[Gunnerforlife]

I finally got my M2 CS after having a down payment for almost 2 years. I had an M3 CS before that and originally was going to get the M2C, but felt the M3 CS was more special and couldn't pass on the offer at the time. However, fast forward and I still had an eye for the M2 and once I heard about the M2 CS, I put a down payment and after some ADM drama, I got an allocation.

First Impressions-

Looks: The M2 CS in MB looks really special in person. I love how the color change at night. I was worried about the gold wheels fitting in but "when clean" they look great and add to the specialness and fun factor of the car. Compared to the M3 CS, it doesn't take itself too seriously and the front I think is the best in the BMW lineup. Rear M3 CS wins because the M3 sits low and looks a little more aggressive.

Seating position: High in the M2 CS for my liking, dropped it as much as I can, and still feel like I sit high. M3 CS seating position was lower and was more favorable to me. On the plus side visibility is great.

Sound: This one is a tough one because the M3 CS in-person sounds loud and aggressive and I liked it a lot. When it's idling you can hear a rumbling mean sound. The M2 CS on the other hand is too subdued, it's like something is blocking it. Also, no idling sound whatsoever. I don't hear the valve click when it opens like I used to do with the M3 CS when I hit the M button. Under load above 3k starts to get better, but honestly underwhelming. No burbles or crackles which some people don't like but I miss them. Should've sounded more special.

Acceleration: At first, I felt it less urgent and violent under throttle compared to the M3 CS below 4K. I think it just needs more application of the throttle compared to the M3 CS which was very sensitive in Sport +. You can definitely feel Turbo lag a tiny bit more in lower revs in the M2 CS and I'm not sure if this is due to the lower torque. I definitely miss and feel the torque loss and I wish they increased it just a bit on M2 CS.

Braking: M2 CS steel brakes are much better than M3 CS and M2C. Didn't have that much confidence in the M3 brakes on track and street and was going to upgrade it if I kept it. M2 CS brakes great for spirited driving and gives me much more confidence.

Driving dynamics: I think this is why we buy the M2 CS. Everything about the driving dynamics is perfect. the M2 CS size is perfect compared to the M3 CS which felt too big for me. The car steering is more direct than an M2 C and the car feels tighter. M3 CS steering was also very direct but there is an instance where the rear can't keep up. The M2 CS feels like it pivots more. Damping is great and it keeps contact patches better than M3CS on uneven roads. It also feels way lighter under load and braking. I can't even believe that the M2 CS and M3 CS are almost the same weight. It also puts its power down much better and even though I'm on cup 2s and it was kind of cold and wet, I had more confidence than in the M3 CS.

Summary: The more I drive the M2 CS, the more I fall in love. I can't lie but when I first picked it up I was underwhelmed by the sound and acceleration, but once you start driving it in different situations and roads, it just feels so special. The size and nimbleness allow you to have fun at low speeds even just in your lane without going crazy. It's just a perfect sports car. Is it worth that much more than an M2C, that's debatable, but certainly it's way more special and will be IMO a future classic. I can't wait till the end of the break-in period and to take it to the track.

[ScullyD]

Originally Posted by Gunnerforlife

First Impressions-

I think this was a real accurate assessment. The car has negatives but the driving dynamics on a scale of 1-10 is like a 15. It makes up for all the weaknesses and then some. It's something that will be hard for anyone else to understand until they drive a M2 CS.

[kyrocks]

Originally Posted by ScullyD

I think this was a real accurate assessment. The car has negatives but the driving dynamics on a scale of 1-10 is like a 15. It makes up for all the weaknesses and then some. It's something that will be hard for anyone else to understand until they drive a M2 CS.

I agree it needs better sound.

[bmwghini]

Great write up! Fun lil beast

[Hedoniste]

Congrats and thank you for your feedback !
Didn't have a M3 CS but I agree that the M2 CS feels lighter than F80 even if the weight is similar on paper.
Sure it feels very special and enjoyable despite the muted sound (which can be fixed with an akrapovic).

[MadBimmeRad]

I'm pleased to hear this from an astute observer

Wonderful to see another happy M2CS customer

[Artemis]

This thread was added as entry in the first post of the dedicated compilation thread ("BMW M2 CS Delivery Threads").

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by Gunnerforlife

Braking: M2 CS steel brakes are much better than M3 CS and M2C.

I guess your M2C featured standard brakes (blue) ?

OG M2 brakes and standard M2C brakes are identical (blue).

M2 CS 2NH brakes (standard) and M2C 2NH brakes (optional) are identical, except for the caliper color (red versus grey).

BMW/Brembo 2NH front brake calipers (optional on M2C - standard on M2 CS)


Size difference of the 2NH front brake pads (made by Brembo & Pagid for BMW):


Rear:


Differences (video):

[Piets94]

Originally Posted by Artemis

I guess your M2C featured standard brakes (blue) ?
OG M2 brakes and standard M2C brakes are identical (blue).
M2 CS 2NH brakes (standard) and M2C 2NH brakes (optional) are identical, except for the caliper color (red versus grey).

Do we have confirmation that the pads for the red 2NH on the CS are identical to the grey 2NH on the M2c?

[Gunnerforlife]

Originally Posted by Artemis

This thread was added as entry in the first post of the dedicated compilation thread ("BMW M2 CS Delivery Threads").

Thanks for the information and for adding the post to the delivery thread. Yes, It was the blue caliper. I'm curious to know how did you find out that my car is DCT ?

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by Gunnerforlife

Thanks for the information and for adding the post to the delivery thread. Yes, It was the blue caliper. I'm curious to know how did you find out that my car is DCT ?

Processing...

Originally Posted by Gunnerforlife

I went with the DCT because I had a DCT M3 CS which I always drove in manual. It was very aggressive and satisfying to bang the gears using the shift lever or the paddles. As for jerkiness, it gets better after a few thousand miles, also in manual, it wasn't really a problem.
It's also being discontinued as others mentioned and for me it's still way more superior and engaging compared to a ZF. On top of that, I've heard mixed reviews about how good the M2C manual is.

Originally Posted by Gunnerforlife

Where are you able to get those deals below MSRP? I'm looking for DCT, but so far everyone I contacted wants MSRP.

[Gunnerforlife]

Lol good one. I see you got it under control ��.