[M3ILANA]

Been waiting for this day to put deposit on S55 M2. However, now I have baby on the way and I don’t see myself spending weekends at the track anymore and I live far from a big city so it’s not like I’d take this sweet ride on Saturday night looking for trouble. I am really considering getting 2018 M3 instead. Same handling, power, quality but 4 doors. Yes it’s missing some of the soul uniqueness and fun that M2 brings buts it’s also last year for M3 and I am having a major fomo. Now I have E36 2.8 with ActiveAutowerks supercharger and Mazda3 for the wife so should I grow up and get a sedan or go with M2 CS at higher price but rival to porsche weekend fun car. I’m deadlocked. Pls help.

[Sumotang]

Baby seat can still fit in the back of the M2C. Yes its a bit harder to get them in and out but its not like trying to get them into a 911 . If you can live with a bit of inconvenience, and love the M2, then get what you want.

[ismelllikepoop]

Originally Posted by Sumotang

Baby seat can still fit in the back of the M2C. Yes its a bit harder to get them in and out but its not like trying to get them into a 911 . If you can live with a bit of inconvenience, and love the M2, then get what you want.

911 that much harder to put car seats in the back?

[Sumotang]

Originally Posted by ismelllikepoop

911 that much harder to put car seats in the back?

Car seats not so much but physically getting them in there is harder as there is less room in the 911 than the M2. Either way I would put up with a little inconvenience and get the car that I want.

[voyagergab]

I was not that enamoured by M3 and M4 after a city test drive last year.
But after driving them on the track at Thermal I must say I really liked them a lot. Not sure what's everyone's issue is with the engine sound. It sounded delicious to me.
So either option is great.

[mtoosexy]

I have a very similar dilemma. Need room for 2 carseats, love mineral grey, M3 looks better than M2C [opinion]. I like the size of m2. Cost isn't enough of a difference to make a difference. Meeting with sales manager to finalize decision tomorrow. My M2c is in the books but not LOCKED in.
Wrench in plans. Just found out today I need 2 new condenser units for my home AC.
Building a shed for yard equipment and received a quote for a new roof...22k plus skylights oh, and just made the first 3 payments on wifes new 2019 vehicle.

[CosmosMpower]

I would not try and put a baby seat in a m2 or 911 you will hate life. F80 barely has enough room with a rear facing.

[Sideshow]

Please post AFTER the baby is born....cars will not matter.

[gemini.m3]

I just made this same decision. Got off #4 on m2 comp waiting list to lease a ymb m3 with competition package, executive and other goodies

Ultimately I felt the car looked better. The m2 is a little boyish as well, not that that’s bad but something to consider

The m3 is more refined

[Spare°]

We have 7 weeks old baby, with an M2C on order for September. Driving a regular 3 series now, so curious to see how it plays out. We do have an X1 as a second family car, so not too worried from a practicalities pov.

I did inform regarding the M3 Competition pack, but supposedly no build slots were available anymore here (4-5 weeks ago) and I found the price difference for my specific build quite steep (30k€) so no-brainer on my end.

[M3ILANA]

Originally Posted by deceptiv335

I just made this same decision. Got off #4 on m2 comp waiting list to lease a ymb m3 with competition package, executive and other goodies

Ultimately I felt the car looked better. The m2 is a little boyish as well, not that that’s bad but something to consider

The m3 is more refined

How much is your lease and term if you don’t mind. Perhaps leasing M3 is good option to postpone looking at m2c until it’s mid production

[monochrom3]

I've got a seat in my M2 with no issues, though my kiddo is 4.5 and forward facing. I don't think rear facing would be that much more inconvenient however. I'd say pick the car you want as opposed to worrying about how the seat fits and/or potential inconvenience. Once you put them in there a few times, it's not a big deal/inconvenience IMO. Congrats on kiddo!

[Bt12]

If I was driving a kid around I prefer the m3.

[pal]

Originally Posted by Bt12

If I was driving a kid around I prefer the m3.

+1. Two doors and baby seat will get old pretty quickly.

[M3ILANA]

thank you everyone. for those of you without kids as consideration. why did you pick M2 over M3?

[seis-speed]

As a father of 3. M3 all the way. Bigger trunk for stroller. Backseat for emergency change. Shorter doors for tight spaces. Still a beast of a car.

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by verobeach97

thank you everyone. for those of you without kids as consideration. why did you pick M2 over M3?

I currently have an F80 ZCP - it’s a very good car that can check almost every single box that seems to matter to you: it looks great, you can easily take 3 other people places with you, and a baby seat will be a cinch (I find the back seat to be quite nice, size wise).

I’m really interested in the M2C because I’d like to have a physically smaller car (my previous ride was a 981CS, and I miss the feel of something smaller). I have no kids and don’t track, all my “fun” driving is on back roads.

You really can’t wrong with either car, as they share a lot of components - they’re just reflective of slightly different focuses if that makes sense. The good thing for you is that the market is very buyer-friendly for the M3 - you can get a good deal on one that’s nicely equipped. Could always grab a M2C down the road, and after the initial hype has died down some.

[beppeM3+123d]

Depend of use if you really make track you need ccb, if you need ccb you go on f80.
Otherwise basically the price is the same, so depend on what you like, but remember that m3 is M3

[Mavus]

Originally Posted by verobeach97

Been waiting for this day to put deposit on S55 M2. However, now I have baby on the way and I don’t see myself spending weekends at the track anymore and I live far from a big city so it’s not like I’d take this sweet ride on Saturday night looking for trouble. I am really considering getting 2018 M3 instead. Same handling, power, quality but 4 doors. Yes it’s missing some of the soul uniqueness and fun that M2 brings buts it’s also last year for M3 and I am having a major fomo. Now I have E36 2.8 with ActiveAutowerks supercharger and Mazda3 for the wife so should I grow up and get a sedan or go with M2 CS at higher price but rival to porsche weekend fun car. I’m deadlocked. Pls help.

You can do it with 2 doors but life will be easier with four. If baby is sick and one of you needs to sit in the back you will appreciate 4 doors. Also if you need to pick somebody up to sit in the back next to baby it will be easier with 4 doors. The M3 trunk will also help with all the baby crap these days. These scenarios prevented me from getting e46 M3. Ideally m2 with 4drs would be perfect. For the first 5 years the flexibility of 4 doors would make your life easier. This also depends on how often you will have baby in the back. If it is only 1-2 times a week then M2 is ok.

[heavyD^2]

Can you manage with baby seats in the back of the M2? Yes. However your life will be a lot easier with the M3 as there will be times your wife may have to sit in the back with the baby and you don't really want her squished back there and the bonus is that it's a nicer all around package for driving the family around. Easy decision IMO if you can afford the M3.

[Fear-Mongrel]

We chose an M2 since we don't have kids, it's just the two of us, but if we had kids we'd have gone M3. Maybe it's not as tossable or "fun" as the M2, but who wouldn't want one in the driveway. So many more colors, nicer leather available, better lease deals, and the same engine everyone is so stoked about for the M2C.

And this doesn't have to be a decision that means one or the other. There are 55 M3 currently available on Swapalease right now, with transfer commitments as short as 9 months. You can take over the lease on one of those for a year, stay on the list for an M2C, and if in a year you don't like the feel of the M3 you can move into the M2C, save the lease-end disposition fee, and you'd have gotten the doubts out of your system. Or, if after a year you find you love the M3, you can go grab another one whether on Swapalease, dealer CPO, etc.

I'm not affiliated with Swapalease, I'm just putting myself in your shoes and trying to think of how you can scratch the M car itch given your new circumstances but without having to make a long-term commitment that means having to choose one or the other with no chance to undo the choice.

[KevinM]

+1 on above. With kids and car seats, 4 doors is so much easier. Sure, you can do it with an M2C, but why? Now that my kids are grown, I'm considering the M2C precisely because I don't need four doors anymore.