Every car seems to move up a segment or two in price, size and weight. The only thing that’s the same is the badge. In reality it’s not really an ‘M2’, more of a decent sized M car coupé.
I used to be glued to the screen, waiting for Top Gear's review of the lateast M-car. Now a days i can hardly keep my focus. I watched this with several pauses, not because there's anything wrong with Harry's work, but because i'm bored with the car before the video starts. Oh well... We have the memories, and the cars they used to build.
I think it's the other way round. The beauty of the previous gen makes this look worse. Because, let's face it, the last M2 was one of the prettiest cars BMW ever produced.
It's odd because this one looks like it has front and rear "bumpers for the american market" like they had donkeys years back for certain italian exotics so they could sell them over there. I don't think the colour helps but even so the 4 corner squares look like design for the sake of design and seem more for the designer to make his mark rather than make the car look attractive.
I think that’s one of the most repellent vehicles I’ve ever seen. And I thought the old one was nasty! Saw on on the road the other day and thought someone had tried to make their own body kit for it out of an old shower tub.
I clocked 36k km in a 2019 M2 Competition in 12 months of wonderful driving on New Zealand's narrow highways. Loved every minute of driving although it had several features I didn't like including: 1) the steering wheel seemed to perfectly block out the speedo no matter how I configured it, 2)BMW love their seats to be hard as two planks, and; 3) no matter how I configured the seat, my right ankle would throb after 10 minutes driving. For me, eventually, they became deal breakers and I traded out of it after a year. This one just doesn't excite. Don't like the looks, it is far too heavy, and I bet all of my criticisms of the driving experience remain. Now, that Lotus Emira...that's ahead turner
Agreed, this new car, replacing a car that was comparatively light, and quite pretty - is now ridiculously heavy, and ugly to boot. BMW have lost the plot.
Agreed! My lease for my F87 is coming up next year, kind of dreading getting rid of it because there isn’t much in my price range for the performance and style that the f87 has.. I wouldn’t replace it with the G series M2
👍 Harry thank you for helping articulate and explain what's wrong with BMW feel today. Numb, distant, disconnected. Fast! But not as feelsome as they used to be. 😢
It doesn't make sense really. The old M2 CS was spot on. Yet with this one, you can tell even from the video that it is a little bit soft and floaty (not like an old Cadillac of course, but just that little bit). *I think it's quite deliberate* in response to buyers of the previous M2 complaining about a rough ride. BMW seems to think that buyers don't want "bad" steering feedback either, at least that's what buyers in their focus groups tell them (there's a whole Car and Driver article about it). I think it's sad that we have to wait for the M2 CS for the engineers to be let off the "leash" and be allowed to build a car with the connection and directness that the engineers think a sportscar ought to have. I'm sure the engineers know full well what a sportscar is supposed to feel like, but unfortunately it seems to clash with a lot of feedback from (accidental?) BMW/M buyers.
To date, I’ve NOT been a BMW fan but got to see and drive the 2025 M2 at the BMW performance center this week. On track, I was thoroughly impressed with its performance and frontend grip in particular (even in the cold, damp conditions). As cliche as it sounds, the car looks better in person and in fact grows on you as you see the car from various angles. The car looks modern and muscular. To me, by comparison, it now makes the previous gen look older and proportions not quite as good. Oh and the automatic is a great pairing with this engine and chassis combo.
I am so surprised to see so much negative feedback on the looks. I bought one and actually love that they designed a car that has its own look. It is all function vs stupid “looks”. If you drive it I guarantee you will be smiling and have a better opinion of this car. I’ve had 4 “M” cars now and this is the most pure and best so far. It is a driver’s car and just fits me perfectly. Go see one in the showroom. They are much better looking in person and the interior quality and seats are great. The manual is great too. Not the best I have ever shifted but it is very good and one of the only cars in this class available with a manual.
Theres a reason why people still flock to see the cathedrals from the middle ages in Europe, sistine chapel etc, these are timeless designs we can appreciate to be beautiful and aesthetic, people still rent these beautiful places to have weddings and such No one cares to see the blocky architecture that was such a big trend in the 1960s, in fact those buildings are an eyesore when they are next to gothic colleges and parliament buildings built with beauty of design in mind. The majority of people dont want to drive this ugly car,
@@qna95B 60's architecture and furniture is making a comback. Fashion and design always reinvents itself. Going by all the negative remarks on this car i went in with an open mind. I was surprised how muscular and savage it looks. I liked it, especially after the drive too. So much so i ordered one. Do i care people hate it,not at all. It makes it all the more special for me. 😊
@@edwardvickers5506 The CIA did a program several decades ago to push 'ugly' art and ugliness in public places and places where people gather, art galleries and museums were to get weird shapes and sizes to throw off the gracefulness of the past times and architecture , (which is missing from our modern world)
All BMW’s have this heaviness but that means more investment in good manufacture and improves traction and stability, the two driving principles of BMW, as well as safety. All the BMW’s I’ve had are heavy, and my wife often complains how heavy the doors on my X5 are, and they’re no different on the 130i. This car looks extremely well built and aggressive. Love the colour and the exhausts and overall design. Would love one actually. Thanks Harry.
“Rear wheel drive, manual gearbox, what’s not to like?” The fact it’s so utterly and completely hideous. I seriously think the ‘M’ now stands for Monstrosity rather than Motorsport.
In addition: what's the manual gearbox about when it auto-blips on the downshift? I'm okay with cars having good automatic or DCT gearboxes, but for all the knights of the manual transmission this is kind of against the point of using one.
I tested the G87 M2 a few weeks ago interior is another level to my F87 M2 but to me personally it felt huge compared to mine on the road and I also thought there was a lot going on with the dash (which I guess you’d probably get used to over time). I’ll stick with my F87 for now
ID8 I can get used to, although still not as user-friendly as previous versions. Hold on to your F87. Looks better, is lighter, has roomier back seat, and drives just as well on country lanes.
I’m not a fan of these TV style dashboards. Feels to me that the old guard have hired techy kids, not petrol heads to help them bring their interior to the next level. If I wanted a TV however, I’d have gone to Curry’s. Give me a dash, with some nicely integrated tech, don’t make it a main feature. And let the car do the talking. As for the exterior look…
@@hovnojede010101keep it for the back seat alone. I could fit 2 full grown adult males in my back seat with a weeks worth of groceries in the trunk. Where did all the space go?? And more importantly, why buy this over the more dynamic Supra if it has similar ergonomics?
The quick screen shot of the previous gen M2 CS just highlights how beautiful that car is and how Fugly the new one is. Previous gem was fantastic bmw design
Watching your reviews has become an addictions. Always enjoyable. La Classe. On a different note, like you, I’m a mechanical watch wearer, using smart watches for when I’m doing my exercises but you seem to have find an original way to wear them both at the same time :-)
New Golf R starts at £45k, new civic type r at £50k. Many manufacturers have moved to higher margin, lower volume business and are going to get eaten from the bottom up by Chinese manufacturers as EVs come online. VW have already shot themselves in the foot with quality and pricing issues with their current range of EVs.
Nice review Harry, considering the modern annoyances on the car. I think that the rear seats do fold- I detected the tell-tale levers on the rear bulkhead that release the seats from their upright position....#geek
Great video seen a couple others about the M2 and they both neither of them mention the speed chime and they both skimmed past the weight making the car seem alot better then it is
Great review and sums up modern m cars for me, lovely cars but they just miss something. Great fast dailies, not something you yearn to take out at the weekend.
Harry! Great review as always. Mind you bringing back your scales? Would be great to know the actual weight of the test candidates. Remember the surprise withe the Boxster GTS 4.0? Greetings from ze Germans.
@@lemcakes32422 It could be that BMW are deliberately gaming the WLTP system, where heavier cars are allowed a higher CO2/km. So BMW declare an unrealistically high DIN weight to allow for a more generous CO2/km allowance for the car.
I can't seem to like the big blocks hanging off the front and rear bumper sides. Especially in the rear. Nice design element for a truck or jeep, but a sports car?
I think most BMW fans are disappointed in the direction they're going. However they're still doing manual, RWD cars. I just wish they would go back to hydraulic steering. No electric system can truly compete. If you watch closely, Harry is sawing at the wheel constantly. 1. Ugly. 2. Heavy. 3. Disconnected feeling. 4. Doesn't want to be pushed. 5. No hydraulic steering. 6. Expensive. 7. Ugly. Looks and pricing is one thing, but it's pretty hard to understand why they couldn't get the driving dynamics right.
From Johann Kinsler, BMW: "While that’s difficult to address with hydraulic power steering, with EPS we can install what we call pull-drift compensation to help keep the car locked on a straight path instead of following longitudinal grooves." "One is a new calibration philosophy that allows easy adjustment of the required steering torque. This makes a major difference in the feel of the new 5-series. There would be no chance to match those results with hydraulic assist." "[Hydraulic assistance] means good information and bad information. *When we moved to EPS, we learned how to divide the good and bad messages for the customer.* " "We have two million customers around the globe who’ve purchased the 5-series during the past five years, which results in a broad spread of demands. There was a clear request for less steering effort. *No one wants bad feedback-such as a steering wheel that vibrates in response to bumps in the road.* " "So the strongest demand we heard was, ‘Please reduce the steering effort.’ They seem to want more isolation" I.e., there is deliberate programming done by BMW to interfere in the steering. This is *not* inherent to electric power steering in and of itself, you don't have to include this kind of stuff (by all means, the way an electric motor applies torque means it will somewhat dampen feedback compared to hydraulic assistance, but electric steering doesn't have to be completely terrible). I strongly disagree with Mr. Kinsler, especially "no one wants bad feedback", but you can see what BMW engineers have been tasked with achieving. Unfortunately the engineers aren't allowed to overrule the focus groups, unlike the engineers at Lotus or McLaren who are purists about their hydraulic power steering with lots of feedback (as we see the steering wheel wriggling around on Harry's test road while driving those cars!).
Re the speed limit noise, you can add it (and anything else, I have lane assist as well) as a shortcut, so you just drag down from the top and toggle it off. Pain the arse for sure, but slightly better than having to go through all the menus
I'd be so chuffed if I'd just spent 66 grand and thought "it looks a bit OTT', 'this gear change is a bit rubbery' and 'you know I could get to like this'. The kind of thoughts that would kill a sale in the first place. ('wow, this is awesome' is a better aspirational reaction from a customer)
A lot BMW M customers seem to only care about going fast in a straight line (and getting the back end out every now and then). I guess this suits them just fine, unfortunately, and customers who want a precise car are in the minority. I recall Jason Plato testing the G82 M4 on Fifth Gear and not liking that he could not tell what the front end was doing at all through the steering ("just need to guess how much front grip there is"), but the M cars don't seem to be designed for people who care about that sort of thing anymore. 🙁
Unless you drive at 9 or 10/10ths the m240i is a Much better value and won’t drive differently enough on public roads to matter. Straight line speed is identical for all practical intents and purposes. They’re both numb on steering feel so no advantage there either. F87 owner here. Unless you plan to track it save the cash.
@@ScottsGuitarah come on. The 240i is just boring. I’m every aspect. Sorry. Had it as a rental when my F87 was in inspection. That’s a car you forget the next day. I didn’t drive the G87 yet, but had the G82. And it’s way better. Even though I like the F series more.
@@Bimmer_i4_M50 I just meant as a value proposition. You get more for your money with the m240i. But the F series is better and cheaper than the new m240i or m2 imo. Solution just buy an f87 lol. There’s no way they add all that weight and it drives better, M car or not. I’d happily take the unobstructed (non particulate filter) n55 exhaust note over the new one too. Man that car can growl in a car park 😂
Very nice review and spot on. A couple of months ago, I had a difficult choice between this M2 G87 and a Porsche Cayman 718 Base model. In the end I picked the Porsche. Although the BMW has a great engine, the Porsche - even in its base form - just felt more like a sports car. And that's coming from someone who had an e39 M5 and e36 M3 in the past.
It kind of looks like an AI-generated "future" BMW model. The front end is not as hideous as the M3/M4, but the exterior feels a bit dis-jointed, especially compared to the masterpiece that was the previous M2's exterior. At least it seems to drive well, even if it is obscenely heavy for what's supposed to be a small BMW.
Harry , on a serious note . How long will it be before the police will pull people over for using touch screen dashboards while driving , the same way they deal with using mobile phones I’m not being pedantic but they are as distracting as a iPhone while on the move
For £66k the exterior finishes look economy car cheap. The grills, tacked-on sensors, and intakes look like they're for an entry level Hyundai, not a premium sports coupe.
Almost every new car makes me appreciate the weight of my daily driver, which is a bit over a tonne. Even though it has an engine that makes more noise than power it is still a pleasure to throw it around the countryside.
That is hideous inside and out. The rear quarters give the impression of mobile phones jammed into jean pockets and its face has orbital hypertelorism.
BMWs have never been the sharpest tool in the box when it comes to handling but since they went to electric power steering, "rubbery" as you put it Harry, sums them up. (Speaking as a BMW owner).
Having owned one since launch, I would agree. Effortless cruising, plenty of power when road conditions permit and personally speaking, the styling works. Especially in Thundernight 😁👍🏻
@@leccybadger I'd imagine more comfortable but not lacking in grip and if you wanted a bit more punch to match a M2, just needs plugging into a computer!
@@ScottZ370 as with all 4wd, you can occasionally feel the front pushing wide, never feels that the car is heading for a ditch 😬. For my needs, the power is enough. It isn't a track weapon, more a mini GT in some ways, and that is not to say the experience is underwhelming. I see it as more 'grown up' than the previous generation and fortunately, it has a cowl for the dials, not this hideous wrap around screen!
Totally agree. Get a low milage one from an independent dealer or private. Most BMW dealers are shocking. I have a Stage 2 M140i with M4 LCA and Remus exhaust. I'd keep up with a new M2 any day of the week.
Unlike every other car review , I find myself the least interested to learn about the recent M2, M3, M4 cars - I really loved every Normally Aspirated version of BMW, now it feels like BMW does not care about people like me.
The look grows on you, but then you look at the weight and the price and figure you'll go with the M3, but then you decide to do a comparison with Porsche and spec out a fully loaded Cayman GTS and realize it's more than a 911, so you decide to spec out a Porsche 911 and get into the GT3 price territory, so your M2 is now a GT3. You go to the Porsche dealership , say you want a GT3 and they laugh in your face and say it's impossible because you have no dealer history. Then you settle with your VW GTI 😅
Can everyone stop hating on the styling of this, my niece is getting really upset by the feedback. She worked really hard on it before swimming class and it was her 5th birthday around that time so she was a bit preoccupied. Edit: She used her best crayons.
I have stuck with my M2 OG as even the Comp that followed felt too sorted - almost too good so less fun at lower speed - this is another level again so to explore you need to go so quick. I actually like the looks in light colours, oddly black doesn’t seem to suit as well as I thought.
What a great colour! And such a good looking handsome car! PS: Everyone's summer has been shite it seems Harry. and Im in the Southern Hemisphere, ours was Jan/Feb. :((
Brilliant review Harry. One point I may disagree is steering feel. I test drove 2. One had the Michelin mp 4 s and one had Pirelli pzero corsas. Steering was much more direct, precise and with more feel to me with the Pirelli’s which were part of the track pack. The carbon seats also help transmit feel through your body.
Great vid as always! I find that these newer BMW M-cars honestly remind me (in persona not handling) of a good fast Audi S/RS of 10yrs ago. Not as spikey, clutch pedal is lighter, not quite as precise feeling as the previous Gen, but easier to live with. When looking at a car like M3 I can consider it a reasonable compromise, but the last M2Comp was so manic the more docile nature of the new one gives me mixed feelings. An amazing bit of kit nevertheless!
A lot to like about it but also a lot of reasons why buying a previous model M2 looks the preferable option. Not sure why they’ve gone for Hyundai N blue as their signature colour.
I'm struck by the irony. Hyundai develops it's N series inspired by BMW M cars - BMW mimics Hyundai colour - imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
Whilst the light blue isn't my favourite colour - I'm so glad the press car is not painted using the monotonous and boring 'German rainbow' colour palette of white, silver, grey or black - with the grey hue offered in 150 shades. It's like looking at 'life' through black-white photography.
@@georgebettiol8338 agree with you on that, I do like a decent colour I was just being a bit tongue in cheek about it matching Hyundai N. It baffles me that so many people are currently paying extra to have their cars delivered with just the matt grey primer. Not sure how that's become a fashion, it looks awful.
There seems to be a lot of group think in colours! So many grey colours for example. I guess it depends on what the paint companies are offering at the time (e.g., Lamborghini Murcielago and Ford Focus ST were offered in the same shade of PPG orange). BMW recently had an optional Misano Blue colour which is very similar to the Alfa Romeo blue pearl colour which is also called Misano Blue (I guess it comes from the same paint company and is exactly the same colour). I wish BMW M would just stick with their classic colours like Estoril Blue!
Should be named *"The Pug".* I really enjoy H's G cos it's a wonderful reminder that the financial crises (2008 and current) are just irritating background noise for so many people.
Not very long ago 1.7 tons used to be the weight of a M5, that's crazy.
And that's with a 'heavy' V10 engine, room for your entire family, their luggage, and a metal roof.
@@Olimorveu but you had a cheap interior and no tech.
and less safety@@22Epic
The Nissan GT-R still weighs that😮. We'd all go on about how nimble such a heavy car is back in 2009.
Every car seems to move up a segment or two in price, size and weight. The only thing that’s the same is the badge. In reality it’s not really an ‘M2’, more of a decent sized M car coupé.
can't help but miss those elegant clean lines of E39
I've got E39 26 yr old .😁
Props to BMW for employing an all blind styling team.
Hahaha
😆😂😂
Anyone used to watch Bangla Bangers on discovery , I think they must of hired that dude.
If China wants it, China gets it.
well said
You know you’ve been successful in life when your car tells you off for speeding on your own driveway😂
At least BMW made it easy to make a Lego version of it with that styling.
😂 that’s the best comment 👍
Lego one will look better haha!
I used to be glued to the screen, waiting for Top Gear's review of the lateast M-car. Now a days i can hardly keep my focus. I watched this with several pauses, not because there's anything wrong with Harry's work, but because i'm bored with the car before the video starts. Oh well... We have the memories, and the cars they used to build.
Love the way it looks it grows on you in person
Yes, this is true. Saw it this week and it looked modern and muscular. Its looks certainly grow on you as you see it from various angles and lighting.
Exactly! I went from hating it to test driving it to ordering it. This car is amazing for 68k$. Wtf is everyone talking about?
"It's just nonsense, that's just styling..." Current BMW's summed up in a throwaway comment 😂
Styling is important though. Few would actively want a bland and ordinary looking rocket ship.
This just makes the last generation look that much better.
Weighs more than the M3 saloon. How? Why?
yea, as an M240i last gen owner, im very happy right now lol
I think it's the other way round. The beauty of the previous gen makes this look worse. Because, let's face it, the last M2 was one of the prettiest cars BMW ever produced.
Yes though e46 m3 and e50 m5 were just gorgeous. @@malean2997
I love the way the car looks personally
Might be easy to live with but it's very hard to look at. Can't think of any reason why an owner of the previous M2 would want to trade in for this.
It's odd because this one looks like it has front and rear "bumpers for the american market" like they had donkeys years back for certain italian exotics so they could sell them over there.
I don't think the colour helps but even so the 4 corner squares look like design for the sake of design and seem more for the designer to make his mark rather than make the car look attractive.
Each to their own - I prefer this one to the earlier versions.
Idk, b/c it’s fun to drive and it’s pretty practical?
@@fifteen8850 so was the ‘old’ good looking one
Each to their own,the previous looked a bit boring,at least this looks aggressive and muscular
It should not be possible for a car to look ghastly from every angle, but here we are.... Well done BMW on such an achievement.
Agreed. I really dont get how they ended up with this and that probably A LOT of people at BMW agreed this thing was good looking
agree
BMW’s ongoing styling direction is a mystery. Almost every new car they’ve launched in the last few years has been absolutely hideous.
Usually a response from someone that could never afford one.
@@bigboost2641 I own an M3.... Also anyone can walk into a dealer and finance a new M2 so your argument is toilet.
I think that’s one of the most repellent vehicles I’ve ever seen. And I thought the old one was nasty! Saw on on the road the other day and thought someone had tried to make their own body kit for it out of an old shower tub.
The old one doesn’t look bad. This one doesn’t even look European.
The old one was beautiful. Night and day. But I bet this thing is a blast.
The M2 looked ok, but the regular 2 series always reminded me of the Daewoo Nubria, and I can’t under it!
What? The old M2 was a stunner!
I came here only to read these comments. I totally agree. 🤮
I clocked 36k km in a 2019 M2 Competition in 12 months of wonderful driving on New Zealand's narrow highways. Loved every minute of driving although it had several features I didn't like including: 1) the steering wheel seemed to perfectly block out the speedo no matter how I configured it, 2)BMW love their seats to be hard as two planks, and; 3) no matter how I configured the seat, my right ankle would throb after 10 minutes driving. For me, eventually, they became deal breakers and I traded out of it after a year.
This one just doesn't excite. Don't like the looks, it is far too heavy, and I bet all of my criticisms of the driving experience remain.
Now, that Lotus Emira...that's ahead turner
Agreed, this new car, replacing a car that was comparatively light, and quite pretty - is now ridiculously heavy, and ugly to boot. BMW have lost the plot.
Agreed! My lease for my F87 is coming up next year, kind of dreading getting rid of it because there isn’t much in my price range for the performance and style that the f87 has.. I wouldn’t replace it with the G series M2
Pleased they’re stayed with combustion engine though
@@FlyasaDiamond 100% buy out your F87 and drive the piss out of it.
Problem with the Emira is you can get a Cayman GTS for the same money.
Also, can you imagine the weight of future M cars once they go hybrid? Damn…
How can something that looks so cheap be so expensive?
Good heavens BMW, you should send your styling department to Specsavers!
We know it’s the small M car but… It’s bigger than the e92 m3. (And weighs the same) Nobody ever mentions this. 🙃
E92 M3 is a little under 1700 kg but yeah, near enough the same.
All cars have got bigger and heavier
all new cars are heavy due to the computers and crash regs etc
A manual E92 is 1,580kg - even more to your point - close enough to 150kg lighter. It's almost closer in weight to the same era E60 M5.
because what's the point? all cars today are heavier than older cars.
👍 Harry thank you for helping articulate and explain what's wrong with BMW feel today. Numb, distant, disconnected. Fast! But not as feelsome as they used to be. 😢
It doesn't make sense really. The old M2 CS was spot on. Yet with this one, you can tell even from the video that it is a little bit soft and floaty (not like an old Cadillac of course, but just that little bit). *I think it's quite deliberate* in response to buyers of the previous M2 complaining about a rough ride. BMW seems to think that buyers don't want "bad" steering feedback either, at least that's what buyers in their focus groups tell them (there's a whole Car and Driver article about it). I think it's sad that we have to wait for the M2 CS for the engineers to be let off the "leash" and be allowed to build a car with the connection and directness that the engineers think a sportscar ought to have. I'm sure the engineers know full well what a sportscar is supposed to feel like, but unfortunately it seems to clash with a lot of feedback from (accidental?) BMW/M buyers.
Buy an Evora
@@fzr1000981buy an M2... get it? Get the idea ?
@@MD2525-1 I did
The old one looked so much better
100% disagree
To date, I’ve NOT been a BMW fan but got to see and drive the 2025 M2 at the BMW performance center this week. On track, I was thoroughly impressed with its performance and frontend grip in particular (even in the cold, damp conditions). As cliche as it sounds, the car looks better in person and in fact grows on you as you see the car from various angles. The car looks modern and muscular. To me, by comparison, it now makes the previous gen look older and proportions not quite as good. Oh and the automatic is a great pairing with this engine and chassis combo.
F87 M2 comp was 1650kg with dct and full tank , yet nobody was talking that much about the weight then. N55 M2 is 1580 kg with dct
Great video Harry
I am so surprised to see so much negative feedback on the looks. I bought one and actually love that they designed a car that has its own look. It is all function vs stupid “looks”. If you drive it I guarantee you will be smiling and have a better opinion of this car. I’ve had 4 “M” cars now and this is the most pure and best so far. It is a driver’s car and just fits me perfectly. Go see one in the showroom. They are much better looking in person and the interior quality and seats are great. The manual is great too. Not the best I have ever shifted but it is very good and one of the only cars in this class available with a manual.
Theres a reason why people still flock to see the cathedrals from the middle ages in Europe, sistine chapel etc, these are timeless designs we can appreciate to be beautiful and aesthetic, people still rent these beautiful places to have weddings and such
No one cares to see the blocky architecture that was such a big trend in the 1960s, in fact those buildings are an eyesore when they are next to gothic colleges and parliament buildings built with beauty of design in mind.
The majority of people dont want to drive this ugly car,
@@qna95B 60's architecture and furniture is making a comback. Fashion and design always reinvents itself. Going by all the negative remarks on this car i went in with an open mind. I was surprised how muscular and savage it looks. I liked it, especially after the drive too. So much so i ordered one. Do i care people hate it,not at all. It makes it all the more special for me. 😊
@@edwardvickers5506 The CIA did a program several decades ago to push 'ugly' art and ugliness in public places and places where people gather,
art galleries and museums were to get weird shapes and sizes to throw off the gracefulness of the past times and architecture , (which is missing from our modern world)
That speed assistant warning is a deal breaker for me
It’s coming on all new cars thanks to the EU.
one press on a button on the steering wheel turns it off fortunately. but yh..damn annoying
All BMW’s have this heaviness but that means more investment in good manufacture and improves traction and stability, the two driving principles of BMW, as well as safety. All the BMW’s I’ve had are heavy, and my wife often complains how heavy the doors on my X5 are, and they’re no different on the 130i. This car looks extremely well built and aggressive. Love the colour and the exhausts and overall design. Would love one actually. Thanks Harry.
“Rear wheel drive, manual gearbox, what’s not to like?”
The fact it’s so utterly and completely hideous. I seriously think the ‘M’ now stands for Monstrosity rather than Motorsport.
In addition: what's the manual gearbox about when it auto-blips on the downshift? I'm okay with cars having good automatic or DCT gearboxes, but for all the knights of the manual transmission this is kind of against the point of using one.
@@6rimR3ap3ryou can disable that in the menu's
@@6rimR3ap3ra lot of cars are impossible to heel and toe because of pedal arrangement.
It actually stands for Marketing.
@@6rimR3ap3r You can disable that.
I tested the G87 M2 a few weeks ago interior is another level to my F87 M2 but to me personally it felt huge compared to mine on the road and I also thought there was a lot going on with the dash (which I guess you’d probably get used to over time). I’ll stick with my F87 for now
Yep, that dash looks like NASA. To me, such complexity detracts from what that car should be about…… driving
@@TeaVR when I tested car i didn’t have long to play about but found it quite difficult to change settings ( which could be just me)
ID8 I can get used to, although still not as user-friendly as previous versions. Hold on to your F87. Looks better, is lighter, has roomier back seat, and drives just as well on country lanes.
I’m not a fan of these TV style dashboards. Feels to me that the old guard have hired techy kids, not petrol heads to help them bring their interior to the next level. If I wanted a TV however, I’d have gone to Curry’s. Give me a dash, with some nicely integrated tech, don’t make it a main feature. And let the car do the talking. As for the exterior look…
@@hovnojede010101keep it for the back seat alone. I could fit 2 full grown adult males in my back seat with a weeks worth of groceries in the trunk. Where did all the space go?? And more importantly, why buy this over the more dynamic Supra if it has similar ergonomics?
The quick screen shot of the previous gen M2 CS just highlights how beautiful that car is and how Fugly the new one is. Previous gem was fantastic bmw design
The rear looks like they bolted some 90s era Veilside body kit to it
Before watching I'd like to say it's appreciated, your work on utube is right up there at the very top. Quality British family doing Britain proud 👍
Watching your reviews has become an addictions. Always enjoyable. La Classe.
On a different note, like you, I’m a mechanical watch wearer, using smart watches for when I’m doing my exercises but you seem to have find an original way to wear them both at the same time :-)
Nothing junior about this, 1700kg and starting at £65.000
New Golf R starts at £45k, new civic type r at £50k. Many manufacturers have moved to higher margin, lower volume business and are going to get eaten from the bottom up by Chinese manufacturers as EVs come online.
VW have already shot themselves in the foot with quality and pricing issues with their current range of EVs.
Great video Harry, manual is the cost option now. How times have changed!
After so many gorgeous Beemers of yesteryear, which committee styled this?
Nice review Harry. I like it so much I ordered one. Thanks. 😎
Thoughts and prayers 🙏
Great video Harry! As always.
The rear seats do flip down, Harry. Have a look back in the boot under the parcel shelf - 2 levers
Did Harry tick the 'Halfords Body Kit' option.
That back end is shocking
My first thought aswell. Did not suit the car at all.
Have you seen the front? 🤯
Nice review Harry, considering the modern annoyances on the car.
I think that the rear seats do fold- I detected the tell-tale levers on the rear bulkhead that release the seats from their upright position....#geek
I look forward to having one of these three inches off my rear bumper (with the engine screaming) every time I go shopping or go to work!
Great video seen a couple others about the M2 and they both neither of them mention the speed chime and they both skimmed past the weight making the car seem alot better then it is
heavier than an e92 m3
Crashed into a Halfords store and reversed out with a new body kit.
Ahh yes - the Gary boy mods of yester-year.
Isn’t that a colour originally available on the Ford Anglia?
Great review and sums up modern m cars for me, lovely cars but they just miss something. Great fast dailies, not something you yearn to take out at the weekend.
Harry! Great review as always. Mind you bringing back your scales? Would be great to know the actual weight of the test candidates. Remember the surprise withe the Boxster GTS 4.0? Greetings from ze Germans.
Maybe they’ve added 250kg so they can sell you one without the ballast for £20k more 😂
😂 like the thinking!
@@lemcakes32422 It could be that BMW are deliberately gaming the WLTP system, where heavier cars are allowed a higher CO2/km. So BMW declare an unrealistically high DIN weight to allow for a more generous CO2/km allowance for the car.
I can't seem to like the big blocks hanging off the front and rear bumper sides. Especially in the rear. Nice design element for a truck or jeep, but a sports car?
I think most BMW fans are disappointed in the direction they're going. However they're still doing manual, RWD cars. I just wish they would go back to hydraulic steering. No electric system can truly compete. If you watch closely, Harry is sawing at the wheel constantly.
1. Ugly.
2. Heavy.
3. Disconnected feeling.
4. Doesn't want to be pushed.
5. No hydraulic steering.
6. Expensive.
7. Ugly.
Looks and pricing is one thing, but it's pretty hard to understand why they couldn't get the driving dynamics right.
From Johann Kinsler, BMW:
"While that’s difficult to address with hydraulic power steering, with EPS we can install what we call pull-drift compensation to help keep the car locked on a straight path instead of following longitudinal grooves."
"One is a new calibration philosophy that allows easy adjustment of the required steering torque. This makes a major difference in the feel of the new 5-series. There would be no chance to match those results with hydraulic assist."
"[Hydraulic assistance] means good information and bad information. *When we moved to EPS, we learned how to divide the good and bad messages for the customer.* "
"We have two million customers around the globe who’ve purchased the 5-series during the past five years, which results in a broad spread of demands. There was a clear request for less steering effort. *No one wants bad feedback-such as a steering wheel that vibrates in response to bumps in the road.* "
"So the strongest demand we heard was, ‘Please reduce the steering effort.’ They seem to want more isolation"
I.e., there is deliberate programming done by BMW to interfere in the steering. This is *not* inherent to electric power steering in and of itself, you don't have to include this kind of stuff (by all means, the way an electric motor applies torque means it will somewhat dampen feedback compared to hydraulic assistance, but electric steering doesn't have to be completely terrible).
I strongly disagree with Mr. Kinsler, especially "no one wants bad feedback", but you can see what BMW engineers have been tasked with achieving. Unfortunately the engineers aren't allowed to overrule the focus groups, unlike the engineers at Lotus or McLaren who are purists about their hydraulic power steering with lots of feedback (as we see the steering wheel wriggling around on Harry's test road while driving those cars!).
Re the speed limit noise, you can add it (and anything else, I have lane assist as well) as a shortcut, so you just drag down from the top and toggle it off. Pain the arse for sure, but slightly better than having to go through all the menus
I'd be so chuffed if I'd just spent 66 grand and thought "it looks a bit OTT', 'this gear change is a bit rubbery' and 'you know I could get to like this'. The kind of thoughts that would kill a sale in the first place. ('wow, this is awesome' is a better aspirational reaction from a customer)
The G87 makes you think deeply about its pros and cons after you drive it. The F87 makes you FEEL alive!
A lot BMW M customers seem to only care about going fast in a straight line (and getting the back end out every now and then). I guess this suits them just fine, unfortunately, and customers who want a precise car are in the minority. I recall Jason Plato testing the G82 M4 on Fifth Gear and not liking that he could not tell what the front end was doing at all through the steering ("just need to guess how much front grip there is"), but the M cars don't seem to be designed for people who care about that sort of thing anymore. 🙁
Great video as always Harry,but for 20k less the M240i is a better proposition?
Unless you drive at 9 or 10/10ths the m240i is a Much better value and won’t drive differently enough on public roads to matter. Straight line speed is identical for all practical intents and purposes. They’re both numb on steering feel so no advantage there either. F87 owner here. Unless you plan to track it save the cash.
@@ScottsGuitarah come on. The 240i is just boring. I’m every aspect. Sorry. Had it as a rental when my F87 was in inspection. That’s a car you forget the next day. I didn’t drive the G87 yet, but had the G82. And it’s way better. Even though I like the F series more.
Most BMW’s are predictable, that’s why I chose a “ left” field car, The Jaguar F Type 😉
@@Bimmer_i4_M50 I just meant as a value proposition. You get more for your money with the m240i. But the F series is better and cheaper than the new m240i or m2 imo. Solution just buy an f87 lol. There’s no way they add all that weight and it drives better, M car or not. I’d happily take the unobstructed (non particulate filter) n55 exhaust note over the new one too. Man that car can growl in a car park 😂
I was wondering what all the 'don't like the looks' comments were on, then I saw the back!
Gopping like a Scorpio
Use to love this car, and then the styling team got involved. Would buy the old model over this. Does BMW make a good looking car anymore?
That front looks like it's come from a LEGO set.
Was it styled by three firms? Cadillac did the front, BMW 3/4 of the side profile/roof line and Hyundai the rear ?
Dodge Truck division did the front.
Today i saw one in real life and it looks great. And sounds great too. Even the front fits perfect to the whole concept.
Love your videos as always Harry, keep up the good work.
I'm surprised it doesn't automatically apply the brakes when to over the speed limit sensor kicks in.
Very nice review and spot on. A couple of months ago, I had a difficult choice between this M2 G87 and a Porsche Cayman 718 Base model. In the end I picked the Porsche. Although the BMW has a great engine, the Porsche - even in its base form - just felt more like a sports car. And that's coming from someone who had an e39 M5 and e36 M3 in the past.
It kind of looks like an AI-generated "future" BMW model. The front end is not as hideous as the M3/M4, but the exterior feels a bit dis-jointed, especially compared to the masterpiece that was the previous M2's exterior. At least it seems to drive well, even if it is obscenely heavy for what's supposed to be a small BMW.
Dictated by the Chinese market, I'm afraid.
its ugly
@@EdgyNumber1lol how
@@MrZane-bl8qm Over 30% of all new BMWs are bought by the chinese. To put that into perspective they are followed by the US with 15%.
I would prefer this new m2 over G80 and G82 because of hideous front end on them😢
Looks like those body kits Zender used to make. The 'made in my garage' look.
Harry , on a serious note . How long will it be before the police will pull people over for using touch screen dashboards while driving , the same way they deal with using mobile phones
I’m not being pedantic but they are as distracting as a iPhone while on the move
Can you order it without the Max Power body kit?
For £66k the exterior finishes look economy car cheap. The grills, tacked-on sensors, and intakes look like they're for an entry level Hyundai, not a premium sports coupe.
Hyundais look better these days
I finally saw one drive by on the way to work, looked cool in red...
That light blue M2 is like the village bike. Everyone has had a go. Hardest working M2 in existence.
Almost every new car makes me appreciate the weight of my daily driver, which is a bit over a tonne. Even though it has an engine that makes more noise than power it is still a pleasure to throw it around the countryside.
That is hideous inside and out. The rear quarters give the impression of mobile phones jammed into jean pockets and its face has orbital hypertelorism.
driven a m2 around a track liked it very much ,much more than i expected
Hoping you'd do a nice review of the GR Supra soon! Especially in manual option
BMWs have never been the sharpest tool in the box when it comes to handling but since they went to electric power steering, "rubbery" as you put it Harry, sums them up. (Speaking as a BMW owner).
Setting quality to 144p helps for the shots of the exterior.
Fantastic review my friend.
Great review, but I just can't make myself like this car. I've tried, but between the styling, the weight, and that dashboard, I just can't.
Can't help but think the xdrive M240i is genuinely the one to go for in the UK at least
Having owned one since launch, I would agree. Effortless cruising, plenty of power when road conditions permit and personally speaking, the styling works. Especially in Thundernight 😁👍🏻
@@leccybadger I'd imagine more comfortable but not lacking in grip and if you wanted a bit more punch to match a M2, just needs plugging into a computer!
@@ScottZ370 as with all 4wd, you can occasionally feel the front pushing wide, never feels that the car is heading for a ditch 😬.
For my needs, the power is enough. It isn't a track weapon, more a mini GT in some ways, and that is not to say the experience is underwhelming. I see it as more 'grown up' than the previous generation and fortunately, it has a cowl for the dials, not this hideous wrap around screen!
Totally agree. Get a low milage one from an independent dealer or private. Most BMW dealers are shocking. I have a Stage 2 M140i with M4 LCA and Remus exhaust. I'd keep up with a new M2 any day of the week.
Unlike every other car review , I find myself the least interested to learn about the recent M2, M3, M4 cars - I really loved every Normally Aspirated version of BMW, now it feels like BMW does not care about people like me.
So it’s heavier than the M5 estates I grew up with but you can’t sit in the back unless your a small child.. progress.
The look grows on you, but then you look at the weight and the price and figure you'll go with the M3, but then you decide to do a comparison with Porsche and spec out a fully loaded Cayman GTS and realize it's more than a 911, so you decide to spec out a Porsche 911 and get into the GT3 price territory, so your M2 is now a GT3. You go to the Porsche dealership , say you want a GT3 and they laugh in your face and say it's impossible because you have no dealer history. Then you settle with your VW GTI 😅
I wonder if this one will look good? 20 seconds into the vid... oh.
the baby blue is not a good look imho. in black it looks better because the lumps are hidden. Just like on an obese person.
Love your reviews, Harry.
Can everyone stop hating on the styling of this, my niece is getting really upset by the feedback. She worked really hard on it before swimming class and it was her 5th birthday around that time so she was a bit preoccupied. Edit: She used her best crayons.
Don't worry, the Chinese are in awe with the design - all done by a 5-year old equipped with crayons - just wonderful.
Well strategically placed tape over the speedo. Bravo 👍
I have stuck with my M2 OG as even the Comp that followed felt too sorted - almost too good so less fun at lower speed - this is another level again so to explore you need to go so quick. I actually like the looks in light colours, oddly black doesn’t seem to suit as well as I thought.
What a great colour! And such a good looking handsome car!
PS: Everyone's summer has been shite it seems Harry. and Im in the Southern Hemisphere, ours was Jan/Feb. :((
Remember when car companies employed styling house and actually wanted to make a beautiful car 🤔
I’m gonna give my eyes an easy time so I’ll take the previous generation one thanks.
Would love to see a few heritage M-car tests Harry. 1M especially!
And a good E92 M3 Competition (manual)😊
Car wow have just done it,go find their videos
Brilliant review Harry. One point I may disagree is steering feel. I test drove 2. One had the Michelin mp 4 s and one had Pirelli pzero corsas. Steering was much more direct, precise and with more feel to me with the Pirelli’s which were part of the track pack. The carbon seats also help transmit feel through your body.
Don't forget to pay BMW their subscription so you can use your wipers
1.7t? did they build it out of lead?
Great vid as always! I find that these newer BMW M-cars honestly remind me (in persona not handling) of a good fast Audi S/RS of 10yrs ago. Not as spikey, clutch pedal is lighter, not quite as precise feeling as the previous Gen, but easier to live with. When looking at a car like M3 I can consider it a reasonable compromise, but the last M2Comp was so manic the more docile nature of the new one gives me mixed feelings. An amazing bit of kit nevertheless!
The project manager must have had his 12-year-old son sign-off on the design. It's ghastly.
Considering the weight of this 'sports car' how about an episode on the evolution of weight of cars?
Great review as usual. Need to review the M8 Comp!
A lot to like about it but also a lot of reasons why buying a previous model M2 looks the preferable option. Not sure why they’ve gone for Hyundai N blue as their signature colour.
I'm struck by the irony. Hyundai develops it's N series inspired by BMW M cars - BMW mimics Hyundai colour - imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
Whilst the light blue isn't my favourite colour - I'm so glad the press car is not painted using the monotonous and boring 'German rainbow' colour palette of white, silver, grey or black - with the grey hue offered in 150 shades. It's like looking at 'life' through black-white photography.
@@georgebettiol8338 agree with you on that, I do like a decent colour I was just being a bit tongue in cheek about it matching Hyundai N. It baffles me that so many people are currently paying extra to have their cars delivered with just the matt grey primer. Not sure how that's become a fashion, it looks awful.
There seems to be a lot of group think in colours! So many grey colours for example. I guess it depends on what the paint companies are offering at the time (e.g., Lamborghini Murcielago and Ford Focus ST were offered in the same shade of PPG orange). BMW recently had an optional Misano Blue colour which is very similar to the Alfa Romeo blue pearl colour which is also called Misano Blue (I guess it comes from the same paint company and is exactly the same colour). I wish BMW M would just stick with their classic colours like Estoril Blue!
Should be named *"The Pug".* I really enjoy H's G cos it's a wonderful reminder that the financial crises (2008 and current) are just irritating background noise for so many people.
I thought lane assist was annoying, now we have the speed limit warning. Buy an F87 all day.
God willing Carly / Bimmercode will come to the rescue there.
@@brogenville I would still take an F87 😉
@@jamsxr 💯 %
I always put my m5 into sports plus on bumpy roads. Helps from bottoming out. Suprising how much more it allows you to push
Reason its so heavy is because its on the m4 platform rather on its own smaller platform.