Looking to Get a BMW M2

Tech5 on 01/11/2017 - 14:51
Last edited 01/11/2017 - 15:13 by 1 other user

I am looking to get a BMW M2.

Does anyone here have one and what were their experiences?

I'm not completely sold on their reliability and ongoing costs tbh. What kind of costs do you guys get with your BMW?

My other option was a Mustang for about 50 grand cheaper

Edit: I am fully self aware of my resemblance to an investment banker. I know it's a stupid decision. I just want one. Got no excuse. If our friend would like to chip in on my investment decision, I would love to hear his (probably biased) opinion

Automotive

Comments

  • kks on 02/11/2017 - 20:52

    Get one, you won't regret it! Reliability wise, you won't have to worry while it's in warranty period and you probably won't keep it longer than 3 years anyway. Mechanically, the N55 engine is solid and has been around for 8+ years so they've ironed out all the major issues.

    • Tech5 on 02/11/2017 - 21:30

      I've read around that the resale value is pretty good?

      • Iamnotcheap on 02/11/2017 - 21:49

        Resale of the RS3’s are better. They limited in stock and even with the new facelift just released I can walk away with pretty much near to what I paid for it as they still hard to come by.

        I got a huge discounts several times, with the latest as an example as when they let it slip the car was a cancelled order and it had been in the garage for 60 days (not a demo) it meant they had to move it to cut their losses.

        Most dealers would have same principles. Financing their floor stock for anymore than a few weeks starts to eat deep into their metrics/kpi’s. Let them call you and don’t sign on the first day.

        If you truely want the M2 then that’s where your heart is… but take the RS3 for a drive or the AMG and you’ll realise why people swayed to them in this round.

  • AppleLime on 02/11/2017 - 21:12

    My brother and friend owned BMW5 series. I tried theirs but I won't buy. I have owned Merc, Volvo and Lexus. Prefer Lexus. Low maintenance. VOlvo very good safety feature but maintenance a little expensive.

  • OzzyOzbourne on 02/11/2017 - 21:26
    -1

    I wonder about the logic of asking about a $90k car on a bargain forum. Wouldn't a BMW or car forum make more sense?

    Just shows you don't need logic and sense to buy one.

    • Tech5 on 02/11/2017 - 21:27
      +7

      It seems like quite a few people here have owned a BMW or know someone close who does. So I guess it achieved its purpose. When you post on a BMW forum, I'm sure you would get biased responses.

    • pegaxs on 03/11/2017 - 09:25
      -4

      It’s just part of the process for buying a luxury sports car. You need to inform as many common people as you possibly can. No use posting it on a BMW forum, as they already have a user base that have their own BMW…

      There is only a few reasons someone would post about buying a $100k+ BMW sports car on a bargains forum, trolling or attention… pick one…

      • diondai1 on 03/11/2017 - 20:52

        I suspect that you can be a rich tight ass and a poor tight ass. That might be the issue at hand champion! So many tears on this thread

  • itr8 on 02/11/2017 - 21:54

    I would consider the golf r, I've had nothing but trouble with BMW's, but that's my 2 cents just had bad luck with them…

  • kdtrey35 on 02/11/2017 - 22:05
    +3

    Lexus!

    • Tech5 on 02/11/2017 - 22:07

      Only good candidate is the rc350, but dont really like the look of it

      • [Deactivated] on 02/11/2017 - 22:47

        That is clearly not a good car in any way

        • Tech5 on 02/11/2017 - 22:47

          It looks fat and I'm guessing it drives fat too

  • djmm on 02/11/2017 - 22:11
    +3

    Mate this Friday night I'll wait for you at Maccas with my M3. Mazda 3.

    • Tech5 on 02/11/2017 - 22:12
      +1

      Its on

      • djmm on 02/11/2017 - 22:13
        +2

        I'll be the one wearing yoga pants

  • thesilverstarman on 02/11/2017 - 22:48
    +6

    Ok. This is the perspective from a mechanic who specialises in Euro and performance cars. Don't buy a BMW. The bMW's of pre 2000 were great cars. Then they decided to make them lighter by making as many parts as possible out of plastic. The problem is that a lot of engine bolt ons are now plastic. And they heat and expand, then cool and contract. Over time they will crack and gaskets will leak. Most of the intake and coolant pipes are plastic. Thay all have to be regulary replaced. The specified preventative maintenace must be followed or they will let go and leave you with an expensive body with a non functioning engine. And these cars ahve plastic everywhere, including the steering colulmn locks. When they break it's a tow job to get another colulmn that has to be programmed to the car, which is expensive and crazy. So many parts are like this that need to be coded to the car. It's a scam to get the cars returned to the dealership, as most aftermarket scanners will not do all of the parts.I just had a 2006 320i that the owner was quoted $5500 for a service which required a lot of parts replaced. My price was $3500 using aftermarket oem parts. A full set of front and rear brakes can cost nearly $4000 for some models from BMW, and some of the tyres are used only on that model BMW, making them expensive. They also run those stupid run-flat tyres with no spare wheel. They ride rough and cost a fortune to replace. If you want a better car, buy a Mercedes. If you want performance, buy a Mercedes AMG. If you want a cheaper car that will handle and go hard, buy a Renault sports model or a Subaru WRX. All you are buying with the BMW is the badge and a heap of marketing, and they devalue greatly. Do not buy the Mustang. It looks great, but aside from the poor safety rating, it is a poorly made car that you are paying a premuim for because it looks good. A Porsche cayman or boxster would be a better buy too. More reliable and cheaper to maintain.

    • Tech5 on 02/11/2017 - 22:50
      +1

      Thanks for your input. Is the plastic part problem common to most euro cars/expensive cars? Or would I find similar in a 30-50,000 car.

      I felt that the mustang was actually good for the price it can be obtained at these days (55,000). I guess it saves a lot of money on the build quality and puts it into performance

      • ahoihoi on 02/11/2017 - 23:24
        +1

        Hi Zhuang, yes it is a very common things. Everything is made off plastic these days. Japanese cars these days are unreliable too. They all just break differently. If you need to own a car this is just something you need to live with.

        The german cars are made to a higher standard. BMW and Mercedes made good cars. Mercedes need to buy above E-Class (although the standard air suspension is a worry), BMW lower end are made to a higher standard than Mercedes. I wouldn't bother with most of Audi model, but that's just me, they felt a bit too like VW and bland.

        If you want to keep your car for about 10 year 200,000km they should do the job just fine. (more than that, you take it as a bonus), If you are afraid of maintenance cost, just buy the extended warranty, if i'm not mistaken you can have it pre-purchased for up to 5 years (though not sure about M models)

        Regarding getting the performance model, M2 is an interesting proposition, heard good things about it, and is very popular, but its still 2 series interior. I am sure you are aware that the car is going to cost you north of 100k, at which point, you could get 330i, cheaper to maintain, should feel sporty enough. Although with BMW the 'value' pick from their range is the 540i. And for their performance model, the M3/M4.

        Long story short, vs the mustang no brainer. Get the M2.

        Does anyone here have one and what were their experiences?
        Generally very good. Essentially you want to be in a position where you are satisfied with the purchase from the start.
        With BMW (and any other german cars) little gadget will break, don't worry so much on the non-essential. Their corporate customer relation is generally very good, so if you have major problem they will help you out.

        Saying that, please note that I feel most cars has been going downhill from around mid 1990's. Each generation just felt more like cardboard box.

        I'm not completely sold on their reliability and ongoing costs tbh. What kind of costs do you guys get with your BMW?
        Just drive the car sensibly and you won't have many problem. If you abuse/drive it hard on the road, especially considering that this is a performance model, you can do a lot of wear and tear to the drivetrain and brakes and tyres.

        Regarding scheduled maintenance cost, the most expensive thing would be insurance probably, and/or petrol (depends how much you drive).

        Have you taken some car for a test drive?

        What is your budget?
        if its around 100k

        Just test drive some
        BMW
        M2
        330i (although please note that a new generation is coming out in a few years, this will be a good upgrade)
        430i (coupe version of 3-series, slightly sportier, 2-door, less sensible purchase, if you must have 2 door, i think 4-series grand coupe is a better buy than this)
        530i (not a sports car, but a very sensible sport sedan, the 4-cyl is a bit out of character for this body style though, so the better buy is the 540i - which is 6-cyl)

        Mercedes
        C300* (Heard a lot of people have issue with this generation though)
        E300* (Keep in mind the air suspension which may be problematic after say 5+odd years ~200k)
        Both of these you can get a coupe version for more style and sporty interior ambiance.

        A45AMG (you are buying this for the engine and the AMG performance seat.. maybe the style too, but it is still an A-class with the chequered reputation of lower end mercedes)
        CLA45AMG ('Sedan' Bodystyle of A45, same affliction)

        Porsche <- Why not look at porsche??
        Cayman (For around 130k+ you can get yourself the cheapest porsche sports car, the cayman (or preferably Cayman GTS). This is probably a more sensible option. This is a light and balanced car, so you can enjoy the finer aspect of a sports car and don't need to be brutal with the application of power. Hopefully anyway.)

        Boxster (Soft top roadster version of the cayman (vice versa), probably no need if you are concerned about maintenance cost, the soft top is just more things to break and won't be as comfortable as a coupe hardtop. I happen to think on the latest generation, the Cayman is the more aesthetically pleasing of the two)

        Some things to keep in mind. The latest batch of cars seems to be a stop gap of an electric future. Most of them just felt like they are trying to emulate an electric car but fall short of them.

    • [Deactivated] on 03/11/2017 - 17:40

      You say Porsche is cheaper to maintain, and while it is true that they are reliable, if something does go wrong, have you seen the price of a new engine? You're looking at $30k before installation for a low end one.

  • Ragnarok1983 on 03/11/2017 - 04:26
    +1

    If u gonna look for a German luxury car, go with Mercedes.

    BMW is total rubbish quality wise.

  • KLoNe on 03/11/2017 - 06:24
    -1

    Just because you can BUY something, doesn't mean you can AFFORD it.

  • garetz on 03/11/2017 - 07:03

    You dont need an excuse, spend your money how yo want.

  • Marcsie on 03/11/2017 - 07:04
    +3

    Subaru WRX, AWD and Turbo, can’t beat it :)

  • solidussnake on 03/11/2017 - 08:38

    I would get the Audi RS3 sedan over the M2. Both are nice cars the Audi seems to have better tech like the lcd speedo etc. Have you driven them both ??

    • [Deactivated] on 03/11/2017 - 17:41

      So your arguments for the RS3 over the M2 is the LCD speedo….

  • Kiwiboy86 on 03/11/2017 - 09:23
    +1

    OP it sounds like you want a something small yet powerful.

    I've tried out the M series BMW's and they are great! However, before you make your decision I would advise you to look into the Merc CLA45 and A45 as it might tick your boxes too. Happy driving :)

  • bobs burgers on 03/11/2017 - 10:11
    +1

    Hmm something is wrong here. This is Ozbargain and. No one mention to get a camry yet.

    OP, have you even considered a camry yet? Think about it….

    • Oz8argain on 03/11/2017 - 13:51

      someone already did! control + F 'camry'

  • garciaicrag on 03/11/2017 - 10:14

    I recently did this 'BMW Driving Experience' day at Phillip Island, we drove the M2, M140i and M240i back to back, hot laps and driver training scenarios.

    Unless you plan to track flat out and have the ability to squeeze performance out of cars, then M240i or M140i is all you need. There were a few M2 owners there on the day and they seemed pretty annoyed that the difference in performance between the three wasn't as apparent as they expected it to be. In saying that though, the look/presence of the M2 is not comparable, especially in the blue.

    You get the track day when you buy a BMW, but you can also pay to do the day, might be worth it so you can have a real world feel for the 3 bmw's and not just rely on internet opinions.

    We also did hot laps with the instructors in F80 M3's and if I had to choose 1 of the 4, it would be the M3/M4 (a couple years old should be around the same price as the M2).

    • JimB on 03/11/2017 - 11:01
      +1

      I also did it with BMW, fortunately, we got to drive the M2, M3 and M4s. It would have been great to drive the M140i.

      The M240i is in no man's land, do you opt for the cheaper and mechanically identical M140i $15k, or spend $15k more for the M2 pure. M2 everyday just for the looks, LSD and brakes.

      The M2 was more entertaining to drive than the M4 but ultimately not as quick.

      How ridiculous is the hot laps with the instructor. You realise how shit a driver you are when you're their passenger lol. I also realised that I would never use the M3 to 70% of it's capability.

      M140i may be the wisest choice, just spend $3-4k to get an Quaife LSD but you'll always be wondering how much better the M2 is.

      • garciaicrag on 03/11/2017 - 11:49

        Hahaha, I felt the EXACT same way after the hot lap, so disheartening.

        Ours was on a wet day, so I assume that's why we got the 140/240/m2 rather than the bigger M's, was still great fun.

        I've got an M135i myself and I wouldn't be able to justify the M2. If it were me I'd be getting a second hand M3/M4 as the difference there is actually apparent.. quality just seems better, interior is nicer, sounds better, looks better, more space, etc.

        • JimB on 03/11/2017 - 14:37

          I don't think the rain would make any difference to the cars they give you to drive. It's quite a big task logistically, so I doubt they would want to change cars. Lucky for me, it was a beautifully sunny but chilly day, perfect for driving turbo cars.

          Quality of the M3/4 interior is a step up. More space isn't a draw card for me, if anything I prefer smaller.

          The most frightening thing about being able to thrash these cars is the fact they will be sold as executively driven demonstrators! lol

    • Oz8argain on 03/11/2017 - 13:59

      guys… how do i get in on this track day thing! I promise I'll drive safe..

      • JimB on 03/11/2017 - 14:30

        Entered a draw with CarAdvice :D

        • Oz8argain on 03/11/2017 - 14:43

          oh… I never win any draws / comps

        • JimB on 03/11/2017 - 14:48

          @Oz8argain:

          That's what I thought too. Took me 38 years to win something.

          I love cars so it was great to win this.

      • garciaicrag on 03/11/2017 - 15:59
        +1

        They also give you it 'free' if you buy a BMW at a BMW dealership

    • foolsgold on 03/11/2017 - 18:01

      I agree with this M240 is enough for most especially if this is your first BMW experience it's pretty hard to go from M2 to a non m afterwards I'd guess. Put off the expense a bit longer.
      And the other thing which I would like to add is that you don't notice hardly any of these little speed differences unless you drive the car back to back. I drove a Golf R and a 135i back to back. But driving the Golf R in isolation felt amazing I was so impressed with everything about it. Jumping back into the 135i I started to notice little things I preferred like the difference in power delivery, better steering feedback in the BMW, better seats in the VW slightly better driving position in the BMW etc. however if I didn't own either or didn't drive them back to back. I would think they're both great cars which they are.

  • TRANCE on 03/11/2017 - 10:28

    Do yourself a favor and buy a Lexus instead, built like tanks, drive like tanks, In a good way. Get the F-sport model for the looks.

    • JimB on 03/11/2017 - 14:48
      +4

      built like tanks- good.
      drive like tanks- bad.

      • foolsgold on 03/11/2017 - 16:00

        I had this theory, so I thought I buy as a cheap run around/second car, a IS350 used (2010-11 model) what an uninspiring drive that was. I'm sure its reliable, but there was absolutely nothing great about the driving experience and road experience, if you care about a drivers car then its not the car for you. (It was not a F-Sport) maybe that would be a bigger difference, I dunno, but it didn't have personality that motoring journalists talk about. I drove a Trendline MK6 golf and it felt more refined than the lexus at 1/2 the new price.

  • gimme on 03/11/2017 - 11:34
    +3

    I have a hard enough time parking my 20k newish car to avoid idiots scratching it with their shopping trolleys or doors. Not to mention the start/stop/lights/cameras every few mins during the majority of my drives. Buying an M2 or similar would be a nightmare for me unless I was living in a place where I could take some advantage of all its capabilities… which isn't going to happen in Australia. It is a nice car though.

  • foolsgold on 03/11/2017 - 11:47
    +3

    I'm sure there is going to be many people who are going to write, "If you can a afford a M2, you can afford the maintenance"

    Which is like saying if your throwing 100k at a car you can afford to throw another 100k at maintenance.
    If your buying brand new, all BMWs are pretty reliable, if you sell it while you have warranty, the servicing will be the lowest of the running costs.

    Expect to pay big for
    - brakes, especially if you fit Genuine at a Genuine dealership, suggest Genuine at a specialist will save you coin.
    - tyres, big tyres, big dollars, I pay about $250 a corner for Contintental ContiSport Contact Runflats for a 135i which is considered cheap, its half the price of a dealership, if that figure troubles you, buy a Lexus.

    And thats probably all you go through if you drive it reasonably normal for 3-5 years.

    Service cost is between
    400-1000, for the first 50-60k of ownership. If that scares you, I would suggest, an M2 is not right for your nor is any other Euro, including a VW, Audi, Mercedes. As they are all roughly the same in costs.

    If your looking down at the barrel of what is ownership costs going to be like in ten years?
    I'll put down what I've spent in maintenance on a 135i in a separate reply to see.

    • foolsgold on 03/11/2017 - 12:31
      +13

      My 135i Miantenance Costs Currently Sitting at ~ 155k km, 6 years, average 25k a year (in reality last three years been doing 35k km)
      Filled with 98 BP Ultimate Fuel its entire life I average 9.5, 10.8 l/100km Mon-Thurs 400km of High Way Driving, Friday Saturday Sunday, 300km Mixed City Driving. Expect 13l/100 if you drive like a (profanity) 70% of the time. I don't drive economically at all. And my wife drives the car during the week.

      Mechanical Problems I've had

      Oil Filter Housing Leak
      First Leak at 125k km, from memory, leaked again at 140k due to poor repair

      First Repair = 400, Second (Different Place) = 600
      $1000.00

      Maintenance Items

      Front & Rear Brakes
      $1200.00 first was done at 60k
      (incl. Genuine Sensors, Disks, Pads, fitted by a Specialist dealer)
      (ie no machining)

      Top Hose, Bottom Hose Belt Tensioner Pullys, Rear Parking Led (Cracks on the E82), engine coils
      $2500 @ 150k
      - Spark Plugs
      Genuine BMW branded NGK spark Plugs
      $35x6 = $210

      New Xenon Front Globes
      $60x2 Xenon Phillips Brand = $120

      Genuine Windscreen Wipers
      $98x2 = $196

      Varta Battery
      $450x1

      HVAC Filter
      90x3 = $270

      General Maintenance

      1st Service $400 - BMW Dealership
      2nd Service $600 - BMW Dealership
      3rd Service $450 - BMW Dealership

      At 50k I serviced it on my own.
      All I've done was oil changes
      Cost of oil Supercheap 5W/30 Castol Edge $30 @4 litres, needs 6.5 L = $48.75 + Oil Filter ($25) + Air Filter (I think $45) = Approx $120 a service
      I've done an oil change roughly every 10,000km which is 2x Recommended
      $1200 total cost.

      Thing I've stuffed up
      Respraying/Replacing Front Bumper, Fitting Black Grilles, Respraying Front Bonnet
      $3000 from memory with all genuine and new parts.

      Tyres
      5x Punctures, 3 were done as repairs at 15 bucks each $45
      Two tyres Replaced $500

      All four tyres have been replaced for maintenance as well.
      So total cost including punctures
      $2500 if I had less punctures expect $2000

      A stone Cracked windscreen, $1200 dollars for a genuine Windscreen trade price, expect to pay around $2000 retail.

      So grand total costs are to get car to about 200,000km are

      Essential Maintenance (Rounding Numbers Up)
      Basic Oil Changes, Filters etc, sparks, including dealership services
      $3580 currently, $4000 once we get to 200,000 km

      Engine Maintenance+Battery+Oil Filter Housing
      $3550

      Expect to Increase to $4000.00 by 200 km

      Brakes
      $1250 (another 1250 expected by 200k km)
      $2500

      Tyres
      $2000

       Total Maintenance/Service Costs to get to 200,000 km
      $10,500.00-$11,000

      That's pretty much everything, theres stuff I didnt include like topping up Power Steering Fluid, Replacing Fluids Coolant etc.
      And thats including me servicing it between 7000-10000 km which is 2x what BMW requires.

      I may also add that in the first 60,000km of ownership, I only paid Rego Insurance, and $1450 dollars to BMW for servicing.
      So the next 140 km of maintenance cost me/or will cost me, $8000. So if you can do your maths, depreciation, etc, there is an economy, of swapping your car within 5 years or if you drive half as much as me your costs would be a lot lower.

      • Pizdets on 03/11/2017 - 12:37

        Eleventy thousand dollary doos! holy (profanity)

      • Oz8argain on 03/11/2017 - 14:04
        +3

        if only every carsales description is like this….

      • DanielR on 03/11/2017 - 14:16

        I have a BMW X1 MSport 23d (diesel) done 200,000km only major replacements have been brakes, tyres and a new battery… other than that rock solid performance and still going strong

      • JimB on 03/11/2017 - 14:30

        Brakes sound cheap at the independent for genuine parts. Tyres are very reasonable.

        Battery, Cabin Filters & Wipers sound expensive.

        Everything else is about what I would expect.

        Why didn't you go aftermarket for the windscreen or were none available?

        • foolsgold on 03/11/2017 - 15:49
          +1

          The windscreen was mainly because
          Genuine was a good price 1200 fitted (me supplying the windscreen included in that price)
          I can't remember exactly I think it was 650 or 750 installed for non genuine, including new rain sensors etc.

          Genuine, has factory sound coating and tint/uv which I cared about
          Non genuine, no UV/Tinting, wrong colour, finish is not as nice (needs to be polished), not sure if the fitment is the same or if you get extra wind noise etc. But I cared about the UV tint, and. The dots on the genuine BMW look better close up too if your that detailed.

          In ~160,000 km
          The car has had 2 failures
          1. - The oil filter housing - show me another Euro that hasn't had one oil leak in 200,000 km.
          2. - LED 3rd Brake Light- http://www.1addicts.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=6…

          Spark plugs, fluid flushes, oil changes, HVAC filters, even the engine coils, brakes, tensioner pulleys will all go on any car after so much use. Considering I didn't buy a Toyota, and drive it 80kms a day I've been quite happy with it.

          I don't have much experience with other makers, but between myself, my siblings and my parents we have owned,
          3x E46s, 1x E36, 1x E30, 1xE82, 1xE90, 1xF30

          I've had less positive experience and factory reliability with a MK7 Golf R, and worst dealership experience, and I only have had 1 Mercedes in the family and it has fared well, and I will say so far better dealership experiences. The Golf R running costs are NOT any less than this car but its only 2 years old so time will tell.

          Some footnotes, there are reliable engines with every manufacturer, and unreliable ones, for instance I would stay away from V8 Petrol BMWs, Petrol 4 cylinders before the f30 engines. For instance look up oil burn issues on VWs, H6 head gaskets on Suburus, etc.

          And there is a difference in how you drive a car and maintain it, I may have been lucky or I may take more care maintaining the car. I've known people who ignored the oil leak, topped up the car with oil to save 1000 bucks to only get oil clogged up in the alternator, which you can't clean that easily because it's has a protective coating over the brushes, so if you spray brake cleaner it ruins the coating leading to an earlier life failure and the oil inside it will lower its life span. The oil dripping on the hoses also leads to earlier degradation, and you crack a cooling sys hose on a BMW and not be aware of it soon enough your gonna have a bad time.

        • JimB on 03/11/2017 - 16:21

          @foolsgold:

          I agree with you with BMWs, they aren't expensive to run, and up to the E46s were easy to service. Not sure who at BMW thought it was a good idea to get rid of the dip stick :O

          E90 engines weren't great overall, oil leaks galore in the 4cyl and oil consumption in the smaller 6 cyl. HPFP in the twin turbos.

          I'm reaching there in my MkV GTI, still no oil leaks. Actually, if it had oil leaks it would explain why I need to top it up so frequently! lol.. anyway oil consumption is just a fact of life for me now.

      • Changskies on 04/11/2017 - 04:07

        you are a legend

      • greatlamp on 04/11/2017 - 09:00

        This is excellent, but anyone reading should keep in mind that this is what a car enthusiast spends to maintain a BMW.

        If you aren't going to shop around and just take it to the dealer, expect to become one of those whingers who says only buy a camry.

        For example those $120 lightbulbs - they would be $500 lightbulbs if changed by the dealer.

      • Tech5 on 04/11/2017 - 13:22

        Thanks for spending the time going into so much detail. This really helped

  • Marcsie on 03/11/2017 - 14:48

    If you have more money than brain,buy a BMW M2 :)

  • djmm on 03/11/2017 - 15:42

    Just think of all the chicks you could pickup with M2

    • Tech5 on 03/11/2017 - 15:48
      +1

      Don't think my current would be too happy with that

    • [Deactivated] on 03/11/2017 - 17:45
      1. It is a very small car. Backseats are unusable.
  • apple2016 on 03/11/2017 - 22:45

    I was choosing between bmw 440i gc and Holden commodore Motorsport.
    I ended getting the Holden as it was about 20k less than Bmw and had many after market options to customise & upgrade. The bmw had way better interior and features but Holden had the more power & I liked the sound of V8 NA engine.
    I was not able to find one bmw manual for a test drive in Melbourne.

    • [Deactivated] on 04/11/2017 - 21:16

      What is a Commodore Motorsport?

      • apple2016 on 04/11/2017 - 21:45

        It’s a limited edition based on commodore ssv redline sedan.

  • a2swin on 03/11/2017 - 22:52

    I am also doing research on buying a BMW so this is very interesting to read. I don't see a lot of M2 or M3 here in Melbourne West, mostly 320i or x5. regardless if you already like it so much to ask other's opinions, might as well buy and enjoy it.but I certainly would vote for M2 rather than Mustang because where can you go with a 50 litre fuel ?

    • Tech5 on 03/11/2017 - 22:52

      I actually like the look of the Mustang a lot more than the M2. So I guess the M2 is my second choice. I just wanted an honest appraisal of my options

      • a2swin on 03/11/2017 - 23:02

        the mustang obviously looks masculine and sporty but I guess european cars are always more reliable and luxurious than american car.
        plus I have seen most of Mustang's drivers are like youngsters or drug dealers or carrying the appearances. I certainly dont want to have that look so I prefer BM lol.
        you can also consider WRX as way lot cheaper. just sharing my own opinion, I hope you will make a wise decision.

        • pegaxs on 04/11/2017 - 08:03

          Mustang's drivers are like youngsters or drug dealers….

          In my area, it seems to either be hair dressers or fat, balding middle aged men in flanno shirts and wife beater singlets. :D

          I was going to get a Mustang but decided to wait until after a few got delivered to see the demographic that was buying them. Kinda killed it for me.

        • Tech5 on 04/11/2017 - 13:23

          @pegaxs:

          That seems to be the general demographic here too. It's the new MX-5

    • [Deactivated] on 03/11/2017 - 23:06
      +2

      The only X5's you see in the Western surburbs of Melbourne have been stolen from the east.

  • ferguscan on 04/11/2017 - 11:01

    I'm driving my friend's M2 right now. About 10,000km on the clock.

    No issues of any kind as yet, but the car is obviously young.

    This particular car has paddles. If I bought one, it would be a traditional manual. But that's personal preference.

    The worst thing about it is the electric steering (don't get the same feedback as hydraulic systems). But that's the case with most (all?) modern performance cars.

    Other than that, nothing bad to say really.

    If you want to know anything else, please ask.

  • zeus2212 on 05/11/2017 - 15:50

    M2 is a very good car, fun to drive and reasonable price for the performance

    Happy with my M3, purchased it at $135k plus $20k of perforamanxe parts on top.

  • Powderhound303 on 13/11/2017 - 22:19

    Why hold back?

    If you’re crying out for attention then think big…

    You can actually buy a second hand Ferrari for $130k. Haggle hard and offer $25k less than $150k asking price. I have a mate of a mate driving yellow Ferrari. Serving isn’t too bad either if you use a specialist mechanic not associated with ferrari dealer

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join