M2 vs M4 vs M5 vs something else

[Herminator]

Shame to see you selling up mate!

It will be a sad day to see the Z4M go. I've thought more than once about just keeping it as a second car, but I don't have a spare garage for it and it would realistically not get the use needed to keep it from deteriorating.

I did all this over a couple of weeks..

M2 got totally discounted in the low £30's range.... Feels so low rent,even though its an ok car.

M4 is a great buy,but there are a lot for sale... Feel fast but dull and does have a chavability rating thats off the scale


Ended up buying an Jaguar F type S instead..

I'm hoping the M4 isn't too dull. The chavability - I can see the point but I've seen more M2's with that problem.
I don't feel I'm ready for the old man Jag. (it doesn't help my father has had an S-Type and still has an XK)

I just did a quick insurance comparison. The M2 competition was looking the most expensive until a couple of late quotes came in the same range as the other options I'm considering. I'll end up at a different post code, so those quotes will change, but it doesn't seem the car choice will be swayed insurance.

A Porsche Cayman is an obvious step from the Z4, but I sat in a workmates and it felt even more claustrophobic than the Z4. I want more space these days.
Audi's bore me and Mercs are nice to look at but outside of the GT and SLS, don't move me.

 

[tomscott]

When I did the figures on a new M2 and M4 the depreciation was more than the monthly payments, negative equity off the bat.

The depreciation is so steep, I looked at an M2 that had all the bells and whistles (what bells and whistles it could have...) carbon pack, bluetooth exhaust, digital steering wheel, HK, Cameras, car play etc etc and had done 4k was a 66 Plate so 18 months old at the time, RRP 54k list, it was up for sale for 36k 18 months 18k depreciation. Imagine what they offered him... £30k? criminal.

Apparently the guy who bought it had a successful business and with brexit had to sell some assets to help get him through the otherside. Didnt even trade so I would say the number was pretty poor.

Pcp the car had a trade in in 3 years time 4 1/2 years old at £18.5k loosing another 17K, £472 per month the monthly payments were about £520 with a balloon at the end. The cost to HP were about the same overall just higher monthlys instead of balloon payment and using the PCP as a minimum trade in gives you a decent indication of value. Usually they are lower than actual but still poor.

I think its generally the problem with this generation of M car. The M3/M4 naming debacle, everything going turbo, the interesting positioning of the M2, amazing car but ruined by the 2 series interior quality but half baked until the comp then the comp exhaust sounds worce than the N55s.

The M3/4 interior is lovely but the M2s exterior is so much nicer and looks more purposeful. The M3s rear arches look so much nicer than the 4. Just not a big lover of this generation. Then there is the noise, hate the noise of the S55 and the thought of throwing more money to make it sound good just doesn't appeal at all.

That being said on the road there probably isnt much better in terms of performance, comfort and MPG. Just that old school purist BMW M car mentality is dwindling. I always have a go a people for having negative comments on the newer cars and I suppose I should eat my words as they really dont do much for me at all. Suppose its how you weigh it up. Old school with old tech and more expensive to run but smiles per miles or newer car with all the bells and whistles but steep cost of buying, purposeful but dull.

Instead went halves with my dad for a 996 4S as a bit of a project and another M... but a roady this time.

2 cars, very different and love them both for completely different reasons and I have the JCW for family duties. Being back in the M is a revelation and as much as I like the little turbo motor in the mini it just feels like its trying to hard to be something its not and that probably sums up the current M range for me. No magic but does what it says on the tin.

At the same time its hard to blame BMW they have made a great car in a world where there are eu regs ruining all the fun and the old ones being extortionate to tax.

I mean its the way it is, new cars are expensive and the depreciation is large, so what ever you buy will be a big loss unless its a long termer. For me even if I could afford it loosing that amount of money on a car thats lost the spark of old doesn't seem to make much sense. There is also a bit of unease with BMW generally. Cuting ranges, CEO stepping down, M department making X3/4 Ms... and yet cant make a 2 seater sports car, Electric programme a complete flop. Not the best time to be a BMW fan.

The M3/4 at 25-30k seems like decent value but I dont know what they are like in terms of longevity cost to maintain out of warranty. Suppose in the next few years it will be more apparent.

The Porsche world might be a better bet, everything is pretty much sought after now. Just had the 996 valued and it has appreciated 3k in the last 18 months and its done about 4k miles. Spent more than that on it mind you

 

[Herminator]

Depreciation is definitely putting me off the M2s and higher end M4s.
I wouldn't intend to keep them for just 2-3 years, ideally I'd like them enough to keep them much longer, so depreciation would even out a little. But it's still not an enticing prospect.

Thats putting the GTR closer to the top of the list. Even if I think I'll be less inclined to keep it long term.
Maybe have 2-3 years of fun for not a massive amount of depreciation and then trade into an M4 CS. With the goal of the CS being a long long term fun second car.

At the moment though, I only want a single car. Something that does most things well but delivers excitement.

 

[Z4M-2006]

You can get into a 981 cayman for £30k now and they have much more space than a Z4. And they are a fantastic car,i just sold mine with 35k on for £29500.

GTR are a weapon,but any saving in depreciation is taken up by running costs...

The F type is a happy medium for me.


Im happy that i didnt get a M4,from what im reading and seeing the prices are bombing. AUC car for £23k admittedly with 81k on,but also AUC car with 51k at £26k...
They have done best part of £10,000 in a year !!

 

[Angelus666]

Just cycling this thread back up, as I've spent a decent amount of time in a 2017 M2 DCT today. I've got to say it's a brilliant car for UK roads, just the right amount of power and a chassis that is a lot of fun at sensible speeds on damp February roads. The seats are actually pretty good and the noise is very good, even with the standard exhaust. For £10k more than a Z4MC these feel a no brainer for those wanting a sporty M car.

So, for £28k-£30k with a 12 AUC warranty and £1k for a further 2 years warranty these are very compelling cars as a daily. Are they a little bit chavy, does that really matter....the only thing I would struggle to go back to is that there seem to be so many of them on the road (currently 244 on autotrader vs 32 Z4M's).

The dealer is also offering a very tempting M4CS with 1k miles for early £50k's...that's a bargain in my mind. Would those cars ever drop down to £20k..?

 

[chutley]

Buy a cheap shed to drive to the Tesco car park, and never worry about trolly dings and theft.

Run an older Aston/F Type/Porsche/BMW for Sat/Sun fun. Buy the right one and lose very little money.

 

[Obs-Com]

The M2 is a great all rounder. I had a 2017 LCI M2 DCT and miss it a lot. I didn’t think anything would come close to ticking all the boxes like the M2 did, at least not until I had a G29 M40i as a loaner.

It’s close, but for me the G29 M40i has it over the M2. I know it’s not a true “M” car but it’s all round ability and drive is second to none. Glad I made the change.

 

[mr wilks]

The M2 is a great all rounder. I had a 2017 LCI M2 DCT and miss it a lot. I didn’t think anything would come close to ticking all the boxes like the M2 did, at least not until I had a G29 M40i as a loaner.

It’s close, but for me the G29 M40i has it over the M2. I know it’s not a true “M” car but it’s all round ability and drive is second to none. Glad I made the change.

Now then " G29 M40i has it over the M2 " that's a fair accolade handed out there mate

 

[Angelus666]

To be fair to the dealer, he said the M40 is a better car than the M2, but it all depends on what floats the individual really.

Looking across the whole market is really interesting...it’s total knock on effect of manufacturers needing volume sales and people buying new cars solely on the monthly payment, but never actually being able to afford the car. There’s a lot of 3-5 year old cars to choose from now in that £25k - £45k bracket.

 

[mr wilks]

To be fair to the dealer, he said the M40 is a better car than the M2, but it all depends on what floats the individual really.

Looking across the whole market is really interesting...it’s total knock on effect of manufacturers needing volume sales and people buying new cars solely on the monthly payment, but never actually being able to afford the car. There’s a lot of 3-5 year old cars to choose from now in that £25k - £45k bracket.

Very very true , but has been that way for a good while now , as for the M40i being better than a M2 my that car must drive well cause it surely isn't the looks department its winning out on

 

[Obs-Com]

The M2 is a great all rounder. I had a 2017 LCI M2 DCT and miss it a lot. I didn’t think anything would come close to ticking all the boxes like the M2 did, at least not until I had a G29 M40i as a loaner.

It’s close, but for me the G29 M40i has it over the M2. I know it’s not a true “M” car but it’s all round ability and drive is second to none. Glad I made the change.

Now then " G29 M40i has it over the M2 " that's a fair accolade handed out there mate

Alright Andy. It is but it’s true (IMO)! I’m totally impressed with the all round ability of the G29 as a daily driver, GT and well balanced/able sports car. Not to mention it’s a convertible, a Z4 and it’s orange!!

 

[john-e89]

The M2 is a great all rounder. I had a 2017 LCI M2 DCT and miss it a lot. I didn’t think anything would come close to ticking all the boxes like the M2 did, at least not until I had a G29 M40i as a loaner.

It’s close, but for me the G29 M40i has it over the M2. I know it’s not a true “M” car but it’s all round ability and drive is second to none. Glad I made the change.

Now then " G29 M40i has it over the M2 " that's a fair accolade handed out there mate

Alright Andy. It is but it’s true (IMO)! I’m totally impressed with the all round ability of the G29 as a daily driver, GT and well balanced/able sports car. Not to mention it’s a convertible, a Z4 and it’s orange!!

The M2 is an awesome car but it’s not a drop top, that makes all the difference imo. No drop top...no buy...simple, and an M40i has a cracking chassis, still a bit heavy but the M2 is hardly an Elise either.

 

[Obs-Com]

To be fair to the dealer, he said the M40 is a better car than the M2, but it all depends on what floats the individual really.

Looking across the whole market is really interesting...it’s total knock on effect of manufacturers needing volume sales and people buying new cars solely on the monthly payment, but never actually being able to afford the car. There’s a lot of 3-5 year old cars to choose from now in that £25k - £45k bracket.

Very very true , but has been that way for a good while now , as for the M40i being better than a M2 my that car must drive well cause it surely isn't the looks department its winning out on

TBH I’ve had quite a few people compliment the G29 M40i since it arrived. Only yesterday I was at the petrol station and a guy came over asking about it and telling me how nice it looks. I really do think it’s a fabulous looking car, especially in frozen orange!

 

[mr wilks]

To be fair to the dealer, he said the M40 is a better car than the M2, but it all depends on what floats the individual really.

Looking across the whole market is really interesting...it’s total knock on effect of manufacturers needing volume sales and people buying new cars solely on the monthly payment, but never actually being able to afford the car. There’s a lot of 3-5 year old cars to choose from now in that £25k - £45k bracket.

Very very true , but has been that way for a good while now , as for the M40i being better than a M2 my that car must drive well cause it surely isn't the looks department its winning out on

TBH I’ve had quite a few people compliment the G29 M40i since it arrived. Only yesterday I was at the petrol station and a guy came over asking about it and telling me how nice it looks. I really do think it’s a fabulous looking car, especially in frozen orange!

Its a rarer machine for sure , i'm not sure if i will ever mellow to it & unlikely i would choose one over a M2 , that said you've had the M2 so your criteria is different , i tried talking myself into one or M4 which offer better value right now but just not sure they are the cars for me as a low use Sunday morning thrasher .

 

[Z4M-2006]

By all accounts the B58 engine is better than the S55

No bad thing, the S55 is crapping itself at scary rates at the moment ..
Big bills for people out of warranty

 

[Obs-Com]

By all accounts the B58 engine is better than the S55

No bad thing, the S55 is crapping itself at scary rates at the moment ..
Big bills for people out of warranty

Alright Gaz. That seems to be a growing opinion. The following from the BMWBLOG about the B58 makes interesting reading as well:

“ When it comes to BMW, it seems as if a large part of the fanbase refuses to accept anything recent as among the brand’s best anything. Many BMW fans are still stuck in the past and have a hard time admitting modern BMWs to be superior to classic ones in any way. However, this new BMW B58 engine might just be one of the very best the Bavarian brand has ever made”.

 

[Z4M-2006]

Hi Pal....

Didnt know you had an M40i

Yea,i have heard similar tales about the B58... Holds some tuning potential too.

 

[Obs-Com]

Could be another mid-life crisis Gaz but missing having a Z TBH.

Had to let the M2 go as my other half didn't like driving it (she had to use it on occasions). She got some unwanted attention a couple of times from boy racers who drove a little too close. I was also missing having a drop top.

Williams Bolton let me have a M40i for a couple of days last summer and I was totally impressed and was on the look out for a low mileage ever since. Eventually got my hands on a very low mileage First Edition when the prices became more realistic.

 

[Z4M-2006]

Brilliant...

I still havent seen a G29 on the road yet,never mind an M40i...

I seen them at Williams Stockport when they launched them and that was it.


The M2 is a funny motor that seems to divide opinion,its the trim that puts me off them to be honest..

 

[Top pup]

Brilliant...

I still havent seen a G29 on the road yet,never mind an M40i...

I seen them at Williams Stockport when they launched them and that was it.


The M2 is a funny motor that seems to divide opinion,its the trim that puts me off them to be honest..

I rarely post on here these days, but as an ex M2 owner I thought I'd pick up on your last comment and say it's probably the most disappointing car I've owned and I was glad to see the back of it.