[Cpdbeemer]

Ok. I test drove an M2 the other day. For comparison, I have had an M235i for about a year now.

The M2 immediately feels familiar - as you would expect. Almost identical cabin, seats (which I personally find great whether you are driving hard and generating g's or commuting), etc.

Differences: The Go. There is more under the bonnet, of course. The M235i is a pretty good base obviously, the difference isn't huge. Even more torque in the M2, difference in the torque is probably more noticeable than the top end. Both are well appreciated and most welcome!

Steering - heavier in the M2. It is pretty well weighted in the 235 but the M2 is definitely meatier. Good actually, not super heavy - I don't like a real heavy plougher (I have had power steering even in my race cars ). But a good weight to it and good feedback.

Handling - you just aren't going to get a good comparison on the road, which is where i drove it. What amazes me is how good it actually is for the street, without the adaptive dampers of the M235i. And yet the reviews I have read (numerous) of the M2 on the track are very positive. So they have achieved a chassis and suspension setup without the adaptive dampers that is still totally fine on the road - I could live with it, and I would in fact be commuting in it some of the time - and yet apparently performs superbly on the racetrack. - Anyone care to explain to me how they achieve this?

Looks? The difference is immense. Same car, but just more presence from every angle. Definitely works for me.

End note: I have put my money down on an M2. Can't wait!

[M235iguy]

If they make a M2x, then I may get into one when my lease ends. Nice review. I'm still very happy with my M235ix and I'm thinking I would probably be satisfied with a Dinan stage 3 and call it a day and finance this in 30 so months. But then again 30 so months might change my whole outlook.

[xantdieselx]

Originally Posted by Cpdbeemer

Ok. I test drove an M2 the other day. For comparison, I have had an M235i for about a year now.

The M2 immediately feels familiar - as you would expect. Almost identical cabin, seats (which I personally find great whether you are driving hard and generating g's or commuting), etc.

Differences: The Go. There is more under the bonnet, of course. The M235i is a pretty good base obviously, the difference isn't huge. Even more torque in the M2, difference in the torque is probably more noticeable than the top end. Both are well appreciated and most welcome!

Steering - heavier in the M2. It is pretty well weighted in the 235 but the M2 is definitely meatier. Good actually, not super heavy - I don't like a real heavy plougher (I have had power steering even in my race cars ). But a good weight to it and good feedback.

Handling - you just aren't going to get a good comparison on the road, which is where i drove it. What amazes me is how good it actually is for the street, without the adaptive dampers of the M235i. And yet the reviews I have read (numerous) of the M2 on the track are very positive. So they have achieved a chassis and suspension setup without the adaptive dampers that is still totally fine on the road - I could live with it, and I would in fact be commuting in it some of the time - and yet apparently performs superbly on the racetrack. - Anyone care to explain to me how they achieve this?

Looks? The difference is immense. Same car, but just more presence from every angle. Definitely works for me.

End note: I have put my money down on an M2. Can't wait!

Good to know. I considered ordering an M2 prior to my M235i x-drive but I was so in love with the M235i the deliberation didn't last that long. Part of it was the inflated asking price dealers were asking.

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

I'll certainly consider the M2 next. But as others have pointed out, the 2 series is 99% of what most of us will ever need - at least those of us who do not track. I love M cars and have owned 2 of them - so I get the argument about need vs want. Glad I've had the blessing to own E46 and E92.

But I also lease because I like a new car every 2-3 years. Unless the M2 lease gets considerably better, I probably wont be driving one.

[Steven1077]

The M240i will be very close on power when it arrives later in the year, it has more torque than the M2 and I'd say BMW are being economical with the truth on bhp, the 340i with mppk has the same torque as the M240i but they say the 340i has 360bhp and the M240i only has 340bhp, I don't believe they would somehow keep the 500nm torque but lower the bhp, I'm not about to say it will handle anything like the M2 as that’s a wide as a bus and has M4 running gear, but at the end of the day the M2 is as rare as rocking horse shit so for the most part unless you're willing to wait forever the M2's not even an option

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

Originally Posted by BD_F22

I wouldn't even consider an m2 unfortunately.. I am still disappointed in the m2 and wish it was more.. At the end of my lease I will either buy out the m235 or jump ship into an f80.. I feel the m2 would get boring too quickly as I will feel I had something too similar to it

Just recently drove F80 again - not overly impressed...Wish I had been.

I'd honestly look to get back into an S65 powered car 1st. I know it doesnt have the instant torque, but it sounds damn sexy and I think the E9x was better looking than F8x too.

I though the F80 sounded ok, my M235 with MPE sounded better

[nike001]

A slightly better tuned Stage 1 M235i tune is how the M2 engine feels.

Close your eyes driving an F8x and you'll understand how the M2 suspension feels. (rebound/stiffness/body roll)

[3.0L]

Sometimes I can't help but wonder, in terms of power, where we cross over into bragging rights while ignoring reality.

I say this because the M235i (and many other reasonably high performance cars) have the power to take you from joy to jail in a matter of seconds.

So my obvious question is, where can you realistically use the extra power (race tracks excluded) without risking getting yourself handcuffed and jailed?

I mean, really...

[thebmw]

Originally Posted by Steven1077

The M240i will be very close on power when it arrives later in the year, it has more torque than the M2 and I'd say BMW are being economical with the truth on bhp, the 340i with mppk has the same torque as the M240i but they say the 340i has 360bhp and the M240i only has 340bhp, I don't believe they would somehow keep the 500nm torque but lower the bhp, I'm not about to say it will handle anything like the M2 as that’s a wide as a bus and has M4 running gear, but at the end of the day the M2 is as rare as rocking horse shit so for the most part unless you're willing to wait forever the M2's not even an option

That is the longest run-on sentence I have ever read in my life!

[MEBII]

On the street, where I drive 99.9% of the time, the difference between the two is basically more punch from the M2. Hard to justify swapping my M235i. It's really all the car I need and provides plenty of thrills.

[3.0L]

Originally Posted by thebmw

That is the longest run-on sentence I have ever read in my life!

Quite surprising actually, considering that it came from the UK.

[BD_F22]

Originally Posted by MEBII

On the street, where I drive 99.9% of the time, the difference between the two is basically more punch from the M2. Hard to justify swapping my M235i. It's really all the car I need and provides plenty of thrills.

That punch is from just software programming though.. Get any of the most basic stage 1 tunes and you will feel that exact same punch

[Kolyan2k]

M2 has DCT for automatic right? And is manual same as in m235i?

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by Steven1077

The M240i will be very close on power when it arrives later in the year, it has more torque than the M2 and I'd say BMW are being economical with the truth on bhp, the 340i with mppk has the same torque as the M240i but they say the 340i has 360bhp and the M240i only has 340bhp, I don't believe they would somehow keep the 500nm torque but lower the bhp, I'm not about to say it will handle anything like the M2 as that’s a wide as a bus and has M4 running gear, but at the end of the day the M2 is as rare as rocking horse shit so for the most part unless you're willing to wait forever the M2's not even an option

Originally Posted by thebmw

That is the longest run-on sentence I have ever read in my life!

Originally Posted by 3.0L

Quite surprising actually, considering that it came from the UK.

I tried it, and that single sentence can be read aloud on one breath!

[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

M2 has DCT for automatic right? And is manual same as in m235i?

Yes to both. The only difference in the manual is the auto-rev match function in the M2.

[Dylan86]

M2 is a great car, without question. I would have like to see a bit more "M" available on the car, like the seats, carbon roof etc. But I guess it keeps the price point in check?

I can't wait to bump into one at the track, with a decent driver.

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by Dylan86

M2 is a great car, without question. I would have like to see a bit more "M" available on the car, like the seats, carbon roof etc. But I guess it keeps the price point in check?

I can't wait to bump into one at the track, with a decent driver.

Are seats also same as M235i ?

[Dylan86]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

Are seats also same as M235i ?

Essentially, yes.

[bimmerfile]

Originally Posted by 3.0L

Quite surprising actually, considering that it came from the UK.

Even more surprising when his "user title" is English "major"..

[B_Rice]

I got to drive one at the M2 certification training in Thermal. I wish it had the seats out of the m3/m4 I was getting tossed around during the hot laps.

[Cpdbeemer]

Originally Posted by MEBII

On the street, where I drive 99.9% of the time, the difference between the two is basically more punch from the M2. Hard to justify swapping my M235i. It's really all the car I need and provides plenty of thrills.

Cant argue with that, logically. The m2 like most sports cars is an emotive irrational purchase.

The engines are not identical. Pistons crank bearings oil cooler turbo are different. Also the tune.

Suspension also vastly different. Brakes have a look at the discs on the m2 they are huge. Tyres larger too.

M235i is a great car. M2 is greater and more track capable.