carwow: All BMW M3 Generations DRAG RACE

[Icecream]

Everything is relative. BMW today makes a car that is much heavier and uglier.

Well looks are debatable of course (I actually like the squared off front, bulging fender thing) that aside, doug nails it at 6:35 - 7:38.
Here’s Why the New 2023 BMW M2 Is Better Than You Think - YouTube

Adjusting for inflation it costs about what an e46 M3 when new.
6spd manual, in 2023
inline 6 in a small car, in 2023
small(ish) size
high power, rwd, in 2023
No hybrid powertrain
In a world of EV's, 4.0TT's and 8spd ZF cars, we should be thrilled to see BMW doing this.

and people still bitch (not you or anyone in particular) so it's no wonder ev's are coming so fast. They literally nail it and give so much yet still can't make us happy, so why not go mainstream? It is flawed (some call that character...) but i'd sure love to have one.

[heinzboehmer]

Well looks are debatable of course (I actually like the squared off front, bulging fender thing) that aside, doug nails it at 6:35 - 7:38.
Here’s Why the New 2023 BMW M2 Is Better Than You Think - YouTube

Adjusting for inflation it costs about what an e46 M3 when new.
6spd manual, in 2023
inline 6 in a small car, in 2023
small(ish) size
high power, rwd, in 2023
No hybrid powertrain
In a world of EV's, 4.0TT's and 8spd ZF cars, we should be thrilled to see BMW doing this.

and people still bitch (not you or anyone in particular) so it's no wonder ev's are coming so fast. They literally nail it and give so much yet still can't make us happy, so why not go mainstream? It is flawed (some call that character...) but i'd sure love to have one.

It so ridiculously heavy though (and turbos, but super hard to stay away from that in a new sprts car)

Also, I know this is highly subjective and borderline pointless to mention, but I don't like the way it looks.

[Nate047]

The new M2 looks like an AI generated image where the prompt was "Like the old M2 but bad"

[lemoose]

Well looks are debatable of course (I actually like the squared off front, bulging fender thing) that aside, doug nails it at 6:35 - 7:38.
Here’s Why the New 2023 BMW M2 Is Better Than You Think - YouTube

Adjusting for inflation it costs about what an e46 M3 when new.
6spd manual, in 2023
inline 6 in a small car, in 2023
small(ish) size
high power, rwd, in 2023
No hybrid powertrain
In a world of EV's, 4.0TT's and 8spd ZF cars, we should be thrilled to see BMW doing this.

and people still bitch (not you or anyone in particular) so it's no wonder ev's are coming so fast. They literally nail it and give so much yet still can't make us happy, so why not go mainstream? It is flawed (some call that character...) but i'd sure love to have one.

because although looks are subjective, they still matter to a lot of people.

[01SG]

The new M2 is just a caricature of the old BMW. My e39 540i weighed 3800 pounds and carried it with a lot more style. This is supposed to be the smallest sports car in the lineup. At 3800 pounds. I know the e9x m3 is a thousand times more entertaining than than any m2 will ever be. Nothing important is electronic or fake in that car. The exhaust note, motor, and steering are alive and real. Everything about new cars is simulated and like a video game.

You could buy an older, slightly used V8 Vantage for less than the M2 and have enough cash to repair it for daily use. It would be lighter and drastically better in every metric except outright speed. I do not know why anyone would burn that kind of money on a modern M anymore.

[Toby22]

You could buy an older, slightly used V8 Vantage for less than the M2 and have enough cash to repair it for daily use. It would be lighter and drastically better in every metric except outright speed.I do not know why anyone would burn that kind of money on a modern M anymore.

If you had to have one car,..in 2023,…modern M’s (primarily previous gen m2) would be more ideal as a daily. I can’t imagine an old vantage being a good daily

[Icecream]

If you had to have one car,..in 2023,…modern M’s (primarily previous gen m2) would be more ideal as a daily. I can’t imagine an old vantage being a good daily

Exactly. I love the vantage and would love to add one to the collection but I dont think I need/want anymore high maintenance cars that eat up my time atm. Everytime I open the hood of the M3 I find a new piece of plastic that is cracked followed by sticker shock at the prices/unavailability of parts that it doesn't make sense to daily these older cars. Plus, no matter how you slice it, the better chassis, rigidity, comfort, performance will be undeniably be fun in the real world. It won't feel like an old NA, hydro steering car but that doesn't mean it won't be incredible. Or, maybe I'm bored and just want to try something new.
The weight of it still has me perplexed though. Almost seems like BMW sandbaged it to make it easier to come out with a csl version later.

[Obioban]

Exactly. I love the vantage and would love to add one to the collection but I dont think I need/want anymore high maintenance cars that eat up my time atm. Everytime I open the hood of the M3 I find a new piece of plastic that is cracked followed by sticker shock at the prices/unavailability of parts that it doesn't make sense to daily these older cars. Plus, no matter how you slice it, the better chassis, rigidity, comfort, performance will be undeniably be fun in the real world. It won't feel like an old NA, hydro steering car but that doesn't mean it won't be incredible. Or, maybe I'm bored and just want to try something new.
The weight of it still has me perplexed though. Almost seems like BMW sandbaged it to make it easier to come out with a csl version later.

You can pay for a LOT of overpriced plastic parts for a single car payment :P

Sounds to be like you're bored. I haven't driven any new/current BMW and come away with anything other than crushing disappointment for how it drives. Certainly not "undeniably fun".

[01SG]

The previous generation Vantage, starting in 2006, is more robust than you might think. It is all old school and relatively simple. There are some things that would be ridiculous, but mechanically it is quite sound. Remember, this one was aimed at the 911. If you cannot work on cars yourself it would be a problem. But if you can, it is not that much more complicated than the m3. Potential buyers may not like the lack of professional record though.

But you can literally buy a 50k Vantage and have the cash to spare to pull off using it often. Why would you drive a new M car in the rain and snow anyway? I see them all as nice day cars personally. It made sense when that new car had a bespoke NA racing motor, hydraulic steering, real exhaust noises etc. But now? And the early 4.3 Vantage is 3600 pounds. I just don't see the value. It is the old new v used debate, but now the new cars are just that much more uninspiring.

[liam821]

Sure is fast though...

Jackie Ding M2 G87 track review (stock)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfuNwZHHyKA