Congrats on the M2! Very curious to hear your thoughts about the car once you get to drive it more! Also, I’m wondering what kind of oil they’ll use after the break-in. Hope it’s 5W-30 and not the 0W-30 that they’ve started using.
Thank you! I look forward to sharing more info on the car after I've spent some more time driving it. According to the manual, BMW uses 0W-30 in this car. That is the only viscosity that they recommend.
I'm getting a G87 myself soon. This is my favorite review so far since I'm also in New Jersey it's refreshing to see what I'm used to. But, where's the 911? Did you trade it in?
Great to hear that are getting a G87! I'm loving the car. I just posted a week 1 update: ua-cam.com/video/m07ZUQSWMiA/v-deo.html . I still have the 911. I parked it at the dealership that day so that I could drive the M2 home. What color G87 are you getting?
Thanks! Zandvoort blue was my first color choice - I had a Yas Marina Blue F80 M3 back in 2015 and loved that color. Zandvoort reminds me of it, though in the flesh is quite different (Yas Marina blue is metallic). I'm fortunate to have a local dealer that doesn't charge ADMs. I paid MSRP + $1k for an exterior coating. The differences between the car that I purchased and what I spec'd are: I spec'd the carbon seats, the standard badges, and black wheels; this car has the cockpit pro which I did not spec. I'm happy with this spec as I like the seats and I think the dual color wheels pop more than blacks wheels (I have black wheels on my other 2 cars - it is nice to have something different).
Thanks! That's a good thought! I think it would look more traditional with vertical grills. I don't see an aftermarket option yet, but I think it is just a matter of time.
Gorgeous bmw I love the design simple and elegant taking it back with this one but you can also tell something special is going on under the hood at the same time. Congrats!
congrats dude , this is my first video i watched from your channel and it's not gonna be the last everything in this video from the camera quality to the your personality is on point keep up the good work i can't wait to see more content on the M2 !
Congrats Joe. 6 speed is the proper choice. You are ahead and not behind with the stock seats...what I would choose as well. Also good color choice. You are a thoughtful man and no doubt will love it. I personally have moved away from BWM's in later life but this car is more remindful of when BMW made more minimalist cars with purposeful performance and practicality. This is more comfortable Toyota Supra that doesn't have the boy racer body.
Thanks, Luke! Thinking about it more, I'm glad that I didn't get the carbon seats as I've been hearing that the standard seats are better for driving with the manual transmission. The cost savings is nice too as the carbon seats would have brought the out the door price up another $6k. I had a 2021 Supra 3.0 Premium - I loved it but it was too impractical at the time. This M2 offers a nice balance of fun and practicality / usability. I look forward sharing more about the car after I've spent some more time in it.
This is the first bmw I've seen that all of the reviewers think that the auto is better than the manual. Crazy, but that's what the world has come to. BMW optimized it for the 8 sp gearing instead of the 6 spd. It's like a different car and arguably better with the auto. Sad day.
@@TheLifeofJoeLee Im also in Jersey. union county haha. ordered an M2 in auto cuz im worried about the manual as a daily up here with all the traffic. I currently have an auto gr86. very fun car but it does feel fatiguing and I feel like this m2 is a great 2 door cruiser. how are the rear seats? useable for adults? Enjoy your car!
@@ericschugemporium973 Thanks! I grew up in Edison, not too far from Union County. I think the M2 is a great daily driver. I just sat in the back of my M2 to answer your question, lol. When sitting in the back with the front seat set for me (I'm 5' 7"), my knees are about 1" from the back of the front seat and the left side of my head would touch the ceiling if I move it ever so slightly to the left. Getting in and out of the back seat wasn't easy but it has been many years since I had to sit in the back of a coupe. If you are much taller than me, the leg room in the back could be tight.
@@TheLifeofJoeLee awesome thanks for testing that! My main concern is taking two people in a pinch for maybe an hour-long trip. it seems like there is decent space back there.
Thanks! I had a 2021 Supra with the ZF8 automatic - it was a really good match with the engine. For this purchase, I was looking for a manual transmission RWD car. I hope to get my hands on an automatic G87 some day for comparison.
Congratulations on the new car. Appreciate the honest first impressions. I like the conventional BMW front grill and dig the box fenders (very E30). How is the seating position? When I drove the previous gen M2 it was obvious to me the driver seat was tilted inboard. Looking forward to more content from this channel.
Thanks, Al! Yes, the styling pays homage to the E30 M3. I felt like that I was sitting high in general (probably because I drove my 911 to the dealership to pick this car up), but I didn't notice anything unusual. You should try to the car.
The M2 is more practical, has better visibility, is a bit more performance oriented/tuned (which doesn't mean that it is more fun), and has newer tech. If you prefer more physical buttons, you don't need the interior and storage space, and getting in and out of the supra is not a problem (I'm 5' 7" and had to duck to get in my 2021 Supra to avoid hitting my head on the door opening), I'd probably go with the Supra and save some money. With that said, I can't speak to the character differences between the S58 and B58 yet as I haven't pushed the M2's engine to redline yet since it is still within the break-in period. My Supra had a downpipe, intake, and custom tune - the engine felt and sounded great to me.
I was originally shopping for a G80 M3 - I was pretty close to ordering one to potentially replace my Tesla Model S plaid. I then decided to keep the plaid (it is such a great car for my needs) so I started looking at lower price point smaller cars to add to the stable that I could take the track while also occasionally using for family duty: Civic Type R, used Lexus LC500, and the M2. Yes, they are very different cars, lol. I plan to experience all 3 at some point, just not at the same time.
Went through the comments. Gotta give you kudos Joe for responding to peoples questions. Enjoy the car in good health. 👍🏽👍🏽 Looking forward to your shared experiences. Especially since you’ve had the miata and the supra- I’ll be interested in the differences you notice. (A Z4 is the other BMW I am considering and I also had a miata ND).
Thanks! What did you think of the ND miata? I think it is one of the most fun cars that I've owned. I had an S2000 CR and preferred the ND - although it wasn't as fast, it was more playful. I traded the ND for a 2021 Toyota Supra just because I was looking to experience one and couldn't afford both at the time. My 2021 Supra with a downpipe, intake, and Visconti tune felt amazing (the tires would break loose all the time). However, the Supra was not a great daily driver in that it was hard to get in and out of (the door opening is really low), visibility wasn't great, the trunk couldn't be popped open from the outside, and it couldn't fit both my kids for school drop off.
I'm loving the M2 - I filmed a week 1 update that I hope to get out soon. I'm an engineer and have some personal investments. I work for an engineering firm with focus on business development and growth.
@@TheLifeofJoeLee and you have a Tesla plaid as well? Dream cars lol. I work for an accounting firm - I was curious if you think it’s worth it to slave away until partner and make $250k to be able to buy toys like this or if it’s worth it to take a chiller job and make a bit less.
@@omichaelnato5388 Yes, I have a Tesla Model S Plaid - it is great car! How much and hard to work really depends on your goals. I have financial goals that I plan to achieve, however, I'm choosing to balance the path that I'm taking to get there with time with my family (wife and 2 young kids), hobbies, and other aspects of my life. With that said, I'm highly conscious of how I use my time and try to maximize the value and impact of what I do.
@@TheLifeofJoeLee wow, thank you for the responses joe. You’re a smart dude. I appreciate the advice. I’m assuming you don’t work 40 hours a week but you don’t do as crazy hours anymore as you used to ? And glad to hear about the plaid ! Saw you mentioned having the M3P - I drove the base and liked it a lot. Although I love the S and would try to get that one also. I’m currently driving my ‘11 WRX stick shift I’ve had for 7 years now it’s been fun.
I work more than 40 hours / week (I have multiple sources of income), but I protect family time and other important areas of my life. I forgot to mention the importance of investments for me: Investing in Tesla stock during the run up helped me to afford Tesla cars. Cool to hear about your WRX! My first brand new car was a 2002 WRX and the first car that I ever tracked was a 2004 WRX STI - I no longer have it but I still consider it one of my favorite cars.
i remember ppl complained that the m2 is kinda too weak and should have the m4 engine in it, well done bmw u listened to ur community, thats the best car in 2023, good choice i hope u enjoy it :)
Hi Joe! Good luck with your new car. I love it! I actually live about a 20 min drive from BMW Turnersville. Can you speak a little about the buying process? What kind of deal did you get? Did they bump the price up on you? I'm thinking about getting the M2. Any advice would be much appreciated!
Thanks! I worked with Glenn (sales) and Scott (purchase transaction) at BMW of Turnersville. They were great to work with and both are car enthusiast. That dealership doesn't don't charge a markup but they required the purchase of a ceramic coating which comes with a 7 year warranty.
First and foremost, congrats on the new amazing M2! Secondly, new sub here and I really look forward to more M2 content and thanks for sharing. And not last but least, keep up the good work, as I planning on going through more of your vids.
Hey Joe, ( J.Hendricks) you car is still in Primer?, looks ugly not as beautiful as my E93 convertible in Montego blue cream interior, but then you so far behind in Usa,
Nice car man, congrats! I still wish BMW wouldn’t do staggered wheel diameters the way they do. The wheel gap on the front fender looks too tall and odd imho. Maybe adding MSS adjustable springs would help a little to fix this glaring issue.
i want a porsche in a few years but can’t deal with not having an adjustable headrest. do they manage to make them comfortable still without that? looks like you don’t keep your head back so maybe you’re not the right person to ask. congrats on the car man
You seemed really excited on your way, and a little bemused on your first drive… I was a little overwhelmed with all the details and screen when I picked my g80 up also. Looking forward to your follow up videos! Subscribed.
Wow the car IS smaller than the pictures. The front is a little plain but the rest of the car is nice. I’m thinking about getting one my 2021 Supra didn’t come with a manual, might trade it in.
Saw one in person today. I think from the front and side it looks good, but the rear is an abomination. At 3,800 lbs, it's too heavy. M3 weighs basically the same with more power. Don't understand the segment anymore. Weighs the same but less power and it's huge?
The F87 M2 weighs pretty much the same as the F80/F82 M3/M4 (even less of a difference than the G87 compared with the G80/G82) - when it first came out, it made no sense to me. However, the shorter wheel base and smaller overall size seems to make a difference in driving dynamics. The G87 actually doesn't feel big to me when driving in a spirited manner.
Great Spec, happy it’s close by in Jersey too hopefully I get to see it on the road at some point soon, hope you’ll get her out this upcoming weekend & enjoy it!!
Congrats! I know it's a controversial car with all the automotive UA-camrs but personally it's a total dream car. I love the multi-color seats and the boxy fenders, and the front/rear ends don't bother me like it seems to with a lot of people
The dealer that I purchased the car from does not charge a market adjustment, which was great. I had to purchase a ceramic coating, but that wasn't too bad.
Congrats! I'm sure only a handful of folks have taken delivery on the new M2 here in the states. Here in the Dallas/Ft Worth area I've called a few dealerships and they're saying up to a year, but aren't charging markup. Still deciding whether to go the RS3 route or M2. Again, congrats on your new toy!
Thanks! You are looking at 2 great options that are very different. The RS3 is a beast, and the 4 doors make it more practical. I was specifically looking to add a RWD car with a manual transmission that could occasionally be used to drive my kids around. I should try an RS3 to see what it is like as I've heard such great things about it. I had a MK6 Golf R back in the day - with just a downpipe, intake, tune, and lowering springs, that car felt amazing.
I do like the color, kind of a soft color on an aggressive/sporty car, nice combo. The styling...seems to be a switch to a more minimalist look which works, the front kidney though my first thought was it's Dodge Viperish,not a bad thing. A new M2 is what I'd buy if i could...enjoy!
Really appreciate the video Joe, can't wait for my Week 19 production G87 to get delivered. I have the same spec (6MT, ZB, and bicolor wheels) too. Always dreamed about owning an M car and really miss driving a manual car too. My last one was an ND Miata just like you. If the ND Miata shifter/clutch combo is a 10, how would you rate the G87's clutch/shifter combo so far?
Great to hear about your incoming G87! The shifter and clutch on the ND Miata are an amazing combo. From my limited experience, I'd put the G87 clutch/shifter combo at a 6 in comparison. Once I drive the car harder, I may feel differently. I think the G87 could use a short throw shifter.
@@jake2johnson Any time between end of May to beginning of July really, hard to tell since the G87 is so new. Built in Mexico though so shouldn't take terribly long, I hope...
I dont know, the sport seats are a little wonky at first but if you end up driving it hard, I think you'll regret not having those. Otherwise, it looks great!
1st congrats!! I have to disagree with you, I have. 2023 M240 an I find it really big , my biggest complaint of the car is it’s so darn heavy, feels like a tank. I would imagine the M2 must feel similar
Thanks! It is relative to my expectation. The car is smaller than what I had anticipated, but I agree, that in general, it is not a small car. I had a 2021 Toyota Supra 3.0 and this car definitely feels bigger, but it is much more practical. We'll see how it feels once I start pushing it.
Bro, certainly a nice car. It's just sad that it looks like your heart is not in it. I'm just going by my experiences buying sports cars. Can i ask why you didn't go for the GT4 or GT4RS? Your 911 is gorgeous.
I'm not a very expressive person in general, but you are right. I still really like my other 2 cars (Tesla Model S Plaid and the 997.2 in the video) so this car doesn't necessarily fill a void for me - I just wanted to experience BMW's latest M car as I have fond memories of my old F80 M3s. I love the GT4. I'm in the market for a 991.1 or 991.2 Carrera GTS (I want back seats so that I can drive my kids) to potentially replace my 997.2.
@@TheLifeofJoeLee thanks for being so courteous with your response. Great cars btw. I look forward to your type r as i currently drive a 2020 Si. Hondas are Such a blast. The 991GTS is a classic! I personally prefer V6 Caymans. I'm a9lso thinking about an AP2 S2000 purely for illogical reasons hahaha.
The 2023 Mustang GT has about the same amount of power on paper (it has 3 hp less) for a substantially lower starting price (it starts at $38,345). When optioned, they are close in price, however, the Mustang GT doesn't really appeal to me. I love the GT500 but the dealers around me are asking over $100k for them.
@@TheLifeofJoeLee That's understandable. I personally just enjoy the power and the feel of the drive despite the looks. I got a used 2014 Camaro SS for 18k and it's so much power for the money and overtime I can build that LS3 up to make crazy numbers if I really wanted to
I probably can, but I wouldn't want to spend the money. They are part of the $9k carbon package - I can't imagine what BMW would charge for the seats themselves.
I've been liking this car more and more, which is rare - usually, with a new car, the first day is amazing and it kind of fades from there. The styling is aggressive, but I really like how the rear fenders remind me of the E30 M3. I've since driven the car in a more spirited manner - it really shines when driven harder.
Congrats on the car. You can try placing a few clutch stops to fine tune the clutch engagement point. But maybe try to see if it's compatible with the G87 first (I have the '21 F87).
Very nice car, for me personally it belongs in dark, I still have my M2 Comp from 2019 and I am still satisfied, haha. But the S58 is already very appealing. But to the interesting part for me, since your channel is called Life of Joe, will we get some cotent from yourself, like business, what you do for a living? Such an attitude I would also like to acquire, take care man
have you ever driven a 991 911? I'm also coming from an ND2 Miata, and trying to decide on the last NA 911 (991.1 Carerra) or a new M2.. heart says 911, mind says M2. I'm worried if I got an M2, id regret not getting the 911. I like how your M2 sounded even at lower RPM's, which is a good sign.
I used to own a 991.1 (2013) Carrera S (it had PDK, sport chrono, sports exhaust, PDCC, sport seats, etc.). At the time I also had an F80 M3 and thought the M3 was more fun, but the 911.1 was a precision instrument in comparison. The 991.1 was considerably faster on the track for me. I didn't fully appreciate how good the 991.1 was at the time. The M2 is more practical and the cost of ownership will be less. Maintenance and repairs on Porsches could be eye watering, if that is a factor. The sound of the 3.8L flat 6 with PSE is amazing.
10k minimum markup here in socal. It will be surprising if they did not charge markup but I hope you did not trade your 911. If you did they will make good money on that 997.2. Nice cars!
I'm fortunate to have a local dealer that doesn't charge ADMs. Although I considered it for the sake of simplifying my life, no, I did not trade in the 911 - that car offers a different experience (I'll cover my thoughts on that in a follow-on video).
Yes, thank you. I was just thinking this morning that I had started the car up in comfort. I posted a cold start video this AM with the car in sport plus.
I have heard that the manual in this M2 feels like an afterthought, the gearing is way too tall and the power is very underwhelming on 4th gear. The turbo lag is super noticeable apparently. Lets see what you think, you should definitely meet up with someone who has an automatic and drive them back to back.
I'll see what I think after the break in period. I had a 2021 Toyota Supra with the ZF8 and thought the engine and transmission were well matched. In this case, I was looking for a RWD manual.
NJ enjoy the potholes with those tires. I hope you bought rim and tire insurance. I'd lower it and space it out a little for a better looking stance but it's nice. Don't like the new front grill. They should have left the grill surround piece. I'm in the M340 but I still think I'm going to the M240.
As much as I thought I wouldn't mod this car, I think it would look much better lowered. The M340 is beast. I loved the B58 engine that was in my 2021 Toyota Supra - the power was great (I had a downpipe, intake, and tune) and it sounded awesome. I look forward to winding out the S58.
@@TheLifeofJoeLee Yeah same engine B58 TU1 I just want to go back to a smaller platform had an M235 but the M240 is on the M4 platform so it's still bigger
@@TheLifeofJoeLee I just went with some H&R. Its not too low and it still drives like OEM. My Dinan mid pipe and dahler valve controller is on the way! My mst intake is just sitting there until I do my 1200 miles break in service
good job picking the manual. most reviews say the auto is better bc the engine doesn't feel perfect and the manual is sluggish but I would want it that way on a manual its too much power for me on stick. be sure to rev it all the way ALL THE WAY when you can that's where I think this car wins.
Amazing. You’re the first person collecting their own M2 on YT so big congratulations to you!
Thank you!
60k MSRP for a 450hp luxury sports coupe is no joke. Props to BMW for such competitive pricing, especially in this day and age
Sure they still make a big margin given the transmission, engine and lot of parts are used on their X, M3/M4 cars and big production scale
Are these going for MSRP only?
@@northerncaliforniahomes9532 25k over at a dealer I talked to in LA
Actually over 500hp dyno tested
@@traderjoe27 lol thats a joke. Go drive outside of LA. Plenty of places doing them for MSRP.
Congrats on the M2! Very curious to hear your thoughts about the car once you get to drive it more! Also, I’m wondering what kind of oil they’ll use after the break-in. Hope it’s 5W-30 and not the 0W-30 that they’ve started using.
Thank you! I look forward to sharing more info on the car after I've spent some more time driving it. According to the manual, BMW uses 0W-30 in this car. That is the only viscosity that they recommend.
people are shitting on the design right now but i guarantee this is gonna be aclassic in a few decades.
I'm getting a G87 myself soon. This is my favorite review so far since I'm also in New Jersey it's refreshing to see what I'm used to. But, where's the 911? Did you trade it in?
Great to hear that are getting a G87! I'm loving the car. I just posted a week 1 update: ua-cam.com/video/m07ZUQSWMiA/v-deo.html . I still have the 911. I parked it at the dealership that day so that I could drive the M2 home. What color G87 are you getting?
@@TheLifeofJoeLee I gotta watch it, I have a deposit on one right now, I’ll probably end up ordering it sometime in November :)
Awesome video and congrats on the M2! Impressed with your audio quality
Thank you!
Congratulations!! Great car. What was your first color choice? Dealer mark up? Some dealers are 35k over sticker on their HEA M2s
Thanks! Zandvoort blue was my first color choice - I had a Yas Marina Blue F80 M3 back in 2015 and loved that color. Zandvoort reminds me of it, though in the flesh is quite different (Yas Marina blue is metallic). I'm fortunate to have a local dealer that doesn't charge ADMs. I paid MSRP + $1k for an exterior coating. The differences between the car that I purchased and what I spec'd are: I spec'd the carbon seats, the standard badges, and black wheels; this car has the cockpit pro which I did not spec. I'm happy with this spec as I like the seats and I think the dual color wheels pop more than blacks wheels (I have black wheels on my other 2 cars - it is nice to have something different).
Love that you got the manual as well 😍 definitely the better drivers option. Obviously not for every day use but for track and experience, perfect.
Congrats on the new M2. Is it possible to change the front grille to vertical?
Thanks! That's a good thought! I think it would look more traditional with vertical grills. I don't see an aftermarket option yet, but I think it is just a matter of time.
Gorgeous bmw I love the design simple and elegant taking it back with this one but you can also tell something special is going on under the hood at the same time. Congrats!
Thanks!
congrats dude , this is my first video i watched from your channel and it's not gonna be the last everything in this video from the camera quality to the your personality is on point keep up the good work i can't wait to see more content on the M2 !
Thank you!
Congrats Joe. 6 speed is the proper choice. You are ahead and not behind with the stock seats...what I would choose as well. Also good color choice.
You are a thoughtful man and no doubt will love it.
I personally have moved away from BWM's in later life but this car is more remindful of when BMW made more minimalist cars with purposeful performance and practicality.
This is more comfortable Toyota Supra that doesn't have the boy racer body.
Thanks, Luke! Thinking about it more, I'm glad that I didn't get the carbon seats as I've been hearing that the standard seats are better for driving with the manual transmission. The cost savings is nice too as the carbon seats would have brought the out the door price up another $6k. I had a 2021 Supra 3.0 Premium - I loved it but it was too impractical at the time. This M2 offers a nice balance of fun and practicality / usability. I look forward sharing more about the car after I've spent some more time in it.
This is the first bmw I've seen that all of the reviewers think that the auto is better than the manual. Crazy, but that's what the world has come to. BMW optimized it for the 8 sp gearing instead of the 6 spd. It's like a different car and arguably better with the auto. Sad day.
@@TheLifeofJoeLee Im also in Jersey. union county haha. ordered an M2 in auto cuz im worried about the manual as a daily up here with all the traffic. I currently have an auto gr86. very fun car but it does feel fatiguing and I feel like this m2 is a great 2 door cruiser. how are the rear seats? useable for adults? Enjoy your car!
@@ericschugemporium973 Thanks! I grew up in Edison, not too far from Union County. I think the M2 is a great daily driver. I just sat in the back of my M2 to answer your question, lol. When sitting in the back with the front seat set for me (I'm 5' 7"), my knees are about 1" from the back of the front seat and the left side of my head would touch the ceiling if I move it ever so slightly to the left. Getting in and out of the back seat wasn't easy but it has been many years since I had to sit in the back of a coupe. If you are much taller than me, the leg room in the back could be tight.
@@TheLifeofJoeLee awesome thanks for testing that! My main concern is taking two people in a pinch for maybe an hour-long trip. it seems like there is decent space back there.
Congrats Joe and thank you for the insight! Looks great. Enjoy it 😎
Thanks!
I love the look of the car & the fender flares. It harks back to the days of the 70s & 80s when car companies were pushing the envelope.
Congratulations
Thanks!
Absolutely Stunning Vehicle.
Would definitely love to own one of these in the future if I ever get the chance.
Congrats Joe!
Thanks!
Congratulations and thank you for sharing your experience! Really enjoyed this!
Thank you for the feedback!
Congratulations! Gonna have a ball driving that one. Really glad I chose the automatic.
Thanks! I had a 2021 Supra with the ZF8 automatic - it was a really good match with the engine. For this purchase, I was looking for a manual transmission RWD car. I hope to get my hands on an automatic G87 some day for comparison.
Nice! I bought my EBII m235 from Turnersville.
Congratulations on the new car. Appreciate the honest first impressions. I like the conventional BMW front grill and dig the box fenders (very E30).
How is the seating position? When I drove the previous gen M2 it was obvious to me the driver seat was tilted inboard.
Looking forward to more content from this channel.
Thanks, Al! Yes, the styling pays homage to the E30 M3. I felt like that I was sitting high in general (probably because I drove my 911 to the dealership to pick this car up), but I didn't notice anything unusual. You should try to the car.
How's the steering feedback. I don't like BMW's modern EPS with heavy numb steering .
I need some more seat time to comment on that. I'll cover that in a follow-on review.
do you think this would be a better choice over a manual supra? i’m torn
The M2 is more practical, has better visibility, is a bit more performance oriented/tuned (which doesn't mean that it is more fun), and has newer tech. If you prefer more physical buttons, you don't need the interior and storage space, and getting in and out of the supra is not a problem (I'm 5' 7" and had to duck to get in my 2021 Supra to avoid hitting my head on the door opening), I'd probably go with the Supra and save some money. With that said, I can't speak to the character differences between the S58 and B58 yet as I haven't pushed the M2's engine to redline yet since it is still within the break-in period. My Supra had a downpipe, intake, and custom tune - the engine felt and sounded great to me.
What other cars were in the running for you to choose?
I was originally shopping for a G80 M3 - I was pretty close to ordering one to potentially replace my Tesla Model S plaid. I then decided to keep the plaid (it is such a great car for my needs) so I started looking at lower price point smaller cars to add to the stable that I could take the track while also occasionally using for family duty: Civic Type R, used Lexus LC500, and the M2. Yes, they are very different cars, lol. I plan to experience all 3 at some point, just not at the same time.
Went through the comments. Gotta give you kudos Joe for responding to peoples questions. Enjoy the car in good health. 👍🏽👍🏽 Looking forward to your shared experiences. Especially since you’ve had the miata and the supra- I’ll be interested in the differences you notice. (A Z4 is the other BMW I am considering and I also had a miata ND).
Thanks! What did you think of the ND miata? I think it is one of the most fun cars that I've owned. I had an S2000 CR and preferred the ND - although it wasn't as fast, it was more playful. I traded the ND for a 2021 Toyota Supra just because I was looking to experience one and couldn't afford both at the time. My 2021 Supra with a downpipe, intake, and Visconti tune felt amazing (the tires would break loose all the time). However, the Supra was not a great daily driver in that it was hard to get in and out of (the door opening is really low), visibility wasn't great, the trunk couldn't be popped open from the outside, and it couldn't fit both my kids for school drop off.
What do you do for work lol ? And do you enjoy it ?
I love the new M2 personally and the size (cars getting too big nowadays)
I'm loving the M2 - I filmed a week 1 update that I hope to get out soon.
I'm an engineer and have some personal investments. I work for an engineering firm with focus on business development and growth.
@@TheLifeofJoeLee and you have a Tesla plaid as well? Dream cars lol.
I work for an accounting firm - I was curious if you think it’s worth it to slave away until partner and make $250k to be able to buy toys like this or if it’s worth it to take a chiller job and make a bit less.
@@omichaelnato5388 Yes, I have a Tesla Model S Plaid - it is great car! How much and hard to work really depends on your goals. I have financial goals that I plan to achieve, however, I'm choosing to balance the path that I'm taking to get there with time with my family (wife and 2 young kids), hobbies, and other aspects of my life. With that said, I'm highly conscious of how I use my time and try to maximize the value and impact of what I do.
@@TheLifeofJoeLee wow, thank you for the responses joe. You’re a smart dude. I appreciate the advice. I’m assuming you don’t work 40 hours a week but you don’t do as crazy hours anymore as you used to ?
And glad to hear about the plaid ! Saw you mentioned having the M3P - I drove the base and liked it a lot. Although I love the S and would try to get that one also.
I’m currently driving my ‘11 WRX stick shift I’ve had for 7 years now it’s been fun.
I work more than 40 hours / week (I have multiple sources of income), but I protect family time and other important areas of my life. I forgot to mention the importance of investments for me: Investing in Tesla stock during the run up helped me to afford Tesla cars. Cool to hear about your WRX! My first brand new car was a 2002 WRX and the first car that I ever tracked was a 2004 WRX STI - I no longer have it but I still consider it one of my favorite cars.
Not sure why people are hating on it? Love the the new look! Makes you wonder what’s the store for the M4 🤔
I really wanted to like this car but my god what is bmw design team doing. Just can't find any angles that look good on their current designs.
congrats man, You're Only One First Person The New BMW M2 But I Hope You Had Modfiy The Wheels and Exhaust But I'm Not Gonna Lie
Thanks! I intend to keep the car stock, but I've modded pretty much every car I've owned - so history says that I will probably mod it.
i remember ppl complained that the m2 is kinda too weak and should have the m4 engine in it, well done bmw u listened to ur community, thats the best car in 2023, good choice i hope u enjoy it :)
Hi Joe! Good luck with your new car. I love it! I actually live about a 20 min drive from BMW Turnersville. Can you speak a little about the buying process? What kind of deal did you get? Did they bump the price up on you? I'm thinking about getting the M2. Any advice would be much appreciated!
Thanks! I worked with Glenn (sales) and Scott (purchase transaction) at BMW of Turnersville. They were great to work with and both are car enthusiast. That dealership doesn't don't charge a markup but they required the purchase of a ceramic coating which comes with a 7 year warranty.
First and foremost, congrats on the new amazing M2! Secondly, new sub here and I really look forward to more M2 content and thanks for sharing. And not last but least, keep up the good work, as I planning on going through more of your vids.
Thank you!
Hey Joe, ( J.Hendricks) you car is still in Primer?, looks ugly not as beautiful as my E93 convertible in Montego blue cream interior, but then you so far behind in Usa,
The G87 is bold and aggressive. It certainly is not beautiful. I agree that the E90, E92, and E93 is a beautiful car.
Congrats Joe! I really love the color, it makes the car stand out
Thanks!
Manual transmission like a real man. 👏
Excellent review! Thank you for taking the time!
Thank you!
Nice car man, congrats! I still wish BMW wouldn’t do staggered wheel diameters the way they do. The wheel gap on the front fender looks too tall and odd imho. Maybe adding MSS adjustable springs would help a little to fix this glaring issue.
Thanks! With the M3/M4 and this car, the wheel well gap in the front is definitely bigger than in the rear. I think this car would look great lowered.
How are the rear seats, would it fit 2 kids comfortably
It depends on how far back you need the front seat to be. For me (I'm 5'7"), there is plenty of leg room in the back.
i want a porsche in a few years but can’t deal with not having an adjustable headrest. do they manage to make them comfortable still without that? looks like you don’t keep your head back so maybe you’re not the right person to ask. congrats on the car man
Thanks! I don't keep my head on the head rest, so I can't comment on that.
You seemed really excited on your way, and a little bemused on your first drive… I was a little overwhelmed with all the details and screen when I picked my g80 up also. Looking forward to your follow up videos! Subscribed.
Thanks for subscribing! I look forward to driving the car in a more spirited manner.
Wow the car IS smaller than the pictures. The front is a little plain but the rest of the car is nice. I’m thinking about getting one my 2021 Supra didn’t come with a manual, might trade it in.
Saw one in person today. I think from the front and side it looks good, but the rear is an abomination. At 3,800 lbs, it's too heavy. M3 weighs basically the same with more power. Don't understand the segment anymore. Weighs the same but less power and it's huge?
The F87 M2 weighs pretty much the same as the F80/F82 M3/M4 (even less of a difference than the G87 compared with the G80/G82) - when it first came out, it made no sense to me. However, the shorter wheel base and smaller overall size seems to make a difference in driving dynamics. The G87 actually doesn't feel big to me when driving in a spirited manner.
First time seeing your videos….I enjoyed it. That 6 speed is making me salivate!!! I could shift all day long in this M2. Congrats on the new car🎉.
Thanks!
The real question is how much over msrp did you pay for this vehicle (markup)
The dealer that I bought from doesn't charge a markup.
Great Spec, happy it’s close by in Jersey too hopefully I get to see it on the road at some point soon, hope you’ll get her out this upcoming weekend & enjoy it!!
Thanks!
Congrats! I know it's a controversial car with all the automotive UA-camrs but personally it's a total dream car. I love the multi-color seats and the boxy fenders, and the front/rear ends don't bother me like it seems to with a lot of people
Thanks! I'm loving the car. I think the car looks better in person than in pics...it is just different than what we are used to seeing.
I picked up mine this weekend too. I immediately turned off the gear shift assistant-it was annoying!
Nice, congrats!
joe, how much did they bump up the price over sticker?
The dealer that I purchased the car from does not charge a market adjustment, which was great. I had to purchase a ceramic coating, but that wasn't too bad.
Congrats! I'm sure only a handful of folks have taken delivery on the new M2 here in the states. Here in the Dallas/Ft Worth area I've called a few dealerships and they're saying up to a year, but aren't charging markup. Still deciding whether to go the RS3 route or M2. Again, congrats on your new toy!
Thanks! You are looking at 2 great options that are very different. The RS3 is a beast, and the 4 doors make it more practical. I was specifically looking to add a RWD car with a manual transmission that could occasionally be used to drive my kids around. I should try an RS3 to see what it is like as I've heard such great things about it. I had a MK6 Golf R back in the day - with just a downpipe, intake, tune, and lowering springs, that car felt amazing.
I do like the color, kind of a soft color on an aggressive/sporty car, nice combo. The styling...seems to be a switch to a more minimalist look which works, the front kidney though my first thought was it's Dodge Viperish,not a bad thing. A new M2 is what I'd buy if i could...enjoy!
Thanks!
Love that blue!
This car keeps growing on me
Hai Joe
Plse make a video for yr 997.2 4S Cab
Thanks for the request! Yes, I will make a video on the 997.2 next month.
How did you get an allocation? Did you pay MSRP?
I put a deposit on the car back in November at my local dealer - they put me in line for an allocation. I paid MSRP + bought an exterior coating.
Good video! Subbed bro. Excited to see how you like the M2
Thanks!
Really appreciate the video Joe, can't wait for my Week 19 production G87 to get delivered. I have the same spec (6MT, ZB, and bicolor wheels) too. Always dreamed about owning an M car and really miss driving a manual car too. My last one was an ND Miata just like you. If the ND Miata shifter/clutch combo is a 10, how would you rate the G87's clutch/shifter combo so far?
Great to hear about your incoming G87! The shifter and clutch on the ND Miata are an amazing combo. From my limited experience, I'd put the G87 clutch/shifter combo at a 6 in comparison. Once I drive the car harder, I may feel differently. I think the G87 could use a short throw shifter.
When do you expect that week 19 to be delivered?
@@jake2johnson Any time between end of May to beginning of July really, hard to tell since the G87 is so new. Built in Mexico though so shouldn't take terribly long, I hope...
Congratulations 🎉 on the new m2 !! Is a beautiful spec nice a simple .
Thank you!
Congratulations car looks outstanding!
Thanks!
Good for you man. Must be nice to have one of those. Keep grinding👍👍✌️
Thanks! Yes, I've been grinding a long time and will continue to do so for as long as I can!
excited to see more videos on what this thing is like
Good you got normal seats with manual. The buckets block clutch action
Nice car! Congrats! allways good to see ppl still buying the manual version =D
Thank you!
Very nice video of your experience. I have one on order and look forward to your future updates
Thank you! Great to hear that you have one on order!
I dont know, the sport seats are a little wonky at first but if you end up driving it hard, I think you'll regret not having those. Otherwise, it looks great!
Thanks! So far, I'm happy with the standard seats as they hold me well. We shall see how they hold on the track.
1st congrats!! I have to disagree with you, I have. 2023 M240 an I find it really big , my biggest complaint of the car is it’s so darn heavy, feels like a tank. I would imagine the M2 must feel similar
Thanks! It is relative to my expectation. The car is smaller than what I had anticipated, but I agree, that in general, it is not a small car. I had a 2021 Toyota Supra 3.0 and this car definitely feels bigger, but it is much more practical. We'll see how it feels once I start pushing it.
I have a 2022 G42 M240i, the wheelbase is around an inch shorter than an E92 M3 but it weighs almost 200 pounds more. It’s small but heavy.
Bro, certainly a nice car. It's just sad that it looks like your heart is not in it. I'm just going by my experiences buying sports cars.
Can i ask why you didn't go for the GT4 or GT4RS?
Your 911 is gorgeous.
I'm not a very expressive person in general, but you are right. I still really like my other 2 cars (Tesla Model S Plaid and the 997.2 in the video) so this car doesn't necessarily fill a void for me - I just wanted to experience BMW's latest M car as I have fond memories of my old F80 M3s. I love the GT4. I'm in the market for a 991.1 or 991.2 Carrera GTS (I want back seats so that I can drive my kids) to potentially replace my 997.2.
@@TheLifeofJoeLee thanks for being so courteous with your response. Great cars btw. I look forward to your type r as i currently drive a 2020 Si. Hondas are Such a blast.
The 991GTS is a classic! I personally prefer V6 Caymans. I'm a9lso thinking about an AP2 S2000 purely for illogical reasons hahaha.
Congratulations! Beautiful car.
Thank you!
don't you get more power for less money with the mustang GT?
The 2023 Mustang GT has about the same amount of power on paper (it has 3 hp less) for a substantially lower starting price (it starts at $38,345). When optioned, they are close in price, however, the Mustang GT doesn't really appeal to me. I love the GT500 but the dealers around me are asking over $100k for them.
@@TheLifeofJoeLee That's understandable. I personally just enjoy the power and the feel of the drive despite the looks. I got a used 2014 Camaro SS for 18k and it's so much power for the money and overtime I can build that LS3 up to make crazy numbers if I really wanted to
Awesome car! The M2 has been my dream car for I don't know how long haha. Enjoy your new car!
Thanks!
Congrats. Living my dream.
Thank you!
Are you able to switch uo the seats for the carbons . Zinnthe future ??
I probably can, but I wouldn't want to spend the money. They are part of the $9k carbon package - I can't imagine what BMW would charge for the seats themselves.
Joe lives a good life
Beautiful! Six speed manual the way it’s meant to be 😊
Thanks!
it looks amazing
Looks really good! S58 engine, carbon roof 👌Now I kinda want to upgrade from my OG M2 to this.
Thanks! The OG M2 is beautiful! It's great to meet an F87 owner who also likes the G87!
love the camera angle
Thanks!
Wasn’t a fan when first saw it. Have been binge watching reviews the whole day. ❤
I've been liking this car more and more, which is rare - usually, with a new car, the first day is amazing and it kind of fades from there. The styling is aggressive, but I really like how the rear fenders remind me of the E30 M3. I've since driven the car in a more spirited manner - it really shines when driven harder.
@@TheLifeofJoeLee Me too! That day I suddenly realize how similar it looks like the e30. One of my favorite too🥹
That’s awesome dood
Thanks!
Was there a mark up on the M2?
Not at the dealership that I purchased the car from.
Did they charge you over msrp?
I'm fortunate to have a local dealer that doesn't charge ADMs. I paid MSRP + $1k for an exterior coating.
How’s the low end torque?
There was a good amount of torque at low RPM - I broke the the tires loose pulling out of the dealership.
M2 is so fye
Congrats on the car. You can try placing a few clutch stops to fine tune the clutch engagement point. But maybe try to see if it's compatible with the G87 first (I have the '21 F87).
Thanks! I've since gotten use to the clutch and the shifter. I'm loving this car!
@@TheLifeofJoeLee she's a beast, can't wait till you let her fully rip after break-in!
Very nice car, for me personally it belongs in dark, I still have my M2 Comp from 2019 and I am still satisfied, haha. But the S58 is already very appealing. But to the interesting part for me, since your channel is called Life of Joe, will we get some cotent from yourself, like business, what you do for a living? Such an attitude I would also like to acquire, take care man
Thanks! Good to hear about your F87 M2 Comp - I love the F87 styling! I'll be covering more about myself in the future - I appreciate you asking!
Does it rev match going down into 1st gear?
I haven't tried that yet, but I think it should. I'll let you know.
@@TheLifeofJoeLee thanks! I am subscribed, I want to follow your new car adventures. Congratulations on a very cool car
Thanks! I confirmed that the M2 rev matches when going down into 1st gear.
have you ever driven a 991 911? I'm also coming from an ND2 Miata, and trying to decide on the last NA 911 (991.1 Carerra) or a new M2.. heart says 911, mind says M2. I'm worried if I got an M2, id regret not getting the 911.
I like how your M2 sounded even at lower RPM's, which is a good sign.
I used to own a 991.1 (2013) Carrera S (it had PDK, sport chrono, sports exhaust, PDCC, sport seats, etc.). At the time I also had an F80 M3 and thought the M3 was more fun, but the 911.1 was a precision instrument in comparison. The 991.1 was considerably faster on the track for me. I didn't fully appreciate how good the 991.1 was at the time. The M2 is more practical and the cost of ownership will be less. Maintenance and repairs on Porsches could be eye watering, if that is a factor. The sound of the 3.8L flat 6 with PSE is amazing.
10k minimum markup here in socal. It will be surprising if they did not charge markup but I hope you did not trade your 911. If you did they will make good money on that 997.2. Nice cars!
I'm fortunate to have a local dealer that doesn't charge ADMs. Although I considered it for the sake of simplifying my life, no, I did not trade in the 911 - that car offers a different experience (I'll cover my thoughts on that in a follow-on video).
There is no markup on ordered cars. The dealer will try to make money off selling you warranties and tacking on extra fees.
Your 997 looks amazing
Thanks! I'll be covering that car in a video next month.
Congrats
Thanks!
You get more sound in sport plus on the engine.
Yes, thank you. I was just thinking this morning that I had started the car up in comfort. I posted a cold start video this AM with the car in sport plus.
congrats on m2, although i dont like the looks of it it sure is a fun car. I think the m240i looks alot cleaner then the m2
Thanks! I agree that the M240i looks cleaner. The M2 is very aggressive and reminds me of the E30 M3...it is not pretty.
I have heard that the manual in this M2 feels like an afterthought, the gearing is way too tall and the power is very underwhelming on 4th gear. The turbo lag is super noticeable apparently. Lets see what you think, you should definitely meet up with someone who has an automatic and drive them back to back.
I'll see what I think after the break in period. I had a 2021 Toyota Supra with the ZF8 and thought the engine and transmission were well matched. In this case, I was looking for a RWD manual.
NJ enjoy the potholes with those tires. I hope you bought rim and tire insurance. I'd lower it and space it out a little for a better looking stance but it's nice. Don't like the new front grill. They should have left the grill surround piece. I'm in the M340 but I still think I'm going to the M240.
As much as I thought I wouldn't mod this car, I think it would look much better lowered. The M340 is beast. I loved the B58 engine that was in my 2021 Toyota Supra - the power was great (I had a downpipe, intake, and tune) and it sounded awesome. I look forward to winding out the S58.
@@TheLifeofJoeLee Yeah same engine B58 TU1 I just want to go back to a smaller platform had an M235 but the M240 is on the M4 platform so it's still bigger
Nice interior
Congrats! Thank you for getting the car in manual
Thanks!
Congrats!
Thanks!
sweet ride , congrats !
Thanks!
Congrats bro! I picked up an g80 last month. I caught the mod bug, I have been buying parts daily😮. Suspension is going on today:)
Awesome to hear about your G80! What suspension mods are you going with?
@@TheLifeofJoeLee I just went with some H&R. Its not too low and it still drives like OEM. My Dinan mid pipe and dahler valve controller is on the way! My mst intake is just sitting there until I do my 1200 miles break in service
@@silverguns9799 Nice!
good job picking the manual. most reviews say the auto is better bc the engine doesn't feel perfect and the manual is sluggish but I would want it that way on a manual its too much power for me on stick. be sure to rev it all the way ALL THE WAY when you can that's where I think this car wins.
Thanks! I look forward to completing the break-in period so that I can rev the engine up and feel the power band.
People say it's ugly.. i mean compared to last gen sure. But holy! this is work of art compared to new m4 front end
It is relative...I love the aggressiveness of the M2.
The last gen's price spiked since this came out. That's all you need to know about how fugly this turd is.
Oh nice awesome man, congrats!! I want one too but I want to see if they'll make a comp version. Other than that we wait for a bit 🙏
Thanks!