| 12-25-2017, 09:12 PM | #1 |
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A 2018 LCI review for Geezers.
Sorry if it gets a little long but... A geezers take on the M2…
I am 58 and would consider myself a car enthusiast. I have read about and seen every video of the M2 over the past couple of years. My wife has an M235 and I have been after her to trade in and wait the 9 months for an M2. I have only even seen two of them, but our local dealer in San Antonio had one, so we went to have a look… And yes, being in stock and being the amazing thing that it is, we got it. Most reviews are from a performance viewpoint- as it should be. This is after all a "sports" car in every respect. But being a geezer (pair of geezers but don’t want to call the wife a geezer …yet (she’s 56) we are a large (for cars) demographic that wants our “last fling” so to speak before the jaws of life clamp down on us. Still good to go though but we WONT be taking these to a track (how many REALLY do with M2- well heeled who have a few other cars maybe and some outliers?) Doesn’t matter, we want fast cars that look good, are FAIRLY exclusive. And here in the Texas Hill Country- can carve up the back roads slow or fast. Lets face it, could have had a faster Mustang that is a very nice car for 30% less…nah. Anyway, here is my review as a non technical, car loving Geezer. MY CRED- Some Cars in my life owned for a year or more- most 18months -4 years so I know them pretty well. And as car people know- every car has a story- and all (most) of these have good ones. 1968 Camaro 327 bought 24k miles, 1976 Triumph TR7- best handling car ever- look it up, 1981 Camaro Z28 at the quick ramp up of the downfall of GMs quality. 1983 Audi 4000 (for 170,000 miles drove it A LOT) , 1987 VW Scirocco 16V (Loved that car but would stall out in the South Texas Heat- wished I still had it), 1994 Audi A4, 2001 A6 2.7T (Love- but not the black- awesome Bose sound), 2004 BMW ZHP sedan (E46 ZHP one of the top 10 best automobiles EVER made- pure sports cars notwithstanding – we can talk later), 2006 Z4M (The last BMW before the all out electronics and turbos took over- wunderbar! I had that one for 4 years- I want it back one day LOL) 2 more used ZHPs coupe and convertible and now I have a 2015 BMW 435 Gran Coupe and a 2017 VW Golf R- the 435 is about to be traded in on an Audi RS5 in a few months. I’m jumping ship, but more on that later. But most importantly my wife (and I) is an owner of a 2018 LCI M2. THE LOOKS: A After only seeing 2 in the "wild" over 2 years- and neither my Austin or San Antonio dealers having these in stock when I have been in town, so seeing it in the flesh was even better than any picture or video- and its NOT always this way with cars. The M2 in the flesh is just amazing at most angles. Also the oversized front air dam and its “Oregami” looking blades to me don’t look that great in the pictures- but in real life- the shape looks perfect for this car and melt in with the rest of the front. And the new hex “etron” angel eyes at the front look REALLY good. All subjective of course- but maybe it was the color… THE COLOR: A+ I am a black gray white car fan- but I gotta say that Long Beach Blue together the carbon fiber spoiler, side blades, mirror caps, black grille and winglets- with dark window tint makes one of the most aggressive and solid looking performance cars on the road. No offense to any of the other colors (My 435GC is Mineral Gray- perfect color for it- my wifes old M235 was white) Would look good with any of the colors- but the LB blue, that like modern paints really changes hue in the sunlight, looks amazing on this car. Not so sure I would have it an any other but …The back carbon fiber spoiler is slightly larger than the normal lip spoiler and even makes the car look slightly longer. I just love the look, being a geezer, we have to show some street cred, right? THIS car is street cred. I wonder how cool it would be in silver… INGRESS/EGRESS: A Very important for a Geezer. Knowing that us old Geezer car guys are used to 2 door low coupes. And my wife is 5’4 so automatically perfect for her. And I say it’s perfect- I am 6,0 – 215 lb. getting in and out is effortless- low slung car but not too low. Being a 2 door coupe, the space to get in and out is very easy. I also like the SMALLER door than say a 4 series coupe or a Mustang/Camaro. SEATS: A I liked the seats in my wife’s EX-M235 (Not that my wife’s the EX…yet) were good- these M seats are really comfy- softer than say the seats in my old Z4M and softer even than maybe the M235 were- side bolster adjustable which to me is a must, and they are just excellent in every way for a small car. Probably very good for a longer trip too. Geezer rating gets an A- very solid seats- while BMW gets dinged for crappy sound systems and excessive road noise- they DO have great seats at all ranges- of the cars at least- I don’t know SUVs. NEW LCI DASHBOARD: B I much prefer the new 2018 LCI dashboard to the “angular” right side of the dashboard of the 2016/17. It looks better, more “grown up” and the entire dashboard- with the deep scallops at the base of the A pillars on the right and left make for a larger feeling front dash. The digital dials repair the problem of not seeing the dials in the sun with the original gray background. However, I still am not a fan of the “open pore” Carbon fiber trim- it looks and feels like plastic and would love a lacquered option like M3/4. But with the redesign, the button stack looks better and more integrated than the outgoing 2 series dashboard. NVH- or just the ENGINE NOISE: A- Pretty much perfect for a Geezer. In Comfort its noticeable but not racer stupid. Sport is “better” and is great for trolling parking lots letting others listen to the German perfection. Ours came with the BMW performance exhaust- Bluetooth controlled button that provides all the blurp and fart you would ever want to hear. Worth the upgrade if that’s what you are into. And i will say in Comfort mode at least MINIMAL highway drone- very livable- in Sport/Dynamic I dont enough seat time yet to make a judgement. Again it is after all an M2 and have to keep in mind you cant tame it TOO much...Geezers like it loud but no drone and not TOO loud- we are after all, old GET OFF MY LAWN types. So don’t want to wake the neighbors… NEW IDRIVE 6.0/APPLE CAR PLAY/MMI/Interface - B I really dislike the version of IDrive in my 2015 435GC- no Apple Car play and way too much use of the scroll wheel- lots of mumping and turning. The Voice Recognition was terrible- the now way small screen is low res. But things have really improved with the LCI Idrive 6. While still lesser in ease of use and functionality to other brands, it is better. The 8.8” Widescreen is getting to be so 2010 “quaint” but fits perfectly on the M2 dash- anything bigger would look out of place. I like that AppleCar play is included- but NOT Android Play? But the scroll wheel works better than I thought with CarPlay so very good there (some of you don’t like Carplay- I have no problem with it). The screen is now a touchscreen (good) but since the screen is still set back, its kind of useless- had BMW moved that screen up 15mm it would have been pretty perfect- but I get it- that part of the dash is too expensive for an LCI. But the interface is better and its pretty good. I need more time to see just how good but the individual panels is way easier to navigate than in the past- more text base. The VR seems to be better and the screen is higher resolution. Question- is there anyway I can bring up a digital speedo reader? I really wish this had a small screen between the dials (Like EVERY OTHER CAR ON THE MARKET- literally) that can scroll through digital speedo and other view options. I DO love the 8 hot keys- a very underrated feature IMO- All in all I am much more impressed in 6.0 vs 4.X in my 435. However, my son on law just got a new Ford F250. the Software Front end they put on Sirius Radio on their touchscreen is a sight to behold and is WAY above anything that BMW does as far as a dashboard of scrolling information goes, So good and better but a ways to go to match Dodge or Fords new offerings. And of course the VAG/Audi “virtual cockpit” is head and shoulders above what BMW has now. While the next version of BMW interface is being worked on- but its at least 2 years away for 2-3-4 series. I am comparing to what’s out now. SAFETY and DRIVING SENSORS: D This is where BMW falls flat to me- I have a Golf R and Audi which has near perfect execution of the main safety and driving sensors: 1> Blind Spot Detection- X 2> Lane Departure AND CORRECTION - X 3> Automatic Headlight brights - Y 4> Front end cameras. - X 5> Cruise Control auto monitoring - X The M2 inexplicably doesn’t have Blind Spot monitoring. This is a Geezers #1 loved and must have. My wife forgave it since her M235 didn’t have it either and she has never used it. Once you do have it though you wont go back. And here in Texas along that death trap speedway from San Antonio to Dallas called I35, it is just a must. But BMW, even after the LCI wont add to the M2 what every KIA has?I don’t care the reasons why and I know you will all give me the “adjust your mirrors” bullshit. Every car must have BSM. Then there is LANE DETECTION. This M2 and my M435GC will vibrate when you are crossing the lane divider- OK- but the VW/Audi sensor will nudge your car back into the lane- of course like BMW, if you have your signal on- you feel nothing. VW does it the right way- I turn the BMWs off. The No front Camera on the M2 is not really a problem or deal breaker- it’s a small car, I am ok with that as I am with the no cruise control auto slow down. On BMW you get a big red car icon come up but it doesn’t slow you down. The M2 does have a very good auto dimming brights functionality and here in the Texas Hill Country with more Deer than rats, your bright lights are the next best thing than actual heat sensors. But all in all, BMW at least on the M2 just doesn’t have the Drivers Assistance that not only do us geezers want- but you do too. Whatcha bet that the next version of the M2 will have all of these?. DRIVING: A+ Just amazing. Being small, rear drive, wide tires, really good steering effort and great engine. The driving position is absolutely perfect- and I would add the Alcantara wheel. But suffice it to say that Going slow or fast, straight or windy- this car is as good as your gonna get for < 70k TIRE ROAR: B- I really wanted to experience this myself after all of the interviews With the extra wide tires and BMWs usual lack of insulation (to save weight and live up to their “ultimate Driving Machine” tag line) but the tire roar (Lets call it "intrusion" roar is too loud of a word) over most pavement is not that bad. Could have been worse- and most of you probably wont care much. Us Geezers like to blast our Judas Priest, Rush, UFO, Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, and while this is a segwuay to the next point, the stereo does have to be turned up louder to counter the Tire AND WIND noise. Why do so many BMWs have wind noise issues? Audi keeps wind noise out with their double insulated glass- Geezers like that and if we really like music, then we REALLY like that. My 435GC has excessive wind noise from the drivers window- they tried to do something but I find it Germaine to BMW- tire and wind noise you are going to get. I would have rated tire noise a B, the extra minus is from the Wind noise. BMW owners want DRIVING DYNAMICS and feel- wind noise and tire noise are NOT part of this- have you ever driven the newer M3s? Deeyam they got some tire roar in those vehicles. Geezers hate engine or tire noise. I understand its an M2 on a sport car/track mission- but so they go a little extra to make it a great daily too- maybe use the CS for the hardcore track rat, but give us geezers (and just those who want it) some tech upgrades and a quieter cabin on a standard M2? I mean what does adaptive headlights or automatic brights have to do with the track? SO al least BMW acknowledges those of us who need everyday safety and convenience- the original mission of the M anyway? BMWs ALWAYS AVERAGE SOUND SYSTEMS: C- Wasn’t expecting anything extra and I wasn’t disappointed. One thing I really dislike about my 13 year association with BMWs- E46 ZHP to Z4M to 435 now M2- the sound systems are just soooo average. Why? Cuz of the “sporting” heritage BS that means you can stick a higher end sound system into a 65k car? Whatever it is they are way behind Audi, and Lexus- and when optioned up – Mercedes C/E. If I were to buy one at the very least a thin sub would goin the back with its own power- and some custom mount up against the “hot” firewall? Will have to see but crap Id pay $ 2500 more for a FACTORY sound system upgrade where I don’t have to F with anything- I’m a Geezer dammit- I got other shit to do, while working and chasing my bucket list! My Golf R has a Fender 400 watt sound system and it sounds Fn AMAZING stock! I wont have to touch it. Highly rated. And Audis in this range have Bang and Olufsen, much better than BMWs HK systems. BABY IS HOT INSIDE: D I have read this on the forums and when its 50f outside no problem- but when that Texas summer comes around Oye Vay its going to be hot. SOMETHING is going to have to be done along the firewall but. And yes I know this car has a great air conditioner (Why are air conditioners never reviewed in Car magazines?) but even though BMWs are a cut above- there is no need for the heat intrusion. This reminds me of old sports cars where you had to sacrifice something to drive them- we live in the Amazon generation- sacrificing isn’t in todays lexicon… But this may be a show stopper for me. My Wife is cold natured so probably wont care much- I disliked it for the couple days I drove it. DAILY AROUND TOWN: B While it’s a little tight and you will feel potholes- A> its NOT teeth rattling as some reviewers have overstated. But it is bumpy on less than perfect roads- but at this point I am saying that you ARE buying an M2 what do you expect? But its really a VERY good everyday driver- dinged a bit for gas mileage for everyday driver. But if its more of a weekend/special occasion vehicle? The gas mileage of about 21 that you will get in the city is not bad at all – again considering the beast that you are buying. If I can get 28 on the highway with this I would be ecstatic. And stopping at gas stations to get gas- that you will often with the small gas tank- you get almost as many looks as if your driving a Lambo…almost… LONGER DISTANCES: ? I haven’t yet so this is incomplete. So far I have some ideas after 30 miles or so in I 35- most with new pavement laid. Engine drone (minimal) wind noise (not terrible but present) and Tire roar (Pretty loud on some pavement – not so on others- fairly high on concrete- not a deal breaker but I wish less for sure) .I have to drive to Dallas or Houston and gage the ride after 90 minutes or so and the heat in the cabin. VERY important metric for Geezers as we go to Indian Casinos and such in our new rides!! FINAL LIKES/DISLIKES In the end as much as I like/love this car, there are just too many add-ons and things missing for me to not own this car. But since my wife has one- its like a grandchild- you can play with them then send them off to momma! The best of all world! GEEZERS LIKE: 1> Looks the business. I mean really the looks mirror the mission of the car. 2> Its AFFORDABLE for what you get! Its 70k after Expel film, some carbon fiber adds and Compared with other luxury sport German brands- its in the sweet spot. 3> Production has caught up to where there will be more in stock and shorter lead times I waited 4 months for my Gran Coupe end of 2015 so you can now get M2s from Texas dealers at least, is about 3 months with many more in stock. 4> Perfect exit enter for small car 5> Great seats perfect driving position 6> Upgraded interior look 7> Familiar BMW stuff- good and bad – its getting dated – but so are us Geezers! 8> Decent trunk and back seat to store your stuff- its NOT a 2 door low profile Z type car 9> Awesome engine growl when you want it 10> Great back road cruiser ( get the moonroof option- racers don’t want them- geezers DO! 11> Probably good on 2-3 hour drives but high running costs? Lots of tire to wear out and gas mileage just OK? 12> But while you want a good 32-35 on the highway and this will be more like 27-28- for this much power I give it a solid plus rated what it is. This is after all a friction filled machine with… 13> Amazing grip – in the dry at least. But OMG it grips with all that tire contact. 14> It gets NOTICED everywhere- especially in this BLUE- its just beautiful. 15> Pretty darn exclusive- you just will never see many M2s around. 16> Takes maybe 20 years off your age, WITHOUT being pretentious like a Porsche- now THAT’S a plus that no other car can claim! GEEZERS DON’T LIKE: 1> No Blind Spot Monitor- deal breaker 2> Heat in the cabin – deal breaker but probably can put some foil crap on firewall to fix it? But geezers don’t like to have to go aftermarket- just a pain in the ass… 3> Lack of other sensors and safety things- probable deal breaker- no excuses at this price point. Some of you dont want them- Geezers do, especially on our Texas overcrowded highways. 4> Touchscreen that you throw your shoulder and/or back out trying to reach it- well its not THAT bad but its not totally usable. Too bad. 5> Would love a large DIGITAL speedo readout between the dials – Geezers don’t want to stare at dials. 6> Again, average Sound system that needs another $2500 to bring it up to “standard” FINAL TAKE: We as a group I guess have apexed and just as cars are getting FANTASTIC, they are very slowly giving way to SUVs and then to full electric pod like things at best- and rideshare at worst. But I digress. But as cars get better and better, in the 55-80k range there are MANY good cars, many that are DAM good and a few that are special- this car is special. Every time you fire this bulldog up- it oozes special. Cruise slow or fast and it is special. But in the end, for this geezer- there are just a few too many sacrifices that I wouldn’t make. The lack of Blind Spot, having to add to the stereo and I will have to watch for this cabin hotness thing- I have to research that one. And of course, higher running costs with any M- but better resale too? Great car- WONDERFUL car actually. But I am going Audi. And I didnt put pics- its a LBB M2 with BMW Performance Carbon fiber bits everywhere - you've seen it before. Last edited by ZilberGrau ZHP; 12-26-2017 at 12:11 PM.. |
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| 12-25-2017, 10:12 PM | #2 |
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I used to be conceited, now I'm perfect.
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What's a deal breaker for some is not even a thought to others. Enjoy your Audi.
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| 12-26-2017, 12:44 AM | #6 |
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i thought it was a good review. I can appreciate the "geezer card", just puts it into perspective the things that are LIKES/DISLIKES and why they may be attributed to being on the older side of the spectrum. Literally everything in the dislikes column are things that aren't dealbreakers or things im really looking for in this car. This further bolsters my decision that i will be a M2 owner in the near future. Appreciate the review!
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bollinm25.00 |
| 12-26-2017, 12:55 AM | #7 |
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Let me assure y'all that despite the implication of the post, the OP does not speak for all "geezers."
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| 12-26-2017, 02:21 AM | #9 |
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As a geezeress I can't say I've noticed the tyre roar. And I find the sound system to be really good (my 20 year old daughter does too), although I rarely listen to it as I prefer the sound of my Fabspeed exhaust which is FAR more entertaining.
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| 12-26-2017, 07:24 AM | #10 |
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It's interesting to hear such a different take on the car. I actually went shopping around to nearly all the dealers in the area (I only skipped Toyota and Mitsubishi I think) and one of the things that I kept coming back to was the iDrive. I liked it much more than any of the other options, and among the worst that I found were the american offerings. I specifically disliked the use of touchscreens, and found iDrive to be the best looking and performing of them all. Some of my friends preferred Audi's MMI, but I found it a bit too much.
Some of the other points I just feel differently on... I knew there was lane departure warning, but now that I read how it works it probably will never come on in my car. And I'm actually glad I don't have any self-correcting options, it's odd as a programmer myself, but I really dislike computers doing things for me, at least when it comes to driving. Maybe nice as options, but who knows how high the price would go then. |
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| 12-26-2017, 09:16 AM | #12 | |
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| 12-26-2017, 09:29 AM | #13 | |
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| 12-26-2017, 09:29 AM | #14 |
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Everybody is entitled to their opinion and thank you for taking the time to give such a long one. If we didn't disagree on things we all would be driving ford fiestas
 I have my heap of complaints but that is mainly due to coming to the F87 platform from well modified F82 so kind of a step down. But compared to my M235 this thing is better everywhere. I wanted a small car again or I would have bought another M4 so the M2 was the ticket. Just have to get used to it  Enjoy what ever you decide to drive..... it is the right car if it makes you happy  |
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bollinm25.00 |
| 12-26-2017, 09:31 AM | #15 | |
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| 12-26-2017, 09:32 AM | #16 |
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Nice review! I dislike all the driver aids, so I'm glad the blind spot monitoring/lane departure/front camera... etc are not part of the M2 and I feel you were generous on the interior. I would say it's average at best. However, I can appreciate your opinion on these. Again, good write-up!
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| 12-26-2017, 09:34 AM | #17 | |
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| 12-26-2017, 09:46 AM | #19 | |
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| 12-26-2017, 09:49 AM | #20 | |
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Last edited by ZilberGrau ZHP; 12-26-2017 at 12:20 PM.. |
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| 12-26-2017, 09:58 AM | #21 |
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Nicely done, good review, very thorough.
The only dislike that catches my attention, that we share in common, is the heat issue. I don't have an M2 yet, and I've participated in a previous discussion about this issue. The consensus previously has been that with AC on it's not an issue. Would you agree with your particular car or was the AC unable to overcome the heat issue even on maximum cold setting? We spent considerable time in all the Audis at the recent auto show. I don't blame you one bit for looking to them - their interiors are superb. I don't like the new gauge cluster with the huge integrated NAV map but it seems everyone else loves it so I think I'm definitely in the minority on that one. I wonder what the uptake rate is on that option. All the interior materials, the fit and finish, the tactile feel, Audi has that nailed. Every seat we sat in, in every car, was so comfortable. And we do like the shape of the S5 - if that were a little more exciting we may be looking at one of those instead of the M2. |
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| 12-26-2017, 10:04 AM | #22 |
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Appreciate reading a different perspective, even if I don’t see an issue with many of the negatives he mentions. Eg. Couldn’t give too hoots about BSM.. but I would love a nicer interior. And I agree wholeheartedly that the HK audio system sucks. Tinny and awful sound.
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