BMW M2 & previous car history

[Matt97]

I thought I'd start off with my previous cars and how I've ended up with the M2.

My first car was this...

A 1988 Mk2 fiesta 1.1 ghia.



I then got this to go with the fiesta...

A 2006 Ginetta G20 (excuse the photo from the original sales advert)



I then sold the fiesta and got this...

A 2007 Cooper S, photo from lemans 2018



I then sold both to get this...

A 2014 BMW M235i



I then sold the bmw with the intention of buying a GP2 but I sold the bmw quicker than anticipated and couldn't find a GP2 I was happy to buy so ended up with this...

A 2017 F56 JCW, pictured next to the car that followed...



I then replaced the JCW with a JCW challenge





I then got this...

A 2020 Clubman JCW 306hp



Which then led me to the M2. I've always liked the look of the M2 since its launch and it was an achievable bucket list car for me. I know it hasn't got a "proper" M engine and the competition is a better car but I just like the original M2 more. It's a 2017 dct in mineral grey with one previous owner who traded it in for an M2cs from the dealer I purchased it from. I haven't done many miles since collection but I'm very happy with it so far. Has a pretty good spec including

- 16.5k miles
- Sunroof
- HK audio
- Adaptive headlights with high beam assist
- Heated seats and steering wheel
- Electric memory seats with lumbar support
- Reverse camera
- Folding mirrors
- Through loading split rear seats
- Sun protect glass

I know some will say I should have gone manual but I'm happy to have the dct

Looking forward to getting out in it more when restrictions lift

Edited by Matt97 on Saturday 27th March 20:38

[cerb4.5lee]

A great car history and your new M2 looks lovely.

Enjoy it.

[Baked_bean]

Looks lovely, one of my colleagues has just purchased a M2 Comp and I am very impressed...I have been browsing since a quick run in it.

Good car history also.

[MDifficult]

Looks fantastic - well done!

Sad to see the Challenge go so quickly though - how did you find it? Very tempted by one one day,

[Zarco]

That Fiesta looks absolutely mint.

[cerb4.5lee]

Zarco said:

That Fiesta looks absolutely mint.

That really caught my eye as well.

[Magnum 475]

Watching this with interest - M2 is definitely on my list for next car post lock down. This seems to be the first readers cars thread about one, so I’m interested to hear how you get on with it.

[Matt97]

cerb4.5lee said:

A great car history and your new M2 looks lovely.

Enjoy it.

Thanks

Baked_bean said:

Looks lovely, one of my colleagues has just purchased a M2 Comp and I am very impressed...I have been browsing since a quick run in it.

Good car history also.

Thanks, obviously the comps have a significant power advantage over the standard M2 and a lot of people say the ride is better although I don't think you'd be disappointed if you ended up with the standard M2!

MDifficult said:

Looks fantastic - well done!

Sad to see the Challenge go so quickly though - how did you find it? Very tempted by one one day,

Thanks! What I really want is a 1M but the time has passed for me being able to buy one, don't want to swap do you

I enjoyed the challenge and would definitely have another, for me it's the best F5x mini produced. I think if MINI increased the power to 270ish, took out the rear seats and fine tuned the suspension a little it would have made a very good GP3! I've been lucky enough to drive all three generations of GP, the GP2 being the best out of the three. It would be hard to pick between a GP2 or a challenge for me.

My thoughts on the challenge....

It's an absolute blast to drive, endless grip especially with the Cup 2 tyres unless it's raining... The suspension was firm but set up soft I didn't think it was noticeably worse than a GP2 ride quality wise, the only time it would be unsettled is over any large bump in the road. Around town and on the motorway it was absolutely fine or maybe I'm dreaming it Only problem with the nitrons is they seem to like to leak fluid. Mine were rebuilt when I purchased it and the O/S/F needed a rebuild again less than a year later although this was covered under warranty by Nitron. It was a quick car which was great fun on the b roads, I never thought it needed more power although I've seen a few have been mapped. In summary if you want a F5x that's as close to the GPs of previous generations then this is the perfect car. I would definitely have a go in one if you can. I know the owner of my old one so it's good to still see it around!

Zarco said:

That Fiesta looks absolutely mint.

Thanks! It was pretty good for the age of it

[Matt97]

Magnum 475 said:

Watching this with interest - M2 is definitely on my list for next car post lock down. This seems to be the first readers cars thread about one, so I’m interested to hear how you get on with it.

I'll keep the thread updated with running costs and any issues (hopefully there won't be any!)

[Court_S]

The M2 looks great and is top of my list to replace my M140i although any change won’t be until next year.

I’ll be looking for a none Comp car primarily because I can’t afford the premium they carry (plus I don’t like the wheels). A late none comp car in mineral grey with the DCT would do very nicely!

Are there actually changes to the suspension? Nick Frog reckons they’re the same set ups on both cars.

[MDifficult]

Matt97 said:

Thanks! What I really want is a 1M but the time has passed for me being able to buy one, don't want to swap do you

I enjoyed the challenge and would definitely have another, for me it's the best F5x mini produced. I think if MINI increased the power to 270ish, took out the rear seats and fine tuned the suspension a little it would have made a very good GP3! I've been lucky enough to drive all three generations of GP, the GP2 being the best out of the three. It would be hard to pick between a GP2 or a challenge for me.

My thoughts on the challenge....

It's an absolute blast to drive, endless grip especially with the Cup 2 tyres unless it's raining... The suspension was firm but set up soft I didn't think it was noticeably worse than a GP2 ride quality wise, the only time it would be unsettled is over any large bump in the road. Around town and on the motorway it was absolutely fine or maybe I'm dreaming it Only problem with the nitrons is they seem to like to leak fluid. Mine were rebuilt when I purchased it and the O/S/F needed a rebuild again less than a year later although this was covered under warranty by Nitron. It was a quick car which was great fun on the b roads, I never thought it needed more power although I've seen a few have been mapped. In summary if you want a F5x that's as close to the GPs of previous generations then this is the perfect car. I would definitely have a go in one if you can. I know the owner of my old one so it's good to still see it around!

Hard to beat what at M2 offers for the price - If I had to daily it I would have one over a 1M every time

Everything you’ve said about the challenge is everything I hoped you’d say. I should have picked one up about 6 months ago when there were 5 for sale and it pushed the prices down a bit. I think they’ll just rise from here with only 50-odd of them available and with GP3 getting such a harsh reception.

Looking forward to seeing how you find the M2

[Magnum 475]

Matt97 said:

Magnum 475 said:

Watching this with interest - M2 is definitely on my list for next car post lock down. This seems to be the first readers cars thread about one, so I’m interested to hear how you get on with it.

I'll keep the thread updated with running costs and any issues (hopefully there won't be any!)

Sounds good! I’m thinking non-comp too, as it seems a few on here are. From what I can see so far they seem like one of the best ‘M’ cars of the last 15+ years.

[jamesbilluk]

Love the M2! I used to have a manual long beach blue, but replaced it with an M4 convertible for the summer, I always regretted selling it, for me, the M4 never felt as special as the M2 did, and the M2 sounded much better too!

[Matt97]

Court_S said:

The M2 looks great and is top of my list to replace my M140i although any change won’t be until next year.

I’ll be looking for a none Comp car primarily because I can’t afford the premium they carry (plus I don’t like the wheels). A late none comp car in mineral grey with the DCT would do very nicely!

Are there actually changes to the suspension? Nick Frog reckons they’re the same set ups on both cars.

Thanks, prices are surely going to fall so you may get an even better deal waiting that bit longer anyway. I prefer the looks of the non comp and also the analogue dials you get in the pre lci. I'd be happy with any of them though

I'm not 100% sure if the suspension is the same or if it was tweaked for the comp but have read a lot of people say the comp is a better sorted car.

MDifficult said:

Hard to beat what at M2 offers for the price - If I had to daily it I would have one over a 1M every time

Everything you’ve said about the challenge is everything I hoped you’d say. I should have picked one up about 6 months ago when there were 5 for sale and it pushed the prices down a bit. I think they’ll just rise from here with only 50-odd of them available and with GP3 getting such a harsh reception.

Looking forward to seeing how you find the M2

Obviously I'm bias but I agree with you about value for money although I think they'll be even better value in the next few years when they depreciate more. Not that it's a good thing for me

I'm sure you won't be disappointed with a challenge. There was an owner on the challenge Facebook page recently saying he might sell if he got a sensible offer as he's doing too many motorway miles in the car. Might be of interest to you?!

I'm hoping the M2 will be a keeper but I've said this about some of my other cars

Magnum 475 said:

Sounds good! I’m thinking non-comp too, as it seems a few on here are. From what I can see so far they seem like one of the best ‘M’ cars of the last 15+ years.

It's all personal preference, I haven't driven enough other M cars to compare it with but even if it's not one of the best it's one of my favourite M cars and that's all that matters to me

jamesbilluk said:

Love the M2! I used to have a manual long beach blue, but replaced it with an M4 convertible for the summer, I always regretted selling it, for me, the M4 never felt as special as the M2 did, and the M2 sounded much better too!

Thanks! I think they're probably both great cars for different people and lifestyles. I can appreciate both cars but I don't need the extra space that the M4 gives and I don't feel disappointed with the M2's performance. I also prefer the shorter wheel base and wide stance the M2 has, I do agree about the sound compared to the M4. It's all personal preference, any reason you felt the M4 wasn't as special?

[bencollins4]

I too have a 1M (but mine is faster as it's orange) and am also Intrigued by a Challenge. Trying to persuade the wife to upgrade her R56 Cooper S for one....

I have never driven an M2 but am slightly tempted by the prospect of using one daily rather than a 1M occasionally and spending 95% of my time in a Volvo XC60. The endless head over heart dilemma!

I would go OG too for the better sound and let's be honest, the OG doesn't lack power for road fun.

Enjoy the M2!

[jamesbilluk]

[/quote]
Thanks! I think they're probably both great cars for different people and lifestyles. I can appreciate both cars but I don't need the extra space that the M4 gives and I don't feel disappointed with the M2's performance. I also prefer the shorter wheel base and wide stance the M2 has, I do agree about the sound compared to the M4. It's all personal preference, any reason you felt the M4 wasn't as special?
[/quote]

True, both suited for different people, space wise, the M2 had more in the boot (M4 was a cab, so folding roof took up most of it!)

The M2 seemed to feel much more nimble, I knew as soon as I drove away from the dealership I had made a mistake.

Your right there, the M2, does have great presence, I loved how pronounced the arches were.

[Matt97]

bencollins4 said:

I too have a 1M (but mine is faster as it's orange) and am also Intrigued by a Challenge. Trying to persuade the wife to upgrade her R56 Cooper S for one....

I have never driven an M2 but am slightly tempted by the prospect of using one daily rather than a 1M occasionally and spending 95% of my time in a Volvo XC60. The endless head over heart dilemma!

I would go OG too for the better sound and let's be honest, the OG doesn't lack power for road fun.

Enjoy the M2!

Thanks! Orange cars are always faster If you get the opportunity definitely try a challenge, you won't be disappointed!

The 1M is undoubtedly a more special car but not a daily as you say. It would be a tough decision but I'd expect you'd enjoy the 1M more when you used it.

Obviously I'm bias but definitely go OG if you get one

jamesbilluk said:

Those folding roofs do take up considerable space with it folded down. I like the M4 but prefer the M2... Obviously

[rossub]

cerb4.5lee said:

Zarco said:

That Fiesta looks absolutely mint.

That really caught my eye as well.

I thought of it as the most interesting car in the selection

[Matt97]

rossub said:

I thought of it as the most interesting car in the selection

It always got people talking, normally because they remembered having one "back in the day"

A couple more pics of the M2.

[Terminator X]

How does the M2 compare to the Challenge? Always liked the look and ethos of the Challenge.

TX.