[kenken662]

I have a 2021 LCI M240i 6MT and haven’t been able to overcome the urge to get a 6MT OG M2, it’s driving me crazy. The options I’m facing now are to continue building my 240 and keep it as my only car (would add LSD, carbon roof, basically go all out on the build) or sell it and get an M2, OR get an E92 M3 as a weekend car and daily my 240.

Thoughts? How do I overcome the itch to get into a full M car??

[Shirazkhan]

But but but the 6mt m2 came out with the n55,yes its an m car,but n55.
V8 m3 will always remain a legend.

[kenken662]

Originally Posted by Shirazkhan

But but but the 6mt m2 came out with the n55,yes its an m car,but n55.
V8 m3 will always remain a legend.

Well aware but I actually like the sound of the N55 better than the S55, it’s still an incredible engine

[Shirazkhan]

Was comparing it to your b58.

[Shirazkhan]

And if its sound u comparing,then the s65 is day and night compared to the n55.

[Shirazkhan]

S65 with a manual setup,what an amazing drivers car,still has a bit of that nice old technology.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by kenken662

Thoughts? How do I overcome the itch to get into a full M car??

My first thought is: have you owned an M-car before; if so, which one(s)?

[kenken662]

Originally Posted by dradernh

My first thought is: have you owned an M-car before; if so, which one(s)?

Nope but I really want to get into a M2 or E92 M3. I do wonder if an M2 would feel significantly different

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by kenken662

Nope but I really want to get into a M2 or E92 M3. I do wonder if an M2 would feel significantly different

I would think your being in the Bay Area would allow you to find an M2 to rent. I don't know about the E92.

Another thought: are you a member of the Golden Gate Chapter of the BMWCCA (https://www.ggcbmwcca.org/)? That's either the biggest or second biggest chapter in the country (Boston being the other), and I'd bet you could find a fellow member to let you take his or her E92 M3 out for a low-key test drive. The chapter's contacts are listed here: https://www.bmwcca.org/chapter/golden-gate-chapter.

[freakystyly]

From a motor standpoint, the N55 will be all too similar feeling to the B58. Nothing at all like the naturally aspirated V8. The s65 will need to be wrung out at higher RPMs to have the most fun but it should be an experience the M2 can't deliver. If you plan on modding, well you could supercharge the M3, but it's limited otherwise.

Chassis wise, well both will be a step above the non-M. I can't comment from experience lol.

It really depends on your goals I guess.

[Nickies]

Originally Posted by kenken662

Nope but I really want to get into a M2 or E92 M3. I do wonder if an M2 would feel significantly different

If you are looking models without astronomical maintenance and repair costs because both will be used maybe without certified history, I would say your best bet is the M2.

If you want to drive a race car daily, the V8 is certainly appealing.

[tbuck]

As an owner of an E92 M3 I would say go that route. Super classic, mostly old school M-car. Later models (2011.5 - 2013) have just enough tech to be usable even today, and chassis and engine are sublime. I have my M235i for daily duties with the M3 as garage queen and clear-weather weekend car. If you do not do your own work the M3 will be costly long-term, as all M's are maintenance whores and there is most definitely an M tax. Everything about them is more $$$ than a vanilla BMW, but end of the day, well worth it.

[kenken662]

Originally Posted by tbuck

As an owner of an E92 M3 I would say go that route. Super classic, mostly old school M-car. Later models (2011.5 - 2013) have just enough tech to be usable even today, and chassis and engine are sublime. I have my M235i for daily duties with the M3 as garage queen and clear-weather weekend car. If you do not do your own work the M3 will be costly long-term, as all M's are maintenance whores and there is most definitely an M tax. Everything about them is more $$$ than a vanilla BMW, but end of the day, well worth it.

What’s the insurance like on your E92?

I would like one as a weekend car but currently I have the 240 and also my GF has an RS3 so I’m not sure how I feel about paying insurance on a car that would just sit in the garage most of the time. But yea I do think the E92 as a secondary car would be a better experience than selling my 240 and going with an M2.

[tbuck]

Originally Posted by kenken662

What’s the insurance like on your E92?

I would like one as a weekend car but currently I have the 240 and also my GF has an RS3 so I’m not sure how I feel about paying insurance on a car that would just sit in the garage most of the time. But yea I do think the E92 as a secondary car would be a better experience than selling my 240 and going with an M2.

Insurance will be about the same as any other car of the same value, but also different for each person obviously. If it is super low mileage I would suggest Hagerty and their prices are very competitive for low-use cars.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by kenken662

Thoughts? How do I overcome the itch to get into a full M car??

Drive one with the usual M suspension calibration on most typical American city streets.

Just returned from renting an M3 in Europe which was punishing on anything other than the well-surfaced highways in Germany/Austria.

[kenken662]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

Drive one with the usual M suspension calibration on most typical American city streets.

Just returned from renting an M3 in Europe which was punishing on anything other than the well-surfaced highways in Germany/Austria.

I live in the Bay Area and the streets are pretty smooth here. Though I do appreciate the comfort of my 240, it’s pretty much perfect for dailying.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by kenken662

I live in the Bay Area and the streets are pretty smooth here. Though I do appreciate the comfort of my 240, it’s pretty much perfect for dailying.

Here is more detail, in case it helps.

https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showt...php?p=31123687

[XutvJet]

It will take a mountain of money to get an M240 to have the handling and control of stock F87 M2. On my 2016 M235 6MT, I've got springs, Bilstein Damptronics in the rear, a square 245/35R18 setup, MPS4 tires, and MP LSD. My other car is a stock 2011 Cayman Base 6MT on MP All Season 4s. My M235 feels like a total wet noodle in comparison to the Cayman. Prior to the Cayman, I really thought I got my M235 really sorted, chassis wise. It would take another $3K+ in suspension and subframe work to get it right, and even then, it won't have the composure and control that a stock M2 has. You just can't get around the M subframes, much better wheel/tire width options, much stiff subframe bushings, an excellent electronic LSD, etc. I'd save the money and sell the M240 if your goal is the full package.

The B58 is a great motor and will make more overall power, but if you're not looking for more than 500whp, the M2 N55 vs the B58 is a wash. Both can easily make that power. Plus the N55 in the M2 is FAR better suited to track duty as it has the S55 oil sump system which is a huge plus. The B58 and lesser N55s are not designed for sustained high G driving. That is also why the B58 wasn't in the OG M2.

As for the E92 M3, what an excellent car, but unless you can wrench on the car, my God, what a potential bank account draining vehicle to own. A stock OG M2 DCT will run circles around an E92 M3 6MT on the track. An OG M2 6MT will still nudge out the E92 M3.

[kenken662]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

It will take a mountain of money to get an M240 to have the handling and control of stock F87 M2. On my 2016 M235 6MT, I've got springs, Bilstein Damptronics in the rear, a square 245/35R18 setup, MPS4 tires, and MP LSD. My other car is a stock 2011 Cayman Base 6MT on MP All Season 4s. My M235 feels like a total wet noodle in comparison to the Cayman. Prior to the Cayman, I really thought I got my M235 really sorted, chassis wise. It would take another $3K+ in suspension and subframe work to get it right, and even then, it won't have the composure and control that a stock M2 has. You just can't get around the M subframes, much better wheel/tire width options, much stiff subframe bushings, an excellent electronic LSD, etc. I'd save the money and sell the M240 if your goal is the full package.

The B58 is a great motor and will make more overall power, but if you're not looking for more than 500whp, the M2 N55 vs the B58 is a wash. Both can easily make that power. Plus the N55 in the M2 is FAR better suited to track duty as it has the S55 oil sump system which is a huge plus. The B58 and lesser N55s are not designed for sustained high G driving. That is also why the B58 wasn't in the OG M2.

As for the E92 M3, what an excellent car, but unless you can wrench on the car, my God, what a potential bank account draining vehicle to own. A stock M2 OG will run circles around an E92 M2 on the track.

Thanks, yes “wet noodle” is how I’d describe my 240 with dinan springs after test driving an M2 OG. I just feel like modding my 240 is a losing battle

[tbuck]

There is an old saying, "you want a fast car, buy a fast car. Don't try and make a fast car"

You will spend the difference between the cost of the M and your 240 to make your 240 even close to the M. And it will still not be the M nor worth the amount of money you added to it. Lose, lose all the way around. Buy an M and enjoy.

[tbuck]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

As for the E92 M3, what an excellent car, but unless you can wrench on the car, my God, what a potential bank account draining vehicle to own. A stock OG M2 DCT will run circles around an E92 M3 6MT on the track. An OG M2 6MT will still nudge out the E92 M3.

^True story. But nothing newer has quite the feels of that NA S65 in the old school chassis. All the turbo cars can easily kill it on track, but that is not the only metric that counts IMHO.

[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by tbuck

^True story. But nothing newer has quite the feels of that NA S65 in the old school chassis. All the turbo cars can easily kill it on track, but that is not the only metric that counts IMHO.

As an owner of a 265hp naturally aspirated Cayman and a 400whp M235, I fully agree