Originally Posted by NecioVato (Post 3958352)

Just throwing it out there - but have you thought about the new Supra, good deals can be had on 2020s - similar to the BMW interior (which you like) and from what I understand from watching the YT reviews - seems to have really nice low-end torque (at least in the 2020). I have also heard that the transmission while an auto - is no slouch and that the car is a really fun car. Something to consider - but yeah, I do agree with your original post - the M2C looks amazing and the fact they offer it in a manual as well. Good review even though it didn't work out the way you had hoped.

Originally Posted by babyzilla (Post 3958319)

Happily married...1 year and counting LOL

Originally Posted by JARblue (Post 3958346)

We went and picked it up from the Land Rover shop. Dropped a new battery in and she fired right up.

Doing some basic maintenance on it currently so that it can handle daily driving duty (new RTABs, rotors and pads, and fluids).

Originally Posted by axmea? (Post 3958435)

Neighbor works for BMW. Buys it using this BMW program where you order, go to Germany, pick up the car, drive in Europe for a few, drop it off and is shipped the States.

Originally Posted by NecioVato (Post 3958352)

Just throwing it out there - but have you thought about the new Supra, good deals can be had on 2020s - similar to the BMW interior (which you like) and from what I understand from watching the YT reviews - seems to have really nice low-end torque (at least in the 2020). I have also heard that the transmission while an auto - is no slouch and that the car is a really fun car. Something to consider - but yeah, I do agree with your original post - the M2C looks amazing and the fact they offer it in a manual as well. Good review even though it didn't work out the way you had hoped.

Originally Posted by babyzilla (Post 3958551)

Don't even get me started on the "Supra" lol the DNA is completely lost on that car. Manual is a requirement for me :) but thank you for the suggestion.

Originally Posted by cv129 (Post 3958553)

Hey but Supra is the best of both world tho....that's a BMW with Toyota reliability!!!!!!!

:roflpuke2::roflpuke2:

Originally Posted by babyzilla (Post 3958329)

Thanks for the response! You touched on some great points. Now for my review. I feel like I'm going to get flamed for this.

On Friday the wifey and I met up at our local BMW dealer after work. She immediately pointed out one of their display cars and said, "ohh I like that. Can we get that instead?" It was a BMW M8 LOL. Anyways, we got into the M2. First thing I noticed is I couldn't really get into a perfect seating position. I wasn't sure if it's because I'm so used to being slung back and sitting low in my Z, but after some adjustments I made it work. The clutch was very soft, a little too soft for my liking. I suppose that's good for DDing especially in traffic. The gearbox was rubbery? Can't really explain it, but it wasn't as direct as I would have liked it. The exterior and interior look great to me, and the car sounds amazing from the outside. However, I barely heard the down shifts when driving which I absolutely love about my Z. I think the most underwhelming thing about the entire driving experience was, to me, it felt like the electronics were doing most of the work. It felt like driving a computer. The steering wheel was so numb. Whereas the Z provides direct feedback and you actually have to drive. Hydraulic > DriveByWire. Don't get me wrong, the M2C is fast af and quick, but my Z just felt more exhilarating.

Before I test drove, I really thought this was my next car. I really wanted to like it. Un/fortunately, I can say I no longer aspire to own a M2C. I'm not sure if it's because I'm so used to my Z and if that feeling has spoiled me, but I just couldn't get the same feeling driving the M2C. I've driven the mustang 5.0, C5/6/7 Z06, and GT4 and those cars all seemed more fun to drive (I've never driven a better can than the GT4. Everything "they" say about the car is true.) I'm obviously in no rush nor do I WANT to go out and buy a new car, but I would like to get an idea as to what my next car will be. I don't really like the idea of garaging a car. Collecting cars would be cool, but we don't have money like that lol. If I'm going to buy a car I want to drive it everyday and have fun. This also means it has to be reasonably priced, so we don't have to worry about what DDing will naturally do to a car. This is another area where the Z shines. I think I'm just looking for a more refined version of the Z. So far, the only other car that appeals to me is the Lotus Evora. They are a bit expensive right now, but I would like to test drive that car as well. I also thought about importing something JDM like a NSX or R-32/33. The theme here is something exclusive that you don't see it often, yet reliable and affordable. Let me know if any of you have suggestions. I think the Evora has my focus right now.

Originally Posted by babyzilla (Post 3958661)

Guys.....this is really coming along well! Those wheels look amazing too. I may stick in the family if this proves to be true.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_LpUFf6j6o

Originally Posted by Frostydc4 (Post 3958886)

If you can swing it go for the M2C (the S55 tuning potential is insane). The OG M2 (with the N55) is a fine ride also but budget for the typical N55 issues (gaskets failing: DCT trans gasket, valve cover gasket, oil filter housing gasket).

Originally Posted by babyzilla (Post 3957757)

Looks like we're in the same boat! I came across some older posts from MagicBus (I think) who has a M2 and Z and he really loves the M2. I wonder if he still has it. If he does, I'd be curious to know what the reliability has been for him.

Also, my brother once custom ordered a 335i with the M package from Germany about 6-7 years ago. It lasted a week and turned out to be a lemon. There was an issue they couldn't fix where the throttle would just cut off on the highway........
Needless to say, I think I'm scarred from it. Yet, I love the M2 lol

Originally Posted by Magic Bus (Post 3959538)

Sorry for the delay in responding, haven’t been checking the whole forum lately. To answer your question, over 3 years of ownership of my original M2, not M2C, I have 0 issues. I’m on the M2 forums a lot and it seems like it’s a very reliable car. The CSC or steering lock equivalent issue for the M2 is the charge pipe. Like the CSC or steering lock, it can be fixed for a very reasonable cost and not something you have to worry for at least 3 years. Other then that, most agree it’s very reliable.

I’d like to add, the Z is a very good sports car. It’s not the fastest, best handling or the most refined, but the sum of the whole makes it one of the best bang for the buck sports car out there.

The Z has better steering (hydraulic), shorter clutch travel, better shifter (manual only for me) and seating position is more sports car like and positions you better for the 3 pedals. The M2 seating position feels like you're driving a sedan. However don’t let what I just said fool you. The M2 is a hell of a sports car and I would not trade it back for my 13 sport Z.

Stock vs stock, the M2 is faster in every aspect. While sitting taller, it sways less, has quicker rebound over bumps making it feel more secure at speed and is more balanced weight wise. The Z always felt a little nose heavy to me. While I prefer the Z’s shifter, the synchros, rev match on the M2 is superior and the light clutch is a delight after getting used to to it. It’s not any slower than the stiffer Z clutch. However the clutch pedal travel on the M2 is longer, but can be shortened for $8 with a BMS clutch stop.

Stock exhaust, the M2 wins. However with an aftermarket exhaust, while close, in my opinion the Z wins. I loved the sound of m Z with just an axle back. I’ve put a high flow cat, mid pipe on the M2, as that’s the only slow down point, with 3 the inch stock exhaust pipes. No sense spending another $3k on an exhaust just for a louder sound. The high flow cat adds better sound plus power.

There have been other M2 owners on the forum, who took a test drive of an M2 and weren’t really impressed but they bought it anyway. After awhile, they loved it. It’s a car that needs to be pushed, as the more you push it, the more you truly begin to appreciate it.

I was also fortunate to take advantage of BMW’s European Delivery program and got to drive my M2 in Germany, France and Switzerland for 9 days. If any of you can, take advantage of that program for a 5% discount off of MSRP. But you gotta do it soon as the new M2C’s are gonna be assembled in Mexico. Then I’d be concerned about the M2C’s reliability.