[zero21]

Honestly, like 70% of people who see my ZB M2 are like "wow that color". 20% laugh at it (90% are guys with small wieners (joke)), and about 10% think it's just meh.

The car receives alarmingly positive praise everywhere I drive, but I do have some visual mods and wheels.

I'm glad you are experiencing the same.

[Lucky1]

Originally Posted by NotSharocks

Your previous cars = Moar better

IMHO, totally fine that YOU like your new one.

Also, as someone who's owns a manual Supra and has shifted a G80 and G87 manual, yea it's the same garbage BMW has been using since the E9X M3's.

Thankfully I’m sure there will likely be aftermarket improvements one can make to tighten up the experience.

On my 128i and Z4M all that was needed were gearbox fluid (Redline ATF) but I couldn’t agree with you more on the E9X. My E90 was the worst clutch + shifter combo I’ve ever experienced and would have expected it in a 90’s Camry not The Ultimate Driving Machine flagship ///M edition.

Clutch can be fixed with spring removal, bronze bushings, clutch stop and/or a short throw pedal like Ultimate Clutch Pedal.

The tall lever and long throws can be fixed with a short shifter kit.

It will never be as good as a current gen Miata MX-5 (the best clutch/shifter combo I can remember even including S2000 to the point where I’d consider owning the car for just the 6MT experience alone) but its still a huge improvement and really made the manual experience match the chassis and engine rather than being the bottleneck of the whole experience.

Even gearing may be possible to address though I think BMW has always been oky here at the possible expense of extra fuel consumption.

My point is that my new take on bad modern BMW manuals is yeah come on BMW, better effort please but we’re lucky they even paid fan service to us by including it and if you are committed to the third pedal like I am there will probably be ways for you to set it up the way you want it you just have to stay steadfast to your commitment by spending extra patience, time and money on the cause.

The real complaint I have is you can’t get the third pedal optionally with AWD in either M3 and M2 because at the end of the day what also makes these cars special is that they are everyday practical cars not purebred bespoke weekend sports cars and where I live unfortunately my everyday driving includes snow at least 7 months of the year.

[M2PDX]

Great write up.

I think color impacts people a lot, and bold colors make a huge difference.

I had my black saffire metallic M2 for a couple weeks and got very little attention. Then I turned it into San Marino Blue, and now I get comments every single time I'm out. The younger generation especially loves it. Same thing goes for my '98 Technoviolet M3 I'm hoping Toronto Red is as bold in person.

I'm very encouraged to hear your comments about the manual. A Burger clutch stop ($10) will solve the long clutch take up issue. It's the best mod for the price.

Enjoy the car OP. And post more pictures as you do mods!

[M2Cmtl]

I'm 100% liking the G87 ands its my next car, but the F87 got LOTS of attention where I live anyways. For sure the blue must attract more attention

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by dead.pixel

I’ve never got more compliments on a color than my Hockenheim Silver F87, but driving around town it’s pretty low key. My Estoril Blue F30 340i got way more attention.

Estoril is a great color!

[akkando]

What exactly does it mean the f87 being too small for some? The g87 is larger on the outside, but less space in back and same size trunk as f87. Do you mean some people just like a car that looks larger? Like preferring the larger exterior size of a mustang over say a 911?

[Mollyran]

Nice real world review of the car. Much better than most reviews I have seen so far.

[CodeSlinger]

Originally Posted by akkando

What exactly does it mean the f87 being too small for some? The g87 is larger on the outside, but less space in back and same size trunk as f87. Do you mean some people just like a car that looks larger? Like preferring the larger exterior size of a mustang over say a 911?

It does have 3 cubic feet more interior space, for the vast majority of people who own a 2+2 the rear seats don't get a ton of use, but the front seats *always* are in use. The G42/G87 has a bit more shoulder room and legroom. TBH I don't really care about a slightly smaller trunk and backseat but a bit more spacious front seat is optimal to me.

F22 -> G42

Front legroom - 41.5 -> 41.8 (+.3)
Front shoulder room - 54.4 -> 55.9 (+1.5)
Front headroom - 40.1 -> 39.8 (-.3)

Rear legroom - 33 -> 32.2 (-.8)
Rear shoulder room - 43.4 -> 51.7 (+8.3)
Rear headroom - 36.5 -> 35 (-1.5)

Also I find the dimensions of the f22/f87 to be a bit stubby looking, I prefer the longer hood that the g42/g87 has from an asthetic point of view.

[W///]

Originally Posted by M2PDX

Great write up.

I think color impacts people a lot, and bold colors make a huge difference.

I had my black saffire metallic M2 for a couple weeks and got very little attention. Then I turned it into San Marino Blue, and now I get comments every single time I'm out. The younger generation especially loves it. Same thing goes for my '98 Technoviolet M3 I'm hoping Toronto Red is as bold in person.

I'm very encouraged to hear your comments about the manual. A Burger clutch stop ($10) will solve the long clutch take up issue. It's the best mod for the price.

Enjoy the car OP. And post more pictures as you do mods!

Woah, the paint on the Techno looks mint!

[auggiem3]

Originally Posted by Tag

I have to respectfully disagree, my E92 got more looks than my F87. Only time I noticed the F87 getting looks was from other car people, but the average person rarely showed any interest.

I have both my original e92 and my f87. The m2c gets more looks (or draws more attention - perhaps exhaust). The e92 looks better.