Tag Archives: m2

BMW M2 CS Racing Now Available for Motorsport Drivers

Fans of the Ultimate Driving Machine will attest that BMW’s boastful motto was born from success at the racetrack. Those early racing BMWs, 20002s and 3.0 CSLs, are remembered today through the M2 CS, Munich’s most compact, track-hardened two-door from the current lineup of driving machines. And now, weekend warriors and professional race teams can source their race cars direct from the BMW factory.

The M2 CS Racing, launched November 6th, is a factory-developed race car competitively priced to compete with like offerings from Porsche, Mercedes, Ford and other competitive marques. For BMW, it’s the newest flag-bearer of their storied past, picking up after the successful M235i racing which was launched in 2014. 

Same Great Look, New Race Flavor

The formula for a car like the CS Racing is fairly straightforward. Strip out the car’s interior to make it light. Harden the suspension to give it track-appropriate sharpness, and add the requisite technology to provide telemetrics and data logging to inform racing strategy. Along the way, BMW has breathed on the already-fast 7-speed dual-clutch transmission to make shifts even more instantaneous and added a mechanical limited-slip differential with dedicated cooling. 

The CS Racing use the same M4-derived S55 straight-six as its roadgoing brethren, however, the engine’s state of tune limits it to between 280 and 365 bhp to comply with the regulations of the various classes where the M2 might compete. An upgrade to deliver 450hp, the output of the current CS road car, is said to be in the works. Those new to racing will be happy to learn that the CS Racing keeps ABS and driver stability aids that will make the car easier to keep on the blacktop when testing the limits of adhesion. 

Where to Watch the M2 CS Racing

Customers waiting anxiously to get their new track toy can expect to take delivery of the CS Racing in 2020. The car completed testing at tracks in Miramas, France and Portimao, Portugal, and has seen track duty in the hands of factory racers Junior Beitske Visser and Jorg Weidinger who campaigned the car in the VLN Endurance Championship Nurburgring series. 

In addition, expect to see the car campaigned in the TC America, Blancpain GT World Challenge and potentially even American Le Mans’ most junior class, GTD where the CS Racing’s (relatively) affordable price might make it attractive to privateer racers on a budget. However, were it to compete in an American Le Mans race the M2 CS would potentially share track time with the big-brother M8 GTE, a 600 horsepower monster that factory-backed teams will field in the same series. 

Where the CS Racing will be a sure success is in the world of club racing where BMW continues to enjoy a strong following. The combination of strong handling dynamics, powerful and tunable boosted six-cylinder engines, and a rapid-fire dual-clutch transmission in a rear-wheel-drive package will never lose the support of purists who grew up driving this type of car and want to continue the experience in a modern BMW coupe. 

Up Close with the M2 Performance Edition

Warning. This does contain an obligatory video of arousing exhaust noises.

Now, can you believe that the M2, the self-proclaimed savior of driving fun, has been out for over a year? Me neither. And yet dealer’s are still asking sticker or more. It was also only a matter of time before the Munich suits decided what was needed is a limited edition version of an already highly limited car. For more money, of course!

So what’s this new M2 Performance Edition all about? It takes the already highly impressive M2, takes some stuff out, and puts some extras in. Let’s go positives first, with what is gained: Trick, tire-hugging coilover suspension, an attractive and especially throaty exhaust with a switchable track mode, black accents on the mirrors, kidney grills and the fake side vent looking thing behind the front wheel. Lastly, it includes the M Driver’s Package, which gets you a day at a high-performance driving school, as well as raising top speed to 168, as if 155 isn’t enough.

Now let’s go to what you lose: Power seats, dual zone A/C, comfort access keyless entry, and a standard stereo instead of the upgraded Harman Kardon unit. Alpine White is the only color offered.

Only 150 will be available, made clear by a LED door projector that displays the fact loud and clear. All this bumps up the price to $61,695.

So is it worth it? Depends on what you’re looking for in an M2. Having only ridden in it, the suspension is on the stiff side of things, but the way it hugs the taut body right over the 19″ wheels is glorious. The standard exhaust on an M2 is already quite good, but this sounds like it should be jumping over Pflanzgarten at the Nurburgring. Included is a handheld remote switch that looks like it’s for detonating plastic explosives. Well, in a way it does, as it’s what sets said sexy exhaust into a track, or loud mode.

I could personally make do with manual seats, how often do you really change your seating position anyways? The lack of proximity sensing comfort access is a bit less convenient, but the single zone climate control, well, I dislike having to adjust both sides as it is, so that’s a win for me. Stereo downgrade? Not really, you got a stereo playing out four bazooka tailpipes out back already.

Thing is, you could get a base M2 and then upgrade it, with Dinan parts or such for the same money, especially if you want the gorgeous Long Beach Blue color which isn’t on offer here. So here’s the deal with it. I wouldn’t wait for one as there’s only 150 and only a few left available I bet, but if you’re looking for an M2 and this is what your dealer has, you probably don’t have much of a choice. The exhaust alone will sell this car.

The M2 Performance Edition pictured is currently available at BMW of Roseville.

 

Do You Really Need that M2 or is the M240i enough?

The M240i has been hitting dealer showrooms for the last couple month now and you might be wondering, “just what is different here? What about the M2 though?” Let’s start with the obvious changes over the outgoing M235i. For starters, there’s the name. Again, like all BMW’s of the last ten years, even though displacement isn’t changing (the names have not corresponded in 10 years anyways…), they do have to make it seem like the car is improving, which it has. If I hear both M240i and M235i, I’m going to automatically assume the bigger number is the better car.

M240i trunk badge So how exactly has it improved? It has a new engine, but it’s the same size, has the same number of cylinders, as well as use of a single, twin-scroll turbocharger. However, the block is different, being substantially stronger than the N55. The new B58, first debuted in the 340i earlier this year, has a ‘closed-deck’ design (block strength will be likened by tuners undoubtedly), and is of a modular architect to keep costs down for the bean counters in Munich. Simplified, the new 6 cylinders is the same engine as the 4-bangers, just with cylinders added on. But what a difference two cylinders make, giving a raucous bark to the exhaust note on startup and some nice cracks and pops on the overrun. And it’s what a dictionary refers you to when looking up the word smooth.

Torque is up significantly, now 369 instead of 330. That’s the same that the fabled M2 makes when on overboost.

And yes, as is obligated, it has more power now. 335 to be exact, where the M235i had ‘only’ 320. Torque is up significantly, now 369 instead of 330. That’s the same that the fabled M2 makes when on overboost. And it’s only 30 down in the power department, which got me thinking: where does it stack up against the M2 in an old-fashioned drag race? I immediately scoured Youtube and was both surprised and unsurprised at the result: it appears to be a damn near draw. Next was to get behind the wheel of the new ’40. Flipping down a couple ratios to second and, nailing it, I feel no difference as  my memory recalls the M2’s speed. Honestly, I can’t really tell. On paper, an M2 with a DCT will have the edge from it’s brutal launch control method, but through the gears, it feels every bit as quick as an M2. Maybe the top of the power band isn’t quite as strong, but how long are you really above 6500 RPM? I reckon BMW M will have an updated, faster M2 out in no time as a response, and likely with the new B58 engine as it still harnesses the ‘ancient’ N55.

So, you got fifty odd grand burning in your pocket for a proper BMW sports coupe, which should you pick? Well it becomes more difficult than it seems. If it were me, I’d have the M2 everyday. Having seen an M2 parked next to an M235/M240i, the M2 simply makes the latter look like a rental car. The wheel arches on the M2 look like the Hulk stretched and shrink-wrapped the metal around those lovely 19” wheels. It looks just bloody brilliant. The M2 also wins on sound, having a proper throaty snarl out of its four tailpipes. M2 has real track credentials too, sporting a fancy differential and better steering as well. The cabin comes standard with alcantara inserts swathed on the doors, lending a special aroma. Sounds like a win-win, right? Remember, I did say this was difficult.

Where the M240i fights back is in real-world usability. M2 is tuned for the track, which is great, when you’re on a track with it’s grizzly grip of the road and tenacious turn-in. On most roads in the wild, it is very stiffly sprung, with a jarring ride. I’m young, I can deal with that for another couple years, but for some it might be frankly too stiff. The M240i also has adaptive dampers, to switch between comfort and sport, something the M2 cannot do, having fixed damper rates. An M240i is also cheaper, before fitting options at least. If you can live without navigation, it will be a few grand cheaper. This is augmented all the more by the single biggest problem with the M2: availability. Most dealers have wait lists for the baby ‘M, and if you find one one on a showroom, they’ll likely be asking for $10,000 over MSRP. It makes the M240i at that point seem like a bargain, considering you get 99.9% daily performance and at least 90% of the track performance the M2 offers.

So, should you still want the M2 over the M240i? Sure! It’s all about desirability, after all. It must be said though, it really comes down to more of what you’re looking for and looking to spend, given dealer markups. For everyday driving, the M240i is probably the safer bet, as it’s more comfortable and has same straight-line speed. If you are a track junky, then I feel it’s a no-brainer to go for the M2. But really, I think it’s more or less what is available to you. If you’re considering one of the two, see what your dealer has. And if they only have M240i’s, give it a test drive and you’ll probably drive it home; you will not be disappointed. However, if you’ve driven an M2 already…