Put your flamethrowers away, this isn't like a tune vs tune thread but some good old fashioned comparison.
http://www.drive.com.au/new-car-revi...13-gjlhvz.html
This is a lot of car for the money! I strongly suspect the M2 will be at least $20k dearer given this is the pricing the M235i/M240i sits at, and with similar levels of performance BMW are going to have their work cut out for them in this segment. Even more so given the non S-spec engine in the M2 (a tuned N55).
It's hard to compare the A45 to the M2 when the latter isn't even out yet, however it's certainly hitting the mark in the bang for buck stakes. I'm still not a fan of the Benz's interior though
