Caporegime
Phew, it's an older one. I saw "...back in an M2" and saw a pic of your M3 before scrolling down and was dreading having to look at a picture of the newest gen
And me...
Show Us Your Motors!
- Thread starter Lopéz
- Start date
And me...
Soldato
My condolencesBit of a copy from the BMW thread, but out with the old:
and in with the new:
Popped over to the new Caffeine & Machine in Bedford. Was going to take the MX-5 but the boot was full of water (see MX-5 thread).
Done my first 1000 miles in it, really didn't think I would like it as much as I do. Maybe I'm getting soft in my old age.
Done my first 1000 miles in it, really didn't think I would like it as much as I do. Maybe I'm getting soft in my old age.
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Soldato
Ah dang just got home from there! Pic uploadingPopped over to the new Caffeine & Machine in Bedford. Was going to take the MX-5 but the boot was full of water (see MX-5 thread).
Done my first 1000 miles in it, really didn't think I would like it as much as I do. Maybe I'm getting soft in my old age.
had too much fun on the sim rig
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Soldato
Had no idea they had one in Bedford. Definitely arranging a visit! The E43 hasn't been washed in about 6 months tho
It's not been open long I don't think. It's not quite local to me but just over an hour away so I'll make the trip over one day.
Caporegime
- Joined
- 13 Nov 2006
- Posts
- 26,216
Nice comboEnjoying the '3, lovely place to sit.
Averaging 45mpg with mixed driving, will do 50+ on a run. Can't say I'm missing the ST at the moment, mainly because I have the MX-5 for fun.
Waiting to get this raised up a bit and have an ABS fault sorted (tone ring tooth missing fault) before booking in a track day. It looks great but keeps bottoming out on the arch liners.
The rain washes cars.Had no idea they had one in Bedford. Definitely arranging a visit! The E43 hasn't been washed in about 6 months tho
Nice. What prompted the change? A lot of people say the OG M2 is better than the Comp.... thoughts?
Nice little upgrade. Shame the interior isn't orange
Enjoy!
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Soldato
The LCI is probably the sweet spot. I've owned an LCI and a Comp and the LCI sounds better, is a bit more characterful in terms of how it wants to be driven and honestly the seats might not look anywhere near as nice as the Comp seats but they are MILES comfier. The LCI fixed the dials looking quite so ancient and a few other little bits around the car plus you could option the Icon lights which unless I'm mistaken were not available on the OG.
Before anyone starts, other than the CF strut brace (which does almost nothing) and the much beefier but hidden metal strut brace (that does almost all of the heavy lifting), the suspension is IDENTICAL. Same part numbers throughout. They do feel different though; the Comp is heavier and maybe that's why it feels a little bit more settled at speed. BMW "made the steering better" in the Comp but for me it has lost the sense of wanting to grab it by the scruff of the neck and just rag it down the road. Both cars are as much car as you'd realistically need on the road. A well-driven M2 of any vintage will keep most 2WD things this side of a 911 GT3 honest on a UK B road. Fast A roads with no regard to the speed limit, sure, powerful things will walk away from you in a straight line but that's not what the M2 is about. Comp vs LCI vs OG stock for stock makes almost no difference here, they are only a precious few seconds apart around the Nürburgring for example.
As standard, the Comp is too quiet, is not as sharp down a Welsh B road due to the extra weight (especially the wheels) but feels quite a bit less like you're going to get yeeted into the scenery if you catch a bump wrong. With some tweaks to the suspension and exhaust plus a tiny remap (to ~500bhp with an otherwise completely standard engine) and the Comp probably nudges ahead as an overall better package.
Soldato
It’s a difficult one and I still don’t know if I made the right call. Basically ever since getting the m3 I’ve always thought that I miss my old M2 (which was the LCI with n55 engine).
I initially did look at the older model but there is something about the comp. I’m convinced a lot of the body panels are slightly different to the OG M2, to give it a more beefy look and it seems better in every way expect the noise.
The m2 comp reminds me of all the good elements of my old M2 but with some great parts from the M3.
This one I’ve picked up had a Remus exhaust, upgraded suspension, carbon, ppf on front bonnet, bumper, sills and wings. These alone must have cost the previous owners a few £k, so it seemed like a well cared for car. The exhaust in particular helps.
In hindsight I always missed my blue M2 and shouldn’t have really swapped to the m3. But now I’m in the m2 comp I’m missing things about the m3, doh!
What I will say though is you really feel a buzz when accelerating in the m2 comp, it seems a more fun/exciting drive and more of a sports car feel/handling, where as the F80 M3 just felt like a fast & capable saloon - I never really felt like it was as fun to drive as the M2.
Hi there
Having owned my M2 OG manual now for a few months and done a Donington track day in the car it does have one exceptional feature for a modern car, it feels really quick, the sensation of speed in the car is very much so present, no doubt help somewhat by the manual gearbox which is extremely easy to use but average in shift quality, having owned numerous Porsche's and S2000's those who know, well know Honda and Porsche make the best manuals.
I wanted an OG and also none LCI as for me digital dials can very quickly look somewhat rubbish, I like old traditional analogue dials.
The M2 is a real fun car, has an element of danger about it which was always present in older cars, respect me or I might bite you, particular on a wet bumpy b road. Its a fun and engaging car, the GTS diff, traction and steering also greatly improved it, I wanted the OG mainly for the N55, if however the rumours of crazy insurance prices on M2's is true come renewal I shall simply move it on as there is no way I am paying over a grand to insure an M2, but my insurance premiums are normally decent so shall see.
Yes I can recommend the M2, cracking car, great daily, great fun car and somewhat practical, it can even carry four adults in reasonable comfort.
Having owned my M2 OG manual now for a few months and done a Donington track day in the car it does have one exceptional feature for a modern car, it feels really quick, the sensation of speed in the car is very much so present, no doubt help somewhat by the manual gearbox which is extremely easy to use but average in shift quality, having owned numerous Porsche's and S2000's those who know, well know Honda and Porsche make the best manuals.
I wanted an OG and also none LCI as for me digital dials can very quickly look somewhat rubbish, I like old traditional analogue dials.
The M2 is a real fun car, has an element of danger about it which was always present in older cars, respect me or I might bite you, particular on a wet bumpy b road. Its a fun and engaging car, the GTS diff, traction and steering also greatly improved it, I wanted the OG mainly for the N55, if however the rumours of crazy insurance prices on M2's is true come renewal I shall simply move it on as there is no way I am paying over a grand to insure an M2, but my insurance premiums are normally decent so shall see.
Yes I can recommend the M2, cracking car, great daily, great fun car and somewhat practical, it can even carry four adults in reasonable comfort.
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Soldato
Popped over to the new Caffeine & Machine in Bedford. Was going to take the MX-5 but the boot was full of water (see MX-5 thread).
Done my first 1000 miles in it, really didn't think I would like it as much as I do. Maybe I'm getting soft in my old age.
Hmm that is local for me, keep meaning to go!
Soldato
The lci didn't get digital dials, it just has a black film over it so it looks blank when it's not illuminated
Can see before he turns it on that you can still just about see the needle...
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Gibbo, if I promise to buy my next PC entirely from OC, can I come for a nosey at your carsHi there
Having owned my M2 OG manual now for a few months and done a Donington track day in the car it does have one exceptional feature for a modern car, it feels really quick, the sensation of speed in the car is very much so present, no doubt help somewhat by the manual gearbox which is extremely easy to use but average in shift quality, having owned numerous Porsche's and S2000's those who know, well know Honda and Porsche make the best manuals.
I wanted an OG and also none LCI as for me digital dials can very quickly look somewhat rubbish, I like old traditional analogue dials.
The M2 is a real fun car, has an element of danger about it which was always present in older cars, respect me or I might bite you, particular on a wet bumpy b road. Its a fun and engaging car, the GTS diff, traction and steering also greatly improved it, I wanted the OG mainly for the N55, if however the rumours of crazy insurance prices on M2's is true come renewal I shall simply move it on as there is no way I am paying over a grand to insure an M2, but my insurance premiums are normally decent so shall see.
Yes I can recommend the M2, cracking car, great daily, great fun car and somewhat practical, it can even carry four adults in reasonable comfort.
Soldato
Popped over to the new Caffeine & Machine in Bedford. Was going to take the MX-5 but the boot was full of water (see MX-5 thread).
Done my first 1000 miles in it, really didn't think I would like it as much as I do. Maybe I'm getting soft in my old age.
Had no idea they had one in Bedford. Definitely arranging a visit! The E43 hasn't been washed in about 6 months tho
OcUK Meet?
It's just over an hour for me also but it's got a nice vibe to it, I think I prefer the other one but when we went we were able to eat quickly, have good chats and enjoy the sim rigYou can see Clio 172s anywhere...Gibbo, if I promise to buy my next PC entirely from OC, can I come for a nosey at your cars
Soldato
OcUK Meet?
Right near me too
Everyone wants to see my dirty Ovlov right?