///M2 First Drive Reviews are online.....

[MexicoCityM3]

Many of them. Grab some popcorn. Copied from bimmerpost.

• Attuale - Feb 11, 2016: here (text) and here (text)
  [SIZE="1"]Bimmerpost - 2addicts forum fellow comment[/SIZE]
  
• Trackman - Feb 15, 2016: here (part I) (text) and here (part II) (text)
  [SIZE="1"]Bimmerpost - 2addicts forum fellow comment[/SIZE]
  
• BIMMERPOST - Feb 16, 2016: here (text & video - 22:32) and here (video - 22:32)
  [SIZE="1"]"BIMMERPOST BMW M2 In Depth Review From Laguna Seca"[/SIZE]
  
• Moto-Man - Feb 14, 2016: here (video - 07:00) + Feb 16, 2016: here (video - 16:00)
  [SIZE="1"]"2016 BMW M2 Tech Review" + "2016 BMW M2 First Drive Review On Laguna Seca"[/SIZE]
  
• Mashable - Feb 16, 2016: here (text & video - 01:52) and here (video - 02:02)
  [SIZE="1"]"Drivers With Trust Issues Won't Like The Formidable BMW M2 Coupe" + "2016 BMW M2 First Look | Mashable"[/SIZE]
  
• Bimmerfest - Feb 16, 2016: here (text) and here (video - 01:51)
  [SIZE="1"]"The BMW M2 Review - This Is The BMW You've Been Waiting For" + "Laguna Seca in the 2017 M2"[/SIZE]
  
• The Driver's Seat - Feb 16, 2016: here (video - 05:04)
  [SIZE="1"]"2016 BMW M2 First Drive & Review At Laguna Seca"[/SIZE]
  
• BimmerFile - Feb 16, 2016: here (text)
  [SIZE="1"]"BimmerFile Review: The 2016 BMW M2"[/SIZE]
  
• BMWBlog - Feb 16, 2016: here (text)
  [SIZE="1"]"First Drive: 2016 BMW M2"[/SIZE]
  
• Top Gear - Feb 16, 2016: here (text)
  [SIZE="1"]"First Drive: The New BMW M2"[/SIZE]
  
• EVO - Feb 16, 2016: here (text)
  [SIZE="1"]"BMW M2 Review - Is The New Baby M-Car A Return To Form For The M Division?"[/SIZE]
  
• Motor Authority - Feb 16, 2016: here (text)
  [SIZE="1"]"2016 BMW M2 First Drive"[/SIZE]
  
• Car and Driver - Feb 16, 2016: here (text)
  [SIZE="1"]"2016 BMW M2 - The Follow-Up To The 1-Series M Finally Is Here."[/SIZE]
  
• Roundel - Feb 16, 2016: here (text)
  [SIZE="1"]"The M2 Is Exactly The Drivin' Fool You Hoped It Would Be"[/SIZE]
  
• Autoweek - Feb 16, 2016: here (text)
  [SIZE="1"]"2016 BMW M2 First Drive: All Is Right With The World"[/SIZE]
  
• PCWorld - Feb 16, 2016: here (text)
  [SIZE="1"]"BMW M2 First Drive: Exhilarating, Tossable, And Thoroughly Driver-Full"[/SIZE]
  
• Autocar - Feb 16, 2016: here (text)
  [SIZE="1"]"2016 BMW M2 Review"[/SIZE]
  
• Autoblog - Feb 16, 2016: here (text)
  [SIZE="1"]"2016 BMW M2 First Drive - It's The M We Want At A Size We Can Live With."[/SIZE]
  
• Auto Express - Feb 16, 2016: here (text) (partially)
  [SIZE="1"]"BMW M2 Coupe 2016 Review"[/SIZE]
  
• Roadshow - Feb 16, 2016: here (text)
  [SIZE="1"]"BMW M2 Is A Track-Ready Daily Driver"[/SIZE]
  
• Autofocus - Feb 16, 2016: here (text)
  [SIZE="1"]"2016 BMW M2: The Track Car That Doubles As A Daily Driver"[/SIZE]
  
• Driving - Feb 16, 2016: here (text)
  [SIZE="1"]"First Drive: 2016 BMW M2 - BMW's Lean, Mean Track Machine Carves Up The Road With Scalpel-Like Precision"[/SIZE]
  
• The Drive - Feb 16, 2016: here (text)
  [SIZE="1"]"The BMW M2 Will Save Us All - Cheap. Fast. Fun. If You've Been Waiting For A True Heir To The 2002ti's Throne, It's Here."[/SIZE]
  
• Carbuyer - Feb 16, 2016: here (text)
  [SIZE="1"]"Review - BMW M2 Coupe"[/SIZE]
  
• Autotrader - Feb 16, 2016: here (text)
  [SIZE="1"]"2016 BMW M2 By The Numbers"[/SIZE]
  
• Car Enthusiast - Feb 16, 2016: here (text)
  [SIZE="1"]"First Drive: BMW M2 Coupé - Is The New BMW M2 The Best Car M Makes? We Think So"[/SIZE]
  
• CAR Magazine - Feb 16, 2016: here (text) (requires login)
  [SIZE="1"]"Up There With The Best Of M: 2016 BMW M2 Review"[/SIZE]
  
• Le Guide de l'Auto - Feb 16, 2016: here (text) (French)
  [SIZE="1"]"Exclusif: BMW M2 2016 - L'âme de BMW"[/SIZE]
  
• Auto Motor und Sport - Feb 17, 2016: here (text) (German)
  [SIZE="1"]"Neuer BMW M2 (2016) im Fahrbericht - Würdiger Nachfolger für 1er M Coupé?"[/SIZE]
  
• AutoBild - Feb 17, 2016: here (text) (German)
  [SIZE="1"]"Das M-Konzentrat"[/SIZE]
  
• Die Welt - Feb 17, 2016: here (text) (German)
  [SIZE="1"]"Fahrbericht: BMW M2 Coupé"[/SIZE]
  
• Auto Zeitung - Feb 17, 2016: here (text) (German)
  [SIZE="1"]"Neuer BMW M2: Erste Fahrt - BMW M2 bringt den Spaß zurück"[/SIZE]
  
• Motor Talk - Feb 17, 2016: here (text) (German)
  [SIZE="1"]"Fahrbericht: BMW M2 - Verdammt, ist der geil"[/SIZE]
  
• Motor Zeitung - Feb 17, 2016: here (text) (German)
  [SIZE="1"]"Test: BMW M2 Coupé - Nur zum Spaß"[/SIZE]
  
• Focus - Feb 17, 2016: here (text) (German)
  [SIZE="1"]"Fahrbericht BMW M2 Coupé - Alle Macht den Drogen! Grenzerfahrung mit dem BMW M2"[/SIZE]
  
• Auto News - Feb 16, 2016: here (text) (German)
  [SIZE="1"]"Neuer BMW M2 im ersten Test - (M)ehr Talent als alle anderen"[/SIZE]
  
• Auto-Medienportal - Feb 17, 2016: here (text) (German)
  [SIZE="1"]"Pressepräsentation BMW M2 Coupé: Einsteiger-Kraftwerk"[/SIZE]
  
• Auto Revue - Feb 17, 2016: here (text) (Austrian)
  [SIZE="1"]"Fahrbericht: BMW M2, kleiner Bruder ganz groß?"[/SIZE]
  
• [COLOR="Silver"]RESERVED[/COLOR]

For the record: for a compilation of M2 test mule videos (driven by BMW in 2014 and 2015), see this thread.

I think it's a good option for the price, but having the 1M I don't have an urge to get it.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

I've only read the C&D review. They don't seem too excited about it. I'll check out some of the other articles.

[SVT666]

Leftlanenews:


To be a proper sport sedan (a coupe, in this case, but allow us some leeway), a candidate must be equally at home in its more mundane role as a commuter car as it is setting fast laps. BMW gave us the opportunity to do both, allowing us free reign of California's Monterey Peninsula as well as its iconic motorsports venue -- Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

There was a catch, however. While we had access to both six-speed and M-DCT models, their purposes were segregated. The M-DCT was relegated to track duty, and the six-speed kept on the street. Ostensibly, this gives each the chance to shine in its appropriate environment. Frankly, we'd have liked to give both equal time in both settings, but beggars can't be choosers.

By virtue of the event schedule, we first jumped into the M2 in the pit lane at Laguna Seca. After some voluntary recon laps with an instructor, we were set loose behind professional drivers in a lead-follow setup. After a few warm-up laps, our professional guide started to put the pedals down and encourage us to extract all we could from the baby M car.

In hindsight, we'd have done this the other way around and gotten some acclimation time with the M2 on the street to build up familiarity and trust in the machine before hammering it around a world-class race course. As it was, we found the M2 a little tough to read. While it behaved predictably for its size and weight, we couldn't get an accurate feel for the front end. The lack of granularity in the EPS system's feedback was to blame.

We could place the car accurately enough. From the top of the hill before the corkscrew to the left-hander before the front straight was surprisingly easy to execute with precision, but determining the amount of available traction up front going into and out of the faster sections of the track was not so easy. At an unforgiving venue like Laguna Seca, that's mildly disconcerting.

If we'd had the opportunity to feel the car out a bit more on the road before taking to the track, our confidence and comfort level likely would have allowed us to push harder with more confidence early on. Instead, it wasn't until the last couple of laps that we started to trust the front end to be there when we needed it. By then, there was little time to poke and prod at the car's ultimate limits. There's no doubt in our minds that the M2 is an incredibly capable and worthy track partner, but we were never quite able to make it click.

That left us with the street drive portion. Heavier on scenic views than twist and turns, the route took us from Laguna Seca out to Big Sur and back. For us, it functioned as a cool-down session after the hectic environment that was the track test, and with the adrenaline out of our veins and the roads clear of traffic, we were able to settle into the groove that we never found on-track.

What we discovered was strange. Perhaps the cars we had on the course were a little heat-soaked and tired from hours of lapping, or maybe the tuning for the different transmissions just alters the M2's feel more than we'd expect, but driving the big-engined Bimmer on the streets just worked. The engagement of driving a six-speed alone can't explain this, especially since you can only disable its automatic rev-matching software by fully disabling the traction control, but we'd be lying if we said it wasn't a contributor. The acceleration in each gear felt punchier. The steering felt more alive. The car seemed happier than its track-bound brethren.

This isn't a bad thing. Like any car built with more than one mission in mind, the M2 has inherent compromises. It has electric power steering because that contributes to improved fuel economy, but at the expense of steering feel. It has Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires and track-ready brake pads because they allow the M2 to shine on a track, but at the expense of all-weather traction, shiny wheels and, ultimately, the owner's bank account.

Even the ultimate driving machine is ultimately a street-driven one, and as such the compromises should err in that direction. Are we in love with the steering? No, we're not. Are we thrilled with the artificial flavor in the exhaust note? Again, no. But as a package, the M2 works, and without the nickle-and-dime build sheet experience that some other manufacturers put you through.


And their conclusion:

The 2016 BMW M2 is a worthy addition to the M-car lineup, boasting impressive on- and off-track capability. BMW rarely puts a foot wrong when it comes to its high-performance offerings. The M2 is no exception.

[MexicoCityM3]

I've only read the C&D review. They don't seem too excited about it. I'll check out some of the other articles.

C&D has been on the "steering feel" warpath about BMWs for a long time know. I find it boring. I've driven the new M3/M4 on track and the steering was perfectly good at near, at and over the limit. Frankly, I don't get all the bitchin.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

M2, which one is that?

Isn't the 2 series the wagon version of the 3?

[68_427]

MotorTrend lapped it around streets of willow faster than an M4

[12,000 RPM]

I wonder if weather played a part in that. I believe it though. Sounds like the M3/M4 have too much torque for the chassis to deploy effectively.

[68_427]

I wonder if weather played a part in that. I believe it though. Sounds like the M3/M4 have too much torque for the chassis to deploy effectively.

Looks like it was the same day.  They basically said the M2 marks the return of the ultimate driving machine

[12,000 RPM]

I hope they dont bitch out and limit production like they did with the 1M, daddy needs (but used)

[Payman]

I hope they dont bitch out and limit production like they did with the 1M, daddy needs (but used)

The M2, M235i Cabrio, and the Fiat/Abarth Spider are the only new cars that have my attention right now.

Here's the $64,000 (give or take a few thou) question... Shelby GT350, Camaro ZL1, or M2? This would be a good poll. M2 all the way for me.

[12,000 RPM]

I respect what Ford and GM have done but I just can't shake my disappointment with the complete disregard for space efficiency or weight reduction. M2 is ~400lb lighter and about as fast as you want for a street car. GT350 has the best engine of the bunch by far but that's just not enough for me. M2 all the way.

[SVT666]

GT350 by a huge margin. It's very rare that you see the road testers giggle like little school girls when testing a car, but that's what you see in almost all the videos on YouTube. Hell, even Randy Pobst is laughing while behind the wheel. THAT is the reaction I want to have every time I drive my car.

[SVT666]

Watch from 5:40 to 7:27 and then again from 16:40

http://youtu.be/vtdtGgf1BF0

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

[MexicoCityM3]

Yeah baby!

///M2 at our monthly club dinner....

[MexicoCityM3]

Dash

[CALL_911]

What'd you think?

[MexicoCityM3]

What'd you think?

We are not driving it. This car specifically has the optional M Performance exhaust and a few aesthetic tidbits.

I loved the design inside and out. The exhaust sounds fantastic.

A photo of great grandpa....

[CALL_911]

Still looks great. Is that a 500E next to it?

[68_427]

We are not driving it.

This is the first drives thread 

[MexicoCityM3]

This is the first drives thread 

Oops.

[MexicoCityM3]

Still looks great. Is that a 500E next to it?

Yep. Very nice one too.

[MexicoCityM3]

The M2 is a BMW Mexico press car. One of only 2 here so far.

[MexicoCityM3]

Today we got BMW to bring the M2 to a club track day. I drove my 1M, an M4 and the M2 back to back on track.

I will post detailed impressions later but let's say I am holding on to the 1M.

Very nice sightings today including F488, McLaren 650s & 570s, 'Stang GT350 and the new "little turbo" Carrera S.

Got a ride in the 650s too. Wow.

[12,000 RPM]

I will post detailed impressions later but let's say I am holding on to the 1M.

Looking forward to your impressions. This should be interesting. I am feeling like it is kind of a repeat of the E36 M3. An excellent car in its own right and worth every penny but not quite with the great ///Ms

[Cookie Monster]

Looking forward to your impressions. This should be interesting. I am feeling like it is kind of a repeat of the E36 M3. An excellent car in its own right and worth every penny but not quite with the great ///Ms

Maybe he was tired of staring at the A-pillar the whole time.

[MexicoCityM3]

Ok, so here goes while my memory is still fresh.

I drove the cars at the start of the day. I hadn't been to the track in a few months so I was feeling a little out of touch. This happens, it usually takes me a while to become confident and "in the zone" so to speak again. I usually drive much better in the afternoon than in the first sessions so factor that into my impressions.

I drove the M4 first. This is a friend's M4 that has the DCT tranny and a sunroof. It was the car I liked the least of the 3 on track. I had previously driven both the M3 and the M4 at another, shorter track and loved them back then. Those had the CF roof but I really can't believe that makes such a large difference. I am 99% sure I had the car setup right with dampers and throttle at their "trackiest" sport+ setting and the steering in comfort. It felt really large and heavy on the corners, quite unwieldy in turns with a lot of body roll that I didn't love compared with the other two. The brakes also lost stopping power after 3-4 laps and I had to start backing off a bit (this car had steel brakes). This last bit is sorta normal for stock ///M cars in my experience. I did about 6-7 laps and my overall impression was that it wasn't that at home on track. It surprised me because I had great memories of my previous drive on track. Also, two weeks ago I drove a DCT M3 on mountain roads and loved it. So, a bit weird. This car's tires where somewhat worn as were the brakes. Maybe that + the sunroof changed the character or maybe I was just not drivin' good on my first session out. Still, weird because I expected to love it but didn't. The one thing I loved was the powertrain. The car accelerates quite noticeably harder than both the M2 and the 1M. It also has the better gearbox compared to the M2 specially - more on this later.

Next (and later in the afternoon) came my own 1M. My car is stock except for rims, tires, pads and fluid. I have it on 18 inch, lighter than stock wheels with Dunlop Direzza ZIIs that have been fantastic. They are quite worn by now with just a day or two left on them. Fronts are 265/35 and rears are 275/35. The tires do help a lot with the handling IMO so take that into account. My car definitely felt both a lot slower in acceleration and a lot nimbler in turns than the M4. Part of that is of course my familiarity with it - but I definitely preferred the 1M that day on that track. It is simply much more fun to drive. I am sure it is also slower by some margin but I couldn't care less.

Finally, the car I had been lusting to test: the M2. It really is like the 1M turned up to 11 in speed but not without a few drawbacks. This car had new tires and brakes, basically just out of its break-in service. It was a DCT which after driving it, I'd never get over the manual. Turn in felt a bit better than the 1M, with a bit less understeer and a bit more balance. The steering feel is fine IMO, maybe not as tactile as the 1M but still fine. No complaints there. The driving position is also fine, you wouldn't notice the "twisted" seat if you weren't told about it. A non-issue. The power is noticeably higher than in the 1M, but I'd say slightly. The difference is more noticeable between the M2 and M4 than between the M2 and the 1M. So yeah, it is a true successor to the 1M. On to the main drawbacks. I hated that you can't configure the DCT shift speed separately from other stuff when you put the car in Sport+ which I did. The shifts get a huge jerk between gears, I guess in an attempt to make them "sporty". That absolutely sucked. In the M4 you can do that and in the 1M, being a manual not a problem and also more fun. So, my main tip here is: do get the manual. This car had the optional M Performance exhaust as well. It's worth it IMO. The sound is leaps and bounds better than my stock 1M that is quiet as well. In fact, I prefer the sound of both the M4 and M2 over the 1M, with the M2 having the best sound of the 3.

At the end of the day, and after a lot of lapping in the 1M where, as I always do, re-bonded with the car, I just love the thing and am probably holding on to it forever. It is super fun at the track. I wanted to love the M2 enough to get that "I must have it" feeling. I didn't. It's a fantastic car and I think a better choice than an M4 for driving pleasure but very, very slightly incremental over the 1M at most.

[Payman]

I hope you can revisit your M2 experience with a proper manual. Sounds like a great car ruined (as usual) by a DCT.

[12,000 RPM]

Nice, thank you. I hope you get to drive the M2 with a stickshift. Though it would need lighter wheels/tires to be a true comparison. That rolling mass makes a huge difference.

Sounds like the DCT can be quasi fixed with a software change. They really need to stop bundling modes (or having modes at all IMO). I think Ferrari had a similar issue and they got the picture eventually.

[MexicoCityM3]

Nice, thank you. I hope you get to drive the M2 with a stickshift. Though it would need lighter wheels/tires to be a true comparison. That rolling mass makes a huge difference.

Sounds like the DCT can be quasi fixed with a software change. They really need to stop bundling modes (or having modes at all IMO). I think Ferrari had a similar issue and they got the picture eventually.

Tires and wheels definitely make a big difference on track and somewhat invalidate the comparo. The bang in' DCT shifts are definitely a software issue which is infuriating because it'd be super easy to fix.

I hope you can revisit your M2 experience with a proper manual. Sounds like a great car ruined (as usual) by a DCT.

Yeah it is.

[ifcar]

Better than the M4 yet not much better than the 1M seems to be the conclusion I've been reading as well. However, unlike you, most people aren't able choose the 1M -- so holding onto yours definitely sounds like a good call.