2023 BMW M2 Review | 8-Speed Automatic is my choice
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- Опубліковано 26 лип 2024
- Should I buy the new 2023 BMW M2 with a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic? In this video, we try to answer that question by driving a Brooklyn Grey BMW M2 with the automatic transmission and see how it handles in day-to-day traffic. Of course, we also take this new 2023 BMW M2 on some curvy bends to see if the driving dynamics are worth of the M2 badge.
Over the last few months we drove the new BMW M2 with both manuals and automatic transmissions, so now we have a better understanding on how the M2 handles its power when paired with one of the two transmission choices.
This particular 2023 BMW M2 was also equipped with the sporty, yet comfortable M Sport Seats and it also featured a moonroof. So this is more of a daily driver than any other BMW M2 variants we drove in the past.
Let's take a look and please let us know if you'd prefer the 6-speed manual or the 8-speed automatic in the new 2023 BMW M2.
Intro 0:00
Daily Driving 00:20
Exterior Design 08:00
Rear Seat space 14:50
Driving Dynamics 21:08
6-speed or 8-speed? 26:16
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8-speed automatic or 6-speed manual? What's your choice?
Definitely 6 speed. Less gear changes almost always result in better in-gear acceleration. Torque converter auto may make it "feel" fast, but you also deal with higher drivetrain loss. If you are skilled with MT, you'll actually downshift faster than the slushbox.
Both great
ZF 8sp
I bought the 8 speed automatic. I had a 2020 M2C with DCTS. The automatic seems to perform better. But we’re slicing and dicing in the upper range. Most people will be thrilled with whatever choice they make.
@@markdhayward I absolutely agree with you
I’d also like to say back in the ‘60’s when automatics were either 2-speeds or 3-speed transmissions, the 4-speed manual was the best. Then automatics grew into 4, 5, 6 speeds as sticks became 5-speeds with 5th gear an overdrive for economy. Now we have 8, 9, 10 speed automatic transmissions and we still have 6-speed manuals. 7-speed manuals were a thing for a few years but no one liked it. So automatics now shift so fast and have better power curves than sticks. Sticks are a dying breed. It’s funny how people say if you drive auto you’re not an enthusiast, yet F1 racers use sequential shifting. No one says, I wish I could turn off ABS because I want to be totally in control of my braking. Or I want manual steering so I can really feel the road better. Times change, people change. I don’t miss my flip phone, nor miss my rotary dial phone from 1955. Cars are built better now with airbags, auto climate control, satellite radio, seats that warm and massage your butt. Soon manuals will be history like the carburetor on new cars. No one is clamoring for bring back drum brakes. If people want to order the M2 with a stick, more power to you. But don’t bash people for wanting the automatic. If you are buying an M2, you are a car enthusiast. Who else needs a car with 453 hp to run to the supermarket? Carbon fiber roof or sunroof…your choice; sport seats or carbon seats…your choice; auto or stick…your choice. I have an M2 on the way with sport seats, auto, carbon roof, and Brooklyn Gray. If you are here, you’re an enthusiast. Don’t kill the messenger.
Good choice on your car
Definitely a good read, and I agree.
Well said. I will always enjoy manual but I chose auto.
Honesty regarding a manual versus an automatic it’s nice to see this negative talk about not being an enthusiast unless you row your own gears is comical not everyone lives in rural country road driving, great review
Yup. You should see the comments I got on Instagram. Cause I liked the auto with M Sport Seats.
Street racing red light racing consist of 0-50…..0-60 to avoid tickets unless your a master at rowing your own some of these DCT’s PDK’s & ZF’s are tough to beat out of the hole, street creed doesn’t care bout manual/auto it’s about who’s looking in the rear view mirror
That's what I took from my M3 test drive. The engine is better matched with shorter gear ratios and shifting speed of the Automatic. The test drive made me change my M2 order from Manual to Automatic. This is despite having driven Manual exclusively since I first started driving 17 years ago.
This is why we always tell people: if you can, go test the car. The reviews can often be biased, even if not intentional
@@bmwblog Absolutely. I haven't had a chance to try the Manual M2 G87, but I could tell immediately with the M3 that the S58 is a beast best tamed with Automatic. But to each their own, I guess, just like choice of colour.
Automatic all the way. The technology of modern day Automatics are just straight up better than the manual transmissions
Without a doubt the 8-speed is the more refined one.
Agreed. Ordered mine in the auto. Owned lots of manuals . The 8sp auto is just a better match to this engine.
Yes, the power band works better with the auto
I ordered mine with the 6 speed manual. I’ve been rowing my own gears in a e46 M3 for 21+ years and can’t give up the connected feeling you get with that transmission. That is such a key element to the driving experience for me in a high performance sports car.
Fair points. This is why it's cool to have options.
i’m with you on this point. i received my 2023 M2 mid april. it’s brooklyn grey, manual, carbon roof, M sport pack, HEA. previous car was 2018 M2 long beach blue, M sport, manual, fully loaded. it was my favourite and 5th bmw. amazing car in all respects. tbh, i was afraid to go with the 2023 but so happy. the 2023 is easily twice the car. manual all the way!
@@robertTUBEbrazeauHow do you like the color? I had LBB and loved it. Looking at a new M2 and not sure I love any of the colors.
Hows the clutch holding up? Have you upped the power with a piggy back tune or a transmission tune? Has the tall 2nd gear been an issue?
Nice review!👍
8-auto in case BMW, it has fast lock up after changing gear and smooth in daily drive, best matching for M engine.
Good points
Authentic review 🎉
Thank you
If the manual was better I would ALWAYS get the manual, however the manual is not that good in either the M4 or M2 so I guess I agree with you!
I agree. Auto all the way. Nice review. Thanks 😎
Glad you enjoyed it
automatic and paddle shifters are best of both. a wonderful car, i have a 24 on order , thanks
I've owned 8 BMW's since 1995, all stick shifts and all were tracked from time to time. with my M2 order, I chose the auto. I love driving the car in traffic in auto mode and then on the track or curvy backroads using the paddles and/or shifter in manual mode to have fun. The 8-speed auto shifts almost as fast as a dual clutch, but smooths out the jerkiness of the DCT. the auto is the best of both worlds....for me anyway.
The auto is a good choice. 100%
For manual, the Short shifter kit was necessary. After that it got a lot better. I think that the manual keeps the speeds lower because you need to shift to go faster.
Good choice,I'd also do the same thing I like manual gear for my neighbour but I love automatic gear for my self😊😊. Anyways great choice.
:) Nice that you can grab your neighbor's car once in a while
I just purchased yesterday a New 2023 M2 Manual. Also, I still have the 2000 MZ coupe Manual I bought new in May 1999, and for 24 years of the MZ coupe, I had zero issues with the transmission (just once burned the clutch) still drives like brand new.
I chose MT For three main reasons:
First, I prefer the MT. Because few drivers know how to drive MT, I have an excellent excuse for not lending my M2 and the MZ coupe to my friends or families, which they always ask to test the M cars.
2nd. I feel less worried about auto theft because not too many car thieves know how to drive MT,
3rd, I use most of the time Jeep Rubicon, for everyday drives in Southern Ca.
Again buy what you like and what you enjoy. And don't worry about others what they say.
(excuse my grammatical error)
Great points :)
The M2 with the manual is the best option for an enthusiast who wants to enjoy pure driving pleasure. After having a E46 M3 with SMG for many years I wanted to have that manual connection again. The manual is nicely geared and having a long geared transmission that allows more time in each gear… the automatic seems to be constantly shifting and holds each gear only for a short time to ensure the engine is in its most powerful rev range. But if I was in an area where there is a lot of traffic and with awd I would take the automatic. But the manual is great and I don’t regret getting my G87 in manual. But if your going to the race track the automatic is a must. Enjoy!
There is no right or wrong answer here. It really comes down to personal choice. So absolutely enjoy that manual, it's still a good car
@@bmwblog it’s not „still“ a good car… it’s an „amazingly“ great car! BMW knows that they are doing! Please keep making amazing content and have fun along the way!
Nice to see someone else who appreciates the old SMG! I feel like it was very misunderstood by people, and still is. It was very literally just a "Sequential Manual Gearbox", as it was named, and the moment you start driving it like a manual, that gearbox started to make alot of sense. I think alot of people thought of it as some sort of DCT-like advanced automatic trans, but even mechanically, it was a pretty normal BMW manual gearbox.
I would much prefer a new take on the SMG gearbox than all these damn torque converters. They should make a 7-speed SMG, that would've been really cool in the M4 CSL or the new 3.0 CSL.
Great car s58 with 8speed perfecg match, also with sunroof how did it feel driving M car with sunroof??? Awesome feeling hey
I don't mind the sunroof, more practical in some ways, but less cool. It felt the same.
I rented one 2 days ago to evaluate before placing an order. 1000% percent agree with your daily driving assessment.
I am looking for a new car specifically for a manual because I keep getting bored with auto/dual clutch. The clutch on this car is tricky and annoying around town, specifically setting off in 1st and the 1-2 shift. The shifter is a little more notchy and plasticky feeling than the 1M. Maybe that will "break-in" and get more slick over time. The engine really responds more like an NA where you need to get it to at least 3500-4000 RPM to really get the torque and power going, but there is still enough passing power even in 6th at 80 MPH. The top end on this thing RIPS and I could definitely see how it would be more satisfying to bury your foot in the go pedal and take off as the auto instantly finds the right gear. Now I am a bit on the fence, but will probably still take the manual as I don't want to get bored again and as a long term car the manual will definitely be more special. Hoping that the clutch issues can be solved by removing a clutch delay valve like the M2C and 1M.
Great points also. I think the manual shifter can be improved aftermarket, same as the clutch
where can you rent?
Awesome in depth look and i agree, AUTO for the win and i don't care what others say, my money my choice😁
Auto is the way to go this time
If I had two cars and the M2 wasn’t the daily, I’d go manual. But I daily the M2 so I went with the auto.
Glad I chose the auto😎
Not always an easy choice
I traded a 2020 M2C for the 2023 M2. I was wondering whether the new version would be worth the trade. It has been! I got the automatic and am thrilled that I did. Driving the 2023 BMW M2 is a wonderful experience.
What do you like more compared to the F87 M2C?
@@bmwblog The cornering in the 2023 is flatter and the ride is less choppy. The car seems more responsive and I will have to be careful not to throw myself off of the road. Road noise dampening also seems to be improved. The automatic is amazing including downshifting. And, I enjoy the wider screen for viewing navigation. I’m being picky since I truly loved my 2020 M2C. We’re talking two great cars.
Ordered mine as a manual - it was actually a no brainer for me as this is a fun car (mainly for track) and not a DD.
For DD etc. I'll just get a diesel anyway;)
:) Wagon diesel hopefully
I always found BMWs to be better suited to an auto box rather than a manual. I’ve never been able to drive a manual equipped BMW smoothly of the line, the clutch action isn’t great. Now something like a Subaru WRX or Supra that I used to own, the manuals in those were just so much better.
Agreed. I drive an 1M, and that clutch gets almost every time. People who ride with me think I'm a newbie :))
I daily a 2006 Subaru STi, which I love. But its nice to hop in an automatic and just go. I plan on buying an 2024 M2, and when I do it'll be auto. I'll still keep my 06 STi but it'll be more of a weekend driver while the M2 will be my daily.
That's a great car also
How is the suspension of this car for daily driving use in the city? Too firm or okay? And if you've driven the m240i, how do they compare?
The suspension is comfortable. Good for daily driving. The m240i is a bit softer. Still a great car though
How does this ZF compare to the DCT (for track or back road use)?
In terms of speed (both up and downshift) and also the "feel". I love the raw and kick-in-the-back feel of the DCT.
It’s not as sharp. However, XHP trans tune can fix that.
The DCT is good what you described but overall, the 8 speed is such a smooth and precise transmission. Yet, I would take the M2 CS in DCT
No amount of software tuning will make it shift as fast as M-DCT, you can't beat the pre-selected gear changes. There's a reason why supercars exclusively use sequential manual/DCT.
@@joetacchino4470who trans tune ? What else ?
👍💯
I havent had a manual car before but I just put an order for m2 manual. Hopefully i can drive out from dealership
Have you driven manuals before?
@@bmwblog not really still on the learning side😵💫
You are gonna have a blast. Manuals are fun, so are automatics.
That would Be My Choice too !
I couldn't Careless About the so Called Purists and other gatekeepers.
The 8Speed Auto is Way More versatile and easy to Drive And Quicker too.
I hear you. I'm just happy we have options
@@bmwblog yup. Unlike inside with the Button removal
Do you know how to drive a manual?😂
@@ndj4267 Yes I do Bozo.
What about the performance version?
What do you mean?
i saw this G87 in real with the same spec as in this video. and as a F87 owner i have to say, the f87 looks like a tame puppy next to this thing. the G87 looks like an exotic in comparison. wider, lower. more in your face design much more grown up and agressive AF. not to mention the interior quality its like comparing a 2 star hotel to a 5 star. the higher price is perfectly justified. i love the fact that its the same width as m4. the fenders are sometin to behold of. i will wait for more color options.i want to have this car in long beach blue with silverstone bucket seats
There will be another blue, just not Long BEACH
Can you get Portimao Blue on the M2 wherever you live? There is no debating taste of course, but I have an M340i in that colour and after a year of ownership, I still stand and stare at it regularly. It is really beautiful, one of their better blues. The only one, in my opinion, that is even more beautiful is Marina Bay Blue. The M2 is available with Portimao in Europe at least. If you have the chance, try to see Portimao Blue (or Frozen Portimao Blue) in real life, as pictures really don't do it justice. And again, there is no debating taste of course, just a suggestion, I haven't regretted getting Portimao a single second
@@bmwblog any more info on that? I am a blue guy, ordered Zandvoort for now, but would be swapping if they were to come out with something like Laguna Seca for example :O
I have the manual in my G87 and don't regret it one bit. The "rubbery feel" is overplayed, echo chamber BS in my opinion. It's true the gears are longer in the manual, so you really only have to shift once from 3rd to 4th in a 60-130 pull. Comfort based on the transmission selection is highly subjective - just like sport seats versus carbon buckets. Two people drive automatics - 1. Those substantially tracking their cars competitively, and 2. girls.
As I said, it varies from driver to driver.
The 6 speed was almost an afterthought to satisfy a much smaller base. So, in case of this car, I agree with the 8 spd auto.
True. But it's also a battle tough to win. If you don't offer it, the few purists will complain.
They said the same thing with E92 and F82. Where's the market at with those cars in manual?
I ordered mine with 6-speed manual, come to think of it I would not have ordered an M2 if I couldn't get it in a manual. Then again I would never consider living in Chicago. :)
Chicago is a great city, in the summer and with no traffic :)
@@bmwblog how long does that last? A couple of months? How is the murder rate going? :}
@@stevejohnson2108 still a great city
I ordered mine in 6MT in torronto red and its already on its way. Now I'm wondering if I made a very big mistake 😂😂
Nah. Enjoy it. It's fun
Greetings. Was there a mark-up price on the MSRP? Your response will help with a potential purchase. Thank you.
agreed 100%
🤜
6 speed for fun factor, as long as you are not stuck in traffic all the time.
Unfortunately Chicago is mostly traffic. I feel bad for people who own high end cars here and drive just on the street.
I've been stuck in traffic for my whole driving years, never had an issue driving MT. I prefer letting off the brakes (sadly can't do with the new gen because of no handbrake..wtf?) and chilling with MT.
Manual all the way!
Anyone who thinks they need to demean someone's else's choice in cars to make themselves feel better is pretty sad, I hope they get help.
There are always reasons people make choices that you don't know. I had to sell my 911 with a manual because I have an ankle injury that causes me tremendous pain if I spend a day shifting. So for my G80, xDrive Comp it was. And as for the buckets, yeah they are amazing and comfortable but if you are buying a car to use every day, hopping in and out is going to get old, fast.
I'm selling a 997 Turbo S for my G80. If I wanted a hardcore sports car, I'd just keep it. I am
Purposely looking for more comfort and usability.
At the end of the day, sofas and automatic, you are still buying an M2. Not a Mustang, or a Tesla or whatever. An M2 it still is. People need to have a little more kindness.
Agreed on the seats. Love the buckets, but not for a daily driver
This or the Mustang Dark Horse? Same price when loaded. Mustang has better brakes.
:) Asking a BMW guy and you would hear get the M2. But the Mustang is a great sounding car
Wow great looking car
-only a BMW fanboy can ever say
M, Made in Mexico?
Yes, made in Mexico
6 speed!
Why?
The ratios are too long with the diff ratio of the M2.
Agreed
8 speed auto…😲
6MT all the way. Auto is boring. I don’t get this “8AT matches better with this engine”…I have a G80 6MT and it rocks! Drove a G82 AT…Yawn.
It does match the power band a bit better. You can feel it when you drive. Especially when you go fast
Cringe
Yes. People who criticize other’s car choices are quite cringey.
Why is it cringe?
@@bmwblog It's always difficult for narrow minded people to actually think. Shame, leave him be.
@bmwblog easiest analogy I can provide is gaming. Seeing as you’re probably a gen-Xer you might not understand. Automatic cars are the aimassist of driving. It’s easier because you’re taking a skill away and giving it to a machine/computer. It’s cringe because you purposely forgo a drivers skill set in what’s arguably a _drivers_ car. I guess a better comparison would be cooking your own food vs takeout.
There’s also the market repercussions. Manuals are dying and you’re all cheering it on because you can’t be bothered with a clutch. Then unironically ask “where have the manuals gone?!”
@joetacchino4470 what an incredibly naive thing to say. As if we’re all not judged upon our choices every day. He choose to put his opinion out there, I did as well, get over it.
@@Dhime all fair points. And all opinions are accepted. Just as a fun fact; I own an 1M manual
A catastrophically ugly car ... very sad.