2018 M2 impressions from an M3 owner

[///M///]

I just got back from European delivery for my buddy's 2018 M2 and fortunately had the chance to drive it around in the Swiss Alps. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised with car. I didn't get to go wot because it was still in the break-in period but 4.5-5.5k rpms in the Swiss Switchbacks was enough to get a fair idea of how the car performs. Here are my quick initial impressions:

PS: A lot of my feedback will be based on comparing it to my F80 M3.

Looks - Exterior and Interior
Exterior: The look of the new M2 in LBB is much improved with the updated headlights and tail lights. It is growing on me and although I prefer the looks of the M3, I do love how the 2018 M2 looks especially in LBB. Really amazing color. Standard LED's is a pretty awesome option to say the least.

Interior: Similar to the exterior I like how they have changed to a darker tone on the CF trim on the interior. Looks way better than the earlier model. The accents around the vents are a nice touch as well. The most improved is the display in the dash. Looks absolutely stunning

Overall Drive and Handling
Here is where the car truly shined and totally surprised me. I have to be honest on this that I seriously could not tell the difference from my M3 as far as the handling and performance goes. The car felt really similar to my car and dare I say a lot easier to throw around in the corners. I never got the chance to hit the top end in the switch backs and it was mostly the first 3 gears. I would say 0-60/80 mph runs is what i was doing mostly and the acceleration felt the same. Didn't feel slow at any point.

Transmission
I have a manual so really can't compare it to that but compared to my previous E90 M3 DCT, the transmission is vastly improved. The shifts are crisp with almost no lag and there is absolutely no jerkiness when coming to a stop as was the case with the E9X DCT's.

Exhaust
Hands down better than the F8X. Feels like BMW took all the negative feedback on the F8X and used that when designing the M2 exhaust. The exhaust sounded absolutely amazing at wot as well as cruise and downshifts. It has a noticeable burble to it as well.

In summary, I think BMW has made a fantastic car and I would definitely be considering it when it comes time to switch out from my current ride (2016 F80 M3).

Here are some pictures....

[DrtyJrze]

Sounds like you two had an awesome trip!

Would be interested to see a follow up response when his car comes stateside and you get an opportunity to compare them both head to head.

[Sassicaia]

that colour is awesome.

[dkhm3]

Nice write up. My friend and I went to a BMW event and were given the keys to a 2017 M2 DCT to flog for about half an hour. We drove it on the streets and in an empty parking lot at WOT.

I can say with certainty the engine lacks top end punch like the F8x and definitely can feel the power deficiency compared to the F8x. Perhaps due to the additional turbo in the S55, but there is no comparison for me.

Beautiful little car with tons of personality, great tossable feeling for sure.

[asuh1991]

My friend has the m2 and the sound is pretty good but it kind of just sounds like a louder version of the 335i.

I did not get to hear it screaming, just low revving. By no means am i saying our f80 sounds very good, because it doesn't, but I don't know if I would agree the m2 sounds much better than our cars.

[///M///]

Originally Posted by dkhm3

I can say with certainty the engine lacks top end punch like the F8x and definitely can feel the power deficiency compared to the F8x.

Yes that's what I hear but didn't get the chance to go wot or use the top rpm range. Am wondering if it felt the way it did because perhaps he power is more usable on the street compared to the M3?

[dkhm3]

Originally Posted by ///M///

Yes that's what I hear but didn't get the chance to go wot or use the top rpm range. Am wondering if it felt the way it did because perhaps he power is more usable on the street compared to the M3?

Well in my opinion from the limited time I spent with it, and looking at dyno curves the torque comes on similarly to the m3. The cars also weigh close to the same.

Part of it might come from the fact that the m2 is smaller, so the perception of power may be more pronounced from the seat.

[KevinM]

Thanks for the write up. I need to drive an M2. I'm seriously considering trying one out in a few years. As much as I love my F80, I find it a bit overpowered (and traction limited) for a DD. I seemingly don't have time to track it and you just really cannot use all the performance on public roads/in traffic.

P.S. Are you comparing the M2 exhaust with the standard F80 exhaust or the competition package exhaust (which I thinks sounds pretty good)?

[///M///]

Originally Posted by KevinM

P.S. Are you comparing the M2 exhaust with the standard F80 exhaust or the competition package exhaust (which I thinks sounds pretty good)?

Stock F8X exhaust would be no comparison as the stock one truly sound like $hit. I have the M Perf on my F80 and I feel the M2 stock exhaust has a better note to it than the F8X M Perf.

[///M4ster Yoda]

Originally Posted by KevinM

Thanks for the write up. I need to drive an M2. I'm seriously considering trying one out in a few years. As much as I love my F80, I find it a bit overpowered (and traction limited) for a DD. I seemingly don't have time to track it and you just really cannot use all the performance on public roads/in traffic.

P.S. Are you comparing the M2 exhaust with the standard F80 exhaust or the competition package exhaust (which I thinks sounds pretty good)?

Overpowered? Blasphemy

[Jaymax85]

Originally Posted by ///M///

Stock F8X exhaust would be no comparison as the stock one truly sound like $hit. I have the M Perf on my F80 and I feel the M2 stock exhaust has a better note to it than the F8X M Perf.

The stock comp exhaust sounds great

[ORIGIN M.]

Yes it does indeed !

Originally Posted by HELLOimJ

The stock comp exhaust sounds great

[Super Spartan]

Originally Posted by ///M///

Stock F8X exhaust would be no comparison as the stock one truly sound like $hit. I have the M Perf on my F80 and I feel the M2 stock exhaust has a better note to it than the F8X M Perf.

stock M2 sounds better than an F8x with MPE??? right...........

Here is my ZCP with MPE M4......... I seriously doubt that (listen to the end when I change into Sports+)

[mrcheezle19]

[QUOTE=Snappy Phoenix;22133369]stock M2 sounds better than an F8x with MPE??? right...........

Here is my ZCP with MPE M4......... I seriously doubt that (listen to the end when I change into Sports+)

The exhaust sounds great down low with the deep growl, but once it gets that tin sounding high pitch noise it does't sound good.

[CanAutM3]

I think the sound difference between the S55 M3/4 and N55 M2 is more the result of twin turbos vs single turbo arrangement than exhaust design.

[Ian1973]

Right. My N54 sounded way beefier and less raspy than the S55.

[///M///]

Originally Posted by Snappy Phoenix

stock M2 sounds better than an F8x with MPE??? right...........

Here is my ZCP with MPE M4......... I seriously doubt that (listen to the end when I change into Sports+)

Sorry man but that is exactly how mine sounds and to me that sounds like a fart can at the high rpm range. No offense. I have the exact same car with MPE so it applies to me as well. Sound is really subjective and for me personally the tone is more important than the actual decibel level. I felt that the M2 exhaust has a much better tone than the F8X on all levels. Nothing ofcourse compares to my previous E90. Here is a sample.......

[///M///]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

I think the sound difference between the S55 M3/4 and N55 M2 is more the result of twin turbos vs single turbo arrangement than exhaust design.

Pretty dramatic difference in sound I would say. Wonder if anyone converted their F8X to a single big turbo setup and noticed a change

This video is pretty close to how stock M2 sounds. Having sat in one for 1k miles over 7 days I had plenty of time to hear the sound in all rpm ranges. To me, it was the consistent smooth sounding tone of the exhaust and the subtle burbles on downshifts that set it apart.

All that said, I hope this thgread doesn't turn into a M3/4 vs M2 argument. I was just sharing my experience with the M2.

[auf Deutsch]

Originally Posted by ///M///

Sorry man but that is exactly how mine sounds and to me that sounds like a fart can at the high rpm range. No offense. I have the exact same car with MPE so it applies to me as well. Sound is really subjective and for me personally the tone is more important than the actual decibel level. I felt that the M2 exhaust has a much better tone than the F8X on all levels. Nothing ofcourse compares to my previous E90. Here is a sample.......

Stock F87 exhaust sounds pretty good. Throw on any aftermarket canister and it'll sound really good. Add a DP and it rivals any FI car (sans 488, etc.) out there.

[JTO24]

Thanks, OP! I have a deposit down for an M2 LCI right now. Moving from the F80 to the Cayman, I love the Cayman dearly but miss the brute power of the M. The M2 happens to be a good compromise at a lower price point, which is nice considering the big-ticket expenses I have on the horizon (new house, wedding, etc.).

The M2 will feel like a rocket now that my butt dyno has been re-calibrated for 214 ft.-lbs of torque

[ClothSeats]

I had the same impression on the handling.

[Super Spartan]

Originally Posted by ///M///

Sorry man but that is exactly how mine sounds and to me that sounds like a fart can at the high rpm range. No offense. I have the exact same car with MPE so it applies to me as well. Sound is really subjective and for me personally the tone is more important than the actual decibel level. I felt that the M2 exhaust has a much better tone than the F8X on all levels. Nothing ofcourse compares to my previous E90. Here is a sample.......

no offense taken man. Sheesh if you say the Competition Package with MPE sounds like a fart can.... I wonder what you would call the stock exhaust then I hated every moment of it when I had my previous 2017 Non competition M4.... thingy only got better with the ZCP and 2018 M4 that I got now with the MPE but as you say, sound can be very subjective...

i wonder what makes the M2 sound better though....maybe it's the fact that it has a single turbo (twinscroll) rather than 2