G87 M2 - worthy successor to the F80?

[DBV]

Backstory to my question here:

Former 2016 M3 6MT (individual Champagne Quartz over Sakhir, tuned to 570hp), ordered new as my dream spec. Drove it for 3.5 years, and then sold it before I moved back to Germany. In hindsight, I should have kept my M3, as I loved the engine/transmission combo, and overall feel of the F80.

Got a 2018 C63s (tuned to 632hp), CCBs, all the options. Loved the sound, but couldn't put down the power down low. Was a special lease deal, so turned that in after 2 years and went back to BMW.

Currently driving a 2020 X5 M50d, fully optioned with Air Suspension, but obviously a VERY different beast than the previous cars.

I find myself not needing the extra space, and while I love the comfort and serenity of the X5, I'm jonesing for a manual again. I figure with the current state of things, the G87 might be the last hurrah for us MT fans, let alone "pure" ICE M engines.

Test drove a G80 M3 Comp with the ZF8, and while I liked the platform, it seemed much bigger than the F80 and I felt more removed from the experience as a whole, when compared to my old M3.

As there are no G87s to test drive, let alone a 6MT S58 M3/4, I'm coming to my favorite forum to start a discussion: Is the G87 6MT the theoretical successor to the F80 6MT?

For me, the size and layout as well as the overall concept behind the G87 says it is. What do you think?

[Humdizzle]

if you have to have a new car then yeah... the new M2 will probably be the most driver-centric car BMW offers. I would say that when cars share a chassis (F90 M5 and F92 M8, F80 and F87) they tend to feel pretty similar. that same disconnection you feel in the g80 may be there in the g87 too.

[cotmfk]

It's an interesting thought - it came across my mind as well. I'd have to drive a G87 first to see (as mentioned in the second post). But, along with the litany of other negatives, the size increase of the G8x is insane.

[TopJimmy]

The M3/4 class beats the M2 class.
My stick F80 had that same great feel you describe.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by DBV

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Test drove a G80 M3 Comp with the ZF8, and while I liked the platform, it seemed much bigger than the F80 and I felt more removed from the experience as a whole, when compared to my old M3.

Just my $0.02 I think you just miss the involved feeling of 6mt. My bet is when you try g80 6mt it will feel like f80 6mt

Reason I say that is that g80 m3 comp felt like my old f80 dtc. It “gets out of your way” and pretends to be a 320 when you want to relax and commute but when you change the settings and drive hard it’s a fast sedan

I think G80 is pretty great. Being able to use the full power in first and second gear is really nice vs the big smoke shows (or sudden power cut) of f80

[NickyC]

Hell to the no.

[Darth One]

I think people have been saying this for some time now - after the E46 generation, the spiritual successor to the M3 ethos is the 1M/M2.

People will drag the M2 for its looks (including me - i am done with BMW until they abandon this design direction), but for someone who wants another M3 but smaller - - the M2 is exactly what you’re looking for IMO

[minn19]

Originally Posted by Darth One

I think people have been saying this for some time now - after the E46 generation, the spiritual successor to the M3 ethos is the 1M/M2.

People will drag the M2 for its looks (including me - i am done with BMW until they abandon this design direction), but for someone who wants another M3 but smaller - - the M2 is exactly what you’re looking for IMO

Aesthetically agreed, but also the ZF8 replacing the DCT again. Unless buyers are getting the M6 obviously. Will be fast, that’s for sure, but almost everything is nowadays.