Trade the Mach 1 for an M2?

[ChitownStang]

Hi all, so I’m seriously thinking about trading my 2021 Mach 1 in for a pretty stripped down grey or black M2.
I wanted to tell you all why and the +/- of my decision and anything you guys can add to help would be great!

So I’ve been a Mustang guy for a while now, had a manual 2001 Gt for a few that I did engine and suspension work to, had a manual 15gt heavily modified suspension and tune and after that I preordered the 21 Mach 1 for $57k with the 10-speed Auto because the wife wanted to drive too and teaching stick wasn’t happening. Reason I gave price is because I got it at msrp and it’s about $5k more for the same spec now with inflation.
The Mach 1 is tuned and I run E85 in it during warm months in Chicago, I also deleted the mid- resonator do the V8 sounds quit glorious!
It is very fast and pulls hard all the way up to 7500 rpm’s, can’t keep the tires from spinning through 4th gear actually.
And looks wise, she is a beauty in my opinion.
The issue I have is that even after Tuning it the 10-speed transmission sucks, super clunky, confused when slowing down quickly and overall embarrassing to drive unless your stomping on it in which it is crazy fast.

Now onto BMW. Never had one until I traded our Jeep Grand Cherokee in for a 22 X5 40i M-sport in December of 21.
Absolutely the best vehicle I’ve ever owned.
The transmission is smooth as butter. Power delivery is smooth. Fit and finish inside and out is outstanding.
So now that I have the BMW taste I’ve been considering the M2, especially since it now has a bigger trunk since I mountain bike every weekend and need to fit my full suspension in there like I can in my Mach 1.

Im going to go look at a avalanche grey m2 on Saturday but I’d probably order black as I think it hides a few of the ugly parts about the M2.
If I order my dealer says 12-16 months, under msrp and I’ll be close to $63k with options I want.

Questions I have-
-Will I be disappointed with the sound of the M2 exhaust, the V8 is invigorating!
-Will the M2 be as fast? I’m probably 475hp at the wheels now 420 lbs torque
-Everyone says the M car engines have expensive issues when right around warranty end, is this true still?
-2025 M2 will have more hp, should I wait?

Any other input welcome.
Thanks

Some pics of my current stable
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[shogun32]

What if any efforts have you undertaken to tune the A10? That would be my first stop. It's a couple hundred and if it doesn't fix the problem, oh well, you lit it on fire... I would NOT get a trans tune from Lund/PBD but rather @Wengerd Performance or talk to @LethalPerformance if he has a known-good recommendation.

I think the current M2 is ugly as sin. If you're not a gotta-have-new there should be a decent selection of babied M cars in your metro area to pick from.

And yes the trend of expensive AF repairs in out-of-warranty BMW is still very much true - maybe even worse.

Surely you'll flog that M1 at Blackhawk Farms or better yet Joliet a few times before waving goodbye...

If you want out of the M1 I would sell it soon before the buyers evaporate the the full brunt of the auto crisis is in full bloom. If you can sit on the pot of money (T bills are paying 5%) then wait for the bottom of the auto market and you may score that M-car for darn "cheap".

 

[ChitownStang]

What if any efforts have you undertaken to tune the A10? That would be my first stop. It's a couple hundred and if it doesn't fix the problem, oh well, you lit it on fire... I would NOT get a trans tune from Lund/PBD but rather @Wengerd Performance or talk to @LethalPerformance if he has a known-good recommendation.

I think the current M2 is ugly as sin. If you're not a gotta-have-new there should be a decent selection of babied M cars in your metro area to pick from.

I’ve got the Livernois flex tune and now a revised softer shift tune.. I honestly don’t think a tune can fix this transmission. It’s better than stock but just still always gets confused and if I’m in normal mode wants to go to 10th at 35-40mph. Freakin stupid!
The looks of the new M2 are questionable but not horrible in darker color like black.
The previous M2’s are too small for me. And I like the fact that the new ones are the same engine as the m4.
It’s sad but damn this transmission is hard to like and that’s the main connection to your car ya know.

 

[bullittt]

The M2 was on my list when I was car shopping. No doubt it's an amazing car but I decided not to buy it for several reasons:

1. Even in "comfort" mode, the ride quality was brutally harsh. I think some reviewers accurately refer to it as "masochistic" and they were right.
2. Not sure if you're looking at the DCT or the 6MT -- I drove the 6MT and thought that the shifter was awful. It was vague and rubbery.
3. The twin turbo system is extremely complex. The dealer wanted to upsell me on the extended warranty. When I asked if it was reliable, he said that it was his honest opinion that owning an M car outside of warranty is "risky".
4. "I'm a BMW Driver" status.

I might get one in the future but I'd have to commit to leaving it stock. It's definitely a car that you don't want to void your warranty on.

If you want something that's a little slower and lot more comfortable, look at the M240i. The current one is kinda ugly though and you can't get a 6MT.

Sonny

 

[ChitownStang]

The M2 was on my list when I was car shopping. No doubt it's an amazing car but I decided not to buy it for several reasons:

1. Even in "comfort" mode, the ride quality was brutally harsh. I think some reviewers accurately refer to it as "masochistic" and they were right.
2. Not sure if you're looking at the DCT or the 6MT -- I drove the 6MT and thought that the shifter was awful. It was vague and rubbery.
3. The twin turbo system is extremely complex. The dealer wanted to upsell me on the extended warranty. When I asked if it was reliable, he said that it was his honest opinion that owning an M car outside of warranty is "risky".
4. "I'm a BMW Driver" status.

I might get one in the future but I'd have to commit to leaving it stock. It's definitely a car that you don't want to void your warranty on.

Sonny

So the new M2 has the same 8-speed that my X5 has so no more DCT.
The engine is supposedly more reliable than past bad rep engines.
The stick is probably not an option because I heard the same thing about rubbery feel.
Also agree, modifying anything will be less likely with BMW warranty

 

[bullittt]

So the new M2 has the same 8-speed that my X5 has so no more DCT.
The engine is supposedly more reliable than past bad rep engines.
The stick is probably not an option because I heard the same thing about rubbery feel.
Also agree, modifying anything will be less likely with BMW warranty

Just follow your gut, man. If you drive it, you'll know pretty quick if it is the car for you or not.

My Bullitt was the 13th car that I test drove during my search and with every car before it, I had a "nah, this isn't for me" moment pretty quickly.

Sonny

 

[bullittt]

Also @ChitownStang since you'd have to wait so long, you might want to look at turo.com and see if you can rent one for 2-3 days. I did this with a bunch of cars (yeah, it got expensive but my Dad and I split the cost -- we both ended up with Mustangs) and it really lets you see the ins and outs of the car. I was sure I wanted a 2SS 1LE Camaro but my Turo rental changed my mind.

Good luck!

Sonny

 

[ChitownStang]

Also @ChitownStang since you'd have to wait so long, you might want to look at turo.com and see if you can rent one for 2-3 days. I did this with a bunch of cars (yeah, it got expensive but my Dad and I split the cost -- we both ended up with Mustangs) and it really lets you see the ins and outs of the car. I was sure I wanted a 2SS 1LE Camaro but my Turo rental changed my mind.

Good luck!

Sonny

Thanks Sonny, solid advice!
I’ll check this site out for sure.
Funny thing is, me and the dog went for a 20min ride up 41 to grab tacos and the Mach 1 was running and sounding amazing! even my shifting was perfect.
Fell in love again! Lol
Just inconsistent which is frustrating.

 

[ChitownStang]

Just follow your gut, man. If you drive it, you'll know pretty quick if it is the car for you or not.

My Bullitt was the 13th car that I test drove during my search and with every car before it, I had a "nah, this isn't for me" moment pretty quickly.

Sonny

As far as car choices, for low $60k’s there isn’t anything else out there that checks my boxes other than the M2

 

[f00man]

Kinda sounds like you made up your mind already tbh. For me, the only BMW I would ever buy, it would be an MKV Supra. Or the closest thing.

Good luck.

 

[shogun32]

still always gets confused and if I’m in normal mode wants to go to 10th at 35-40mph. Freakin stupid!

The c8 does the same thing.

Drive a blackwing.

 

[ChitownStang]

Kinda sounds like you made up your mind already tbh. For me, the only BMW I would ever buy, it would be an MKV Supra. Or the closest thing.

Good luck.

I like the Supra , but just not practical at all. I use my sports cars for going to outdoor activities. Golf, mountain biking, camping., tacos….

 

[JetGray_Mach1]

We all have our opinions, I am biased so I will say its a mistake lol. But to be fair the M2 has great performance and nice interior. Drive it and see how you like it, I think the biggest disappointment of BMWs for me is the sound, depreciation and the exterior look. I really dislike how they sound especially with the pop crackpola shit tune. If I want to go German no doubt I would go with a V8 AMG, no shit sound I6 for me.

 

[JetGray_Mach1]

I like the Supra , but just not practical at all. I use my sports cars for going to outdoor activities. Golf, mountain biking, camping., tacos….

Supra is just a rebadged BMW. You might as well go BMW and get a better interior. lol That Supra Steering wheel is ugly as sin.

 

[Mikepol2]

All I can say is, wow. You are one of us 2021 OG's who waited forever for our cars to arrive, hard to imagine you are considering ditching it.

My neighbor across the street has been driving M3s / M4's for years. I appreciate that because it keeps me grounded and interested in my Mustangs. To me the BMW M cars are just fast Camrys.

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