The dealership I'm buying the M2 from sent me a ticket to the St Johns rugby festival where BMW are a sponsor and were showcasing some new cars, of which the M2 was one. This is the first time I've seen the car in person despite putting a deposit down on it. Below are some impressions and a few pics.
The car, as you can see below, is Zandfoort Blue. I was really hoping it would be some other colour since I'm not huge fan of this colour. Also, the cars had been sitting out in the open from the day before and were covered in dust and leaves. On the one hand not ideal for pictures, on the other hand a good indication of what they look like in normal day to day conditions. Given all the dust, perhaps it was a good thing it wasnt my preferred colour, black.
I found it to be accurate that the car looks better in person. In retrospect, my sense is that when looking at designs in 2D pictures, certain visual attributes can be exaggerated (or lost) in the absence of the normal 3D context - hence the quips that it looks like the new M2 was designed in legoland by an ex Atari employee using only a ruler (which, looking at the pictures, I couldnt help but agree with). In person, however, aspects that previously seemed exaggerated make better visual sense.
It also occurred to me that, in person, the car is not particularly striking or eye catching. The average person (non BMW fan) is unlikely to look at it twice - it pretty much just looks like "a BMW". That being said, like many other BMWs, it's got a solid, sporty presence that makes you feel like this is not a car to be trifled with. In the case of the M2 the features that most speak to this performance pedigree are the big quad pipes, the power bulge on the bonnet and muscular 'haunches' that hint at its athletic underpinnings.
Something that I looked out for, since it seemed to be a important to people who know more about these things than I do, was the tyre brand. This car had Michelin Pilot 4's, which apparently is a good result, since in some other territories cars were landing with Pirellis, which apparently was not a good thing. I dont really know why, but it seems the Michelins are thought to be better.
The car was locked, but from what I could see peaking through the windows, the interior looked very good. The steering wheel is a very nice size, the carbon fibre inserts looked great and overall it looked like a very nice cabin to pilot the ship from. The carbon bucket seats looked amazing, a beautiful feature. I was momentarily regretful that I didnt order these (since they seem mostly designed for the track, which I dont see myself partaking in, are apparently awkward to get in and out of and this is to be my daily, and are apparently not that comfortable for longer trips. Also, I genuinely like the design of the M sport seats).
My overall feeling having now seen the car I'm buying is that I'm very satisfied with my choice. The car looks the business. Moreover, in black and with a couple of the performance parts I have in mind, I think I'm going to really like it. Speaking of performance parts, there are apparently 28 pieces in total. There seems to be unanimous agreement from sensible people everywhere that all these parts together constitute comical overkill. I think a careful selection of a handful of them could augment the car in a positive manner, though there is a fine line...
I'm now going to attempt to post some pictures. Apologies that the pictures are not great; the car in question was dusty, it was early in the day and sun was coming at the car from one side only. Also, the car was also backed up against a structure which meant I couldn't shoot it from the back. Also, I'm a crap photographer, so theres that.
The car, as you can see below, is Zandfoort Blue. I was really hoping it would be some other colour since I'm not huge fan of this colour. Also, the cars had been sitting out in the open from the day before and were covered in dust and leaves. On the one hand not ideal for pictures, on the other hand a good indication of what they look like in normal day to day conditions. Given all the dust, perhaps it was a good thing it wasnt my preferred colour, black.
I found it to be accurate that the car looks better in person. In retrospect, my sense is that when looking at designs in 2D pictures, certain visual attributes can be exaggerated (or lost) in the absence of the normal 3D context - hence the quips that it looks like the new M2 was designed in legoland by an ex Atari employee using only a ruler (which, looking at the pictures, I couldnt help but agree with). In person, however, aspects that previously seemed exaggerated make better visual sense.
It also occurred to me that, in person, the car is not particularly striking or eye catching. The average person (non BMW fan) is unlikely to look at it twice - it pretty much just looks like "a BMW". That being said, like many other BMWs, it's got a solid, sporty presence that makes you feel like this is not a car to be trifled with. In the case of the M2 the features that most speak to this performance pedigree are the big quad pipes, the power bulge on the bonnet and muscular 'haunches' that hint at its athletic underpinnings.
Something that I looked out for, since it seemed to be a important to people who know more about these things than I do, was the tyre brand. This car had Michelin Pilot 4's, which apparently is a good result, since in some other territories cars were landing with Pirellis, which apparently was not a good thing. I dont really know why, but it seems the Michelins are thought to be better.
The car was locked, but from what I could see peaking through the windows, the interior looked very good. The steering wheel is a very nice size, the carbon fibre inserts looked great and overall it looked like a very nice cabin to pilot the ship from. The carbon bucket seats looked amazing, a beautiful feature. I was momentarily regretful that I didnt order these (since they seem mostly designed for the track, which I dont see myself partaking in, are apparently awkward to get in and out of and this is to be my daily, and are apparently not that comfortable for longer trips. Also, I genuinely like the design of the M sport seats).
My overall feeling having now seen the car I'm buying is that I'm very satisfied with my choice. The car looks the business. Moreover, in black and with a couple of the performance parts I have in mind, I think I'm going to really like it. Speaking of performance parts, there are apparently 28 pieces in total. There seems to be unanimous agreement from sensible people everywhere that all these parts together constitute comical overkill. I think a careful selection of a handful of them could augment the car in a positive manner, though there is a fine line...
I'm now going to attempt to post some pictures. Apologies that the pictures are not great; the car in question was dusty, it was early in the day and sun was coming at the car from one side only. Also, the car was also backed up against a structure which meant I couldn't shoot it from the back. Also, I'm a crap photographer, so theres that.
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