Keeping the M4 or switching to an M2?

[ctgeorge]

I kicked around the idea as well. When mentioning this to my friends there initial impression was "why would you want less performance?" also stating it's a downgrade.

Like others have stated earlier in this thread. More HP, etc doesn't necessarily mean a more enjoyable driving experience. I find the size of the M2 more appealing than my M3. The exhaust note on the M2 is more pleasing than on my non ZHP M3.

With that said, I don't care for the rear end of the M2 and the rental car grade interior, passive suspension etc.

As for the M3/M4 being faster than a M2....Is it? I've read and watched a few tests where the M2 is as fast if not faster. The M3/M4 will be quicker in a straight line, but the M2 seems to be the better handling package.

[nicknaz]

OP, you already tried the m4 so if you can get into m2 without much of a financial hit, why not?

It's so much easier to get an m4 than an m2 so you can always get another and you can likely capitalize on the hype around m2 and resell easily. Get a 6mt because that's probably going to be the sought after one by "purists"

[M BE4ST]

For me I feel like the M2 was made just to put a M on another car, now when the m2cs comes out I may change my mind.

[auf Deutsch]

Originally Posted by Snappy Phoenix

Are you seriously serious?

M2 is a wanna be M3/M4 with less power, less gimmicks and features and a worse car in every category. It's for people who want to have an M3/M4 but can't afford it

Shallow thinking much? Your fellow M3/4 owners, most of whom are somewhat objective regarding model differences, are shaking their heads behind their computer screens in embarrassment of your post.

I had an F80 ZCP on order but cancelled it when my allocation became available for the M2, not because I didn't love the M3, but because the M2 suited my wants and needs better. I don't need the spacious rear seating room. I don't need a nicer appointed interior. I don't need a CF roof which shaves a few pounds (albeit looks awesome). I wanted a dimensionally smaller car with better driving agility. I wanted the sound of the inferior N55 coupled with a sweet exhaust note. And yes, I wanted to pay thousands of dollars less on my DD. But with that initial money saved, I can address the biggest, and for me only detriment of the M2, lack of power. With exception of the DP, I will have a fully (matching) warrantied car with stock (or very close to) M3/4 HP numbers. Without question, there are countless enthusiasts who would love this setup.

"worse car in every category"....[insert obvious retort]

[KevinM]

Surprised with the hate on the M2 in this thread. The assumption that anyone who buys an M2 is only doing so because they can't afford an M3/4 is ludicrous. I actually wanted an M2 because I thought it would be a nice fit with my other cars (E39 M5, Z4M coupe). However, I couldn't get one in time for my planned trip to Europe and wanted to do ED, so I went with an M3. Money had nothing to do with it. I love my M3, but am still thinking I might try the M2 next. I'm keeping the M3 for 3-4 years however.

BTW, anyone who "can't afford" an M3/4 but "can afford" an M2 can pick up a used M4 all day long for $50K...

[TheKosherStogie]

Pretty sure the m2 is as fast on track if not faster on certain tracks.

I've tracked both cars. Own an M2. Not a fan boy of any car. Just from what I've seen at my local tracks

[ctgeorge]

Originally Posted by TheKosherStogie

Pretty sure the m2 is as fast on track if not faster on certain tracks.

I've tracked both cars. Own an M2. Not a fan boy of any car. Just from what I've seen at my local tracks

Hence my post #24, more HP doesn't equal quicker laps times.

[mc3456]

M2 is a beautiful little car, but the M4 is more car in every way.

[KKSigs]

I have driven both and the M2 is a great car and I think easier to have fun with. But as time goes on the M4 is the better suited track car. More power and more stable. I had a good chance to compare them at the 2 day M school. Even the instructors in Spartanburg would take the M4 over M2 any day!

[redpriest]

Originally Posted by ctgeorge

I kicked around the idea as well. When mentioning this to my friends there initial impression was "why would you want less performance?" also stating it's a downgrade.

Like others have stated earlier in this thread. More HP, etc doesn't necessarily mean a more enjoyable driving experience. I find the size of the M2 more appealing than my M3. The exhaust note on the M2 is more pleasing than on my non ZHP M3.

With that said, I don't care for the rear end of the M2 and the rental car grade interior, passive suspension etc.

As for the M3/M4 being faster than a M2....Is it? I've read and watched a few tests where the M2 is as fast if not faster. The M3/M4 will be quicker in a straight line, but the M2 seems to be the better handling package.

FWIW this is pre-ZCP testing. Motortrend has already admitted that the ZCP M3/M4 is miles better than the stock car in track manners.

[Ian1973]

It's a small track, that has more to do with it than anything else.

I'd like to see a normal M3/4 versus an M2 on a larger track, like 2.5 miles+

[TheKosherStogie]

Randy P ran a 1:32:5 at WSIR in an M3/4.

Took my m2 ran 1:32:4 there and 2:00:4 at Buttonwillow C13 100% stock. Haven't seen an M3 all stock go any faster yet...

[Dethsupp0rt]

The M2 doesn't excite me much. I'd take an M240i over the M2 really, as I'd rather have the B58.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Dethsupp0rt

The M2 doesn't excite me much. I'd take an M240i over the M2 really, as I'd rather have the B58.

This is much of it for me too. The 1M excited me (...and I'd still like to have a Valencia Orange 1M in pristine condition). The M2 doesn't scratch any itch [for me] whatsoever. If somebody gave me a 1M tomorrow, I'd keep it. If somebody gave me an M2 tomorrow, I'd sell it. I wouldn't get rid of my M4 for either of them though.

[redpriest]

Originally Posted by TheKosherStogie

Randy P ran a 1:32:5 at WSIR in an M3/4.

Took my m2 ran 1:32:4 there and 2:00:4 at Buttonwillow C13 100% stock. Haven't seen an M3 all stock go any faster yet...

I think you're just a better driver than most F80/F82 drivers - I haven't met many that could approach even my E92 lap times, and I'm a relative noob with only a year and a half experience at the track. The real test would be how well you would do in an F82. I suspect that it's probably harder to extract the performance from an F82 compared to the F87 given how well balanced the chassis is.

Also, the suspension has changed enormously for the better since Randy set his hot lap so I am curious to see if that lap time would drop in the newer car.

[TheKosherStogie]

^oh im sure but then there could be an M2 zcp or that cs is coming out. Was comparing m2 vs M3. But even so if you think about it the M3/4 kills the M2 in acceleration so if the m2 is running the same time at a track it's making that time in the turns...

And my buddy who is as fast as I am had an f8x M4 and his times were very close but just behind

[The Automotive Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by Snappy Phoenix

To be fair, I love the smaller size of the M2, makes it more nimble I can say but when I am paying such a high price for a car, I want all the bells and whistle if you know what I mean. I was almost about to pull the trigger on an M2 before getting my M4 but then when I saw how limited the tech features are, can't remember what exactly it is missing I think it has no real time traffic information or connected drive, it turned me off.

Also, they could have made it a big hit but they didn't, why do all colors have the same blue stitching on the leather? I know I am not picking but when I am paying a premium, it has got to have it all, or at least me to add the options I want.

That's the beauty about the M2. It's focused towards being that drivers car M fanatics have been wanting. Not a I want a $4,000 audio system and LED headlights and the like. I do have gripes with it, but it drives very well.

[afadeev]

Originally Posted by ctgeorge

Hence my post #24, more HP doesn't equal quicker laps times.

Well, kinda true, but not really. More HP helps a lot, all things being equal.
Lower weight helps even more.
Suspension, setup, etc, etc - all matter. A lot.

The last point is where M2 should have shined, but fell well short of the hopes and expectations.

M4 weight : 3,565 (manual)
M2 weight : 3,505 (manual)
M240 weight : 3,499 (manual)
1M weight : 3,296 (manual)


The fact that a much smaller M2 is only 60 lbs lighter than M4, is the crux of the problem.
M2 is heavier than M240i, and way heavier than 1M was !!!!

If / when BMW de-porks the M2, and brings the weight down to ~3,300-3,400 range, it will become something special. Until then, it's just a budget ///M-car.

Having said all that, M2 is still a cool car.
And it might just be faster on an autoX course.

Should we ever see an M2-CS or CSL, that would be something to talk about.

a

[Ian1973]

Or not a real M car, just a marketing exercise that is executed well enough to get by. Problem with losing weight, exotic and light materials cost much more money to utilize to strip weight, of course making their profits much less. If they want to counter that, they have to raise the price and be close to a stripper M3/4, what would be the point in that?

Wonder what their 4 cylinder motor would do if the M guys got a hold of it. But again, all that development and testing, to be near the M3/4 in performance makes no business sense.

I would venture a guess their profit margins are much greater in the M2 than the M3/4.

[m4282]

Originally Posted by Mo@BMWofFairfax

The M2 drives better than the M3/M4. More power, more options doesn't neceassily make a better car. The M2 kind of reminds you of what M cars use to be.

Keep the ZCP M3 if you care about the status it brings. The M2 is just a fun car to DRIVE.

I have an m4 and I don't agree with your "status" comment - TBH nothing short of a Bentley, Ferrari, or lambo brings "status" even 911s are too many around where I am in the north east. But I do agree the m2 is probably more fun to drive due to the nimble nature ..... although I do like the ride of my leather m4 seats better than the m2 seats.... and don't mind the occasional tail happy neck snapping attitude of the TQ delivery

[TheKosherStogie]

Originally Posted by Railgun

Same driver, same tires, same conditions, else the comparo is mostly meaningless. Not trying to take anything away, but it's not a proper comparison.

I agree typically but it is same tires...and he's a professional racing driver. I'm a regular schmo. So it's just more evidence towards my point. He ran the car same day as well at streets of Willow the smaller sister track next to it and m2 was faster. As the guy posted the Lap info above

[Tacoma]

Originally Posted by redpriest

FWIW this is pre-ZCP testing. Motortrend has already admitted that the ZCP M3/M4 is miles better than the stock car in track manners.

Here are more recent tests with the M4 ZCP vs. M2:
Track:

Drag Race:

On the straights, clearly the M4 wins. The track they used had a lot of curves that puts the heavier M4 at disadvantage so it's closer but M4 ZCP still comes out on top.

It's interesting they threw in the 1M, which is about the same size as the M2, for the track race and it was very close to the M2.