[jmg]

Seriously comtemplating the M2 as my next car. I've had:

F80 M3
F80 M3 CS
G82 M4 Competition X-Drive

I love the shorter wheelbase, I love that the width is the same as the G82. Has anyone come from a G82 or G80 and have any insight to their experience? What will I miss? What will I not miss?

[Montaver]

M3/M4 has a more premium interior (napa vs tacora) and more power depending on the trim. The M2 doesn’t get a surround view camera. The G87 hasn’t been decontented/nerfed in the same way the F87 was, it’s all basically the same (Engine, suspension, brakes, seats, tire sizes, HK sound etc). This is also reflected in the aftermarket where a lot of parts are the same (wheels, exhaust etc.) It’s going to feel very familiar, but with as you pointed out a shorter wheelbase. From a price / performance / quality perspective the G87 is very impressive.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by Montaver

M3/M4 has a more premium interior (napa vs tacora) and more power depending on the trim. The M2 doesn’t get a surround view camera. The G87 hasn’t been decontented/nerfed in the same way the F87 was, it’s all basically the same (Engine, suspension, brakes, seats, tire sizes, HK sound etc). This is also reflected in the aftermarket where a lot of parts are the same (wheels, exhaust etc.) It’s going to feel very familiar, but with as you pointed out a shorter wheelbase. From a price / performance / quality perspective the G87 is very impressive.

Thanks! I don’t care much for the small differences in leather, I actually find the leather in the M4 too delicate. I didn’t equip surround camera on my M4, so that won’t be missed!

[sankarea]

Originally Posted by jmg

Thanks! I don’t care much for the small differences in leather, I actually find the leather in the M4 too delicate. I didn’t equip surround camera on my M4, so that won’t be missed!

If you're in OC, feel free to come check mine out one of these weekends!
I came most recently from a G80 Comp on the BMW end, so can tell you that there are no regrets going the G87 route.

[c1pher]

I didn’t feel there was $15k in difference between the two. You could just about mistake the interior of the M2 with its more expensive cousin. I honestly didn’t care for the looks of the M4 and preferred the size of the M2.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by c1pher

I didn’t feel there was $15k in difference between the two. You could just about mistake the interior of the M2 with its more expensive cousin. I honestly didn’t care for the looks of the M4 and preferred the size of the M2.

That's good to hear. I felt the F87 interior was noticeably downgraded compared to the F80.

I love the way my M4 looks, though. It really needed a wing to complete the look, although I get that it isn't everyone's cup of tea.

I'm also hoping to get the M Performance Carbon Fiber Flow Through Rear Spoiler - (51-62-5-A63-C65).


M4 Competition X-Drive - Sunset by JMG, on Flickr

I like this wing, but not all that other stuff:

[DS_BMW]

I went from
1) F80CS
2) G80 Comp RWD
3) G82 Comp xdrive
4) Alfa Giulia and Stelvio Quadrifoglios
5) FL5 Civic Type R, still have it DD
6) G87 M2 manual

Only put 200 miles on the M2 so far. I don't think you would be disappointed at all. It feels slightly more nimble than the M4. I like the looks better.

You really are only sacrificing surround cams and the leather is not as nice (if you get standard seats) but should wear better.

[fanofbmwe46]

Coming from the following cars:

1) E46 M3
2) F80 M3
3) 718 Cayman
4) G80 M3
5) soon to arrive G87 M2

Will post a review of how it compares to all of these.

[Ronin76]

Originally Posted by DS_BMW

I went from
1) F80CS
2) G80 Comp RWD
3) G82 Comp xdrive
4) Alfa Giulia and Stelvio Quadrifoglios
5) FL5 Civic Type R, still have it DD
6) G87 M2 manual

Only put 200 miles on the M2 so far. I don't think you would be disappointed at all. It feels slightly more nimble than the M4. I like the looks better.

You really are only sacrificing 3D cams that, I wish you could get and the leather is not as nice (if you get standard seats) but should wear better.

How were the alfa romeo giulia quadrifolio? I heard the exhaust sounds amazing.

[Romo]

Coming from;

E46 M3 MT
E92 M3 MT
E82 1M MT
981 Cayman GTS PDK
F87 M2 OG MT
F87 M2 CS DCT
718 GT4 PDK
GR Yaris MT

Present cars;

718 GT4RS PDK
G87 M2 8 sp auto


My impression; the G87 stands far away from what ///M originally stood for.

Not that its a bad car, but not M as it should be;

The goods;
- S58 engine very refined, low revs/high revs, its just there and the star of the car

- The Carbon Buckets Seats; very comfy, very good adjustable, very supportive

- Just a formidable daily driving machine, but more autobahn focused than spirited B road driving, for just cruising around perfect.

The in between;

The steering is a little whiteout feel, but has a strong and direct initial input.

Coming out of my previous GRY I found the steering way to light in the M2, from GRY to RS I even found the RS steering very light.

Coming from the M2 to the RS; the RS feels heavy !

In sport it`s a little bit better, but expect no great differences.


The bad;

- It is HEAVY, way overweighted for serous B road driving, yes it hides the weight good, but everyone pushing the car wil feel the weight, it never feels nimble, it`s a German Leopard 2 tank

- The 8 speed auto is slow on gear down, in no way this matches the previous DCT, and even less it comes close to the RS PDK

- The brake pedal feel; it has a rather weak pedal feel to me, in "sport" it is somewhat directer, but the difference is just minimal. Compared to the GRY and the RS there is really no match; both have a very strong, hard, direct pedal feel. The M2 is far behind.

- The information overload on the DigiDash, its too much. This car should not be about how many apps you have on your iDrive system, this car should not be a driving iPhone. No; you want to start the car and take of, no more, no less. But those times are really gone.


For me the M2 is al about the brilliant S58, brilliant daily driver, just cruising around without any (sporty) pretensions. I have really almost no interest in pushing the car, but just easy driving, music on and enjoy the landscape. And that it does suburb.

But that can be done in any BMW, so the hart and soul of old ///M is really gone imho.

No, it's not a bad car, but no M either, it drives like any BMW drives, if you do not expect a really engaging, sporty and nimble car, you wil not be disappointed. For daily driving, rather normal driving, going to work and back home it does a damn nice job.

[Jett2835]

The G87 reminds me a lot of the E46 M3 my brother use to have back in the 2000s, if the e46 went to the gym and packed on some muscle + weight.

E46 M3 (in inches)

Length 176.8
Width 69.3
Height 53.5

G87 (in inches)

Length 180.3
Width 74.3
Height 55.2


Like others have stated, shorter wheelbase than the G82 you have will make it feel a bit more nimble. You'll probably feel some of the added weight at breaking/turns, however. Cheaper vehicle too, so if you learn to hate it you can just trade it in and call it a day without taking too bad of a wash.

[Bumpinjeep]

Originally Posted by Montaver

M3/M4 has a more premium interior (napa vs tacora) and more power depending on the trim.

Hell, you can spec the carbon seats which are exactly the same as the M3/4/5/8 and have the same quality leather seating surface.

To the OP, If you value the luxury aspect of the M4, you're going to be missing a little, but if you're looking for the driving experience, you'll have it in spades.

[Ronin76]

Originally Posted by Romo

Coming from;

The goods;
- B58 engine very refined, low revs/high revs, its just there and the star of the car

S58, right?

[NewToM]

I came from a different M3 (Mazda 3) so the G87 was a bit of an upgrade…

[DS_BMW]

Originally Posted by Ronin76

How were the alfa romeo giulia quadrifolio? I heard the exhaust sounds amazing.

Great emotional driving experience let down by extremely frustrating problems with no existing dealership network. I could not recommend it sadly. Mine were both purchased new also.

[Romo]

Originally Posted by Ronin76

S58, right?

That`s my bad !

Thanks for correction

[kyrix1st]

Leather will feel downgraded. It's the first thing I noticed coming from an E92 M3 & F82 M4. And I have Cognac which arguably makes the interior feel more premium.

[Ronin76]

Originally Posted by DS_BMW

Great emotional driving experience let down by extremely frustrating problems with no existing dealership network. I could not recommend it sadly. Mine were both purchased new also.

Yeah, that is what I heard as well. The lack of a dealership network is what scared me about the Lotus Emira as well...beautiful car but not taking the chance.

[ourlee]

OP, I see your track pics, you’ll love following Jackie Ding. I say go for it.

[JABCAT]

My wife has the full Merino leather in her X3MC, I prefer the feel of the Vernasca leather in the M2. The Merino looks a tad bit more upscale, but the difference in feel is negligible.

[robopp]

Originally Posted by JABCAT

My wife has the full Merino leather in her X3MC, I prefer the feel of the Vernasca leather in the M2. The Merino looks a tad bit more upscale, but the difference in feel is negligible.

Interesting. My wife has Vernasca in her M340 and I have the full Merino in my X3MC and I hate the look and feel of her leather. The smell is significantly less ‘luxury?’ in her car too.

[JABCAT]

Originally Posted by robopp

Interesting. My wife has Vernasca in her M340 and I have the full Merino in my X3MC and I hate the look and feel of her leather. The smell is significantly less ‘luxury?’ in her car too.

Even with her ventilated seats on high (which don't work well), my back & legs sweat in her car. I don't have that issue in mine. With 30k mi on her car and 11k on mine the leather smell is pretty much the same. Her car does look a little more upscale, primarily due to the leather door panels. I have the M highlights seats which everyone who's seen them really likes them. They would look great in her Marina Bay Blue vs the Tartufo that she has.