[bobert]

Originally Posted by Potatohead-M2

I think there’s a bit of homerism happening here. I like both cars but I’m not exactly sure where the M2 beats out the RS3, unless you’re only talking about a weekend only thing, or a track toy. The Audi does virtually everything else better. It’s (much) faster, is crazy with a tune, laughs at bad weather, hauls people better, comes better equipped, I could go on. The M2 does look more aggressive but that’s good and bad I suppose.

Not to jack the thread - there's a thread for M2 vs RS3 - but, in short, for me, M2 is better at offering a manual, better balanced, better at having my rwd preference, and by far better looking. Its interior also beats the RS3 in my opinion. I don't use the M2 to haul people or in bad weather. RS3 has a wicked motor and rocket acceleration, no question.

[Bt12]

Originally Posted by bobert

Not to jack the thread - there's a thread for M2 vs RS3 - but, in short, for me, M2 is better at offering a manual, better balanced, better at having my rwd preference, and by far better looking. Its interior also beats the RS3 in my opinion. I don't use the M2 to haul people or in bad weather. RS3 has a wicked motor and rocket acceleration, no question.

But it’s so ugly

[krizze]

I will be keeping mine for many years to come, as i believe it will hold its value more then the LCI and Competition, i love the car, why would i trade it in for the Competition with the S55, an engine i have been bashing and criticizing in the M4 since the car came out. no doubt it will be a brilliant car, but better package then the original M2? ( price, performance, looks , enjoyment, value for money) certainly not.

[terrywang]

Originally Posted by Bt12

But it’s so ugly

Not ugly but the exhaust tips are really weird / odd. S3 quad definitely looks better.

[alscks0414]

Originally Posted by doug_999

I did NOT hurt my back* and could NEVER see putting kids into car seat in the back of a two door car. That would wear on me fast. So I agree - wrong car with kids. Heck, PITA with my 14 year old's friends getting in the back seats!

*Treat Your Own Back - great book that saved my life when I was younger (way before kids).

Thanks for ur comment and plus.. I personally dont want to see the car getting dirty as well lol

[termigni]

Originally Posted by Potatohead-M2

I think there’s a bit of homerism happening here. I like both cars but I’m not exactly sure where the M2 beats out the RS3, unless you’re only talking about a weekend only thing, or a track toy. The Audi does virtually everything else better. It’s (much) faster, is crazy with a tune, laughs at bad weather, hauls people better, comes better equipped, I could go on. The M2 does look more aggressive but that’s good and bad I suppose.

sorry, I should've specified. I'm going by the reviews from different journalists AND my thoughts after looking at both. what you are saying about RS3 is right. it is a much better DD. but in these reviews, most reviewers choose M2 over the RS3 at the end of the day. and so did I.
to be honest, after looking at RS3 in person it does not look any special than S3. and if I wanted a better daily than a M2, I'd be looking at M240i Xdrive and save myself like $20k(?). on the other hand, our M2 looks special, drives special, while doing a lot of things for a family man like myself.

anyhow this post isn't about M2 vs RS3. my point is our current M2 is STILL STANDING STRONG and I feel no reason to sell my car because there is a new M2 that will go .2 faster than my already fast, already special, already good looking, already rare M2. There will always be newer and faster M car every 3 years or so.

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by mWHO

I shall keep my deposit, just in case it turns out to be a home run. And really the only thing that could sway me enough is game changing steering feel improvement, and a GT3esque NA 'race' motor

I've done my fair share of looking around and if I want more power I'm going American. And if I'm dead set on more feel, well old M or a 2002 project would be what I would be after. But that's not the case. The M2 to me with everything turned off is one of the best cars I've had to drive, which quite contrasts the feel of it all on.

Looking at the F-Type and how many of the reviews praised the V6 pair, really opened my eyes past the more power = better experience.

I have many gripes with the M2, but my biggest is i'm too scared about it all. I'm frightened to screw up (less driving hard and no track time so far), and I don't want to bugger it up with mods. SSK and UCP are something I plan on doing, however the DP and tune is a bit worrisome. All of these might just solve what I feel its lacking; firmer feel inputs, and a bit better sound.

BUT, despite my promiscuous car interests and points of contention, my heart is set on keeping my 16 model, and something is telling me to keep it till the day she dies.

It still feels good beating a DCT using launch control at the 'strip' with my old school 6 speed (to a 100 at least then I was left behind of course).

Any M2 *Is* a special car. Currently production volume is in the E30 M3 range.. and look up what those are worth now.

Indeed you are correct, the fact that one can actually turn off a lot of the nannies, makes it even more desirable going forward as it is actually user adjustable- which we will see less of in the future.

The 6 speed is sublime and should be relatively easy to maintain. Something like a clutch disk wearing out or a throw out bearing failing or even a flywheel failure is easily user repairable

As BMW sends all DCT fans to their fully automatic A8 or A10 future ,The DCT-matic is reliable , but will be an expensive item to repair *someday* when an internal servo fails.

The chassis is terrific compact and usable. You don't see yourself on the road everywhere.

After 25 years of being an M car owner, my top 5 recommendations:


1- keep a low profile in your hood. No need to invite thieves. Wherever you live.

2- take care of the car and it will have terrific resale value. Keep up with basic maintenance and keep it clean. !

3- stock is beautiful. And reliable. German engineering is fantastic. Mods can be fun but engine mods particularly will reduce reliability over time. Suspension mods are usually able to be returned to stock and provide fantastic bang for the buck.

4- go fast in areas where there aren't people . Autocross , track, heck spirited country drives with friends are awesome... but don't get baited into street racing. The absolute best thing you can do with any BMW but especially an M car is to go to an Hpde or even an Autocross where you can learn more about the capabilities of your M car.

5- join bmw cca.

[garrito_burrito_]

Keeping it... couldnt imagine the M2 with the farty S55 engine. No matter how powerful it is, I truely dont believe it will be the same experience as the deliciously sounding N55 car. And if its even a harsher ride than the current car... no bueno, no thanks.

[seetohey]

Originally Posted by Potatohead-M2

I think there’s a bit of homerism happening here. I like both cars but I’m not exactly sure where the M2 beats out the RS3, unless you’re only talking about a weekend only thing, or a track toy. The Audi does virtually everything else better. It’s (much) faster, is crazy with a tune, laughs at bad weather, hauls people better, comes better equipped, I could go on. The M2 does look more aggressive but that’s good and bad I suppose.

As a current M2 owner, I completely agree with this but would go with the M2 over RS3 all day due to the manual.

[geogerf]

Not trading, completely satisfied with the car. It is too costly to keep trading up to the "next" thing. There are plenty other things to spend money on (not frowning on anyone that wants to though).

[Potatohead-M2]

Originally Posted by terrywang

Not ugly but the exhaust tips are really weird / odd. S3 quad definitely looks better.

It's an RS thing, they always get dual large ovals.

The car is not ugly, in fact it's handsome, but the stock wheels are pretty bad. In Canada we can opt out of them at least. Some wider rear fenders would have been nice too (the fronts are 10mm wider each).

The M2 looks more aggressive, no doubt.

On topic, I am really torn. I prefer the N55 sound, but there are some things about the current car I don't like. I can't find a perfect seating position for example, so maybe I will have to try the new one first and go from there.

[akkando]

Originally Posted by Potatohead-M2

It's an RS thing, they always get dual large ovals.

The car is not ugly, in fact it's handsome, but the stock wheels are pretty bad. In Canada we can opt out of them at least. Some wider rear fenders would have been nice too (the fronts are 10mm wider each).

The M2 looks more aggressive, no doubt.

On topic, I am really torn. I prefer the N55 sound, but there are some things about the current car I don't like. I can't find a perfect seating position for example, so maybe I will have to try the new one first and go from there.

People have swapped in M3/4 seats in the N55 version, so I that's an option if for some reason you want to try it.

[Transfer]

Well gee whiz I'm thinking more and more about my plans with current lease ending within 6 months. I've really enjoyed my M235i chassis and the N55. The only things I don't like about the motor is the lack of excitement (not enough sound mainly), and the exhaust pops on overrun (it gets old). The S55 is more power and the sound isn't the end of the world - I've driven the M3/4 CP - but the N55 is enough power and the sound is great, certainly louder and better than M235i.

So am I shooting myself in the foot thinking about getting an end of production LCI N55 M2? If i could get 6% off I'd probably make it a done deal but not sure if they're still selling strictly at MSRP now. The other hangup is thinking about going back to the S65.

[RPM33]

Again need to wait to see MSRP of M2 competition and initial reviews before making decision. Too early to make an educated decision. Base M2 needs more power, definitely not as powerful as M3/M4, C63. Never drove TTRS but that appears to be more powerful.

[dmboone25]

Do we know if the M2 Competition also have the crooked seat?

I was surprised...but I noticed it sitting in the "original" M2. It felt like I was pointing my feet left on a free throw...

Not sure if it would drive me nuts, but I am assuming it would.

[DanG]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

Do we know if the M2 Competition also have the crooked seat?

I was surprised...but I noticed it sitting in the "original" M2. It felt like I was pointing my feet left on a free throw...

Not sure if it would drive me nuts, but I am assuming it would.

Maybe it is me, but I don’t feel that the driver’s seat is crooked. I also didn’t notice it in my M235i.

[pruettfan]

I have had my car 17 months and have driven just under 26,000 miles in that time. I bought it with the intention of keeping it for 5 years which is the criteria I put on just about any car purchase. There are always going to be more powerful, faster, better? versions coming out but I love my car and have no intention of losing money to chase the newest thing. I do plan on upgrading my intercooler, downpipe and put a good tune on it to enjoy it a little more but other than that I am good. My car is basically paid for (owe less than 10k on it) and I plan on keeping it as a daily for 4-5 years and then likely turning it into a dedicated track car. My next ride will be a 991.2 GT3 after driving one on track for 90 mins last week I have drank the kool aid.

[ORIGIN M.]

Such a disposable society of course I'm keeping my M2.

[Spa2k]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

Do we know if the M2 Competition also have the crooked seat?

I was surprised...but I noticed it sitting in the "original" M2. It felt like I was pointing my feet left on a free throw...

Not sure if it would drive me nuts, but I am assuming it would.

The basic stampings and structure remain the same, so if you don’t like the M2’s seating position, you’re not going to like its replacement’s seating position.

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by DanG

Maybe it is me, but I don’t feel that the driver’s seat is crooked. I also didn’t notice it in my M235i.

It’s crooked. Well documented.

[qnet]

I like this thread. It's making me anxious about getting my 18 M2 in March. I've done the car carousal the past few years, so I don't judge those who want the S55 M2. I already know I'll be happy with the N55 M2.

[mtoosexy]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

Do we know if the M2 Competition also have the crooked seat?

I was surprised...but I noticed it sitting in the "original" M2. It felt like I was pointing my feet left on a free throw...

Not sure if it would drive me nuts, but I am assuming it would.

I drove one in Naperville maybe 3 mile round trip, I barely noticed it... many m2 experts here that would know much better than me. All I know, is that it didn't bother me.