5 months ago a friend wanted out of his 2020 GT4 manual. I was in a base 981 and his price was fair so I jumped at it, paid cash, sold my 981 to the local dealer for a fair price (more than I paid). It was always a dream of mine to own a GT car and I was not disappointed. I absolutely loved that car, truly amazing. 5 months later I get a very good offer (more than I paid including tax) and took it. I will miss it. I do not enjoy tracking my cars (too fussy about keeping it pristine), it's purely a canyon carver on the weekend for me, so I felt that in that way it wasn't the perfect fit for me. It was a thrill to own and the fact that it only cost me gas is a huge bonus. I will probably get back into a 718 GTS 4.0 at some point, probably more suited to my weekend canyons mission, but won't feel as special.

Meanwhile I bought a 2021 BMW M2 manual trans, 405 hp/406 torque. I realize I will get s**t here for admitting that, but it's a very fun car, works well as a weekend canyons carver, and it was slightly more than half what the GT4 sold for. I've had a E46 M3 and an E36 M3 back in the day, but it's been a long time. I feel like the M2 is the spiritual successor to my E46 M3.

 

I’d really like to own an M2….great car! I have VW R coming next month but debating if I should go the M2 route. Car looks fantastic

 

I had a M2CS offered to me w/$5k ADM - I wish I had taken it!

having said that, when I last drove an M2 C at Sears Point I was rather disappointed with the rear suspension behavior which did not like some of the bumps and camber of some of the turns!

 

Is that a Comp or a CS? Love the HSM color - big fan.

My lady drives an OG M2 - fun car for sure. Very different than my 9981s, but the instant torque is entertaining.

 

+1
I've sold mine after a year. Didn't like rev hangs and gear box. Was to rubbery. Still have E46M3

 

ah the last "real" M car!

 

Thought the same exact thing when I test drove it a while back. Too much *** play for me.
Is the CS any better?

 

I had an M2C, could never get on with it even after a good amount of modding and track time (suspension, SSK, wheels etc). Sold it after less than a year. F8x gen cars are just too numb and soul-less to be engaging drivers cars. A combination of duff inputs (steering, gearbox) and brutally effective but instantly forgettable engine. I would take an e9x M3 over any F variant (CS included) no question.

 

I had an 2018 M240i (F22) a few years ago and liked the car. Obviously the steering was numb compared to a Porsche, and the engine, while excellent in its power delivery and smoothness, didn't have the sound and character of a Porsche. However, it was still lots of fun to drive on the right road, and also had excellent packaging. I'm 6 feet tall, and I could fit in the back seats well enough for short trips while the front seats were adjusted to be usable with my height. The rear trunk was also decently sized, and the flexibility of being able to fold the rear seats was great. Fun to drive, nice looking, fuel efficient, small on the outside, and decently spacious on the inside - it was great.

Unfortunately, the new generation (G42) 2 series is heavier, uglier, and bigger outside, while less spacious inside

 

I had a 135 manual. Fun little car. Decent torque.

Still prefer the power delivery of the Spyder though. More fun to my ears to hear the flat 6 scream. Porsche gear box is better than BMW IMO.

I have a sneaking suspicion you will be back on here before you know it.

 

Whatever ends up making you happy. I've never been very thrilled with the last decade of BMW steering wheels being huge, their steering itself, and some of their interior / iDrive options. I've driven, but never owned a few of the older sedans and coupes around the E46 era, early 2000's and those were pretty special to partake in. I do agree that for your specific uses the GT4 is not the proper car for you, that will happen. The GTS is for me the golidlocks, and hopefully someday you can get into one of those. I've heard great things about the M2, it just isn't something I can get excited over. Enjoy!!

 

I also had an M2 Competition and largely felt the same as you did. Also there was something about the BMW Manual Transmission that just didn't work well with me. Maybe it was the combination of all the low torque or something, but shifting from 1-2 was never smooth. There was always this weird shaking that happens when you make that shift. I freaking hated it. And honestly I'm surprised more people don't talk about it. You can see it happen when people drive it in their YouTube videos. Maybe it doesn't bother them but it made me hate the car. I sold it in 9 months.

 

The only silver lining to offloading my Spyder and 991.2 C2 was that I'd spend more time with my E46 M3. Truly a top 10 road car.

 

As much as I complain about the stock damping on my GT4, BMW's are waaaay worse. I have had a 335i, 08' M3, & 16' M3 and ALL OF THEM had **** for damping and the cars never felt settled or buttoned down.

 

I agree! Still looks pretty after 20 years. GT4 is in different league but M3 is still special to me. My wife and I always alternate between two when wo go to mountain rides.