[ianp622]

Originally Posted by Sail Boat

Full disclosure, my M235i is stock save for bushings, endlinks, KW V3's, and wider tires. I acknowledge this could be mental, but I think my car handles and drives better than the original M2.

That's pretty far from stock. The M2 is basically for people who want the setup that you have without doing it themselves.

[pz619]

Originally Posted by 3rdcoast228i

Did you drive the 981? Just curious what us 2ers think of it. I love the looks of it.

I did! Honestly it was great. You absolutely can't go wrong. I decided against it because I wanted to keep the car for a while and will occasionally need back seats. If I could swing it, would love to have both. The 981 to me, seemed more like a drivers car and more singular in it's purpose. The M2 was more of a jack of all trades. Just this person's opinion though.

[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by ianp622

That's pretty far from stock. The M2 is basically for people who want the setup that you have without doing it themselves.

I wouldn't call a set of coilovers, endlinks, some bushings, and tires exactly "far" from stock

The M2 is a great machine for the money, especially the M2C. With that said, it should be pretty easy to get a M235/M240 to generate the same performance numbers as the N55 M2 with the MP LSD, slightly wider tires front and rear, better springs, more performance oriented pads, and a basic tuner or tune. it would take a bit more work to get into the realm of the M2C though. The M2 cars will still be the preferred car for more track use as they will simply be better at the limit, more predictable, and more consistent.

[paposalsa]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

I've been in an M3 driven by one of the instructors at the performance center. Holy shit. I asked him and was told flatly that 95% of owners don't use half of what the car is capable of. I know I could never fully use the car I'm not a good enough driver.

To quote my father, don't pay for 12" of pussy when you've got 6" of dick.

Totally agree with that! With my lead foot all be in court and wasting money on Lawyers ...

[DanG]

As a previous owner of an M235i, I can tell you that the driving experience in an M2 is so much better than the M235i. More low end power and better steering feel and less body roll.

I passed up the option to "upgrade" to an M2C. It sounds terrible and isn't faster going from 0-60 mph. I felt my M2 was a much better daily driver. My M2 has an M Performance exhaust so that may be part of the better sound.

As far as current production M cars, the M2C is probably the most fun to drive.

[Gadgetphreak]

Originally Posted by eDrive

I call BS that they invited you to drive the M2C for any reason.

Regardless of your financial position they don't just let you drive them.

Depends on where you live. For example, our local McLaren dealer keeps encouraging me to come grab a car for the weekend..

[RotorOver]

Drove the OG M2 along the M3 & M4 at a BMW CCA M Day at the Performance Center awhile back. To be honest, I didn't think the M2 felt much different than my modded M240i. The M3 & M4 were fun and a definite performance upgrade, but I recently drove a 718 Cayman and have to say, it handled way better. You just can't beat that mid-engine set-up. That's the direction I'm going next.

I can thank my M240i for being my gateway drug! It really is a great car for the money.

[Rosseau]

It's also the ultimate "sleeper." (As you know) the M badges on the front quarter-panels are literally the size of postage stamps. My brother's been driving mostly 3 series his whole life and never heard of it. In fact, I would estimate 95% of the drivers in my area have no idea what this car is packing until you show them.

I have to admit though, as a car "enthusiast" I never heard of the M235i either. But I was very aware of the out-of-reach M-series. Every time I saw one I kind of went nuts.

[///M TOWN]

Originally Posted by Gadgetphreak

Depends on where you live. For example, our local McLaren dealer keeps encouraging me to come grab a car for the weekend..

Where do you live Arizona ?

[omera60]

Originally Posted by eDrive

I call BS that they invited you to drive the M2C for any reason.

Regardless of your financial position they don't just let you drive them.

He was just invited to test drive them, BMW Turkey gives me different BMW’s from M2CP to M760Li to i8 roadster for 1-2 weeks (or as long as I want) for long term test drive.
It really depends on your dealer and your relationship with them.

[morphomeman]

The M2 and the other 2-series variants are aimed at different groups. The M2 is for those who want to feel like they are driving a race car. It is ROCK HARD, which is fine if you want to feel like you are driving a race car, not so fine otherwise. The 6 (35/40) is for those who want a modern sports car with power and the 4 (28/30) is lighter in weight and a bit more flingable. Same for 2-wheel vs. X-drive. Each has its niche. Neither is better or more desirable over all.

[USA-RET]

Originally Posted by RotorOver

Drove the OG M2 along the M3 & M4 at a BMW CCA M Day at the Performance Center awhile back. To be honest, I didn't think the M2 felt much different than my modded M240i. The M3 & M4 were fun and a definite performance upgrade, but I recently drove a 718 Cayman and have to say, it handled way better. You just can't beat that mid-engine set-up. That's the direction I'm going next.

I can thank my M240i for being my gateway drug! It really is a great car for the money.

Cayman is a great car. Fun, well put together, but expensive to buy and maintain, and way less practical than the 2'er. I looked at one and loved it.

Cayman would be a great second car for weekends and fun trips. I still may buy one next time around. Doing so, I would have to have a more practical car for daily use. But my common sense starts to ask why am I spending $70K for what would be a "garage queen".

If I were single and ate all my meals out, I could see a Cayman S as an only car.

[RotorOver]

Originally Posted by USA-RET

Cayman is a great car. Fun, well put together, but expensive to buy and maintain, and way less practical than the 2'er. I looked at one and loved it.

Cayman would be a great second car for weekends and fun trips. I still may buy one next time around. Doing so, I would have to have a more practical car for daily use. But my common sense starts to ask why am I spending $70K for what would be a "garage queen".

If I were single and ate all my meals out, I could see a Cayman S as an only car.

While a Cayman could do daily driver duties, I would most likely keep the M240i for that and the Cayman for weekend and fun trips.

[Gadgetphreak]

Originally Posted by eDrive

Where do you live Arizona ?

Bellevue, WA.

[///M TOWN]

Originally Posted by Gadgetphreak

Bellevue, WA.

That's because nobody in the Seattle area drives a McLaren.