Are there significant differences between the M2 and M4?

[roflapagus]

Hello everyone. Current owner of a Focus RS, eyeing an M4. The M4 is at an awesome price, so I'm itching to trade in the RS for a black M4. But I wanted to ask you all if there was any considerable difference between the M2 and M4. The 2019 M2 looks like got a buff and hit 400+ HP, so I'm wondering if the M4 even warrants the extra 7-10k+ price.

I found both an M2 and M4 in manual as well.

Anyone think they can chime in? The M2 does not seem bad at all....

[Fast4d]

I need the utility four doors provide so M3 for me.

M2 vs M4 for me the small M2 (comp) works for me but how much more weight is an M4?

for me the problem with the 2 series is that weight is only about 100 lb less? correct me if necessary. the smaller size is good if I don't need the rear seats.

[roflapagus]

Agreed, I couldn't find any M3's in my area though. At least one that wasn't beat up to all hell.

And I don't really care about rear seats. I don't want anyone in my car anyways.

[NYG]

You'll like the M2 more coming from a Focus RS. It's more nimble, stable, confidence inspiring. The M4 is way more fun but it's a wild child compared to the M2. My only issue with the M2 is that it looks like it has dwarfism.

[Ex_Stig]

Get the M2, toss on the BM3 Stage 1 tune and you'll be more than happy with your decision.

[shortseller]

Keep the RS, don’t over pay!

[RickFLM4]

Check the M3/M4 versus section:

https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1618060
https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1579104

Probably a few others as well.

[Flacht3]

Drive them both and you'll find them considerably different. Maybe not objectively better/worse, but different.

I had the chance to drive them back to back on a track and the M2 just felt too underwhelming after a few laps in the M4. Felt too small for my liking, didn't get the same monster torque and power. Plus the interior felt, well, crappy. Note this was the original M2, not an M2C.

However I then drove an M2C through a more urban setting and found it had plenty of power and was a fun drive, but I was still missing the size and "substance" of the M3/M4. Objectively good, yes. Objectively the car I'd want if I only had one car in the garage, no.

I've since moved on from my M4 but if it was my only car then I'd have to go back to an M3/4 and would find the M2 lacking. If the M2 was more of a daily driver and I still had something like my GT3 for the weekends then I think it would compliment it nicely.

Moral of the story, find both, drive both, report back. M3/4s are a dime-a-dozen right now, surely you can find one in your area. Even if it's "beat up" give it a test drive...doesn't mean you need to buy that exact one, but get a feel for it and then you can always buy one further away.

[gatorfast]

I'd get the m2c

[NCThreePedals]

M2 is slow and cheap feeling, M4 is faster and more luxurious

[roflapagus]

Thanks for all the thought out responses, very appreciated. Since it looks to be split in half, I'll definitely give both a test drive and report back here to see how it went. Going to gauge if the extra 10 G's will be worth it for the M4.

Originally Posted by shortseller

Keep the RS, don’t over pay!

lol I know, it's an awesome car, but bruh, the black M4 is basically a batmobile.

[Bahn360Photo]

Originally Posted by Fast4d

I need the utility four doors provide so M3 for me.

M2 vs M4 for me the small M2 (comp) works for me but how much more weight is an M4?

for me the problem with the 2 series is that weight is only about 100 lb less? correct me if necessary. the smaller size is good if I don't need the rear seats.

For me I went with m4, very small price difference for more balanced look(IMO) and usable rear seats

Better choice if interior and exterior colors as well as interior being way better looking and feeling.

I don't track the car so extra space is definitely a big plus. I like m2, m4 is just a bit more practical if u can say that

[aerostar]

As far as people saying M2 is smaller interior, it's actually bigger in some dimensions and the same in most others.

Looks can be deceiving for sure. Also, I think it's b/c the center console area for the m4 is slightly wider.

[cotmfk]

M2 CS is coming soon.

M2 and M2C are very close in weight to the M4. Surprising/odd considering the size differences.

I'd go M2CS>M4>M3>M2C>M2. YMMV.

[pikkagtr]

Originally Posted by cotmfk

M2 CS is coming soon.

M2 and M2C are very close in weight to the M4. Surprising/odd considering the size differences.

I'd go M2CS>M3>M4>M2C>M2. YMMV.

totally agree
M2 Comp
No CF roof
No Leather Dash option
no CF Trunklid
to CCB option
Interior minus the F82 seats feel cheap, esp with the Dakota leather
It is a very fun car to drive though


I'd wait for the M2 CS

[MyFragileHalogen]

I only sat in M2 at my local track (didn't drive) and the driver seat was indeed a bit weird. the owner said he hated it as he moves around a lot in it while driving on track and was planning to get a race seat

[CigarPundit]

I've driven both on street and at M School. M3/M4 all the way for me. I like the looks better, the interior is much nicer. Both faster, more fun, and more car than the M2C. I love the M2, but it's just not as nice in any respect except maybe flickability.

[mjposner]

Depends on your priorities. An M2 feels very cheap inside, a 30k interior on a 60k car. M4 is much nicer, a 50k interior on a 70k car. I hate the pinched useless info gauges on the M2 and the cheap pebble leather.

However, if these are not a concern, I would go M2 because its a better bang for the performance buck.

[RichardGM4]

Originally Posted by roflapagus

Thanks for all the thought out responses, very appreciated. Since it looks to be split in half, I'll definitely give both a test drive and report back here to see how it went. Going to gauge if the extra 10 G's will be worth it for the M4.



lol I know, it's an awesome car, but bruh, the black M4 is basically a batmobile.

I drove the M2 Competition and M4 Competition earlier this year and bought the M4 CP for most of the reasons already stated in other replies.

The M2 is nuts, really quick and nimble and I think more of a super hot hatch feel to it. But the interior was pretty crap and while it was very fast on small windy British A and B roads, it was noticeably slower at the top end

The M4 is a much better all round car with a more luxurious feel and feels a lot more powerful than perhaps the stats show.

As for getting it in black

[N1rve]

Originally Posted by RichardGM4

I drove the M2 Competition and M4 Competition earlier this year and bought the M4 CP for most of the reasons already stated in other replies.

The M2 is nuts, really quick and nimble and I think more of a super hot hatch feel to it. But the interior was pretty crap and while it was very fast on small windy British A and B roads, it was noticeably slower at the top end

The M4 is a much better all round car with a more luxurious feel and feels a lot more powerful than perhaps the stats show.

As for getting it in black

I agree about how the M4 has a more luxurious feel. The price difference between the M4 and M2 isn't significant but it feels like the M2 interior is from the cheap bmw parts bin. Also the M2 has a weird seating position that is off-center due to cost cutting.

[Fugly M3]

OP...presume you're looking at 2019 M2C...meaning you'll get the M sport seats that come in the standard M3/4, not the series spec sport seats that came in the OG M2. The former are far superior, but I've read about the awkward seating position. Note the M3/4C seats are better still.

Personally, I wanted an M2/M2C because they are so tossable and well suited to my daily driving in LA traffic. I ended up with an M4 because it was legitimately cheaper and very much so. I leased initially and got an $8600 discount, $4500 in credits and $500 BMWCCA rebate. When I was looking last August, there was no such discounting on an M2 or M2C, and certainly no incentives. I don't believe that's changed. So, my strategy was lease it, wait 90 days so dealer doesn't get dinged on the incentives and then buy it out.

I'll agree with the others that the M4 does feel more luxurious and without a doubt is better for long haul trips. If you're used to a small car though, it is quite a bit bigger than the M2. And, I believe the M4, depending on options is actually the same weight, if not less than the M2C.

[afadeev]

Originally Posted by Fast4d

I need the utility four doors provide so M3 for me.

M2 vs M4 for me the small M2 (comp) works for me but how much more weight is an M4?

M2 comp weight (manual/DCT): 3600 / 3655
M4 weight (manual/DCT): 3625 / 3685

M2 comp is ~$10K cheaper, though.
Base M2 is a few pounds lighter, but has lesser engine.

Originally Posted by Fast4d

for me the problem with the 2 series is that weight is only about 100 lb less? correct me if necessary. the smaller size is good if I don't need the rear seats.

Delta weight is only 25-30 lbs.
300 RPM lower redline on the same S55 motor drops HP from 425 to 405. Torque stays the same. Acceleration slows down a bit.

The upside to M2 is the shorter wheel base (106" vs. 110.7"), that makes the car a little more tossable.

Originally Posted by MyFragileHalogen

I only sat in M2 at my local track (didn't drive) and the driver seat was indeed a bit weird. the owner said he hated it as he moves around a lot in it while driving on track and was planning to get a race seat

That's a bizarre comment.
I drove M2 on track, and M2C at the M-tour event the other week. The seat is perfectly fine - looked identical to those in my M3.
Proper harness would help in either car, but I would not touch the seats.

Another point to consider - M4 is going out of production soon, so if you are thinking of buying one, it will take a sizable depreciation hit pretty soon.
M2C is likely to stick around longer, and for $10K less, might just have a less scary looking depreciation curve!


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