Am I The Only Person Who Doesn't Love The BMW M2 Competition? 

In answer to your question... Yes.

Being a BMW purist, iv owned, E46 M3's, E92's, F80 M3 and now the F87M2 competition. I can honestly say this review couldn't be more further from the truth. Jay i think you've tried to go about this review to maybe have something different to say about the M2 than everyone else on RU-vid for views perhaps, but the M2 is truly a great car, especially on the limit, that is where M cars come alive. It doesn't look like you've even tickled the limit of this car in this review to give these kind of opinions. Im not saying this with a bias either because i own one, I sell performance vehicles and I am fortunate enough to experience many performance vehicles and can really say the M2C is an exceptional car.

Usually agree with you but I have to say when I had an m2 for a weekend while my car was being fixed I was blown away, what a car (I have an m4)

I’ve read that the factory wheel alignment has toe-in on the front wheels. Makes it nice and stable in a straight line but a bit lethargic to turn in. Giving it some toe-out at the front and slightly less toe-in at the rear makes the car much more alert apparently.

I drive a 2018 OG M2 w/DCT and I love it. Since I don't know anything else, I don't miss anything else.

Yes, you’re a contrarian.

Try a manual variant on a track and i think you will finally make sense of this little beasty. No way can you bring a kia stinger or 540i into the mix as a comparison. Totally different market place. Keep up the interesting reviews 👍 i always love to hear different peoples view points.

Joe Achilles would like to know your location?

After talking to some car enthusiasts, I came to a realization, that there are quite a few car enthusiasts that have absolutely no sense of steering feel. They don't feel any problem on numb/artificial steering, and certainly don't appreciate the extra feedback when they experience a good rack. To my surprise, quite a lot of car reviewers don't even value steering feel that much.

seems like you came into the review with prejudice. maybe you didn't but thats what it seemed like when watching the video

Still got my 500+bhp M135i and still happy 👍 M2 with manual gearbox is nice

Yes - you and Matt Farrah are THE ONLY ONES

About the steering - front tyre pressure a little low during your test drive?

I actually really like it. Strip it, cage it and put some aggressive coilovers on it and you have a decent arrive and drive track weapon.

I am astonished by your comments about the steering. My M2 Comp (manual) now has 13,000 miles on it and has been driven by many of my driving enthusiast and sports car owning friends. Not one has commented adversely on the steering. The turn in is sharp and the steering is very accurate. I have to wonder whether there was an issue with tyre pressures or geometry on the car you drove. I bought it to enjoy and share with my friends for progressive B road recreational driving, not to look special or cool - I am rather shocked you think that would be a reason for buying this sort of car. That I do like the looks is a plus. It has the perfect amount of power for the purpose - lower and I can want more, more and it is frustratingly difficult to use the power with smooth transitions on and off (yes, I do have a more powerful car and have driven many). No other £50k car gives you 400 bhp from a six cylinder engine. A new Cayman GTS would probably be better to drive (I did quite a few miles in the 981 GT4 and loved it, and wasn't bothered by the high gearing which so many complain about) but would cost £30k more to a decent spec and is obviously far less practical. A new Evora is more. When lesser Boxsters and Caymans went 4 cylinder they lost their charm for me in spite of how capable they are. I took the M2 out back to back with a friend's Alpine and while that is lovely I preferred the M2, I wanted a manual and space for weekend luggage for 2. What other sports car for a comparable price would you suggest? To compare the prices of older second hand cars is absurd - we all know that newness is something you pay a lot for and which some of us value. Now I will mention the things I like least about the M2 - not one point of which you mentioned: poor DAB radio reception, small map in the nav system, and not being able to switch off the auto rev-matching without switching the traction control fully off. The only upgrade to mine has been Alcon front brake disks and harder pads (the standards didn't cope with enthusiastic road driving let alone track use - outrageous in a car like this). Sorry for the length of the post, I wonder whether anyone will read it?!

Steering ratio is non-linear and BMW like to fit slow off-centre racks to M cars for high speed stability. The trade off is an overall feeling of a lack of response, once beyond 10 or 2 it is fine, but it does spoil a sporty feel.

You compared a Kia to a BMW M car? 😂 Carry on...

I had a 2018 M2 and loved it because it was simple and not so many electronic nannies like M4 and now the M2 Competition. M2 were selling well over retail in US but I got mine just as the M2 Comp was released so it now had less value for lower HP and features. Performance very similar and mine was many thousands less. Kept is for 18 months and traded for a new 991.2 Carrera. Love the Porsche.

Doesn't see a place for silver in the world for fast cars .. have you seen the Carrera GT in silver 😐 it looks epic

bmw introduced a budget m3 and its been a hit. thats it.

My very elaborate answer to answer your question is...........YES!

Ahh.....this is one of those edgy car reviewers

That’s the best shirt you’ve had yet

Actually think the normal M2 is better. In manual. But sadly in the south east they’re as common as Fiestas as you say.

Sorry, but he seemed to like it, outside of the sound of the S55 and the steering lag. I own an ‘18, never noticed that lag, but could be subjective. And apparently the comp has even better turn in due to bracing. I think he’s trying to channel Jeremy Clarkson waaaay too hard, but it kinda works. This guy is doing the speed limit on country roads grandmothers use to ferry their groceries to and fro. Take it to the track like a real reviewer, and then tell me this car isn’t special.

Sold My 2019 Shelby GT350 and bought one of these. Manual Trans. Best decision ever it is a second car for fun. The Shelby GT350 was overkill. I am 43 years old. People always wanted to race was getting annoying. With this you kinda fly under the radar.

The seats in the M2 Comp are the same as the seats in the normal M3 & M4 not the M3 Comp or M4 Comp. The seats in the M2 CS are the same as the seats in the M3 Comp & M4 Comp.

Yes! =) To be honest i had massive problems with my m2c with regards to the electrics and the extremely poor service of BMW Sweden. However, with regards to driving its wonderful, which you clearly notice when you switch from something else. When you arent driving it, sitting paying bills... its not perfect... not even close, but when you sit down and push the button you forgive it for all the problems it gave you and simply enjoy it. No you actually love it!!! How strange we are ... =)

You're probably the only person that doesn't like Hockenheim silver as well. You do know it looks nothing like a typical silver right?

The steering is great! What are you talking about! I don't understand you very well this time 🤔

Chris Harris says you are wrong

Agreed. The Atmo M six pots had something special and visceral about them. These turbo Beemers are well, Ehhh whatever!

Just test driven one, fully expecting to have a significantly lighter wallet afterwards. Instead of which, I came away financially intact and disappointed. It's a fast car, that's for sure, but 'laggy' is the word I would use for it. Engine and steering have too much delay built in, so you can't quite tell what you're going to get or when. Didn't sound great, as many have said. Ride quality firm, but very good. Looks fantastic. Seat too high. As so often with fast BMWs, hard to put the power down consistently. Back to the drawing board for me

Yet to drive a BMW with decent steering tbh. I am spilt in fairness with the hydraulic quick rack on my STi RA which is excellent, but even so I always expect more from a Beemer...

Confused as to how he’s bashing on this, when Clarkson on the grand tour unequivocally said the M2 was the best M car BMW ever made 🤔 everyone who has ever driven this has fallen in love with it

Thanks I’m keeping my 316i E90.

Equal length mid pipes do make them sound pretty good actually

Still in love with my 17 MT Long Beach Blue. A bit of a compromise in terms of the front seats vs the comp, but that's it. Don't miss the extra power and certainly don't miss the exhaust note. I think the slight steering vagueness is quick forgotten...

Yep! Drive it on a road and traffic like that then speak against it. Which speaks well of what then? 🤔 🤣

I've driven the non comp m2 and it's clearly better than the s3 that I've owned Bmw nails it with the handles especially their traction control

‘I don’t see a place for the colour silver in the world of exciting cars’. Aston Martin: hold my beer

To answers your title. Yes.

I haven’t tried for myself but I know a few people who bought one and tracked them a few times then sold them. No one I know who bought one kept it.

Interior is better than an RS3? That's crazy talk. I test drove them both cars and the Audi's interior is better. The BMW's is fine but the Audi's is clearly nicer.

For a second opinion consider Dan Prosser and Andrew Frankel's DriveNation podcast.

Definitely not

Hey James I know of a few people who have done single turbo conversions to their m3/m4s and it makes the engine sound a lot better much more of straight 6 roar than a can full of bees

When you start comparing M2C with Kia and 440i I stopped watching bro!

A nice review James I think everybody who can remember hoped this was going to be a modern E30 M3 and it never lived up to the fame.... others will give you the breakdown below I am sure....

You’re entitled to your opinion. I just took delivery of the last production run and I absolutely love it! If people like Chris Harris rave on about it, I’d much rather listen to his opinion than yours - he is a MUCH more experienced driver, as well as, someone who has raced.

Yep this vid was done to get views rather than offer an objective opinion on this car.

Dang, I was considering buying one of these. And yes I am a 140 owner.

The title is EXACTLY what I think. I come from a gt86 (so no power). Tried M2C on track: good driving position not found (minimum seat height is too high for steering wheel), on the wheel I felt really few things on corners and brakes were weak (despite the sooo big discs ...but I think was the stock pads' fault). Sorry I was very disappointed. So I gone for an Exige. Another planet. PS: how the f%*k this car could weight so much??!! How they made possible!! It weights like a Merc E class 2009!! It's a compact car for damn sake!!!

How to get RU-vid views 101: make a contrarian titled video to get the views - the rest is up to you wether to support that title or not

James, not a. car I particularly like, but a true honest review as always. However, Can you do your best to secure a review of a 1M, for comparison?

Yes

Sounds like a fair and honest review and I’d love to have one in manual on my driveway any day!

Wanky review

Please review a 2017/18 Jaguar XE 3.0 S supercharged 380 bhp.

Yes...yes, you are.

Love the Shirt❤️

Lol, the comments, pure gold. Lot's of M2 owners crying out loud. ;D

Go for the m2 og then. The best one

Still always thought the rear looked slightly wrong.

Sorry but for me I got the feeling that you wanted to dislike the car before you even drove it, therefore I take the review as biased in the negative sense.

What an utterly garbage review. You went in with huge preconceptions and then instead of seeing if they were accurate you instead attempted to justify them - subtle difference yes but not a fair one. You mention the steering and say it was unresponsive but watch the video and you will see the car was moving about despite your comments to the contrary. You mention no individual paint available but even when that is an option its very bloody rarely taken up and frankly isn't cost effective on a car in this price bracket. There are however some v nice paint choices, Sunset Orange for example is absolutely stunning. The S55 is as you say not the greatest sounding M engine of all time but its not as bad as you suggest. OK its no M1 procar or M3 CSL but try doing some research as there are people who have really made it sing. I could go on (like you did) but I'll stop there. Suffice to say not one of your better videos James. 3/10 I'm afraid today

It’s part of jayemms USP to take a different perspective to the elite journos. Great for clicks but not good if you are a buyer doing market research

Yeah fam. You are.

You know nothing Jayemm. BMW M2 is the best BMW ever.

The only thing I don't like about M2 Competition is the wheel. Oh, and Hockenheimsilber is a boring colour. Long Beach Blue or Sunset Orange with the 5 Y-spoke M Performance wheels. That's how M2 Comp should be. Or just get an M2 CS, despite the gigantic price tag.

That's it, great cars ultimately - to varying degrees ovvioualy - but just far too common to make them pull at the heartstrings.

I will keep on driving classics as dailies until modern cars stop with fake vents - can’t stand them

No not really, I dont even like most of the cars of today. Sure they can be pretty cool, but something about the cars of the past draws me in. The m2 is kinda cool ngl

Are you genuinely comparing a 540i Estate and a Kia Stinger to an M2 Competition? I think you need to have a word with yourself, i'm putting this 'review' down to you having an off day.

Beautiful car but I kinda agree you won't stand out too much

What are your thoughts on the original M2 vs the M2 competition?

The rear seats are HORRIBLE. So cheap looking. The interior in general is pretty lame for a 70k car. I agree with you about the sound. Engine sounds terrible. I will say you probably should have tested it in a manual - that is the only reason you buy that car. Strange about the steering. My friend bought one of these - 1 month into ownership the engine blew up. He's on his second motor. I'd not give it any points for reliability.

Wow that shirt is a beauty james, can we have a comparison video on all your shirts please?

Hi Jay, Just sharing some of my personal experience with you here, I was so hyped when the M2C came out and then soon get really disappointed after driving one in 2019, mainly because it lack of on-centre steering response and snappy and rubbery feel on grip limit, the car had original Mechlin PSS tyres. then last month I drove the same car again, but this time with Michelin Cup2 Connect from M2CS, and the whole car just transformed into something darty, racy and eager to be thrown into corners, I ended up selling my 1M and bought a M2C at the end.

I think the M2/COMP has great presence in the flesh, in blue.

Looks can be somewhat subjective but having driven a couple of these you really cannot deny the fun factor and it seems he’s not into much of that.

Buy the silver, wrap in neon pink and boom, suddenly you’re quite special 🤔🤣

Lost me when he tried to compare an M2 to a Kia Stinger 🤦‍♂️

It’s great these are selling so well so BMW continue to make cars like this. Needs a manual.

I have a dct version on £450 plus vat 1+37 profile. Hell of a car for the money and I think it handles beautifully. It’s a great drivers car but a handful in the wet so the full performance in the uk can only be used 40% of the time. I only have 12 months left with it, when it goes for the money it will be hard to replace. Anyone thinking of getting one, in my opinion you will not be disappointed. I think Jays videos are sometimes over opinionated rather than objective. Jeremy Clarkson has retired, be yourself step out of the shadow.

Quite like it personally!

I’ve got one of these and think it’s a great car. My steering feels really sharp and the car turns heads in long beach blue. The car has a lot of personality, in the dry it feels like German muscle. In the wet it’ feels like a street legal drift car that you can place anywhere with ease. I think it will go down as one of the greatest BMWs of all time, I haven’t driven them all being 29 but can’t imagine how it gets much better

This car never had a chance of a non biased review, seemed you had already made your mind up before even getting in the thing. The Focus RS springs to mind when you did the same. Not your finest this James.

When one of your favourite reviewers drives the car you own and doesn’t like it - I feel the burn James 😂.

Here in America people buy anything BMW to be seen in. The M, Completion, all upgrades etc etc. Bottom line 99% of them use it as a commuter and drive it like a wheel chair. They would not understand anything you talk about.

I own a m140i and I drove an M2 a few times. One of the thing that impressed me more in comparison with mine was the precision of the steering and the agility of the front end... probably is not as good as an old hidraulic steering but I still found it great. I agree with the color considerations, I just prefer in blue or orange or black (with orange interior like the old 1m).

All that's left in the BMW coupe category is for Jay to come across a 1M to drive.

I’ve never felt on mine or anyone say the steering is laggy either - what settings were the steering set to? Out of the 3 modes I find sport to be the best and the point in is extremely precise

I had one from Sytner BMW Leicester for 2 days. It’s just too racey, I hate the whining noise from behind the rear seats, the suspension is way too hard and the auto gearbox always drops down even under light acceleration and there is far too much tyre road noise when your cruising at 60 or 70 on an A-road. It’s just too much. I’m sure it’s great on a race track but all I want to do is go to the shops or. Is it some mates and not feel stressed out when I get there.

Another thing, most people asssume it's a small lightweight car from its size but it's not... it weighs 1600+ kg MORE than the M3/M4

I still think it`s a great car for that what it cost new when you also compare it to what you can get new else in that range of sportiness. Taking used cars into the comparison is interesting but you can`t put this in as a Reason when you rate the car. I think this car is more a compromise when you don`t want to commit to a proper 2-Seater like the 718. - I would be in the 718-Camp because I have another car I can use for the daily stuff or holidays.

How can you say the m2 comp doesn’t stand out and the m140i does?! M140i looks like a 116d if you didn’t know what it was

Best car I’ve ever driven or owned. I sold my 2015 Elise S and M140i as both were irrelevant once I drove the M2 Competition. I’d say the best M Car ever made. There’s far more M140i’s than M2 Comp’s It’s the complete M Car

The M2 is just a cute car honestly it’s so small and compact

I find the original n55 m2 better than the comp . I used to own one . The reason is the weight difference of the engine , which is in the front obviously, and that is what you feel . The original m2 was a lot sharper in the steering department because of that , and sounded better i think. Because there was a lot of comment on the fact that the m2 did not have the s55 ..... now they have ruined it ...