M trackdays Review

[Taskmaster]

Someone in the local forums posted about it:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1380525

I attended the BMW M track day in Miami at Homestead. It was FANTASTIC and well worth every penny of admission. Drove the M4 and M2 on the track, the M3 on the autocross and the M550i, X6, M6 and M6 Vert on the drag.

I'm happy to report I had the 3rd fastest auto time of the day (out of 103 people) and I believe I placed top 20 overall with all 900 people who did it over the 5 days.

The best part was driving the M2 full bore behind the instructor - it was in my opinion, a more fun car than the M4. We also go a special ride along with the pro/instructors for a full balls-to-the-wall lap, which was other worldly. I would TOTALLY recommend you do this event!

I wish I had some good pictures to show you, but take my word for it, it was spectacular.

[NFiftyWon]

I want an m2 so bad

[ASAP]

These are indeed awesome events... especially for the price. I attended Homestead last year when it was free... my feelings on the M2 were opposite. I agree it was a better learning tool and much easier to drive... as far as capability and fun factor... the cars arent even remotely close... then add the heatsoak the M2 had in comparo to the M3.

[tdott]

Yup great events, I also attended last year when it was free.
Felt the same about the M2 as Asap above. It felt very underwelming and I was actually was considering a euro delivery on one. But after driving all of the Ms last year I concluded my next car will not be a BMW.

[ASAP]

I think the problem with the M2 was the abusrd hype and reviews it got... then a lot of people that either owned prior M cars, other serious sports cars or current F80 M3s went to drive them and were quite disappointed. I find it to be a very niche car that honestly is only special due to its small size... if you discount that, then there is almost nothing special about it.

[insanecoder]

M2 lacks the powerplant of the 3/4 but it handles/feels exceptional
I'm waiting for the M2 to get a real powerplant ~400hp before seriously considering

[Taskmaster]

The M2 was definitely better than the M4. The M4 was fast and strong, but the power difference didn't feel as huge as I expected, and the brakes on both were exceptional. I will say that I drove the M2 last, so I had a better feel of my abilities, the track and of the cars in general at that point - But the M2 just felt more lively and fun.

[tdott]

Originally Posted by TheAxiom

The M2 was definitely better than the M4. The M4 was fast and strong, but the power difference didn't feel as huge as I expected

What did you feel was definitely "better" about the M2 if it wasn't faster than an M4?

[Taskmaster]

Originally Posted by tdott

What did you feel was definitely "better" about the M2 if it wasn't faster than an M4?

Well for one thing, faster =/= Better. It was more direct feeling, and it felt lighter. Not having the specs on hand, I can't say how true or false that was. Neither car was BAD, I just like the M2 more.

Who knows, maybe if I drove the M2 first, and the M4 last I would have felt differently.

[tdott]

Originally Posted by TheAxiom

Well for one thing, faster =/= Better. It was more direct feeling, and it felt lighter. Not having the specs on hand, I can't say how true or false that was. Neither car was BAD, I just like the M2 more.

Who knows, maybe if I drove the M2 first, and the M4 last I would have felt differently.

Make sense, was just looking for what made you think it felt better, like as you mentioned it being lighter maybe felt more nimble.

The difference is not as much as you would think, usually a 100lb difference depending on configuration.
IMO compared to previous M cars neither of them felt very direct but that is due to the electronic steering, nor did they feel very responsive due to the turbos and the heat, they were fast but very "muted" or soft feeling which is great for the street but not what I was expecting on track. I was also disappointed in the M2 DCT, it felt neutered compared to the bigger bothers, or even the old e9x dct. Perhaps I had too great expectations for the M2 and that left me disappointed.

They are great cars, and will make great dailies. IMO M has gone soft and with that lost some of their excitement.

[P1]

Doing mine next week Wednesday. Have never driven on a track befire. Shoukd be fun!