Head vs Heart: M2 Competition or 1M Clone with S65

[ethomas]

I am in the market for a new car. The two front runners are a nice safe M2 Competition (probably with a BMW warranty) or a 16 year old 1 series with 1M body panels, and M3 running gear (https://www.handh.co.uk/auction/lot/lot-106---2009-bmw-1m-40-v8-evocation/).

It's a very head vs heart decision, I am telling myself I don't have time for a second car that's also a hobby (I have a lot of these in my history, I like to tinker), I just want something fun and reliable for weekend drives and fun road trips across Europe. But then there is the idea of *that V8* in the prettiest 4-seater that BMW have every made (IMO).

It's a nice problem to have, but my brain is doing doughnuts back and forth. Does anyone have strong opinions either way?


or

[Belle427]

M2 all day every day, personally I would not touch the 1 series no matter how well it had been done.

[justin220]

Belle427 said:

M2 all day every day, personally I would not touch the 1 series no matter how well it had been done.

Completely agree

[Tommie38]

justin220 said:

Belle427 said:

M2 all day every day, personally I would not touch the 1 series no matter how well it had been done.

Completely agree

Me too. For me it would always be a dressed up 1 series rather than a proper M car. As an owner of an M135i (with non cosmetic mechanical tweaks including an LSD) and an M3 I feel I am qualified to say that.

Won’t be that easy to shift the 1 series when the time comes to change either. It’s a very niche product.

As an aside, but on a related point, I am starting to go off NA cars for daily driving. I don’t think the M2C motor is as special as a high revving V8, but I just find the NA motors quite hard work unless you are really up in the rev range. I suppose it is driving the turbo petrol/diesels over the years that has done that to me. Years ago (perhaps even 20) there was an article in Evo where a representative of M was talking about why they don’t use turbo motors. How times have changed.

[SKM1984]

To look at, the 1m clone

With my own money, the M2

[Jamescrs]

Would be the M2 for me without a doubt,

The fact the 1 series is a bit of a Frankenstein would put me off, i'd love to have a drive in it but I wouldn't want to own it

[VeeTenM]

Saw that clone listed awhile ago.....they love doing the rounds these types of cars!