[TMP]

I was fortunate to be able to find a few hours to go to the Welt last week before my fight back.

Overall I was pretty underwhelmed at first, but put that down to the poor light (far too moody and artistic, hence the bad pics). I really preferred the M4 next to it.







It's propositions are comic book good though, and it started to grow on me. I have now seen an LBB X5m outdoors and this M2 indoors, and it's really not for me. Looks like I am down to MG or BS.













I was then more let down by the interior, and shows the gulf between my M6 and the optional full leather interior M4 next to it. That too is part of the M experience for me. The token Alcantara and carbon inserts are the only difference from a 116d Msport..and no I am not going to count that blue stiching on the *same* M Sport Dakota seats.









Ok, the dials are different too



I then enjoyed a coffee while I did some work/calls. M2 did really grow on me and over the hour I went over several times and admired it.... what an office view !!



A day after this, all the great reviews came out, which along with seeing the car has got me more excited. But I do have doubts I can live with that interior and lack of M functionality. I hope the drive/fun makes up for it.
If I can't, I will go to the M3/M4 quickly, I have been lucky enough to have this LCI for a few days and it's far improved from the early cars (both in terms of handling, trraction and noise, that metallic race car howl is very addictive), so much so I really want one!

[-JLT-]

great post. I do agree the interior is not up to par compare to my M3 full leather interior. I'm getting the M2 mainly for the smaller size and more nimble handling. I'm not thrill with the interior but will have to live with it

[G8rGrl]

With this lighting we get to see all 999 variations of Chameleon Blue.

[metrickid]

You have been driving a LCI of what?
The M4 isn't facelifted yet if that is the car you are referring to with LCI.

[Benzima]

Thanks for your review. I must agree that the M2 is on the "minimalist" side compared to the "boat size" M6 !

[TMP]

Originally Posted by -JLT-

great post. I do agree the interior is not up to par compare to my M3 full leather interior. I'm getting the M2 mainly for the smaller size and more nimble handling. I'm not thrill with the interior but will have to live with it

Thanks, yeah hoping i can live it with too!

Originally Posted by G8rGrl

With this lighting we get to see all 999 variations of Chameleon Blue.

Good spot and yes totally agree! It also looks so much more estoril on pics, yet greener in the metal.

Originally Posted by metrickid

You have been driving a LCI of what?
The M4 isn't facelifted yet if that is the car you are referring to with LCI.

True in the purest sense, but i mean they have done loads of upgrades to the M3/M4 running gear, exhaust flaps software etc on the M3/M4.

Originally Posted by Benzima

Thanks for your review. I must agree that the M2 is on the "minimalist" side compared to the "boat size" M6 !

lol true, but even the M4 makes it look a bit too minimalist

[metrickid]

Originally Posted by TMP

True in the purest sense, but i mean they have done loads of upgrades to the M3/M4 running gear, exhaust flaps software etc on the M3/M4.

Yeah, I wasn't trying to correct you I was just trying to find out what car you had been driving and talked about. So sorry if it sounded like that.

[Juli23]

Been there a week ago and I loved how the car looks in person!! It's just amazing how wide the fenders are

[Juli23]

Just a few pics

[DrKevM5]

You're comparing the interior of a car (M6) that costs twice as much as the M2. Not sure what you expected.

[IEDEI]

the M4 looks like a overhang-heavy bloated ship. terrible...

[TMP]

Originally Posted by DrKevM5

You're comparing the interior of a car (M6) that costs twice as much as the M2. Not sure what you expected.

Yes and no. also comparing it to a 116d M Sport and an M4...

[TMP]

Originally Posted by Juli23

Just a few pics

Nice pics as well!!!

[atxsk8r]

Originally Posted by -JLT-

I'm getting the M2 mainly for the smaller size and more nimble handling.

Yes indeed

If i wanted a more pimp interior or drive a boat around, i would of got the M4.

[-JLT-]

Originally Posted by atxsk8r

Yes indeed

If i wanted a more pimp interior or drive a boat around, i would of got the M4.

I agree M2 will be more nimble than the M4 but I wouldn't call it a boat, haha

[G8rGrl]

Originally Posted by DrKevM5

You're comparing the interior of a car (M6) that costs twice as much as the M2. Not sure what you expected.

Using your logic...I think it is fair to expect the M2 to have a nicer interior than cars that cost half as much. It doesn't.

[gthal]

Originally Posted by IEDEI

the M4 looks like a overhang-heavy bloated ship. terrible...

Everyone is entitled to their opinion Some would say the 1M looks pretty nasty too with headlights from some space alien bulldog. Others strongly disagree. I guess it is all in one's preferences...

[King_Slayer]

Thanks for the pictures and thoughts. On pic #2 (side profile) we can see just how much bigger that M4 is compared to the M2......I get why people are saying it looks boaty. I mean they are both wicked cars, just some prefer that smaller look. For myself, I am driving alone 98% of the time, don't need that extra trunk/space/interior etc. Love the M2 proportions.

The interior is just fine for me (not amazing or m3/m6 comparable), don't care about side view mirrors, don't mind only 4 color options and lack of interior or other options, like the rear end, don't mind the lack of cf roof, love the rest of the car. If I could pick one thing, my ONLY gripe with the car is the cheap looking side vents, or should I call black plastic faux vents. Doesn't bother me that much as I ordered the car and probably wont think twice about it.

[ConR]

I echo the interior sentiments. It is a little bit of a let down, and more could have been done. For me, there are two main areas they could have easily improved upon:

1. Seats. Something a bit more Recaro-like would have been a good idea.
2. Instrument cluster. No oil temp, digital speedo, etc. Very easy things to have enabled. A better LCD within the instrument cluster would have been good, a la Audi style.
3. There are still hard plastics abound.

But then you throw the car through a few twisties and all is forgiven. At least the iDrive is one of the best systems out there.

[Prodigy.]

Originally Posted by ConR

I echo the interior sentiments. It is a little bit of a let down, and more could have been done. For me, there are two main areas they could have easily improved upon:

1. Seats. Something a bit more Recaro-like would have been a good idea.
2. Instrument cluster. No oil temp, digital speedo, etc. Very easy things to have enabled. A better LCD within the instrument cluster would have been good, a la Audi style.
3. There are still hard plastics abound.

But then you throw the car through a few twisties and all is forgiven. At least the iDrive is one of the best systems out there.

Definitely agree with your points, especially the seats, however seeing that the 1M is identical to my 135i inside apart from a bit of trim & stitching it didn't surprise me when there was only very minor changes compared to the 235i interior.

Is there definitely no digital speedo?

[csbear]

The GT4 has a great interior: leather on the dash, stitching and carbon fiber everywhere, etc, etc. And the carbon bucket seats available on that car blow away anything BMW can offer. Porsche lets you get leather in places that are absolutely just over-the-top through its a la carte system. You can even get leather on the door sill area where people step over (or on).

But when I saw the M2, the absence of all this "stuff" didn't bother me at all. When you are at peace with what the M2 is really about, and that is a fun, driver's car for a great price, all the frivolous interior accents are just that...

The GT350R has a bad interior compared to the M4, but I would have no problem taking that car over an M4....any day. And I really like the M4....

The M2 and the GT350/R are two of the best valued performance cars out there right now, and a big reason is that they decided to focus on what driving enthusiasts want. (Yes, BMW also wants to keep the M2 a step below the M4, and that's a part of it.)

That being said, if they did offer full leather, I wouldn't mind having it. But I am also fine without it

Regardless, OP, if you go with either the M4 or M2, it is still a win-win!

[ConR]

Originally Posted by Prodigy 72

Definitely agree with your points, especially the seats, however seeing that the 1M is identical to my 135i inside apart from a bit of trim & stitching it didn't surprise me when there was only very minor changes compared to the 235i interior.

Is there definitely no digital speedo?

Yeah no stock digital speedo, like the M3/M4 has. It can be enabled via the BMW VCDS equivalent, but it's a very small speedo that sits in the temp/range area on the display. Looks garbage! You can barely notice it.