2011 E90 M3 vs. 2017 M2

First world problems but wanted to share. This is for anyone else thinking of making the switch. I know we all have our own opinions but I wanted to share my experience. I sold my M3 in August because my warranty was going to expire soon and I wanted to get into something newer.

I was toying with the idea of getting into a 2017 mustang GT but could not do it. No disrespect to the mustang but going from a M3 to a Mustang didn't do it for me.

Fast forward, I decided to pick up a 2017 long beach blue M2, manual with only 13k miles on it. Got a great deal on it and decided to pull the trigger. The car has been great so far. It handles well and the steering feels sharp. The power is good and the manual transmission feels smoother than the one in my E90. With that being said there is something lacking in the M2 compared to my E90. What I've come to realize is I really loved the engine in the E90 M3. Naturally aspirated, high revving V8 just cannot compare to the turbo charged straight 6. For anyone else thinking of making the switch, pause and think twice. If I could go back I would keep the M3, wait until my warranty ran out, replace the rod bearings and continue driving it.

In a similar situation... Still love my 2011 E90 but was getting the itch for something new and by chance BMW had a touring M event at my local dealer and drove the M2 Competition. While very nice I decided to stay with my M3.

kscarrol wrote

In a similar situation... Still love my 2011 E90 but was getting the itch for something new and by chance BMW had a touring M event at my local dealer and drove the M2 Competition. While very nice I decided to stay with my M3.

You made the right choice.

Redd wrote

The Italians figured out very early on that the engine is the heart of the car, and its soul is the sound the engine makes. It's why I bought my M3, and why I will probably never sell it.

People buy cars for their performance, but keep them for their soul. There will always be a newer faster car, but it may not have more soul.

That's pretty spot on. More and more cars are starting to lose their heart and soul. 0-60 times do not always equal fun.

Well said, Redd. Exactly why I (and so many others) chose the E9x over the F8x.

AdonM3 wrote

First world problems but wanted to share. This is for anyone else thinking of making the switch. I know we all have our own opinions but I wanted to share my experience. I sold my M3 in August because my warranty was going to expire soon and I wanted to get into something newer.

I was toying with the idea of getting into a 2017 mustang GT but could not do it. No disrespect to the mustang but going from a M3 to a Mustang didn't do it for me.

Fast forward, I decided to pick up a 2017 long beach blue M2, manual with only 13k miles on it. Got a great deal on it and decided to pull the trigger. The car has been great so far. It handles well and the steering feels sharp. The power is good and the manual transmission feels smoother than the one in my E90. With that being said there is something lacking in the M2 compared to my E90. What I've come to realize is I really loved the engine in the E90 M3. Naturally aspirated, high revving V8 just cannot compare to the turbo charged straight 6. For anyone else thinking of making the switch, pause and think twice. If I could go back I would keep the M3, wait until my warranty ran out, replace the rod bearings and continue driving it.

I currently own both a 2011 e90 M3 and 2017 M2 though both in DCT form. I had the M2 before the M3 though. For me long story short, out of the box the M2 handles better and it's easier to access the fun, and the exhaust sounds better from the driver seat if no mods are involved. The newer DCT is much better than the old (should have gotten M3 in MT?) The M2 doesn't reward you for revving it out because the power comes early and stays through the mid range. The M2 is still fun at slow speeds even when the engine is cold because of the better handling.

For the M3 the engine is the star and it sounds like a race a car, but the stock exhaust doesn't make it to the cabin and the handling feels ponderous compared to the M2. Revving the engine out is a thrill but I find myself bored when the engine is cold and I am just puttering around. I end up driving around before I head home just to get the engine up to temp so I can start ringing it out.


The M2 gets a bed rep for being souless in comparison but I have to consider that when I drive the M2 for 25 minutes I pretty much find a way to have fun with it the entire 25 minute drive. The M3 I get to have fun with the engine the last 7 minutes or so.

^ Definitely another reason why the E9x makes a poor commuter.
Q: Have you done the GTS DCT flash yet? If not, do it, like yesterday. I’d hit up Alpine and see if he’d honor BF pricing for his tune and DCT flash. Best bang for the buck on this car.

Redd wrote

The Italians figured out very early on that the engine is the heart of the car, and its soul is the sound the engine makes. It's why I bought my M3, and why I will probably never sell it.

People buy cars for their performance, but keep them for their soul. There will always be a newer faster car, but it may not have more soul.

Italians think with their heart. No pun intended.

wyatth wrote

^ Definitely another reason why the E9x makes a poor commuter.
Q: Have you done the GTS DCT flash yet? If not, do it, like yesterday. I’d hit up Alpine and see if he’d honor BF pricing for his tune and DCT flash. Best bang for the buck on this car.

I have the GTS transmission flash and the car came with an ess tune.

Similar situation. Went from a E92 M3 to a F80. Yes I do miss the V8 sound and the exhilarating feeling until redline, but imo the new platform is better in every way BESIDES the steering.

akkando wrote

I have the GTS transmission flash and the car came with an ess tune.

Well then ... lol
Maybe I shouldn’t drive an F8x DCT. I’m happy with the GTS flash. Only driven the newer models in 6MT form. Ignorance is bliss.

If you can own two cars, it makes keeping the e9x a no brainer.

The only thing I'd trade up for would be a 991 GT3. Ideal situation three years out would be putting my M3 into storage for random weekends/track days, and GT3 taking up the other garage spot.

kyrix1st wrote

Italians think with their heart. No pun intended.

Not necessarily a bad thing. I've owned some pretty iconic Alfas and Fiat's and the experience is pretty similar to my M3.

The F8x platform is a whole generation newer - and better - than E9x. Stiffer chassis, better handling, more modern electronics and interior, etc.

I've modded my E92 M3 to have some of these newer characteristics - solid subframe bushes, Ohlins, custom interior, Android CIC head unit, etc. Believe me they really help to improve the platform.

But I can't mod an F8x to have an S65 V8.

Driven the M2, M2 comp, and F80 M3 comp. All 3 are fantastic cars and a better daily driver than my E90, but the E90 has so much soul that I really can't see myself living without it in my garage.

My favorite was the M2 Comp, but it is definitely not worth double the price of my E90... I may consider it 2-3 years from now when my warranty is out and when depreciation has brought down the price lower than 40k.

akkando wrote

I currently own both a 2011 e90 M3 and 2017 M2 though both in DCT form. I had the M2 before the M3 though. For me long story short, out of the box the M2 handles better and it's easier to access the fun, and the exhaust sounds better from the driver seat if no mods are involved. The newer DCT is much better than the old (should have gotten M3 in MT?) The M2 doesn't reward you for revving it out because the power comes early and stays through the mid range. The M2 is still fun at slow speeds even when the engine is cold because of the better handling.

For the M3 the engine is the star and it sounds like a race a car, but the stock exhaust doesn't make it to the cabin and the handling feels ponderous compared to the M2. Revving the engine out is a thrill but I find myself bored when the engine is cold and I am just puttering around. I end up driving around before I head home just to get the engine up to temp so I can start ringing it out.


The M2 gets a bed rep for being souless in comparison but I have to consider that when I drive the M2 for 25 minutes I pretty much find a way to have fun with it the entire 25 minute drive. The M3 I get to have fun with the engine the last 7 minutes or so.

You should let the car get to operating temps regardless of RPM's. All these new(er) FI engines that make peak tq @ 1500-2000 RPM is a great way of lugging the engine and do some serious damage with pre-ignition. LSPI is even more a concern on the cars when tuned that are now making 400-500 tq at these low RPM's too.

Without de-railing this thread, I do agree with you on this, maybe its with me and getting older but you can't beat boost. N/a is a nice sound, but it's had its day. E9x M3's are great packages out the box. But easily exceeded in the after market world of turbo chargers and a some suspension and brake bolt ons. In all forms of racing (real world) sprints I can see it really being great at but even then it can be easily beaten. Its slow down the 1/4 (stock), and its a snail roll racing. It's a one trick wonder, and the market is starting to reflect that. Even in the DD department, its becoming less appreciated. FYI, I DD E90M and love every moment of it. I think the S65 should be in the stable if possible but should be a Point a back to point A car instead of a Point a to point b car, within a certain price demographic.

Don't get me wrong, I'd take an M2 Comp anytime, it is a sweet car... Just wasn't ready to make the jump yet but that day is coming.

///M3Fresh wrote

akkando wrote

I currently own both a 2011 e90 M3 and 2017 M2 though both in DCT form. I had the M2 before the M3 though. For me long story short, out of the box the M2 handles better and it's easier to access the fun, and the exhaust sounds better from the driver seat if no mods are involved. The newer DCT is much better than the old (should have gotten M3 in MT?) The M2 doesn't reward you for revving it out because the power comes early and stays through the mid range. The M2 is still fun at slow speeds even when the engine is cold because of the better handling.

For the M3 the engine is the star and it sounds like a race a car, but the stock exhaust doesn't make it to the cabin and the handling feels ponderous compared to the M2. Revving the engine out is a thrill but I find myself bored when the engine is cold and I am just puttering around. I end up driving around before I head home just to get the engine up to temp so I can start ringing it out.


The M2 gets a bed rep for being souless in comparison but I have to consider that when I drive the M2 for 25 minutes I pretty much find a way to have fun with it the entire 25 minute drive. The M3 I get to have fun with the engine the last 7 minutes or so.

You should let the car get to operating temps regardless of RPM's. All these new(er) FI engines that make peak tq @ 1500-2000 RPM is a great way of lugging the engine and do some serious damage with pre-ignition. LSPI is even more a concern on the cars when tuned that are now making 400-500 tq at these low RPM's too.

Without de-railing this thread, I do agree with you on this, maybe its with me and getting older but you can't beat boost. N/a is a nice sound, but it's had its day. E9x M3's are great packages out the box. But easily exceeded in the after market world of turbo chargers and a some suspension and brake bolt ons. In all forms of racing (real world) sprints I can see it really being great at but even then it can be easily beaten. Its slow down the 1/4 (stock), and its a snail roll racing. It's a one trick wonder, and the market is starting to reflect that. Even in the DD department, its becoming less appreciated. FYI, I DD E90M and love every moment of it. I think the S65 should be in the stable if possible but should be a Point a back to point A car instead of a Point a to point b car, within a certain price demographic.

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.

I would have kept it if it had warranty. Justifying having 2 cars cost was not worth it. I sold e92 m3, keeping the dct m2 and plan to add 911.2 in the future. M2 is a great dd for the value.

Yvette wrote

I would have kept it if it had warranty. Justifying having 2 cars cost was not worth it. I sold e92 m3, keeping the dct m2 and plan to add 911.2 in the future. M2 is a great dd for the value.

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

^ You’re telling that to a guy who traded in his S65 for an N55 ...