[babaikram]

Does it make any sense or worth it to buy M cars when one knows he would never track the car?

[mr_lab_rat]

Yes.

For example I bought the M2 because I just found the m235/m240 too bland looking.
With my driving skills I would have been just fine with the handling and power of the non-M 2 series. I just couldn't resist those wide fenders.

[RAM_F30_F87]

Depends on your situation.
I've owned manual sport versions of the last three generation of 3-series (2000, 2006, 2012) and was waiting for the 2018+.
When the 2016 M2 (became a 2017 by the time it was built in Germany) came out in the mid-$50s, I jumped at the chance to own an M car.
I couldn't see spending the money on an M3.
My M2 is a non-winter daily driver that is not tracked and always puts a smile on my face while driving.
I kept the 2012 3-series (80,000 miles) for rainy days and the 3 months of winter.
The M2 was the perfect size for me, the 3-series kept getting bigger and a little softer.

[babaikram]

Okay then

[DanG]

I love the look and feel of my M2. While I have tracked previous cars, I have no plans on tracking this car. I did do M Track Days and tracked BMW’s M cars. Makes more sense to me to put the wear and tear on their cars instead of mine.

[No Boost]

Yes. Even during spirited driving on public roads, M cars demonstrate their capabilities and provide more fun.

[F87source]

Yes and no depending on your necessities, if you want the better looks like some have said and the prestiege then go right ahead and purchase one.

If you wanted an all year round daily driver with xdrive then it would be better to buy a non-m unless you went for an X series or m5.

If you wanted a long term car (10 years + ownership) it is probably better to get a non-m (unless you have an engine like the 1m or OG m2 that is shared with regular series cars) because the parts will be cheaper and more available used for repairs. Otherwise you'll face a crazy m tax.

If you don't really car about tracking then a standard M sport model like the m240i will have good enough handling on the street where you won't feel much compromise at all, while offering a platform to modify for more power and speed without the M car tax. Because if you look at parts you get a bmw tax where an exhaust will cost more than normal manufacturers like subaru for instance, then the M tax on top of it will be even more expensive.

For instance you can get an axle back for a subaru wrx STI for $300 with mufflers and excellent welds from nameless performance, on a bmw m2 a muffler delete axle back is $1300USD..... A titanium turbo back exhaust is like $2500 for subaru and a non titanium version is $1500, and one for the m2 is $5000 up. And before those vendors come in saying excuses about their welds and build quality being better, it definitely is not, I've seen cheaper exhausts in the subaru tuning world than even the most expensive bmw exhausts for a fraction of the price. I wont mention any names of companies but there is alot of bmw and M tax in this community.

[Lukeni]

You don't need to go on track to enjoy the m2. Twisty backroads, canyons and passes are where our little M really shines.

[Poochie]

The M2 or any performance for that matter is really an overkill for just the public streets.. All that power right under your big toe, just to have a city speed limit max out at 55mph..

Living in a concrete jungle, congested with cars, you only get short burst of clear roads that allows you to open up that BMW Vtec before you have to slow down for the sea of cars ahead.. My life..

And when to do finally get that opportunity to stretch your car's legs, you have to worry about po-po observing you skills on the expressway and awarding you with hand full of summons..

If you don't track or have access to an airfield, the streets is the only place you get you're going to be able to utilize your car.. So there is a balance of how much risk you're willing to take and your chances of getting caught..

I use a Escort Live Radar detector, which feeds off Waze traffic data, in real time.. So when someone sees a cops and they alert their Waze app, the radar detector notifies me of threat.. And trust me, there is a lot of snitches in NYC..

Little Lifehack that allow me to stay off the Highway Patrol's 'radar.' And enjoy my car

Kind of Related:

How do you resist the urge to speed in this car? https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1557761

[ScottAndrew]

Yes. If i want a track car, I'll take a Caterham or a Crossbow, ie a proper track car. Whether the M2 is overkill for all other uses is another question!

It's like diving. If i dive regularly, will I use my twelve thousand-dollar JLC? No, I'll wear a Suunto dive computer. I'll wear the JLC later, at the yacht club, talk the talk and let everyone else come up with their own conclusions

[babaikram]

Originally Posted by F87source

Yes and no depending on your necessities, if you want the better looks like some have said and the prestiege then go right ahead and purchase one.

If you wanted an all year round daily driver with xdrive then it would be better to buy a non-m unless you went for an X series or m5.

If you wanted a long term car (10 years + ownership) it is probably better to get a non-m (unless you have an engine like the 1m or OG m2 that is shared with regular series cars) because the parts will be cheaper and more available used for repairs. Otherwise you'll face a crazy m tax.

If you don't really car about tracking then a standard M sport model like the m240i will have good enough handling on the street where you won't feel much compromise at all, while offering a platform to modify for more power and speed without the M car tax. Because if you look at parts you get a bmw tax where an exhaust will cost more than normal manufacturers like subaru for instance, then the M tax on top of it will be even more expensive.

For instance you can get an axle back for a subaru wrx STI for $300 with mufflers and excellent welds from nameless performance, on a bmw m2 a muffler delete axle back is $1300USD..... A titanium turbo back exhaust is like $2500 for subaru and a non titanium version is $1500, and one for the m2 is $5000 up. And before those vendors come in saying excuses about their welds and build quality being better, it definitely is not, I've seen cheaper exhausts in the subaru tuning world than even the most expensive bmw exhausts for a fraction of the price. I wont mention any names of companies but there is alot of bmw and M tax in this community.

Originally Posted by F87source

Yes and no depending on your necessities, if you want the better looks like some have said and the prestiege then go right ahead and purchase one.

If you wanted an all year round daily driver with xdrive then it would be better to buy a non-m unless you went for an X series or m5.

If you wanted a long term car (10 years + ownership) it is probably better to get a non-m (unless you have an engine like the 1m or OG m2 that is shared with regular series cars) because the parts will be cheaper and more available used for repairs. Otherwise you'll face a crazy m tax.

If you don't really car about tracking then a standard M sport model like the m240i will have good enough handling on the street where you won't feel much compromise at all, while offering a platform to modify for more power and speed without the M car tax. Because if you look at parts you get a bmw tax where an exhaust will cost more than normal manufacturers like subaru for instance, then the M tax on top of it will be even more expensive.

For instance you can get an axle back for a subaru wrx STI for $300 with mufflers and excellent welds from nameless performance, on a bmw m2 a muffler delete axle back is $1300USD..... A titanium turbo back exhaust is like $2500 for subaru and a non titanium version is $1500, and one for the m2 is $5000 up. And before those vendors come in saying excuses about their welds and build quality being better, it definitely is not, I've seen cheaper exhausts in the subaru tuning world than even the most expensive bmw exhausts for a fraction of the price. I wont mention any names of companies but there is alot of bmw and M tax in this community.

I am not sure it is worth the financial penalty to change from m240i to OG M2 with very very similar performances

[Cadillac]

Originally Posted by RAM_E90_F87

Depends on your situation.
I've owned manual sport versions of the last three generation of 3-series (2000, 2006, 2012) and was waiting for the 2018+.
When the 2016 M2 (became a 2017 by the time it was built in Germany) came out in the mid-$50s, I jumped at the chance to own an M car.
I couldn't see spending the money on an M3.
My M2 is a non-winter daily driver that is not tracked and always puts a smile on my face while driving.
I kept the 2012 3-series (80,000 miles) for rainy days and the 3 months of winter.
The M2 was the perfect size for me, the 3-series kept getting bigger and a little softer.

This....love the M2 and so much better after 2 E92 335's
And the looks those wide fenders...………

[GregoryK]

I doubt you can really learn to drive this car on public roads. The fun is at the limits. I did not really understand this car until I took it to the track.
If you buy a car to look cool...I guess go ahead.

[LuvMyE92]

Originally Posted by Poochie

The M2 or any performance for that matter is really an overkill for just the public streets.

Originally Posted by GregoryK

If you buy a car to look cool...I guess go ahead.

The typical Porsche 911 buyer, Corvette buyer including Z06 and ZR1, M2, M3 and M4 buyer never intend nor even think about taking their car to the track. Numerous reasons for this, but folks buy these cars because they do drive, feel and look better than the "normal" edition (or other choice, like a Camry). I used to spend a lot of time on Corvette forums (having owned one or two) and well over 99% of the GS buyers bought the car just for looks over the Stingray. No intention of taking it to the track, ever.

It is a shame, because it is such a capable car, but honestly most people don't even know about driving schools, and most of those who do are scared to try it - not to mention the lack of insurance coverage.

The BMW Performance Center schools (using their cars, their tires and gas, and their insurance) is a great bargain for beating up someone else's car and developing an appreciation for your own. This is why I have an M2 instead of an M3 or M4 - because I drove all three at BMW PC and preferred my little 2.

FYI, FWIW, I also did a driving school at Ron Fellows' in Nevada, and it gave me a much greater appreciation for what the Corvette can do. It's still a cheap plastic Chevy, but really quite capable on the track. Nice there to use their car, tires and gas, but they wanted extra money for insurance (unlike BMW).

[qnet]

I think it makes sense if it's what you really want. This was my situation. I had a M235i and did a track weekend with my local BMW CCA. It was fun at times, and I will probably do it again someday in my M2, but probably not until I've had it for awhile longer.

I like Dan G's idea of going to the M performance school .

As much as I love my M2, if I already had an M240i like you do, I'm not so sure I'd make the switch.

[DanG]

Let us bee honest. The members here are not the typical BMW buyer. I am sure that most M cars will never see a track. Most are bought by people looking for the status of having an M car and will never push it to the limits.

[bobert]

As others have said, an M2 is still fun on public roads - it feels good: sporty, sounds good, handles well, bursts of power, looks great - but, sure, the downside is you get that feeling of being inhibited a lot of the time, mostly due to the higher power and grip. For that reason, occasional track visits in any car - yours or others' - is a great suggestion.

I also recommend having a Miata around with your M2, not only to provide some variety but also so you have a car you can push much closer to its [lower] limits (the old adage really is true) on the streets. When feeling overly inhibited in your M2 on the street, you can take your Miata out for a spin and drive it like you stole it. But sometimes you want some real firepower under the hood, which the M2 provides.

A track day will not only help you get some thrills while enhancing your ability, it can even help you when driving that Miata (not just your M2) - for example, I learned to "heel-toe" at a track day in 2005, which greatly enhanced my enjoyment of my Miata on the street.

[GoneIn4Secs]

M cars enchance daily driving as well, u can overtake and not get buillied around the road either if you were to be driving a reg car

I have my m2 at the shop right now, and they loaned me a regular 2018 230i with sport package, and it just feels off, the brakes spongy , not as responsive, not as planted, and not as fast!

[M GmbH]

Buy whatever makes you happy. Please don’t complain to BMW that the M rides to hard, gets bad MPG’s, service cost is more, the tires wear out to fast and don’t last very long. These people are diluting the M cars IMO.

[///M TOWN]

The best or nothing.

[F87source]

Originally Posted by M GmbH

Buy whatever makes you happy. Please don’t complain to BMW that the M rides to hard, gets bad MPG’s, service cost is more, the tires wear out to fast and don’t last very long. These people are diluting the M cars IMO.

Lol I'm so used to this stuff I forgot it wasn't a normal car thing.

Also don't forget you can't replace parts like tires with cheapo ones either, you have to get the expensive high performance ones that will cost alot more.

[termigni]

Originally Posted by eDrive

The best or nothing.

so we should go buy Mercedes?