M2 Aura wearing off for me

[nachob]

There are a lot things that I like about the M2 and I try to remain objective. When it first came out, I considered at better overall car for most people because of handling. It has superb exhaust note on outside and I thought it was better looking than the 1M. I still believe it has a better exhaust note than 1M and I'm sure it handles better but as I am seeing more of them, the styling is wearing thin on me. I still find the F80 M3 Sedan attractive but the M2 is starting to look a little awkard now and "spage agey" in a not so good way.

The 1M, while some think it looks dated, it still looks cool to me. Just thought I would throw it out there. I'm sure there will be opinions both way but I guess the bottom line is that while the M2 is cool in many ways, we shouldn't feel overly jealous.

We have a really great ride.

Best wishes to eveyrone out there.

[1'M Blue]

The 1M certainly "looks" cooler .. IMO.

[JP-1M]

Couldn't agree more. Within the last two months I've stared at and sat in M2s at the Aoyama dealership and more recently the Tokyo Motor Show.

To me the M2 epitomizes form over function, and even then the form is not wearing well. While trying to make it look better they missed the mark. Boring.

Back to (loss of) function. The backseat is unusable for me at 6'2". I need at least another 4" of headroom. Believe it or not I can sit comfortably in the back of my 1M even when the driver's seat is set for me. Our cars have an incredible amount of practicality to go with a look that I believe will age well.

Side note: even more unbelievably I tried sitting in the back seat of a current 3, 4, and 5 series. Would you believe there is not enough headroom in all of them? Even the 5? Man, BMW is really missing the mark with form over function. A 5 series backseat has got to be useable for someone 6 feet and change. This is a fairly average height these days.

[BAN_M2C]

I own an M2 and would love to own a 1M also.

Back in 2013 I wanted to buy one but I was not in a financial state to do so since I owned two houses at the time.

I can't justify having two 50-60k cars at the same time so I went to the next closest thing the 135i.

I have owned the M2 for over a year now and have multiple mods and enjoy every second behind the wheel. The engine and manual transmission work perfectly together and the exhaust note with everything I have done to it is intoxicating.

The 135i I have owned for two months now and I can say I am impressed on how great it is. I can only imagine how much more fun and better feel a 1M would have over it.

I don't think anyone should be comparing the 1M with the M2 or even trying to figure which is best. Bottom line is that BMW has had many "drivers cars" in its roster and each is unique in their own way. That's why people prefer ones over the others.

I know a current owner of an M2 that traded his 1M for it but says his E46 M3 is the best handling one out of the three.

Keep enjoying your 1M OP.. pretty sure you enjoy it as much as I enjoy my M2!

Cheers!

[nachob]

I must say, the blue looks the best to me for sure! I have seen all of them and blue is tops. As I said, it's a great car and when it came out I thought it was better looking for sure. Just that as time has gone by it's not looking as good to me in the beginning. I think it was because I always considered the 1M to not really be a beautiful car, so it had low aesthetic expectations. I still think the M2 sounds amazing and kudos on the easier to drive fast part too. I guess my point was not really against the M2, it was just that the we really shouldn't feel envious of it because the 1M is still really cool and holding up well with age.

I also came very close to buying the M2. I was first on the list for a couple of years but the mandatory idrive, mandatory power seats, mandatory screen on top of dash, no temp gauge etc turned me off and I bought a used 1M instead but because there is so much to like in the M2, I always had a nagging doubt. That little bit of doubt is slowly withering away. Anyway, congrats a great ride!

[asiflicious]

Originally Posted by nachob

There are a lot things that I like about the M2 and I try to remain objective. When it first came out, I considered at better overall car for most people because of handling. It has superb exhaust note on outside and I thought it was better looking than the 1M. I still believe it has a better exhaust note than 1M and I'm sure it handles better but as I am seeing more of them, the styling is wearing thin on me. I still find the F80 M3 Sedan attractive but the M2 is starting to look a little awkard now and "spage agey" in a not so good way.

The 1M, while some think it looks dated, it still looks cool to me. Just thought I would throw it out there. I'm sure there will be opinions both way but I guess the bottom line is that while the M2 is cool in many ways, we shouldn't feel overly jealous.

We have a really great ride.

Best wishes to eveyrone out there.

The 1M looks different than any other BMW while the M2 is very "BMW". Is that a bad thing? I don't think so. It's just different. I will say though that whenever I see an M2 on the road I say "oh cool, an M2" but when I see a 1M I'm like "HOLY FUCK A 1M!!"

[FRNTHVY]

I get asked all the time, “is that a real 1M?” And when I says yes peoples eyes light up. I think it is pretty cool and that reaction will only get better as it ages. The M2 is cool to see although in 5 years it will probably not get the reaction.

[1mGator]

Originally Posted by nachob

There are a lot things that I like about the M2 and I try to remain objective. When it first came out, I considered at better overall car for most people because of handling. It has superb exhaust note on outside and I thought it was better looking than the 1M. I still believe it has a better exhaust note than 1M and I'm sure it handles better but as I am seeing more of them, the styling is wearing thin on me. I still find the F80 M3 Sedan attractive but the M2 is starting to look a little awkard now and "spage agey" in a not so good way.

The 1M, while some think it looks dated, it still looks cool to me. Just thought I would throw it out there. I'm sure there will be opinions both way but I guess the bottom line is that while the M2 is cool in many ways, we shouldn't feel overly jealous.

We have a really great ride.

Best wishes to eveyrone out there.

Plus you got the right color second time around😀

[arvinz]

It's been over 6 years since I got my 1M new and I kid you not, I still am a huge fanatic. I look at youtube every day to see if there's a new video posted for our cars. My obsession started about two months before I picked up my car and I keep scouring the net looking for new images and videos all the time.

It's definitely a keeper and also a historic car; remember it's the first ever turbo-charged M car so it has a special place in BMW history.

[CarJunkie]

Originally Posted by arvinz

It's been over 6 years since I got my 1M new and I kid you not, I still am a huge fanatic. I look at youtube every day to see if there's a new video posted for our cars. My obsession started about two months before I picked up my car and I keep scouring the net looking for new images and videos all the time.

It's definitely a keeper and also a historic car; remember it's the first ever turbo-charged M car so it has a special place in BMW history.

+1, six years, original owner, starting to mod for function (track and autocross with retained daily drivability) and love it every time I get in it.

[Mdawood]

Originally Posted by BAN_M2

I own an M2 and would love to own a 1M also.

Back in 2013 I wanted to buy one but I was not in a financial state to do so since I owned two houses at the time.

I can't justify having two 50-60k cars at the same time so I went to the next closest thing the 135i.

I have owned the M2 for over a year now and have multiple mods and enjoy every second behind the wheel. The engine and manual transmission work perfectly together and the exhaust note with everything I have done to it is intoxicating.

The 135i I have owned for two months now and I can say I am impressed on how great it is. I can only imagine how much more fun and better feel a 1M would have over it.

I don't think anyone should be comparing the 1M with the M2 or even trying to figure which is best. Bottom line is that BMW has had many "drivers cars" in its roster and each is unique in their own way. That's why people prefer ones over the others.

I know a current owner of an M2 that traded his 1M for it but says his E46 M3 is the best handling one out of the three.

Keep enjoying your 1M OP.. pretty sure you enjoy it as much as I enjoy my M2!

Cheers!

Florida plates!!! What city are you in?

[BAN_M2C]

Originally Posted by Mdawood

Florida plates!!! What city are you in?

I'm on the Space Coast!

[abb6027]

Originally Posted by FRNTHVY

I get asked all the time, “is that a real 1M?” And when I says yes peoples eyes light up. I think it is pretty cool and that reaction will only get better as it ages. The M2 is cool to see although in 5 years it will probably not get the reaction.

Yep. I went to BMW club skid pan day and had the same question. People are very excited to see a real 1M...

As for the looks, it reminds me of cars I would draw in school with massive oversized wheels and flared guards. Every time I park and look back at those flares I think “this car is nuts”. Thank god for those mad German engineers! I don’t think I would feel the same about an M2.

[blackmist222777]

everything in phases.... but i think the 1M will always be special and because of that, it will be attractive. just need to view it for what it is and not compare it other rides.

[sterile stork]

It's also difficult with the M2 as some of the rumors suggest the competition version due out 2018 will use the S55 (M3/M4) engine--should that materialize what then would have to early model year M2's? Not a favorable scenario, at least on initial examination...

[Dee Pee]

34k miles, original owner, DD.
After 6+ years in I still love the car and find that people sweat thing thing at least once a month.
Considering a 911T if I don't get an M2 CSL allocation, but the M2 seemed a bit too refined for me, if that's the correct way to describe it vs the 1M. Intervertebral discs be damned!

[Dackelone]

nachob I think you need to stop sniffing around M2's and kicking their tires... and just go for a LONG test drive. I am truly impressed with the amount of grip the front axle has. The M2 is really well balanced and is quite tossable. The 1M is more of a bull dog... able to change direction at will. The M2 is just more grown up and far easier to drive hard.

Really... go and test drive a M2.

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

nachob I think you need to stop sniffing around M2's and kicking their tires... and just go for a LONG test drive. I am truly impressed with the amount of grip the front axle has. The M2 is really well balanced and is quite tossable. The 1M is more of a bull dog... able to change direction at will. The M2 is just more grown up and far easier to drive hard.

Really... go and test drive a M2.

It may be more capable, but it has lost personality.

This is the exact reason why older analog cars are skyrocketing these days.

Less perfection, more personality.

Never selling my 1er. I like that it has a small glint in its angel eyes that says "I'm gonna try and kill you, but you are going to enjoy the ride"

[Mr. Wilson]

The M2 is one hell of a car. One of the best aspect of the car is that n55. As a F80 owner I do love the s55 but it has an entirely different personality and although the engine is more capable especially on a track, the n55 has much more personality. I loved my tuned m235.

Additionally I must mention though my 1M is going no where. The whole damn car has personality for good or for bad. And unlike the M2, for me at least, that's the point of the car. Cars are getting more and more surgical and less visceral. The M2 is one of the few cars that can do both but it remains in the shadow of the 1M in terms of visceral hands down. On a track, as a novice driver, my time would be much better with a M2 then a 1M. If your an excellent driver though the gap closes quickly. Just my two cents nothing more.

[nachob]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

nachob I think you need to stop sniffing around M2's and kicking their tires... and just go for a LONG test drive. I am truly impressed with the amount of grip the front axle has. The M2 is really well balanced and is quite tossable. The 1M is more of a bull dog... able to change direction at will. The M2 is just more grown up and far easier to drive hard.

Really... go and test drive a M2.

I will. I meant more on looks. It's
A great car. I actually won the bmw car club flash drawing for 1 day M school and M2 will be my pick. Just looks-wise I thought it looked great at first but the styling is losing something for me.
Great car though for sure!

[Artemis]

Chiming in. Clocked ± 66K km in my former 1M and already 30K km in my current M2.

FWIW, for a couple of my thoughts: http://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...4#post20882374.

[M3 Adjuster]

Great post. I've watched the M2 from the beginning as I was hoping to have another ED experience in an M2. It was harder to find an M2 early for ED than it was the 1M.

Since then I've driven an M2. Personally I feel the car is the same car as the 1M. It's five years newer and has 5 years more tech added which in many ways means better daily creature comforts but also some of these are more annoying. TPMS issues on track for example. :
The fact that you can't turn off auto rev match unless you go to traction control off.


As MightyMouseTech stated, it's the same car as the 1M but with less personality.

Electric steering - worse
Power seats standard ( except for 75 ZL9 cars)
The front seating position is tall like in the 1M with power seats - definitely worse.
6 speed in the M2 is slicker but actually less tactile - worse
Clutch effort in the M2 is super light- worse

Overall it is an easier car to drive faster, but it's less visceral, and feels number at the same time.

Looks are subjective but both cars look great in Black.

I think the M2 will hold its value well because of rarity but not like the 1M. I'm definitely not trading toward a stock M2.

Having both cars might be nice. I know that several people that have switched from the 1M prefer the M2 , but I would say that generally most that feel that way are using the car as a daily driver.

As a weekend car , ( and daily for some ) the 1M is incredibly more enjoyable because it really requires more attention , and the tactile feeling from driving it is more rewarding to me.

1M Tex owns BOTH and prefers the 1M and considers it a keeper over the M2. Sounds like @Mr. Wilson agrees.

I know that doug_999 also has both and while he currently drives the M2 daily he hasn't parted with his 1M just yet.

For those that need a daily driver or a warranty then the M2 is easily a magnificent car. If you want driving to be more of a special occasion, then the 1M is the better car.

I'm still closely watching the M2 forums as I hope that BMW has the cojones to make an M2 CSL with a 6 speed manual. BMW is moving towards a base , comp pack, CS, CSL hierarchy. The M3 and M4 CS vehicles so far to me are still too much oriented towards a daily driver more than a track weapon. I'd like to pick up an M2 CSL - ( give the M2 the M4 GTS treatment but still with a 6 speed not an automatic ) and retire my 1M from track duty due to exclusivity.

If BMW decides to make their CS and CSL line DCT ONLY : then I will either go back to a full on track car or perhaps consider a Cayman GT4 or an X3M.