My friend kindly let me film and drive his beautiful BMW M2 LCI - a car that I was close to buying before I bought my Mk2 Focus RS! I’ve always loved the M2, but did it meet my expectations?!
Nobody can say it's not a true M car, just because of the engine. People who say that are muppets who don't understand about chassis dynamics, suspension, balance, and poise. My M140i has a much more powerful engine (it's tuned), but it isn't a better M car than this M2, in fact it's not anywhere near being an M car. This M2 however, most certainly is.
Yep.. it's a completely different N55 over the ones they put in non M models. literally the same engine as the S55 except without the extra turbo, so you're missing out on a whopping 35 horsepower in exchange for much better low down torque... no comparison
The N55 M2 is a Wolf in Sheep’s clothing - when do you need more power on the road? - you don’t - have had mine from new for 4 years now and there isn’t another car I’d change it for - still puts a smile on my face every day! 😃👍
Iv had mine for 3 years but have gone stage 2 just felt it was missing a bit of power but now feel it has the power it should of come with from factory.
Man. MK2 Focus RS, that's not something I see very often (read: ever) as an American. I bet that 5-banger sounds awesome! As an M2 Comp owner, I'll point out that it's not the OPF filter that makes it sound worse than the N55 powered M2, its just the engine. We don't have OPF filters on our cars in the States and the S55 unfortunately just doesn't sound very good no matter what the application is. On the other end though, it's not just the extra 40 hp, its the revs. The S55 has a higher redline and the ability to make power further up in the rev range, which feels a bit more 'motorsport.' Either version of the M2 is awesome though and anyone who calls the original M2 "not a real M car" is crazy.
i agree.... that's not "entry level M" ..... it's a real M in a small size... it's a car that requires skills to drive and personally as an owner of a m235i definitely will jump on the future for an M2 in my dream garage.... great size, performance, comfort... all at once (not the best fuel consumption tho) but a really fun car for car enthusiast.
I'm sorry i know you like your Ford's but there really is no comparison between those two cars. I've pretty much made my mind up that the m2 will be my next car, thanks for the review 👍
"Jesus!", exclaims Gary. Haha. You seemed to enjoy the drive. Though it may 'only' have the N55 rather than S55 engine, the M2 is still quite capable of hurtling you down a public road at quite a serious pace. The N55 sounds fabulous, so much so that I'm looking forward to again fitting a 'louder' aftermarket exhaust to another car.
Great video. I am always listing after an M2. Got a 140i atm very well specced etc and remapped. I came from a mk2 St and I miss the noise! M2 og has the noise, but now I have spoiled myself with the b58 :( and 5 door practically!
I've got 2 years finance left to pay on my mk2 focus rs. I'm keeping the rs forever, but it'll be tucked away for Nice day drives and I'll be buying a m2 comp. In black. My perfect 2 car garage 😍 👌
The gear change is is a bit harsh and does unsettle the chassis, it takes a while to get used too, choosing a gear before the bend works, it is what you would do in a manual.
One look at my picture and you’ll know I’m biased but the M2 is one of the greats, so much presence. However you could easily say the same about your Focus RS. The 5 pot car is a modern classic already and I bet it will hold value better than the N55 M2 can as the comp made it look somewhat inferior (I know it’s not guys don’t worry) and there is an incoming generation on top of that. If you buy what truly speaks to you each time you’re fortunate enough to get a new car you’ll always be happy. I couldn’t stretch to an M2 so I got a manual M240i and put a diff in it, does the job for me.
Fair point wrt getting this as a better value for money than the m2 competition at current SH market prices. I would still get the manual. You get used to that fast enough to be able to focus on the road fully when driving spirited. How does it compare to the Mk3 RS though?
Different league in terms of build quality - maybe not quite as sharp but the M2 is definitely faster in a straight line! You sit much lower to the ground in the M2 also.
The M2 is a good looking motor, with BMW though you need a sizeable bank account or a good job as they're expensive beasts to keep on the road, I know through 1st hand experience! On another note what would a Mk2 Focus RS500 be worth now, a neighbour had one & wrote it off a couple of years ago!
@@CarFocused yeah I was rubbing his nose in it a couple of days ago about that, he hasn't got a pot to piss in now the silly sod🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣. I never liked the matt black thing but still a rare machine like that deserved to be in better hands as he was a Kamikaze pilot behind the wheel.
should have let him drive yours.. and that comment when mines paid off ,, you meant to then enjoy your car more as its fully yours not run out and buy something else,
@@ICEJosh1987 well it does have the same engine as the original M2 that was criticised by all motoring journos for not having a proper M car engine yes.
