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      01-31-2016, 12:08 PM   #1
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M2 vs M3

Looking forward to the reviews. I'm wondering:

1.) Will the M2 be more fun to drive than M3?
2.) Will M2 be more agile than M3?

I know M3 has more power but it also has more weight. Looking forward to the reviews next month.
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      01-31-2016, 12:22 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hegge View Post
Looking forward to the reviews. I'm wondering:

1.) Will the M2 be more fun to drive than M3?
2.) Will M2 be more agile than M3?

I know M3 has more power but it also has more weight. Looking forward to the reviews next month.

I haven the M2 6MT on order, but next weekend I`ll test drive the M3 DCT!! The opportunity was given to me by the dealer I ordered the M2. Well I do like that

Will report what the M3 is all about, I will compare to my previous E46 M3, E92 M3 6MT, E82 1M 6MT and my Cayman GTS PDK........

To be continued
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      01-31-2016, 12:52 PM   #3
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The M3 is actually lighter as far as I know
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      01-31-2016, 12:58 PM   #4
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Well, that is the question isn't it? I am struggling with it myself. For now, I have decided to go for an M3 if I can arrange a summer ED; if not, I'll buy an M2 in 2017.
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      01-31-2016, 01:18 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ramos View Post
The M3 is actually lighter as far as I know
Nope.

http://www.bmw.com/com/en/newvehicle...ical_data.html

http://www.bmw.com/com/en/newvehicle...ata/index.html
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      01-31-2016, 02:25 PM   #6
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I'm getting the M2 near end of this year ... currently have M3. hoping M2 will feel more nimble and agile compare to M3
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      01-31-2016, 06:26 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by -JLT- View Post
I'm getting the M2 near end of this year ... currently have M3. hoping M2 will feel more nimble and agile compare to M3
I am sure it will. Sold my e90 M3 for a 1M and it is better in everyway!! The M2 will most definitely cut into M3/4 sales!!
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      01-31-2016, 06:32 PM   #8
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M2 all the way! M3 is nice but it's too huge now unless you want a fun car for getting groceries
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      01-31-2016, 06:33 PM   #9
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M3/4 is HUGE
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      01-31-2016, 06:53 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ramos View Post
The M3 is actually lighter as far as I know
No, the M3 is heavier. Not a huge difference but definitely more weight.

OP... no one really knows yet. My guess is the M3/4 will outperform the M2 in almost every way in objective testing. The M2 may feel more agile and lively due to it's shorter wheel base and that may be more fun for some people. Again, no one knows.

However, the price gap is large enough (about $30,000 in Canada) that I don't really care if it has a little less performance. It's a compelling $$/performance ratio IMO
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      01-31-2016, 06:58 PM   #11
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Thanks

As far as value though, both cars come with everything most people would want standard in the US, the price difference is only $11k here with probably much better deals to be had on the M3 for at least a year.. I say that the M3 is by far the better value.
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      01-31-2016, 07:34 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ramos View Post
Thanks

As far as value though, both cars come with everything most people would want standard in the US, the price difference is only $11k here with probably much better deals to be had on the M3 for at least a year.. I say that the M3 is by far the better value.
I think similarily equipped cars would be at least 15k difference, along with almost identical performance the M2 IMO is a far better value.
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      01-31-2016, 07:53 PM   #13
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Resale value = M2 by a mile. I can see this car being worth all of msrp (even used) for the next 12+ months and may keep its value for much longer... That made it an easy purchase for me knowing I can get my money back at anytime, should I want to.
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      01-31-2016, 08:43 PM   #14
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If I spec out an M3 at my local dealer equipped with the same stuff as the M2 can have (exec package, metallic paint--but with MT), it is $16+ grand more, out the door.

The M2 is the size I want. Same length as my e36. I'll put the $16 grand delta into upgrades.
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      02-01-2016, 07:21 AM   #15
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Not going to lie, if I had more money I'd rather own an F80. But that's just me.
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      02-01-2016, 10:13 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kovsky View Post
Resale value = M2 by a mile. I can see this car being worth all of msrp (even used) for the next 12+ months and may keep its value for much longer... That made it an easy purchase for me knowing I can get my money back at anytime, should I want to.
Valid point.

Apart from size, driving dynamics and spec'ing possibilities, the price-point is an important factor too, of course.

You'll pay more for an M3 than for an M2 + you'll lose more money with the M3 on resale day.

So put things into perspective in the long run too, when pointing out that an M3 is "just $XXK more than an M2" on the purchase day.
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      02-01-2016, 10:48 AM   #17
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I've lost far too much sleep wondering about this myself. Personally, I have no doubt the M2 will be more playful/nimble than the M3 because I already think the M235i is, but this i why I'm going for an F80 anyway

- I wanted cloth seats
- I'm going to go with Individual paint
- S55
- It's not much heavier, although it is physically bigger.
- I already have 2 coupes, 4 door makes it more practical
- I can get an M3 at invoice. I highly doubt anyone will be able to with the M2.

The biggest reason for me just came down to the fact that I have an E36 M3 in the garage (a really really clean one at that). If I wanted to take something nimble out for fun, I already have that car. At least with the F80, it'll be at the further end of the spectrum, whereas the M2 will be more in the middle.

If I could only have 1 car and had to pick between the F80 and the M2, I'd go with the M2. But I'm not in that situation.

Also, resale value has doesn't really affect my thinking at all as I'll be keeping this next one along with the E36 and E92 M3 I have. Plus I have absolutely no doubt, that an F80 in Signal Green, with a 6MT, cloth seats and passive shocks will hold its value very damn well should I ever sell it.
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      02-04-2016, 01:42 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BruceM
If I spec out an M3 at my local dealer equipped with the same stuff as the M2 can have (exec package, metallic paint--but with MT), it is $16+ grand more, out the door.

The M2 is the size I want. Same length as my e36. I'll put the $16 grand delta into upgrades.
I don't get what you're saying, the M2 doesn't have anything that comes in the exec pack on the M3

Stock to stock is very similar equipment wise and the difference in MSRP is $11k

More like 6-7k initially since M3 can be had near invoice.
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      02-04-2016, 07:58 AM   #19
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A BMW engineer describes the difference in terms of response and the ability to toss the car around. Says the M2 is more toss able in the corners, more nimble. To me both cars have more than enough power and torque.
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      02-04-2016, 08:32 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pruettfan View Post
A BMW engineer describes the difference in terms of response and the ability to toss the car around. Says the M2 is more toss able in the corners, more nimble. To me both cars have more than enough power and torque.
Objective response is objectively objective.
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      02-04-2016, 08:55 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ramos View Post
I don't get what you're saying, the M2 doesn't have anything that comes in the exec pack on the M3

Stock to stock is very similar equipment wise and the difference in MSRP is $11k

More like 6-7k initially since M3 can be had near invoice.
Are you saying that the M2 exec pack "doesn't have anything" that comes with the exec pack with the M3? Because that is not true.
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      02-04-2016, 09:03 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gthal View Post
The M2 may feel more agile and lively due to it's shorter wheel base
I think this will be the case. The suspension is shared and it's on a lighter car so unless BMW goes out of its way to handicap it should feel more responsive.
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