I can't believe I'm leaving you guys...

[KevinM]

Originally Posted by SteveSpy

What way is BMW headed? Can u elaborate?

Long discussion all over the car rags/web, but having been with BWM since 1998, when I bought my first one (a 1999 E39 528 5-speed), the trend is towards less driver involvement and more luxury. Give the people what they want. Which is likely a necessary strategy to continue to be an independent car manufacturer; and I respect that. I just wish more of the DNA of the E46 and E39 were infused in today's BMWs. This is not just a BMW phenomenon of course, but VW has enough capital to allow Porsche and Lamborghini to just continue what they do best. I don't think BMW has that luxury.

[SakhirM4]

Originally Posted by KevinM

Long discussion all over the car rags/web, but having been with BWM since 1998, when I bought my first one (a 1999 E39 528 5-speed), the trend is towards less driver involvement and more luxury. Give the people what they want. Which is likely a necessary strategy to continue to be an independent car manufacturer; and I respect that. I just wish more of the DNA of the E46 and E39 were infused in today's BMWs. This is not just a BMW phenomenon of course, but VW has enough capital to allow Porsche and Lamborghini to just continue what they do best. I don't think BMW has that luxury.

Having owned BMWs since 1977 when we bought a 320i new and having owned 18 BMWs, I really disagree. My 6MT M4 requires just as much driver involvement as any BMW I've owned, including my E46 M3 and my E39 540i.

[KevinM]

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

Having owned BMWs since 1977 when we bought a 320i new and having owned 18 BMWs, I really disagree. My 6MT M4 requires just as much driver involvement as any BMW I've owned, including my E46 M3 and my E39 540i.

I completely respect your opinion, and my opinion is only my own. But that is why we have choices. I think I'll check out the M2 CS...

P.S. I agree my M3 requires lots of involvement, almost too much at times given the torque curve and RWD. I'm BMW blue through and through. But do I enjoy the F80? Yes, very much and I think it is the best MT sports sedan on the market. As much as my E39 M5 or Z4M coupe, which are considerably slower? No. Nostalgia, perhaps...

[BimmerPD]

Congrats on the new toy

[SteveSpy]

Can somebody please explain to me what this off center steering wheel story is? Thank you.

[MRCUR]

Originally Posted by SteveSpy

Can somebody please explain to me what this off center steering wheel story is? Thank you.

The driver's seat (might be passenger as well) on the M2 isn't straight on to the steering wheel. It's very slightly angled.

I never noticed it in mine, but lots of people seem to notice. I imagine if I had noticed it would've driven me nuts.

[SteveSpy]

Originally Posted by MRCUR

The driver's seat (might be passenger as well) on the M2 isn't straight on to the steering wheel. It's very slightly angled.

I never noticed it in mine, but lots of people seem to notice. I imagine if I had noticed it would've driven me nuts.

WTF???? Why???? Why in God's name would they do that!?!? Is that all 2-series???

[Thescout13]

Originally Posted by SteveSpy

WTF???? Why???? Why in God's name would they do that!?!? Is that all 2-series???

Safety reasons. Only way they can pass safety standards given the how they designed the car. It is quite annoying. There is a whole motor trend review dedicated to it haha

[SteveSpy]

Originally Posted by Thescout13

Safety reasons. Only way they can pass safety standards given the how they designed the car. It is quite annoying. There is a whole motor trend review dedicated to it haha

Found the article... this is so disappointing. I imagine this is what happens when you try to fit M4 parts on the frame of a 2-series. I wonder what the exact angle is. I wonder if I will even notice!

[Thescout13]

Originally Posted by SteveSpy

Found the article... this is so disappointing. I imagine this is what happens when you try to fit M4 parts on the frame of a 2-series. I wonder what the exact angle is. I wonder if I will even notice!

Watch the video review from Motortrend of the M2 and they show it

[SteveSpy]

Originally Posted by Thescout13

Watch the video review from Motortrend of the M2 and they show it

Just did. Wow. Just wow.

[SteveSpy]

Well it's been an informative day. I like how the motor trend guy describes the seat pointing to the front left headlight. Like what, but seriously, WHAT the f@&$ were they thinking??

[MRCUR]

Originally Posted by SteveSpy

Well it's been an informative day. I like how the motor trend guy describes the seat pointing to the front left headlight. Like what, but seriously, WHAT the f@&$ were they thinking??

It's really not a big deal. It sounds much worse than it is.

[SteveSpy]

Originally Posted by MRCUR

It's really not a big deal. It sounds much worse than it is.

I sure hope so. With my eye for detail I'm going to figure out whether this works for me or not as soon as I sit in the car...

[euro*]

Originally Posted by SteveSpy

I sure hope so. With my eye for detail I'm going to figure out whether this works for me or not as soon as I sit in the car...

Lmao, how could you order that particular car and not know about that seat angle thing?? It's been mentioned in almost every review of that car

[nicknaz]

How good of a deal did you get on the 535 OP?

I'm surprised you went from the "true m car" m2 to "most definitely not an m car" 535 but enjoy in good health.

Personally, I'm keeping an eye out for the upcoming s55 equipped m2 before making my final call to pass on that car

[neilum]

Sorry couldn't take this seriously, and stopped reading after you said you switched cars for what you deem a real M car.

OK, so the F80 M3 isn't a real M? lol

[neilum]

Sorry couldn't take this seriously, and stopped reading after you said you switched cars for what you deem a real M car.

OK, so the F80 M3 isn't a real M?

[SteveSpy]

Originally Posted by neilum

Sorry couldn't take this seriously, and stopped reading after you said you switched cars for what you deem a real M car.

OK, so the F80 M3 isn't a real M?

This goes back to the post by somebody who said BMW is headed towards luxury more and more. If you want a car that is M to the bone without all the extras then you get an M2. If you want to pay for soft leather seats, a full leather dashboard and 50 driving modes and a few other "luxury extras" then go ahead and pay for it. I'm just glad BMW is actually giving us somewhat of a choice here. I was truly impressed by the performance in the comparison on motor trend's site, especially the fact that 0-60 they have equal performance numbers. Makes perfect sense to me, I only drive 0-72mph so why am I gonna pay 20k more for a M3/4? I don't care. I don't need it. I'm not tracking or dragging the car. Torque is more valuable to me than HP.

[SteveSpy]

I'd like to make one clarification, if I may. An M345678 is an M car. It's not that it's not an M car in my mind it's just that it's an M plus "unnecessary stuff" in my opinion. Even the M2 has unnecessary stuff. I mean if the M division could make a straight 6 twin turbo and paste that on a nice frame with great lines that would be a dream for me. The idea is really a discounted M car, like just give me the M engineering without all the other gadgets and stuff I don't want to pay for. This is why the E46 will always be the ultimate M car for me, like ever. It was a perfect mix of M and not too much extra. Size wise too it was perfect. I guess I'm trying to say that everybody has their taste and opinions and this is mine.

[SteveSpy]

Originally Posted by euro*

Lmao, how could you order that particular car and not know about that seat angle thing?? It's been mentioned in almost every review of that car

I heard mention of it before but didn't think it was a big deal

[SteveSpy]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

How good of a deal did you get on the 535 OP?

I'm surprised you went from the "true m car" m2 to "most definitely not an m car" 535 but enjoy in good health.

Personally, I'm keeping an eye out for the upcoming s55 equipped m2 before making my final call to pass on that car

1) $27k. It was an absolute steel for a car in this condition.

2) My M4 will depreciate much more as soon as the calendar hits 2018 than this 535 will. Trying to save some of that when I have to trade in next month (assuming my M2 will be here in Jan).

3) I agree 100%. It's tough to postpone, though. I mean, what's next? How much can you "wait for the next best thing," really? Then you'll never buy anything lol