Used M3 vs M2...

[abp689]

I did not see a prior thread on this one?

So what would you rather have, a low mileage m3 which runs ~$47 or an m2which might ring up ~ $53.

The 2 will not have a screaming engine, leather is a step down, limited color choices, higher depreciation. But it will have a warranty and should be a solid driver. Seems like the e92 was a more expensive build.

I am holding out for news on the 2, but a laguna sec blue with comp pkg is really compelling.

[Alohaaaaa]

M2 looks to be a letdown sofar... I'd go M3. It's the last of it's kind, and I think it being the first (don't say E46 GTR...) and last production V8 M3 is gonna be something special.

[JesseInSb]

No way to answer this with any justice until the M2 actually comes out. Or at least is unveiled with all details.

[BobS]

M2 with the N55? LOL! Looks like its just going to be a m235 with a body kit. I'm disappointed. Having a warranty is a nice thing, if thats your sticking point, you'll need to get a CPO M3 but good luck as BMW doesn't usually CPO them, at least from my research when I was looking. I'd go M3 / s65 all day long....

[Sephiroth]

I was considering the M2 to add to my E92M but there are a few advantages of buying new that it doesn't have:

1. Limited exterior color options initially with no option to do individual
2. No cloth
3. No CF roof
4. Engine is too similar to that found in series cars (more so than the S55)

To me this means buy a near stripper M3 for a slight premium over the M2 to get the car exactly how i want it, along with added practicality, if i want to buy new.

If buying used, there are a ton of options. F80/82 in a year, E46M, 1M, Z4M, Z06, etc.

Its too bad because i had high expectations of getting into a small BMW again. But i can move on from the M2 now.

[Ezio]

M3 for sure.

For me it doesn't matter how fast the M2 is going to be. Dont like the looks of the car, and the engine.

[SunnyD]

I was hoping the M2 would have a detuned S55, but it just seems like a tuned M235 with flared fenders to me...

[abp689]

Figure it "should" be similar to an M1 as far as driving dynamics. But I agree, on paper it's not shaking out to be a clear winner.

After 5 years in production, it seems like this will be the e36 of the m series cars. Great chassis, solid car, but not as special as the 30, 46, 92.

[Ashley Schaeffer BMW]

the M2 is a huge let down.

That piece of crap is the official death of the M brand.

Get an E92,

[Law]

Going forward, there'll be plenty of opportunity to snatch a BMW with a 3.0L turbocharged inline six in the future.

Can't say the same about engines like the S65. Surely, for BMW, there won't be an encore of high-strung race-like engines anytime soon.
The focus has shifted completed from engines characterized by motorsport to engines characterized by grunt and torque.

It'd be wise to get a used E9X M3 with a CPO or extended warranty while they're still semi-fresh (many of them still under 50k miles with 1-2 owners). Cleaner examples will be tougher to find in the future should this opportunity pass.
The visceral experience of the engine alone is worth it.

As if the S55 didn't already cause enough controversy (being 75% based on the N55).
The decision to go with the N55 in an M-car has been highly discouraging to hear.
The N54 in the 1M stirred similar sentiment and while the media and blogs raved about its handling characteristics due to its small(ish) size, the consensus was that the experience of the M3's S65 still provides for a more theatric, emotional, and special ownership experience. The sole reason the 1M has retained value was BMW's choice to artificially limit production numbers.

It seems that BMWs are becoming more and more generic as their business model continues to focus on cost-effective manufacturing and shared R&D.
While the end product is still quite substantial, the X-factor/soul that made them unique and emotional has certainly diminished.

For a modern take on what put BMW on the map (fun, small-ish, great handling daily driver), get an M2.
For a modern take on what put BMW M on the map (engine, pedigree, and tech derived from motorsport in a daily driver), get an E9X M3.

[BobS]

Its shocking to me they even make a m235 if the M2 stats are accurate

[WhatsADSM]

M2 will be great, not sure why everyone hates it so much?!

Honestly in many ways I would rather have a high volume engine with a few tweaks versus a bespoke expensive engine. Certainly once its out of warranty.

If they made a 2 series with 4 doors I would prefer the 2 series to the 3. I personally am more of a small agile kind of car guy as opposed to big and powerful. Of course they don't make a 4 door M smaller than the 3 hence I go with a M3.

[Ashley Schaeffer BMW]

Originally Posted by WhatsADSM

M2 will be great, not sure why everyone hates it so much?!

Honestly in many ways I would rather have a high volume engine with a few tweaks versus a bespoke expensive engine. Certainly once its out of warranty.

If they made a 2 series with 4 doors I would prefer the 2 series to the 3. I personally am more of a small agile kind of car guy as opposed to big and powerful. Of course they don't make a 4 door M smaller than the 3 hence I go with a M3.

If you want a high volume engine then bmw already offers you plenty of options.

You are the next gen M driver though. Just want the badge.... Who cares about driving experience and soul in a car!

[Sephiroth]

Originally Posted by Ashley Schaeffer BMW

If you want a high volume engine then bmw already offers you plenty of options.

You are the next gen M driver though. Just want the badge.... Who cares about driving experience and soul in a car!

I think you are taking it too far. The M division im sure will design it to drive well.

[W///]

Originally Posted by BobS

M2 with the N55? LOL! Looks like its just going to be a m235 with a body kit. I'm disappointed. Having a warranty is a nice thing, if thats your sticking point, you'll need to get a CPO M3 but good luck as BMW doesn't usually CPO them, at least from my research when I was looking. I'd go M3 / s65 all day long....

And that's exactly what they said about the 1M.... just a 135i with a tune. Yet we all know the driving experience is completely different.

Personally, I'm adding one to the E92 and E36. I've driven the M235i a couple of times and have always enjoyed it. It definitely feels smaller than the E92 and is really nimble too. The M2 is one of the few cars I'm super excited about lately.

IMHO, if you prefer to have a really sweet engine, then E92 all the way. I still adore mine and don't plan on selling it. If you want a playful car, I think the M2 would be my choice.

[SunnyD]

Originally Posted by W///

And that's exactly what they said about the 1M.... just a 135i with a tune. Yet we all know the driving experience is completely different.

True, but I'd rather have the N54's modding potential over the N55. I think the driving experience being totally different is still up in the air. The m235 already has the same N55 and LSD, so the only real difference will be the suspension setup and the wider fenders. I can swap suspension for much less than the price difference between the two cars.

[W///]

Originally Posted by SunnyD

True, but I'd rather have the N54's modding potential over the N55. I think the driving experience being totally different is still up in the air. The m235 already has the same N55 and LSD, so the only real difference will be the suspension setup and the wider fenders. I can swap suspension for much less than the price difference between the two cars.

You have a point about the engine modding, but I plan on leaving mine stock (haha yea right).

But there's so much more that you just can't do easily or cheaply.
- Brakes. The ones from the M3/4 are much better than on the regular 2er
- EPS. Again, much better on the M3/4 IMHO
- Rear subframe directly bolted like on the M3/4.

I think at that point, you might as well jump on an M2.

P.S. You've had some of the finest M cars ever made, very impressive list.

[SunnyD]

Originally Posted by W///

P.S. You've had some of the finest M cars ever made, very impressive list.

Thanks

Brakes and suspension will be easy and cheap(er) to mod. I'll give you EPS and rear subframe being harder/more cost prohibitive. Have you ordered your M2? When are you expecting to take delivery?

[W///]

Originally Posted by SunnyD

Thanks

Brakes and suspension will be easy and cheap(er) to mod. I'll give you EPS and rear subframe being harder/more cost prohibitive. Have you ordered your M2? When are you expecting to take delivery?

You can't order them yet, but I'm 3rd at my local dealership. If it turns out the car is going to be pretty limited, I'll sell the E36 and get the first batches of the M2. I'm assuming they'll get here next Spring.

If it turns out that the car will be readily available, I'll probably take my name off the list and wait until Summer 2017, and keep both current M3's and add the M2.

This is one of the few cars from BMW that I've been as excited about as when the E9x M3 was being released.

[WhatsADSM]

Originally Posted by Ashley Schaeffer BMW

If you want a high volume engine then bmw already offers you plenty of options.

They don't offer the high volume engine in any of their bespoke (true) M chassis.

Originally Posted by Ashley Schaeffer BMW

You are the next gen M driver though. Just want the badge.... Who cares about driving experience and soul in a car!

Wow - A cut at me and BMW in one shot. Kudos.

Lets start with me. I AM all about the driving experience and quite frankly the engine is only a small part of that. In terms of the way a car drives there is a lot more importance in the chassis, suspension, and overall dynamics than in the engine. (Think GT86, S2000, Miata etc.). I would also say that I have had lots of cars with "driving experience", in fact my E90 M delivers on the lower end of that spectrum, of course it makes up for it with a fantastic balance of dynamics, luxury and utility. In any case it pails in comparison to say my last car, which was a Lotus Elise. That car had a VERY VERY run-of-the-mill high volume crappy engine, but had WAY WAY WAY more soul and "driving experience" than my M3 with its super cool bespoke engine.

Now onto the BMW M2. So you are judging the car based on some internet pictures and some half-baked specifications? Its impossible to know how it drives and I personally have more faith that it will be a blast to drive. This is still BMW we are talking about. And this one will have great torque, be RWD, and also smaller/lighter than an M3. Hard to imagine it being a crappy driving car. Would I prefer a high revving V8 in it? Sure, but that certainly won't make or break the deal.

[Patrón]

not a fan of the n55 or s55 engines (which seem almost identical), i'm passing on the m2/m4 which is sad because i was looking forward to them.

[Longboarder]

M2 will be an awesome car for sure.

I don't like the looks of the new cars. When the e46 and e92 M3's first came out they were like works of art. I could (and did) stare for hours. On these new M's, I'm looking at them and thinking how ugly they have become.

For the same price as an M2 you could get an e92 DCT with money left over for a blower and good tires. No warranty but worth it for not just a great driving experience but one bordering on euphoria.