M2 F87 vs M3 F80 vs M4 F82

[shuebc]

Wanted to get peoples thoughts on M2, M3, M4.

Looks wise, I’m leaning towards M2, followed very closely by M3, then M4. It will be my daily, and have no need in general to carry more than a single passenger and a couple of small dogs.Car will not be tracked at all, apart from on the very rare occasion (maybe once every 2-3 years).I will however be using for long road tripping to Europe.

I like the idea of having an M2 - a lot more nimbler from what I’ve read to drive. But when I sat in it... I wasn’t so keen on the seats... after trying the M3... which feels awesome to sit in. Similar to M4 sitting in.

I will also be getting a manual, no matter what.

So really it’s coming now down to, which was rarer ( don’t know production numbers), noise, driver engagement, and adaptability on all sorts of roads. I won’t be holding back on miles I put on in the slightest.

I like the idea of being able have softer suspension setting on m3s/m4s, but then everyone seems to say the m2 sounds better. Do the m3s and m4s feel a bit barge like, compared to M2, despite them being only 20cms longer?

Anyone driven all three? What did they like or not like? And is there any noticeable difference in fuels consumption weekly, am I looking at a fiver more, or 20 more per week, for same mileage.

Also maintenance - which is more reliable? I know they’re still quite low mileage cars, but any known issues etc. any thoughts welcome

[irish boy]

Whats the budget? Are you buying it straight or financing?

If your doing a pcp the m2 works out cheaper by miles. A 3 year old m2 comp is getting a guaranteed residual of 25 odd after another 3 years making the monthly a lot smaller than the equivalent m3/4 comp.

[AliMc99]

I have a M2C manual (2020), having previously had a M4 (2016, DCT) and much prefer the M2 to drive (although I felt the M4 was faster). M2C seats are the same as M3/M4 but upholstered in cheaper leather. Manuals are fairly rare on M2’s and even rarer on M3/M4’s (I’d read less than 2% of UK cars are manual).

[Smuler]

OG M2 is a fun car , but unfinished ; seats are the awful M lite seats. Suspension does not feel like a full M car. doesn’t have the hunkered down feel you get with other M cars. and N55 is not a proper M engine, sounds a bit better , but doesn’t feel as strong or responsive as S55.


M2 Competition is the finished product. It addresses all those issues.

But I don’t think that’s the one you are referring too ?

[PorkInsider]

If you're adamant that you're having a manual you can forget about the M3, unless you really don't care about colour, spec and condition as there are fewer than 40 manual M3 CPs currently on the road in the UK.

Edit: and maybe 75 manual non-CP M3s currently on the road.

Edited by PorkInsider on Sunday 2nd May 22:56

[nickfrog]

Smuler said:

OG M2 is a fun car , but unfinished ; seats are the awful M lite seats. Suspension does not feel like a full M car. doesn’t have the hunkered down feel you get with other M cars. and N55 is not a proper M engine, sounds a bit better , but doesn’t feel as strong or responsive as S55.

M2 Competition is the finished product. It addresses all those issues.

Suspension on M2 and M2C are 100% identical despite the rumours of rose jointing that never happened.

M2 OG seats do not look as good as the M2Cs/M3 indeed but offer the same support with the lumbar support.

Engine stronger in the M2C but for me doesn't feel particularly more M than the M2's extensively reworked version of the N55. It is as responsive IME.

Edited by nickfrog on Sunday 2nd May 23:18

[anonymous-user]

I'm a manual fan, but the DCT in the F80 was great. Not a barge. Very comfy for long distance. I took mine from Yorkshire to the continent a few times, no issues.

[Terminator X]

nickfrog said:

Smuler said:

OG M2 is a fun car , but unfinished ; seats are the awful M lite seats. Suspension does not feel like a full M car. doesn’t have the hunkered down feel you get with other M cars. and N55 is not a proper M engine, sounds a bit better , but doesn’t feel as strong or responsive as S55.

M2 Competition is the finished product. It addresses all those issues.

Suspension on M2 and M2C are 100% identical despite the rumours of rose jointing that never happened.

M2 OG seats do not look as good as the M2Cs/M3 indeed but offer the same support with the lumbar support.

Engine stronger in the M2C but for me doesn't feel particularly more M than the M2's extensively reworked version of the N55. It is as responsive IME.

Edited by nickfrog on Sunday 2nd May 23:18

Have you got the "old" one Nick

TX.

[nickfrog]

Terminator X said:

Have you got the "old" one Nick

TX.

I really like the "new" one too though. I just couldn’t see the value in an extra £8k at the time, not to mention how few manual Comp there were although that applies to all M2s now (which is great if you have one, not so much if you're the OP).

Edited by nickfrog on Monday 3rd May 08:20

[shuebc]

Thanks for everyones comments

Yeh it could be the M2 OG and not M2 Comp. will be buying all out ideally.
Yeh the seats felt nothing like even slightly sporty on M2, vs M3/M4. And yes I have yet to come across a manual M3 for sale... which is making me think it could be the better buy long term, rarity and all that.

If I could find a manual M3 then that might be the one to go for taking everything into account. But might have to settle for a M2.

How I’m seeing it at mo,
M2 sounds better, less expensive to run and maintain, and is more nimble
M3 maybe better long term, more expensive to run and maintain, has the cool seats, and power, but probably cheaper to buy initially, IF I can find a manual

[rassi]

Not that it should change your mind substantially, but if you plan to use it more for longer road trips, the M2 comes with a tiny 50 litres fuel tank, while the M3/M4 has a slightly less tiny fuel tank of 58 litres...

I would look for a M3 LCI, DCT or manual, if it were me

[nickfrog]

rassi said:

Not that it should change your mind substantially, but if you plan to use it more for longer road trips, the M2 comes with a tiny 50 litres fuel tank, while the M3/M4 has a slightly less tiny fuel tank of 58 litres...

I would look for a M3 LCI, DCT or manual, if it were me

Good point although I guess the OG M2 is a little more fuel efficient.


M2 manual prices have gone through the roof of late so the M3 is a good shout, but if you're going DCT then M2 DCT prices are more reasonable.

[ST66N]

The OG M2 manual is geared very short, which is worth considering versus the M3 - you could find yourself wishing for 7th.

[nickfrog]

ST66N said:

The OG M2 manual is geared very short, which is worth considering versus the M3 - you could find yourself wishing for 7th.

AFAIK the gearing is the same, including FD.

[anonymous-user]

The BMW manual isn't very good, to be fair. If it's a unicorn, you might not miss out by going DCT instead. I love manuals, but I didn't really miss it in the F80. It has so much torque and power all over the shop the ability to mix and match auto/manual is useful.

[cerb4.5lee]

RonaldMcDonaldAteMyCat said:

The BMW manual isn't very good, to be fair. If it's a unicorn, you might not miss out by going DCT instead. I love manuals, but I didn't really miss it in the F80. It has so much torque and power all over the shop the ability to mix and match auto/manual is useful.

I really like the DCT in my M4, and as you say there is torque everywhere. I do still have a 3 pedal manual in the 370Z though because I do love a manual, although the DCT has impressed me far more than I imagined it to if I'm honest.

I've read that the manual gearbox is decent in the M2/M4, but the BMW manauls that I've had have been more miss than hit for me.

[rassi]

I had the manual gearbox in my Alfa Romeo Giulia QF (LHD) and it is the same gearbox as used in the F8X series. I was adamant that it should be a manual but after the novelty of 510 bhp and changing gear myself wore off, I wished for the ZF 8 speed, as the shifting was not particularly smooth, and very difficult when cold, and having two extra ratios would have been useful for motorway duties (higher final drive) as well as in gear acceleration. The DCT is even more “mechanical” so give it a chance before ruling it out.

[nickfrog]

cerb4.5lee said:

I've read that the manual gearbox is decent in the M2/M4, but the BMW manauls that I've had have been more miss than hit for me.

The shift is my manual M2 is pretty decent actually. I would give it 7.5/10 if I give 10/10 to the S2000's which is the best I've had.
They improved it compared to previous generations including the one mated to the N52 I had. Plus they got rid of the CDV thing. Plus the auto blip is pretty well implemented.
Still, DCT is now cheaper than manuals on the second hand market so I would certainly not rule it out either.

[PTF]

Loved my 130i with manual box. Mated to a free-revving NA engine a manual box is great.

But didn't like the combination of manual box and N55 in my M135i. I tried an auto later and it was much better suited to the abundance of torque.

I want an M2 at some point, but i keep flip-flopping between DCT and manual.

I have a clio 200 at the moment, which i may or may not keep. I think for me if i sold the clio to help fund an M2 then i'd go for manual as it would do a handful of trackdays per year. But if i kept the clio for track use then i'd go DCT.

I don't feel that the manual M2s deserve a premium in the same (inverse) way that auto 130is are less desirable than manuals. On an NA engine an auto box can feel a little sluggish, but that might be older types of box.

[cerb4.5lee]

PTF said:

I don't feel that the manual M2s deserve a premium in the same (inverse) way that auto 130is are less desirable than manuals. On an NA engine an auto box can feel a little sluggish, but that might be older types of box.

I thought that my E90 330i auto did feel sluggish, but I think a lot of that was because I'd had a E90 330d auto before it though, and that felt really torquey in comparison. The ZF6 auto isn't the sharpest auto in the world either for me.