Autotalent
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Go Back   BMW M3 and BMW M4 Forum > BMW F80 M3 / F82 M4 Forum > M3/M4 versus...

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      04-19-2021, 12:12 AM   #1
Multimodal
Lieutenant Colonel
2857
Rep
1,855
Posts

Drives: 2019 X5 50i, 2018 911 T
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Annapolis, MD

iTrader: (1)

M2 Competition vs M3 ZCP

There are of course a lot of these threads but the ones that I've seen never seem to focus on these two vehicles. Lots of discussions about the M2 CS or the Civic M3 or the M3 CS...

This is a real situation for me to be decided over the coming week so I would love your and put and perspective, especially from anyone who has lived with both of these vehicles.

For $60,000 would you buy a low mileage 2018 M3 ZCP 6MT or order a new 2021 M2C 6MT? Why?

I have driven an M2C DCT, M2C 6MT, M3 ZCP 6MT and M4 CS DCT. I didn't like the M2C DCT much at all. I thought the M4 CS was a hoot, even though it had a DCT, but I don't want to live with a cardboard door card and some of the racing compromises of that car. liked the M2C 6MT and M3 ZCP 6MT equally well.

This new car will be replacing my wife's 2014 320i. I will daily drive the new car and she will take my 2019 X5 50i M Sport. We will use the X5 for road trips, grocery getting and other everyday tasks that demand comfy driving. I will use the new car to commute to work 3x a week (only a couple miles each way - I live in San Francisco), for fun weekend drives and for autocross events and track days 10x a year if I am lucky.

Pics for clicks:
Attached Images
   
__________________
Current garage: 2018 Porsche 911 T Carrara White Metallic/Black, 2019 BMW X5 50i M Sport Mineral White/Full Black, 2019 Ram 2500 Big Horn Diamond Black/Diesel Gray
Archived: 2019 Ford GT350 Ford Performance Blue/Dark Slate, 2012 BMW X5 50i Alpine White/Black, 2014 BMW 320i M Sport Melbourne Red/Black, 2009 BMW DINAN3 Alpine White/Black, 2008 BMW 335xi Alpine White/Black, 1998 BMW 328is Avus Blue/Tan

Last edited by Multimodal; 05-10-2021 at 03:46 PM..
Appreciate 0
      04-19-2021, 12:35 AM   #2
henrylee
Lieutenant
henrylee's Avatar
United_States
478
Rep
590
Posts

Drives: 2018 F80 M3 6MT
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: SoCal OC

iTrader: (3)

M3
__________________
2018 F80 M3 6MT///Black Sapphire w/ Sakhir Orange Leather
2006 S2000 AP2 Laguna Blue Pearl 6MT
Appreciate 0
      04-19-2021, 08:40 AM   #3
325iExecutive
First Lieutenant
325iExecutive's Avatar
Canada
274
Rep
390
Posts

Drives: 2019 Mazda CX5
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Oakville, ON

iTrader: (0)

Since you have the x5 ... I would go for the M2 Competition. The shorter wheel base in combination with the power output makes for a thrilling package. Plus you get the bigger brakes and the led headlights. I have driven both and found the M2 to be very exciting.

Perhaps a more exciting color like the orange?
__________________
Current 2019 Mazda CX5
Retired 2017 BMW M3 Competition, 2007 Mazda CX9, 2005 BMW 325i
Appreciate 0
      04-19-2021, 09:39 AM   #4
alex2364
Colonel
alex2364's Avatar
2847
Rep
2,740
Posts

Drives: 2020 M4 ZCP / 2023 X3 M40i
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Northern VA

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
2020 BMW M4  [10.00]
2023 BMW X3 M40i  [10.00]
Depends on what you're looking for in the car...

1. Do you have kids or need to transport more than 2 people?
2. Do you want a more nimble car for the track and spirited driving?
3. Do you care about features in the M3 that's unavailable in the M2 like HUD and full leather?
Appreciate 1
PK1158.50
      04-19-2021, 10:51 AM   #5
Multimodal
Lieutenant Colonel
2857
Rep
1,855
Posts

Drives: 2019 X5 50i, 2018 911 T
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Annapolis, MD

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by alex2364 View Post
Depends on what you're looking for in the car...

1. Do you have kids or need to transport more than 2 people?
2. Do you want a more nimble car for the track and spirited driving?
3. Do you care about features in the M3 that's unavailable in the M2 like HUD and full leather?
1. No kids. We do have two small dogs that would be kind of annoying to fit in a coupe but that's what we have the X5 for.
2. Yes
3. Yes. HUD doesn't matter so much. Full leather is nice. Adaptive suspension is probably the thing I will miss the most as I live in a city.
__________________
Current garage: 2018 Porsche 911 T Carrara White Metallic/Black, 2019 BMW X5 50i M Sport Mineral White/Full Black, 2019 Ram 2500 Big Horn Diamond Black/Diesel Gray
Archived: 2019 Ford GT350 Ford Performance Blue/Dark Slate, 2012 BMW X5 50i Alpine White/Black, 2014 BMW 320i M Sport Melbourne Red/Black, 2009 BMW DINAN3 Alpine White/Black, 2008 BMW 335xi Alpine White/Black, 1998 BMW 328is Avus Blue/Tan
Appreciate 0
      04-19-2021, 10:58 AM   #6
izzyM2
Major
izzyM2's Avatar
641
Rep
1,207
Posts

Drives: 24’M2/21ID.4/21’MacanGTS
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (4)

I’ve experienced both (M2OG, M2C, M3f80 current) and though I’m an M2 platform fan. For better looks and daily consideration (adaptive) a well sorted low mile M3 f80 would be my choice... Oh it is my current choice. So many choices... Good luck!
Appreciate 0
      04-19-2021, 01:58 PM   #7
Humdizzle
Brigadier General
6024
Rep
3,610
Posts

Drives: GT3 + M2c
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Missouri

iTrader: (0)

I'd go M3

despite being smaller the m2 comp has no weight advantage. No carbon roof. No adaptive suspension or HUD. No full leather. The stereo system is much worse (less speakers). Its really alot to give up just for a shorter wheelbase imo.
__________________

2018 Porsche GT3 6MT
2021 M2C DCT
Previous: Ferrari 458 | R35 GTR | F80 M3 | E46 M3 | E36 M3 | Scion FRS
Appreciate 2
scrammer420.50
Jamongkad239.00
      04-19-2021, 05:35 PM   #8
arashir
Private First Class
164
Rep
164
Posts

Drives: F82
Join Date: May 2017
Location: USA

iTrader: (1)

M2 drives better at street or autox speeds
M3/4 interior is better
Appreciate 0
      04-19-2021, 09:53 PM   #9
kyrix1st
Colonel
kyrix1st's Avatar
2351
Rep
2,359
Posts

Drives: G87 M2; E92M3 MT&DCT; M3 euro
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: nyc

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2004 BMW Z4  [0.00]
pre '18 M3/4 has nearly all of the goodies that came with M2 CS plus CFRP driveshaft/trunk(M4) and magnesium oil pan if pre '15. Definitely easier to control that M2C yet weighs equal or less. HUD and nicer interior are cherries on top.
__________________
Pass me if you can.
Appreciate 0
      04-19-2021, 11:22 PM   #10
secretanchitman
Banned
United_States
766
Rep
554
Posts

Drives: 2020 F82 M4 6MT
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Chicago, IL

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by alex2364 View Post
Depends on what you're looking for in the car...

1. Do you have kids or need to transport more than 2 people?
2. Do you want a more nimble car for the track and spirited driving?
3. Do you care about features in the M3 that's unavailable in the M2 like HUD and full leather?
Heh this is what made me ultimately order an F82. I valued full leather, HUD, Individual and adaptive suspension over the M2 but can't go wrong either way!
Appreciate 0
      04-22-2021, 05:46 PM   #11
PKizzle
Second Lieutenant
PKizzle's Avatar
United_States
152
Rep
291
Posts

Drives: F80 M3, E36 M3, X4 M40
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Cary, NC

iTrader: (0)

OP, looks like you've decided to go with the M2C. Congratulations! I am sure you will have fun with it.

I briefly considered the M2C, but after 9 years with an E92, I wanted something where my kid could climb in without me having to get out first. Well...that and loving the way the M3 looked. :-)
Appreciate 1
Jamongkad239.00
      04-25-2021, 07:06 AM   #12
CanAutM3
General
CanAutM3's Avatar
Canada
21105
Rep
20,741
Posts

Drives: 2021 911 turbo
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Montreal

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
New vs used, I’d say go for the new.
__________________
Porsche 911 turbo 2021 992 GT Silver

Previous cars: M4cs 2019 F82 Limerock Grey / M4 2015 F82 Silverstone / M3 2008 E92 Silverstone / M3 2002 E46 Carbon Black
Appreciate 1
ntg442887.50
      04-25-2021, 07:41 PM   #13
02M3ForMe
Lieutenant Colonel
4256
Rep
1,621
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

M2C has noticeably better handling and a more composed chassis. If you're ever going to do any backroads driving, get the M2C 6MT.
Appreciate 0
      08-10-2021, 02:06 PM   #14
TractionControlDelete
Lieutenant Colonel
TractionControlDelete's Avatar
United_States
4579
Rep
1,690
Posts

Drives: F82-E92 M3-E46 M3-E30-S1K-330i
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: Bay Area, CA

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
2004 X5  [9.00]
2006 325i  [10.00]
2021 S1000RR  [9.50]
2006 330i  [7.75]
1986 325e  [10.00]
2005 M3  [7.40]
2009 M3  [8.63]
2018 M4  [10.00]
M3 ZCP

The M2 Comp is a good car but I didn't find there was as significant of a difference between it and the M3 ZCP as many have claimed. For context, I had a 2015 M4 6MT for two years and had the full DINAN suspension (monoball, "coilovers," endlinks, front and rear sways). I like the car but I felt it was lacking no matter how dialed in I tried to make it - before switing to a fullblown KW setup I decided to try out the M4 ZCP and M2 ZCP (both 6MT). **I had my 2005 M3 SMG - stock everything except exhaust - since 2007.**

After driving a 2018 M4 Comp I was blown away. I'm not kidding or exaggerating. The car drove exactly how I wanted it in stock form which I found downright bizarre. I was primarily confounded by the fact that I couldn't understand why my 15' wasn't like it and apparently wouldnt be like the ZCP without a bunch more modification. And even then, it might still not feel like the ZCP. When I say feel like the ZCP, I am only talking about the chassis and driving dynamics (my 15' was FBO powerwise so naturally much faster but that was the least of my concern). After my testdrive I slept on it then returned to the dealership three days later to test the M2 Comp. I drove my E46 M3 to the testdrive.

Here's the thing... before the testdrives my preference, in my mind, was for the M2 because of the glowing reviews. And to be sure the M2 Comp is a good car but was it better than the M4 ZCP? No. Is it worse? No. I honestly didn't find there to be a difference. Btw my test drive was in April 2020 when the dealers were letting people take the cars solo for 30 mins so yes i wrung the life out of both cars on the test drives. All in all I found he M4 and the M2 to be identical. The kicker for me though was that the M2 wasn't like my 2005 M3 - IMO the M2 ZCP is only the "new E46 M3" to folks and journalists who don't have or actually recall how an actual E46 M3 drives. The wheelbase alone does not make the M2 the same as the E46 because the weight of the M2 is noticeable (the weight difference is only about 200-300lbs but it makes a difference).

And so, I had to base my decision between the M4 and M2 on factors beyond driving dynamics. For me such as looks, interior, and features which made the F82 the easy choice for me as I don't think the rear end of the M2 is the best, the M4 has more space inside and in the boot, and the M4 had much more features without weighing more than the M2.

Ultimately, you have wonderful options and clearly there is no wrong decision but just sharing my point of view. Good luck and be sure to post an update when you choose your F8X ;-)
Appreciate 1
Multimodal2857.00
      08-18-2021, 07:45 PM   #15
5218201a
Private
5218201a's Avatar
Australia
73
Rep
73
Posts

Drives: F80 Silverstone
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Sydney

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2016 f80 m3  [0.00]
Same engine with lots of shared parts and similar weight

I think difference between these two cars are minor

Styling
Carbon roof
Adaptive suspension
Short vs long wheel basis

Was thinking about swap to a m2 but couldn't go back to non adaptive suspension again

Lots of money required to get it done right again so I kept the f80
Appreciate 1
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:22 AM.




f80post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST