RE: BMW M2: Review

[Guvernator]

cerb4.5lee said:

I am not sure many would class the E92 M3 as an all time great to be fair, the E46 M3 was recognised as being a nice sweet spot but the E92 M3 took the M3 in the direction of a fairly big and heavy cruiser for me and in a similar mould to the M4.

I think the E92 was a very good car but a whisker away from being a great M car. I know some people don't agree but I thought the engine was epic. If they'd made the manual with closer stacked gear ratios to mask the lack of torque that some people complain about and it was 100Kg lighter, I think it would have been epic. It was begging for a CSL version with those kind of mods tbh, shame BMW never made one.

I've obviously not driven the M2 but looking at it's on paper setup I'm going to guess that again it's going to be very good but not great.

[Kawasicki]

cerb4.5lee said:

-Z- said:

I.e. that same process that happened to the e92 M3, intial underwhelming performances giving way to the the new opinion that it was an all time great.

I am not sure many would class the E92 M3 as an all time great to be fair, the E46 M3 was recognised as being a nice sweet spot but the E92 M3 took the M3 in the direction of a fairly big and heavy cruiser for me and in a similar mould to the M4.

The M3 is usually the most luxuriously appointed, heaviest version of the 3 series, at every generation. I think that the E46 felt much heavier and luxurious than the E36 did.

[Fire99]

Kawasicki said:

The M3 is usually the most luxuriously appointed, heaviest version of the 3 series, at every generation. I think that the E46 felt much heavier and luxurious than the E36 did.

I don't think an E30 M3 was heavier or more luxurious than a 325i SE.. Just to buck the trend.

[Inverted]

'Best of all, and very much unlike the 1 M, there will be as many M2s built as customers want. And you definitely, definitely want one.'

Bit misleading that last statement. Most dealers are getting 3 or less this year and same next year. When I checked before christmas my dealer has taken 10 deposits for the 6(?) cars they expected to get over a 2 year period.

So hardly as many available as people want.

[Inverted]

Guvernator said:

I think the E92 was a very good car but a whisker away from being a great M car. I know some people don't agree but I thought the engine was epic. If they'd made the manual with closer stacked gear ratios to mask the lack of torque that some people complain about and it was 100Kg lighter, I think it would have been epic. It was begging for a CSL version with those kind of mods tbh, shame BMW never made one.

I've obviously not driven the M2 but looking at it's on paper setup I'm going to guess that again it's going to be very good but not great.

As a previous CSL owner for 4 years and currently have an E92 I would agree with that. The CSL was probably way ahead of its time. The V8 in the E92 makes it great but you can feel the weight compared to an E46.

No one can argue the M2 wont be great (The best in class) to drive. but im sure it will lack a little of the character of an E92 or CSL.

[V8A*ndy]

Inverted said:

'Best of all, and very much unlike the 1 M, there will be as many M2s built as customers want. And you definitely, definitely want one.'

Bit misleading that last statement. Most dealers are getting 3 or less this year and same next year. When I checked before christmas my dealer has taken 10 deposits for the 6(?) cars they expected to get over a 2 year period.

So hardly as many available as people want.

I'm not so sure....

The 1M was only supposed to have 2500 world wide. They scraped that idea and they ramped that up as fast as possible and knocked out over 6000 due to the demand.

That was also practically right at the end of the E82s production run.

BMW are testing the water here to gauge demand IMO. They are hoping to sell 1000s on the back of the 1M success.

Anyway I passed, waiting for the CSL.

[aeropilot]

Fire99 said:

Kawasicki said:

The M3 is usually the most luxuriously appointed, heaviest version of the 3 series, at every generation. I think that the E46 felt much heavier and luxurious than the E36 did.

I don't think an E30 M3 was heavier or more luxurious than a 325i SE.. Just to buck the trend.

Yes, but the E30 M3 was created and existed purely as a homolgation special not a pose-mobile (although the epic CSL was a homologation special in everything except having a legitimate reason to be one)

[Inverted]

V8A*ndy said:

Inverted said:

'Best of all, and very much unlike the 1 M, there will be as many M2s built as customers want. And you definitely, definitely want one.'

Bit misleading that last statement. Most dealers are getting 3 or less this year and same next year. When I checked before christmas my dealer has taken 10 deposits for the 6(?) cars they expected to get over a 2 year period.

So hardly as many available as people want.

I'm not so sure....

The 1M was only supposed to have 2500 world wide. They scraped that idea and they ramped that up as fast as possible and knocked out over 6000 due to the demand.

That was also practically right at the end of the E82s production run.

BMW are testing the water here to gauge demand IMO. They are hoping to sell 1000s on the back of the 1M success.

Anyway I passed, waiting for the CSL.

Me too Swopped my deposit to a CSL version.

[giger]

V8A*ndy said:

Anyway I passed, waiting for the CSL.

Has there been any mention anywhere of a CSL? This is news to me. Judging from the price increase of the M4 GTS you would have to assume that any GTS model would be pricey.

If it happens and it is realistically priced I'll sell my M2 back to the dealership (who will snap my hand off) and put my name down for a GTS - this would probably be an advantageous way to do business for both of us!

[V8A*ndy]

Inverted said:

V8A*ndy said:

Inverted said:

'Best of all, and very much unlike the 1 M, there will be as many M2s built as customers want. And you definitely, definitely want one.'

Bit misleading that last statement. Most dealers are getting 3 or less this year and same next year. When I checked before christmas my dealer has taken 10 deposits for the 6(?) cars they expected to get over a 2 year period.

So hardly as many available as people want.

I'm not so sure....

The 1M was only supposed to have 2500 world wide. They scraped that idea and they ramped that up as fast as possible and knocked out over 6000 due to the demand.

That was also practically right at the end of the E82s production run.

BMW are testing the water here to gauge demand IMO. They are hoping to sell 1000s on the back of the 1M success.

Anyway I passed, waiting for the CSL.

Me too Swopped my deposit to a CSL version.

And get your cheque book out. The CF roof, prop shaft and CC brakes won't be cheap

[kambites]

giger said:

Has there been any mention anywhere of a CSL?

Only wishful thinking, as far as I know.

[aeropilot]

V8A*ndy said:

I'm not so sure....

The 1M was only supposed to have 2500 world wide. They scraped that idea and they ramped that up as fast as possible and knocked out over 6000 due to the demand.

And they've already applied the same production ramp up to build the M2 as they are going to be built at the same rate as the 1M eventually was at Leipzig....but there's no capacity to build them at a higher rate there. There will be more M2's made in total than 1M's purely because the production timescale will be longer as there is at least 3 years left (maybe 4) in the current 2 Series production cycle....although, like the 1M, M2 production may well end before current normal 2 Series does....there has been rumours of a max 3 year life span...but no confirmation from BMW of course.

[kambites]

In other words their "we will make as many as there is demand for" statement is probably a complete lie?

[Inverted]

kambites said:

giger said:

Has there been any mention anywhere of a CSL?

Only wishful thinking, as far as I know.

Theres some posts on Bimmerpost that hint it will come. But they seem to think their might be an M4 CSL first. My dealer said they have heard a CSL of some version will be made.

Ive heard model line up/classification will be: Normal M - M with Competition pack - M GTS, M CSL, so expect any CSL version to be pricey.

[kambites]

So we're looking at a six figure price tag for a "CSL" at absolute minimum?

[Inverted]

kambites said:

So we're looking at a six figure price tag for a "CSL" at absolute minimum?

Not sure for an M2 CSL but for M4 CSL yes for sure. All hearsay/rumour but ive heard CSL will be test bed for new technologies in M cars i.e. hybrid M cars.

[aeropilot]

Inverted said:

kambites said:

giger said:

Has there been any mention anywhere of a CSL?

Only wishful thinking, as far as I know.

Theres some posts on Bimmerpost that hint it will come. But they seem to think their might be an M4 CSL first. My dealer said they have heard a CSL of some version will be made.

Ive heard model line up/classification will be: Normal M - M with Competition pack - M GTS, M CSL, so expect any CSL version to be pricey.

The problem with a CSL version of the M2 will be it will annoy the Americans no end (as it did for the E46) as they won't get it if they do a M2 CSL, as BMW will have to certify it as a new car because of the CF roof changes the structure of the car. The cost of doing so meant it was just not worthwhile for the amount of cars sold, so given the M2 doesn't have a CF roof, I therefore suspect that a true CSL version of the M2 won't be forthcoming (despite the wish for it)
M4 CSL I can see happening, and maybe at best a Comp.Pack option for the M2 might happen later?

[Onedesi]

Legacywr said:

As a drivers car, I wonder how much better than the 30k Focus RS it is, if any?

Am I the first to bring this up?

I love the styling of the M2, aggressive and purposeful

The question of vs focus RS has crossed my mind a million times as the £15k differential is a fair old amount - any thoughts?

[GTEYE]

aeropilot said:

Inverted said:

kambites said:

giger said:

Has there been any mention anywhere of a CSL?

Only wishful thinking, as far as I know.

Theres some posts on Bimmerpost that hint it will come. But they seem to think their might be an M4 CSL first. My dealer said they have heard a CSL of some version will be made.

Ive heard model line up/classification will be: Normal M - M with Competition pack - M GTS, M CSL, so expect any CSL version to be pricey.

The problem with a CSL version of the M2 will be it will annoy the Americans no end (as it did for the E46) as they won't get it if they do a M2 CSL, as BMW will have to certify it as a new car because of the CF roof changes the structure of the car. The cost of doing so meant it was just not worthwhile for the amount of cars sold, so given the M2 doesn't have a CF roof, I therefore suspect that a true CSL version of the M2 won't be forthcoming (despite the wish for it)
M4 CSL I can see happening, and maybe at best a Comp.Pack option for the M2 might happen later?

The CF roof alone would not make it viable for production on an M2. Cost wise it would also be treading on the toes of the M3/M4, so can't see it happening personally.

[Inverted]

aeropilot said:

Inverted said:

kambites said:

giger said:

Has there been any mention anywhere of a CSL?

Only wishful thinking, as far as I know.

Theres some posts on Bimmerpost that hint it will come. But they seem to think their might be an M4 CSL first. My dealer said they have heard a CSL of some version will be made.

Ive heard model line up/classification will be: Normal M - M with Competition pack - M GTS, M CSL, so expect any CSL version to be pricey.

The problem with a CSL version of the M2 will be it will annoy the Americans no end (as it did for the E46) as they won't get it if they do a M2 CSL, as BMW will have to certify it as a new car because of the CF roof changes the structure of the car. The cost of doing so meant it was just not worthwhile for the amount of cars sold, so given the M2 doesn't have a CF roof, I therefore suspect that a true CSL version of the M2 won't be forthcoming (despite the wish for it)
M4 CSL I can see happening, and maybe at best a Comp.Pack option for the M2 might happen later?

Yes I had thought the same re: american market and No E46 CSL.

Ill place my bets now. M4 CSL with hybrid tech from i8 and new lightweight parts (Magnesium maybe?)