[Rk-d]

Random thoughts on owning the M2 Competition for a year….

Usually I’m ready to move on after a year of ownership, but not so far.

With more seat time and comparing this car to other cars I’ve owned, I’m really impressed with the steering feel. I have the car on MP coilovers and 763M/Cup2. Currently have a GT3 Touring and 993. The M2C doesn’t suffer from comparison.

Power delivery is fun, the car still feels overpowered in a good way and sounds pretty good for a turbo 6 cyl.

Still love the short, stocky look of the car lowered on the new wheels. It’s a sharp car and I’m surprised how many compliments it gets.

I actually love how basic and simple the interior is. No contrived fluff, no half ass, fake luxury add ons that just make the interior look cheaper. Functional, simple, clean and focused. Very old school BMW.

Took the car on the track and was really happy with how composed it was at the limit. Good feedback from the steering and chassis - I could sense when the car was at the limit of traction and felt like I could hold it there without losing it. Impressive stuff.

I’ve owned a bunch of cars - from an s2000 to a couple of 911 Turbos - but this little car is right up there with the best I’ve ever owned. It’s not really just about the individual features or characteristics but the entire package. It’s just a lovable car - it’s good looking, fun to drive, tons of character and has a real old school vibe to me. I like it better than some of the 911s I’ve owned in the past (though not my current ones) and I think it is a future classic. BMW nailed it and I don’t think they even know it.

[ESB]

It’ll be 3 years for me in something like 6 weeks and I still look back at the car. Every time.

Definitely a long term / forever keeper for me.

[ae03440]

Originally Posted by ESB

It’ll be 3 years for me in something like 6 weeks and I still look back at the car. Every time.

Definitely a long term / forever keeper for me.

I hit four years last month and that feeling never goes away lol. Love this car!

[W///]

Great feedback, even more so considering you own one of my dream cars (the GT3T). This is genuinely one of my favorite BMW's I've ever driven yet alone owned.

I purchased it as a "just in case" until I potentially move on the G8x, but I have no desire to sell it now. My never sell cars at the moment is my E92 M3 and the F87C.

P.S. I very much think BMW knows it'll be a classic. It kind of has the feel that a bunch of old school M guys took an F gen car and tried to make it as close to an E gen as possible.

[m2ss]

I'm in the same boat, owned many and get bored quickly but not with this one.

Will be lowering and installing my 763s next week...

[m0g24]

Yep.

I've owned an S2K since '06 and was eyeing the market for anything that even excited me in my budget for the past 7+ years. The M2C was the only car to do that and I'm so grateful to have pulled the trigger on one!

Easily an instant classic.

[chmura]

I'm turning almost 4.5 years with mine. Love my car every time I take her out. Thinking about finally throwing a BM3 tune on there! The stock tune sucks above 5200 rpm. It falls flat on its face.

What size tires are you running?

The way I look at it, new cars arent actually getting better. More tech on new cars, more complexity, less driver engagement, more things to ruin the driving experience.

The F87 is probably the last modern BMW M that I will buy new.

Also, no more European Delivery being offered.. and made in Mexico..

[Humdizzle]

i picked up mine about 6 months ago and agree it will probably be a keeper for at least 3-4 years as a nice weather daily. they really got the tuning right on this with how the chassis feels, suspension handles bumps, and that it feels more naturally aspirated than the f80. plenty of creature comforts with the heated wheel and seats.

*however* I do want to drive a manual supra at some point.

[FMOS Racing]

Originally Posted by W///

It kind of has the feel that a bunch of old school M guys took an F gen car and tried to make it as close to an E gen as possible.

I agree with this. There's something about the way the chassis manages little pavement imperfections but stiffens up so nicely when you ask it to dance that happily reminds me of driving my former MT6 ZCP E90.

[MmmmmM2]

I passed 2 years of ownership in February. Car is completely stock. Still love it and always catch myself looking at it.

[Gizmo 335i]

Originally Posted by Rk-d

Random thoughts on owning the M2 Competition for a year….

Usually I’m ready to move on after a year of ownership, but not so far.

With more seat time and comparing this car to other cars I’ve owned, I’m really impressed with the steering feel. I have the car on MP coilovers and 763M/Cup2. Currently have a GT3 Touring and 993. The M2C doesn’t suffer from comparison.

Power delivery is fun, the car still feels overpowered in a good way and sounds pretty good for a turbo 6 cyl.

Still love the short, stocky look of the car lowered on the new wheels. It’s a sharp car and I’m surprised how many compliments it gets.

I actually love how basic and simple the interior is. No contrived fluff, no half ass, fake luxury add ons that just make the interior look cheaper. Functional, simple, clean and focused. Very old school BMW.

Took the car on the track and was really happy with how composed it was at the limit. Good feedback from the steering and chassis - I could sense when the car was at the limit of traction and felt like I could hold it there without losing it. Impressive stuff.

I’ve owned a bunch of cars - from an s2000 to a couple of 911 Turbos - but this little car is right up there with the best I’ve ever owned. It’s not really just about the individual features or characteristics but the entire package. It’s just a lovable car - it’s good looking, fun to drive, tons of character and has a real old school vibe to me. I like it better than some of the 911s I’ve owned in the past (though not my current ones) and I think it is a future classic. BMW nailed it and I don’t think they even know it.

Just curious as to the 911 variants that you think the M2 surpasses. I’m at 2.5 years on my M2C Ana till love it too.

[Rk-d]

Originally Posted by chmura

What size tires are you running?

Got the tire/wheel package: 245/35/19 || 265/35/19

Originally Posted by Gizmo 335i

Just curious as to the 911 variants that you think the M2 surpasses. I’m at 2.5 years on my M2C Ana till love it too.

Besides the 993 and 991.2 GT3T, I've owned a 991.2 Turbo, a 992 Carrera S and a 992 Turbo S.

I like the M2C more than the 992 C2S and the 991.2 Turbo. The C2s is a very refined, balanced car but it's a little boring on the street. I've never tracked it and I have a feeling it is great on the track, but as a street car it bored me.

The 991.2 Turbo was silly fast - every bit as fast as the 992 Turbo S on the street. But it is a heavy feeling car and a bit of a one trick pony. The power is cool but that gets boring after awhile. It didn't really feel tossable or make you feel like throwing it around a corner. It's designed to be a gran touring, old man car IMO.

The 992 Turbo S is an awesome car. Fast, but also great steering and it does feel very tossable and gives real feedback like sports car should. But it's completely unflappable and it's like driving a video game. There is so much tech going on - the car is like a supercomputer. It's almost too easy and can sometimes feel a little synthetic. The way it corners and puts power on the ground defies the laws of physics. You end up more in awe of the car instead of engaged, however. That said, it's such a good car I rank it above the M2C.

The M2C has limits, it's not perfect and it can bite you in the ass. The power is spiky and it can get out of sorts if you're stupid. It's an analog feeling car. And that's a big part of its charm.

My 993 is basically hot-rodded (chassis wise) and the GT3 Touring is what it is. Both are on another level - the 993 steering and go-kart like feel is completely unique and addictive. Nothing else like it. The Touring basically has the perfect engine and it's raw and alive in a way none of the other water cooled Porsches are, not to mention the sound. I have a Numeric shifter in it and the feel of that transmission is top tier. I feel like I could drive both of these cars forever and never get tired of them.

Even with those cars to compare against, I still love to drive the M2C and I think that says alot about it.

[KevinM]

3.5 years here with no plans to sell. I'm not even lusting after another car for a DD. Checks all the right boxes for a DD for me: powerful enough, "relatively" stealth, MT, can fit four adults for short drives around town. It's first modern BMW that I have truly connected with. I am certainly glad that M is building the new M2, but I have no desire to part with my M2C. And I'll stick with the M2C's classic round (semi-) analog dials any day over the new curved glass structure. I know BMW has to change with the times, but I am very conditioned to associate simple but effective round gauges with BMW.

[NhWalker]

I’m coming up on a year myself. I thought about trading it in for a G80 but when I took it out of winter hiding I immediately changed my mind. It’s such a fun, entertaining car to drive that seems like it constantly wants to stir up trouble. It’s difficult to find a car these days with a personality but this car has an awesome, scrappy one.

We also have a 991.2 C2S that we now have 40k miles on and I have to say I prefer the M2C. The 911 is very capable and PDK is amazing but the torque of the M2C is addicting and the driving experience is more fun on the road. Down a twisty the 911 is quicker but I smile more in the F87 which is the whole point of buying a sports car!

Looking forward to future mods!

[DadVibes]

Coming up on 1.5 years with my M2C. Admittedly, I recently got an itch to go a completely different route and test drove a couple ZL1's. I previously drove one a while back, before buying my M2C. And over the last 1.5 years, a part of me was feeling like that's the route I should have gone. The sound, the power, the aggressiveness...

However, after the two most recent test drives, I got back in the M2 and must say that it actually rejuvenated my love for the looks and feel of this car. Then I got into the canyons for some spirited driving and was reminded of just how fantastically nimble this car can be. Especially with a proper suspension setup that can be quickly adjusted for better cornering.

That said, it has always bothered me a bit that the engine's top end is de-tuned compared to the CS and F80/F82. My F80 M3 certainly felt like it packed more of a punch, especially at highway speeds. But this whole thing finally pushed me to start the process of unlocking the DME so I can solve that problem with a simple Stage 1 tune. Once that's complete, I don't think I'll have a single gripe about this car and can safely say, it'll be a long term keeper.

[Rk-d]

Originally Posted by NhWalker

I’m coming up on a year myself. I thought about trading it in for a G80 but when I took it out of winter hiding I immediately changed my mind. It’s such a fun, entertaining car to drive that seems like it constantly wants to stir up trouble. It’s difficult to find a car these days with a personality but this car has an awesome, scrappy one.

We also have a 991.2 C2S that we now have 40k miles on and I have to say I prefer the M2C. The 911 is very capable and PDK is amazing but the torque of the M2C is addicting and the driving experience is more fun on the road. Down a twisty the 911 is quicker but I smile more in the F87 which is the whole point of buying a sports car!

Looking forward to future mods!

The Carreras are very composed cars. They're all about balance. A very mature and actually hugely capable car that sometimes feels a little reserved on the street when you can't push it.

The M2C is definitely not that. It feels over the top and encourages you to act stupid even at low speeds. And yet when taken to the limit, it's actually very controllable and surprisingly balanced. This is what surprised me most. When I took it to the track I was convinced this thing was going to kill me, but the faster I went the more confident the car feels. It's a neat little trick BMW pulled off here and it's very impressive.

[happyjack]

great thread. i'm almost at 2 years...and still in the honeymoon phase. i dont ever plan to sell this feisty little beast of a car.

and, i just realized...today is my car's "born on" date!

[NWest]

Originally Posted by happyjack

great thread. i'm almost at 2 years...and still in the honeymoon phase. i dont ever plan to sell this feisty little beast of a car.

and, i just realized...today is my car's "born on" date!

Mine also!

Still love driving my M2C after 15k mi. Looking to get the MPS and 763M setup like the OP soon.

[Pani]

Funny how similar our garages are. I'm approaching 4 years and 18k miles with my M2C and agree with your comments. I also recently acquired a 991.2 GT3T (also with a Numeric shifter) and am excited to explore it more.

I don't have a 993, but I've owned a 2001 Z3 M Coupe (S54-powered) since new and that is my true unfiltered analog experience.

It is so fun to experience the differences in these cars. They are each a blast in their own way.

Cheers,
Pani

Originally Posted by Rk-d

Got the tire/wheel package: 245/35/19 || 265/35/19



Besides the 993 and 991.2 GT3T, I've owned a 991.2 Turbo, a 992 Carrera S and a 992 Turbo S.

I like the M2C more than the 992 C2S and the 991.2 Turbo. The C2s is a very refined, balanced car but it's a little boring on the street. I've never tracked it and I have a feeling it is great on the track, but as a street car it bored me.

The 991.2 Turbo was silly fast - every bit as fast as the 992 Turbo S on the street. But it is a heavy feeling car and a bit of a one trick pony. The power is cool but that gets boring after awhile. It didn't really feel tossable or make you feel like throwing it around a corner. It's designed to be a gran touring, old man car IMO.

The 992 Turbo S is an awesome car. Fast, but also great steering and it does feel very tossable and gives real feedback like sports car should. But it's completely unflappable and it's like driving a video game. There is so much tech going on - the car is like a supercomputer. It's almost too easy and can sometimes feel a little synthetic. The way it corners and puts power on the ground defies the laws of physics. You end up more in awe of the car instead of engaged, however. That said, it's such a good car I rank it above the M2C.

The M2C has limits, it's not perfect and it can bite you in the ass. The power is spiky and it can get out of sorts if you're stupid. It's an analog feeling car. And that's a big part of its charm.

My 993 is basically hot-rodded (chassis wise) and the GT3 Touring is what it is. Both are on another level - the 993 steering and go-kart like feel is completely unique and addictive. Nothing else like it. The Touring basically has the perfect engine and it's raw and alive in a way none of the other water cooled Porsches are, not to mention the sound. I have a Numeric shifter in it and the feel of that transmission is top tier. I feel like I could drive both of these cars forever and never get tired of them.

Even with those cars to compare against, I still love to drive the M2C and I think that says alot about it.

[Rk-d]

Originally Posted by Pani

Funny how similar our garages are. I'm approaching 4 years and 18k miles with my M2C and agree with your comments. I also recently acquired a 991.2 GT3T (also with a Numeric shifter) and am excited to explore it more.

I don't have a 993, but I've owned a 2001 Z3 M Coupe (S54-powered) since new and that is my true unfiltered analog experience.

It is so fun to experience the differences in these cars. They are each a blast in their own way.

Cheers,
Pani

Nice! Love the s54 M coupe - totally fits the same niche as the 993. If I had the garage space, I'd love to get one.

Congrats on the GT3T. That's another future classic. The Numeric is a really nice thing to have. It doesn't fundamentally change anything about the feel of the car - it feels very similar to OEM, just taken to 11. I put a Sharkwerks center bypass and plugged the exhaust valves (easy to do and reverse since they're vacuum actuated). That took the sound to another level.

The M2C is similar to all these cars in that it's pretty driver focused. It feels like a skunkworks project that got put into production - a low volume thing that some enthusiast engineers at BMW managed to put together and put on the market.

[rapter]

Originally Posted by W///

Great feedback, even more so considering you own one of my dream cars (the GT3T). This is genuinely one of my favorite BMW's I've ever driven yet alone owned.

I purchased it as a "just in case" until I potentially move on the G8x, but I have no desire to sell it now. My never sell cars at the moment is my E92 M3 and the F87C.

P.S. I very much think BMW knows it'll be a classic. It kind of has the feel that a bunch of old school M guys took an F gen car and tried to make it as close to an E gen as possible.

I like your statement that your purchase was “just in case”, I am looking to buy an m2c manual with sunroof as well for the just in case reason.

I have a 991.2 c4s with a numeric shifter and it is a stellar car! A little bit too much car for street driving frankly, cannot be beat on the track! 7 sessions and it keeps on smiling in the fast group.

I am searching for an m2c to replace my 911 in 2-3 years as my kids need the space in the rear (911 is ok…but when they turn 8 or o years old it gets tight) and my wife and I think my insistence to re-engineer car seats 💺 is not the right move.

I drive my 911 4s all year round and especially in the snow ! I hope the move to an m2c won’t be a drag in the snow (as the 911 awd is tough to beat) and I have been in some tricky situations that the 911 has won over many other cars on the road.

I like that people describe the m2c as having a bit of nervousness to the drive…makes it appealing and interesting… at least to me.

[Swish77]

Great mini-review, and my thoughts exactly. Old-school BMW. Simple, powerful and very pretty.

I was coming from two 911s (a 2015 S, and a 2019 T), and my M2C (2021, SO, MT) is just more enjoyable, and definitely more comfortable as a daily. And I can actually throw the kids in the backseat occasionally. What a concept!