unpopular opinion now but I think this car looks better in the flesh than the previous gen and will def grow on people... Also glad to hear this car can put the power down better than last gen. (As a former owner of 2 f80s, that was one of its biggest flaws that it could never hook up properly and you just felt that you weren't going as fast you wanted to)
This latest one definitely takes getting used to but the previous one with its contrived design (esp the front dams with the extra louvers, ugh) wasn't so hot either. I still don't get those BOLD square corners on the front bumper though, what is that? LOL.
@@spendingtimetogether8428 Agreed.. I actually ended up purchasing a new one after seeing it in the flesh. confirmed it looks a whole lot more menacing/meaner/better in person. Whereas the older one looks cuter/less good in person... neither classically beautiful tho. Like an MC20 or the new Vantage that AM just released yesterday. Wow those are beautiful cars!
@@js002003Do you find it laggier than S55 or do you regret the manual? The auto seems quite a bit quicker in this car which gives me pause. I have an F87 M2 Comp and may look at a G87.
This is a superb review - in depth, thoughtful, factual, and well presented, as opposed to the other typical youtubers (carwow, TH, etc) who are more focused on entertainment/comedy and haven't taken the time to research the car properly.
Thank you, that's really kind of you. We definitely try to do it differently and actually provide buying advice as much as possible. So when someone wants to buy a BMW, they have at least most of the facts
Best review I have watched online so far! Thank you for making it this long! It's nice seeing someone who knows what they're talking about. Some things I would have liked to see are some launch control between the two, but seeing these are brand new, I understand if they were still in break-in. I just picked up my 6-speed 2023 M2 (HEA model) and couldn't be any more happy with my choice. Like you said, it's the last 6-speed and internal combustion engine from BMW's true M car. My plan is to drive it and enjoy it, not keep it in a garage.
Thank you, I appreciate it. Honestly, we were allowed to do the launch control, just ran out of time. We usually have 6-7 hrs to drive the cars and it was a lot of driving and filming two cars in that timeframe.
I watched so many other reviews of the M2 and just found this one, which is easily the best. The algorithm needs to boost this. Gonna binge watch your videos now haha.
Cheers from Luxembourg. Excellent review! Ordering my M2 in the coming days/weeks. The upgraded version just came out as I am typing this (480hp). Don’t want nor need a competition or CS version that comes with a major price bump. You just gained a subscriber 😊. Your analysis and tech knowledge is really appreciated.
What a Great video! No bs, no blabla just very informative! I can’t wait for mine to arrive in a bit over a month finally 🤩 Even tho I am planning on making it a track toy, I wanted to have the manual, as you said it might be the last of its kind forever! And, if the Z4 will get one as well, then I might just have to get that one too🤷🏼♂️
I know, we went over that. It was mistake. The driving part was far from straight. But it's not like I can film the full 8 hours of driving. But believe me, there were TONS of bends and curves
Great review! I have been interested in the 2023 M2 since it was announced. I think the manual will give a great driver experience. Can’t go wrong with either manual or auto.
I know. I screwed that up. Clearly was thinking about the S68 I just drove. My bad. I knew I had to screw something up in an hour review. Just shocked we all didn't catch it in the editing phase :)
I wish I got all the things right though :)But I appreciate the kind words. I wish I caught in edit so I can put a text over it so I don't sound like an amateur.
Fantastic review!! How would you rate steering feel and handling vs. the M3 G80? I can definitely use 4 doors but mostly I want a car that is FUN. I don’t care about pure power after a point, so it’s more about the feel of the car.
The steering seems to be a bit sharper in this one. But I wouldn't say a huge difference. Could be also the smaller body of the M2. Handling? The M3 is a monster of a car. Not a looker, but a great performance car. The M2 is just more special to me cause of its size. Seems to be a bit easier to go fast in it and has great grip. Tough one though. I like the practicality of the M3. The rear seating in M2 is not good at all.
Nice review. Can adding steel plates in the C pillars really affect how "playful" the rear end is? The previous chassis didn't have a problem with flex, did it? It would be interesting to know precisely how far the old chassis would flex on a race track compared to the new one. I would bet it's less than the thickness of a credit card.
Just subscribed to your channel ! Watched all your video. Didn’t think it was too long at all !! I have an M2C (2019), bought new. Very interesting to hear and see your thoughts on the next iteration, in your video. Despite a lot of doubters on the exterior appearance of the car, I like it. Not too sure about the interior though. Thanks for making and sharing the film 👍.
Thanks for subscribing. Will test it again in 3 weeks. And one other member in 2 weeks. So we will have a couple videos where we test the car for a week.
How do you get the engine code wrong if your channel is called BMWBlog & nobody catches it? The S6xx is the V8 series…. S5xx is thw i6.. that car has an S58B30…
Fully agree with your choice and as owner of a 1999 bow 323 Tim manual and 2011 Audi Q5 auto, I can give you a 4th reason RELIABILITY you can't go wrong with a manual... with an automatic you will face big and expensive regrets down the line either with the box itself or all the electronics inside!!
@@bmwblogExcellent review. Do you think there is more lag with the manual vs auto or compared to F87 Comp manual? I’m worried the boost threshold is higher and turbos larger on S58 vs S55.
I would like to go for the 6 speed manual but in South Africa it's an R8000 option which, in my opinion, kinda varies based on the driver, I am a fan of the manual gearbox but logically and financially speaking, the 8 speed automatic would be the better choice for the majority people but if you want a manual, cool go for it. 😊 PS: You can kinda have the feel of shifting using the paddles. 😂
Great review as always I see that dealers in the US / Canada have got stock for sale and customers have their cars, even tuning them! I live in the UK and cannot understand why we have a release in May 2023 and my build will not be until mid September, with delivery in November. My dealer also said he does not expect to have any M2 demo cars to show for the forceable.. BMW UK Press office said that there were issues with production, hence delays, but t does not seem to effect US / Canadian deliveries.
What's more fun to drive this or the previous model M2 comp? Not sure if that's easy to answer but I'm trying to decide strictly on just which one has more character, more raw driver's car type of feel. I don't really care about comfort or smoothness per se, I just want the most fun toy.
Not easy to answer at all. It all depends what you want from your car. Some people like the unpredictable feeling of a rear end - like the 1M - others the more stable, planted, grippy ride. The more fun toy is likely the previous M2 Comp, but again, this new one can also be dialed to be fun. There is an M Track mode with 10 settings, but I didn't have a chance to test it properly. Will do it in about 3 weeks.
Glad you like them! And I appreciate the kind words. Tough choice. I said it in my print review also: some good options at this price point. But I also feel that the M2 is a unique proposition. I still feel the the C8 Coupe is more of a GT car. Yet, it looks great, sounds great, etc...I would say drive them both back to back if you can. Dealers should have demos starting next week.
@@bmwblog Thank you for the quick reply. I own the C8 and have 900 miles on it. I’ll take your advice and definitely drive the M2 once the dealership gets one. My build got the M2 is one of the first ones here in the Wash DC area. I’ve owned a lot of BMW’s before and love their cars. Just hard to walk away from a V8. But I truly miss a manual transmission in a sports car. Keep you posted.
Dude the M2 is like a toy car next to the mid-engine supercar V8. What really gets me is how these two are so close in price what a joke the BMW is a joke no way its worth more than 45k tops
@@PureDriveVibes This was a tough one. Had to drive for about 10 hrs that way while filming, shooting videos and photos for social, talking :) Tough but fun day
@@bmwblog- You avoided answering the question posed at the beginning. You must decide which one so,answer the question. It’s only fair! You can only buy one. Which one would you buy?
I watched the entire video which was very long and very verbose and somewhat redundant than you give reasons for liking both. I guess you simply don’t buy the M2 because you can’t decide. Just but the M240 since it doesn’t come with a manual! That’s the answer!😊👍🏻😂
@@vHeartAndS0ul negative. I would much prefer the n55 in the Og m2. You want character and a great sounding engine go try a n55 Og m2. I own a few cars and the Og m2 is the funnest car I’ve ever owned and I have a c63s and an f82 m4 in the garage.
I’ve watched the whole video, but I don’t think you answered which transmission is more fun. Throttle House said the automatic is much more fun so I was surprised.
There is no such thing as more fun. It really comes down to you. I saw the TH. Their complaint is the same that we've always seen with the BMW six speed. So to me? It was no surprise. Now if you really want me to answer the question: if I'm keeping this car for a long time, manual.
I get it, but it's a long production cycle. You can always get another production slot. Go drive both cars. Don't rely only on reviews. We are all so different as journalists, RU-vidrs, whatever. Use our reviews as reference points for when you do your own drive and see if your experience is the same.
@@bmwblog Thank you, I've sat watching the different reviews and ended up more lost,.But I think you are right go test. (I have a manual GR Yaris which I love but don't use it much, as i like that car for tracks and fast country lanes). Looking to get a new daily car that was fun, after having my manual Land Rover for 15yrs. Anyway great review Cheers for the response.
Here's how I see the G87 M2: - No one is happy that it has manual transmission. - Everyone wants F87 v2. - Everyone acting like it weighs same as V12 AMGs like S65. Just so you know, the F87 felt like a 1M with a different name. This looks much better. Nice review Horatiu! Keep up the good work!
Actually prefer the M steeringwheel in non M cars over this one. It’s more concaved, and has some sculpted aluminium peace in it, that i really like. This looks really flat
Let me get this straight. He want people to buy the manual transmission but because he is an "old man" and live in Chicago. So, he will buy an automatic. Well, if you want to save the manuals buy a manual and deal with the city traffic. I have to manual cars and drive the heck of them in the NYC/NJ area. LOL
Also, do you think it's worth it to get regular Vernasca seat for Manual Trans? Straight Pipes claiming heel-toe is encumbered because of the Carbon seats middle bulge.
My question to you is this: do you really heel-toe in daily driving? I like the carbons, but I hate getting in and out because I'm tool. I would pick the sport seats.
@@bmwblog thank you for your insight. I am shorter than you but much wider. I placed my order for Toronto Red with MT and Carbon pack. Let’s see how i fare. Mainly to drive in NYC in place of my E71 which I have been fixing for a while.
So, basically just another manual transmission review. I’m really sick of the vast reviews of the M2 reviews being on the manual. If you haven’t noticed, ALL of the true sports cars have automatics. Why buy the slower version of the M2? You’re not 17 anymore. Grow up.
This was one of the first M2 reviews ever made. The cars available were manual and automatic. You can see that we tested the automatic also. So not sure what review you watched
try and buy a new one, the dealership truly acts like they are doing you a favor to get you one as you pay through the nose. my old one works just fine thank you
Was enough honestly. Didn't need more time than that. If you wanna see the automatic, we posted a full video just on that ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-staS-kIVvIY.html
Good and thorough review. 🤜🤛 I as am m240i owner can't afford or _should not_ stretch financially to buy an m2. I don't think it is a beautiful car but it looks very purposeful. I'm a fan.
that front headlight looks like a KIA headlights. overall, i thought they would ruined it all but it has grown on me since the m3/m4 grill looks hideous. I dont mind the new M2. thank you for the video!
Glad you enjoyed the video! Overall, yes, the design could have been better. But at the same time, I didn't want just an improved F87 design. Something new
I was going to wait for this but ended up getting a 997.2 911 turbo in a manual.. After all of the reviews, I don't regret my decision but may take a look at the M2 again if they come out with the CS
The rear only a mother could love and the front looks like a Dodge truck. What drugs are BMW designers on or are they hiring based on something besides merit?
@@bmwblog the gearing is shorter on the 8-speed. The manual shifter felt vague and rubbery. The clutch is lifeless. It felt like M just did that cause people ask for it but didn’t care much about it
Bullshit, the air intake has been formed to match the design, not the other way around. The design specs for the car had rectangular intakes long before a single part has been produced. There is no excuse for the crappy looks.
@@bmwblog yes, design that they were given. They wouldn’t have set out to make the car drive bigger and heavier but as a result of this latest generation of M3/M4 being very heavy vehicles and the fact that the M2 inherits the hand me downs is why it is so heavy. There is no reason why a relatively small (by today’s standards) 2 door coupe should weigh 3,860lbs. I had high hopes that this car would be more than the sum of its parts but to be completely honest the reviews have all been pretty lackluster 😞
@@jameswillard1 fair points. But I went in knowing what to expect. I know how BMW works. The M2 was just going to be an M2. Nothing more. An entry level daily driver M that can do multiple things. It was not meant to be a GT3 Porsche. So if you go in with that mindset, it's a great car. If you compare it to a CSL or Porsche, maybe fall short a bit. All about expectations.
@@Levente20 I wouldn't say 10x better. Just better but different. So it depends. Some people might like the more raw driving experience of the F87. I have a 1M, so I can relate. But I like the more refined G87.
Sorry guys...Former factory trained BMW mechanic, owner and still rider. I recall when BMW's were smart, clean and handsomely designed automobiles but this?? Meh... It's UGLY!!!
Funny that I'm not a huge fan of the interior, mostly because of the display. The finishes and seats are great. The exterior, I like some parts - the wide track - I dislike others - the strange lower bumper.
Horrendous design and an insult to BMW's M heritage. Someone came up with this monstrosity and someone signed it off. Must have been on Spice or similar.