The most honest/accurate M2 review I've come across. Seems I have a similar/same spec 'daily driver' 2018 M2 as you, albeit country based rather than town and on 16k miles. Biggest problem? No idea what I'll replace it with in 2021 as I like a 'complete change' each time. RS3 I suppose....
Thank you for this review. You covered a lot of the daily driver aspects I wanted to know that aren't covered in other reviews. Thanks for the suspension tip which was keeping me from getting an M2 and settling for an M240i
Thorough real world review. Well done sir. These videos come in really handy when shopping for M2. I live in a small city where there are no M2 available to test drive.
Thanks Sam. You've actually given me some great info in regards to my current situation. I had been debating the purchase of either a new Cayman GTS, a new M2 Competition or perhaps a great, low mileage version if the previous M2. I think I've crossed off the new Cayman so it's down to the M2's. So having a long term review from someone who like me, has not only owned a lot of cars but also currently has a few, really helps me continue to figure out what would work best. Again, thanks for the update. Also, really enjoyed James's video of your trip to Goodwood. Keep up the great work! Cheers mate!
For 1000 pounds you can get a brand new nitron r1 or ast 1 way proper coilovers. Just put same rate springs or softer rates. Nitrons are tremendous quality and ast always has very plush spring rates. And 3 way suspension can be setup for low speeds plus you brits have some talented people fettling with suspension, so it's not really hard to find someone to set them up properly.
How do you feel about the seats on track? I took my M2 on autocross recently and found the seats woefully inadequate for that kind of driving. Other that that, I love mine so far too. Mine is DCT as well, and I miss the VW/Audi DSG box; There's no "S" sporty transmission option you can switch back and forth with quickly on the fly.
Joe Parsons I did 6 track days on mpss, not much lateral grip left but otherwise ok. Now on a set of 4s and good so far (think very similar to the pss)
Nice video. Gives a good feel and overview of an M2 and it's great to see it suits your needs after a longer period. Like you I use my Golf R as a daily (although it's my only car) and these types of cars are just epic at it ! Hope you keep it for the long term as you say. I also have a channel about my Golf R if your interested ! :-)
Thanks for your informative video. I have an Audi RS3 and thinking about changing to an M2. The RS3 is great: the engine is the highlight (400 hp and the 5 cylinder noise is fantastic), but I miss rear wheel drive and the RS3 is just not a track car. Question: How does the M2 steering compare to the RS3 (assuming you have the RS3 in dynamic = firm or heavy)? Thanks!
Lets face it, a big part of buying a car is what it looks like, and the M2 looks awesome, as if proof were needed just look at the new M135i x-drive - great car (to drive) - looks awful
I’ve had mine 3 months now and totally agree on the suspension front. Makes the car feel very unstable at 85+mph I feel (on track that is...obviously) also my wheels have them annoying chips on along with bad corrosion on the inside, very annoying!
Max Frederick mixed results, on the lowest damper setting it was great around town, bit wallowy on the motorway, rubbish on back country roads. Now it’s in the middle but a bit stiff in town, going to play with settings more
Sam Moores and so it starts! Think ill just leave mine..... A friend has an m2 aswell and lives in london, (its his daily) he finds the suspension far too hard. I don’t find it too bad but I live in the north so don’t really use it too much around town.....
Max Frederick yes this is the problem. It’s quite easy to switch mine so I’ll probably run pretty soft most of the time. The litchfield car I drove was brilliant down a back country road vs stock but at low speed was still pretty stiff. There clearly isn’t a one stop solution for everything
@@sammooresphoto did you tried the rally setup way? Hardish damper, less rebound, soft springs. Or just sell those, do a visit to exe-tc and see what they can build for you. That will sort everything for SURE
Hi Sam😉😉😉 great sum up of the M2 interesting you have had to work on the suspension. Glad it's better around town but will wait to see if you get high speed OK.....
And this is where the compromise starts, on a back country road it was rubbish so have adjusted the settings and now the never ending tweaking begins 😂
@@sammooresphoto always the case.... But if its hard to get its either worthwhile or the car company didn't do their job properly.... Glad you've used it well on track where they come alive hope your partner enjoys it and you take her for her days out 😉
Could you make a video/podcast about watches? From the looks of it you own some pieces, and I think there is a lot of overlap between the two fields of interest.
Stijn Gerritse potentially at some point. At the moment honestly I don’t think it would be that interesting as I’m not a super watch geek. I appreciate them and own a couple but don’t really feel like I could bring much knowledge to the table
Eh i have a 240 and i have driven an m2 and a m4. The m2 on back roads felt very similar to the 240 while the m4 felt like it was in a different league. Just go for the m4
I know you've changed the suspension setup already but would it be possible to retrofit the chassis/suspension upgrades from the M2 Competition to the N55 powered M2s? e.g. rose jointing
That’s an interesting angle to go for. I’m not sure it would be worth it. I think damper and spring settings are pretty similar but the additional weight helps smooth the ride. Tightening everything up would probably make the ride worse I guess. 🤷🏻♂️. Need an engineer to chime in
Erm..... the suspension on the comp is actually exactly the same..... they didnt change a thing according to geeks on bmw forums and part number checks. All the same.....
Sam Moores the press release for the comp was a bit missleading...... I thought about the comp...... but that S55 sound...... and the hideous exhaust were just a no..... you can make the OG m2 better than a comp for far far less.
Argh, its such a tough one .. like you I've had an Audi, and changed to a BMW, and it feels like the Audi is better in 99% of ways, but its the 1% that the BMW's do better, that tick us petrolhead's boxes. Its just a shame that BMW can't just add in a couple of percent of the Audi feel good factor. For me that's, 1% better materials, 1% more exciting interior design, and about 5% improvement in their god awful stereos. LOL
@@sammooresphoto Hi mate, I loved your review. and as well I'm the M2 owner with 24k on the clock. When, I planned to buy my M2, I was thinking between RS3 and M2. But I went with the right car due to same reasons as yourself. RWD, inline6 and the look. I did the same brakes mode as yourself(ferodo 2500), but I made mistake by trying the eibach spring which I will replace in the future with the same b16 kit that you currently have. Only, thing that I would like to recommend to you which will improve your driving experience. Get the 200cell downpipe and find bit larger IC (from Forge) and proper remap. The additional power and torque that you will get would be in perfect harmony for this chassis and you will enjoy it.
We are of like minds it seems. I thought about doing ic, downpipes etc but with the car pushing the noise limit at bedford already and being forced to “drive better” rather than just boot it I’m tempted to keep it stock. More power would still be great tho 😂
Sam Moores I have done the mods as described and it still falls below Bedford’s noise limit. Think I hit 94 dbs static and didn’t trigger any drive by noise monitors. Have it done!
The most honest/accurate M2 review I've come across. Seems I have a similar/same spec 'daily driver' 2018 M2 as you, albeit country based rather than town and on 16k miles.
Biggest problem? No idea what I'll replace it with in 2021 as I like a 'complete change' each time. RS3 I suppose....
Gonna be a tricky decision, maybe something electric for me 🤷🏻♂️
Really great video of a real life ownership experience. Thank you for this!
Ive been really tempted by one of these for ages. I feel like they will come under 30k soon though.
Most likely, great buy at that price
FlagnarBoobz £30,000-33,000 at the moment, getting there!
They are now under 30k in the UK, I am tempted
Thank you for this review.
You covered a lot of the daily driver aspects I wanted to know that aren't covered in other reviews. Thanks for the suspension tip which was keeping me from getting an M2 and settling for an M240i
Any remarks about the noise vibration and harshness in the car?
Glad it was some use. Noise levels are similar to most cars in its class I believe, nothing to write home about but not bad
Thorough real world review. Well done sir. These videos come in really handy when shopping for M2. I live in a small city where there are no M2 available to test drive.
Glad I can be of use 👍🏻
Thanks Sam. You've actually given me some great info in regards to my current situation. I had been debating the purchase of either a new Cayman GTS, a new M2 Competition or perhaps a great, low mileage version if the previous M2. I think I've crossed off the new Cayman so it's down to the M2's. So having a long term review from someone who like me, has not only owned a lot of cars but also currently has a few, really helps me continue to figure out what would work best. Again, thanks for the update. Also, really enjoyed James's video of your trip to Goodwood. Keep up the great work! Cheers mate!
Thanks, good luck making a decision 👍🏻
For 1000 pounds you can get a brand new nitron r1 or ast 1 way proper coilovers. Just put same rate springs or softer rates. Nitrons are tremendous quality and ast always has very plush spring rates. And 3 way suspension can be setup for low speeds plus you brits have some talented people fettling with suspension, so it's not really hard to find someone to set them up properly.
How do you feel about the seats on track? I took my M2 on autocross recently and found the seats woefully inadequate for that kind of driving. Other that that, I love mine so far too. Mine is DCT as well, and I miss the VW/Audi DSG box; There's no "S" sporty transmission option you can switch back and forth with quickly on the fly.
Seats aren’t great, you get by but I can imagine the harsh quick direction changes on an autocross are a nightmare
They could use a bit more bolstering!
Thanks for sharing. How have your tires coped with the track usage? I have a M2 with the contis and they've worn terribly.
Joe Parsons I did 6 track days on mpss, not much lateral grip left but otherwise ok. Now on a set of 4s and good so far (think very similar to the pss)
Nice video. Gives a good feel and overview of an M2 and it's great to see it suits your needs after a longer period. Like you I use my Golf R as a daily (although it's my only car) and these types of cars are just epic at it ! Hope you keep it for the long term as you say. I also have a channel about my Golf R if your interested ! :-)
For sure, really like the golf R. I’ll have a gander
@@sammooresphoto Thanks Sam
Thanks for your informative video. I have an Audi RS3 and thinking about changing to an M2. The RS3 is great: the engine is the highlight (400 hp and the 5 cylinder noise is fantastic), but I miss rear wheel drive and the RS3 is just not a track car. Question: How does the M2 steering compare to the RS3 (assuming you have the RS3 in dynamic = firm or heavy)? Thanks!
Hmm, I honestly can’t really remember. I would say the m2 steering doesn’t have tonnes of feel so the 2 are probably similar.
@@sammooresphoto thanks Sam. I'll go test drive an M2 and back to back with the RS3
Lets face it, a big part of buying a car is what it looks like, and the M2 looks awesome, as if proof were needed just look at the new M135i x-drive - great car (to drive) - looks awful
I’ve had mine 3 months now and totally agree on the suspension front. Makes the car feel very unstable at 85+mph I feel (on track that is...obviously) also my wheels have them annoying chips on along with bad corrosion on the inside, very annoying!
VERY annoying!
Hi sam i have a 997 c2s manual do you think the m2 would be more fun and do you think it would be quicker or track?
I suspect the m2 might be faster on track but the 911 is probably more fun. A very different proposition tbh. Both a fun cars
@@sammooresphoto thanks sam. Love the content btw.
I have a 1M and find it a nightmare for speed bumps, based in SW London. Is it the same for the M2?
Interesting, it’s pretty good actually
Hi Sam! Glad you’re keeping the M2.... great car, just wondered on the suspension.... does it make it feel more comfortable? Thanks
Max Frederick mixed results, on the lowest damper setting it was great around town, bit wallowy on the motorway, rubbish on back country roads. Now it’s in the middle but a bit stiff in town, going to play with settings more
Sam Moores and so it starts! Think ill just leave mine..... A friend has an m2 aswell and lives in london, (its his daily) he finds the suspension far too hard. I don’t find it too bad but I live in the north so don’t really use it too much around town.....
Max Frederick yes this is the problem. It’s quite easy to switch mine so I’ll probably run pretty soft most of the time. The litchfield car I drove was brilliant down a back country road vs stock but at low speed was still pretty stiff. There clearly isn’t a one stop solution for everything
@@sammooresphoto Have you guys tried the KW DDC Adaptive Suspension for the M2. Apparently they are pretty good.
@@sammooresphoto did you tried the rally setup way? Hardish damper, less rebound, soft springs. Or just sell those, do a visit to exe-tc and see what they can build for you. That will sort everything for SURE
Hi Sam😉😉😉 great sum up of the M2 interesting you have had to work on the suspension. Glad it's better around town but will wait to see if you get high speed OK.....
And this is where the compromise starts, on a back country road it was rubbish so have adjusted the settings and now the never ending tweaking begins 😂
@@sammooresphoto always the case.... But if its hard to get its either worthwhile or the car company didn't do their job properly.... Glad you've used it well on track where they come alive hope your partner enjoys it and you take her for her days out 😉
Enjoyed the video mate, nice to hear the in-depth feedback from an actual owner.
What phone holder is that btw?
Thanks, it’s a breffo, works quite well but not perfect
Could you make a video/podcast about watches? From the looks of it you own some pieces, and I think there is a lot of overlap between the two fields of interest.
Stijn Gerritse potentially at some point. At the moment honestly I don’t think it would be that interesting as I’m not a super watch geek. I appreciate them and own a couple but don’t really feel like I could bring much knowledge to the table
Where did you get your cell phone holder from? If you don’t mind me asking?
A company called Breffo
Hopefully one day I will get my hands on this baby but for now I have the 240i
Eh i have a 240 and i have driven an m2 and a m4. The m2 on back roads felt very similar to the 240 while the m4 felt like it was in a different league. Just go for the m4
@@skylineOwnZall or the M2 comp
@@carl9184 yeah or that
@@skylineOwnZall Interesting, because most comments I have seen favour the M2 over the M4. I guess driving them will be the deciding factor.
ive got a dct 2018 m2 & its fantastic fun , just hope it holds its value though ,& i wont be buying a comp because it sounds bloody dreadful .
Word on that 😂
I know you've changed the suspension setup already but would it be possible to retrofit the chassis/suspension upgrades from the M2 Competition to the N55 powered M2s? e.g. rose jointing
That’s an interesting angle to go for. I’m not sure it would be worth it. I think damper and spring settings are pretty similar but the additional weight helps smooth the ride. Tightening everything up would probably make the ride worse I guess. 🤷🏻♂️. Need an engineer to chime in
@@sammooresphoto Thanks for your reply Sam!
Erm..... the suspension on the comp is actually exactly the same..... they didnt change a thing according to geeks on bmw forums and part number checks. All the same.....
Max Frederick well then I stand by my previous statement 😂. I knew dampers and springs were basically the same
Sam Moores the press release for the comp was a bit missleading...... I thought about the comp...... but that S55 sound...... and the hideous exhaust were just a no..... you can make the OG m2 better than a comp for far far less.
I’m sold
Great job on the review!
Thanks, glad it was useful for some people
great car and review m8
Thanks
Yes the interior of the M2 is simple but the rs3 is pretty boring don’t like the little screen popping up
sounds like you should have kept your RS3
Argh, its such a tough one .. like you I've had an Audi, and changed to a BMW, and it feels like the Audi is better in 99% of ways, but its the 1% that the BMW's do better, that tick us petrolhead's boxes. Its just a shame that BMW can't just add in a couple of percent of the Audi feel good factor. For me that's, 1% better materials, 1% more exciting interior design, and about 5% improvement in their god awful stereos. LOL
For sure, whenever anyone asks me I say the Audi just delivers on everything better... other than being a hooligan 😂
20 seconds in ... aaaand it's an automatic! Instant dislike!
Daily driver innit
@@sammooresphoto Hi mate, I loved your review. and as well I'm the M2 owner with 24k on the clock.
When, I planned to buy my M2, I was thinking between RS3 and M2. But I went with the right car due to same reasons as yourself. RWD, inline6 and the look.
I did the same brakes mode as yourself(ferodo 2500), but I made mistake by trying the eibach spring which I will replace in the future with the same b16 kit that you currently have.
Only, thing that I would like to recommend to you which will improve your driving experience. Get the 200cell downpipe and find bit larger IC (from Forge) and proper remap.
The additional power and torque that you will get would be in perfect harmony for this chassis and you will enjoy it.
We are of like minds it seems. I thought about doing ic, downpipes etc but with the car pushing the noise limit at bedford already and being forced to “drive better” rather than just boot it I’m tempted to keep it stock. More power would still be great tho 😂
Sam Moores I have done the mods as described and it still falls below Bedford’s noise limit. Think I hit 94 dbs static and didn’t trigger any drive by noise monitors. Have it done!
I'm getting 300 cell (milltek) DP fitted as well as LCI dials to my 2016 M2 in a month!
Do you still have the F40?
Yup
@@sammooresphoto :0