference point might help make the decision easier.

That’s a great point. Comfort is a relative measure and I often measure comfort in my M2 relative to my other or previous vehicles.

For example, I’ve read complaints about the M2’s road noise on the highway. I just don’t experience it. Compared to my previous daily driver — a decade-old WRX — the M2 has a wonderfully quiet cabin on the freeway. So a matter of perspective does come into play, I think.

[mecheng77]

If you add the sound deadening from the M240/M235i the M2 becomes a great highway cruiser. IMO it wasn’t worth saving the 5 lbs or so, there is a thread that guides you to the bmw part numbers

[W///]

I would say it's doable, but it depends on your expectation. If you are coming from a truck, and have never owned a car in this category, it will be eye opening.

At the end of the day, just remember that this car is supposed to be good at kind of everything. It's a good balance of handling and ride, spacious for a 2 door and still compact foot print, good power but can get half decent MPG on the hwy.

I bought mine from Houston TX and drove it back to SC over about 24 hrs. 150 mile commute wouldn't stop me from buying this car as long as you know what you're getting yourself into.

P.S. IMHO, it's still one of the very best "all round" M's I've ever owned.

[///MPhatic]

Originally Posted by carchrism5

Stock to stock an M4 with EDC on 19s will be more comfortable; not just from suspension but wheelbase.

This, but as you eluded to, the M2 with a set of MPS set to 4 clicks softer than BMW recommends for street/track is a vastly better ride than stock, and easily rivals the M4.

[FRZN CS]

Thanks for all of the replies, lots of info to think about. I'm leaning towards an M4 if I get the job with the long commute, or an M2 if I stay where I'm at. Either way, the right car needs to come along first!

[Drifter2090]

The M4 would definitely be the better highway cruiser but the M2 is quite good on the highway as well (Much better after I coded ASD off too)

[RockCrusher]

Originally Posted by FRZN CS

I'm currently shopping for a 19-21 M2 6MT as a daily, but may be switching jobs to a hybrid where the plant is 150 miles away, over a mountain pass. I had struggled deciding on M2 vs M4 and have all but written off a M4 comp.

But then I started thinking... how bad would a 2.5 hour drive be in the M2 at 70mph+, twice per week. No driving in snow/ice, in the winter I would drive the wife's Outback while the M2 hibernates in the garage.

Thoughts? Would the M4 be better for the longer drive. Or, f'it, YOLO.

I'd opt for which ever car I was most comfortable in. 1.5 hours is not that long but still if one is uncomfortable it could feel like hours.

'course, you don't have the M2 yet so you can't know how it would feel.

My WAG is it will be ok. But of course no promises...

I have owned a number of cars from a VW Golf TDi to a Hellcat (currently driving a 2023 MINI JCW and a 2022 BMW 230i). I managed to be comfortable in every car and could drive 1.5 hours and more sometimes lots more when on a road trip with comfort. Oh yeah, I had to stop once in awhile to stretch my legs but did that when I stopped to refuel. About every 2 hours or so.