[M2Mo]

I'm in love with my M2, mineral gray, DCT!

I think I've had a great run of sports cars and this, by far is my favorite. For context, here is the list of the worthy ones in chronological order (all stick shift, but-for my M2):
1979 BMW 323i (euro spec)
1995 Mazda RX7 twin turbo
1998 BMW M Roadster
2001 Porsche Boxster
2006 BMW M3
2007 Porsche 911s
2008 BMW 135i
2009 Porsche 911 Turbo cab

It's safe to say that the M2 is (on paper) the second fastest. I would suspect that in the real world it might feel faster than the Turbo cab (0-30 mph) which had rediculous Turbo lag unless you were totally in bonkers, fire the rocket mode (rarely useable unless you're willing to run over some pedestrians)!

But let's back up. From the day I ordered the M2 some 10 months ago I was excited by all the hype yet worried that it won't measure up. Just a couple of months before receiving it, I saw one in Colorado in LBB and I was disappointed. It just didn't look the same as all the pics. Luckily I was able to change my order to Mineral Gray. Needless to say I was apprehensive at best.

So I got the call and I went to pick up my baby last Saturday. It was love at first sight! Some initial surprises:

1. it rides a whole lot better than my Turbo cab. It's more solid, roomier, far more in keeping with technology and dare I say simply a better car?
2. The DCT is brilliant - period! I've loved shifting my whole life but this is not your grandpa's slushbox. So many people are treating the manual as the holly grail that will soon become extinct. There's a reason for it. Drive a Porsche with PDK, any modern Ferrari or the BMW DCT and you'll see how amazing these transmissions are.
3. The sounds this thing makes are simply amazing! Reminds me of hearing the sound of Ferraris and Lamborghinis echoing in Monaco. The exhaust makes musical melodies that make this car truly special. It feels like the DCT and the exhaust are collaborating to play music.
4. It gets a lot of attention! It's a good looking car.

My one disappointment was being told by the dealer that using launch control three times voids the warranty. I read the blogs about this issue but really? BMW, you've misled a bunch of fans!! Maybe 20 times is more reasonable?

All in all I'm a happy M2 owner and it seems like a car I want to keep longer than most, maybe forever?!? I can't wait for the break-in period to end.

[zenmaster]

Nice list of cars! Congrats on your new ride!

[SW19]

Great hearing from another new M2 owner that loves the car.It really is an increadibly fun car to drive.I also had a 98 M Roadster in Imola Red.What a blast that car was to drive.

Your dealer is wrong BTW,there is no warranty limit on how many times you can use launch control in the M2.If there was a warranty issue it would say so in the M2 manual and it doesn't.Just get through the break in and then you can use launch control.

You should also download the BMW Driver's Guide app.Its great having the M2 manual on your mobile device.

http://www.bmw.com/com/en/owners/bmw...drivers_guide/

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by Nantucket

Your dealer is wrong BTW,there is no warranty limit on how many times you can use launch control in the M2.If there was a warranty issue it would say so in the M2 manual and it doesn't.Just get through the break in and then you can use launch control.

When I traded in my E46 M3 SMGII for a new 1M back in 2011, my dealer told me that he would have refused the trade-in if launch control was logged into the M3 system ("each launch control is logged - we can check that"). So I guess that's the nuance that the dealer tried to point out. Launch control is straining the gearbox. And replacing the SMGII or DCT gearbox is expensive.

[SW19]

Originally Posted by Artemis

When I traded in my E46 M3 SMGII for a new 1M back in 2011, my dealer told me that he would have refused the trade-in if launch control was logged into the M3 system ("each launch control is logged - we can check that"). So I guess that's the nuance that the dealer tried to point out. Launch control is straining the gearbox. And replacing the SMGII or DCT gearbox is expensive.

That makes sense because it does say in the owners manual that "The use of launch control causes premature component wear since this function represents a very heavy load for the vehicle"

My point was that the DCT warranty is not affected,no matter how many times the owner uses launch control.

[M2LA]

excellent + I concur, its rare when something far exceeds my expectations. I don't know anything about DCT as I have driving an auto maybe a month over the past 45 years but the mt is a blast. the entire car is excellent - I turned in my S5 today and don't miss it a bit - 10 year design no real surprise but that aside I could not be happier for everyone that loves their m2 as much as I do

[Gatte]

Congratulations. Very nice list of cars and not one of them is an American make. The reason I say this is because in the 70s there were a few very nice cars made in the US of A.

[M2LA]

Originally Posted by Gatte

Congratulations. Very nice list of cars and not one of them is an American make. The reason I say this is because in the 70s there were a few very nice cars made in the US of A.

don't want to hijack the op but you are right, I was thinking I have not been this excited about a car since I had a 65 shelby or boss 302. a stock 65 went for $ 2245 or something. those were the days

[Gatte]

Originally Posted by M2LA

don't want to hijack the op but you are right, I was thinking I have not been this excited about a car since I had a 65 shelby or boss 302. a stock 65 went for $ 2245 or something. those were the days

You should put up a list of cars that you've had. Just the 2 on your post are a pretty good list already.

[rouxeny]

Launch Control does not void your warranty.

I just sold my E93 M3 back to the dealer. They never asked about LC. I had only activated it maybe a dozen times, and actually launched the car maybe 3-4 times.

[falconfixer]

Originally Posted by rouxeny

Launch Control does not void your warranty.

I just sold my E93 M3 back to the dealer. They never asked about LC. I had only activated it maybe a dozen times, and actually launched the car maybe 3-4 times.

Dealer doesn't care how many times it's been launched when trading it in. The first time an owner grenades the transmission and wants a new one under warranty may be a different story. Ask any early GT-R owner how that worked out for them.

[Robin_NL]

Well, I have to say it: HOW CAN YOU POSSIBLY BE HAPPY WITH A DCT!!!!11!! You Sissi! A real macho drives a manual transmission, don't you know??


j/k

Thanks for the great writeup, enjoy!

Cheers
Robin(M2 DCT)

[jdarwin]

I've driven manuals for the past 25 years (2002 / E30 / E46, 135i) and ordered the DCT after driving a friend's M3. It's a completely different experience.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Thats a really nice list of cars you owned

[gulshan]

>I think I've had a great run of sports cars and this, by far is my favorite

That is something coming from an ex 911S owner. M2 is going to be the car to get for a long time. Iam still hanging on to my e92/N54. The exhaust note with the OEM Perf exhaust is deep,intoxicating and exotic compared to the M2.. (subjective i guess). I need to hear the M2 with PE live in person and decide if it is time to start planning for an M2..

[doug_999]

Someone say... " I can't wait for the break-in period to end.", I shudder.

http://mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

[M2Mo]

Nice to hear from everyone!

Robin_NL, you are funny - LOL!!!

Nantucket, thanks for the manual -- very useful.

I feel better about LC. Can't wait to try it.

And, yes I have an American car - Jeep GC overland. Actually a great car, just didn't make the list of sports cars.

[Gatte]

Originally Posted by M2Mo

Nice to hear from everyone!

Robin_NL, you are funny - LOL!!!

Nantucket, thanks for the manual -- very useful.

I feel better about LC. Can't wait to try it.

And, yes I have an American car - Jeep GC overland. Actually a great car, just didn't make the list of sports cars.

There you go.

Robin_NL is indeed funny.

Enjoy your brand new car.