[Bimmerfun82]

Just stumbled upon this thread. I echo your sentiments about iD8 as in my G80 experience. The gauges never did it for me, nor the constant delays in responsiveness. I wonder how iD8.5 or 9 will address some of these issues but am not super hopeful. As for sport displays, I would add that if you pop the car into DAPP in my case the sport displays disappear. Too many things to do, the car makes it more difficult. Remember the days of “you shouldn’t be drinking coffee in your car, cupholders are unnecessary” and now take your eyes off the road constantly for mundane things. And not having an analog gauge option is ridiculous. The seats in the M3 are the biggest and most comfortable, and it’s a bummer the M2 can’t opt for Merino without buckets.

[NoMoreVW]

Any gripes about the stereo system? I know the sound of the engine is the true stereo system, but I like my music as well. I’ve seen on some reviews that it’s not great. The Fender system in my GTI is amazing and it punches you with clear bass. I have heard the HK system is hollow.

[JustinHEMI]

Originally Posted by NoMoreVW

Any gripes about the stereo system? I know the sound of the engine is the true stereo system, but I like my music as well. I’ve seen on some reviews that it’s not great. The Fender system in my GTI is amazing and it punches you with clear bass. I have heard the HK system is hollow.

I think it's great, but there's others here that hate it so much they're replacing all the speakers. I guess, YMMV.

[NoMoreVW]

Originally Posted by JustinHEMI

I think it's great, but there's others here that hate it so much they're replacing all the speakers. I guess, YMMV.

Does the bass punch you? I had to turn down the subwoofer in my GTI as it was crushing my ears at higher settings. Right now it’s perfect, resonates in my chest. Love it.

I know it’s a weird thing, but this will be the most expensive car I’ve ever purchased and want it to be close to perfect as possible.

[LCDRJohn]

Originally Posted by NoMoreVW

Does the bass punch you? I had to turn down the subwoofer in my GTI as it was crushing my ears at higher settings. Right now it’s perfect, resonates in my chest. Love it.

I know it’s a weird thing, but this will be the most expensive car I’ve ever purchased and want it to be close to perfect as possible.

remember too that an audio system is made for different taget-markets & listeners.

When I was an installer back in the day (1990's Polk audio/Sony ES/Soundstream/Audio Control), I made all my systems "balanced" and lots of young people hated them. (Where's the thump?) So I set a preset to put the sub +9dB, and those guys loved it. But then a musician would get a listen and say it was too bassy. My Golf R had the Panasonic/Fender and it did sound pretty darn good, but like many systems with a seventh-order mini-bass module (like a Bose Cube), the bass was a one-note wonder. On the BMW system, you have a simple second order sealed/free air. The sound will be less impressive on first listen, but is capable of more nuance and natural timbre.

[NoMoreVW]

Originally Posted by LCDRJohn

remember too that an audio system is made for different taget-markets & listeners.

When I was an installer back in the day (1990's Polk audio/Sony ES/Soundstream/Audio Control), I made all my systems "balanced" and lots of young people hated them. (Where's the thump?) So I set a preset to put the sub +9dB, and those guys loved it. But then a musician would get a listen and say it was too bassy. My Golf R had the Panasonic/Fender and it did sound pretty darn good, but like many systems with a seventh-order mini-bass module (like a Bose Cube), the bass was a one-note wonder. On the BMW system, you have a simple second order sealed/free air. The sound will be less impressive on first listen, but is capable of more nuance and natural timbre.

Thank you, that’s good to know. I see a lot of us GTI/R guys are going to the M2. Interesting.

[JustinHEMI]

Originally Posted by NoMoreVW

Does the bass punch you? I had to turn down the subwoofer in my GTI as it was crushing my ears at higher settings. Right now it’s perfect, resonates in my chest. Love it.

I know it’s a weird thing, but this will be the most expensive car I’ve ever purchased and want it to be close to perfect as possible.

No, I wouldn't say it punches you, but I have mine set for balance. And I frankly haven't used it much.

[NoMoreVW]

Originally Posted by JustinHEMI

No, I wouldn't say it punches you, but I have mine set for balance. And I frankly haven't used it much.

Balance is good, I just like to feel it in my chest a bit.

[JustinHEMI]

Originally Posted by NoMoreVW

Balance is good, I just like to feel it in my chest a bit.

Check it the electronics section, there's a few threads about upgrades people are doing.

[NoMoreVW]

Originally Posted by JustinHEMI

Check it the electronics section, there's a few threads about upgrades people are doing.

Thanks.

[Chet for short]

Originally Posted by NoMoreVW

Thanks.

The M2 has a subwoofer under each front seat VS the VW with the subwoofer in the hatch. There are some guys upgrading speakers though - as Justin said - check out the electronics section. TBH I haven't spent much time with the exhaust quiet...

[NoMoreVW]

Originally Posted by Chet for short

The M2 has a subwoofer under each front seat VS the VW with the subwoofer in the hatch. There are some guys upgrading speakers though - as Justin said - check out the electronics section. TBH I haven't spent much time with the exhaust quiet...

Yeah, saw the sub upgrade in the electronics thread. Looks like an easy install and price isn’t bad.

[Squidget]

Originally Posted by NoMoreVW

Thank you, that’s good to know. I see a lot of us GTI/R guys are going to the M2. Interesting.

Absolutely. As a 2+2 coupe, the M2 is spiritually not super far away from hot hatches, being a hybrid DD and track car. I'd expect to see people trading up to M2 from GTI, GR86, Veloster, Elantra N, etc., when they have a bit more money to spend.

Depending on how much rear seat they need of course. If they don't need any, they'd probably go Supra. If they need more than the G87, they'd go into a G8x. And of course if they have a lot more money, they'd jump up to one of the p-cars.

[fcman]

Originally Posted by Squidget

Absolutely. As a 2+2 coupe, the M2 is spiritually not super far away from hot hatches, being a hybrid DD and track car. I'd expect to see people trading up to M2 from GTI, GR86, Veloster, Elantra N, etc., when they have a bit more money to spend.

Depending on how much rear seat they need of course. If they don't need any, they'd probably go Supra. If they need more than the G87, they'd go into a G8x. And of course if they have a lot more money, they'd jump up to one of the p-cars.

If I didn’t need back seats I would be back in my C7 corvette.
. 😭

[sl0m0]

Originally Posted by fcman

If I didn’t need back seats I would be back in my C7 corvette.
. 😭

If I didn't need a back seat I'd get a z4 manual or pcar

[fcman]

Originally Posted by sl0m0

If I didn't need a back seat I'd get a z4 manual or pcar

I almost bought a 991.2 a few months ago. Fun car, but couldn’t pull the trigger. Never had the Z4 on my list, they always seem a little soft to me for whatever reason.

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by fcman

I almost bought a 991.2 a few months ago. Fun car, but couldn’t pull the trigger. Never had the Z4 on my list, they always seem a little soft to me for whatever reason.

I have a Z, it’s more of a GT but I put ACS springs on it and it’s pretty tight and lowered the car 15mm. Not as tight as a p car but a blast to drive and way cheaper to own and to maintain. Lightest sports car in the current BMW range. I came to it from the latest M3 comp X drive - and had also never really considered a Z. The M3 was a beast. Not small, agile, and very heavy. The M2 appeals to me but imo the Z is a better looking car esp in frozen grey. But the M2 is a more serious performer with its chassis, engine, and a manual makes it more engaging. The Z4 is supposedly getting a manual for the US market in March.

[Squidget]

Originally Posted by sl0m0

If I didn't need a back seat I'd get a z4 manual or pcar

I always forget about the Z4 because it hasn't had a manual. Glad that is changing!

[ajchoi]

Stumbled upon this old thread as a brand new G87 M2 owner who is also brand new to owning BMWs and has been hugely helpful with random details I was trying to figure out! Also was fun to read all the banter about manual transmission and I look forward to revving mine out after break in! Coming from an 8V RS3 this M2 is on a completely different planet.