[BallHog5873]

Im interested in hearing from people who went from an M240 to the base M2.
An M2 competition is too expensive right now and I know that's a whole other beast so I'm referencing only base M2 for now.
Was it worth it? Is the M2 really that much more enjoyable? Do you miss the tamer M240 as a daily? Do you like the N55 as much as the B58 or better? Do you feel like you traded up to almost the same car with a higher monthly payment and now regretting it 3 months later?

Coming from someone who would daily the M2 in heavy city traffic Mon-Fri, and take it on canyon runs on the weekends. Maybe 1 track day a year.

Thanks!

[babaikram]

Originally Posted by BallHog5873

Im interested in hearing from people who went from an M240 to the base M2.
An M2 competition is too expensive right now and I know that's a whole other beast so I'm referencing only base M2 for now.
Was it worth it? Is the M2 really that much more enjoyable? Do you miss the tamer M240 as a daily? Do you like the N55 as much as the B58 or better? Do you feel like you traded up to almost the same car with a higher monthly payment and now regretting it 3 months later?

Coming from someone who would daily the M2 in heavy city traffic Mon-Fri, and take it on canyon runs on the weekends. Maybe 1 track day a year.

Thanks!

I am waiting for these opinions as well

[ArcticFormula]

If I wanted to really, really, get an M2, I could have. It would not have been a really big deal. The reason I special ordered a M240i with X-Drive here in SoCal is that I wanted maximum road adhersion with the summer tires. So the M2 looks brilliant, it is a beautiful car outside, and few other parts as well command the price, but the car to have, the best of breed if you will is the four wheel drive 240ix. <grin>

[XutvJet]

Xdrive is not better handling than an M2 or even a RWD M240. Promise.

[ArcticFormula]

I respectfully disagree. There is no way any 2019 M2, is going to beat me around a turn from a dead stop with my German all wheel drive technology spinning all four wheels. There are some narrow circumstances where all wheel rules, like from a dead stop turning. And outside of a racetrack, all wheel drive is a plus even given the extra weight, well at least in my opinion. It can get you out of shit, and allow one to take chances they might not otherwise try.

[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by ArcticFormula

I respectfully disagree. There is no way any 2019 M2, is going to beat me around a turn from a dead stop with my German all wheel drive technology spinning all four wheels. There are some narrow circumstances where all wheel rules, like from a dead stop turning. And outside of a racetrack, all wheel drive is a plus even given the extra weight, well at least in my opinion. It can get you out of shit, and allow one to take chances they might not otherwise try.

Xdrive will create more understeer in a turn due to the additional 120lbs in the front half of the car. There may be a few slow tight turns where xdrive will help you and from a dead stop, but in every other situation, the RWD cars on the same tires will walk away from you. Not only is xdrive heavier, but much of that weight is rotating as well. That sucks out power, especially above 70mph. It's why the xdrive cars make less power to the wheels and are 2mph slower in the 1/4 mile.

If AWD was the answer to handling, a majority of the sports cars would run it. Lastly, BMW's xdrive is not the best. It's quite basic compared to other offerings. You're right though, in most driver's hands, AWD is better as it helps keep them out of trouble.

[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by BallHog5873

Im interested in hearing from people who went from an M240 to the base M2.
An M2 competition is too expensive right now and I know that's a whole other beast so I'm referencing only base M2 for now.
Was it worth it? Is the M2 really that much more enjoyable? Do you miss the tamer M240 as a daily? Do you like the N55 as much as the B58 or better? Do you feel like you traded up to almost the same car with a higher monthly payment and now regretting it 3 months later?

Coming from someone who would daily the M2 in heavy city traffic Mon-Fri, and take it on canyon runs on the weekends. Maybe 1 track day a year.

Thanks!

I'd say do it. You live in LA where the roads aren't terrible, condition wise, and you have access to some of the best driving roads in the nation. The M240 RWD is a solid handler in stock form and can be made to handle quite well with an LSD and a square 245 setup (those 225s up front aren't enough), but the M2 has all the right parts including a passive suspension which is shared with the M3/M4, wider wheels and tires, wider track, and chassis enhancements. Plus the N55 in the M2 is a gem. The B58 is awesome, but the N55 has a more natural feel and sound. It doesn't manage high intake temps and heat soak as well as the B58 though.

[ArcticFormula]

I do like the 'keep them out of trouble' aspect of all wheel drive. Read your post several times and it seems like you are really into this, so I recognize your point and realize that you're probably correct. There is Weight. The only other thing I might mention is that, of course, and it's a crappy to point out, but, the four wheels spinning in the rain. Take most everything there is in a RWD platform. Just toast.

[snaketh]

Originally Posted by ArcticFormula

I respectfully disagree. There is no way any 2019 M2, is going to beat me around a turn from a dead stop with my German all wheel drive technology spinning all four wheels. There are some narrow circumstances where all wheel rules, like from a dead stop turning. And outside of a racetrack, all wheel drive is a plus even given the extra weight, well at least in my opinion. It can get you out of shit, and allow one to take chances they might not otherwise try.

It's a misconception that AWD corners better. Rally drivers like it because it helps them put the power down on loose gravel. I'm in LA and think it's the perfect place for RWD, on the mountain roads it's really fun. If I was on the east coast I'd be xDrive maybe. Also you're not gonna be spinning all 4 wheels. VS an M2 which has a LSD.

To OP: I toyed with the M2 and test drove it so I can't comment on a lot of your questions other than it's a much harsher ride. For a daily it's too much for me. If I were you I'd consider a little tune and save the $$$. My next jump might be a P car, it will feel less of a sideways move.

[baege]

I went from a 2016 cayman s to an m240i
I strongly considered the m2 as I love its aggressive looks and it sounds great

I test drove 2 m2s and 1 m240i and ended up with the m240i xdrive

I preferred the abundant low end torque of the b58 and it felt less like a turbo than the n55
I preferred the more compliant active suspension of the m240i
the xdrive worked well for me in the great white north

nonetheless
I still get m2 envy everytime I see one

best with the decision

[amancuso]

I love the 2 series, and knew I wanted one. Test drove 230i Msport, M240i and then the M2. They are all great, but the one that ticked the boxes for me was the M2.

[BallHog5873]

Originally Posted by baege

I went from a 2016 cayman s to an m240i
I strongly considered the m2 as I love its aggressive looks and it sounds great

I test drove 2 m2s and 1 m240i and ended up with the m240i xdrive

I preferred the abundant low end torque of the b58 and it felt less like a turbo than the n55
I preferred the more compliant active suspension of the m240i
the xdrive worked well for me in the great white north

nonetheless
I still get m2 envy everytime I see one

best with the decision

Thanks!

[keylime503]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

I'd say do it. You live in LA where the roads aren't terrible, condition wise, and you have access to some of the best driving roads in the nation. The M240 RWD is a solid handler in stock form and can be made to handle quite well with an LSD and a square 245 setup (those 225s up front aren't enough), but the M2 has all the right parts including a passive suspension which is shared with the M3/M4, wider wheels and tires, wider track, and chassis enhancements. Plus the N55 in the M2 is a gem. The B58 is awesome, but the N55 has a more natural feel and sound. It doesn't manage high intake temps and heat soak as well as the B58 though.

Can you put 245s on the stock front wheels without making any other changes (spacers, offsets, etc.)?

[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by keylime503

Can you put 245s on the stock front wheels without making any other changes (spacers, offsets, etc.)?

Unfortunately not. You have to source different wheels. I'm running 18X8 et43 Alutec Drive wheels from the Tirerack. They fit 245/35s up front with no need for spacers unlike most every other wheel available for the non-M2 2 series cars.