[TheSiege]

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I just completed a 1,000 mile road trip with my '24 M2, so I wanted to share some thoughts, observations, and photos with the group here. This was my first real long trip in the car, and took total mileage from 2k-3k.

The Trip: 8 days, 1,010 miles.
In terms of relevant specs, our particular car is an auto with sport/base seats. My wife and I split the driving pretty much 50/50- she enjoys the car as much as I do and also attends all of the BMW schools and track days that I go to.
We started in SFO, then drove down I-5 to LA for a few days of sightseeing. Next, we drove up the coast, using the PCH for as many miles as possible (and 101 when it wasn't- e.g. the lingering closures in Malibu due to the fire). We stopped in Santa Barbara, Solvang, San Luis Obispo, and Paso Robles along the way, with the main event being a few days in Paso for wine tours/tastings. From Paso, we drove up the PCH towards Big Sur for as far as we could before turning around due to the maintenance closures north of Mill Creek. 101 the rest of the way home.
For anyone who isn't in the know already- do yourself a favor and go buy a Butler Motorcycle Map. I'll skip the history lesson, but their maps rate roads based on how amazing of a drive it is (topography, surface, twists, views) and really make for a good time. For a state like CA, they are a must have. If anyone is near Paso Robles, Peachy Canyon Road is a local gem.

Positives: (things you probably already know)

• This is a versatile car! I've driven this on track at BMW events, and it's impressive when being flogged. I'd say it's equally competent on a long GT-style cruise. The car can be relaxed on the highway, easy going in stop and go traffic, and a maniac on a twisty road. Going around an RV or a truck in a passing lane is done in a blink! Spirited driving on the right roads is a dream; there is SO much grip, amazing brakes, and enough low end torque to make any corner exit fun.
• I've been driving BMWs since 2009 (I started with a LeMans Blue '06 X5 4.8is, still a favorite), and these are my favorite seats- so comfortable!
• Ride quality and body control is impressive. Firm enough to be sporty, but comfortable enough for imperfect back roads.
• Based on things I've read, I suspect my PZeros are noisier than the Michelins. Still, the car isn't too noisy. Even with one or both windows open, wind noise is really well controlled.
• Storage is fantastic! We fit 2-3 carry-on sized bags in the trunk, and that still leaves room for a garment bag on top and backpacks (or cases of wine on the way home), before even using the back seats. Our back seat was usually filled with camera gear and snacks- there's more than enough room for 2 people to take a long trip. I dont think the same could be said for a Cayman or 911 (small frunk, smaller seats), or even a C8 Vette (big trunk, but no back seat). In the front, between the console and door pockets we had all the room for phones, sunglasses, cables, water bottles, and other junk that we could need. The car really provides a lot of utility/flexibility
• It looks great! I am continuously surprised by the number of thumbs up, waves, and appreciative comments this car garners (on a relative basis, acknowledgement seems like it has to be more than other cars of equivalent or even greater price). The M2 punches well above its weight here and that adds to the fun. Zandvoort Blue just seems to make people happy (side thought: maybe I have missed it, but why isn't there a dedicated Zandvoort Blue color thread in the photos section?)
• Not specific to the model, but I am really happy we had our car wrapped in PPF. After 1k of driving things got dirty (there's a lot of bug smashing as you zip through the farms along I5/101 in the central valley, see below), and many of the back roads were covered in pebbles, dust, and general dirt. The piece of mind the wrap affords whenever we hear all of the debris getting kicked up helps to make the price less painful. No chips and nicks!
• Gas Mileage: The best we saw was about 26-27 when cruising on slower sections (<65 mph max speed). On interstates, >75 MPH lowers this to the 22-25 range, city was 18-20. Obviously if you are really on it, it's worse (... but in a good way). We found the myBMW app to be pretty accurate (I log miles/fill ups like a pilot's log book, so I have good comparison data).

Not-as-positives: (yes, also things we already know)

• Small gas tank. Not the worst thing in the world since we'd usually stop for other reasons first, but the overall range isn't that impressive- even if you're getting great mileage.
• While the touch screen isn't as annoying as I feared it would be, I still miss my buttons, especially the 1-8 radio presets. I do enjoy the big screen, however, and the integrated phone navigation map in the instrument cluster is great. I have previously had bluetooth connection issues with my Androids, but this trip saw no issues at all, even when simultaneously using 2 phones (I use one for calls the other runs Android Auto/maps). I still really miss the old-school blue-red hot/cold air mix dial - that was a great feature (I know it's in the digital menu, but that dial was so useful!).
• I'm not a fan of the windshield washer fluid nozzles/sprayers being on the wipers themselves. I don't think they provide coverage as complete as sprayers located in the cowl (like on the X3).
• Things I know there are "fixes" or mods I can use to address: I do wish it was slightly louder for sporty driving (get a valve controller), lots of brake dust (swap the pads)!
• Sitting here a week later, nothing else jumps out at me as a memorable negative.... I see this as a sign I picked the right car for me!

Overall:
This car is a blast, and a great all-rounder for road driving. In a school of sports/muscle/coupe/GT cars, the M2 would probably win "best all around" in the high school yearbook. Before I closed on the M2 I considered the 230/240, and while they are great cars and share many of the same features, it's just not the same experience. Trips like this- amazing roads, thumbs ups from kids at stoplights, great comfort, beautiful scenery, really cement the idea of a car like this. The point of the above isn't to start any debates, and I don't expect my opinions to sway anyone else's. When we arrived home, my wife and I were both thinking "wow, what a great car, that was perfect!" so I wanted to share. Perhaps this will also be helpful to anyone considering an M2 and wondering what it's like to live with.
Below are a few car-centric photos from our trip.

[Razor2010]

Nice write up

Great to see that mounting the front license plate there doesn’t cause any cooling issues. How did you mount it? Do you think mounting it slightly lower (equal distance in the lower grill area from top to bottom, basically 2-3” lower than where you have it now), would cause any issues?

Another option would be mounting it flush on the bottom of same grill area maybe with 3M tape attached to the support posts that holds the middle big sensor on same cars.

Cheers.

PS: This isn’t my car in pics, just showed the support bars clearly.

[TheSiege]

Originally Posted by Razor2010

Nice write up

Thanks!


The bracket I'm using is from Sly Brackets- I found it in some write ups on this forum. There are spring loaded clamps that lock onto the vertical struts in the lower grille. It's very solid and was quick/easy to install. Personal preference, but I though it was the best looking of the various options.
I haven't noticed any cooling issues, even with harder driving and warm ambient temps. If I were going to track the car, I'd probably look at a removable Sto-N-Sho solution, but for road use it doesn't appear to impact temps.

https://slybrackets.com/products/SLY...LLE-p615908004

[Razor2010]

Originally Posted by TheSiege

Thanks!


The bracket I'm using is from Sly Brackets- I found it in some write ups on this forum. There are spring loaded clamps that lock onto the vertical struts in the lower grille. It's very solid and was quick/easy to install. Personal preference, but I though it was the best looking of the various options.
I haven't noticed any cooling issues, even with harder driving and warm ambient temps. If I were going to track the car, I'd probably look at a removable Sto-N-Sho solution, but for road use it doesn't appear to impact temps.

https://slybrackets.com/products/SLY...LLE-p615908004

Thank you.