[Paul-Bracq-BMW]

Article from the latest edition of Classic Car UK (May 2017).

BMW M2: Can the E30 M3’s pseudo-successor follow the 1M’s instant-classic precedent?

COST NEW £45,750
VALUE NOW £40,300 – £47,000

For a while BMW M2s were fetching meaty premiums – £10,000 over sticker price wasn’t unusual, propelled by a frustrating 16-month waiting list. Supply and prices may have leveled out now but the strident hoopla around the M2’s arrival should tell us something.

Unlike the BMW 1M the M2 isn’t made in limited numbers – Munich has yet to put an end-stop on production – so the tearing rush to own one of the first examples (and cheerfully pay over the £44,000 list) was simply down to one thing: this is a devastatingly competent M-series BMW and one of the best since the game-changing E92 V8 M3. Munich has never quite recaptured the E92’s narcotic brilliance but the M2 gets closer than anything else.

And its not just about the impressive numbers: 365bhp from the all-alloy 3.0 turbo six translates into a sixty dash of 4.2 seconds, a 0-100mph time that’s one second quicker than the smaller and lighter 1M, and a limited maximum of 155mph. It’s the M2’s return to an intuitive old-school sliding style that makes it such a hoot. Break out the tail and you can perfectly adjust the rear end’s direction with just tiny lifts of the throttle. And it doesn’t take much practice. You can even switch the traction control of without tempting disaster even in the most cinematic slides. On the road it’s a madly fast cross-country missile that can clamp itself to all comers and resolutely stay there. And that all-conquering feeling of confidence is what makes this a truly great BMW – fast, poised and beautifully communicative with so much sensitivity centred around that gorgeous rear end. Four shotgun exhausts and massive rear arches that seem to bleed along the M2’s entire lank leave nobody in any doubt that this is a proper M-car icon. And this rear-drive drift-king can also competently double as a daily driver.

For £44k it’s not only a sensational bargain but is an instant classic that future enthusiasts will reverentially compare to other hallowed BMW icons like the M1, E39 M5 and V8 M3. And yes, all that initial hype really was absolutely justified. Find a well-specced tiny-miler at close to list and you’ll be spending your money incredibly wisely but trying to keep it mint and perfect may be an hourly challenge. The M2 isn’t a machine to sit slumbering in your garage beneath a tailored car cover but a feral animal that demands regular exercise. Resisting the temptation of a sun-dried sweeping B road will be more than most of us can take. The M2 is certainly a neo classic – static museum piece it definitely isn’t.


Conclusion: An instant classic that future enthusiasts will reverentially compare to other BMW icons like the M1, E39 M5 and V8 M3’

[andrettifan]

Great article. Thanks for posting it. If any of us are suffering from post-purchase cognitive dissonance, that should help!

[Robin_NL]

Thanks for sharing.

But this:

this is a devastatingly competent M-series BMW and one of the best since the game-changing E92 V8 M3. Munich has never quite recaptured the E92’s narcotic brilliance but the M2 gets closer than anything else.

A game changer in terms of a heavy boat with a 'race' engine, which feels way less competent in real life use? Sorry but I really really preferred my ex E46 M3.

Everything is imho off course.

Cheers
Robin(ex E90 M3)

[andrettifan]

Originally Posted by Robin_NL

Thanks for sharing.

But this:



A game changer in terms of a heavy boat with a 'race' engine, which feels way less competent in real life use? Sorry but I really really preferred my ex E46 M3.

Everything is imho off course.

Cheers
Robin(ex E90 M3)

Lucky me. I never owned an E46 M3. My 1970 2002 was a blast, but my first wife destroyed in a head on accident. She lived, but we ended up divorced. My 2013 135is was close, but no 1M cigar. M second wife encouraged me to get the M2. I have no regrets, neither with the car nor with my second wife!!!!

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by andrettifan

Lucky me. I never owned an E46 M3. My 1970 2002 was a blast, but my first wife destroyed in a head on accident. She lived, but we ended up divorced. My 2013 135is was close, but no 1M cigar. M second wife encouraged me to get the M2. I have no regrets, neither with the car nor with my second wife!!!!

Sounds like the second wife is definately a keeper.


The M2 is a unicorn in a see of SUV's and what manufactures today tell us is a sports car. There is no doubt the M2 will be sought after in the future. But I think the 1M will be even more covated by enthusiasts many years from now.

Dackel

[bartginger]

Mine replaces my 1995 M3, which I absolutely loved and was my favorite BMW ever. (I started driving in 1974 in a 2002.) Still sad to not have it any more, but the M2 is the perfect replacement.

[nachob]

Originally Posted by Robin_NL

Thanks for sharing.

But this:



A game changer in terms of a heavy boat with a 'race' engine, which feels way less competent in real life use? Sorry but I really really preferred my ex E46 M3.

Everything is imho off course.

Cheers
Robin(ex E90 M3)

Ditto, I agonized about the e90 M3 as it was too heavy, large and gadgety when the 1M came out, I went that route. Also, the 4.2 0-60 is with Automatic gearbox. Not saying it's not faster, that's not what makes the 1M special just that anything nowadays with a auto gearbox is faster, or even electric motors. Just need to be consistent. I finally saw blue M2 yesterday at local dealer. Lovely car. If I didn't already have no nav 1M with super pure cockpit, I would get one. The reason I follow the M2 thread is because I want to see what issues crop up over time because if I ever lose my 1M, the M2 is top of my list. But as Robin said, this guy lost me at E90 M3. The main contribution the E90 M3 had to BMWs lineage was that it finally caused an uproar that became the driving factor in the smaller, nimbler 1M and M2 coupes. Yes, the V8 is glorious, but everything else is slightly off. The manual rubbery, size slightly large and slightly heavy too.

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by Paul-Bracq-BMW

On the road it’s a madly fast cross-country missile that can clamp itself to all comers and resolutely stay there. And that all-conquering feeling of confidence is what makes this a truly great BMW – fast, poised and beautifully communicative with so much sensitivity centred around that gorgeous rear end. [...]
The M2 isn’t a machine to sit slumbering in your garage beneath a tailored car cover but a feral animal that demands regular exercise. Resisting the temptation of a sun-dried sweeping B road will be more than most of us can take. The M2 is certainly a neo classic – static museum piece it definitely isn’t.

• Location: Valparola Pass - Dolomites - Northern Italy
• Date: May 1, 2017 - 11:03am
• Grin factor:

[Dee Pee]

Great article! I'm currently hoping for a CS. I'm hoping that will be a classic too. BMW nailed it with the 1M and M2. Let's hope the trend continues!

Oh...and you're KILLING me Artemis.
My bucket list has an ED with plenty of seat time through the Alps and northern Italy. Keep those coming man!

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by Dee Pee

Oh...and you're KILLING me Artemis.
My bucket list has an ED with plenty of seat time through the Alps and northern Italy. Keep those coming man!

Sneak preview: http://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...2#post21651692