Pace Week 2023: BMW M2 Competitors vs BMW M3 Touring

Do not you suppose it is fascinating that we did not load a single Audi or Mercedes into our Scania-shaped toy packing containers? We politely requested for an AMG One however Merc stated no. What in regards to the F1 tech-inspired hybrid C63? Merc stated… no. How about Audi’s provide of a facelifted RS6/7? Properly, they didn’t fairly minimize the mustard. Which means we needed to have a verbal punch-up within the workplace to see whether or not we should always deliver BMW’s new M3 Touring or its pugnacious sibling, the M2 Comp. We couldn’t resolve – so right here we’re with each barrels of Bimmer.

That’s no unhealthy factor as there’s extra frequent DNA on this pairing than in M automobiles of the previous and quite a bit to unpack. Parallels are naturally borne out of BMW’s choice to chop them from the identical steely fabric, basing the brand new M2 chassis on barely chopped underpinnings from an M3/4, somewhat than the outdated concept of beefing up a 1 Sequence. There’s shared {hardware} too, each being powered by the identical torquetastic S58 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight six (tuned to 454bhp within the M2 and a sneeze over 500bhp within the M3), having the identical adaptive suspension and the identical smarter and somewhat racy carbon coated cabin.

However the M2 will get the larger M automotive’s dumpy weight, all 1,700kg of it. And whereas each get an 8spd auto field as commonplace, for £545 additional BMW will match the M2 with a 6spd guide. Which it has for us. And whereas the M2 has metal brakes, the M3 is on completely whopping (400x38mm fronts) £7,995 M carbon ceramic brakes. So it’s six of 1, half a dozen of the opposite in the case of spec. Both method, at over £86k for the M3 Touring and £65k for its youthful brother, neither is reasonable.

Pictures: Olgun Kordal and John Wycherley

Sure, each automobiles are radical and visually overpowering with huge grilles, squared intakes and loads of LOOK AT ME. However haven’t you warmed to the M3 Touring’s face? I’ve. Will we simply want one other eight or so months trying on the M2 and we might ‘get’ it? Solely time will inform.

However what to drive first? Do you swallow the cheaper, lesser powered RWD and guide crimson tablet, or the extra highly effective, quicker 4WD auto blue tablet? Once you’ve received a wild circuit just like the Gotlandring with two distinctive and completely different sections, blind corners, big elevation modifications, zero runoff and a bloody ski bounce to fireplace off, I am going blue.

M-thusiasts have been kneeling by the facet of their beds for actually many years praying for a bootiful M3. However I’m glad BMW didn’t pull the set off any earlier. For a correct fascinating efficiency property you need one dimension matches all motoring and this era of M3 presents that greater than every other being the primary to controversially include xDrive. And when you’ve tried this 4WD system you surprise why we didn’t cry for it earlier. It’s not overbearing or intrusive and doesn’t corrupt the steering really feel or load the automotive up with understeer. As a substitute it helps form the steadiness of the automotive and works with the full of life and energetic engine to make you drive it higher. Sure, it’s 85kg heavier than the equal four-door however in some way shakes that off to the purpose you overlook you’ve received a much bigger boot connected. That’s till a photographer wants a step ladder, which you publish by way of the 500-litre boot and break up glass tailgate. Load lugging full, you possibly can then go full lairy monster.

The M2 actually does really feel like a youthful pup entering into it out of the M3. It’s undoubtedly extra grown up and fewer boisterous than its predecessor, nevertheless it’s received actual M spirit. Being as vast as an M3/4 it has a splendidly intuitive and optimistic entrance finish, however due to its shorter wheelbase, additionally extra playfulness.

On the circuit’s older part, it dances over the undulating course modifications, making the rear really feel gloriously alive. And although they share the identical straight six, having to alter gear for your self reveals how properly BMW has calibrated the auto to work within the M3 as you stir across the turbo lag within the guide. However it’s enjoyable to swap cogs your self, threat a clutch kick right into a skid and be rewarded with digital stars within the drift analyser. You shortly discover the M2 to be an especially gratifying and confidence inspiring automotive, keen you to show the modes up and security programs down. When you’ve completed that, you’ve received the purest M automotive you possibly can presently purchase.

At this level I ought to remind you that these would be the final ever pure petrol M automobiles. Quite depressingly, from right here on the whole lot will likely be hybrid or electrical. However which tablet must you swallow for good: crimson or blue? Properly, that’s so that you can resolve. However isn’t a brief, squat, two-door M automotive with a straight six, guide field, rear drive and sense of humour just about the recipe to happiness? That’s why it’s the M2 for me.