[IS3andME]

Originally Posted by allthatisntnow

Im sure they will have done studies into it, but probably decided that people buying the roadster/convertible weren't particularly bothered about that sort of thing. The cars as a whole are heavier to the the torsional strengthening required so would probably still come out bloated. Plus the price hike, manufacturing cost hike etc etc probably had a lot to do with it too.

The danger they face with the M2 is that if they gave it all the M features for a much lower price, no one would bother with an M3/4 unless they needed the extra doors and seating space. All the track fiends would never look back for sure.

At the end of the day a carbon fibre roof, imho, is a bit gimmicky. Yes it saves 10kg and yes it lowers centre of gravity, but probably not by any humanly noticeable measure. In a 1500kg car would you notice 10kg taken off the roof even in a back to back scenario? I think BMWs best bet is to be more like Audi and Porsche and use more aluminium in their cars. Reducing the mass of the whole body in white, in a realistically affordable manner, is the way to go. Going from a 1500kg to a 1400kg car is where the difference is noticeable across the board.

I think Ferrari still makes their bodies out of aluminum. I think the 458, 599, 550/575, and even the F12 and FF have alumni im body panels.

[B///MW]

This may not directly apply to the upcoming M2. According to the GM at my local dealer, BMW has requested their dealerships associate with BMW approved body shops certified in properly handling carbon fiber body panels, indicating an increased intended usage of CF going forward in lightening the BMW fleet.

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by DCYT

Belt line is so high!

Welcome to 2015 !

[fuddman]

I'm not sure if this info has been posted before on this particular car; but, FYI:
Someone else said it had no paddles on it, so maybe a six speed version. Looks like an M type logo (camo'ed, maybe) on the trunk lid. I have not seen that on any other mule. Of course, the blue brake calipers. Be neat if those were standard.
BTW, happy Fathers Day.

[UpNcOmINg!]

Honestly, CF roof would be amazing, yes due to the weight aspects, but the look is what a lot of people really want, so I can understand the disappointment.
For me it's a non-factor really. I think the package will be good enough for me to look at my roof and not cry.

[auf Deutsch]

Originally Posted by Colinv6

My M3 just got off the transporter!!



I've not even seen it in the flesh yet, but I'm like a kid at Christmas, some of you will know I was all about the M2 and had a deposit down for a year on one.. But I kept feeling the draw of the M3 and the 4 colour choice on the M2 was the final nail in it's coffin for me!! It's going to be an incredible little car when it eventually arrives though!

Very nice. I'm sure you'll be ecstatic with your decision. I test drove an M4 the other day and will tell you the S55 is no joke. Not to mention, everything was taught chassis and suspension-wise. There's no mistaking a real M car from a Mxxxi or M sport whatever.

[Canaletto]

Originally Posted by rhonig

Could these be 2016 M2 specific 19" wheels? I don't believe this wheel design has been used on any other vehicle. I wonder if we'll be able to get black wheels or these were painted black to disguise the detail on this, yet to be released, model.

Aren't these the same wheels that Colinv6 just showed on his M3?

[PackPride85]

Fender gap on the M2 looks quite a bit smaller than the M3.

[bernstem]

Originally Posted by PackPride85

Fender gap on the M2 looks quite a bit smaller than the M3.

Suspension blocks are probably still in place for transport.

[W///]

Originally Posted by bernstem

Suspension blocks are probably still in place for transport.

Correct. Although they'll still be sitting way too high for my taste. I'm not into slammed cars or anything, but these new BMW's sit so high to me. M2 will prob be no different

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by W///

Correct. Although they'll still be sitting way too high for my taste. I'm not into slammed cars or anything, but these new BMW's sit so high to me. M2 will prob be no different

Agreed - there is a noticeable difference between my 235 and any of the other BMWs I have had or have been in the family (E46, E82, E92, Z4MC).

[undecided]

Originally Posted by allthatisntnow

Im sure they will have done studies into it, but probably decided that people buying the roadster/convertible weren't particularly bothered about that sort of thing. The cars as a whole are heavier to the the torsional strengthening required so would probably still come out bloated. Plus the price hike, manufacturing cost hike etc etc probably had a lot to do with it too.

The danger they face with the M2 is that if they gave it all the M features for a much lower price, no one would bother with an M3/4 unless they needed the extra doors and seating space. All the track fiends would never look back for sure.

At the end of the day a carbon fibre roof, imho, is a bit gimmicky. Yes it saves 10kg and yes it lowers centre of gravity, but probably not by any humanly noticeable measure. In a 1500kg car would you notice 10kg taken off the roof even in a back to back scenario? I think BMWs best bet is to be more like Audi and Porsche and use more aluminium in their cars. Reducing the mass of the whole body in white, in a realistically affordable manner, is the way to go. Going from a 1500kg to a 1400kg car is where the difference is noticeable across the board.

That their market is where the customer is not where they want them to be. If they are trying to shift the enthusiasts towards the bigger/bloated M3/4 but their customer wants an M2, they should just make M2s. The M3/4 would become the niche for the few that want that size car.

[Adem1534]

Originally Posted by undecided

That their market is where the customer is not where they want them to be. If they are trying to shift the enthusiasts towards the bigger/bloated M3/4 but their customer wants an M2, they should just make M2s. The M3/4 would become the niche for the few that want that size car.

He's wrong about the whole "a carbon fiber roof is kind of a gimick" thing. When rounding a turn, a moment is generated about the contact points with the ground. The body torque = Force * Distance. The torque about the body is what causes body roll. Notice it is a linear relationship. Meaning, removing 10kg from the top of the car is equivalent to removing 20 kg at mid level (for turning purposes)

That's the mathematical engineering perspective, and why manufacturers usually shoot for light roofs first on high end vehicles when they can afford it.

[swagon]

Originally Posted by W///

Correct. Although they'll still be sitting way too high for my taste. I'm not into slammed cars or anything, but these new BMW's sit so high to me. M2 will prob be no different

Originally Posted by dmboone25

Agreed - there is a noticeable difference between my 235 and any of the other BMWs I have had or have been in the family (E46, E82, E92, Z4MC).

Yes. And the M Sport suspension now lowers only 10mm compared to 15mm on Exx cars IIRC.

[W///]

Originally Posted by Adem1534

He's wrong about the whole "a carbon fiber roof is kind of a gimick" thing. When rounding a turn, a moment is generated about the contact points with the ground. The body torque = Force * Distance. The torque about the body is what causes body roll. Notice it is a linear relationship. Meaning, removing 10kg from the top of the car is equivalent to removing 20 kg at mid level (for turning purposes)

That's the mathematical engineering perspective, and why manufacturers usually shoot for light roofs first on high end vehicles when they can afford it.

Yes but:
- That's assuming the CF roof weighs 10KG less than a moonroof deleted regular sheet metal roof. Personally, I doubt the difference is that big, but I could be wrong
- Let's assume it is 10 KG, and that the equivalent mid level weight would be 20 KG. Can anyone here actually say that they can feel that? If I put a 20 KG sandbag in the passenger seat, who would be able to tell the difference?

Like I've said before, I really do wish BMW put a CF roof on the M2, but that's not really going to change the car much at all.

I would have loved to see CF wheels like the GT350R though

[hayes180]

Originally Posted by W///

Yes but:


I would have loved to see CF wheels like the GT350R though

that would be sick