[nickyjimz]

Well the M2 I ordered back in November was delivered. Just spent about two hours at the dealership looking at it and I took it for a decent test drive around town and up and down the highway with moderate vigor given the two miles on the odometer. I decided not to buy it, here’s what I thought though:

Exterior:
The car is stunning, looks amazing in person. If you like a long hood short deck classic rear drive coupe shape, this car hits all the right notes. The hips and width are gorgeous. It’s like a Camaro decided to grow up, how the gym, and put on a well tailored suit. It’s shorter than an actual Camaro, and far more practical and mature looking. Looks every bit of the asking price too. A
Modern, muscular yet tastefully aggressive sports sedan. Really looks so much better in person.

Interior:
Also wonderful. Looks and feels nicer and more modern than I expected.
Materials a nice to touch, and the screen integrate better into the experience once you’re behind the wheel than I expected. Really a nice nice place to be. I’m 6’1” and the driver seat (non-carbon buckets) are supportive but not nearly as tight as some super aggressive sports seats. The cockpit is also comfortable while simultaneously catering to the driver. Ergonomics are superior to other sports cars I’ve owned.

Driving experience:
Here’s where things fell apart. Nothing was bad per se, just numb. The shifter is bad. It’s numb, 1st gear is weird, and it didn’t make me feel telepathically connected to the driving experience the way some of the better sticks I’ve had in the past. The steering was similar. Loved the wheel and the different driving modes are noticeable and definitely change the way the car behaves but none of them make the steering feel “alive”. Combined with the stick, i felt isolated and somewhat indifferent to the speed the car can obviously generate.

The driving experience wasn’t all negative. On the highway or around town this car is comfortable. She’s a lovely cruiser. The engine is very responsive for a turbo engine, and while I didn’t give it full beans, it’s clearly fast. Everything you touch as the driver feels great too. The seating position is awesome, the visibility is great, this would be a great daily driver. It’s just the feedback that comes back through the controls that was disappointing.

The car:
2024 m2
Black sapphire metallic
Regular seats
Carbon roof
6mt

Prior cars so there’s a basis for any implied comparison (all manual transmissions)
Z4mc 2007
Chevy SS 2015
Camaro ss1le 2019
Gt350 2020
Corvette grand sport 2017

Just sharing from my cellphone immediately after the drive. I really value a car that feels alive and this one didn’t. The transmission in the gt350 and Camaro I previously owned was far far better. The m2 has pros, it is far nicer and more comfortable than those cars, has better ergonomics, and has none of the tram lining and ride behavior that the gt350 has, but it also feels numb.

Will add more thoughts later. My only advice is to drive the car sooner than later if you’re looking at the manual version.

[Mr. Hankey]

Well that is one tough decision you just made there, but obviously you know what you want so kudos to walking away. All modern BMWs are numb and isolated, heck I think a lot of modern cars have become that with the electric steering, and “fly by” and “brake by” systems.

I’m fortunate to have had the ability to test drive a manual M2 and agree steering is BMW numb, but no different than my X5 is or F80 was. The brake by wire in the X5 drives me nuts because it’s imprecise at slow speeds and there’s the slightest of lags on actuation or the car will stop when I wanted it to keep rolling slowly. I didn’t pick up on that behavior in the M2. The M2 manual was actually a little better than my F80 in feel (it’s “rubbery” rather than mechanical but gearshifts always hit their mark), but the clutch catch point was way too high, needing a clutch stop and I’d be happy with it.

Look forward to the rest of your review.

[M2GTI]

I test drove a couple z4mc’s back in the day. That was an engaging fun little car!

[RootsTootsMagoots]

Tldr: Nice car, but it steering didn't provide an ethereal connection to the road and the shifter isn't as crisp as he'd like.

Basically the the Throttle House review.

[abrandonment]

Originally Posted by RootsTootsMagoots

Tldr: Nice car, but it steering didn't provide an ethereal connection to the road and the shifter isn't as crisp as he'd like.

Basically the the Throttle House review.

😆

[DrewNewM2]

I definitely agree with your review to a degree but I still bought mine. Shifter throws are long. Can probably get a nice short shift kit aftermarket. I also have a modified 450 whp STi and if I could put the short shifter and hydraulic steering from the Subbie into the M2 it would be perfection. The M2 just hauls on the highway and the gearing makes it almost uneventful under 100 mph and triple digits come so quick and quiet. 4th gear @ 4000 rpm is like 80 mph and in my STi that’s 6th gear. The Subaru at 100 mph is screaming and feels every bit of it and in the M2 at 100 I’m driving with one hand holding coffee in the other with no lid on it lol. Not really.

Interestingly enough, I was going to buy a GT350 prior and did extensive test drive and felt the gearing and high reving voodoo was kind of docile unless your e hitting triple digits. Best sounding motor though.

I bought the g87 because of the positive things you mentioned and the s58 motors ability to make some big power once I decide to mod it

[c1pher]

Weird. I loved it shipping blocks and all lol.

[toprarnen]

Totally agree with nickyjimz about the steering and shifter feel, but I accept the steering as part of a more "elevated" experience, in terms of leaning towards luxury instead of sport performance. I just got out of a Cayman, and while that car felt objectively better to drive, it's missing the "posh" that I'm looking for in my next car. It's hard to find that balance between engaging and isolated, comfortable/luxurious and sporty

[Ravenseal]

The M2 is still a luxury product first and foremost, so comparing it to a GT350 and a 1LE is definitely one of the opinions of all times. Of course it's not going to feel as raw and connected as a stripped out V8 muscle cars with the stiffest suspension available. Someone else will happily take the car you ordered, good for them.

[matty_f]

I actually thought the steering feel was ok. It’s a little electronic feeling, like there’s a feedback and controls system making it wiggle based on the road surface. But I like it better than my F87 and it is super precise. It goes exactly where you want it.

The whole car feels a tad rubbery, but that’s better than my fillings rattling out.

But yeah don’t commit to anything you don’t want to. I respect that.

[M_Power Rob]

To me, and jusy my opinion, it seems the OP is looking for support/approval for his/her decision.

As to not get involved in what could wind up a shit-show, I am not going to contribute...

[toprarnen]

Just gotta test drive some cars and figure out what you want.
I've driven a Supra, M2 (new and old, DCT and manual), Integra Type S, Civic Type R, Cayman S, GR86, and they all have their merits. The Type R surprised me (in a bad way) because I've wanted one for so long; after my test drive I just didn't want one anymore. For me, it's the M2 for the balance of things. OP should definitely drive a few cars and see what feels most "worth it" to you.

Good luck in your search!

[abrandonment]

Originally Posted by toprarnen

Totally agree with nickyjimz about the steering and shifter feel, but I accept the steering as part of a more "elevated" experience, in terms of leaning towards luxury instead of sport performance. I just got out of a Cayman, and while that car felt objectively better to drive, it's missing the "posh" that I'm looking for in my next car. It's hard to find that balance between engaging and isolated, comfortable/luxurious and sporty

I upgraded to a Cayman S from an S2000 with exactly this in mind... 'I want a luxury S2K..'

[toprarnen]

Originally Posted by abrandonment

I upgraded to a Cayman S from an S2000 with exactly this in mind... 'I want a luxury S2K..'

I really like the mid-engine dynamic as well; very engaging for a car. Honestly the Cayman's steering felt almost as precise as the kart I raced on: very connected and direct

[BroDoze]

I have ruined a number of my cars (STIs, BMWs) going overboard with stuff, big sways n springs, hard bushings, super short shifters and got more NVH and harsh ride in the process. - To the point the cars were only enjoyable for a limited duration of drive time. The awful and worsening roads and denser traffic with this (and a 6MT) almost felt like a chore at times.

Sounds like the G87 6MT will be perfect for me.

[SlezbuckG87]

Originally Posted by Ravenseal

The M2 is still a luxury product first and foremost, so comparing it to a GT350 and a 1LE is definitely one of the opinions of all times. Of course it's not going to feel as raw and connected as a stripped out V8 muscle cars with the stiffest suspension available. Someone else will happily take the car you ordered, good for them.

I agree, nothing that is somewhat of a daily driver feels like that anymore. My old Evo 9 had arguably some of the best steering out there, but i dont expect a modern BMW to feel like that unfortunately.

[DSTR]

"Lovely cruiser" lol. Truly driven with capability on display=

Most dont use 40% of what the car offers to begin with. Interesting review by the OP. City and 'freeway' with no real chance to explore power, handling and braking at all. With rev limits with break-in and brakes needing to be properly brought in too many compromises to evaluate.

Here is a US based review showing how capable given weight etc the M2 has. OP should reconsider lol

https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2...n-test-review/

[robopp]

Originally Posted by SlezbuckG87

I agree, nothing that is somewhat of a daily driver feels like that anymore. My old Evo 9 had arguably some of the best steering out there, but i dont expect a modern BMW to feel like that unfortunately.

Cough…911…cough

[Mr. Hankey]

Originally Posted by M_Power Rob

To me, and jusy my opinion, it seems the OP is looking for support/approval for his/her decision.

100% this, but we all do this, just some internally, others externally. What he said about it isn't necessarily wrong based on the cars he came from. But had he just kept it for 1000 miles there would be no further conscious thought about any of the gripes he had.

Any manual car you drive for the first time that you aren't used to is awkward and feels different than others you have driven, drive it long enough and you don't think about it anymore. My thought was yes this is better than the F80 manual other than the catch-point needing adjusting (as did my F80 but easy enough to do), but I never had gripes about the F80 manual. And I have a 1990 Miata with an amazing manual but never thought any less of the F80 manual. Same for the steering. If not used to the feel of modern BMW steering sure you will focus on that, but will lose the fact that the precision and balance of the thing is amazing. I personally think confirmation bias based on reviews he watched lead to an error in judgement....but hey different strokes

[abrandonment]

Originally Posted by robopp

Cough…911…cough

If you can justify the cost and wait to get one new, the 911 is obviously the move.

I cancelled my order and found an M2 allocation. Then again.. here I sit.. without either. The savings is nice but if I had known the BMW would take months I may have just kept the 992.

[wjones14]

One of the OP's previous cars was a 2019 Camaro SS 1LE. I went from a 2018 1LE to the 2021 M2C. Yes, the BMW steering does not have the feel of the Chevy. In fact, the whole driving experience of the 1LE is a lot more visceral than the M2. The M2 is much more refined. The 1LE is raw and basically like a racecar. It's low, it's loud, and every dial is turned to track performance. The M2 is dialed more towards luxury.

I may be in the minority, but the lack of steering feel is just not a huge deal to me. It depends what you want though. I only track my cars 1 day per year, so the daily driving aspect is a lot more important to me, and the M2 wins this point easily. The 1LE is at home on the race track and really easy to drive fast, but the M2 is just as much fun and plenty capable enough.

I'm surprised the OP didn't want to drive the M2 before ordering though, especially since literally every review mentions the numb steering of the M2, and apparently, it's a big issue for the OP.

[RockCrusher]

Originally Posted by M_Power Rob

To me, and jusy my opinion, it seems the OP is looking for support/approval for his/her decision.

As to not get involved in what could wind up a shit-show, I am not going to contribute...

Agree.