[giphlag]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

Hi all, just picked up my '25 M2, Skyscraper Gray, on Dec 4th at the BMW Performance Center in South Carolina with a good friend and thought I would share some pictures as well as my experience.

My spec:

• Manual transmission
• M Performance suspension
• Carbon roof
• Carbon bucket seats
• Alcantara steering wheel

We got pretty lucky with the weather. There was a cold front coming through but the sun was out and daytime temps reached the 50s. Due to the tire lottery, I ended up with the Pirelli P Zero, which I have not personally had on any of my previous vehicles, but so far so good. Obviously not the best temps for these tires, but for the whole trip, they held up well. I'm getting Michelin All-season tires installed tomorrow to get me through the MA winter. This is not a daily-driver for me so that should work fine. No winter wheels I could find, fit this wheel combo.

Our plan was to pick up in SC, head to the Tail of the Dragon, stay overnight and then head back to DE to drop off my friend and then back to MA where I live. Overall, the trip was nearly 1,300 miles with a detour via Tail of the Dragon.

Before you take delivery, you're provided the same car you're purchasing to drive on several track activities:

• ABS break test from various speeds
• DSC demonstration on a wet skid pad
• Auto-x-style setup on a small track with cones, slalom, etc.

On top of the above, you are provided a free lunch, a visit + tour to the Factory across the street, as well as a run on an off-road course with an X-Drive vehicle (X5s in our case).

First up, some delivery impressions at PCD. They do a really nice job presenting your car, going over anything you might have questions about and providing ample time to take pictures and get the car set up. Everyone at the center was thrilled with my spec, which was a little odd as I thought they would have seen this car in this configuration several times by now. Haha. But was nice nonetheless to get all these compliments.
















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[giphlag]

After the pickup experience, we headed off towards TN to our first overnight accommodation at the Fontana Village Resort. They had a lovely newly renovated lodge and restaurant where we spent one night. Basically completely empty during our visit.

First some fuel



Parked at Fontana Village Resort in Fontana, NC.



Finally starting the Tail of the Dragon drive. Everything was closed for the season and traffic was pretty low. Admittedly, we both got slightly car sick as we drove up and down the Dragon. Is this something others have experience? Am I just getting old?

Because of it, we decided to not do the additional 60 mile Cherohala Skyway nearby. Maybe next time

The car performed exceptionally well and was a lot of fun to steer through the many switchbacks and turns over the course of the 13 miles of the Dragon. The Carbon Bucket seats helped with keeping us planted in the car.

[giphlag]

Lastly, I wanted to quickly talk about my previous car, the OG M2. My good friend who came with me actually is the new owner and I'm so happy I will therefor still see the car from time to time and get to see it age. It only had 45k miles on it as a 2017 car.

Not sure how many of you have made the switch from N55 to S58 engines and F to G platform, but I'm sure you would agree that they can't be compared. The N55, with its single turbo, feels a lot more torquey and raw, while the S58 dual turbo setup feels super linear and almost like an NA car. Additionally, the stiffness and rigidity of the G87 is quite a step up from my old car, it feels planted, it feels more heavy, it feels more grown up but I'm excited about the shift and the change after almost 8 years in the N55.

Another aspect is the technology change from old to new. It is crazy to see the difference in settings, displays and features between these two cars.

I tracked my old M2 on occasion and hope to continue and expand that in the new M2. Hence the bucket seats. Lots to love about both of these cars and I feel very privileged to be able to experience this level of machinery before this type of car is no longer available.

Cheers to you all. Happy motoring.

[gondolafanclub]

Sweet trip, I am planning on doing something similar but I only live about an hour from the PCD and about 2 from the tail.
The tail also makes me sick in the car and on a bike lol my wife would rather just sit at the parks while I drive too.

I'm also coming from a dct m2c and I've never owned a manual before

[Dozer324]

Originally Posted by giphlag

Lastly, I wanted to quickly talk about my previous car, the OG M2. My good friend who came with me actually is the new owner and I'm so happy I will therefor still see the car from time to time and get to see it age. It only had 45k miles on it as a 2017 car.

Not sure how many of you have made the switch from N55 to S58 engines and F to G platform, but I'm sure you would agree that they can't be compared. The N55, with its single turbo, feels a lot more torquey and raw, while the S58 dual turbo setup feels super linear and almost like an NA car. Additionally, the stiffness and rigidity of the G87 is quite a step up from my old car, it feels planted, it feels more heavy, it feels more grown up but I'm excited about the shift and the change after almost 8 years in the N55.

Another aspect is the technology change from old to new. It is crazy to see the difference in settings, displays and features between these two cars.

I tracked my old M2 on occasion and hope to continue and expand that in the new M2. Hence the bucket seats. Lots to love about both of these cars and I feel very privileged to be able to experience this level of machinery before this type of car is no longer available.

Cheers to you all. Happy motoring.

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As an og m2 owner, the one thing that keeps me from trading in for a G87 is the n55. It’s been so reliable, the sounds from the stock exhaust are perfect, and I love the raw torquey turbo power it makes. It’s such a blast to drive! But a new m2 is tempting as it seems to be improved in many areas.

[ednir98]

Originally Posted by Dozer324

As an og m2 owner, the one thing that keeps me from trading in for a G87 is the n55. It’s been so reliable,

My N55 X5 is a champ. Thing gets a daily Italian tune-up and is approaching 160k easy. So confident in it that I'm not afraid to post this and jinx myself.

[giphlag]

Originally Posted by Dozer324

As an og m2 owner, the one thing that keeps me from trading in for a G87 is the n55. It’s been so reliable, the sounds from the stock exhaust are perfect, and I love the raw torquey turbo power it makes. It’s such a blast to drive! But a new m2 is tempting as it seems to be improved in many areas.

It took me a while to be able to move on. What helped was my good friend buying it instead of some random internet stranger. We regularly meet up at Watkins Glen, so I will continue to get to see and drive the car. I will miss it for sure.

[kyrix1st]

How do you like the color? Feels like it is somewhere between GT silver and space grey (E92).

[giphlag]

Originally Posted by kyrix1st

How do you like the color? Feels like it is somewhere between GT silver and space grey (E92).

I actually really like it. It's very timeless and classic. Looks like silver in the sunlight and more gray in other lighting conditions. I'm happy with my choice.

[luckylingy]

Great spec and drive-home experience. The Dragon is paradise for bikes and small 'momentum' cars like MINIs and Miatas. I actually prefer Cherohala to the Dragon, as its sweeping curves and more open sight lines suit high-powered cars very well. I recommend it!

[NJbaitshop]

Awesome write up! Also, love the MK4 in the photo! I started out my enthusiast life as a GTI guy. Still think about getting a nice R32 at some point.

[giphlag]

Originally Posted by NJbaitshop

Awesome write up! Also, love the MK4 in the photo! I started out my enthusiast life as a GTI guy. Still think about getting a nice R32 at some point.

That R32 will be for sale soon

[OldButSmooth]

Originally Posted by giphlag

Hi all, just picked up my '25 M2, Skyscraper Gray, on Dec 4th at the BMW Performance Center in South Carolina with a good friend and thought I would share some pictures as well as my experience.

My spec:

• Manual transmission
• M Performance suspension
• Carbon roof
• Carbon bucket seats
• Alcantara steering wheel

We got pretty lucky with the weather. There was a cold front coming through but the sun was out and daytime temps reached the 50s. Due to the tire lottery, I ended up with the Pirelli P Zero, which I have not personally had on any of my previous vehicles, but so far so good. Obviously not the best temps for these tires, but for the whole trip, they held up well. I'm getting Michelin All-season tires installed tomorrow to get me through the MA winter. This is not a daily-driver for me so that should work fine. No winter wheels I could find, fit this wheel combo.

Our plan was to pick up in SC, head to the Tail of the Dragon, stay overnight and then head back to DE to drop off my friend and then back to MA where I live. Overall, the trip was nearly 1,300 miles with a detour via Tail of the Dragon.

Before you take delivery, you're provided the same car you're purchasing to drive on several track activities:

• ABS break test from various speeds
• DSC demonstration on a wet skid pad
• Auto-x-style setup on a small track with cones, slalom, etc.

On top of the above, you are provided a free lunch, a visit + tour to the Factory across the street, as well as a run on an off-road course with an X-Drive vehicle (X5s in our case).

First up, some delivery impressions at PCD. They do a really nice job presenting your car, going over anything you might have questions about and providing ample time to take pictures and get the car set up. Everyone at the center was thrilled with my spec, which was a little odd as I thought they would have seen this car in this configuration several times by now. Haha. But was nice nonetheless to get all these compliments.


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Excellent spec and delivery experience. I recently received an invitation to an M Day Drive Experience, if you get the chance just do it, it is a must as you get to do some seriously fast laps in (their) M2 (as well as M3's).

My car was also delivered on Pirelli P Zero, not a bad tyre, however the Michelin P4S remain the mega choice for our car, just changed over to them recently.

Enjoy your beautiful car and a Merry Christmas to you and your family.

[Dozer324]

Originally Posted by kyrix1st

How do you like the color? Feels like it is somewhere between GT silver and space grey (E92).

First thing that came to my mind was GT silver when I saw the pics.

Beautiful color and love the silver wheels with it.

[giphlag]

Originally Posted by OldButSmooth

Excellent spec and delivery experience. I was recently received an invitation to a M Day Drive Experience, if you get the chance just do it, it is a must as you get to do some seriously fast laps in (their) M2 (as well as M3's).

I have a few of those events under my belt. Always a fun way to push someone else's cars to its limits.

However, the most fun I have is taking my own car on a race track and go at my speed in the respective run group. That's been the most rewarding driving experience from my point of view.

[sgachko]

Great write-up and congratulations on the new M2!

I am also scheduled for PCD on January 10th (about two months longer than anticipated). The plan is to get my car ppf’d nearby and drive back up to NJ on January 16th. Unfortunately, due to the likely winter weather I won’t be able to enjoy the Blue Ridge Parkway or Tail of the Dragon. The odds of temperatures staying consistently above mid-40’s are unlikely so I’m looking into shipping the Michelin Pilot Alpin’s down there that I recently purchased… (and shipping home the new summer tires…unless I can sell them nearby!)

It has always been a dream of mine since I was a kid to have an M car. Now that I’m in my mid-40’s and my wife is sympathetic (or just exhausted of me always talking about cars) to my automotive passion, my dream is finally coming to fruition. I’ve invited my father to fly down to SC with me and enjoy the road trip home together.

If anyone has any good recommendations for nice places to stay on the way back or even great restaurants/pubs, please let me know! Now that my route will likely keep me away from the fun mountain roads, I’m starting to research a plan B.

Happy motoring to you all!

-Steve

[FrozenGT]

Originally Posted by giphlag

Hi all, just picked up my '25 M2, Skyscraper Gray, on Dec 4th at the BMW Performance Center in South Carolina with a good friend and thought I would share some pictures as well as my experience.

My spec:

Manual transmission
M Performance suspension
Carbon roof
Carbon bucket seats
Alcantara steering wheel


We got pretty lucky with the weather. There was a cold front coming through but the sun was out and daytime temps reached the 50s. Due to the tire lottery, I ended up with the Pirelli P Zero, which I have not personally had on any of my previous vehicles, but so far so good. Obviously not the best temps for these tires, but for the whole trip, they held up well. I'm getting Michelin All-season tires installed tomorrow to get me through the MA winter. This is not a daily-driver for me so that should work fine. No winter wheels I could find, fit this wheel combo.

Our plan was to pick up in SC, head to the Tail of the Dragon, stay overnight and then head back to DE to drop off my friend and then back to MA where I live. Overall, the trip was nearly 1,300 miles with a detour via Tail of the Dragon.

Before you take delivery, you're provided the same car you're purchasing to drive on several track activities:


ABS break test from various speeds
DSC demonstration on a wet skid pad
Auto-x-style setup on a small track with cones, slalom, etc.


On top of the above, you are provided a free lunch, a visit + tour to the Factory across the street, as well as a run on an off-road course with an X-Drive [...]

Love that color combo!! Are part of BMW CCa? If not, I would highly recommend joining. We have events at performance center multiple times throughout the year.

[hufington]

Beautiful car, beautiful color. I wish they offered this color across the whole lineup. Reminds me of my favorite Space Gray. Congrats and enjoy in good health!

[curtdragon]

Don't care about the break in period? I may do the same lol. It's sorta on the way home

[rlampare]

Fun story and great pics wishing you the best with your beautiful new car.
One piece of advice though, get that red VW out of the garage and put the new Beamer in there… Lol.

[giphlag]

Originally Posted by curtdragon

Don't care about the break in period? I may do the same lol. It's sorta on the way home

Oh no, we kept it under 5,500 rpm and under 110mph
The dragon is very "slow" in a way and with the car's torque you don't need to redline it. It was a blast even with the break-in restrictions. Highly recommend.

[Powerbeast]

Whoa that looks and sounds like an absolutely amazing trip! Congratulations on the newest purchase!!!!