Help me choose a successor to my M3

[RickFLM4]

Are you looking to lease again? Some / many of the cars mentioned in this thread will be a lot more expensive to lease than an M3.

[gatorfast]

Originally Posted by Humdizzle

I'd say the M2 comp is a step back even from a base M3/M4. Crappy Dakota leather, bad stereo, no HUD, no adaptive suspension, no carbon roof.

They take out all that and you still don't even get a big weight saving over the F8x.

You're right on all of that. But if you read any reviews of the M2c everyone seems to gush over it and enjoy it more than the M3/4. Perhaps it's attributes can't quite be captured on paper.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by Funf6cyl

You don’t get ANY weight savings. In fact, the M2 Competition is ~150 lbs heavier than a base M2 (nearly 3700 lbs) and is barely faster in a straight line.

True. What you are getting is a shorter wheelbase with the same track width as an M3 and the handling characteristics that come with it. Less stability, but more maneuverability. It seems more toss-able.

[dkhm3]

Originally Posted by gatorfast

You're right on all of that. But if you read any reviews of the M2c everyone seems to gush over it and enjoy it more than the M3/4. Perhaps it's attributes can't quite be captured on paper.

I think it's because it is cheaper, and the journalists see it as more obtainable, it's a great car, especially now with the s55, I'd get one, but I don't buy the hype it is the new e46.

[Funf6cyl]

Originally Posted by jmg

True. What you are getting is a shorter wheelbase with the same track width as an M3 and the handling characteristics that come with it. Less stability, but more maneuverability. It seems more toss-able.

Yes there are upgrades, but they don’t translate to a heck of a whole lot from what I’ve seen. Same as the M3/4 Zcp and CS, tires aside the CS doesn’t perform and better.

IMO the M2 Competition is a nice car...I can’t stand there interior though and still think it sounds just slightly better than the M3/4 set up, which I could never get over the engine or exhaust notes.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by Funf6cyl

Yes there are upgrades, but they don’t translate to a heck of a whole lot from what I’ve seen. Same as the M3/4 Zcp and CS, tires aside the CS doesn’t perform and better.

I beg to disagree.

With the same tires (275-305/35R18 NT01) on both cars, I was able to beat my best ever lap time achieved with my 2015 M4 over 4 years and 70+ track days by over 1.5 seconds on the first time out with my M4cs.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

I beg to disagree.

With the same tires (275-305/35R18 NT01) on both cars, I was able to beat my best ever lap time achieved with my 2015 M4 over 4 years and 70+ track days by over 1.5 seconds on the first time out with my M4cs.

I agree. The M3 CS seems much more capable and precise than my 2016 M3. I'll know soon enough when spring comes along and I can track it. 0-60 times don't tell the whole story.

[Funf6cyl]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

I beg to disagree.

With the same tires (275-305/35R18 NT01) on both cars, I was able to beat my best ever lap time achieved with my 2015 M4 over 4 years and 70+ track days by over 1.5 seconds on the first time out with my M4cs.

My point was specific to a Competition car and CS on the same tires not a 2015 m3/4.

[Funf6cyl]

Originally Posted by jmg

I agree. The M3 CS seems much more capable and precise than my 2016 M3. I'll know soon enough when spring comes along and I can track it. 0-60 times don't tell the whole story.

I agree on the latter completely wrt straight line speed. My initial impressions were that it isn’t a whole lot more capable than a competition car but only drove the CS for about 20 mins. But given they are massively discounting them they are pretty good value.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by Funf6cyl

My point was specific to a Competition car and CS on the same tires not a 2015 m3/4.

There is less improvement between the base M3/4 and the CP than there is between the CP and CS.

IMO, what makes the CS that much better on track is that it was specifically tuned to run R-comp tires.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

There is less improvement between the base M3/4 and the CP than there is between the CP and CS.

IMO, what makes the CS that much better on track is that it was specifically tuned to run R-comp tires.

What did they do exactly?

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by jmg

What did they do exactly?

The EDC, MDM, e-Diff, ESP, ABS and overall suspension tuning were optimized around the PSC2.

As an example, AM&S found that BMW further improved the CS ABS tuning over the GTS where it stopped in a measurable shorter distance.

[Funf6cyl]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

The EDC, MDM, e-Diff, ESP, ABS and overall suspension tuning were optimized around the PSC2.

As an example, AM&S found that BMW further improved the CS ABS tuning over the GTS where it stopped in a measurable shorter distance.

I’d still like to see an M3/4 Competition with Cup2s and how close it would be to the CS. We know the M4 did 7:52 (summer tires) at the Ring and the CS did 7:42 on cups. My guess is, most of that 10 seconds is tires but there have been no tests of the ZCP. I’d guess the ZCP would be very close to 7:42 on cup tires.

[Humdizzle]

Originally Posted by Funf6cyl

I’d still like to see an M3/4 Competition with Cup2s and how close it would be to the CS. We know the M4 did 7:52 (summer tires) at the Ring and the CS did 7:42 on cups. My guess is, most of that 10 seconds is tires but there have been no tests of the ZCP. I’d guess the ZCP would be very close to 7:42 on cup tires.

I'd say your probably spot on with that assumption. Tires, suspension tuning (camber), and $100 software coding for the edc, engine tune, diff and steering.

$50k for a used m3 comp vs $90k for a new CS after discounts.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by PureModelsOnly

So if one has to fit non-R compound tires to a CS (US models don't even come with Sport Cup 2s) then all those improvements are for naught?

All those that have driven an M3cs with the PSS installed say the cars feels noticeably better, so it likely isn't "for naught". However, to fully leverage the improvements made to the CS, it is better to shod it with proper R-compound tires.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by Humdizzle

I'd say your probably spot on with that assumption. Tires, suspension tuning (camber), and $100 software coding for the edc, engine tune, diff and steering.

$50k for a used m3 comp vs $90k for a new CS after discounts.

This has been discussed on many occasions in the various CS threads, one can for a reasonable amount of money make many of the CS improvements on base or CP M3/4.

For me the appeal was getting a fully warrantied complete package for just a few $k over a loaded CP M4 to serve as my daily driver and track car.

[z335is]

Umm, I appreciate all of the CS talk guys but can we get back on topic? 😊

[BMV///M3]

Just go M3 Comp, you won't be disappointed.

[z335is]

Originally Posted by BMV///M3

Just go M3 Comp, you won't be disappointed.

But that's what I have right now

The Alfa dealer called back today and is now offering 15k off the leftover 2018 and 12k off of a 2019. The only problem is that the residuals are low, which would leave me with either an inflated lease payment or a risky finance. Hmm...

[z335is]

Residuals are ridiculous, around 49% for 36 months. I would honestly probably go with a balloon finance if I go Alfa.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by z335is

Residuals are ridiculous, around 49% for 36 months.

[blinkme323]

Originally Posted by z335is

Residuals are ridiculous, around 49% for 36 months. I would honestly probably go with a balloon finance if I go Alfa.

M2C probably won't be much better than that unfortunately.