M2 VS M2 Competition VS M3(e46) VS M4 Review

[Peter-E36]

The size of the backbox on the m2 is like a full nappy hanging down,,,why? Otherwise a solid looking car. You need to drive the e92 then you will have the full picture. I would be most interested in you opinions on that. Due to an unexpected house renovation project I might be persuaded to part with the e46 m3 for the right buyer.

I daresay that BMW or one of the other tuners have something in the line of a Carbon Fibre diffuser to fill that gap, at a price.....

The backbox may be part of the cars aerodynamics as per the Z1's backbox....

Something to do with new emissions regulations apparently, easily sorted aftermarket but strangely, I like it.

I wouldn't agree on being able to use all of the power at all times though - I mean 343bhp is still a pretty respectable figure by today's standards and you would have to be ragging the car all of the time to get the max out of it.

As for a daily, I find the SMG fine in slow moving traffic - once you get used to the characteristics. Parallel parking on a hill is about the worst aspect of SMG.

No arguments there, 343bhp is plenty! I think the e46 M3 chassis is so sorted that it just handles the power really well. By contrast, the Z4M with the exact same engine is ...frantic! It bites, a different kind of excitement again but that's why I was so surprised by how much more progressive and easy to handle the e46 M3 was at the limit.

Also agree, you don't deploy all 343bhp on the morning commute, but on a mountain road - deploy them I did Moe told me I had to rag it and I didn't want to disappoint him

Good to hear the SMG is ok in slow moving traffic. I think I'm leaning towards SMG if I was to buy an e46 M3.

An interesting read and a great write up Peter...you should be on the staff of EVO magazine!! Fair play to Moe also for letting you experience his fantastic fleet.

The biggest observation that I made is that you seem to prefer all of the gadgets and different driver settings on the M2 Competition over the M2. I am completely the opposite. All I want is a six cylinder engine, RWD and a manual gearbox (OK maybe traction control).

I would argue that the 1M is the spiritual successor of the E30 M3 and E46 M3 and not the M2.

It really sounds like you need to buy an M2 Competition though. Have you spoken to the bank manager yet

Thanks Nick, you're very kind! I would only love to...

Yes, Moe was brave to let me have a go

I really do like the extra toys over the M2, I think the driver settings are great as well. I had the engine in sport plus pootling around the city for example with comfort everything else just for the POP POP POP out the back. I was always more of an "analog" kind of guy before but I'm really coming around to the extra tech in cars, it just adds to the experience for me. I 100% understand where you're coming from though as it's always been my view up until now. In fact I used to say (LARGE) front engined, RWD, manual, with electric windows and ABS... and nothing else. Now I really enjoy the toys and paddle-shift boxes, maybe it's a phase

I'd say you're probably right re: 1M, it's just frustrating that they made what seems like a fantastic car and then limited production for absolutely no reason. I think I've only ever seen one in the flesh - a Valencia orange example I used to see regularly around Auckland, NZ. I know there's a black one floating around Dublin as well. Maybe a part of me is dismissing it for that reason.

Oh... and the bank manager must never know...