Club News
    My Thoughts On The M2 After 3,000 Miles Through Europe

    Written By Greg Uhler of the San Diego Chapter

     

    So what’s it like to drive the new M2? And how does it compare to previous BMW’s I’ve owned and loved, including an E36 M3, E46 M3, E90 M3, and 135is? Our six country, 3,000-mile journey through alpine switchbacks, cobblestone roads, unlimited autobahns, and track days at the Nürburgring, Zandvoort, and Spa provided a unique perspective to taste what the M2 has to offer. And let me tell you, the taste is GOOD!

    Handling

    With all the nannies turned off, the first thing that struck me about the M2 was how balanced and neutral the handling was. In that sense, it felt like my very first BMW, the E36 M3, but with a LOT more grip. The M2 just did what I told it to. When I’d enter a corner too hot, instead of the car plowing to the outside, all four tires would just slide equally, scrub off some speed, and allow me to continue through the corner. No drama, just feedback telling me I’d exceeded the car’s limits. Similarly, too much throttle too early in a corner resulted in mild oversteer, which was easily corrected by steering into it. The M2 inspired confidence. Confidence to push it to its limits—or mine!

    Power

    There’s no comparison between the torque of modern turbo BMW’s and most of their naturally aspirated predecessors. My E90 M3 was a beast in the horsepower department, but lacked torque in most driving situations. The closest thing to the power of the M2 was my previous 135is with DINAN Stage 1 engine management. In the M2, an incredible amount of torque was available at almost any RPM and in any gear. No need for me to downshift two gears to pass a car on the road. I just had to put my foot down!

    On the track, I could forgo downshifting to 2nd, leave it in 3rd and avoid running out of revs before I exited a corner. Even at 140 mph on the autobahn, when I stepped on it, a wave of torque pushed me back into my seat. It’s intoxicating!

    Ride

    So much is made these days of adjustable suspensions, that if a car doesn’t have one it is seen as lacking or inferior. But what if a car is tuned perfectly to balance the needs of the road and the track for most drivers? That’s what I feel BMW achieved with the M2.

    Despite driving 3,000 miles on a wide variety of surfaces, my wife never complained once about the ride. The M2 communicated the road back to me, but without the harshness of my E46 M3. I think most drivers will be thrilled with the ride, whether they are commuting to work, carving canyons, or besting their time at the track.

    Sound

    Leading up to the launch of the M2, much was speculated about the sound of the car. Would it sound like an naturally-aspirated car, or be muffled by the turbocharger? My favorite sounding car was my 135is with BMW’s Performance Exhaust. But now I have a new favorite.

    In Comfort mode, the M2’s exhaust was noticeable but relatively quiet. Changing the car’s mode to Sport or Sport Plus, the M2 emitted a deeper, louder exhaust note with more burble than the 135is. The sound of the car turned pedestrians’ heads as I approached them. In Switzerland’s numerous tunnels, 2nd gear acceleration followed by throttle lift was manna from heaven!

    Look & Feel

    While not a performance metric, the look and feel of the M2 contributed to its driving pleasure. The car has a presence that few other BMW’s have. Heads were turning all over Europe. People took long looks as we drove by, their eyes moving from the aggressive front of the car, along the muscular fender flares, to the baby-got-back rear. Traveling with ten other M2’s, I never tired of seeing their artistic shapes in front of me or (preferably) in my mirrors. I think the M2’s visual design will stand the test of time.

    I know right now M2’s are in high demand and short supply. I really hope this changes in the coming months. Why? Because the more people that have an M2, the more praise it will get from its owners. And that will only increase the likelihood that BMW will keep making special models for us enthusiasts, like they have with the mighty M2.—Greg Uhler

    If you have some interesting content you'd like to submit for consideration, such as a story, pictures, or video, please e-mail Nate Risch, Roundel Weekly editor, at nrisch@bmwcca.org.