BMW 2 Series (2014-2026)

Quality is Slipping for BMW – I have owned the M2 Competition (purchased new) for a few years. Like the M3 before, it is a beautifully balanced and suitably powered sports sedan. It has not broken down on the side of the road, so it is reliable. However, does it live up to the $120K price tag? It depends on who you ask. I've had the clutch replaced due to a squeaking rubbing noise and shudder that everyone in the vehicle felt. But in their 'wisdom', the flywheel wasn't replaced. I think it is common knowledge among technically minded people that you only replace the brake pads with the rotors, as they are two halves of the same component. So, for the maximum benefit, the clutch and the flywheel should have been replaced together. The noise and shudder remain, but BMW Australia says it's within spec. The dreaded term - 'within spec' - can explain away all issues about a vehicle and refuse warranty work, even excessive oil consumption.

So, when the hill assists brake paddle started to 'click' loudly after the first 18 months of ownership, that was explained away with the familiar, 'within spec'.

Do the squeaks and rattles drive you nuts? Then, the BMW may not be the brand for you. Not anymore. This time, the explanation was, 'You have to expect that from firm suspension'. I owned a Renault RS 265 with a firmer suspension without any NVH (Noise, vibration, and harshness) issues experienced with the M2C. Oh, and get this. BMW says the NVH issues must be reported within the first month of delivery. After that, the warranty doesn't cover it. What if the noise develops after that period?

I still enjoy driving the car, and opening up sensibly onto the highway onramp does put a smile on my face. Then it starts to rattling and squeaking. I guess this is quality engineering at its pinnacle.

A superb performance car – After what seemed like an eternity of trying to decide what car to buy next, I settled on a used 2017 M2. I daily drive my car so that had an impact on what I chose. I had considered an E92 M3 (a bit old, a little fragile and too hard on fuel), an early F80 M3 or M4 with higher kms (talked out of it by someone in the know) or my favourite, a VF2 Redline Commodore (too hard on fuel, not special enough aside from the motor). I bought a DCT as the manuals are harder to find and have a price premium. I am really happy with the DCT choice, it’s still fun to drive, quick as you like and it’s even a little better on fuel, I assume this is simply down to it running an extra gear meaning it can cruise at lower revs. In short, it’s fantastic and I haven’t looked back. I’ve had just over 50 cars (I’m not young, ha!) and this is by far the best. I’ve read most reviews and watched a number of videos before I committed to one and I can honestly say it lives up to the positive comments I have read. The theatrics on start-up are still a joy. It sounds great when you give it a bit and it’s also quiet enough when you just tootle along. It’s hilariously fast when you really give it the boot, more than I probably need, but I still love having the power there. Mine has Harmon Kardon sound (excellent), electric and heated seats with electric lumbar (essential I think) and a sunroof. Oh and Apple Carplay (yay). I like the digital speed display when you set cruise and all of the controls are easy to use. The tank is not big at 52 litres and the fact you have to set the temperature controls for the passenger and driver individually is quite odd. It has no spare wheel, which is annoying. A can of sealant and a compressor doesn’t give me too much confidence. I’m likely to start carrying a space-saver wheel. The suspension is quite firm and you feel every imperfection in the road when you accelerate hard. When driven moderately it’s no harsher than my BMW X3 F25 which has 19” M wheels and run flat tyres. I think the M2 is a great looking car and it’s a real treat to drive. I love it! It’s my pick of a truly usable performance car at any price.

Best car I have ever owned - a proper baby ///M Car – My 2nd BMW and it turned out to be the best car I have ever owned (8th car since I could drive legally on road). Love the philosophy behind it: back to the basics (doesn't have those useless technologies/gadgets which don't help improve driving experience), traditional BMW handling and driving pleasure, classic, successor of 1 Series M Coupe (which is overpriced due to limited production, around 300 in Australia).

NOTE: The chassis, front and rear suspensions, rear Active M Differential (from F10 M5), M Servotronic steering, M DCT transmission, and M compound brakes are pretty much the backbone from its big bro (F82) M4. Stock tyres (most people get) are Michelin PSS, can't complain for its performance for the price.

Exterior design, size, proportion, stance (love the fat and squat rear end), build quality, drivetrain, performance, handling, colour (long beach blue metallic of course). Such a joy to drive, lots of fun yet it is a good daily drive (I am surprised by the fact that the ride comfort and quality is better than the X3 F25 LCI with 20" wheels + RFT, no DDC).

I didn't get a manual because of 1. 3 pedals offset to the right a bit too much (compare with MX-5) 2. Without coding, rev match (auto-blip) on downshift cannot be turned off with DSC on --- what? 3. wife needs to drive the car occasionally and she can hardly drive a stick shift (don't want to see that actually)

The N55B30T0 is probably the final evolution of the legendary N55 inline 6 engine - reliable and well tuned, it's open-deck block though (while the S55 is closed-deck - heavier, harder for cooling but is stronger, can be put on more boost to get more power).

The regular M2 is just brilliant, you don't need the M2 Competition ;-)

Likes: 1. Timeless exterior design, like the E46 M3, especially the rear wheel arches - fat squat look 2. KISS / back to basics 3. size, proportion, short wheelbase 4. all options (e.g. harman kardon sound system, heated seats, lumbar support, adaptive headlights, etc., no sunroof - good!) are standard for the DCT model except heated steering wheel (why do I need this in downunder?) 5. Traditional dashboard (on the pre LCI model - it has bug though) 6. Suspension / damper tune to provide feedback from road surface with just enough comfort as a daily drive 7. N55B30T0 - the ultimate form of the N55 generation straight 6, power delivery is at the tipping point of being awe-inspiring and scary

Dislikes:

1. Instrument cluster - grey on grey, it's a bug, you can hardly see anything on the dash with daylight coming into the cabin (turn the backlight on if possible)

2. Rear parking sensor won't stop beeping until you turn off the engine and power off, how annoying is that (may need to code it off somehow)

3. ASD (fake sound pumped into the car from speakers, can be coded off)

4. Halogen lights (front turn indicators, rear reversing light, rear turn indicators). For a 100k+ performance car (although it's entry-level M Power), how could BMW put halogen light bulks on it? LCI models don't have this problem tho.

5. Turbo lag

6. Putting power down to ground

NOTE: #5 and #6 may need a stage 1 tune to get around.

Last but not least: no front parking sensors (some say it's due to the aggressive front number design... bug fixed in M2 Competition).

It deserves its rave reviews – A quick google and you would be forgiven for thinking that the internet driving journalists were on the payroll of BMW. That is until you realise that everybody is saying the same thing and BMW can't bribe everybody. So when I had the opportunity to test drive an M2, I promptly stepped out of my M135 and did so. The rest (as they say) is history because the long island blue predator now adorns my garage. Clichés aside ... I encourage potential acquirers to do their research because it is true what everybody says. The suspension is non-adjustable and hard. The interior is basic and under stated. The engine noise is synthetic in the cabin. On paper, it is heavy, has modest power ratings and in a world of ever shrinking numbers of rear wheel drive manual gear boxes, BMW M is clinging onto the past. And worse, there are even mismatched peers such as Audi RS3's, Merc A45's and Ford RS Focus's that look (on paper) to be lighter, more powerful, more practical and more agile. Take it from me, my RS3 driving wife and my A45 driving brother certainly questioned this particular life choice. BUT ... it isn't until you "drive" the M2 that you understand. This car is simply BETTER! It takes the advantage over every brand I have just mentioned as well the its larger M3 and M4 siblings. Its faster, more agile, more precise, more entertaining, more pure and finally more modest. I know what you are going to say ... "but on paper ...". Look I can't explain it guys ... it is simply BETTER! As I hand the M2 keys to more and more people, starting with my wife and brother, without fail each steps out of the car with huge grins and as total converts that would happily trade in their current wheels for the M2. So I will finish where I started ... don't just believe the internet jorno's, the papers and magazines or even myself! Go find an M2 (if you can as there is a 12 month waiting list) and drive it. When you do I'm sure you'd agree, 5 stars is simply the correct rating to give! Ultimate driving machine indeed!