2011 E90 M3 vs. 2017 M2

Thanks for sharing, otherwise I, too, will be thinking about switching to M2 or M4

I own both an E90 M3 (starting year 8 soon) and an M2 Competition (since Sept 2018). I back to back drive them fairly often. I never expected to like the S55 as much as I do in the M2C. No question the S65 is more precise in throttle management (i.e. weight transfer control) and of course sounds wicked (Dinan exhaust helps), but wow the M2C chassis is phenomenal for a purely stock car, and the S55 is a beast of an engine. Just a beast. DSC-off, the M2C chassis makes managing said beast very easy (see my skidpad review thread)...it's very progressive and telegraphs what the tire contact patches are doing nicely to your brain.

Also the active M LSD is wonderful...such a huge improvement over the Visco-LOK thing. The programming of its dynamic lockup rate is really well done. It would have been fun to work on that team of engineers, or lead that team, who have obviously done a lot of work on the active-M LSD (cross-platform applicability). Similarly, the MDM DSC mode programming is outstanding also -- it's truly amazing how well it will manage rear slip rate under acceleration without killing the power outright. It's the most permissive and well functioning MDM mode so far produced. It's perfect for daily street use for me...usable, not too intrusive at all.

They're both great cars, and as of now the M3 is still staying put. It's the E91 that's next out the door here.

ive driven the M2C, M3C and M5C, and all of them were fast but forgettable.

kyrix1st wrote

Get 991.1. Nothing sounds like a naturally aspirated 3.8 flat six.

I have yet to hear a 6 cylinder engine that sounds musical. They may sound purposeful, they may sound loud, but none sound even close to the S65 V8 sound

And before anyone asks, I've driven the 997.2 GT3 on track multiple times as well as the 991.2 GT3 6MT

SYT_Shadow wrote

I have yet to hear a 6 cylinder engine that sounds musical. They may sound purposeful, they may sound loud, but none sound even close to the S65 V8 sound

And before anyone asks, I've driven the 997.2 GT3 on track multiple times as well as the 991.2 GT3 6MT

kyrix1st wrote

M2s are not going anywhere and it appears that next gen will also get rwd and some sort of 6 cylinder turbo. So there will be plenty of chances in the future to sample them. Clean well maintained e92/e90 M3 will be less and less available with time.

akkando wrote

The point was because of the better handling, smaller size, less weight, more torque between 2 and 3k rpm for when the engine is cold, and faster warm up, the m2 is more fun more of the time to me.

Yeah I got your point and I agree with you, around town, M2 would be much better and more fun in everyway. The weight is too close to really feel around town though, the shorter wheel base is what you are feeling.

SYT_Shadow wrote

I have yet to hear a 6 cylinder engine that sounds musical. They may sound purposeful, they may sound loud, but none sound even close to the S65 V8 sound

And before anyone asks, I've driven the 997.2 GT3 on track multiple times as well as the 991.2 GT3 6MT

99% of the time, any variant of a 6 cylinder will never sound better than a V8. But given the choice of a 997-991 GT3 or S65 platform, thats a no brainer..

///M3Fresh wrote

99% of the time, any variant of a 6 cylinder will never sound better than a V8. But given the choice of a 997-991 GT3 or S65 platform, thats a no brainer..

For you it may be a no brainer. For me the no brainer is to keep a well balanced E9X for track work vs a GT3 which regular humans seem to be unable to drive fast.

kyrix1st wrote

that sounds hideous.

If you want to hear the best of Porsche, give a listen to any Mezger engined GT car with the muffler bypass. Still, even as a certified Porsche nut, I agree that the flat 6 never really sounds musical. Mean, sharp, intense, absolutely. The S65 is a more pleasant sounding engine. It is that rare beast that produces an amazing intake AND exhaust noise. Most are usually one or the other like the E46 M3. Hideous exhaust noise but glorious induction noise. S65 may be one of the best sounding engines of all time.

Porsche GT3 RS 4.0 520Hp 9000rpm NA, best performing and sounding 6 cilinder there is. Even better than a s65.

850tgul wrote

If you want to hear the best of Porsche, give a listen to any Mezger engined GT car with the muffler bypass. Still, even as a certified Porsche nut, I agree that the flat 6 never really sounds musical. Mean, sharp, intense, absolutely. The S65 is a more pleasant sounding engine. It is that rare beast that produces an amazing intake AND exhaust noise. Most are usually one or the other like the E46 M3. Hideous exhaust noise but glorious induction noise. S65 may be one of the best sounding engines of all time.

we agree

I wouldn't buy an M2 over an E92 M3.
Fake sound turbos, electric steering, angular headlights and a fugly hood line are a far cry from what the E92 has to offer at a lower price point!
Having a 991.1 GTS in the stable, it's sounds hollow and angry but it's nowhere near close to the S65...also twice as expensive and the electric steering makes me wanna hurt their engineers. Badly. The chassis is otherworldly and I've carved out backroads at a pace I can only dream of keeping up with, with the M3. It all depends on your priorities and the automotive depths of your pockets.

To each their own...

I had a E92 M3 and N55 M2 that overlapped ownership.
Stock to stock I would probably pick the M2, but I would chose my M3 at its most modded state overall. Both cars look great, the F8X chassis is better, and the N55 didn't sound bad.
Both are sold now, Yet out of the two I'm looking to pickup another E90 M3 in a year or so and do the build all over again. The engine and exhaust noises just win it all for me.

AdonM3 wrote

If I could go back I would keep the M3, wait until my warranty ran out, replace the rod bearings and continue driving it.

you could always get another e9x M3
don't know if they will start climbing at some point or not but prices are pretty low right now

pooyab wrote

I had a E92 M3 and N55 M2 that overlapped ownership.
Stock to stock I would probably pick the M2, but I would chose my M3 at its most modded state overall.
Out of the two I'm looking to pickup another E90 M3 in a year or so and do the build all over again. The engine and exhaust noises just win it all for me.

What mods did you do to your e92?

akkando wrote

What mods did you do to your e92?

he had a Harrop S/C, among many other mods...

SFCM3 wrote

akkando wrote

What mods did you do to your e92?

he had a Harrop S/C, among many other mods...

Oh well, that will do it then.

SYT_Shadow wrote

You can be assured I'll keep my S65 as long as my finance allows.

I'm merely appreciating another masterpiece of an engine with inherently low center of gravity.

Willem3 wrote

Porsche GT3 RS 4.0 520Hp 9000rpm NA, best performing and sounding 6 cilinder there is. Even better than a s65.

What a wonderful engine!!!

It just goes to show how wonderful the E9x M3 is that we are still comparing it to a $180K Porsche.

Another NA engine that I just love is the 5.2L Audi V10 in the R8. It makes me tingly...

But I love my S65. 6000-8600 is just wonderful. A cacophony of mechanical bliss. You do have to drive the S65 hard to truly appreciate it. The S55 is much easier to drive quickly. Point and press. Effortless speed. But it just does not have the same symphonic presence as the NA engines of yore.

XKxRome0ox wrote

you could always get another e9x M3
don't know if they will start climbing at some point or not but prices are pretty low right now

I may do that. I’ll give it a year and if I’m still thinking about the E90 I’ll look for a non molested example.