RE: Spied: BMW M2

[iloveboost]

I think we can all agree that this new M2 will almost exactly split the difference in power and cost with the M235i and M4. About 371hp, 235 front tyres and £47,995 in 2016. Seven speed dual clutch will be £49,995.

[GTEYE]

Definitely looks pretty promising. Has a certain muscle around the arches that is missing from the M235.

Should sit nicely alongside the M4, which IMHO (and being a 4 Series driver) has just a little bit too big.

Should be a great steer, but I think it will knock those 1M residuals...

[Caddyshack]

I think that enough people love the 1M that if any come up for sale the demand will still be high for them.

The M3 and M4 are way too big in my opinion.

I had a 135iM and it was a perfect size and I can see myself owning an M2 if the prices do soften a bit in the second hand market in a few years. I bet the 7 speed flappy paddle will be great for everyday use in traffic and then fun when you want to light the fires.

I would buy a 1M if the prices do drop but I could not buy one at close to £40k when I can get an Audi R8 second hand for that price.

[aussieinlondon]

Had a call from Parklane 'updating their details' and finding out if we are interested in chopping the 1M in for the M2....For me to do so, the M2 has to be the re-invention of the wheel in comparison to make me budge. Yes it is going to be screwed together better, faster and much more tech heavy, but then, possibly losing some of that raw appeal I find pleasure in with the 1M. As for depreciation, so be it if that is the case. PH has been the pinnacle of 'attempted depreciation' for the little 1M from the word go, from 'it will be worth 20k after year 1' and 'you must be nuts to spend 40k on a 1 series'. 'Watch the price drop like a lead balloon now the M135i is on the scene', to 'there is no chance now for the 1M, here comes the M235i, bail now before you lose', even the M4 release had people saying the 1M prices will now take a caning. Hmmmm does Pistonheads members have the same sort of powers as oil speculators!

Anyway, I look forward to driving the M2 and the decision that lays ahead, mind you, the wife says her 1M is here to stay.......

[Slippydiff]

aussieinlondon said:

Had a call from Parklane 'updating their details' and finding out if we are interested in chopping the 1M in for the M2....For me to do so, the M2 has to be the re-invention of the wheel in comparison to make me budge. Yes it is going to be screwed together better, faster and much more tech heavy, but then, possibly losing some of that raw appeal I find pleasure in with the 1M. As for depreciation, so be it if that is the case. PH has been the pinnacle of 'attempted depreciation' for the little 1M from the word go, from 'it will be worth 20k after year 1' and 'you must be nuts to spend 40k on a 1 series'. 'Watch the price drop like a lead balloon now the M135i is on the scene', to 'there is no chance now for the 1M, here comes the M235i, bail now before you lose', even the M4 release had people saying the 1M prices will now take a caning. Hmmmm does Pistonheads members have the same sort of powers as oil speculators!

Anyway, I look forward to driving the M2 and the decision that lays ahead, mind you, the wife says her 1M is here to stay.......

As you've alluded to, the M2 will be a very different proposition, the 1M Coupe is a rough diamond of car, a hydraulic steering rack with good weighting and great steering feel, fairly stiffly suspended, quite raucous. Basically it's some clever parts bin engineering from the m division bods. I suspect the 2M will be nothing of the sort with it's electric steering (probably) switchable dampers ? and a host of other electronic driver aids/gizmos.

It'll probably sway a few badge jockeys who want the newest latest toy on the block, but the 1M Coupe will always have a hardcore following. It's the seminal modern M car and its limited numbers will only serve to help it's residual values.

None of the above will stop me sniffing around the M2 or placing an order for one though ....... especially if it's available with a FPT.

[cerb4.5lee]

bennyboysvuk said:

I've been waiting for this car to come along for ages. Proper LSD, great brakes, lots of grunt, small (ish) size and M suspension with suitable ARB rates. It'll handle, be fast, involving and fun. What's not to like?

Agree and I have been looking forward to this too, I really like the M235i as a package but the M2 will have the cherry on top hopefully.

[g3org3y]

As the M3 M4 gets fatter, this is the new enthusiast's choice.

M2 is the new M3.

They did a great job on the 1M, if this is as good, I suspect they'll have a winner on their hands.

Will this be having electric or hydraulic steering?

[kambites]

g3org3y said:

Will this be having electric or hydraulic steering?

I strongly suspect electric. I know they did it with the old Z4, but I highly doubt it'd be worth developing a steering rack solely for this car.

[Mermaid]

g3org3y said:

M2 is the new M3.

It will be popular car at the 'Ring, I expect. With a few tweaks, it will be awesome.

The new F80 M3 is the old E39 M5

[okie592]

Why would you buy this when you can have a e46 for £6k?

Or a new mustang for that matter

[clowesy]

okie592 said:

Why would you buy this when you can have a e46 for £6k?

Or a new mustang for that matter

Brilliant!

[aussieinlondon]

Slippydiff said:

As you've alluded to, the M2 will be a very different proposition, the 1M Coupe is a rough diamond of car, a hydraulic steering rack with good weighting and great steering feel, fairly stiffly suspended, quite raucous. Basically it's some clever parts bin engineering from the m division bods. I suspect the 2M will be nothing of the sort with it's electric steering (probably) switchable dampers ? and a host of other electronic driver aids/gizmos.

It'll probably sway a few badge jockeys who want the newest latest toy on the block, but the 1M Coupe will always have a hardcore following. It's the seminal modern M car and its limited numbers will only serve to help it's residual values.

None of the above will stop me sniffing around the M2 or placing an order for one though ....... especially if it's available with a FPT.

Well summed up, the M2 will have to be the 'next best thing since sliced bread' to sway me from the 1M, and as you have rightly put it in comparison,I feel our 1M will be taking me on many more tours and adventures, mind, 4 doors may be next on my required list, but not the 1M's replacement.

[InfamousKeiran]

I know it's still got the camo on but the arches don't look as blistered as the 1m.

[Mermaid]

InfamousKeiran said:

I know it's still got the camo on but the arches don't look as blistered as the 1m.

..that could be the 1M's saviour

[Escort Si-130]

I hope they do, if you don't like it go buy a M235i. If you want hardcore the M2 it is.

Pumajay said:

Hopefully they don't go all M3/M4 on this one and over style every single part of the car!!

[redroadster]

Looking like best car in bmw range hope they do some special colours.

[joebongo]

There's too much model dilution now in BMW for my taste. I don't know why, but the "old" days of just having 3 or 4 models with their own top end versions made them more appealing. It feels like BMW have gone "full Audi" with so many models and variants that they're just a spectrum of the same car designs with slightly differing sizes. Realistically why is there a need for a 1 and 2 series, a 3 and 4 series etc? None as far as I can see, you want a little car, a small mid size, a large mid size or the full barge (or the 2 seater monster in the 8 series days).

Maybe that's it - in the past the models were recognisable and distinct whereas now it's just a spectrum of blur.

Edited by joebongo on Friday 23 January 21:59

[e21Mark]

Just doesn't look special enough to me. 1M had echoes of E30 M3 and is obviously more than just a rebadged 1 series coupe. This just looks too restrained for me, although no doubt it'll prove great to drive.

[vz-r_dave]

Does nothing at all for me, ill take the V8 Mustang every day of the week and spend 15k on a good suspension setup and a supercharger. The BMW range is so samey, nothing at all special with the engine, almost a white good these days.

[danielj58]

joebongo said:

There's too much model dilution now in BMW for my taste. I don't know why, but the "old" days of just having 3 or 4 models with their own top end versions made them more appealing. It feels like BMW have gone "full Audi" with so many models and variants that they're just a spectrum of the same car designs with slightly differing sizes. Realistically why is there a need for a 1 and 2 series, a 3 and 4 series etc? None as far as I can see, you want a little car, a small mid size, a large mid size or the full barge (or the 2 seater monster in the 8 series days).

Maybe that's it - in the past the models were recognisable and distinct whereas now it's just a spectrum of blur.

Edited by joebongo on Friday 23 January 21:59

i see your point but from a sales perspective there's no damage to trying to cater to the widest audience possible. Clever design and manufacturing means there's now minimal overhead and cost to doing so, so why not? As for the odds and evens series - it does make sense, odds are practical evens are fun; it's when you start getting fastback evens that things start to get a bit silly (in my opinion!), because why not just make the odd's look that good?

g3org3y said:

As the M3 M4 gets fatter, this is the new enthusiast's choice.

M2 is the new M3.

I really hope M have got there way with this and the marketing bods haven't had them water it down so as not to step on the M4s coat tails, but I don't think that's the case sadly. Has a wiff of boxter about it, and that will leave a sour taste on enthusiasts palettes! The M2 should be an absolute world better, a true David amongst Goliaths, but alas, I believe it will simply be a salesmans wet dream.