As the title says, I’m looking to get my first BMW and I’ve whittled it down to a manual F87 M2C. I was considering an M3/M3C but I think I like the size of the M2C more.
Coming from a FWD biased AWD Golf R, how is the transition? Is the M2C more difficult to drive and learn the mechanics of a 400+hp RWD? Is the ride more compliant?
The Golf R is an auto and I absolutely love the Golf as my daily driver. Instead of trading up for the M2C I was thinking of adding the manual M2C for a weekend car.
Is there other BMWs or other cars I should consider? I was looking at 997 911s,981 Caymans, and E92 M3s but the M2C seems to have that right blend of modern tech and raw performance.
I’ve never driven a Golf R, but I suspect the M2 will be trickier to handle. I consider it an “intermediate car” when you turn off the electronic assists. Obviously, if you leave them on, the car will be relatively safe, but still feel “looser” than a Golf R.
Assists off, it will still generally tend towards understeer, but power oversteer is absolutely an option any time you’re in the three lower gears near the limit. Nothing crazy difficult to catch and it oversteers in a smooth predictable manner. But the wheelbase is short and you’re dealing with turbo lag. Harder to keep in a straight line than my old 350z, but easier to save than anything mid engined.
Other cars to consider might be a C7, maybe a Mach 1 mustang or a zl1 Camaro if you want straight line speed. The M2 is a lot more practical and easy to drive than those cars, but you want a weekend ride, so it might be worth putting up with less refinement.
I thought about a Mistang Gt350 but just unsure if I can pull off the American muscle hah
As someone who’s owned both-- at least until last month, the f87, doesn’t ride nearly as well as the golf R . It is a much more taut, high strung, needing perfectly smooth pavement kind of beast. The spring/shock combo on the f87 isn’t great. BMW used progressive springs and they’re not quite firm enough to balance out the shock. In other words, it’s too rough of a ride on non-perfect road and then it kind of porpoises(not enough rebound) when you go over any type of significant bump/imperfection. Apparently, switching to a firmer/static rate (non-progressive) spring actually helps.
Make no mistake, it is a beast. It has a great suspension on perfect roads and the engine is sublime. The BMW has much better front grip/feedback compared to the R. I prefer the DCT in the BMW to the automatic in the golf R. It just seems like it’s better programmed. However, I had the six-speed auto in my previous GTI ( Mark 7) and it was the best transmission I’ve ever owned
Driving wise, it’s a completely different beast (it should be since the BMW was about 50% more in cost). Think of the BMW as a track toy you can use on the street when necessary. The R is safe because of the understeer. If you go too fast in the corner all you have to do is lift off. If you do that at speed in the BMW the rear wants to come around on you as the balance of the car shifts… The golf is much easier to drive fast, above 95% effort. You just point and shoot and stomp on the gas. For a rear wheel drive car, the f87 does handle quite well(understatement). You can drive using the throttle to get around corners. When it does start to get away from you it’s quite easy to modulate. However, if you’re inexperienced or the road is rough or wet, it can be quite a handful when you’re pushing it. If you drive at 85%, even in the wet, you never have to worry.
Note: I sold my BMW last month. Currently, I’m looking to purchase a BMW 240ix. My R is going away. I’m not sure whether I’m giving it to my son, or going to sell it out right. (The golf R was my daily driver and the BMW was the weekend car… I decided to consolidate.).
Take a look at the CT4 Blackwing and the BMW 240i(X). Personally, I found them both superior to the golf R and both superior to the f87 on a daily use basis when I was test driving everything last month.
Thabks for the insight! I’ve been going back and forth if I should add the m2c in addition to the golf r, or replace it.
Tough because I want a manual for the fun and an auto for the daily. Are the c8 vettes actually selling for 65k? I feel like last I looked they were way about msrp.
The ct4 blacking would be an interesting alternative. V8 manual 🔥
So I spent 3 years in a MK7.5 R and upgraded to an F80 M3 in April, but I originally wanted an F87 M2C manual, until I drove it.
Why no M2C? The Golf was super, super practical. The M2C is not. I’ve aged to love having rear doors, and the dog likes them too. The other thing was I didn’t love the short wheelbase feel, it was lively, but I like square wheelbase FWD/AWDs, longer wheelbase RWDs. I found the M2C a bit too loose. For me, the M3 felt right, and there’s no performance decrease for the bonus of practicality. The DSG in the R Vs the DCT in the M3 - I find them both pretty good.
I ended up with a DCT M3C and no regrets, but totally different experience. The R would go anywhere, and always had grip. The M3… less practical when it comes to dirt roads, steep wet driveways. However, waaaay more fun at almost everything else, and you have to “drive” it more, rather than point and shoot like the R.
My missus doesn’t love driving the M3, but she loved the Golf. The M3 is firmer, heavier, less approachable for non-enthusiasts. The power increase is big and noticeable, but you can’t drive it like the R. The R barely stepped out of line, super predictable in any condition… the M3 is not that kinda girl. Get too aggressive on the power and you’ll know about it quick, let alone in the wet. It is a way more intimidating drive I think, where as the R was the opposite.