M2
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 944
Likes: 67
From: Midland
The question I find myself asking more and more with cars like the new M2, and really the entire M lineup, is at what point do you have to really consider an EV? I don't ask myself that while driving a Miata or an S2000. Give me lightweight, a good manual, a charismatic engine, no nannies, I don't care about ring times. But I do find myself asking that question while driving... a GTR? Or the new M3. And while both don't sound terrible, they both don't have sound tracks that make me want to own them, unlike a V8 or an aircooled flat six, or even a well sorted four banger (cost is a consideration too). Because as much as BMW owners love to discuss ring times and such, most M cars aren't seeing the track with any sort of regularity. They're being used like muscle cars for the most part, but instead of wearing denim they're wearing wool, the difference is that BMW has enough nannies and the drivers have enough assets and liabilities to keep them from plunging into crowds, but otherwise they're the same but different. They're great cars to drive around in, have powaaaaa, and that's pretty much it. In which case, might as well get an EV. Drive around in total comfort and have insane amount of powaaaa.
Because no one is going to buy the new M2, at even half the price, solely for the chassis tuning alone if it didn't come with that motor. It's why the Camaro is deceased while the Challenger and Charger live on (a little longer).
Truth be told, I think if they styled the M2 better, it'd be a hit. BMW fanbois were more upset with the front grilles than they were with weight increase.
Because no one is going to buy the new M2, at even half the price, solely for the chassis tuning alone if it didn't come with that motor. It's why the Camaro is deceased while the Challenger and Charger live on (a little longer).
Truth be told, I think if they styled the M2 better, it'd be a hit. BMW fanbois were more upset with the front grilles than they were with weight increase.
Last edited by bruthaboost; Feb 21, 2024 at 12:00 PM.
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 8,365
Likes: 636
This is thinking that is shaping my next fun car decision, and has put the first gen (face lift) R8 V10 on the short list. Either grear box is exceptional, and the powerplant is special. There's no way I could access the performance on the street, and there are no tracks anywhere near me, so I'll settle for accessing amazing automotive theater. I'd love to consider a C8Z06, but I refuse to pay any type of ADM.
The R8 is a great example, for the money there are perhaps faster cars or whatever, but V10 sound track with a gated shifter, I mean cmon. Sure, a modern V6 turbo and a dual clutch will probably outperform it, but who cares. It delivers the theater.
If the C8 Z06 came with a manual, man oh man, that's a true flat plane unlike the Ford Voodoo. Man oh man, the NSX Honda should've made.
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 11,952
Likes: 478
From: MAHT-O-MEDI
Did Audi make a V10 manual R8?
West Coast Exotic Cars introduces this incredible 2014 Audi R8 V10 with the rare gated manual transmission option! 1 of only 51 V10 R8 Coupes with a manual transmission ever produced for the US!
I bet they come with a premium for a manual. I was doing my usual obsessive looking into used car prices and saw lots of Giulia Quads for mid forties if it was a 2017/18 era with about 30-40,000 miles. That is a huge amount of car for the money and having been on the Alfa boards for a while, once you get past 2020, there are several interior upgrades and a few early bugs got worked out. If I don't go with a manual for car #3, it will be on my short list. They are pretty amazing.
West Coast Exotic Cars introduces this incredible 2014 Audi R8 V10 with the rare gated manual transmission option! 1 of only 51 V10 R8 Coupes with a manual transmission ever produced for the US!
I bet they come with a premium for a manual. I was doing my usual obsessive looking into used car prices and saw lots of Giulia Quads for mid forties if it was a 2017/18 era with about 30-40,000 miles. That is a huge amount of car for the money and having been on the Alfa boards for a while, once you get past 2020, there are several interior upgrades and a few early bugs got worked out. If I don't go with a manual for car #3, it will be on my short list. They are pretty amazing.
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,171
Likes: 119
From: Long Island, NY
Every M3/M4 forum has a "m3/m4 vs." section. They are always comparing other cars. Nothing wrong with that.
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 944
Likes: 67
From: Midland
This is the head space I'm currently in. The manual does carry a premium ,but fortunately it got a DCT for the 2012-2015 years. You can manual swap them, and there is plenty of documentation to walk you through it, but It will hurt resale if you care.
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,361
Likes: 493
The maintenance isn’t nothing to sneeze at IMO. No thanks. Very attention getting as well. I’d rather have the B7 RS4 but finding one low mileage is almost nil. And even if you did, the seller would overprice the living F out of it. The R8 videos I watched were a lot of fools buying them used, reporting on cost to operate, etc. You could tell they were taking care of it to resell it at some point. I only buy permanent vehicles now. Ain’t wasting a dime or dollar, and certainly not wasting the most valuable asset in life, TIME.
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 13,494
Likes: 71
From: Chiswick
I have one on order from him for my manual too. The other improvement is getting the Turner shifter bushing, and a different shift knob; both have had a big improvement in feel and throw length. Clutch stop and removing the CDV help with clutch feel and brings it closer to an 'enthusiast' type of car, not one built for the mass market.