[LeMans E90]

Fantastic write up, thanks OP!

I am doing the same event for the X3M, M5 and M340i this upcoming Tuesday so I'm even more excited now.

[sq86]

Originally Posted by khanyam4

I agree F N imbecile

Originally Posted by praxis218

This moron doesn't deserve to have a license.

Originally Posted by khanyam4

I agree F N imbecile

What a jagoff. Dude it's going 100+ in residential areas (30 MPH zones) and swerving in and out of traffic. This is why we can't have nice things.

[M3PGH]

interesting to read through all the remarks
I did the Pittsburgh event yesterday and drove
M2C
M5C
M850
owned multiple M cars and currently M3CS
my least favorite car was the M2C and I wanted to love it as I owned an 18 M2 which I liked for the most part , but did not like the seat position, and felt engine was ok.
M2C felt cheap on the inside and the M performance steering wheel felt huge for the size of the car
the car handled very well , but did not feel special.. I wished they left the engine alone without detuning
the suspension was ok but car felt a little uncoordinated
M5C was my favorite... It drove smaller than the F10 and certainly felt like you are riding a tiger and just wanted to go fast. The steering feel and accuracy were very good
Interior was luxurious and seats as always in M5 were great
M850 was a pleasant surprise, power was v good, sound was great with the roof open, handling was good
other than price at 131 k , I think BMW did a great job on the M850 , with Drive and convertible , it could be the best allover car for all seasons, DD and weekend fun

[BLOJOE]

It was posted earlier but this was the M2C that was totaled. This was at South Bay BMW 2 weeks back and it was the only car I drove.

I normally drive an OG 2018 M2 and I felt the M2C was just more of a... ...beast.

So I honestly was surprised by the lack of specific instruction that I got. Quickly went through some features, put in the directions in the nav (that for some reason wasn't working properly and if I didn't know the area I'd probably have gotten lost), and enjoy. I guess I was expecting them to say at a minimum whatever you do rule number one is DO NOT COMPLETELY TURN OFF DSC. This is what they hammered on at the M Track Days I went to and I can attest that my DSC has saved my ass several times in turns. Of course it won't guarantee no accident but just seems like a prudent precaution?

[amrazM]

Great post.

The m850i is not an M8 so there is no comparison to the f90. If you want to compare the m850i to something it would be fair to compare it to the M550i.

[andrewsd]

I drove the M2C when the tour came through San Diego. Its a really fun car. I liked it. Felt nice and small after living with my F90 for a year.

As a daily it can't beat the M5s speed, luxury, and practicality... but as a weekend car an M2 with a manual would be a great addition.

However, there were four things that disappointed me about the car...

#1 - S55 tuning. It felt slow. I know a lot of cars will feel a little slow after an M5 for a year, but the low end boost felt neutered, I kept waiting for that S55 punch and it came it just took forever. I had an M4 and it seemed a lot more violent. I know it can't be f8x fast because of model tiers but still. It made me sad.

#2 steering. The ratio felt felt off. It took a lot of input on the turns. I know I'm likely in the minority here but I didn't like it. Wish it was more direct.

#3 interior. It's old looking. I know I know it's a drivers car so who cares?! Well, I do. For 60k it can be a lot better.

#4 the rear. I just don't like it. Completely subjective, but it's the worse angle on the car. Love the front, love the hips.

That said I only got 20 min with the car.

What I liked. Size. Sound. DCT. I do miss the DCT even if the ZF8 is good (and it is) but the DCT is a bit more fun when you're on it, just as the ZF is more livable when you're not. And on that same note I miss the big paddle shifters the M2/M4 have, why does BMW insist on stubby little paddles for the new M cars?

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by SlickShift

Great write up!

I attended the event over the weekend and got to drive the M5 and M340i. The M5 was very fast, but not the brutal acceleration I was expecting. Basically no drama in the experience - just speed and competence. The M340i was a good drive if a little dull as well. I really dislike the new gauges, but I'm sure they'd grow on me eventually. Both cars felt very solid, but the M340i wasn't the "return to the old BMW" that some of the journalists have been touting.

I felt the exact same after driving the M340. It was a shrunken version of the 540 loaner I had recently; amazing powertrain, very refined, easy to drive at high speeds, handles well enough. However, for those of us spoiled by the likes of the E46 and E90 this does not measure up. It was only 50% as competent/fun as the M2 I drove right beforehand.

The M340 craps on all the competition when it comes to its powertrain, even the Giulia as it does not offer a mid-tier model between the base and QF. However I would still rather get a Giulia with the base engine for the handling/steering alone.

[Germanauto]

The M2 Comp blew my socks off yesterday. I haven't driven a BMW that's impressed me since the E9X and E82 were phased out. This car lived up to all the hype for me. Sure that classic steering "feel" wasn't totally there but it was still tuned very naturally. It didn't have the "artificial" video-game like experience of the M340.

Sure, a more modern interior with the option for a leather dash/doors and different leather colors would be great, but I love the driving experience so much I'd live with what it has. Car looks badass too and makes a mean exhaust note.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

The M2 Comp blew my socks off yesterday. I haven't driven a BMW that's impressed me since the E9X and E82 were phased out. This car lived up to all the hype for me. Sure that classic steering "feel" wasn't totally there but it was still tuned very naturally. It didn't have the "artificial" video-game like experience of the M340.

Sure, a more modern interior with the option for a leather dash/doors and different leather colors would be great, but I love the driving experience so much I'd live with what it has. Car looks badass too and makes a mean exhaust note.

Are you gonna replace your E92 w/ an M2 comp? I know you've been having a hard time finding a car that has a close driving experience to the E9X gen 3 series

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by joshuastein55

Are you gonna replace your E92 w/ an M2 comp? I know you've been having a hard time finding a car that has a close driving experience to the E9X gen 3 series

I won't be in the market for another 3 years, but the M2 is at the top of my shopping list, with the Boxster close behind. I'll have to take the Giulia for a spin too.

In that time I suspect a redesigned M2 will be out, so that will have to live up to how good this one is!

What are you thinking for your next car? Your stable looks pretty damn good currently lol.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

I won't be in the market for another 3 years, but the M2 is at the top of my shopping list, with the Boxster close behind. I'll have to take the Giulia for a spin too.

In that time I suspect a redesigned M2 will be out, so that will have to live up to how good this one is!

What are you thinking for your next car? Your stable looks pretty damn good currently lol.

I'm thinking when my lease for the CLS is over I'll see if I like the new M850i Gran Coupe, otherwise I'll likely get another Merc as I'm a big fan of their latest cars (not their suvs though).

My wife is looking to find a good replacement for her 2011 335 and like you she doesn't like many of the new BMW's and how they drive in comparison to hers, but she put 140k miles on the 335 and reliability was starting to go so we sold it. We use the Boxster as a main vehicle right now, but its a lease and were racking up too many miles on it so we need another sedan w/ 4 doors to take on trips and haul our shelties in the back so she's gonna look at an M340i and C43 next month, although I think she's sold on the C for the gorgeous exterior and interior alone so she may also be going to the darkside with me unless the M340 wows her enough over the merc.

[ohohoh123456]

cant wait to get my rides on 21st this month!

[terrywang]

Thank you for sharing the experience. I wish BMW brings this M Town experience to down under at some point of time in future. Really looking forward to driving M2 Competition in DCT form, and / or its successor M2 CS.

Most likely I'll keep the OG F87 M2 for a long time as I couldn't justify the extra for a M2c (plus it's cons from my PoV) if it's just a fun car for the weekend or casual daily drive for work.

[terrywang]

Originally Posted by andrewsd

I drove the M2C when the tour came through San Diego. Its a really fun car. I liked it. Felt nice and small after living with my F90 for a year.

As a daily it can't beat the M5s speed, luxury, and practicality... but as a weekend car an M2 with a manual would be a great addition.

However, there were four things that disappointed me about the car...

#1 - S55 tuning. It felt slow. I know a lot of cars will feel a little slow after an M5 for a year, but the low end boost felt neutered, I kept waiting for that S55 punch and it came it just took forever. I had an M4 and it seemed a lot more violent. I know it can't be f8x fast because of model tiers but still. It made me sad.

#2 steering. The ratio felt felt off. It took a lot of input on the turns. I know I'm likely in the minority here but I didn't like it. Wish it was more direct.

#3 interior. It's old looking. I know I know it's a drivers car so who cares?! Well, I do. For 60k it can be a lot better.

#4 the rear. I just don't like it. Completely subjective, but it's the worse angle on the car. Love the front, love the hips.

That said I only got 20 min with the car.

What I liked. Size. Sound. DCT. I do miss the DCT even if the ZF8 is good (and it is) but the DCT is a bit more fun when you're on it, just as the ZF is more livable when you're not. And on that same note I miss the big paddle shifters the M2/M4 have, why does BMW insist on stubby little paddles for the new M cars?

I like the Original F87 tail lights and rear better. Of course the old F22 angel eyes (with eyebrow also LED which can be lit).