[XC3LLR8]

I've yet to read/watch a review where the manual in the M2 is praised. Sure, it's praised for being there, but not for being a good manual transmission.

[viperx100]

Originally Posted by XC3LLR8

I've yet to read/watch a review where the manual in the M2 is praised. Sure, it's praised for being there, but not for being a good manual transmission.

Me neither. Each article/video review mentioned some form of distaste of the M2 manual tranny. This is straight from Top Gear:

"However, the shift isn’t that great. The lever/throw combination is a bit long, the clutch travels too far and the shift quality isn’t snappy enough – the transmission occasionally baulks if you try to hurry it through too fast. It’s slightly tricky to drive smoothly in traffic. Oh, and I like to heel and toe myself and in the BMW you can’t stop it rev-blipping for you in any mode. You might like that, of course."

[StickyPickle]

Originally Posted by XC3LLR8

I've yet to read/watch a review where the manual in the M2 is praised. Sure, it's praised for being there, but not for being a good manual transmission.

The thing is it’s not just a M2 thing, it’s a BMW thing. It’s the same manual that the G80/82 has and they haven’t changed it in forever.

Getting a manual is like 75% of the reason why I’m going from a M240 to a M2 (and because I like the looks lol). Power isn’t a problem for me with the G42, it’s the lack of driving engagement. Had BMW offered a manual for the G42 then it would’ve been a very difficult decision for me but then again I think that’s why BMW chose not to offer it for both the G42 and G87.

They’re going to do away with the manuals sooner than later but they also understand there’s still a market for it. M cars are their flagship performance vehicles and knowing they were going to offer it on the M2, they probably didn’t want the G42 eating into any M2 sales for customers who want to drive a MT because they know there are some who would be more than happy with a MT G42 as opposed to a MT G87.

I will say I hated that they didn’t at least offer it on the Z4. A couple of years ago that was the car I was holding out for to get a MT. The looks, form factor, B58 engine, etc. is a great combination but it was just missing that one important element I wanted in a roadster. If it had it then I most likely would’ve ended up with a Z4 M40. Now it sounds like it might actually happen for the 2024 model, a year after the LCI. I may seriously consider getting one if in fact they do offer a MT and keep it as my warm weather/weekend car to go along with my M2.

[XC3LLR8]

Originally Posted by StickyPickle

The thing is it’s not just a M2 thing, it’s a BMW thing. It’s the same manual that the G80/82 has and they haven’t changed it in forever.

My son said the same thing the other day; he's one of the drivers on a M3 race team and has driven several different BMW's with manuals. BMW could take a few pages from the Camaro 1LE packages when it comes to manual transmissions.

[Lawsoc]

I’ve got a 23 plate M240i x drive having thought the M2 is hidious looking at the back but now I wish I had just ordered the M2 looks more aggressive with better road presence and will surely sound better - so if anyone looking for high spec M240i with exterior carbon kit point them my direction lol 😝

[eddj]

Originally Posted by Lawsoc

I’ve got a 23 plate M240i x drive having thought the M2 is hidious looking at the back but now I wish I had just ordered the M2 looks more aggressive with better road presence and will surely sound better - so if anyone looking for high spec M240i with exterior carbon kit point them my direction lol 😝

it sounds like you will be better waiting for the M2 CS then

https://g87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=2010444

[maggies_dad]

I went and saw the HEA at my local dealership today and I think it looks much better in person than the pictures show. I still think the base 230/m240 are more attractive cars but for my tastes the M2 is not as hideous as I think others make it out to be.

[G42M240]

I'm glad to see my feelings echoed by many here. In my opinion the m240 is the best bang for buck car around.

More power and options than a similarly priced S3. Significantly cheaper than the RS3. I'd love an RS3 but cannot justify the added expense over my trade for what the additional money gets you. The depreciation on these M240s is real haha.

Similarly priced to anything a class below with all the crazy dealer mark ups (Civic Type R, Golf R, GR Corolla, and what will be the Integra Type S). Hell even the top trim WRX is now 44k. I cannot for the life of me understand why people are paying 50kish for any of those cars. Dealers are getting it or else they wouldn't be asking.

I prefer xdrive which immediately rules out the M2 and a supra.

The M4/M3 are out of my budget and would be an additional 30kish on top of my M240, which I cannot justify either.

The M240 is truly the sweet spot of performance, cost, and features. Especially if you don't spec the higher priced options.

[donm527]

https://www.bmwblog.com/2023/04/23/d...nd-an-m-model/

[donm527]

Originally Posted by maggies_dad

I went and saw the HEA at my local dealership today and I think it looks much better in person than the pictures show. I still think the base 230/m240 are more attractive cars but for my tastes the M2 is not as hideous as I think others make it out to be.

Saw one on my street yesterday afternoon on way home. A ZB M2. And judged on it's own, it's not a bad looking car. But if you didn't know it was a BMW from all the press, then you would be hard pressed to recognize it as a BMW without having to take a double or quadruple take. I mean that's what I thought when it passed me by... Looks cool... but it didn't make me think BMW at first thought. I think many non-car people would probably say when they see one in a parking lot, (In a deep Southern accent) "I think dems one of those Nissan cars in Fast and Furious."

In the bright S. Florida sun the paint doesn't look as dull as I've seen online. Under the sun it's a bright shiny baby/sky blue. But it's not a color that excites. It's not the first color I'd think for a "sports car."

Congrats to those that bought them and have fun in them. But not for me. I just don't think it's going to age well... Like the BMW XM LOL

[Bandit009]

Originally Posted by G42M240

I'm glad to see my feelings echoed by many here. In my opinion the m240 is the best bang for buck car around.

More power and options than a similarly priced S3. Significantly cheaper than the RS3. I'd love an RS3 but cannot justify the added expense over my trade for what the additional money gets you. The depreciation on these M240s is real haha.

Similarly priced to anything a class below with all the crazy dealer mark ups (Civic Type R, Golf R, GR Corolla, and what will be the Integra Type S). Hell even the top trim WRX is now 44k. I cannot for the life of me understand why people are paying 50kish for any of those cars. Dealers are getting it or else they wouldn't be asking.

I prefer xdrive which immediately rules out the M2 and a supra.

The M4/M3 are out of my budget and would be an additional 30kish on top of my M240, which I cannot justify either.

The M240 is truly the sweet spot of performance, cost, and features. Especially if you don't spec the higher priced options.

The M3/M4 are killers, but they’re big. The M240i is smaller although still a big car. Wish she was the previous size, but it’s fine. Nonetheless, I couldn’t go up in size to an M3/M4. An RS3 looks like an amazing car. Just the price gets crazy and so many plastic bits.

[Baldilocks73]

The RS3 is a four door sedan, does nothing for me. I'd have to move up to the S5 or RS5 and they are way overpriced and front end heavy.

[rad_thundercat]

I mean this pretty much sums up how great the new body style is

…you would be hard pressed to recognize it as a BMW without having to take a double or quadruple take.

[Pentland]

Originally Posted by Baldilocks73

The RS3 is a four door sedan, does nothing for me. I'd have to move up to the S5 or RS5 and they are way overpriced and front end heavy.

Was also available as a sport back or hatchback but RS3 in all forms is discontinued now I believe.

[Baldilocks73]

Originally Posted by Pentland

Was also available as a sport back or hatchback but RS3 in all forms is discontinued now I believe.

RS3 still available. At least in the US.