E92 M3 vs F87 M2C

[F12DDE]

Hi All, Looking for a bit of advice really

Looking at either an E92 M3 or an F87 M2C as my next car, was wondering if anyone on here has had any experience of owning both/either.

I've never owned a BMW before (always been an Porsche/Audi guy myself!), so will be my first one, so just looking at peoples experiences of them really.

Car will start out as a "daily" at first (downgrading to 1 car), but after a while it will be "relegated" to the "fun/weekend car" after I save some £ for a daily to go alongside

Will hopefully keep long term, with aims of eventually making it track day biased, but we talking a fair while in the future with that at the moment. For this reason, probably looking at DCT cars over Manuals (no issue with manuals, just think DCT better suited to this) From what i've seen people also seem to say the cars suit the DCT over the manual.

I'm drawn to the E92 due to the n/a V8 (I'm used to Porsche flat 6s so used to revving engines out ) and what I've seen people do with them as track cars, but aware of the issues they have also! (RBs/TAs/Vanos/Mounts/Bushes etc) The M2 also seems to be following in those trackwork footsteps, and being the newer car I would hope it wouldn't have as many issues (yet!)

From my position, cost to change into either is looking pretty equal, which is why both cars are in contention.

Would be interested to hear what you would go for if you were in my position.

Thanks

[AndrewO]

Previous was an E92 M3, don't rule out the F80. I find the M2 looks challenging, not a lot of difference in weight between the two but does seem to be the go to choice for a lot of trackday people. I'd say its a toss up between the M2C or M4C if you wanted newer, E92 older and a bit less power but has the noise. I guess its down to whether you want depreciation on the newer or more maintenance costs on the older.

[BMWM2Black]

You would probably get a better reply on the M2 owners facbook page. Plenty of owners on there have had the M3 too.

I have an OG M2 and did consider the M3 too. I never got round to looking at one but decided that the smaller M2 suited what I wanted it for (weekend toy).

My M2 is a brilliant car (its now stage 2 with lots of mods) and I Would think a M2C would be a better daily car due to the lower down torque and more modern interior (infotainment etc).

[JEA1K]

I would say that the M2 would fit the bill better for initially daily driving ... I would guess they'll be a bit more robust than an E92 and the interior is possibly a better place to be.

You have to really want a V8 to consider the E92 ... I drove mine to work on Monday on my 40 min commute ... probably first time since Sept/Oct last year, its a DCT so is ok in traffic ... its hardly noisy (1.5 exhaust mod) but I would say that the M2 will more refind in terms of comfort.

[kef9]

BMWM2Black said:

You would probably get a better reply on the M2 owners facbook page. Plenty of owners on there have had the M3 too.

I have an OG M2 and did consider the M3 too. I never got round to looking at one but decided that the smaller M2 suited what I wanted it for (weekend toy).

My M2 is a brilliant car (its now stage 2 with lots of mods) and I Would think a M2C would be a better daily car due to the lower down torque and more modern interior (infotainment etc).

The N55 OG M2 has more low down torque than the S55. It’s also a lot more nice to drive on the street than the S55 which is more about top end frenzy. I have both an M3C and an OG M2 both in manual.

[F12DDE]

Thanks for replies all much appreciated.

The V8 is a massive pull, like mentioned already, would I rather spend money on maintenance or deprecation. I guess M4 (F series) would be a compromise on all aspects, and can get them for relatively "cheap" so seem good value for money currently to be fair.

Was slightly worried about the E92s cabin feelings outdated, however I have seen you can get some sort of upgrade for the infotainment that lets you use apple carplay etc. which is nice (think it's called Mr. 12 volt or something along those lines).

I'm on an E92 owners page on facebook, and if what I was seeing was correct, look like the yearly tax had gone up to 700 odd quid! If true, that's more than my current GT4, which is crazy! (This was on April 1st thought, so maybe I shouldn't have taken at face value lol)

[survivalist]

F12DDE said:

Thanks for replies all much appreciated.

The V8 is a massive pull, like mentioned already, would I rather spend money on maintenance or deprecation. I guess M4 (F series) would be a compromise on all aspects, and can get them for relatively "cheap" so seem good value for money currently to be fair.

Was slightly worried about the E92s cabin feelings outdated, however I have seen you can get some sort of upgrade for the infotainment that lets you use apple carplay etc. which is nice (think it's called Mr. 12 volt or something along those lines).

I'm on an E92 owners page on facebook, and if what I was seeing was correct, look like the yearly tax had gone up to 700 odd quid! If true, that's more than my current GT4, which is crazy! (This was on April 1st thought, so maybe I shouldn't have taken at face value lol)

Sadly not an April fools joke, £695 per year last time I paid.

While the engine is epic, in many ways I found it a frustrating car. You can really feel the weight and combined with the lack of torque it can feel lacking below 4k rpm. That said, when you have an empty road and get the engine spinning it’s very impressive.

My other complaint was that the seats are too high and the OEM brakes are weak.

Edited by survivalist on Tuesday 2nd April 09:10

[river_rat]

survivalist said:

Sadly not an April fools joke, £695 per year last time I paid.

While the engine is epic, in many ways I found it a frustrating car. You can really feel the weight and combined with the lack of torque it can feel lacking below 4k rpm. That said, when you have an empty road and get the engine spinning it’s very impressive.

My other complaint was that the seats are too high and the OEM brakes are weak.

Edited by survivalist on Tuesday 2nd April 09:10

I used an E92 M3 as a daily for around a year and would echo Survivalist comment's about the lack of torque/mid-range power. On my commute the amount of times you could use the engine properly (ie up to high revs) was pretty limited, so it didn't make for a great daily (especially with the fuel costs thrown in) - the 640d and M235i that have followed it are much better dailies for those reasons.

Obviously for a blast the M3 was much better though

[rassi]

The E92 M3 with its V8 and coupled with the DCT that negates the perceived lack of low-mid range lack of torque, is a modern classic. The noise (especially with a 2 pipe exhaust mod) is unique and amazing and the throttle response unbeliveable.

Yes, it is thirsty, not as fast as the S55 M3 but it has to be experienced. Get a good one, spend on preventive maintenance and the depreciation will be neglible, and even possible increasing in value.

[AlexGSi2000]

A good mate of mine is planning on advertising his e92 in the next couple of weeks, let me know if you would like the details.

[cerb4.5lee]

river_rat said:

survivalist said:

Sadly not an April fools joke, £695 per year last time I paid.

While the engine is epic, in many ways I found it a frustrating car. You can really feel the weight and combined with the lack of torque it can feel lacking below 4k rpm. That said, when you have an empty road and get the engine spinning it’s very impressive.

My other complaint was that the seats are too high and the OEM brakes are weak.

Edited by survivalist on Tuesday 2nd April 09:10

I used an E92 M3 as a daily for around a year and would echo Survivalist comment's about the lack of torque/mid-range power. On my commute the amount of times you could use the engine properly (ie up to high revs) was pretty limited, so it didn't make for a great daily (especially with the fuel costs thrown in) - the 640d and M235i that have followed it are much better dailies for those reasons.

Obviously for a blast the M3 was much better though

I used my manual E92 M3 as a daily for 10 months/10k miles and I echo the thoughts here as well. I've now had the F82 M4 DCT for 3 years/25k miles as a daily, and for me the M4 wipes the floor with the M3 in everyway as a daily.

I wouldn't want the M4 as a weekend/occasional car though, whereas I would actually consider the M3 as a weekend/occasional car though I think.

[survivalist]

cerb4.5lee said:

river_rat said:

survivalist said:

Sadly not an April fools joke, £695 per year last time I paid.

While the engine is epic, in many ways I found it a frustrating car. You can really feel the weight and combined with the lack of torque it can feel lacking below 4k rpm. That said, when you have an empty road and get the engine spinning it’s very impressive.

My other complaint was that the seats are too high and the OEM brakes are weak.

Edited by survivalist on Tuesday 2nd April 09:10

I used an E92 M3 as a daily for around a year and would echo Survivalist comment's about the lack of torque/mid-range power. On my commute the amount of times you could use the engine properly (ie up to high revs) was pretty limited, so it didn't make for a great daily (especially with the fuel costs thrown in) - the 640d and M235i that have followed it are much better dailies for those reasons.

Obviously for a blast the M3 was much better though

I used my manual E92 M3 as a daily for 10 months/10k miles and I echo the thoughts here as well. I've now had the F82 M4 DCT for 3 years/25k miles as a daily, and for me the M4 wipes the floor with the M3 in everyway as a daily.

I wouldn't want the M4 as a weekend/occasional car though, whereas I would actually consider the M3 as a weekend/occasional car though I think.

My original plan had been to use it as a weekend car that I could also fit the whole family in. It was decent enough for that - decent boot and the option to add roof bars / box. Did a couple of road trips with it and it allowed me to go for a fun drive while the family were at a hotel / swimming pool etc

That said, outside of that specific scenario it wasn’t a car that I took out much on my own and while the DCT is well suited to the engine, I missed having a manual in my ‘fun’ car.

[Steve Barrett]

I've had both (currently have a M4CS), the only thing imo that the E92 does better is the sound, my E92 was fast road spec (APs all round, Nitron coilovers etc) and I found the M2c far easier to drive hard even just on a set of lowering springs and decent pads

[CRA1G]

My E90 M3 Manual & my OG M2 DCT which are like chalk & Cheese but the sound of the M3 is....

[Wills2]

In isolation the S55 is a good engine, not driven the de-tuned version in the M2C but did 90,000 miles in my old F80 M3 (425ps non comp), it's very effective but drives like a diesel, you find yourself short shifting a 5.5k as the engine is flat above that point, making progress is child's play as you just ride the torque, the S65 on the other hand is a masterpiece of an engine if you're into throttle response, revs and love a great sounding engine but is best experienced with the DCT box (the manual is a rubbery mess) I've had two e92 M3s and did 50,000 miles across those.

Personally I'd be looking at the F80/2 cars rather than the M2C if you go for the S55 as I doubt de tuning the S55 helps it plus dakota leather has no place in an M car IMO.

[F12DDE]

Steve Barrett said:

I've had both (currently have a M4CS), the only thing imo that the E92 does better is the sound, my E92 was fast road spec (APs all round, Nitron coilovers etc) and I found the M2c far easier to drive hard even just on a set of lowering springs and decent pads

Interesting to hear this from someone that has owned both and you sound like you've already been down the route that I would be looking at for the E92. How does the M4CS compare to the M2C?

[Steve Barrett]

F12DDE said:

Interesting to hear this from someone that has owned both and you sound like you've already been down the route that I would be looking at for the E92. How does the M4CS compare to the M2C?

It feels very special compared to the M2C and M3C (F80) I had before this, I even prefer it over the 991.1 3.8s I had as well. It will be a difficult car to replace without spending a lot more £

[cerb4.5lee]

Wills2 said:

Personally I'd be looking at the F80/2 cars rather than the M2C if you go for the S55 as I doubt de tuning the S55 helps it plus dakota leather has no place in an M car IMO.

It is each to their own of course, but I wasn't a fan of the dakota leather in the M2 either. It looked out of place I thought as well. I'm a bit of a fussy sod when it comes to interiors though, and I tend to notice everything good or bad.

One of my main gripes with the E92 M3...was that it felt exactly the same to sit in as the E90 330d M Sport that I had before it for example, only you actually sat higher in the M3 though, and that baffled as well. There isn't anything sporty about sitting "on" a car rather than "in" a car if you know what I mean.

[Wills2]

cerb4.5lee said:

Wills2 said:

Personally I'd be looking at the F80/2 cars rather than the M2C if you go for the S55 as I doubt de tuning the S55 helps it plus dakota leather has no place in an M car IMO.

It is each to their own of course, but I wasn't a fan of the dakota leather in the M2 either. It looked out of place I thought as well. I'm a bit of a fussy sod when it comes to interiors though, and I tend to notice everything good or bad.

One of my main gripes with the E92 M3...was that it felt exactly the same to sit in as the E90 330d M Sport that I had before it for example, only you actually sat higher in the M3 though, and that baffled as well. There isn't anything sporty about sitting "on" a car rather than "in" a car if you know what I mean.

Yeah I don't like cars that you sit on but then I hate feeling that I'm sat on the floor as well (Mk7.5 golf GTI style) fussy buggers aren't we, agree on the leather for me it ruins the car or any car actually dakota is hateful!

Not a fan of the OG M2 for those reasons no M engine, no M mirrors, no M seats and dakota, I'd love an M2 CS though but I thought it was cynical that you had to go to that price level to get what should have been standard on them all.

[cerb4.5lee]

Wills2 said:

Yeah I don't like cars that you sit on but then I hate feeling that I'm sat on the floor as well (Mk7.5 golf GTI style) fussy buggers aren't we, agree on the leather for me it ruins the car or any car actually dakota is hateful!

I do like sitting low in sporty cars for sure, although because I'm a short arse, I can't always sit at the cars lowest setting on the seat because then I can't see over the steering wheel!

I can't sit with the seat on its lowest setting in the M4 for example.