Are BMW M2 actually changing hands at a premium ?

[Welshbeef]

KenC said:

Hi Nick. I've copied this from a What Car? article. So it is list price less otr charges plus cost of option.

The law defines the price as the car’s list price, so any discount you are able to negotiate won’t affect the car’s VED band. The list price is the price of the car before the ‘on-the-road’ charges are added, such as a delivery charge, new vehicle registration fee, numberplates and fuel.

Beware, too, that if you buy a car that has a list price of less than £40k, but add some options that take the price over the threshold, you’ll be liable for the higher rate of tax. In short, an option for a few hundred pounds could end up costing you more than £1500 over five years in extra VED costs.

For example, the Audi A6 Avant 2.0 TDI Ultra Black Edition S tronic has an RRP of £39,890 so it would cost £140 a year in VED in years two to six. However, choosing an optional three-point steering wheel for £200 pushes that figure to £40,090 meaning that the Audi will now cost £450 a year in those same years to tax. Whether car manufacturers will change their pricing or specification levels remains to be seen.

But why would they? Unless they up APR and accept that all punters will take PCP then it's high risk.

[nickfrog]

Or they could reduce the list price and the available discounts/contributions.

Cheers Ken btw.

Edited by nickfrog on Thursday 18th August 14:53

[The Livster]

Local dealer had one for a while now, starting to knock a bit off price

[Welshbeef]

nickfrog said:

Or they could reduce the list price and the available discounts/contributions.

Cheers Ken btw.

Edited by nickfrog on Thursday 18th August 14:53

But that would have a determinate impact to the future values so BMW FServoces take a bigger hit.

[KenC]

Welshbeef said:

nickfrog said:

Or they could reduce the list price and the available discounts/contributions.

Cheers Ken btw.

Edited by nickfrog on Thursday 18th August 14:53

But that would have a determinate impact to the future values so BMW FServoces take a bigger hit.

Why? Residuals are impacted by deal prices which would not change.

[nickfrog]

Absolutely. It's about transaction prices. Residuals are forecast in absolute terms not relative terms off a meaningless price list.

[giger]

The Livster said:

Local dealer had one for a while now, starting to knock a bit off price

Which dealer is this out of interest?

[JMBMWM5]

Not sure what all the fuss is about this car TBH, it's nothing special apart from the ridiculous starting price.

[HoHoHo]

JMBMWM5 said:

Not sure what all the fuss is about this car TBH, it's nothing special apart from the ridiculous starting price.

I've been keeping quiet on this one but feel much the same

[JNW1]

HoHoHo said:

JMBMWM5 said:

Not sure what all the fuss is about this car TBH, it's nothing special apart from the ridiculous starting price.

I've been keeping quiet on this one but feel much the same

To be fair I do see the appeal of the M2, comes across as a more back to basics "analogue" car than a lot of the more modern "digital" alternatives (and for me at any rate that's an attraction!). However, I do think the M240i is a bit of an elephant in the room as post-discount they're coming in at less than £30k and by all accounts even without a remap the performance is on a par with an M2 (saw a video with an auto M240i doing 0-60 in 4.2s and 0-100 in 9.8s which is pretty impressive). I daresay the stock chassis won't be a match for the M2 but I'm sure ACS or Birds would be able to rectify that and hence you'd have a car with comparable driving dynamics whilst saving at least £10k (probably more). Obviously the residuals won't be as good but for someone who can't stretch to the list price of an M2 the M240i must be worth a look?

[HoHoHo]

JNW1 said:

To be fair I do see the appeal of the M2, comes across as a more back to basics "analogue" car than a lot of the more modern "digital" alternatives (and for me at any rate that's an attraction!). However, I do think the M240i is a bit of an elephant in the room as post-discount they're coming in at less than £30k and by all accounts even without a remap the performance is on a par with an M2 (saw a video with an auto M240i doing 0-60 in 4.2s and 0-100 in 9.8s which is pretty impressive). I daresay the stock chassis won't be a match for the M2 but I'm sure ACS or Birds would be able to rectify that and hence you'd have a car with comparable driving dynamics whilst saving at least £10k (probably more). Obviously the residuals won't be as good but for someone who can't stretch to the list price of an M2 the M240i must be worth a look?

Absolutely

I was behind either an M235 or M240 the other day around the Chessington area and it certainly looked the part (and sounded great as well!)

Save a fortune, spend a few quid on delivery and BAM..........

Still, why have an X5 M50D when you can have an X5M...................?

I'll answer hopefully positively in a few weeks when my M5 goes and my new X5 50D arrives

[Alpinestars]

HoHoHo said:

JMBMWM5 said:

Not sure what all the fuss is about this car TBH, it's nothing special apart from the ridiculous starting price.

I've been keeping quiet on this one but feel much the same

+1. Absolutely not the analogue drivers' car that journos have made it out to be. A good car by modern standards, but the reviews have been sycophantic, and it doesn't deserve that.

[Wills2]

JNW1 said:

To be fair I do see the appeal of the M2, comes across as a more back to basics "analogue" car than a lot of the more modern "digital" alternatives

It's no more analogue or less digital than any other BMW?

[rb5er]

I saw a couple of these earlier, looked nice but both in a horrid turquoise colour.

As said though these are no more analogue/less digital than any other BMW.

[JNW1]

Wills2 said:

JNW1 said:

To be fair I do see the appeal of the M2, comes across as a more back to basics "analogue" car than a lot of the more modern "digital" alternatives

It's no more analogue or less digital than any other BMW?

I thought the M2 had less in the way of "driver-aid" technology than other M-Cars (had it in my mind there are no switchable dampers for example?) but I haven't driven one and therefore could be wrong! The impression given by many of the road testers is that it gives you more of a feel for what's happening - and is more involving to drive - than a lot of its competitors but I do acknowledge that motoring journalists can be a fickle bunch and only by driving one for yourself will you know if their claims are true.

[Shuks76]

I have an M2 on order. Drove it back to back with an M4 and ordered the M2. Compared to an M3/M4 it is a lot more basic in terms of gearbox, damper and throttle map settings. In that regard it is no different to the M135i I have previously owned - Comfort/Sport/Sport+. Think of it as a half way house between the 1M and the current generation M3/M4 in terms of tech.

The driving experience is what sold the car to me, it felt just right through the corners and more compliant than the M4. This car took me back to my E46 M3 days - the M4 did not do that. For some that might be a good thing, for others it will not be. I have ordered a manual box on mine to make it even more analogue. I also preferred the sound of the M2 over the M4, but I will say the M4 (LCI) sounded fine for what it is. My other car is a C63 so frankly it will never come close. My neighbor has an M3 with M Performance exhaust and it is defo worth the option, still no AMG but miles better than stock. Most of my driving is on twisty country lanes and the M2 just felt easier to position, more planted and eager to go. If I were doing more distance driving (A road/motorway) I would probably take the M3/M4. The M3/M4 interior is nicer and more upmarket for sure.

Do I think the M2 is worth the premiums that are being asked...absolutely not. It is not a limited run car and paying over the odds does not sit well with me, which is why I am waiting (haven't got a clue when I will get the car). What is annoying is that BMW are trying to push the "entry level" M car but availability in the UK is shockingly low. This is not a Porsche Cayman GT4, start making the bloody things BMW or you will/have lost customers.

I think prices for these in the second hand market will get more realistic in a short space of time (already started) and it then becomes more attractive buying used taking into consideration the change to car tax rules next year.

In terms of alternatives, I think the A45/CLA 45 stands out for me - they are excellent. Massive grip, great sound and the deals are very good. Get the 381bhp facelift model with adaptive dampers, they work a treat. Would not bother with the RS3, the facelift is coming with more power and more tech and hopefully better driving dynamics. All this talk about how the 135i/235i are almost as good as the M2 and it isn't worth paying the extra- put that notion to bed, I have owned an M135i and it is a great little car, but it has been held back on purpose by BMW for a reason. Sure you can add an aftermarket diff, springs, JB4 map etc but that isn't the point. Your spending more money, the car will not be an M2 and the depreciation is savage due to the huge discounts from new. You can also mod the M2 or any car for that matter to make it go faster, but your buying into more than just that with an M car. The Civic Type R is fantastic, but alas I am too old to drive that car now (previously owned the FN2). Honda know how to get the gearbox/clutch/engine combo right on performance cars like no one else.

Anyway, just a few thoughts on all this M2 chat. If I get bored of waiting I might just be tempted in getting a Comp pack equipped E92.

[Kananga]

Thanks for the post Shuks. Mine is arriving in a few weeks, ordered a while ago without having driven one.

Loved my 1M, one of the best cars I've ever owned. Wish I hadn't sold it, nor the CSL that it replaced.

I have high expectations for the M2, hoping it will live up to all the hype... Only debate left is whether to get the performance exhaust or not!

[nickfrog]

Shuks76 said:

the depreciation is savage due to the huge discounts from new.

I agree with all your points apart from the M135i inherent depreciation hit. If you buy at the max discount then you get a competitive advantage and it lowers the basis of relative depreciation %. I lost £200/month from new on my LCI M135i selling at 12 months old to the first punter. Not exactly savage. Obviously adding bits like options, diff etc will not help but that's obvious.

[sharper]

I have driven an M2 and they are genuinely quick and the ride is surprisingly compliant. It's stiff don't get me wrong but well damped and settles quickly after the bumps.

My car was ordered nearly a year ago but unfortunately due to personal circumstances I will be selling it as soon as it arrives. Bit cheeky I know putting it up here but I would like to see it go to someone who's waiting rather than a garage. It's the cheapest anywhere and not much over list:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...

[thatsprettyshady]

sharper said:

I have driven an M2 and they are genuinely quick and the ride is surprisingly compliant. It's stiff don't get me wrong but well damped and settles quickly after the bumps.

My car was ordered nearly a year ago but unfortunately due to personal circumstances I will be selling it as soon as it arrives. Bit cheeky I know putting it up here but I would like to see it go to someone who's waiting rather than a garage. It's the cheapest anywhere and not much over list:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...

Sensibly priced (for a change), you might get into bother for advertising here though