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      07-13-2020, 10:31 AM   #1
Seann14217
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Looking to buy a 2 series

I'm trying to buy a 2 series and have been saving up a significant amount of money for one but I'm stuck on what to buy. There's the M235i, The M240i, the M2 and then the M2 comp. I've done my research on them and all it has done is made the choice even harder.

The M240i comes with the B58 and has more torque then the regular M2 and is the cheapest.
But the M2 also comes with the N55 and sounds best in my opinion.
But the M2 comp has the S55 the most hp and torque but it's the most expensive.

Someone please help me I just want a fun manual car that's fast that I can daily.
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      07-13-2020, 10:51 AM   #2
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"fun manual that's that I can daily" sounds like m235/240 to me. max value m235.
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      07-13-2020, 10:56 AM   #3
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Originally Posted by FCBuff View Post
"fun manual that's that I can daily" sounds like m235/240 to me. max value m235.
But the M2 and M2 comp are just so beautiful 😂
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      07-13-2020, 11:21 AM   #4
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Are you looking for a new car or used? How much do you value a comfortable ride? Would you notice the absence of a limited slip differential? How valuable is exclusivity and rarity to you?

Just some questions to ask. You have a huge range in price there, assuming you’re considering new and used cars (since all M2s will be used.)
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      07-13-2020, 11:44 AM   #5
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This is a tough one to answer because really it comes down to your needs at the end of the day. I can input my .2 though and hopefully you can take something from it.

I had a M4 because I tought I wanted something very performance driven. And while it was a brilliant car and the absolute best I've ever owned, it was a little too much for my daily driving needs (also expensive to own and maintain), I was driving about 15 miles every day round trip to work. And that was it. Did it really justify the price of it in my opinion? No. I "downgraded" to a M235i and i'm very happy with it. It is the perfect middle ground between performance and comfort. On drives to work its nice and smooth. On days you wanna push it hard, the performance is still very present.

Are you looking to track your car and drive it hard on the daily? M2/M2c. Are you like me and just looking for a daily driver with a little pep to it's step? M235/40i. Is money not an issue?? M2C all day lol

Now when it. comes to engines, that is subjective. yeah, the b58 is more powerful, but the N55 does sound good and is still pretty strong.

hope this helped..
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      07-13-2020, 11:52 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Moflow View Post
Are you looking for a new car or used? How much do you value a comfortable ride? Would you notice the absence of a limited slip differential? How valuable is exclusivity and rarity to you?

Just some questions to ask. You have a huge range in price there, assuming you’re considering new and used cars (since all M2s will be used.)
Used, I couldn't care less about a comfortable ride honestly, and the Limited slip differential is preferred but not necessary.
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      07-13-2020, 11:55 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by j2dad5389 View Post
This is a tough one to answer because really it comes down to your needs at the end of the day. I can input my .2 though and hopefully you can take something from it.

I had a M4 because I tought I wanted something very performance driven. And while it was a brilliant car and the absolute best I've ever owned, it was a little too much for my daily driving needs (also expensive to own and maintain), I was driving about 15 miles every day round trip to work. And that was it. Did it really justify the price of it in my opinion? No. I "downgraded" to a M235i and i'm very happy with it. It is the perfect middle ground between performance and comfort. On drives to work its nice and smooth. On days you wanna push it hard, the performance is still very present.

Are you looking to track your car and drive it hard on the daily? M2/M2c. Are you like me and just looking for a daily driver with a little pep to it's step? M235/40i. Is money not an issue?? M2C all day lol

Now when it. comes to engines, that is subjective. yeah, the b58 is more powerful, but the N55 does sound good and is still pretty strong.

hope this helped..
That's the thing I'm kind of in the middle of everything and just can't make a decision, is the extra horsepower and torque worth the price gap? I could just get a M235i and tune it to be as powerful or more powerful then an M2. But it won't have the LSD or the amazing interior of the M2. There are so many thoughts about this topic and I can't decide. I'm a younger guy and don't want to make the wrong decision.
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      07-13-2020, 12:06 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Seann14217 View Post
That's the thing I'm kind of in the middle of everything and just can't make a decision, is the extra horsepower and torque worth the price gap? I could just get a M235i and tune it to be as powerful or more powerful then an M2. But it won't have the LSD or the amazing interior of the M2. There are so many thoughts about this topic and I can't decide. I'm a younger guy and don't want to make the wrong decision.
I'd skip the M2 and just go straight to a M2c if you're looking for the true M experience. The M2 interior is pretty much identical to mine except a dashboard with the M logo in it, and in the seats. The M2 doesn't even have the real M seats.

And to answer your question: "is the extra horsepower and torque worth the price gap? ", I'm not sure. I haven't driven an M2 so I'm not sure what it feels like. But My car is FBO stage 2 and I can keep up with my friend's stock M2, easy. In terms of handling and chassis though I'm sure he would take me on a track. Now an M2C, that's another story..

An easy way for you to figure out what you like is to just go test drive all of them. See how they feel and then make a decision from there. The good thing is at the end of the day, you can't go wrong with any of these options. They are all amazing car. It just comes down to what feels right for you

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      07-13-2020, 12:28 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by Seann14217 View Post
Used, I couldn't care less...
Off-topic, but congrats on this. So many cannot express this actual thought, that we found and have shared this chart, but you nailed it!

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      07-13-2020, 12:46 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Seann14217 View Post
Used, I couldn't care less about a comfortable ride honestly, and the Limited slip differential is preferred but not necessary.
Sounds like its time for some test drives!

I tend to think people on the fence should just go with the 240i/235i. It's a more balanced car overall and there are fewer potential regrets IMHO. You're probably not going to be THAT sad about the lack of speed when you're in something that's still pretty fast. On the other hand, if you get an M2 and find the ride quality too harsh, you will hate your life every single time you drive the vehicle.

I think the majority of happy M2 owners are people who knew from the start that they HAD to have that thing. If the car isn't at that "I simply MUST have that thing" level for you, its probably not the right car.

But you never know. Maybe that's how you will end up feeling after driving one.

Good luck! Let us know what you end up doing!
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      07-13-2020, 12:49 PM   #11
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If I were OP, I would get the M2 with N55 engine. OP already likes how the car sounds. And he also prefers LSD.

Now you can get an M235i and mod it to be as fast. But by the end of the day driving an M car is a different experience. Just my .2
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      07-13-2020, 01:35 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 4Hockey4 View Post
I went 235i over 240/M2 because i wanted $$ to mod. M2 is a great car, but if I was buying now, I'd shoot for 2018 240i low mileage CPO

The $5-6K (at the time) I saved over 240, went to fun stuff. Forged wheels, downpipe, front bushings, short shifter.

Prices are closer now, so I'd lean 240i unless you want LSD (well and if you steal one, you could add for $3K) Love look of M2 also, but 235/240 is a sleeper...doesnt look that fast.

Also I spent months researching, calling, looking etc. regardless of what some say here, as a rule Manuals bring premium. Even ones priced the same as autos, they wouldn't move on price, where the autos I was getting $3K+ off. good luck

All 4 great cars, but the one you can afford with lowest mileage.
I guess I'm gonna test drive all these models and make a decision within the next few months.
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      07-13-2020, 02:43 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Seann14217 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by 4Hockey4 View Post
I went 235i over 240/M2 because i wanted $$ to mod. M2 is a great car, but if I was buying now, I'd shoot for 2018 240i low mileage CPO

The $5-6K (at the time) I saved over 240, went to fun stuff. Forged wheels, downpipe, front bushings, short shifter.

Prices are closer now, so I'd lean 240i unless you want LSD (well and if you steal one, you could add for $3K) Love look of M2 also, but 235/240 is a sleeper...doesnt look that fast.

Also I spent months researching, calling, looking etc. regardless of what some say here, as a rule Manuals bring premium. Even ones priced the same as autos, they wouldn't move on price, where the autos I was getting $3K+ off. good luck

All 4 great cars, but the one you can afford with lowest mileage.
I guess I'm gonna test drive all these models and make a decision within the next few months.
Sean! Stop drop and roll! You are in analysis paralysis!

You care for manual and RWD? Get an M2C. There is no comparison.

If you don't want AWD and a convertible? Get an M2C

If you want the most pure M car BMW currently sells? Get an M2C

If you don't want to have S55 envy? Get an M2C

However, get an MT M240i/M235i and you too will seal your fate! You will be left coming back to these forums wishing you bought the king of RWD MT coupes: the M2C. Given how close the MT M240i coupe is to the M2C, makes no sense to ever but the MT RWD M240i. With the exception of price point, I do not see the point of the RWD MT M240i when there is the M2C

Oh and the N55 equipped M2 is just as silly as RWD MT M240i compared to the M2C.
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      07-13-2020, 06:23 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sportstick View Post
Off-topic, but congrats on this. So many cannot express this actual thought, that we found and have shared this chart, but you nailed it!

"Messiah" (HMV56) plays in my head when someone uses this properly!
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      07-13-2020, 08:56 PM   #15
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I'd go with the M235/M240 all day long. Perfect balance between the two.

Now if this was going to be your "weekend car", and you also had a daily driver, I would go with the M2/M2C.
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      07-13-2020, 09:22 PM   #16
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They're all awesome. B58 is a decent bump over the N55 when it comes to making power. If you have E85 available, you can easily make 480-500 WHP on a stock turbo B58 for less than $2500. But then you'll need an LSD to help harness the power and that's a bit pricey. Then you'll need to add the xHP flash on the ZF8 or upgraded clutch on the manual. The real M's have much sexier hips and a bit more street presence and they're not limited to narrow rear tires. Definitely more track focused and less forgiving as daily drivers. I love the M2C and will look at that (and the X3M) in a few years, but I can't justify a move at this point. I owe less than 20K on my M240i and it does everything I need it to.
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      07-16-2020, 08:07 PM   #17
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If you want comfort and sensible power
I vote m240
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      07-16-2020, 08:24 PM   #18
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Buy the car you can afford, look for low mileage, and if M2 isnt too rough a ride for you, its the best sports car of the lot.

No one here can determine whats best for you, your needs or wants. Its a sports car, not sensible, otherwise get the Civic Turbo...hell mine does 0-60 in 6.5

(based on prices, I'd go 240 MT RWD..if you have to have the fat ass and LSD, 2018 M2 seems sweet spot for $$ IMO)

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      07-17-2020, 05:51 AM   #19
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OP: If you are buying used, then you should establish a price range and find the best car that you can for that price. The best value will be the M235, followed by the M240. One issue with true M cars is that they are more likely to have significant wear, especially of expensive parts, because they are marketed to people who drive hard. A couple of days on a track will do a real number on brakes, for example. They can easily be replaced, but at a high cost.
Others have noted the comfort factor. True M cars have a very stiff suspension. Some, especially the very young, don't mind a stiff ride. In terms of wow, though, they are way ahead. These cars will always turn heads, even as they age. I can't say that for myself.
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      07-17-2020, 11:11 AM   #20
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It's really a question of price point and maintenance. What can you afford to buy and what can you afford to maintain. For me the nobrainer would be the M2C... except I live in Ohio... and don't track my cars... and it snows... and traffic is basically a way of life in Cincinnati. I went with the M240i x-drive because of those reasons.
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      07-17-2020, 11:21 AM   #21
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These cars will always turn heads, even as they age. I can't say that for myself.
Don't give yourself that little credit. We can still turn heads as you age; they just turn away now!
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