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      01-11-2016, 10:46 PM   #1
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Deciding between M2 or slightly used M4...

Gentlemen I keep going back and forth.. Both cars are fantastic in their own right and I'm sure I would be happy with either one. So do I wait until end of the year and buy a base M4 for about the same price as the M2? Or get this beautiful little car? Surely someone else has this dilemma :
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      01-11-2016, 11:34 PM   #2
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If I were jumping right back into the BMW camp, I'd probably go with the used M3/4. As I've said elsewhere, as much as I like small cars, the M2 is small but not light, so you get the impracticalities without the core benefit. The fact that the M2's $55K base price is essentially fully loaded rather than assuming another $8-10K+ in options definitely helps its value proposition relative to the M3/4, but if you're comparing new to used, then to my eye, the M3/4 gets you:

- Better power to weight ratio
- More practicality thanks to more usable rear seating and trunk space, and especially the extra 2 doors if you decide to consider M3s
- A MUCH nicer interior than the bargain basement 2 Series, and more interior customization options
- Nicer exterior styling (especially in the rear) IMHO
- More creature comforts
- Very little additional weight for all of the above

If the M2 weighed 3300 lbs, I'd be much more intrigued by it, but somehow even though the F8x reduced weight relative to the E9x, the M2 is heavier than the 1M it replaces. But I'm biased because I had an E92 M3 and after driving the M4 I realized that it was exactly as I predicted: attractive in some ways relative to my car (torque, front end grip, nicer ride), unattractive in others (sound and feel of the engine, steering numbness), all in all a great car that I would consider buying if I didn't already have an E92 and wanted to buy new, but not enough of a value proposition to justify the $40K it would have required me to upgrade from the E92 I already had.
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      01-11-2016, 11:44 PM   #3
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I didn't like the F80 driving feel, dynamics thus would consider giving the M2 a shot. I think the smaller wheel base will make it feel like the older M3 with crappy turbo throttle and EPS.

Currently, planning to go Macan GTS as daily but M2 is interesting. I'm going to the auto show to check it out tomorrow morning.
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      01-12-2016, 06:46 AM   #4
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If you have to ask, get the m4. Too few m2's to go around. Leave them for those of us who really have nothing else to look forward to. Some would not be as happy in an m4.
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      01-12-2016, 08:31 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gtr
I didn't like the F80 driving feel, dynamics thus would consider giving the M2 a shot. I think the smaller wheel base will make it feel like the older M3 with crappy turbo throttle and EPS.

Currently, planning to go Macan GTS as daily but M2 is interesting. I'm going to the auto show to check it out tomorrow morning.
A shorter wheelbase typically makes the car twitchier which is fine if you want but that comes at the expense of stability and true handling... i am sure this will be a fun car for that reason but there is no chance that it will handle close to an m3.
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      01-14-2016, 04:00 PM   #6
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M4 all the way
M front buckets and that sweet s55+ cf driveshaft
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      01-14-2016, 04:45 PM   #7
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Excited to see expert reviews on the M2. Surely the car will be lot of fun. It would be hard to pass on everything M3/4 has to offer though...

Here is a nice deal on a F80

http://m.autotrader.com/cars-for-sal...5D%5D%5B%5D%5D
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      01-14-2016, 05:17 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Euroonly
Gentlemen I keep going back and forth.. Both cars are fantastic in their own right and I'm sure I would be happy with either one. So do I wait until end of the year and buy a base M4 for about the same price as the M2? Or get this beautiful little car? Surely someone else has this dilemma :
Did you test drive M4? I didn't like the high hood and poor visibility in addition to numb steering. Also, the car is huuuge!
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      01-25-2016, 08:21 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ASAP View Post
A shorter wheelbase typically makes the car twitchier which is fine if you want but that comes at the expense of stability and true handling... i am sure this will be a fun car for that reason but there is no chance that it will handle close to an m3.

You're right...It will handle better. Ever heard of physics?
(M3 /M4 are great, great engines but are relatively huge)


Cheers
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      01-25-2016, 08:47 AM   #10
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I had exactly this dilemma. In fact I passed up on an M4 at launch just to see what the M2 would be like. Unfortunately what I should have done was put a deposit down at that time for the M2 as when I started to seriously think about it I soon realaised that here in the UK I would be unlikely to get hold of one until next year.
So I have ordered an M4, but still think the M2 will be an epic car and look forward to seeing tham out on the roads.
Had availability not been an issue I could have still been tempted either way as I love the power, seats and extra comfort of the M3/M4, but do think the M2 is just about a perfect size.
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      02-28-2016, 03:48 AM   #11
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My heart tells me M2. My brain tells me M4. :/
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      02-28-2016, 11:47 AM   #12
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As I understand you can/will not afford a new M4?

So the choice for me would be new vs second hand car.

I would choose new.
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      02-29-2016, 02:56 PM   #13
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Really you need to answer for yourself. I don't like getting into anything used, high performance, run out of warranty etc. Taking that off the table though, how do you plan to use the car? Track days? High speed cruising on the highway? Around town? I have an M235 and I love it but whenever I need to hop on the turnpike to go to our corporate HQ that's 2 hours away I take the Allroad. Neither are bad options but one will be better for whatever you want to use the car for.
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