[Lessthanzero]

So this may sound crazy, but the G87 seems like it is major bang for the buck, and who doesn't like getting a good deal? I don't mind the looks (would get it in black), and I like smaller cars for parking in the city.

On the other hand, I'm getting a new car because my current Targa is not sufficient as a DD, since my kids are now officially teenagers (and taller than me). I previously had an F80, which more than solved for most of my needs.

Then again, once you get on the configurator, there's no end to the damage you can do to your wallet. The M2 would help with that, since there just aren't that many options.

[bmwdrive]

Originally Posted by Lessthanzero

So this may sound crazy, but the G87 seems like it is major bang for the buck, and who doesn't like getting a good deal? I don't mind the looks (would get it in black), and I like smaller cars for parking in the city.

On the other hand, I'm getting a new car because my current Targa is not sufficient as a DD, since my kids are now officially teenagers (and taller than me). I previously had an F80, which more than solved for most of my needs.

Then again, once you get on the configurator, there's no end to the damage you can do to your wallet. The M2 would help with that, since there just aren't that many options.

Well it's not like the G82 looks are not polarizing. So if looks aren't an issue, then it comes down to price, performance and need for practicality. If you needed practicality, I assume you would be going with the G80 instead of either G82/G87. So now we're down to price and performance. Obviously the G87 wins on price. In terms of performance, my guess is the G82 will be faster overall, but the G87 will be more nimble and possibly more fun to drive. I would go with the more fun to drive. The G87 has more than enough performance to get you arrested so if you think the G87 will be the more fun/engaging car, I would go with that. I don't think you can go wrong with either car though.

[Jackie Chiles]

I had an M2, and it was OK. The new version seems to be a more competent car, certainly faster, but. . .

It’s ugly. And it’s RWD.

Those two factors drove me to the M4 xDrive.

PS: We have real winters here, so AWD is key for me. But even if I lived south of the Mason-Dixon I’d probably still go for AWD bc of the acceleration from a stop and coming out of corners.

[trey100]

I'm in the same boat except G80 vs G87. The biggest driver towards the G80 is the 4 door space (family room even though we have another family car but it isn't as nice) but even in manual, it's 10-12k more than the G87 and the wait may be 8-12 months. Used G80s are staying as much or more than new thanks to the backlog os supply.

For you, with the G87 you basically get a M4 for less money and really only give up on the Vernasca vs Merino leather. The M4 seems more substantial but not enough in my option to not go G87 for less money and maybe gain even more nimbleness.

[Hendo741]

I have a M4CX, but will be switching to the M2 Comp if they offer it in Xdrive come 2024 or so. I prefer the looks of the new 2 series and the slightly smaller dimensions.

[Volatility]

From a "value" perspective, I actually think the G42 M240 is the greatest bang for the buck. Now there are a decent amount of aftermarket support for it, you can squeeze 550WHP+ in its AWD platform, which is lighter than a G80(I believe, as BMW website has the M240 weighing 3871 and the M3XD at 3840, however other websites has curb weight as 3990, but I would think the M240XD is 100lbs lighter)

Im partial to AWD as I live in the Northeast, so its more practical and better performance too for certain applications. The B58.2 has a lot of potential too, while its not the S58, from a "bang for the buck" perspective, if you are really focused on performance, its rather easy to add 150+WHP to it. When I look at the G42XD, its essentially like a 1st Gen GTR, with just a few basic mods of course..

Fingers crossed BMW offers a G87 XD version(whether its a competition or CS line, it'll definitely grace my garage when its offered, along with my G80CXD..

[bmwdrive]

Originally Posted by trey100

I'm in the same boat except G80 vs G87. The biggest driver towards the G80 is the 4 door space (family room even though we have another family car but it isn't as nice) but even in manual, it's 10-12k more than the G87 and the wait may be 8-12 months. Used G80s are staying as much or more than new thanks to the backlog os supply.

For you, with the G87 you basically get a M4 for less money and really only give up on the Vernasca vs Merino leather. The M4 seems more substantial but not enough in my option to not go G87 for less money and maybe gain even more nimbleness.

From all reviews, it seems that the G87 fits the description above. Basically a slightly smaller M4 and more nimble. The M3 has 4 doors, but it's also $10K - $20K more for the extra practicality.

[TrentMeister]

Only differences to me are Interior quality and torque.

The g82 is vastly more luxurious especially with full leather

[Forzanerazzurri]

I still can't figure out what the target market is for the M2. Who is buying that car?

[DFW_M]

Originally Posted by Forzanerazzurri

I still can't figure out what the target market is for the M2. Who is buying that car?

The F87 target market was pretty defined. They made the G87 too close to the G82, took the extreme fun factor out of it. Not sure why would one get the G82 unless it is X-drive

[Forzanerazzurri]

Originally Posted by DFW_M

The F87 target market was pretty defined. They made the G87 too close to the G82, took the extreme fun factor out of it. Not sure why would one get the G82 unless it is X-drive

Ya so what is the target market? Is it rich kids? By the time most people can afford an M2, what they really need is an M3.

[DFW_M]

Originally Posted by Forzanerazzurri

Ya so what is the target market? Is it rich kids? By the time most people can afford an M2, what they really need is an M3.

I have not tried the G87 so I can’t tell you..
The F87 was a totally different vehicle from the F80 or F82.
Once I got into an F87, I would have never gone back to an F80 (I had two of them), unless the need for 4 doors.
The F87 was what F80 should have been - the right size, raw, simple, ultimate driving enjoyment.
Maybe the G87 will be that vs the G80?

[Jackie Chiles]

Originally Posted by bmwd

From all reviews, it seems that the G87 fits the description above. Basically a slightly smaller M4 and more nimble. The M3 has 4 doors, but it's also $10K - $20K more for the extra practicality.

More nimble? Maybe. But my 2017 M2 was not an engaging car for me. My new M4 feels much better to me, but I recognize that is is a subjective opinion.

All wheel drive is key for me because of the winters here in upstate NY, so my RWD M2 is an experiment that will not be repeated.

[DFW_M]

Originally Posted by Jackie Chiles

More nimble? Maybe. But my 2017 M2 was not an engaging car for me. My new M4 feels much better to me, but I recognize that is is a subjective opinion.

All wheel drive is key for me because of the winters here in upstate NY, so my RWD M2 is an experiment that will not be repeated.

Tesla was an experiment too?

[LuvMyE92]

Originally Posted by Jackie Chiles

I had an M2, and it was OK. The new version seems to be a more competent car, certainly faster, but. . .

It’s ugly.

LOL. Yeah, I'm not taken with it either.

Originally Posted by Jackie Chiles

More nimble? Maybe. But my 2017 M2 was not an engaging car for me. My new M4 feels much better to me, but I recognize that is is a subjective opinion.

It's an opinion that I happen to agree with.

You guys can argue all day long about how the M2 is more "nimble" and "responsive" and yada, yada, yada, but I put more faith in someone who's already owned the F87 and owned or owns the G82.

Like me. Or Jackie.

Natch, I'm sure the G87 will be better in every way (except looks) than the F87. That said...

Read the comments in the F87 forum. Lots of complaints about the down-market interior. HUD unavailable. Noisy. Noisy, as in ridiculously loud (with MPE) with too much road noise. They saved weight - like 5 grams - by removing most of the sound insulation. So morons like me came back later and spent hundreds of dollars or Euros and many many painful hours removing the interior to replace the missing insulation.

I tracked my M2. Nimble it is not. An understeering pig is what it is. The ridiculously over-damped suspension hops around on bad pavement. Snap oversteer if you're not careful. Just not a pleasant driving experience, TBH.

The wife thought it was cute.

She has an F22 (M240ix) which I drive, rarely. It's marginally better than the M2 in that it's more comfortable, quieter and was much cheaper. Sure, it's down on power a bit, but that B58 is really stunning even in stock form, and with the simple addition of proper tires and perhaps some better brake pads, the 240 is nearly as capable. And if you want to take it to the track, it won't beat the crap out of you on the way there.

The M4 is a bit larger, but turn-in is actually sharper, handling is more neutral, the ride is better, the brakes are better, there is less road noise, there is more room inside, the stereo is better, the seats are better and with better leather, and really the only advantage of the M2 over the M4 is price. OK, and perhaps the grill. But it doesn't bother me.

[M4ord]

My son is interested in the G87, single late 20s. We had the privilege of driving the F87 and the G80, and the G82 for a few hours around Spartanburg last year; an extensive test drive, you may say.

To my son, the wow factor is the smaller platform with the same motor and brakes as the M3/M4, plus the upgraded interior over the F87 and ID8. For 64-67K, delivered is not that expensive of a car for the performance—so +1 to the OP; a lot of bang for the buck.

[bri1042]

Part of me wanted to want the G87. Even though it's larger than the last one, it's still smaller than the "sedan average" car size, and I do love smaller cars.

I'm deeply satisfied with my M3, but I was assuming that the G87 would pull pretty hard at me. I'm surprised that it isn't grabbing my imagination as much as I thought it would.

The back seat limitations are part of it. I've driven my G80 with rear-seat passengers a lot over the last couple of years. The usual suspects aren't big folk, but I do want them to be comfortable. And it amuses me that I'm not really interested in buying a car for $60 to $70k that doesn't have surround view cameras in this day and age. Most folk would call that a foolish requirement for a sporty car, but I really like them.

At the end, though, I just don't see enough advantage in a 7" shorter car to give up anything for it. If it was closer to 175" long, maybe...but 181" isn't small enough to qualify as a small car with back seats that tight. And the price when I spec it out the way I'd want to is closer to $75k than the base price. Too much money to be missing a feature that I use constantly.

So it's not a consideration. I'm still surprised that it isn't.

[PLF69]

Originally Posted by bri1042

Part of me wanted to want the G87. Even though it's larger than the last one, it's still smaller than the "sedan average" car size, and I do love smaller cars.

I'm deeply satisfied with my M3, but I was assuming that the G87 would pull pretty hard at me. I'm surprised that it isn't grabbing my imagination as much as I thought it would.

The back seat limitations are part of it. I've driven my G80 with rear-seat passengers a lot over the last couple of years. The usual suspects aren't big folk, but I do want them to be comfortable. And it amuses me that I'm not really interested in buying a car for $60 to $70k that doesn't have surround view cameras in this day and age. Most folk would call that a foolish requirement for a sporty car, but I really like them.

At the end, though, I just don't see enough advantage in a 7" shorter car to give up anything for it. If it was closer to 175" long, maybe...but 181" isn't small enough to qualify as a small car with back seats that tight. And the price when I spec it out the way I'd want to is closer to $75k than the base price. Too much money to be missing a feature that I use constantly.

So it's not a consideration. I'm still surprised that it isn't.

These are good enough reasons to pass, to me it just doesn't make sense that I can't sit in the backseat of the G87 but could be in the F87 for a 2+ hour drives.

[bmwdrive]

Originally Posted by bri1042

Part of me wanted to want the G87. Even though it's larger than the last one, it's still smaller than the "sedan average" car size, and I do love smaller cars.

I'm deeply satisfied with my M3, but I was assuming that the G87 would pull pretty hard at me. I'm surprised that it isn't grabbing my imagination as much as I thought it would.

The back seat limitations are part of it. I've driven my G80 with rear-seat passengers a lot over the last couple of years. The usual suspects aren't big folk, but I do want them to be comfortable. And it amuses me that I'm not really interested in buying a car for $60 to $70k that doesn't have surround view cameras in this day and age. Most folk would call that a foolish requirement for a sporty car, but I really like them.

At the end, though, I just don't see enough advantage in a 7" shorter car to give up anything for it. If it was closer to 175" long, maybe...but 181" isn't small enough to qualify as a small car with back seats that tight. And the price when I spec it out the way I'd want to is closer to $75k than the base price. Too much money to be missing a feature that I use constantly.

So it's not a consideration. I'm still surprised that it isn't.

I'm definitely considering it. It's literally just the practicality of the M3 with 4 doors and real backseats for the family that may be the deciding factor. The smaller (E90 sized) G87 though is really appealing. It looks like a toy. Like a really fun toy. And my family fits in the back of the G87. Not as comfortable, but they fit.

It's so hard to decide without being able to drive these cars. Putting looks and size aside, if they pretty much drive the same then I might as well pay more for the more practical car. Unfortunately, reviews aren't consistent. Some say the M2 drives like a mini M4. Others say that it's way more nimble and is definitely not like the M4.

[bri1042]

Originally Posted by bmwd

I'm definitely considering it. It's literally just the practicality of the M3 with 4 doors and real backseats for the family that may be the deciding factor. The smaller (E90 sized) G87 though is really appealing. It looks like a toy. Like a really fun toy. And my family fits in the back of the G87. Not as comfortable, but they fit.

It's so hard to decide without being able to drive these cars. Putting looks and size aside, if they pretty much drive the same then I might as well pay more for the more practical car. Unfortunately, reviews aren't consistent. Some say the M2 drives like a mini M4. Others say that it's way more nimble and is definitely not like the M4.

A lot of that is the difference between reviewers who have been in 3000 cars in the last 10 years and normal owners like us who actually spend years living with a car. First impressions vs. actually knowing the car...

[PLF69]

Originally Posted by bri1042

A lot of that is the difference between reviewers who have been in 3000 cars in the last 10 years and normal owners like us who actually spend years living with a car. First impressions vs. actually knowing the car...

This has to be kept in mind !

Initially I didn't like the 718 GTS, after 7000km of shine, rain, cold etc. I loved the chassis and the cars quirks and traits !

[Jackie Chiles]

Originally Posted by Jackie Chiles

I had an M2, and it was OK. The new version seems to be a more competent car, certainly faster, but. . .

It’s ugly. And it’s RWD.

Those two factors drove me to the M4 xDrive.

PS: We have real winters here, so AWD is key for me. But even if I lived south of the Mason-Dixon I’d probably still go for AWD bc of the acceleration from a stop and coming out of corners.

Saw one in person at COTA for the MotoGP race.

Two things:

1. It looks almost as big as my M4.

2. It is better looking in person, at least in Zandvoort Blue, but is still a bit clunky.