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      04-14-2016, 07:46 PM   #1
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I traded F80 for GT4 and test drove the M2.

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Basically got rid of my F80 because the lack of steering feel, numb throttle, but a cool looking huge fast sedan.

I was debating about test driving the M2 because I already have a GT4 but I'm glad I did because these cars are totally different. I ended up test driving a DCT M2.

I want to say I love the M2 and it's now one of my favorite BMW. The car is able to break traction which I didn't expect since it's lower power than the M3. I personally feel the weaker engine makes this car more balanced and it's not a bad thing. What really sold me on this car is that it's fun to drive. The car is agile much like my Lancer Evolution and Fiesta ST. It is able to dance around and much better on center feel and pointy feeling. The ability to dance gives the car a lighter feel than the M3. The M3 feels more stable and boring at the same time. Of course the interior feels downgraded most due to the non clear coated plastic looking carbon fibre trim. In reality I can care less about interior on a fun car. The truth is that this car is more fun to drive than my GT4. The GT4 is too perfect, too balance, no slop, and limits too high and hard to break traction unless you are at the track.

I give the car 5 stars. The good driving feel reminds me of the E46 of the old. This definitely should have been the improved in every way next gen E46 M3. The traditional M3 is back. Now if they make a M2CSL 3200lb version it would be perfect.

Forget to mention some cons but probably overall package is still worth buying.
1. Heavy steering. Wish they program it lighter on center and heavier when you turn to get ride of the electric power steering feel. However I find it much improved over the M3. I don't know if it's the foot print or they reprogramed the steering for better feel. Whatever they did it's better.
2. I can't get it to personalize the steering and the throttle and tranny. Being a turbo car we know what to expect. Basically I don't like the throttle on turbo cars. However, I find AWD cars acceptable since throttle mashing doesn't disrupt the car.
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      04-14-2016, 07:53 PM   #2
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Thanks for the comments. Looking forward to driving the M2 myself.
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      04-14-2016, 07:56 PM   #3
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Nice review you going to pick one up?
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      04-14-2016, 08:06 PM   #4
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Wonderful review,fun and a newer improved E46 M3 is definitely the perfect M car to have.That is what I have been waiting for.Thanks
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      04-14-2016, 08:16 PM   #5
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I've always wanted an e46 M3.

But when I was able to afford one I heard rumors about the M2. So I put it off and am now very excited to be picking mine up soon.

Thanks for the review.
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      04-14-2016, 08:19 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cole3488 View Post
Nice review you going to pick one up?
Very likely. Waiting for an allocation.
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      04-14-2016, 08:30 PM   #7
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Thanks for the write up, can't wait for mine. At last a true replacement/upgrade for my old E46 M3!!!
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      04-14-2016, 10:41 PM   #8
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Exactly what I love to hear since I am sadly letting my E46 go for an M2.

Hope it lives up to the hype and reviews!!
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      04-15-2016, 08:25 AM   #9
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Should have kept the F80 and added a GT4, best of both worlds.
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      04-15-2016, 09:30 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CosmosMpower View Post
Should have kept the F80 and added a GT4, best of both worlds.
I went the Macan GTS and GT4 route.
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      04-15-2016, 11:53 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gtr View Post
I went the Macan GTS and GT4 route.
Not a bad option either. Congrats
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      04-15-2016, 01:07 PM   #12
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Quote:
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Not a bad option either. Congrats
Thanks, I needed awd with some utility.
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      04-15-2016, 05:38 PM   #13
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Damn you!! Posts like this make me regret not buying a HEA car last week that was offered to me for msrp. Instead I'm #3 on my dealers list waiting to do ED! The wait is tough!
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      04-16-2016, 11:27 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gtr
Basically got rid of my F80 because the lack of steering feel, numb throttle, but a cool looking huge fast sedan.

I was debating about test driving the M2 because I already have a GT4 but I'm glad I did because these cars are totally different. I ended up test driving a DCT M2.

I want to say I love the M2 and it's now one of my favorite BMW. The car is able to break traction which I didn't expect since it's lower power than the M3. I personally feel the weaker engine makes this car more balanced and it's not a bad thing. What really sold me on this car is that it's fun to drive. The car is agile much like my Lancer Evolution and Fiesta ST. It is able to dance around and much better on center feel and pointy feeling. The ability to dance gives the car a lighter feel than the M3. The M3 feels more stable and boring at the same time. Of course the interior feels downgraded most due to the non clear coated plastic looking carbon fibre trim. In reality I can care less about interior on a fun car. The truth is that this car is more fun to drive than my GT4. The GT4 is too perfect, too balance, no slop, and limits too high and hard to break traction unless you are at the track.

I give the car 5 stars. The good driving feel reminds me of the E46 of the old. This definitely should have been the improved in every way next gen E46 M3. The traditional M3 is back. Now if they make a M2CSL 3200lb version it would be perfect.

Forget to mention some cons but probably overall package is still worth buying.
1. Heavy steering. Wish they program it lighter on center and heavier when you turn to get ride of the electric power steering feel. However I find it much improved over the M3. I don't know if it's the foot print or they reprogramed the steering for better feel. Whatever they did it's better.
2. I can't get it to personalize the steering and the throttle and tranny. Being a turbo car we know what to expect. Basically I don't like the throttle on turbo cars. However, I find AWD cars acceptable since throttle mashing doesn't disrupt the car.

Awesome points. I m totally agree with all and especially about the on center feel as being too heavy on the electric steering models.

Wow better than the GT4 eh? Wow.

Thanks for validating what I've been convinced of all along that the M2 will really compete hard with Cayman GTS and 718 Cayman S.

An M2 CS (L) is needed to compete with the Cayman GT4. I'm totally ready
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      04-16-2016, 05:20 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster View Post
Wow better than the GT4 eh? Wow.

An M2 CS (L) is needed to compete with the Cayman GT4. I'm totally ready
M2 is more fun probably due to the less perfect FR drift able layout and short gearing but the GT4 is a way better machine.

The GT4 is a precision well balance machine and the limits are so high, with the long gearing it's just not as enjoyable unless you live in Europe where straight roads are rare. The low polar moment, perfect brake feel and no steering slop is in a league of all other Porsche GT cars. It's like comparing a rolex to a citizens watch.
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      04-18-2016, 12:05 PM   #16
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Thank you for the comparison OP. How do you like the handling and power of the Macan S?
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      04-18-2016, 12:06 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gtr
Quote:
Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster View Post
Wow better than the GT4 eh? Wow.

An M2 CS (L) is needed to compete with the Cayman GT4. I'm totally ready
M2 is more fun probably due to the less perfect FR drift able layout and short gearing but the GT4 is a way better machine.

The GT4 is a precision well balance machine and the limits are so high, with the long gearing it's just not as enjoyable unless you live in Europe where straight roads are rare. The low polar moment, perfect brake feel and no steering slop is in a league of all other Porsche GT cars. It's like comparing a rolex to a citizens watch.
Interestingly, in the Sport Auto M2 Supertest they said allmost exactly the same regarding Porsche on a track that you do here...
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      04-18-2016, 12:16 PM   #18
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The M2 is fantastic, but after driving them on several tracks, I still do not see any reason to buy the m2 over the m4 besides price.
I have yet to see the m2 do something the m4 cannot do, plus you get all the extra engineering the M4 has over the M2.
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      04-18-2016, 12:26 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Buschy View Post
The M2 is fantastic, but after driving them on several tracks, I still do not see any reason to buy the m2 over the m4 besides price.
I have yet to see the m2 do something the m4 cannot do, plus you get all the extra engineering the M4 has over the M2.
Fair enough statement... however, if the M2 can do essentially everything an M4 can do for less money, it's quite a value proposition

So, people may choose an M2 for the size or price and they are not sacrificing much in the way of performance. The "extra engineering" (whatever that means) doesn't really mean much if you can't see it or feel it. You can see it in the cabin on the M4 but from all accounts, you can't feel it in the way the cars drive. If anything, many are reporting the M2 feels more lively and fun notwithstanding the ultimate numbers the M4 put up.
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      04-18-2016, 12:26 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Buschy View Post
The M2 is fantastic, but after driving them on several tracks, I still do not see any reason to buy the m2 over the m4 besides price.
Here are 3 right off the top of my head:

1. Size

2. Fun

3. Exhaust note

Can't see any, really? I think it's pretty obvious at this point that there are plenty of reasons.

Also, the 'extra' engineering you're referring to, I'm not really sure what you mean. Do you mean carbon fiber? The carbon fiber doesn't do anything magical when you drive, to get the M4 because of Carbon Fiber would make literally no sense, unless you just want to be able to say 'my car has carbon fiber', since the car is still 25 lbs heavier. Which someone could say and I wouldn't judge them for it, but the Carbon Fiber prestige means literally nothing to me.

Otherwise perhaps you're referring to the engine? I guess you could have a point there, but again, that's not a reason to upgrade for a lot of people including myself. The upgraded N55 is proving to be a fantastic engine with it's own character.

Again, just a little bewildered how you can't even see at least *one* reason to go M2 over M4. There are plenty of reasons to go either way, but it's shocking when someone can't see both sides.

Do you understand what I'm saying?
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      04-18-2016, 12:37 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Buschy View Post
The M2 is fantastic, but after driving them on several tracks, I still do not see any reason to buy the m2 over the m4 besides price.
I have yet to see the m2 do something the m4 cannot do, plus you get all the extra engineering the M4 has over the M2.
Depending on the track, I see plenty of such reasons--better low-end torque, easier to drift and control, better steering feel...there is a reason the M2 beats the M4 on some tracks.

And that's just on the track. I'm not a big fan of "engineering" for its own sake, anyway. Too many damn buttons for the "get off my lawn" types like me

Last edited by BruceM; 04-18-2016 at 12:45 PM..
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      04-18-2016, 12:47 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Buschy View Post
I have yet to see the m2 do something the m4 cannot do
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