[MT99]

Hello guys, I'm located in Greece and summer is coming fast. I'm planning to buy an m2 and I need some advice. Let's say that money difference is not an issue. The car will be more of a daily driver rather than track car( Greece lacks on racetracks so track will be 2 times per month max). I've driven the M2 lci and now I'm waiting on an appointment to test drive the competition. The only issue I have with the competition optically is the exhaust sound over the Lci and that big muffler.Everything else is fine considering I will change lot of things
(rims,exhaust,coilovers,carbon parts etc) right when I get either of the cars. What would you guys suggest? all opinions are welcomed.

Ps. If you have an m2 competition with an aftermarket exhaust I'd really appreciate you to upload some pics.

[robertm]

The only thing you don't like is the exhaust and you plan to change the exhaust. Cost difference is of no issue to you. It's not a difficult decision then. Get the car with more power, better cooling, better seats, better mirrors etc.

[Fined]

I like to be very realistic about my use of a car. I bought my M2 as a daily driver. For my use the Competition made no sense. I do not need more power, the F87 chassis already has issues with traction putting the power down even with a regular M2. I also wanted the better sound of the N55, better fuel mileage of the regular M2, and less weight, even if the difference isn't much. Also less mechanical issues with N55 than S55, potentially. Don't take my word for it regarding mechanical issues, see the threads regarding Crank hub in Competition section.

I'm aware that owners tend to want to minimize these kinds of issues, and see it with the 911 community quite a bit, 997.1 or 996/986 owners sometimes even denying the issue exists similar to what happens here with M2 Competition. I prefer to steer clear of the models with known potential issues that have cropped up over and again only to be minimized by a vocal group of deniers.

As far as power goes.. it's as much in the driver as it is anything else, when the car is used appropriately in the right context where the difference in horsepower may matter. When I had my M2 out at Spa Francorchamps last year I passed quite a few cars that had more horsepower, including Carrera GTS and M2 Competition. The extra power is not making such a difference a lack of driving skill will be masked so it's good to be realistic about the use of the car and how a driver will actually extract the performance.

[kpaso]

Originally Posted by Fined

I like to be very realistic about my use of a car. I bought my M2 as a daily driver. For my use the Competition made no sense. I do not need more power, the F87 chassis already has issues with traction putting the power down even with a regular M2. I also wanted the better sound of the N55, better fuel mileage of the regular M2, and less weight, even if the difference isn't much. Also less mechanical issues with N55 than S55, potentially. Don't take my word for it regarding mechanical issues, see the threads regarding Crank hub in Competition section.

I'm aware that owners tend to want to minimize these kinds of issues, and see it with the 911 community quite a bit, 997.1 or 996/986 owners sometimes even denying the issue exists similar to what happens here with M2 Competition. I prefer to steer clear of the models with known potential issues that have cropped up over and again only to be minimized by a vocal group of deniers.

As far as power goes.. it's as much in the driver as it is anything else, when the car is used appropriately in the right context where the difference in horsepower may matter. When I had my M2 out at Spa Francorchamps last year I passed quite a few cars that had more horsepower, including Carrera GTS and M2 Competition. The extra power is not making such a difference a lack of driving skill will be masked so it's good to be realistic about the use of the car and how a driver will actually extract the performance.

+1

[6speed_M2]

IMO if you're planning on keeping it stock, or maybe doing a tune & a muffler for example (something basic) I'd get the comp.

If you want to mod it out (intercooler/bov/full exhaust) & maybe even save $$$ I'd go with the N55 LCI. It will make less power but it has a unique flavor to it that most BMW's don't have nowadays.

I think stock to stock the comp is the better car

[richard in NC]

If track days are your thing, stock for stock, the M2 Comp has several advantages. More power, better brakes, and better cooling. My friend went from a '16 M2 to a '19 M2 Comp and dropped 5 seconds a lap at VIR if I recall.

[tropicatango]

m2c for sure, if the big puffy exhaust, and it's sound bug you...just install aftermarket exhaust and the problem is gone, akrapovic, remus etc...

[Moflow]

Non comp M2s do sound better and have a less obtrusive exhaust for sure.

But hypothetically, if you could swap out your exhaust for one that sounds and looks worse but that gives you a 40 hp gain, I’d do that swap 7 days a week and twice on Sunday. Likewise, if I could swap an exhaust onto the m2 competition that made it sound better and look better but cost 40 hp and 600 rpm off the redline, I would not do that.

Both cars are awesome, but If price isn’t a factor, you should get the comp. power and revs are part of what makes a fun car fun, so a bit more of either never hurts.

[baege]

When I was looking for a replacement for my 2016 Cayman S, I test drove a 2018 M2 Manual. I quickly decided that car was not for me. The n55 felt like a real turbo, very elastic band like in throttle response, the ride for rough, but yes it did sound good.

When I test drove the M2 comp, I was also meh, but i did notice the S55 had more character and felt less turbo like, the ride was more compliant, the handling was sharper. It just made me smile more than the M2 did.

I have been pleasantly surprised how much I have enjoyed the M2 comp since I got one, no doubt the M2 is a fun car, but the M2c is quite simply more fun, and while the EXTERNAL sound of the S55 is indeed nothing to write home about (even with aftermarket exhaust), the inside the cabin noise is to my ears enjoyable, the S55 has great induction noise. I am not sure the n55 sounds better inside the car than the s55...

[xxyion]

I dont have my M2 C anymore, but honestly for what you want i'd get the Competition. Especially if its ever going to see the track, Theres just less you have to do to get it to be more track compliant.

Personally, if its going to be a DD, i'd recommend getting it with the DCT. I had the MT, and with how much traffic there is where i was, and with the stupid jerkiness from 1-2, it was unbearable and almost made me hate driving manual (i've only owned 2 AT cars in my 20 years of driving). Also since the car has so much power its fun just to put your foot down and experience the speed the car has.

[kpaso]

Originally Posted by baege

The n55 felt like a real turbo, very elastic band like in throttle response,

Yea this part does get old... especially in certain situations.

[W///]

Paint exhaust black and it's problem solved. I did that on my stock E92 M3 exhaust back in the day and it really helped.

Otherwise, it's absolutely no brainer to get the Competition in my opinion. The S55 has a very special character

[chris719]

Originally Posted by MT99

Hello guys, I'm located in Greece and summer is coming fast. I'm planning to buy an m2 and I need some advice. Let's say that money difference is not an issue. The car will be more of a daily driver rather than track car( Greece lacks on racetracks so track will be 2 times per month max). I've driven the M2 lci and now I'm waiting on an appointment to test drive the competition. The only issue I have with the competition optically is the exhaust sound over the Lci and that big muffler.Everything else is fine considering I will change lot of things
(rims,exhaust,coilovers,carbon parts etc) right when I get either of the cars. What would you guys suggest? all opinions are welcomed.

Ps. If you have an m2 competition with an aftermarket exhaust I'd really appreciate you to upload some pics.

I love the M2, but if you want a weekend car and you own other cars, I'd look at a Boxster, Cayman, Supra, Alpine, or Corvette maybe. I feel like the M2 and M2C are well-suited for daily driving and might fall a little short of special depending on what you drive the rest of the time.

[Mhuber]

Best of both worlds is probably the N55 M2 with a decent stg2 turbo setup. Great powerband, great sound (especially compared with the EU OPF M2Cs), less weight, less complex. And with 450whp at fast as a stage1/2 M2C while still quite reliable.

[Bl4ckD0g]

Daily driver, then its no competition its got to be the Competition. I've just gone through that with a replacement for my wife's car. At first we looked at the OG M2, yes definitely the second hand price is what attracted us, then it became the LCI, then comparing more specs it had to be an Competition. And in the end we ended up with a 100 mile preregistered 2021 model year competition. Just had its run in service done now. That S55 engine is sweet, the sound is a very good balance between purposeful and not being offensive driving around.

But if you are getting your exhaust done you can get it which ever way you want anyway. I don't think it is bad at all. And my daily driver is a ranger rover v8 supercharged with a valved exhaust, I do appreciate a good exhaust note but I had to valve mine and tone it down as it would make people cry and setup car alarms and rattle peoples windows...

[TrentMeister]

Originally Posted by Fined

I like to be very realistic about my use of a car. I bought my M2 as a daily driver. For my use the Competition made no sense. I do not need more power, the F87 chassis already has issues with traction putting the power down even with a regular M2. I also wanted the better sound of the N55, better fuel mileage of the regular M2, and less weight, even if the difference isn't much. Also less mechanical issues with N55 than S55, potentially. Don't take my word for it regarding mechanical issues, see the threads regarding Crank hub in Competition section.

I'm aware that owners tend to want to minimize these kinds of issues, and see it with the 911 community quite a bit, 997.1 or 996/986 owners sometimes even denying the issue exists similar to what happens here with M2 Competition. I prefer to steer clear of the models with known potential issues that have cropped up over and again only to be minimized by a vocal group of deniers.

As far as power goes.. it's as much in the driver as it is anything else, when the car is used appropriately in the right context where the difference in horsepower may matter. When I had my M2 out at Spa Francorchamps last year I passed quite a few cars that had more horsepower, including Carrera GTS and M2 Competition. The extra power is not making such a difference a lack of driving skill will be masked so it's good to be realistic about the use of the car and how a driver will actually extract the performance.

My car his no problems with traction.

[theblackdawnr3]

I have the same decision in front of me. M2c with 27k miles vs m2 with 6k miles. Ultimately I want the one that I'll have less problems with. What do you guys think?

[Fugly M3]

If you're like most, I'd guess that if you get the OG M2, you'll always wonder whether you should have gotten the M2C. Exhibit A? You posted this thread.

[Hoverdog]

Nothing is free, and the extra horsepower of the M2C comes at a cost of twice as many turbos, turbo plumbing/linkages, downpipes, O2 sensors, and a liquid cooled intercooler that, if it happens to fail, can result in more severe damage than an air/air IC. Plus, you're putting 40-50 more horsepower through the same drive train, all contributing to increased wear (as on the LSD and clutch for example). The N55 is mature and largely bulletproof. If long term reliability is a concern (as is with me), M2 all the way. If you're trading it in after a 3 years or leasing, or going to the track a lot, M2C all the way.

[jdub486]

The s55 and the n55 share the same crank hub design. Both M2 and M2c are fantastic. The m2c really included quite a bit of additional equipment- engine, strut brace, seats, mirrors, m1 and m2 buttons, etc. The front end rigidity feels much sharper and stiffer on the m2C. Aside from the crank hub which is very rare and seems to plague highly tuned cars, the s55 motor has been very solid. M2C front bumper also looks more modern and many people report better ride quality on the m2C. n55 wins for exhaust note no doubt.

[theblackdawnr3]

I got two models shipped to my local CarMax yesterday. One was a pristine blue 2018 lci with 6k miles on it and the other was a white 2019 with 26.6k miles on it and 4 areas that were vinyl wrapped terribly. Both were DCTs. The comp's ride was so much smoother and was so much faster, I forgave the extra mileage and wrapped panels and purchased it anyway over the lci.

[3t3p]

Didn't make the connection re the drive train otherwise being the same in the M2C.

That's great though, as OG owners like me can tune without giving the clutch holding ability a second's thought. Not the same in VW land and manual cars I can tell you