Quick family photo - 1M, M2, M3, M4

[vasmir]

Test drove an M2 the other day.
Dealership had it parked in front of it's older brothers.

[HyeWarrior]

I'd still take the 1M any day of the week lol

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by vasmir

Test drove an M2 the other day.
Dealership had it parked in front of it's older brothers.

What'd you think of it?

[swagon]

1 M and M4 for me, please!

[buddalun]

1M by a mile over those other 3.

[Mr. Wilson]

Awesome pics. Love how the 1M stands out in body style compared to the other three

[c1pher]

Surprised VB had those. Every time I look at Checkered Flag BMW inventory, they never have M cars, or maybe just one. It’s like a backwater dealership for BMW or something.

[c1pher]

Originally Posted by Esteban

What'd you think of it?

Not really miles better than a 135is with Dinan S2 lol.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by MGM135is

Not really miles better than a 135is with Dinan S2 lol.

I would imagine suspension/handling is quite a bit better.

[c1pher]

Not $30k better. Not saying it’s a terrible car. I’d rather trade up to a CPO M2.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by MGM135is

Not $30k better. Not saying it’s a terrible car. I’d rather trade up to a CPO M2.

Thanks for the opinion. The car reviewers love the M2. I'll reserve my opinion till after I test drive it. I might be just as happy with an M240i, but I think I'll just stick with my 1er. Still puts a smile on my face every time I drive it.

[c1pher]

Originally Posted by Esteban

Thanks for the opinion. The car reviewers love the M2. I'll reserve my opinion till after I test drive it. I might be just as happy with an M240i, but I think I'll just stick with my 1er. Still puts a smile on my face every time I drive it.

I’m not disagreeing with the car reviewers and not saying it is a bad car. I got the opportunity to drive an M4 and realize that they are not the same car, but the performance metrics and DNA are similar. The M4 is way too big for my tastes, and the M2 is much closer in size to the 135i. I never have driven an M2, but have driven 228s and M235is. I have a pretty good sense of where the M2 is bracketed. Yes it’s awesome particularly considering the price differential is practically zero compared to a similarly equipped M240i.

All I was really trying to say is that the 135i with a tune and the same tires gets you pretty darn close to where the M240/M2 perform such that I would prefer to keep the money in my pocket, enjoy the better steering feedback and wait for the prices to come down as they always do.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by MGM135is

I’m not disagreeing with the car reviewers and not saying it is a bad car. I got the opportunity to drive an M4 and realize that they are not the same car, but the performance metrics and DNA are similar. The M4 is way too big for my tastes, and the M2 is much closer in size to the 135i. I never have driven an M2, but have driven 228s and M235is. I have a pretty good sense of where the M2 is bracketed. Yes it’s awesome particularly considering the price differential is practically zero compared to a similarly equipped M240i.

All I was really trying to say is that the 135i with a tune and the same tires gets you pretty darn close to where the M240/M2 perform such that I would prefer to keep the money in my pocket, enjoy the better steering feedback and wait for the prices to come down as they always do.

Yeah, I think you really got to drive it to know for sure what it's like. That's the only way to really tell. Otherwise it's just speculation.

[c1pher]

Okay, I just think my speculation isn’t that far off lol.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by MGM135is

Okay, I just think my speculation isn’t that far off lol.

I guess you're pretty sure since you just bought a vette. lol

How you liking it BTW?

Sorry OP.

[c1pher]

Still in break in but very happy. Honestly more happy than I thought. I figured if I went for a two seater, it would be the Cayman. Cayman is very impressive, but after driving the vette a few times, getting to hear that engine, having very immediate throttle response, and really just as confident handling as the Porsche, it started to change my perception and thinking. And OMG it’s fast. I could talk more about it maybe in one of the general sections.

[vasmir]

Originally Posted by Esteban

What'd you think of it?

It would be the new BMW I'd buy today, if I didn't own a 1M. Superlative modern M car.

Some notes from my test drive -

- The M2 suspension felt a lot more complaint than my 1M. I noticed it right away and preferred the car in comfort mode overall. Handled Norfolk roads very well... which reminds me I need to get my 1M wheels straightened/un-bent.

- The M2's steering was accurate but felt a bit disconnected. Still miles better than every other modern BMW though. Frankly I could live with it and be super happy... until I was mid-apex at speed and was wondering what my wheels were doing.

- Because the M2 is so technically superior to the 1M, I noticed less feedback, and it was less exciting, than the 1M at lower speeds. I know the M2 is faster, but the 1M feels faster. I did get the sense that after a few days with the M2, I could develop a better feel for what it was doing.

- The VA Beach dealership only had a DCT and I found it distracting. Having owned standards for 15 years, I'm just not used to paddle shifting (or having an extra gear). I just kept the car in auto for the second half of the test drive, and could focus more on steering, engine, and suspension. FYI my dealership will no longer stock manuals because of the low uptake rate. They'll special order anything you want, but it certainly makes it difficult to test drive anything with a stick. Sucks.

- I'm 6'3" and found the M2's A-pillar incredibly distracting. It's larger than the 1M's and seemed closer to my face. Otherwise the seating position was awesome.

Originally Posted by MGM135is

Surprised VB had those. Every time I look at Checkered Flag BMW inventory, they never have M cars, or maybe just one. It’s like a backwater dealership for BMW or something.

Yeah, occasionally I see cars on their lot that aren't reflected in their online inventory. I originally visited to test drive a M3 they had but didn't have listed; test drove the M2 instead. Weird. I've had nothing but positive experiences with their maintenance department though. And they took care of my wife and I when we bought our F25 X3. Great folks.

Originally Posted by Esteban

Thanks for the opinion. The car reviewers love the M2. I'll reserve my opinion till after I test drive it. I might be just as happy with an M240i, but I think I'll just stick with my 1er. Still puts a smile on my face every time I drive it.

Reviewers agree on loving the M2, and there's good reason why.
I've also noticed all M2/1M comparos also agree the 1-er is the more visceral ride.
I test drove the M240i (back when it was called the M235i), and wasn't super impressed. It was a fine car, but the steering, suspension, and road-feel were simply inferior. If you're between the M240 to the M2... you should go M2. If cost is the reason, get a CPO. Or used M3!

[Esteban]

Thanks for the review.

Yeah, I drove the M235i a few times and I wasn't impressed either.

Will eventually test drive an M2, but honestly, I'm in no rush.

Happy with my 1er.

[infinitekidM2C]

Originally Posted by Esteban

Thanks for the review.

Yeah, I drove the M235i a few times and I wasn't impressed either.

Will eventually test drive an M2, but honestly, I'm in no rush.

Happy with my 1er.

Nice info op;

that's where i'm at too Esteban...i'm just not motivated to rush into an M2 since i've got my fairly modded 135. But no question it's a great car.