Used M3 vs M2...

[Mitten3]

What color are your M3's? I'm in Ann Arbor as well and always keep an eye out for other M cars.

Originally Posted by mrvedit

Thanks for the reminder about the suggested bearing replacement/upgrade on my E92 M3.
I had the car storage all winter and forgot about it.
I recently bought a new 2017 M3 DTC which has the level of acceleration I like. I haven't decided yet if I am keeping both cars as my wife just had her first track days ever (in the 2017 M3) and loved it. Since my brother sometimes also drives, I need three track cars; my C6 is almost ready to be my primary track car. If I keep the E92 M3 I would be inclined to super charge it.

The F80 M3 feels like it has double the acceleration of the E92, but probably is "only" 50% more. (The 400+ ft/lbs at 1800 RPM is a huge improvement over the measly 295 ft/lbs at 6000 RPM)
At Gingerman Raceway I lapped at 1:50 in the E92 M3 with R-compound tires, race pads and camber plates. I hit the same 1:50 is the completely stock F80 M3. (I did notice brake fade and then eased off.) While slower in the turns, the F80 was much faster in the straights. Stability control off in both cars.

BTW - My turn to order an M2 came up, but I declined, opting for the new M3 instead.

[MidLifeM3]

I had been on the waiting list for an M2 for four months, but recently changed my mind and went for an E92 M3 instead. I liked the idea of the smaller car (I've mostly owned small cars and value the nimbleness of a shorter wheelbase) so the M2 was very appealing. As others have mentioned, those bulging fenders are appealing, and cures the visual awkwardness of the regular 2-series. Of currently available brand-new cars, the M2 was the one that checked the most boxes for me.

Ultimately I switched for a couple reasons. Top of the list was steering feel. Many magazine reviewers reported the numb steering of all current-gen BMWs and my 2-series test drive confirmed it for me. Accurate yes, but absolutely zero feel of the contact patch. The E92 M3 steering feel is fantastic, up there with the best I've driven.
Another reason I prefer the E92 M3 is that engine sounds are made by the engine not by the stereo. In actual experience the fake engine sounds are surprisingly less offensive than you'd think, but it philosophically bothered me.
A third factor in favor of the E92 M3 for me was that the Novillo leather (even gently used) is significantly nicer than the Dakota leather in the M2. Overall interior quality feels a bit nicer even though the design and electronics in the E92 is dated.
A fourth factor is that the 2-series, like almost all current new cars, suffers all the side effects of the "pillow hood" forced by euro pedestrian safety rules. You can't see out the back window, and the driving position has to be raised to see over the high hood and beltline so you feel like you're perched up on a bus drivers seat. E92 M3 is not so encumbered (but please be careful not to hit any pedestrians since E92 has a failing grade on pedestrian safety rating! http://www.m3post.com/forums/images/...s/eyebulge.gif )

The S65 is a pros/cons thing for me. It is a very sweet engine to drive, I love the responsiveness and precision control of the power (why would anyone use that silly "power" button that just makes your throttle nonlinear?) but after owning enough cars with special limited-production engines, I don't look forward to sourcing hard-to-find parts and paying the outrageous prices as the engine ages and starts to need more fixing. The M2 motor is derived from an engine with a gazillion copies out there so should be a little easier to deal with once off-warranty (which for me is most of the time that I own any car).

[MidLifeM3]

oops - sorry for duplicate post!

[mrvedit]

Originally Posted by Mitten3

What color are your M3's? I'm in Ann Arbor as well and always keep an eye out for other M cars.

Here is a picture of our two M3 at Gingerman Raceway last month.
I mostly drove the 2013 M3 while my wife learned on the 2017 M3.

What color is yours? Do you ever go to track events?

[Mitten3]

Originally Posted by mrvedit

Here is a picture of our two M3 at Gingerman Raceway last month.
I mostly drove the 2013 M3 while my wife learned on the 2017 M3.

What color is yours? Do you ever go to track events?

Originally Posted by mrvedit

Here is a picture of our two M3 at Gingerman Raceway last month.
I mostly drove the 2013 M3 while my wife learned on the 2017 M3.

What color is yours? Do you ever go to track events?

[IMG]http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/...psdkycw8kc.jpg[/IMG]

I drive a Melbourne red e92. Pretty sure I saw you on Jackson Road today? I was headed to the movies at 1:30

[mrvedit]

Originally Posted by Mitten3

I drive a Melbourne red e92. Pretty sure I saw you on Jackson Road today? I was headed to the movies at 1:30

Yes, we were both on Jackson Rd at that time. I'PM you.

When comparing a new M2 to a new M3, it is interesting to look at Dinan's measured HP/Torque number for both cars as they are quite different from the factory rated numbers.

M2 - Factory HP = 365HP -- Dinan measured = 360HP
M2 - Factory Torque = 343ft/lb -- Dinan measured = 404 ft/lbs !!!

M3 - Factory HP = 425HP -- Dinan measured = 484HP !!!
M3 - Factory Torque = 404ft/lb -- Dinan measured = 446 ft/lbs

It is interesting that Dinan documents these number because they make the Hp/Torque gains from their upgrade kit gains much lower than their advertised numbers. Guess it protects them when people complain they can't feel much difference.

These are for the non-competition M3 (the competition package number are about 15 higher). I have driven the competition package F80 M3 and it is rather unpleasant on the street. My base F80 M3 rides firmer than my E92 M3 with the competition package. I would definitely suggest test driving a competition package F80 M3 before ordering it! It you really want the extra power, order the Dinan $2700 kit (about same price as the CP option) which delivers 50 HP/Torque increases over even their measured factory numbers - 530HP and 504 Torque.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by mrvedit

Yes, we were both on Jackson Rd at that time. I'PM you.

When comparing a new M2 to a new M3, it is interesting to look at Dinan's measured HP/Torque number for both cars as they are quite different from the factory rated numbers.

M2 - Factory HP = 365HP -- Dinan measured = 360HP
M2 - Factory Torque = 343ft/lb -- Dinan measured = 404 ft/lbs !!!

M3 - Factory HP = 425HP -- Dinan measured = 484HP !!!
M3 - Factory Torque = 404ft/lb -- Dinan measured = 446 ft/lbs

It is interesting that Dinan documents these number because they make the Hp/Torque gains from their upgrade kit gains much lower than their advertised numbers. Guess it protects them when people complain they can't feel much difference.

These are for the non-competition M3 (the competition package number are about 15 higher). I have driven the competition package F80 M3 and it is rather unpleasant on the street. My base F80 M3 rides firmer than my E92 M3 with the competition package. I would definitely suggest test driving a competition package F80 M3 before ordering it! It you really want the extra power, order the Dinan $2700 kit (about same price as the CP option) which delivers 50 HP/Torque increases over even their measured factory numbers - 530HP and 504 Torque.

Yeah, after driving an F80 with the Competition Package I knew it was making way more than the rated power. They might under-rate it so it doesn't step on the M5's toes and eat into sales.