Car & Driver long term report on the M2 coupe

NVHoo · 10-28-2018, 08:43 AM

in the most recent print edition. Other than an early recall involving the drive train, their car had no issues after 40K miles. While they had nothing but praise regarding its performance (it was an automatic), they said their staff were divided into 2 equal and distinct camps on their opinion of the car: those that loved driving it and those who thought its suspension was much too punishing for a daily driver and thought the M238/240 was a better compromise between a track car and a daily car.

USA-RET · 10-28-2018, 10:33 AM

I got a kick out of their comment - If all our politicians were forced to drive M2's, all our nation's roads would be fixed by next week".

MarcoZandrini · 10-28-2018, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by USA-RET

I got a kick out of their comment - If all our politicians were forced to drive M2's, all our nation's roads would be fixed by next week".

THIS!

XutvJet · 10-28-2018, 01:23 PM

I like seeing that the N55 loosened up a bit after it got some mileage on it. It gained 2 mph in the 1/4 mile indicating that the car gained around 20-25hp as the motor loosened up over time.

All the M235 and N55 M2 mag tests in the past had been with cars with ~1,000 miles. I know for a fact that my M235 felt much slower when brand new and almost restrained. Now with nearly 30K miles, it feels much stronger in the mid range and topend. It took about 10K miles to get to that point too.

petegtsv10 · 10-28-2018, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NVHoo

in the most recent print edition. Other than an early recall involving the drive train, their car had no issues after 40K miles. While they had nothing but praise regarding its performance (it was an automatic), they said their staff were divided into 2 equal and distinct camps on their opinion of the car: those that loved driving it and those who thought its suspension was much too punishing for a daily driver and thought the M238/240 was a better compromise between a track car and a daily car.

Isn't the M2 a DCT?

p912guy · 10-28-2018, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petegtsv10

Isn't the M2 a DCT?

Yes, DCT or 6MT.

krhodes1 · 10-28-2018, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petegtsv10

Isn't the M2 a DCT?

Like he said, an automatic.

I don't care how it shifts, if it doesn't have a clutch pedal and can change gears by itself, it's an automatic.

The FXX cars seem to be aging very gracefully in general compared to the past 3 generations of BMWs. I had zero issues with my M235. I have not had many with my e91 328i, but it did have a few issues under warranty. Nothing since though.

NVHoo · 10-29-2018, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krhodes1

I don't care how it shifts, if it doesn't have a clutch pedal and can change gears by itself, it's an automatic.

.

Macphisto · 10-29-2018, 10:20 AM

FWIW – I took delivery of my manual M2 in June 2016 and just over 40K miles. The only issue was to have my rear brake shields replaced due to the 'soda can' crunch. It's my daily driver since it's my only car. I can see how they view the suspension as punishing (and my passengers are quick to point it out), but I don't mind one bit.

petegtsv10 · 10-29-2018, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NVHoo

.

While I do agree that a trans w/o a clutch pedal can certainly be called an automatic, when one is looking at road tests the distinction between a DCT and a "slushbox" is relevant. In some cases, it makes the difference in the overall review of the car's performance. The automatic in a ZO6 feels very good, but it still lacks the snap of a DCT. (I preferred the 135 trans to the M235, even given some of its quirks) It was a DCT that converted me from demanding a manual tranny in my cars to accepting the "manual w/o a 3rd pedal". Now I would choose a DCT over a 3-pedal car.

M235ForNow · 10-29-2018, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petegtsv10

While I do agree that a trans w/o a clutch pedal can certainly be called an automatic, when one is looking at road tests the distinction between a DCT and a "slushbox" is relevant. In some cases, it makes the difference in the overall review of the car's performance. The automatic in a ZO6 feels very good, but it still lacks the snap of a DCT. (I preferred the 135 trans to the M235, even given some of its quirks) It was a DCT that converted me from demanding a manual tranny in my cars to accepting the "manual w/o a 3rd pedal". Now I would choose a DCT over a 3-pedal car.

Not just "can be called" but "has to be called. FIrst level differentiation: "manual or automatic". That's all. Then one can parse the different types of automatic, if desired.

And ... just as in the more usual auto with a torque converter, the various automated manuals come in various flavors. Some excellent. Some ... not so much. I ordered the gen 7 GTI with performance pack the first year it came out. The automated manual worked fine in higher speed situations but around town it was jerky and annoying. Very much so.

The "regular" ZF auto on my M235i is pretty much amazing. Especially once one gets up to speed on the effects of sports +/sports/comfort settings on its behavior. Took me a while to do so but once I did - zowie.

Sn00p · 10-30-2018, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M235ForNow

Not just "can be called" but "has to be called. FIrst level differentiation: "manual or automatic". That's all. Then one can parse the different types of automatic, if desired.

And ... just as in the more usual auto with a torque converter, the various automated manuals come in various flavors. Some excellent. Some ... not so much. I ordered the gen 7 GTI with performance pack the first year it came out. The automated manual worked fine in higher speed situations but around town it was jerky and annoying. Very much so.

The "regular" ZF auto on my M235i is pretty much amazing. Especially once one gets up to speed on the effects of sports +/sports/comfort settings on its behavior. Took me a while to do so but once I did - zowie.

Exactly this. After trying ZF Auto you really get spoiled. Because of work I'm changing between cars with manual, DCT, ZF8 and CVT.
All of these have some problem in specific situation, except ZF8. I still didn't find a situation where it didn't realise what I want to do.
DCT or DSG (I'm driving Passat) has amazing gear shifts at higher speeds, but as you said. Through town and stop and go traffic it is a nightmare.
CVT is actually really fine, except engine noise because it doesn't shift gears.

morphomeman · 10-30-2018, 05:54 AM

The CD report on the M2 is consistent with pretty much all reports so far on this vehicle: the suspension is rock-hard, as it is with pretty much all "true M models."
If you want rock hard, there's a pill that costs a lot less than an M car.

Maynard · 10-30-2018, 10:09 AM

Key issue for that is where you drive it. On real roads around here, 'rock hard' isn't going to handle as well, b/c of the poor compliance. On track it's a gem, but for the real world I think you're going to enjoy the 228/235 (or now 230/240) more. And given the 'love' for those twin turbo setups on the 1M's, I don't think the single turbo is such a drawback (granted that M4 motor is a gem, but it may be a fussy and expensive one to keep in top form). And FWIW, I really don't like that new grill nearly as much as the original look - is it just me, or does it look too much like a Kia?

M235ForNow · 10-30-2018, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maynard

Key issue for that is where you drive it. On real roads around here, 'rock hard' isn't going to handle as well, b/c of the poor compliance. On track it's a gem, but for the real world I think you're going to enjoy the 228/235 (or now 230/240) more. And given the 'love' for those twin turbo setups on the 1M's, I don't think the single turbo is such a drawback (granted that M4 motor is a gem, but it may be a fussy and expensive one to keep in top form). And FWIW, I really don't like that new grill nearly as much as the original look - is it just me, or does it look too much like a Kia?

It is NOT just you. Kia should sue BMW for grill infringement!

10-28-2018, 08:43 AM	#1
NVHoo Second Lieutenant 161 Rep 282 Posts Drives: 2011 128i red convertible Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Las Vegas iTrader: (0)	Car & Driver long term report on the M2 coupe in the most recent print edition. Other than an early recall involving the drive train, their car had no issues after 40K miles. While they had nothing but praise regarding its performance (it was an automatic), they said their staff were divided into 2 equal and distinct camps on their opinion of the car: those that loved driving it and those who thought its suspension was much too punishing for a daily driver and thought the M238/240 was a better compromise between a track car and a daily car.
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10-28-2018, 10:33 AM	#2
USA-RET Captain 605 Rep 970 Posts Drives: Estoril Blue M240i Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: SW Florida iTrader: (0)	I got a kick out of their comment - If all our politicians were forced to drive M2's, all our nation's roads would be fixed by next week".
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10-28-2018, 01:23 PM	#4
XutvJet Major General 5556 Rep 5,372 Posts Drives: 2011 Cayman Base, 2016 M235 Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Kansas City iTrader: (-1)	I like seeing that the N55 loosened up a bit after it got some mileage on it. It gained 2 mph in the 1/4 mile indicating that the car gained around 20-25hp as the motor loosened up over time. All the M235 and N55 M2 mag tests in the past had been with cars with ~1,000 miles. I know for a fact that my M235 felt much slower when brand new and almost restrained. Now with nearly 30K miles, it feels much stronger in the mid range and topend. It took about 10K miles to get to that point too. __________________ The forest was shrinking, but the Trees kept voting for the Axe, for the Axe was clever and convinced the Trees that because his handle was made of wood, he was one of them.
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10-29-2018, 10:20 AM	#9
Macphisto Lieutenant 1110 Rep 402 Posts Drives: 2016 ///M2 Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (0)	FWIW – I took delivery of my manual M2 in June 2016 and just over 40K miles. The only issue was to have my rear brake shields replaced due to the 'soda can' crunch. It's my daily driver since it's my only car. I can see how they view the suspension as punishing (and my passengers are quick to point it out), but I don't mind one bit.
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10-30-2018, 05:54 AM	#13
morphomeman Major 593 Rep 1,219 Posts Drives: 2015 M235ix Join Date: May 2015 Location: United States iTrader: (1) Garage List 2016 BMW X3 [0.00] 2015 BMW M235ix [0.00]	The CD report on the M2 is consistent with pretty much all reports so far on this vehicle: the suspension is rock-hard, as it is with pretty much all "true M models." If you want rock hard, there's a pill that costs a lot less than an M car.
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10-30-2018, 10:09 AM	#14
Maynard Colonel 3848 Rep 2,873 Posts Drives: 228iX & M2C Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Upstate NY iTrader: (1)	Key issue for that is where you drive it. On real roads around here, 'rock hard' isn't going to handle as well, b/c of the poor compliance. On track it's a gem, but for the real world I think you're going to enjoy the 228/235 (or now 230/240) more. And given the 'love' for those twin turbo setups on the 1M's, I don't think the single turbo is such a drawback (granted that M4 motor is a gem, but it may be a fussy and expensive one to keep in top form). And FWIW, I really don't like that new grill nearly as much as the original look - is it just me, or does it look too much like a Kia?
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