Intro — almost back with another M3

[switzerr]

Hi Folks,

a quick intro — my name is Rob and I am so very close to purchasing an E46 M3. I’ve had one previously, a stellar, high mileage 2003 that was exceptional for my needs. I sold it three years ago to purchase an LCI M2. Circumstances have allowed me an opportunity to buy in again (though the cost of entry is much higher) and I have a tentative deal for a local car. I’m pretty excited to return to the community.

I’ve tried to buy my old M3 back, twice. But obviously it has been terrific to the new owner, and he won’t budge.

My M2 and the future M3 are both six speeds.

A pleasure to to meet you all.

[sapote]

Wish you luck with the new purchase.

[r4dr]

What’s your take on the LCI M2 vs E46M?

[Inizes]

What’s your take on the LCI M2 vs E46M?

Id like to know too. The prior owner of my car only sold it to me because he was buying an m2 comp. makes me want to buy the m2 off him when he’s don’t because he took such good care of the m3.

[switzerr]

What’s your take on the LCI M2 vs E46M?

The M2 is considerably bigger — wider and taller — even though it looks “small”. As for the driving experience I’d say the handling is quite similar, though my M3 was running TCKline coilovers, and the M2 is on a stock suspension. The M2 has way more braking however.

The biggest difference is torque. On track I can be “lazy” and drive at 7/10ths and still be quick. To be as fast in my M3 required driving much closer to my limits. I certainly miss the high revving feel of the S54 . . . But the torque and power of the N55 is addictive, too.

I am not disappointed in the M2 in any way, shape, or form. I am disappointed that I had it in my head that I needed to sell the M3 to buy the M2. I should have kept both, especially since my M3 was beautifully sorted (though it was going to need the subframe done, and likely rod bearings at some point). I did manage to sell the M3 for much more than I paid for it so that was a win.

[JustAWhisper]

I recently bought a 2018 M2 and I still have my M3, so I can share my thoughts.

I expected the M2 would feel like a fat M3 (my M3 in particular is a low-weight spec with no sunroof and manual seats), but it actually feels quite a bit different. The physical size of the car, visibility, and seating position are similar, but that's about it. The turbo engine, electronic diff, and modern suspension design transform how the car behaves in actual driving, and I was quite surprised with how much I came to like the new car once I got used to it.

First off, the engine. The power is similarish, but the torque difference is very noticeable. A quick squirt of the gas pedal will result in a infinitesimal pause for turbo lag followed by huge surge. While the M3 only feels fast when you get a chance to rev things out, the M2 feels fast everywhere. What's more, if you get a chance the rev out the M2 and if the car deems you worthy, you'll get to enjoy a couple seconds of overboost (the car is a bit selective on when it decides you can have it, I haven't completely figured out the logic). When you do get overboost, you'll know it immediately because it hits like a sledgehammer and will put a huge grin on your face. Without overboost, the engine does feel a bit anemic at the top of the rev range.

The next big thing is the E-diff. The car is constantly trying to interpret what you are doing at any given moment and adjusting the diff lockup accordingly. It's a bit weird when you first start driving it, but once you get used to it you quickly realize the possibilities for controlling the car that just aren't available in the M3. It's hard to describe in words, but you can point the nose of the car mid-corner in ways that feel physics defying. It's really neat.

Finally, the overall suspension design and body rigidity provide a nice feeling of handling that I was not expecting and it masks the additional weight of the car compared to my M3. I've weighed my M3 at 3300 flat with a half tank of gas, and the M2 is supposed to be around 3450. I can't feel it all in normal driving. I haven't driven an M2C, but I suspect the reason the auto journos love it is because the even higher rigidity coming from the 3-point carbon fiber strut brace further enhance this feeling and further masks the M2C's even higher weight of ~3600. One additional thing to note is the electronic steering, though definitely not as organic feeling as the M3's, is quite serviceable. I suspect the steering has been improved over the years with software updates, so if you get a pre-LCI one, look at getting the cars software updated.

It goes without saying, but the M2's creature comforts are much improved over the M3, though with some caveats. The seats are significantly more comfortable than the manual seats in the M3 and make road trips a breeze. The rest of the interior feels nice, but not luxurious. The infotainment controls are solid and easy to use while driving, but I do encounter glitches when using Spotify on my phone pretty frequently. I have an Android phone and I'm considering switching to iPhone for Apple Carplay (plus they supposedly play a little better with iDrive anyways). Finally, the sound system is a significant downgrade over the M3's and I'm looking at aftermarket improvements. The stock speakers and DSP are awful. Overall, though, it's a nice modern interior that is comfortable and well designed.

I bought the M2 to be a new daily driver and light autocross car so I could free up the M3 to be a track car, but I was blown away with how well the M2 handles and briefly reconsidered my plans. I know we tend to view modern BMW's with a healthy dose of skepticism, but BMW hasn't forgotten how to make driver's cars. Ultimately, the M2 is too new and too nice for me to drive it hard at a race track for now, but I can actually see myself selling the M3 and making the M2 the track toy in the future. It's that good.

[liam821]

Hi Folks,

a quick intro — my name is Rob and I am so very close to purchasing an E46 M3.

Welcome, Rob! Congratulations on getting back behind the wheel of the e46. Once you get it, you should post up some M2 & M3 side-by-side pictures. Also, if you're into it, you should start a journal in the journal section.

Cheers!
Liam

[switzerr]

Welcome, Rob! Congratulations on getting back behind the wheel of the e46. Once you get it, you should post up some M2 & M3 side-by-side pictures. Also, if you're into it, you should start a journal in the journal section.

Cheers!
Liam

One of the reasons this particular M3 is appealing to me is that it is Alpine White, like my M2. A little silly, but all my other cars are white (GTI, NA MIata), too, so it fits my motif .

[poss]

I recently bought a 2018 M2 and I still have my M3, so I can share my thoughts...I can actually see myself selling the M3 and making the M2 the track toy in the future. It's that good.

There were a heap of M2's at the last BMW track event I attended. Obviously popular. Will have to give one a try.

[r4dr]

I've pushed a semi-prepped M4 on track quite a bunch, and if the M2 Comp is that package but in a smaller body, it's going to be very, very good. I know we're all stubborn and we like our 15+ year old M3s with an S54, hydraulic steering, and no "electronic crap" but there's something to be said for a car engineered within this past decade. If you want to DD and track seriously, I don't think there's a better car than the M2.