Discussion
Being a serial BMW owner, my 'next' car has me looking at the brand before any other. I'm certainly interested in other brands, and I did consider a VW (Golf R), and Audi (S3), and a Mercedes (A45), and a few other coupe type options, but my 'want' for this car was strong.
My previous car was a 2017 M140i, a brilliant daily, but unfortunately after a spirited and enjoyable drive, and still in traction OFF mode, travelling on a dual carriageway at a very normal pace, accelerating from a roundabout a patch of diesel on the road caused the car to spin it's rears and slide sideways.
I caught the slide and held it but when the 'slippy' bit ended and became the 'grippy' bit, the tyres gripped and spun the car 180 the other way, and left me exiting backwards into a tree. The rear C pillar was crumpled, tailgate and light cluster, along with half the roofline, front wing & bonnet damage and front light.
So, thankfully the insurance company gave me a fair price for the 'total loss' and I looked around for a replacement.
I considered a few OG M2's, they seem to range from £24,000 (low spec high mileage), to about £31,000. I wanted to get the best I could afford, and settled on this, a 66 plate, 1 owner from new, 25,800 miles example in Long Beach blue.
I wanted electric/heated seats, even though I understand the manual seats do sit lower on the rails, but I can live with that for the comfort of electric adjustment and warmth in the cold weather. Ideally I'd have liked heated steering wheel too, but I couldn't find a low mileage car locally with that option.
It has electric folding mirrors, another box ticked, adaptive lights, and the HK audio system.
I'd love to hear from owners, especially who have come from a similar previous car ie a hot hatch, and any hints tips or things I should know would be very welcome, thank you in advance.
The M140i was a brilliant car, and although it's certainly got it's faults, the B58 and ZF8 were an amazing combination (especially with a bit of tweaking). I do miss that engine, and although the N55 in this sounds fantastic, it just doesn't quite have the same lump of torque I have been used to (admittingly the M140i was running 455bhp/634nm). The DCT in the M2 is very good though, and almost as good as the ZF8 (mine had xHP3 mapped to it), and a standard ZF8 would feel very lazy and dim-witted in comparison I think, albeit the DCT has one less gear.
First impressions .... the suspension (especially the damping) wow, considerably better. I know the OG M2 isn't the ultimate in handling and can be improved a lot, but compared to the M140i (which had the adaptive dampers), it is level above. Where the M140i would always take a while to settle, the M2 is so much more composed and planted. There rear end wobble/wiggle of the M140i is one of it's biggest flaws, and in the M2 there is zero wobble/wiggle feeling, very obvious improvement.
Steering, and I know what some of you will be thinking (and you're correct), while most modern cars with electric racks are always a bit numb, the M2 is much better than the M140i. It's not perfect, but it is certainly better.
The interior isn't that much different, and going back to the idrive v5 was a bit of a disappointment as the M140i had the newer version, but it is what it is, and works fine.
Ultimately, it's a much nicer car to drive, a much nicer car to look at, which still has a very good engine and gearbox, and is fast enough to be fun.
This one is staying standard, and will be pampered.
My previous car was a 2017 M140i, a brilliant daily, but unfortunately after a spirited and enjoyable drive, and still in traction OFF mode, travelling on a dual carriageway at a very normal pace, accelerating from a roundabout a patch of diesel on the road caused the car to spin it's rears and slide sideways.
I caught the slide and held it but when the 'slippy' bit ended and became the 'grippy' bit, the tyres gripped and spun the car 180 the other way, and left me exiting backwards into a tree. The rear C pillar was crumpled, tailgate and light cluster, along with half the roofline, front wing & bonnet damage and front light.
So, thankfully the insurance company gave me a fair price for the 'total loss' and I looked around for a replacement.
I considered a few OG M2's, they seem to range from £24,000 (low spec high mileage), to about £31,000. I wanted to get the best I could afford, and settled on this, a 66 plate, 1 owner from new, 25,800 miles example in Long Beach blue.
I wanted electric/heated seats, even though I understand the manual seats do sit lower on the rails, but I can live with that for the comfort of electric adjustment and warmth in the cold weather. Ideally I'd have liked heated steering wheel too, but I couldn't find a low mileage car locally with that option.
It has electric folding mirrors, another box ticked, adaptive lights, and the HK audio system.
I'd love to hear from owners, especially who have come from a similar previous car ie a hot hatch, and any hints tips or things I should know would be very welcome, thank you in advance.
The M140i was a brilliant car, and although it's certainly got it's faults, the B58 and ZF8 were an amazing combination (especially with a bit of tweaking). I do miss that engine, and although the N55 in this sounds fantastic, it just doesn't quite have the same lump of torque I have been used to (admittingly the M140i was running 455bhp/634nm). The DCT in the M2 is very good though, and almost as good as the ZF8 (mine had xHP3 mapped to it), and a standard ZF8 would feel very lazy and dim-witted in comparison I think, albeit the DCT has one less gear.
First impressions .... the suspension (especially the damping) wow, considerably better. I know the OG M2 isn't the ultimate in handling and can be improved a lot, but compared to the M140i (which had the adaptive dampers), it is level above. Where the M140i would always take a while to settle, the M2 is so much more composed and planted. There rear end wobble/wiggle of the M140i is one of it's biggest flaws, and in the M2 there is zero wobble/wiggle feeling, very obvious improvement.
Steering, and I know what some of you will be thinking (and you're correct), while most modern cars with electric racks are always a bit numb, the M2 is much better than the M140i. It's not perfect, but it is certainly better.
The interior isn't that much different, and going back to the idrive v5 was a bit of a disappointment as the M140i had the newer version, but it is what it is, and works fine.
Ultimately, it's a much nicer car to drive, a much nicer car to look at, which still has a very good engine and gearbox, and is fast enough to be fun.
This one is staying standard, and will be pampered.
That sounds like a superb car; fantastic colour too 
My pal really rates his 140i; only had it a week but had an E90 M3 and M4 after that; but wanted a 4 door car and one he could sling his mountain bike in (his wife has a Tesla through work; so he could keep in with a 'silly' car as he calls them) :lol:
I'm fortunate enough to have been out in an M2 and it was fantastic; far too small for me, Still a bloody good car
My pal really rates his 140i; only had it a week but had an E90 M3 and M4 after that; but wanted a 4 door car and one he could sling his mountain bike in (his wife has a Tesla through work; so he could keep in with a 'silly' car as he calls them) :lol:
I'm fortunate enough to have been out in an M2 and it was fantastic; far too small for me, Still a bloody good car
I have the OG LCI M2 and love mine.
Does track days, tours and everything I need.
The M2 forum on Facebook is a decent spot. Can be a bit harsh at times but really supportive for genuine questions and queries.
My advice is get a set of winter wheels/tyres to get you through the miserable weather.
Apart from that is a cracking car!
Does track days, tours and everything I need.
The M2 forum on Facebook is a decent spot. Can be a bit harsh at times but really supportive for genuine questions and queries.
My advice is get a set of winter wheels/tyres to get you through the miserable weather.
Apart from that is a cracking car!
Thanks for the replies chaps !
Dan, I know the M140i does get a lot of criticism, and some of it is justified, but man I will really miss it.
The car just did everything as a daily, and in a straight line, it was absolutely unreal for the money.
Poolcued, I do feel like I am lucky to be able to buy this, I'm not a wealthy man and it has taken all my savings. But, I don't drink, smoke, or go on holidays abroad, so you have to have something in life right !!
CG2020, Sounds fantastic that, a chap 2 doors down from me has an LCI late 2018 I think (he has a private plate so not 100% sure), and it's mint. Think it has 13,000 miles ok, really low, and he goes out with his detailing spray each day to keep it mint.
Luckily I have a company van for work, so I don't actually need the car as such, it's just a weekend toy.
I am thinking of investing in a good car cover as I don't have a garage and it sits on the drive, so will keep it clean from all the bird ish and dust.
Dan, I know the M140i does get a lot of criticism, and some of it is justified, but man I will really miss it.
The car just did everything as a daily, and in a straight line, it was absolutely unreal for the money.
Poolcued, I do feel like I am lucky to be able to buy this, I'm not a wealthy man and it has taken all my savings. But, I don't drink, smoke, or go on holidays abroad, so you have to have something in life right !!
CG2020, Sounds fantastic that, a chap 2 doors down from me has an LCI late 2018 I think (he has a private plate so not 100% sure), and it's mint. Think it has 13,000 miles ok, really low, and he goes out with his detailing spray each day to keep it mint.
Luckily I have a company van for work, so I don't actually need the car as such, it's just a weekend toy.
I am thinking of investing in a good car cover as I don't have a garage and it sits on the drive, so will keep it clean from all the bird ish and dust.
Mark thanks, I have to admit, the B58/ZF8 is such a brilliant pairing.
If you haven't already done it, the xHP3 is a fantastic map, it can still be very smooth in comfort mode, and I actually turned the ferocity down a tad for sport gearbox mode changes, and it made it a lot less jerky.
That said, the few days I have had with the N55 have been good so far, it's still a very good engine, and the DCT is very good indeed.
Mr Tidy, it certainly beats boring black, white, and grey. I would have loved something a bit more exciting, and it's a shame they only came in those four colours.
If you haven't already done it, the xHP3 is a fantastic map, it can still be very smooth in comfort mode, and I actually turned the ferocity down a tad for sport gearbox mode changes, and it made it a lot less jerky.
That said, the few days I have had with the N55 have been good so far, it's still a very good engine, and the DCT is very good indeed.
Mr Tidy, it certainly beats boring black, white, and grey. I would have loved something a bit more exciting, and it's a shame they only came in those four colours.
Nik Gnashers said:
Thanks for the replies chaps !
Dan, I know the M140i does get a lot of criticism, and some of it is justified, but man I will really miss it.
The car just did everything as a daily, and in a straight line, it was absolutely unreal for the money.
Yeah he's super impressed with it; feels it's more of an all-rounder then the M4 wasDan, I know the M140i does get a lot of criticism, and some of it is justified, but man I will really miss it.
The car just did everything as a daily, and in a straight line, it was absolutely unreal for the money.
His E90 M3 was a fantastic car until someone reshaped it for him
The 140i all in is too small for me personally; but as a 2nd car I'd sacrifice a bit of shoulder/arse/leg room
It sounds amazing too
He was in Bowness at the weekend in it; fortunately on all-seaons, so he got home ok, just...!
Congratulations OP and that looks really nice.
I've been a passenger around Cadwell Park in both an OG M2(manual) and an M2 Comp(DCT), and I was blown away by their capabilities. Plus it was great to get to experience an M car on a track for sure.
I have a F82 M4 with the DCT and I absolutely love it, I've done 22k miles in it now and it never fails to raise a smile for me.
Keep enjoying your M2.
I've been a passenger around Cadwell Park in both an OG M2(manual) and an M2 Comp(DCT), and I was blown away by their capabilities. Plus it was great to get to experience an M car on a track for sure.
I have a F82 M4 with the DCT and I absolutely love it, I've done 22k miles in it now and it never fails to raise a smile for me.
Keep enjoying your M2.
Thanks Lee, the M2C was the ultimate for me but they are still about 10-12 grand more for the same mileage, so just out of reach at the moment.
I absolutely love the OG M2 though. It's not perfect, and although only 25829 miles the wheels do need a refurb, and the windscreen has a couple of bad chips (passenger side thankfully). Priced a new screen up at under £400 fitted which I didn't think was too bad.
The exhaust tips are really scruffy too, and I'd like to get new ones. I used to mask up and spray the M140i tips myself, every year, as they didn't last long before looking scruffy !
Nothing else really needs attention though, so I am going to just enjoy it and replace bits over time, luckily I don't need it for work, so the mileage can be kept down.
I absolutely love the OG M2 though. It's not perfect, and although only 25829 miles the wheels do need a refurb, and the windscreen has a couple of bad chips (passenger side thankfully). Priced a new screen up at under £400 fitted which I didn't think was too bad.
The exhaust tips are really scruffy too, and I'd like to get new ones. I used to mask up and spray the M140i tips myself, every year, as they didn't last long before looking scruffy !
Nothing else really needs attention though, so I am going to just enjoy it and replace bits over time, luckily I don't need it for work, so the mileage can be kept down.
Similar here. Moved from an M140i to a 2018 LCI OG M2.
Shocked by the difference. Really impressed with the car 1 year on.
DCT took a fair bit of getting used to after the ZF8 but much prefer it now (Sport mode, manual shifts)
The only downside is the urge to tweak them as its so easy done buy everything is silly expensive.
Shocked by the difference. Really impressed with the car 1 year on.
DCT took a fair bit of getting used to after the ZF8 but much prefer it now (Sport mode, manual shifts)
The only downside is the urge to tweak them as its so easy done buy everything is silly expensive.
Nik Gnashers said:
Mr Tidy, it certainly beats boring black, white, and grey. I would have loved something a bit more exciting, and it's a shame they only came in those four colours.
It certainly does! Five years ago I had an E46 Compact in Imola Red and a Z4 Coupe in Montego Blue, but now I have an E90 in Sparkling Graphite and a Z4M in Silver Grey. I wish I still had a colour.
Congrats OP.
I’ve had a black, manual OG M2 for about a year now & 12k miles.
I think it’s a great blended of performance, engaging character, great looks & practically. After a year with it, I’m thinking next year it’s time to experience it on track.
It seems to be the kind of car owners like to tinker with, which is great as it’s always interesting to see what route people are taking with their mods.
Mine now has Bilstein coilovers but I’m going to keep the bodywork unaltered and the grills chrome! I’d like some 18 inch wheels at some point. BMW 513M or something from Apex.
I’ve had a black, manual OG M2 for about a year now & 12k miles.
I think it’s a great blended of performance, engaging character, great looks & practically. After a year with it, I’m thinking next year it’s time to experience it on track.
It seems to be the kind of car owners like to tinker with, which is great as it’s always interesting to see what route people are taking with their mods.
Mine now has Bilstein coilovers but I’m going to keep the bodywork unaltered and the grills chrome! I’d like some 18 inch wheels at some point. BMW 513M or something from Apex.
Edited by HWW on Friday 8th December 18:08
Deep thought - Yes the ZF8 is a very good box, so smooth. I found the DCT a little bit clunky in comparison, not in a really noticeably 'worse' way, just different, as a torque converter is always going to be smoother I think.
I am getting used to it though. In the M140i, if I released the brake the car would creep forward, without any throttle input. But the DCT doesn't, it just sits there until I press the throttle, which took a bit of getting used to.
No tweaking will be done to mine though, it does need a few bits like a new windscreen, wheel refurb, and some minor stuff, but I intend on making it as good as it can be and keeping it original.
ubbs - man that looks superb.
My exhaust tips are a bit scruffy, and deffo on the list of 'to do', not sure if I can justify a whole new exhaust .... but it's tempting !!
Mr Tidy - Imola Red would be a great M2 colour !
Belle - I know what you mean, I daily'd the M140i and tried to keep the mileage down but it crept up pretty quickly. It didn't bother me as I loved driving it and had no desire to sell or swap it, but I liked to service it every 7000miles and do a full (inspection2) every time. I took it from 14,200 to 43,870 in 4 years, even had the gearbox serviced, diff, etc, in the past 8 months, along with m performance discs all round £1300, and four pilot supersport tyres, so it was gutting to write the car off. I am lucky to have a work van now, so the M2 is just a weekend toy, and I don't think I would have bought it, had I still needed to daily it for work.
But maybe I'm just being silly.
HWW - sounds like a plan !
I went down the modding route with the M140i, and I have already decided to keep this standard, but yeah I would love to try a properly sorted OG M2 on track, I would imagine it is an absolute weapon.
I am getting used to it though. In the M140i, if I released the brake the car would creep forward, without any throttle input. But the DCT doesn't, it just sits there until I press the throttle, which took a bit of getting used to.
No tweaking will be done to mine though, it does need a few bits like a new windscreen, wheel refurb, and some minor stuff, but I intend on making it as good as it can be and keeping it original.
ubbs - man that looks superb.
My exhaust tips are a bit scruffy, and deffo on the list of 'to do', not sure if I can justify a whole new exhaust .... but it's tempting !!
Mr Tidy - Imola Red would be a great M2 colour !
Belle - I know what you mean, I daily'd the M140i and tried to keep the mileage down but it crept up pretty quickly. It didn't bother me as I loved driving it and had no desire to sell or swap it, but I liked to service it every 7000miles and do a full (inspection2) every time. I took it from 14,200 to 43,870 in 4 years, even had the gearbox serviced, diff, etc, in the past 8 months, along with m performance discs all round £1300, and four pilot supersport tyres, so it was gutting to write the car off. I am lucky to have a work van now, so the M2 is just a weekend toy, and I don't think I would have bought it, had I still needed to daily it for work.
But maybe I'm just being silly.
HWW - sounds like a plan !
I went down the modding route with the M140i, and I have already decided to keep this standard, but yeah I would love to try a properly sorted OG M2 on track, I would imagine it is an absolute weapon.
That's a lovely OG M2 in my personal favourite colour too.
Interesting that you went from an M140i to an M2, it seems that owners either go M2 or M4 after the M140i, and although I haven't driven one, I can understand why as the M140i is still just a hatchback with a big engine compared to a more bespoke model with better suspension etc.
Interesting that you went from an M140i to an M2, it seems that owners either go M2 or M4 after the M140i, and although I haven't driven one, I can understand why as the M140i is still just a hatchback with a big engine compared to a more bespoke model with better suspension etc.
PistonbrokePaul said:
Interesting that you went from an M140i to an M2, it seems that owners either go M2 or M4 after the M140i, and although I haven't driven one, I can understand why as the M140i is still just a hatchback with a big engine compared to a more bespoke model with better suspension etc.
Surely, that’s part of BMW’s plan. We should be glad that the hatchback exists (well, did) because nobody else does/did anything quite so special at that level IMO. MarkJS said:
Surely, that’s part of BMW’s plan. We should be glad that the hatchback exists (well, did) because nobody else does/did anything quite so special at that level IMO.
Good point, I forget sometimes that people didn't buy the hatch for the practicality like I did. For all it's flaws, I have had my M140i the longest (on the road) out of all the cars I have owned just because it's such a good overall package with a couple of upgrades.Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff