2013 Z vs 2017 M2 vs 2018 Type R

Magic Bus

The post below is one I put on the BMW forum for the M2 vs Type R. Listed at the very bottom, I've added some additional thoughts between the Z & Type R

Yes I know it's FWD, 4 doors and looks are polarizing, so please let's not go there. I'm comparing it from a spirited driving, street only, daily driver perspective, exactly what my M2 does.

First of all, finding a Type R at MSRP was much harder than getting my M2 at MSRP when it was launched back in 2016. I was able to secure a M2 and do ED in May of 2017, exactly when I wanted and got 5% off of MSRP.

My son is a 26 year old engineer who works in a secure facility and can't use his computer or phones for personal use, so he asked me to assist in finding one for him. The Hawaii Honda sharks are all asking $10k over MSRP. So after 4 months of calls, email & messages, I finally secure one for MSRP $35,595 + doc fee of $195 from a dealer in KC, Missouri. They included a 30 day trip permit and pick up from the KC airport. My son can now register and pay HI sales tax in HI. So we made this father son road trip using motorcycleroads.com as one of our guides. 950 miles of road driven fun from KC to Dallas, ending it with the Titans vs Cowboys MNF game.

Believe the hype on the Type R, it's very good! First of all the seats are nice, they're supportive, comfortable and well bolstered. It holds you in very well if you are of average build, but not sure you'd be comfortable if you are on the wider side. Overall the interior can't match the M2, but hey it's $23k less. I'm also not a techy person but the center screen display seemed okay, comes standard with GPS, Apple Car Play and satellite radio for 90 days.

The M2 beats the Type R on straight line accleration but the power delivery of the 4 cylinder turbo is very good and linear like our M2, with very little turbo lag on hard acceleration pulls. We didn't go past 5k for the 1st 600 miles per Honda break in recommendation but did go to redline after. It's very impressive as I felt it kept pulling on strong to the redline of 7k. Also impressive was the absence of torque steer on hard acceleration. I only felt it once during our trip. It happened about 3.5k as the front wheel hit an uneven bump, a split second after I started gassing it out of a turn.

The Type R steering feels very accurate and nicely weighted, maybe just a smidge heavier than our M2. And on straight line highway driving, it wanders less than my M2. Still can't beat hydraulic though, as some of the feedback wasn't there. One area where I miss my 370Z.

Staying on the topic of feel, you can definitely tell the Type R is 300 lbs less than our M2. On quick hard turns, body roll feels close to the M2 but the Type R feels more nimble. Probably why it can run the Nurburgring in a very fast time.

Ride is an interesting one. The Type R is firm but never harsh and could easily be used as a daily driver plus mountain carver. The M2 is smoother on better roads but can be a little more harsh vs the Type R on rougher roads.

Clutch is a little heavier on the Type R, but it's travel is shorter than my M2, and I have BMS stop with 3 washers! It's pick up is just a little higher than my M2 with 3 washers, so pretty darn good for stock. Clutch pick up is easy and smooth like the M2, much better than the abrupt nature of my 370Z. Type R would be my favorite clutch with the M2 & BMS stop an extremely close 2nd.

Shifter on the Type R is very good. It's shorter vertically and horizontally vs my M2. I had to recalibrate my brain when driving the Type R as I went from 2nd the 5th a few times before getting the hang of it. The shifter is also not rubbery like the M2, but the gates aren't as well defined as the 370Z. However if I had to pick one out of the 3, it would be the type R.

Brakes felt good and strong but not overly sensitive. However I don't feel the type of driving which I did, would make me the best judge of this.

Sound, my M2 has the Fabspeed sport cat and ASD coded off. No contest here at all, M2 by a knock out! Even stock, M2 all the way.

Overall I was very impressed and enjoyed driving the Type R. If I was 26 years old, I would absolutely love it. Maybe if it wasn't for the looks, I could forgive the exhast note, save $23K and be driving a Type R now. Nah, I'm older and enjoy my M2 too much.

Other notes from this KC delivery program. Yes, I treated my son for the trip and shipping of his car back to HI, but it was more than worth it. I don't know how to measure the cost for the time and experience with him, but it's an extremely better deal than having him pay $10k extra to the Honda sharks here in HI. Also the Type R gets tons of attention. I was really surprised to see the amount of thumbs up on the road, as well as all the positive comments, cell phone pics by males & females of all ages at the gas stations and restaurants we stopped at.

Addtional thoughts on the Z vs Type R.

Steering feel of the Z is hard to beat, the Type R is very accurate and nicely weighted, but the Z wins here, I guess you can't beat hydraulic.

Sound, put a full catback or just axle back and the Z wins this easily. I don't think it would matter if the Type R had a different exhaust.

No hand brake on Type R, just electronic switch.

Straight line acceleration, not sure who would win, but I'm guessing it's close. On a twisty mountain road, I think the Type R would win, it's also a couple hundred lbs lighter than the Z. Not saying it's more fun, but I do think it's faster here.

Ride, Type R is just a tad firmer, but feels like it handles better with speed on rougher roads vs the Z. The Z felt like it bounced a little more.

Shifter, the Type R is shorter, vertically and horizontally. I really liked the feel of the gates on the 370Z, very well defined, I don't think I ever miss shifted in my Z. I did miss shift a few times on the Type R, but I'm sure familiarity would definitely make me better.

Looks, while subjective, definitely the Z for me.

Practicality, it's pretty, obvious, Type R.

NecioVato

@Magic Bus
All I can say is if you added the Golf-R into your review - you would be covering the cars I’m considering trading in the Z for. TY for the great review - you are definitely peaking my interest in the Type-R again.
The one thing I feel all 3 vehicles offer is that they all are “driver’s cars” and I feel you can’t go wrong with either of them. I think for myself, I kinda wish I would have gone a different direction than getting another Z (not complaining too much bc I do love the Z) but with the markup of the Type-R, and the M2 being out of my price range (for now that is haha); I think the Z gives me a “happy-medium” of solid handling, great styling and while I wish the power was closer to 400-420HP - it still pulls and puts a smile on my face.

Thanks for the review again - was wondering - how long have you had the M2 and what are your thoughts about it overall (I know car reviews of the M2 are that it’s probably the best M series car out there which makes me really want to go check one out)?

Magic Bus

NecioVato, Funny you mention Golf-R, my wife drives a 12 GTI auto trans, which I drive on occasion and have taken it to my favorite mountain road. I know it's AWD vs FWD but at least, you can get my take on it.

Full disclosure, I love manual trans and recently turned 60 but do my best to be objective.

I'd take the Type R over the GTI anyday and it's not because of my love of the manual transmission. The Type R is just faster, sticks to the road better, much lower amount of turbo lag vs the GTI and the almost total absence of torque steer. While the GTI is pretty good at the last point, I do feel it when driving in a spirited fashion.

I've had my M2 since May of 2017. I really enjoy this car and can see myself owning it for a very long time. Below is a comparison I did awhile back. Scroll a little down the page and you'll see several posts.

Bmw m2

Now if Nissan came out with a new Z35 and the new turbo 6 engine plus a manual trans. I'd be forced to build a 3rd garage

NecioVato

I think the M2 might be the next car I really look to save up for and get. Granted if the new Z comes out and it’s pushing a turbo with 400HP - then I might have to rethink things haha

At the same time - even though I want to trade my car in for something different-I see myself keeping the Z for st least 5years wirh hopefully 2-3 of those years being debt free from a car payment. The one car that has me curious is the Type-R but like I said in a previous post - I want to wait to see if they drop the whole upcharge they are currently adding to every car they sell. While I don’t mind if it’s a couple of thousand but I just have issue when it $5k or higher.

Regardless-thanks for sharing your thoughts. You definitely make it sound like the Z is just as fun as the Type-R which is what I was hoping I would hear. Granted it would be nice to find a used one to finally check out for myself. My fear is that I’ll wind up buying it haha