M2 - What's to like/ dislike?

M2 - What's to like/ dislike?

Author
Discussion

Pip1968

Original Poster:

1,368 posts

219 months

Sunday 15th August 2021
quotequote all
I am probably going to get a M2 and keep it for a short while (year or two) and then sell It. The question is what do I need to look out for (common issues) and what will I like or dislike about it. I know it is subjective and in a way it's about ticking a box on something I expect to find fast but maybe a bit boring. Please feel free to tell me I am wrong.

I want to try one as I think thy are the right sort of size and handsome although its a bit of a shame they are fat bloaters. For me the car should have been along the lines of the CSL with proper buckets and alcantara with an option to have nothing. I will buy a manual (no buts - I want something a little involving and not a Playstation). I have a CSL and a GT3 which I think are drivers cars but feel I must try something modern from BMW.

It won't really be a commuter as I about to start work away. I will buy an early one as I cannot be doing with the depreciation so it won't be a M2 Competition either.

Ideally I would strip out the television screen and the fat front seats along with all the pointless electrics. That said as it will not be a long termer (2 years maybe) it would be a waste of money and a lot of effort. I don't like electric closing boots - do they have them? I don't need comfort lights or electric seats or Apple play or USB. I could bite the bullet on BT phone connectivity and a radio but second hand and with presumably no option anyway I will have to live with someone else's options. Armrests are a no no - can it be taken out?? Do they all have them?. I don't want PDC or cameras as I can park myself.

Is the M2 going to the embodiment of everything I don't like ???

Pip

Terminator X

17,770 posts

219 months

Sunday 15th August 2021
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Good luck with the quest for a manual. I wanted one too but no chance. The dct is top drawer though so don't dismiss until you try one imho.

TX.

rassi

2,503 posts

266 months

Monday 16th August 2021
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Are you sure you really want a “modern BMW” with all the things that you will not like, and not a Morgan +8 instead…?

Magnum 475

3,804 posts

147 months

Monday 16th August 2021
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My thoughts have already been echoed on here.

How about a nice 993 / 964? Absolutely no crap, no screens, no pointless gadgets, no nanny systems, etc, etc. Just a great driving car.

I'm having this problem at the moment. I sold my last daily car about a year ago, and just kept my weekend toy. I now need a new daily. M2 is on the list, as is the M4. I've found 3 M2 manuals on Autotrader, and over 100 DCTs. When I look at the amount of 'driver aids' I start to lose the will to live, and wonder if I'd be better off with something older and well maintained - but then I start hitting ULEZ charges...


cerb4.5lee

37,354 posts

195 months

Monday 16th August 2021
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Terminator X said:
Good luck with the quest for a manual. I wanted one too but no chance. The dct is top drawer though so don't dismiss until you try one imho.

TX.
I think that the manual is worth holding out for. I've only done 1400 miles in my M4 with the DCT, and already I'm wishing that I'd gone for the manual version. I've nothing against the DCT and I think that it is a pretty good gearbox, but I really miss the third pedal and using the gearstick though. I feel disconnected from the car with the DCT.

I also recently sat as a passenger in a M2 with the manual, and a M2 Comp with the DCT on a trackday, and I came away from that experience personally preferring the manual more as well.

nw942

466 posts

120 months

Monday 16th August 2021
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I think you'll like the amount of front-end grip and the way it turns-in. Plenty of torque throughout the rev range is useful too.

Rear grip obviously the complete opposite of the GT3 smile

Totally different character to the CSL.

A 1M would give you much the same experience in a less polished package, but prices of those are a bit silly ATM.

FTW

539 posts

191 months

Monday 16th August 2021
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Is this a troll?

JEA1K

2,612 posts

238 months

Monday 16th August 2021
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I'm not sure ripping the guts out of a car and not expecting it to depreciate go hand in hand. It doesn't sound like you like compromises ... you have a CSL and GT3 so I don't know why you'd plump for anything less than an M2 CS?

Or maybe just drive an M2 and see how you feel about living with it (in its compromised state in your eyes).

No car is perfect but surely learning to live with some of their characteristics is all part of the ownership experience?

Square Leg

15,389 posts

204 months

Monday 16th August 2021
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Has MrDemon changed his name again?

Pip1968

Original Poster:

1,368 posts

219 months

Monday 16th August 2021
quotequote all
FTW said:
Is this a troll?
Square Leg said:
Has MrDemon changed his name again?
I am not sure if you are referring to me but not unfortaunately for you I am no such thing. Yes, I am trying to stimulate discussion but all those points I have made are in fact truely my opinion. I bought the CSL for the engine and lack of electrics but even that has electric mirrors, and DSC.

I have driven a few cars with electric steering and you notice straight off the bat the lack in feeling and interaction compared to the old power steering. People are fat and lazy enough as it is without an electric boot. It's rather like the drive in McD. Look at the people going there. Apart from some of the youngsters they are to a man fat/ clinically obese/ overweight. In the UK 28% of adults are deemed obese and another 36% are overweight yet we help them eat sh#t food and not even have to drag their fat bodies out of the car. Everyone needs two jabs to go away yet obesity is probably killing more and we don't give two hoots. Rant over.

Nobody has really said yet what I need to look out for if I buy one aside from a little 'dip' from NW942. Any or many long term owners on here or is it too boring to have any length of time??

JEA1K said:
I'm not sure ripping the guts out of a car and not expecting it to depreciate go hand in hand. It doesn't sound like you like compromises ... you have a CSL and GT3 so I don't know why you'd plump for anything less than an M2 CS?

Or maybe just drive an M2 and see how you feel about living with it (in its compromised state in your eyes).

No car is perfect but surely learning to live with some of their characteristics is all part of the ownership experience?
I know what you are saying but the cost to rip it out may well be too much to put up with especially as I would have to get it put back on for resale or lose again on sale price. There was a chap t'up norf who featured on YouTube with Misha Charoudin who had stripped one out but also tuned it I think. I would be happy with the weight loss only but still a four seater with a boot of course. A continental tour and a few trip t'up norf and then sell it. Two or three years tops.

Pip







FTW

539 posts

191 months

Monday 16th August 2021
quotequote all
I own an M2 and I also share some of your opinions with regards to the onset of electronics etc but I’m Still confused by your contradiction.

A family member owned an OG M2 and I have recently bought a Comp. What to look out for? Not much really.

There is a recall for the HK amps, a cover is fitted to avoid water ingress.
Rear light clusters occasionally don’t drain and stop working
Rear diff input seals can weep
Can’t think of much else…..

If you go for a Comp they lack exhaust noise due to OPFs, solution is a back box.

OGs can’t be tuned much past 400bhp without a different turbo.

If you’re worried about weight and electronics then you’re st out of luck. Weight reduction is very expensive and the electronics are integral. One thing I’d say is that the M2 is the last of the line without ADAS features, no lane assist, no emergency braking, no cross traffic b*llocks, no driver drowsiness monitor. You can also fully disengage the ESP. These points are a massive plus for me as these feature ruin modern cars. I have a Cayman R which is billy basic, no folding mirrors, no nav, no Bluetooth and I love it for a blast or trackday but I concede the M2 is much better for daily duties where it’s very useful to have navigation and the ability to take the odd call because of that I forgive the weight. 550Nm helps too.

Pip1968

Original Poster:

1,368 posts

219 months

Monday 16th August 2021
quotequote all
Thank you FTW. All very helpful and like you say the idea of 'Lane assist' et cetera is really quite abhorrent.

By "contradiction" I assume you mean wanting to buy one but not liking all the electrics - ? I can only counter this with the fact that I think it may be a car to tick the box of ie try it, use it and lose it. It is what modern motoring has to offer prior to the onset of the great boredom of electricity. It may not be as bad as I think and with ULEZ and all the other stuff, it may tick other boxes - I hope.

So any other major things that needs to be done to an early M2 that I should know about?

I should add that when I looked a while ago there were some 15 manuals available through the BMW network. Maybe with the price drop everyone has bought them.

Pip

cerb4.5lee

37,354 posts

195 months

Monday 16th August 2021
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I think that unless you buy something like a TVR without any driver aids/electronic aids whatsoever...all modern cars with have some sort of nannying fitted to them to be fair.

I remember swapping my Cerbera for a Z4M, and I got seriously frustrated because the traction control reined all the performance in even if you just breathed on the throttle. Thankfully you could turn it off though.

nickfrog

22,835 posts

232 months

Monday 16th August 2021
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They're quite bombproof. Apart from the potential suff highlighted, there have been occasional split charge pipes but mostly on remaped cars. A cheap fix or even a cheap preventive upgrade.

I am not quite sure how rear sensors or an armrest can be a big issue (the armrest slides back out of the way) as they weigh very little. Plenty of cars have manual seats. Mine didn't come with a TV screen just a small and useful screen for nav and tyre pressure (brilliant on track for the co-driver to read out, cheers Lee).

If buying AUC you get an excellent warranty but that will be entirely void if modifying.

All electronic helps can be disengaged at the (long) press of a button, not that the systems get involved much on mere open road use with a bit of throttle modulation, what with the huge traction and the slipper.

Overall the car is the same weight and length as a M3 E46 which is impressive.

If warranty not important then you can fit Recaro Sportsters quite easily. The weight saving is probably not worth it but they'll support better.

The main downside is the steering feel, or lack of, but overall the chassis is a gem out of the box.

Edited by nickfrog on Monday 16th August 22:56

cerb4.5lee

37,354 posts

195 months

Monday 16th August 2021
quotequote all
nickfrog said:
Mine didn't come with a TV screen just a small and useful screen for nav and tyre pressure (brilliant on track for the co-driver to read out, cheers Lee).
No worries Nick. beer

In fairness though, with how well you drive on track...I don't think that you really needed me if I'm honest! biggrin

thumbup

If the OP does go for an M2, I genuinely can't see how they could ever be disappointed with it for sure. driving

dalecan

316 posts

266 months

Tuesday 17th August 2021
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What about a nice E46 M3 smile

Shanksy87

387 posts

137 months

Tuesday 17th August 2021
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I think you would get on well with an M2 given your other cars, but you will need to accept some electronics. The M2 is top of the 2 series tree so satnav, parking sensors etc are standard. Worth remembering electronics add very little weight in the scheme of things. The engine’s torque is what generates the necessity for heavy bits of steel, such as giant driveshafts, gearbox and other significantly sized bits of powertrain. The brakes are also massive and heavy, but if you want the performance this is the price, try not to get hung up on it, the car is great out of the box.

Edited by Shanksy87 on Tuesday 17th August 23:12

Pip1968

Original Poster:

1,368 posts

219 months

Wednesday 18th August 2021
quotequote all
dalecan said:
What about a nice E46 M3 smile
What like a CSL whistle

..........x1 is enough

Pip

Stedman

7,328 posts

207 months

Wednesday 18th August 2021
quotequote all
FTW said:
I own an M2 and I also share some of your opinions with regards to the onset of electronics etc but I’m Still confused by your contradiction.

A family member owned an OG M2 and I have recently bought a Comp. What to look out for? Not much really.

There is a recall for the HK amps, a cover is fitted to avoid water ingress.
Rear light clusters occasionally don’t drain and stop working
Rear diff input seals can weep
Can’t think of much else…..

If you go for a Comp they lack exhaust noise due to OPFs, solution is a back box.

OGs can’t be tuned much past 400bhp without a different turbo.

If you’re worried about weight and electronics then you’re st out of luck. Weight reduction is very expensive and the electronics are integral. One thing I’d say is that the M2 is the last of the line without ADAS features, no lane assist, no emergency braking, no cross traffic b*llocks, no driver drowsiness monitor. You can also fully disengage the ESP. These points are a massive plus for me as these feature ruin modern cars. I have a Cayman R which is billy basic, no folding mirrors, no nav, no Bluetooth and I love it for a blast or trackday but I concede the M2 is much better for daily duties where it’s very useful to have navigation and the ability to take the odd call because of that I forgive the weight. 550Nm helps too.
Discs warping?

nickfrog

22,835 posts

232 months

Wednesday 18th August 2021
quotequote all
Stedman said:
Discs warping?
Are they prone to it?