M2 or M3 Coupe
Discussion
Interesting views guys. I have raced classic single seaters, karts and saloons over the years and have always driven manual cars. I have always been underwhelmed by autos, but the BMW DCT reviews and my limited experience driving the DCT M2 have changed my view. My initial search was for a manual M3 but I am now thinking DCT M3, as that seems to have the convenience of an auto when in traffic and on boring journeys but the ability to have something very close to a manual for the fun runs!!! Also the last of the M3 NA and the V8 motor strike me as making these cars a very special model.
The M2 was very impressive, looked the part but somehow just seemed a little too good, but I have yet to drive an M3.
The M2 was very impressive, looked the part but somehow just seemed a little too good, but I have yet to drive an M3.
I remember taking my low miles E46 M3 to BMW, test driving a new manual M3 V8, loving it (especially the engine and the view down the bonnet with the mega hump!), spending an hour thrashing out a deal and saying I would call in the morning to pay the deposit (his attitude made me have second thoughts). Got in the E46 and when I got home realised I was mad and kept it.
Back to the point though, get the M3 V8 and an M2 later if you change your mind as kdempsie commented as it won’t work the other way around. Also I am manual all the way but I had a subsequent drive in an M3 DCT CP and could not believe how good and fun it was. I subsequently drove a manual M4 (yet to drive an M2), an the auto blip function is really annoying - that’s the whole point of having a manual - doing the best bit yourself!
One further knock out punch - the M3 is clearly one better than the M2...
Back to the point though, get the M3 V8 and an M2 later if you change your mind as kdempsie commented as it won’t work the other way around. Also I am manual all the way but I had a subsequent drive in an M3 DCT CP and could not believe how good and fun it was. I subsequently drove a manual M4 (yet to drive an M2), an the auto blip function is really annoying - that’s the whole point of having a manual - doing the best bit yourself!
One further knock out punch - the M3 is clearly one better than the M2...
Bought an e92 M3 in September and have loved every minute whether it's a daily driver or on the track (did Castle Combe end of Sep).
Was then lucky to be invited to BMW track day at Castle Combe to drive all the latest M cars at the M5 launch and the 0% deal announcement.
Got to drive the M2 and the M3 Comp on the track and the M4 Comp on the roads around the track. Drove to and from the track day in my e92 so feel I have a pretty good set of comparisons.
Out of the new cars the M2 was definitely the most fun to drive. It's chuckable and keen to turn in. On the majority of fun UK roads I think this is the car to have. It doesn't have the outright performance of the M3/4 but it's more responsive and fun. The M4 felt big on the roads and as impressive as the M3 was on the track (the brakes and in corner stability were big improvements on my e92) everything else is a slight let down. The engine drama isn't there, the steering has less feedback. It's almost too capable and composed to be fun.
Jumping back into mine driving back from the track I instantly appreciated the heavier hydraulic steering... and then I put my foot down and forgot about the steering.
Sorry for the e92 hijack but definitely M2 if it's practical enough for you.
Might be worth pointing out all the new cars I drove were DCT, my e92 is manual. I think the M2 would massively suit the manual. Probably more than the e92.
Was then lucky to be invited to BMW track day at Castle Combe to drive all the latest M cars at the M5 launch and the 0% deal announcement.
Got to drive the M2 and the M3 Comp on the track and the M4 Comp on the roads around the track. Drove to and from the track day in my e92 so feel I have a pretty good set of comparisons.
Out of the new cars the M2 was definitely the most fun to drive. It's chuckable and keen to turn in. On the majority of fun UK roads I think this is the car to have. It doesn't have the outright performance of the M3/4 but it's more responsive and fun. The M4 felt big on the roads and as impressive as the M3 was on the track (the brakes and in corner stability were big improvements on my e92) everything else is a slight let down. The engine drama isn't there, the steering has less feedback. It's almost too capable and composed to be fun.
Jumping back into mine driving back from the track I instantly appreciated the heavier hydraulic steering... and then I put my foot down and forgot about the steering.
Sorry for the e92 hijack but definitely M2 if it's practical enough for you.
Might be worth pointing out all the new cars I drove were DCT, my e92 is manual. I think the M2 would massively suit the manual. Probably more than the e92.
number 46 said:
Interesting views guys. I have raced classic single seaters, karts and saloons over the years and have always driven manual cars. I have always been underwhelmed by autos, but the BMW DCT reviews and my limited experience driving the DCT M2 have changed my view. My initial search was for a manual M3 but I am now thinking DCT M3, as that seems to have the convenience of an auto when in traffic and on boring journeys but the ability to have something very close to a manual for the fun runs!!! Also the last of the M3 NA and the V8 motor strike me as making these cars a very special model.
The M2 was very impressive, looked the part but somehow just seemed a little too good, but I have yet to drive an M3.
I absolutely get that. Personaly I would rather have a DCT box with a fully passive chassis than a maunal box in an active one. Current twin clutch systems are very good and considerably quicker than a manual. A DCT over a manual wouldnt be a deal breaker for me, but a digital chassis over an analogue would. The M2 was very impressive, looked the part but somehow just seemed a little too good, but I have yet to drive an M3.
I don’t doubt for one minute the f80 is an awesome machine especially in cp spec but my test drive was very brief and in an older standard m3, I ended up buying an m2 with dct which size wise reminded me of my e36 m3 that I had in the mid 90’s, I’ve only done 1600 miles in it so far so summer can’t come soon enough.
Edited by ubbs on Wednesday 3rd January 10:32
Edited by ubbs on Wednesday 3rd January 10:33
Steve, I agree that the DCT is very impressive, in essence a manual without having to push a clutch pedal, none of the slight disconnect with the rear wheels and always changing up too soon or changing down too late or in too high a gear that you get with torque converter old style autos. I maybe being dim but are you saying that the M2 is the passive chassis or the M3? I would have thought that the M2 is the more 'digital' car rather than the M3?
I would call a car with no active systems on it analogue and a car with active systems on it digital. So 996 GT3 analogue, 991 GT3 digital. By that definition, the M2 is not really an analogue car, it's just closer than other current M cars. I'm not arguing that one is better than the other, but me me personally, I'd take a 996 GT3 over a 991 - which i know puts me in the minority.
Gus265 said:
I remember taking my low miles E46 M3 to BMW, test driving a new manual M3 V8, loving it (especially the engine and the view down the bonnet with the mega hump!), spending an hour thrashing out a deal and saying I would call in the morning to pay the deposit (his attitude made me have second thoughts). Got in the E46 and when I got home realised I was mad and kept it.
Same!!!!!I drove and M2 recently thought it was pretty good, was a DCT size and feel i thought it was a little like a modern E46.
Saying that, i may have to ditch the 2 seater at some point in the future and i would end up in the more modern car.
My brother has en E46, and i do lust after it everytime i see it, much more than the E90. Dont know why, i just think they are great.
Smuler said:
The 1M ticks a few boxes for me over the M2, disregarding price:It has an M button on the steering wheel to get rid of DSC quickly.
It was a far more involving (fidgety, but more fun) chassis than the F series cars.
It was far less insulated than the F series cars.
bennyboysvuk said:
The 1M ticks a few boxes for me over the M2, disregarding price:
It has an M button on the steering wheel to get rid of DSC quickly.
It was a far more involving (fidgety, but more fun) chassis than the F series cars.
It was far less insulated than the F series cars.
That's a very good/low price for a 30k mile 1M.It has an M button on the steering wheel to get rid of DSC quickly.
It was a far more involving (fidgety, but more fun) chassis than the F series cars.
It was far less insulated than the F series cars.
The others on AUC are about £10k more.
KenC said:
I think it has had 6 owners. Seems a lot relative to others.
6 before the current keeper, if this site's summary paragraph is accurate. Also been on sale a while it seems. https://cazana.com/uk/car/SY11CXU
Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff