Hey Kevin, thanks for the review! Just wanted to add a few things from a daily perspective. The car is very easy to drive fast and it doesn't feel like you're wrestling/working with it to get it to go somewhere. I don't have to think too hard to get my fix for taking some corners fast or sliding a bit, especially after a long workday. Comparatively the Mach 1 felt like an event to handle and drive fast, which may be a positive to a lot of people, but I personally found it tiring to handle on a daily basis. In my daily vehicle I wanna be able to shut down mentally and still enjoy it and the M2 works for me in that regard.
Traded my 21 Charger 392 for an M2. What and upgrade. I love my M2. especially being a manual. Been a while since I drove a manual but getting the hang of it again. My only complaint is its a little easy to miss a shift or get the wrong gear. That might just be me. Outside of that I love the thing.
soooo, stage 1 it, sports exhaust and ur done.. alot of people dont seem to understand these cars come limited af because of emissions, reviewers need to understand this, they also need to understand they cant make them as they used to because of safety and (safety) tech. Its not just bmw that has these problems.
I used to not like this car at all because of all the comments and the video section until i test drove one!! Ignore the idiots saying oh the old one is better or this is too heavy. Stfu and go test drive one 1st!
Weight? I dont think you have even come close to driving it near 9/10th to feel any burden of weight. Without seeing the spec sheet would you be able to guess this car is above 1,700kg?
Honestly, just get a CT4V Blackwing... it is what the M2 should have been. Similar power, Performance, more usability(4 door), infinitely better manual(TR6060), actually good steering feel, amazing magnetic ride suspension.
I don't think many enthusiasts are cross-shopping a 2 door coupe with a 4 door sedan even though that Blackwing is impressive (outgoing Alfa Giulia QV is also great). It's kind of an apples to oranges comparison. A more fair comparison in the M2's class would be against a Mustang Dark Horse (since the Camaro is sadly no more), and even then, the Mustang wins for me. Sure the steering is also numb (though I've heard it's slightly better than the current BMW M cars), it's noticeably heavier (3900lbs vs 3800lbs), the build quality is questionable at best, and you can only fit legless adults in the back seats, but that Coyote 5.0L V8 howls while the S58 drones, the handling pack comes with MagneRide, it has the better Tremec manual, and it looks better. Price wise, I messed around with the online configurator, and they're shockingly similar once you spec both of them out. Here's how I specced them: - M2 with Carbon Pack, Portimao Blue paint and Lighting pack = $76,100 - Premium Mustang Dark Horse with Handling Pack and Grabber Blue paint = $76,455
@drjk7565 yes, its 4 door vs 2 door, but the back seats in the Blackwing aren't that much space, only slightly bigger then the M2 back seats, similar weight, similar sizes, both 6 speed manual RWD.
I have this car. It's pretty cool. I tuned it with racechip for 1k and now have m4 power haha. It has a ton of possibilities for mods. An essential mod is a short shifter. Fun car!
Kev, as always a fantastic video and I think you summed it all up perfectly. One quick note is just how much quieter and IMO soulless the S58 is than even the S55 (which I never thought sounded good but now have a new appreciation for). It’s not a harmony of tones like the n54/55 (let alone any other N/A), it’s just one single loud noise like the GTR V6. Aside from that, it’s just sad to see bmw get rid of what made the m2 unique - a quite different feel and character vs the m4. I appreciate the owners perspective and am glad it works for him. From that perspective, it’s fantastic… I’m just sad because it wasn’t bmw that made cars that fit that perspective 10-20 years ago. It was Mercedes, Jaguar, audi, etc. I think especially with the LSD, the M performance models - while they feel quite different - are more interesting to me just because of the much lower limits, better sound, and higher levels of chassis feedback. Plus, all the noise / steering issues are slightly more forgivable in that.
I think you summed the car up perfectly....incredibly capable, and that's even before you factor in the price, but also a bit anodyne unless you are really pushing it. But as for a one car option, it ticks a lot of boxes. I have a distant relative, the Toyota Supra and I kind of feel similarly about it. Not as practical of course, but unless you are really on it (which isn't hard to do) it can be a bit boring. And that's the problem when driving in a somewhat responsible manner. My STi, while not nearly as capable, communicates so much more information, that it feels more lively. Slow car fast and all that.
This is just new cars... I love my CT4 Blackwing and I think one of the best cars on the market today, full stop. That said, I'd much rather have a e39 M5 or E46 ZHP. I just don't want to deal with the the upkeep on a 20+ year old car for my daily. Even my F80 had far more character, the perfect amount of tech and looked better than the Caddy.
Manual isn't choosing right. The zf is way better in that car. The manual guys are getting tired. That zf rifles out shifts and is just as fun and doesn't suffer from lag like the 6spd
"We don't need auto rev-match! I want to rev-match my own shifts otherwise why would I get a manual?" ✨one minute later✨ "Foot slipped off the brakes there when doing my heel-toe. Be careful with that!"
BMW is not longer an enthusiast brand, their primary objective now is to appeal to professionals that want to look like they drive something classy and do so everyday to get to work.
Its big and heavier than previous F8x M3/M4s.....test drove new M2 and M3. No steering feel, manual shifter was mooshy, drove like GT car. No excitement or drama at all.
no thanks i'll keep my 2019 {base} mustang gt 6 speed. with new continental extreme contacts in rear with T/C off and WOT still hooks with no wheel spin/hop
For the purpose that this M2 serves, RS3 is the better choice. I like manual as much as anybody, but I had pick a good modern auto over a rubbery manual. Also, "not that ugly" reads not good looking, not exactly a selling point or endorsement.
Hey Kevin, thanks for the review! Just wanted to add a few things from a daily perspective.
The car is very easy to drive fast and it doesn't feel like you're wrestling/working with it to get it to go somewhere. I don't have to think too hard to get my fix for taking some corners fast or sliding a bit, especially after a long workday.
Comparatively the Mach 1 felt like an event to handle and drive fast, which may be a positive to a lot of people, but I personally found it tiring to handle on a daily basis. In my daily vehicle I wanna be able to shut down mentally and still enjoy it and the M2 works for me in that regard.
Lovin my 2025 with the ZF. Portimao blue with silver wheels
Ugh….More Black wheels? Nice 6 speed! Nice car. Wish BMW would give us an M car that weighed around 3000 lbs. with a stick. How fun would THAT be? 😁
Safety regulations prevent that im sure
3000 lbs is the weight of a 981 cayman lol. Bmw is never nearing anything that light unless they decide to make a hyper car with a cf monocoque, etc
Traded my 21 Charger 392 for an M2. What and upgrade. I love my M2. especially being a manual. Been a while since I drove a manual but getting the hang of it again. My only complaint is its a little easy to miss a shift or get the wrong gear. That might just be me. Outside of that I love the thing.
Old BMW is gone 😞
Please explain.
@@MD2525-1 No more ultimate driving machine
@@Unicornpirate ok....
Ok boomer
soooo, stage 1 it, sports exhaust and ur done.. alot of people dont seem to understand these cars come limited af because of emissions, reviewers need to understand this, they also need to understand they cant make them as they used to because of safety and (safety) tech. Its not just bmw that has these problems.
I wonder how the M2 ride quality feels in comfort mode compared to the M4 comp in comfort?? I found the M4 to be too punishing to daily drive!
I have never driven a M4 but the M2 comfort mode is harsher than the 2 series. Definitely not pot hole or bump friendly.
I used to not like this car at all because of all the comments and the video section until i test drove one!! Ignore the idiots saying oh the old one is better or this is too heavy. Stfu and go test drive one 1st!
It is crazy how the normal basic model provides a higher driving engagement
Most games on wheels don’t accurately replicate modern electric power steering. Low FFB is usually more feelsome than actual modern cars
Weight? I dont think you have even come close to driving it near 9/10th to feel any burden of weight. Without seeing the spec sheet would you be able to guess this car is above 1,700kg?
Coming from sub 1300kg cars, yes, yes I absolutely can.
Honestly, just get a CT4V Blackwing... it is what the M2 should have been. Similar power, Performance, more usability(4 door), infinitely better manual(TR6060), actually good steering feel, amazing magnetic ride suspension.
I don't think many enthusiasts are cross-shopping a 2 door coupe with a 4 door sedan even though that Blackwing is impressive (outgoing Alfa Giulia QV is also great). It's kind of an apples to oranges comparison. A more fair comparison in the M2's class would be against a Mustang Dark Horse (since the Camaro is sadly no more), and even then, the Mustang wins for me. Sure the steering is also numb (though I've heard it's slightly better than the current BMW M cars), it's noticeably heavier (3900lbs vs 3800lbs), the build quality is questionable at best, and you can only fit legless adults in the back seats, but that Coyote 5.0L V8 howls while the S58 drones, the handling pack comes with MagneRide, it has the better Tremec manual, and it looks better.
Price wise, I messed around with the online configurator, and they're shockingly similar once you spec both of them out. Here's how I specced them:
- M2 with Carbon Pack, Portimao Blue paint and Lighting pack = $76,100
- Premium Mustang Dark Horse with Handling Pack and Grabber Blue paint = $76,455
@@drjk7565people definitely cross shop them.
@drjk7565 yes, its 4 door vs 2 door, but the back seats in the Blackwing aren't that much space, only slightly bigger then the M2 back seats, similar weight, similar sizes, both 6 speed manual RWD.
I have this car. It's pretty cool. I tuned it with racechip for 1k and now have m4 power haha. It has a ton of possibilities for mods. An essential mod is a short shifter. Fun car!
Kev, as always a fantastic video and I think you summed it all up perfectly.
One quick note is just how much quieter and IMO soulless the S58 is than even the S55 (which I never thought sounded good but now have a new appreciation for). It’s not a harmony of tones like the n54/55 (let alone any other N/A), it’s just one single loud noise like the GTR V6.
Aside from that, it’s just sad to see bmw get rid of what made the m2 unique - a quite different feel and character vs the m4.
I appreciate the owners perspective and am glad it works for him. From that perspective, it’s fantastic… I’m just sad because it wasn’t bmw that made cars that fit that perspective 10-20 years ago. It was Mercedes, Jaguar, audi, etc.
I think especially with the LSD, the M performance models - while they feel quite different - are more interesting to me just because of the much lower limits, better sound, and higher levels of chassis feedback. Plus, all the noise / steering issues are slightly more forgivable in that.
Just discovered this channel. I’m glad I found it.
I think you summed the car up perfectly....incredibly capable, and that's even before you factor in the price, but also a bit anodyne unless you are really pushing it. But as for a one car option, it ticks a lot of boxes. I have a distant relative, the Toyota Supra and I kind of feel similarly about it. Not as practical of course, but unless you are really on it (which isn't hard to do) it can be a bit boring. And that's the problem when driving in a somewhat responsible manner. My STi, while not nearly as capable, communicates so much more information, that it feels more lively. Slow car fast and all that.
Is this Bryce Canyon?
This is just new cars... I love my CT4 Blackwing and I think one of the best cars on the market today, full stop. That said, I'd much rather have a e39 M5 or E46 ZHP. I just don't want to deal with the the upkeep on a 20+ year old car for my daily. Even my F80 had far more character, the perfect amount of tech and looked better than the Caddy.
10x better build quality and track worthy than the Emira. Will hold value better too.
Manual isn't choosing right. The zf is way better in that car. The manual guys are getting tired. That zf rifles out shifts and is just as fun and doesn't suffer from lag like the 6spd
"We don't need auto rev-match! I want to rev-match my own shifts otherwise why would I get a manual?"
✨one minute later✨
"Foot slipped off the brakes there when doing my heel-toe. Be careful with that!"
😂
BMW is not longer an enthusiast brand, their primary objective now is to appeal to professionals that want to look like they drive something classy and do so everyday to get to work.
My thoughts exactly.
Everything is about perception today
Was the previous gen better?
this is a very good enthusiast car. Just a more comfortable one. Please stop speaking out of your ass
Fantastic car, nth come close in that budget
Does BMW make anything that’s not prototyped using Lego’s?
Whats your current daily driver ?
Legos?
Lego/ roblox joke is getting old.
@@NorthEastCor 100%
@@MD2525-1 F87 M2C. What's yours? Legos???
Its big and heavier than previous F8x M3/M4s.....test drove new M2 and M3. No steering feel, manual shifter was mooshy, drove like GT car. No excitement or drama at all.
Rs3 is boring , much less engaging
no thanks i'll keep my 2019 {base} mustang gt 6 speed. with new continental extreme contacts in rear with T/C off and WOT still hooks with no wheel spin/hop
For the purpose that this M2 serves, RS3 is the better choice. I like manual as much as anybody, but I had pick a good modern auto over a rubbery manual. Also, "not that ugly" reads not good looking, not exactly a selling point or endorsement.