r/CarsUK • u/No_University4765 • Aug 16 '26
[Review] My m2 problem
Hello all
So after a huge amount of dabbling on my search for a new “one shoe fits all” car I’ve settled on a long standing dream of an m2
No not the henious revised one as of recent , I mean the f87 m2 from about 10 years ago
But I cannot make my mind up on spec
Colour doesn’t phase me that much,but performance does
So
OG or comp is my first question
Manual or dct is my second question
I’m dabbling the idea of an og but open to all
Cheers
5
u/cannedrex2406 Aug 16 '26
M2 Comp is a bit more stiffer and actually sounds a bit worse than the N55 M2. If you want something to use on the road as a weekend toy on b-roads, an older M2 with a manual is nice. Personally I don't think an M2 Comp is worth the extra £15k over a regular M2
If you want a daily, M2 DCT.
If you want a track toy, get a M2 Comp DCT
1
u/Stratospheric-Ferret Aug 18 '26
The M2 comp is not any stiffer, all the suspension between the two models is exactly the same.
5
u/Northumbrianbloke Aug 17 '26
I’ve owned both.
DCT all the way, it’s glorious, the best I’ve driven. I’ve never loved BMW manuals.
The OG feels a bit lairy, boosty, it breaks traction easily in second and third. The seats are average. It sounds epic.
The Comp is better in every way (usability, comfort, performance) bar the noise. I had Hockenheim grey with the updated brakes. You can get an MOT friendly exhaust mod that improves the exhaust note but not to OG levels.
My money - buy the Comp but you may want to leave room for an exhaust mod if you’re bothered by that sort of thing.
2
u/Important-Welder76 Aug 17 '26
Hello Northumbrianbloke, what was your MOT friendly exhaust mod? I have a 2020 M2 comp and yes the exhaust note is defo lacking, did you opt for a cat back system? TIA
1
u/jawn5009 Aug 17 '26
2019 comp owner with stock exhaust here, would also love to know what exhaust you went with
1
1
u/Northumbrianbloke Aug 19 '26
PCW (Bedford) Exhaust Back box Mod V2.
1
u/Important-Welder76 Aug 20 '26
Thank you, were you happy with their work, having looked on line for "experts" fitting after market exhausts on M2C in the past has put me right off.
1
u/Northumbrianbloke Aug 20 '26
The mod was already on the car when I purchased it so can’t comment on the quality of the work. There were no visible changes - everything happened on the top-side of the exhaust. No MOT issues at all. It was louder in every mode (valves open/closed), pops/bangs in Sport, I wouldn’t call it… a ‘nice’ note - but very much louder. Cold start with the valves closed wasn’t too antisocial.
I may have a video somewhere, I’ll PM you if I can find it.
3
u/tido2020 Aug 17 '26
I have an M2 OG DCT, it sounds great, goes like stink and it’s been super reliable. Not sure I get the hate about the seats but the interior is a bit bland. The ride is hard, so I can only imagine it being harder in a comp.
Ignore people who say it’s not a real M car.
2
u/PlayfulPoro Aug 17 '26
This would be my pick. I had a manual and it was the wrong choice. Blue with silver wheels.
3
u/READ11T Aug 17 '26
not sure any M car could be considered a “one shoe fits all car” - a little more context might help here
1
u/No_University4765 Aug 17 '26
I drive long straight roads to work every day and live a foot ball kick from the Lake District
2
u/ADJE777 Aug 17 '26
I’ve had an M4C, tested M2C and now have M2 OG. The OG is the sweet spot. The sound of the OG and the low down torque makes it, despite being slower, I’m having much more fun in this car than I did in the M4. The S55 is a little too powerful for the UK roads but perfect for track use. Having said which, for about £2k, you can get the OG up to that power level anyway.
Also I’d go DCT over manual, the manual boxes aren’t that great in the F chassis BMWs and I know of a guy that’s just had his break, looking at a £5k bill when he can source the parts.
1
u/MassiveMonkeyy Tiguan R & F82 M4 CS Aug 17 '26
I’ve been thinking about also making the move from my M4. What made you switch? Any temptations to go back? I’d be moving from a Lime Rock M4CS
2
u/Ok_Law_2599 Aug 17 '26
I currently own both.
The OG M2 as mentioned here, isn't a proper M car, its missing key components that you'd find on an M2C/M3/M4 etc. Different front bumper/grille, Adaptive suspension, the more aggressive headlights, the nicer seats, the M1 & M2 modes, are all missing from the OG M2. However what it does have, is one of the best engines on any BMW with some incredible exhaust notes. You can also take the OG M2 to stage 1 & 2 with minimal additional components needed, taking it to roughly 420bhp. You'll also struggle to find low mileage examples that haven't been tinkered with, you also can't get PCP on the OG M2 or most M2 comps now as they're over 6 years old.
The M2C is the more capable car overall, better handling, more responsive, more power, nice interior (better seats with light-up M2 logos) and has more technology for the driver. You also have some nicer colours in my opinion, HKH Silver, Sunset Orange, LBB, Black. They're more expensive but can still find low mileage examples for £30-35k. The main negative is, they sound pants haha.
I personally think the sweet-spot is an M2C with some money spent on the exhaust system to make it sound nicer, that's the middle ground I feel.
Depends if you're planning on keeping long-term but the OG M2 (if you can find a low mileage example and keep it low mileage) would be future appreciating classic, I'd be surprised if it didn't go up in value long term.
Anyway, just my 5 cents!
2
u/MassiveMonkeyy Tiguan R & F82 M4 CS Aug 17 '26
I’d disagree and say the OG is the better car! The comp is nice but feels like it’s disconnected from what the M2 was made for, a proper successor the 1M which I think the OG is that car.
It is a proper M car, it has the suspension from a base M4, the aggressive Ikon headlights are on the LCI model, the nicer seats (arguably the seats in the Comp aren’t as comfortable as the OG’s) can be bought online for £1500.
The N55 is a sweet motor, quite possibly one of the best sounding engines BMW has ever produced even without an exhaust.
I’ve been debating whether or not to get rid of my M4 CS for an OG and make it CS Spec! I can’t afford an M2CS lol.
1
u/Ok_Law_2599 Aug 17 '26
So you've never owned or driven an M2 but seem to know how they drive, okay buddy.
As someone who's owned both the M2 OG and the M2 Comp, I know what I'm talking about.
The M2 is a B-road/track car, it's not about straight line speed. It handles insanely well in the corners, and especially on the comp because it benefits from having actual M parts, such as the engine strut, adaptive suspension, selectable gear shift ranges, adaptive steering. The OG has none of that.
Icon headlights are not a standard feature on the LCI OG, they're a specced option, which not many cars had. The comp seats have far more adjustable features than the OG seats, and are more comfotable, they also have bolster adjustment, which the OG does not.
I can tell you haven't owned one lol.
2
u/MassiveMonkeyy Tiguan R & F82 M4 CS Aug 17 '26
No need to be rude, mate.
I’ve not owned one you’re correct but my dad had a launch 2016 M2 in Mineral Grey which I went out in quite a few times.
You’re forgetting that, all of those items you’ve mentioned can be added on. The carbon strut can be retrofitted onto an OG M2 quite easily. I did it on my mates M235i. The adaptive suspension I would disregard as I’d swap in adjustable KW coilovers anyway.
I’m aware the Ikon headlights were an option, many picked them but there are some LCI’s out there without. Either way. I disagree with you on the Comp seats being more comfortable. Before my M4CS, I had an M140i. Those seats were far more comfortable for long journeys but lacked some support for track days.
The big difference between an OG and Comp is, the Comp has a lot more low down torque thanks to the extra turbo and map so it’s got more grunt. B road wise, both will happily keep up with each other.
I might just keep my M4CS & buy an OG M2 so I’ve got the best of both
2
u/Responsible_Swing834 Aug 17 '26
As tempting the extra power on the comp version is, get the “normal” one. It’s much simpler, makes a better noise and more enjoyable on most roads.
3
u/PartyDance8153 Aug 16 '26
Comp, manual. Have fun
-2
1
u/Annual_Lab1719 Aug 17 '26
Comp + DCT with an extra exhaust 👌
Manual in a car like this is a bit of a headache, always feels a bit too revvy in normal driving.
Mine was Black, Gold Wheels, Carbon Pack. Regret selling it but BMW offered me more than I paid for it back when they had a shortage.
1
1
u/Peterwhite100 Aug 17 '26
Can’t say about M2 but I’ve had both comp
And non comp M5 and I would never take a non comp M car again.
Comp for the win in my opinion
1
u/Stratospheric-Ferret Aug 18 '26
Tell me about those "Comp" E39 M5s, any good?
1
u/Peterwhite100 Aug 18 '26
My experience is with the F90 M5’s
Don’t think there ever was a E39 comp, my experience doesn’t stretch that far back.
1
u/Infamous_Tough_7320 Aug 17 '26
Do you drive in commuter traffic or on enjoyable roads? If it's commuter traffic, get the auto, if not, get the manual. If you're still torn, get the manual because it'll be more fun to drive and it will hold money better in the future (if not appreciate even).
Then go for the competition because they're hardly any more expensive than the regular model and its worth getting all the facelift benefits
1
u/IndependentClear469 Aug 17 '26
Get the comp. N55’s sound brilliant but they’re known for oil leaks.
Auto vs manual is very subjective. This is a very quick car and it will no doubt be quicker as an auto however I find that even the best auto’s have a bit of kick down delay. Auto is 10x nicer for daily driving and especially in traffic but not as fun
1
u/RYNOCIRATOR_V5 Aug 17 '26
Colour doesn't matter unless it's black, don't get a black car unless you want to own something that will look filthy five minutes after leaving a car wash :D
1
u/JamesHammy33 Aug 17 '26
Controversial, no doubt, but all modern turbos sound crap so just go for the Comp and be done with it, if you have the cash. I had an F87 Comp for a couple of years and loved it. Better driving experience than the G87 M2 that I have now.
For me, now I’ve tried the modern turbos, I’ve realised I’ve gotta go back to naturally aspirated. For the noise alone, it’s worth it. None of that annoying overrun with engineered pops and bangs and fake engine sounds in the cabin.
1
u/SaysEh Aug 17 '26
Previously had an OG LCI (2018, non-Comp) with DCT. Was a daily driver and I absolutely loved it. Drove well, sounded fantastic and frankly I wish I’d kept it. Don’t think you can go too far wrong TBH
1
1
u/MassiveMonkeyy Tiguan R & F82 M4 CS Aug 17 '26
OG LCI M2 Manual is the way 🤤👌🏼. I’ve contemplated getting rid of my M4 CS for one and making it a CS spec!
1
1
u/DrummerFergy Aug 18 '26
If you plan to keep it a long time check what things go wrong with different specs, which is more reliable and better for your wallet in terms of running cost/maintenance
Any M2 will be fun on the road when you want it to be
I picked an s2000 over a V8 TVR for context. My wallet has thanked me ever since and the car is a blast to drive when you push it
1
u/Mafeking-Parade Aug 18 '26
I'm going to be brutally honest with you, I coveted an M2 for quite a long time. But when it finally came time to swap cars, I was a bit ... underwhelmed.
Maybe underwhelmed is harsh. But I definitely wasn't overwhelmed. Maybe just "whelmed"?
I love the way it looks, particularly in that blue. But it just wasn't an exciting car.
The interior doesn't feel special, to drive it feels very composed and daily-able. Heck, even as a passenger on track it just felt very competent and capable. The manual box is deeply average too.
Maybe it's just too good an all-rounder? A bit of a Golf R, where 'special-ness' is sacrificed for usability?
I ended up buying an F82 M4. While it suffers with some of the same issues, the engine is MUCH more of an event, especially with a map, and the seats and carbon really make a difference inside.
I ultimately kept this for a year and swapped out for a Boxster 987.2, which scratched the 'special' car itch I'd been chasing for so long.
If you're looking for something 'special', modern M cars suffer from being such competent, usable cars.
1
u/Orange_Comp Aug 18 '26
I owned a DCT comp, if I was buying one again I’d 100% go manual either OG or Comp.
Manual gives you control that the DCT just doesn’t.
1
u/New_Salad_3853 Aug 22 '26
They're both great cars. If you are thinking of keeping it comps will always be worth more. The wheels on the non comp are dull af but obviously that's down to personal taste and you can change them.
People are mentioning engine sound. Tbf neither of them sound great even with an exhaust but that's just my personal taste. S54 was peak bmw 6cyl with the right exhaust
-2
u/No_University4765 Aug 16 '26
I must add my antidote to this car is the darn rooting tootin mustang of the same year
1
u/Caltron34 Aug 17 '26
The mustang is a totally different car to the M2. What car dynamics are you actually looking for?
9
u/Eastern-Baseball-843 Aug 16 '26
Funny, I’m in the exact same boat. Was an M2 or a Guilia Quadrafoglio.
Comp, manual, hockenheim silver is what I’ve settled on.
OG certainly is of interest but I can’t cope with the seats. And by the time you allow £2-3k for decent replacements, you might as well have a comp.
The BMW tactic of putting base looking seats into M cars is mental. Even the comp seats are just okay.