FIRST DRIVE: BMW M2 - 454bhp RWD Manual Coupe + Cayman GT4 & BMW 1M Comparison | Top Gear
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 มิ.ย. 2024
- The BMW M2 is the smallest, least expensive M car. Only, this new one isn’t really that small (44mm wider than the old one at the front, and 18mm wider at the rear) and it’s certainly not inexpensive at a whisker under £70k. It is, however, the only remaining mainstream manual M car in the UK - and the 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight six’s power goes to the rear wheels only. So is BMW’s 454bhp, rear-drive, manual-optioned M4-lite a recipe for success? Well, we brought along the best-in-class - and an old-time favourite - for a stick-shift showdown.
00:00 - Intro
02:36 - BMW M2
09:50 - Porsche Cayman GT4
14:44 - BMW 1M
19:58 - Conclusion
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Ah yes. “The last manual car” for the 10th year in a row!
I hate manual gearboxes
@@borisyurinov4822 Get used to it. They will never go away.
@@borisyurinov4822same
@@borisyurinov4822good nobody cares
Was gonna say the exact same thing.
1M uses the N54 engine. It is absolutely twin turbocharged, not twin scroll unlike the N55 engine in the OG M2
The fact that TopGear got that wrong is a bit laughable.
Many reviewers have gotten it wrong. No point in watching car reviews for relevant info anymore, I just enjoy seeing them being driven on beautiful pieces of roads...
I like pedantic people
An honest mistake, since the N55 “single turbo twin-scroll” that came in some other 135i’s was exactly as Ollie described. But TG should catch even honest mistakes before they get into the final edit.
The fact that this wasn’t caught by anyone on the TG staff is kind of bonkers to me. Especially when he suggests that everyone else has it wrong. Sheesh…
Never expected TopGear to not do their homework its an N54 and its twin turbo. 2011 the 335i and 135i changed to the N55 twin scroll, but the N54 lived in the 1M and 335iS
Lazy journalism, automotive and in general.
N54 Also in 335i coupe and sedan until 2010
@@apexholland7427 And even later than 2010 if you got the 335is, which also has the N54. (My 2011 335is is the basis of my assertion).
Embarrassing how Top Gear got the number of turbos on the 1M wrong, and spoken with such authority. These things go through editing, right? And nobody caught that?
Amazing.
Really damages the brand / trustworthiness
The presenter looks like he’s struggling to be interesting, he’s naturally an old hat “heel toe” nit picking geek. BMW are doing a great job (I don’t get the XM but it’s still wildly attractive to many).
BBC editing is to sanitise any non-pc stuff. While the reviewers are fairly clued up (this example being the exception) the video editors will be computer nerds that wouldn't know a semi-auto gearbox from a flowerpot.
@@fletch9702 That's a fantastic sentence
Can someone comment the timestamp when he says that, I can't catch it unfortunately.
the BMW 1M has the same N54 engine as the 1st gen 135, 335, 435 and the Z4 - TWIN turbo 3L. the N55 is a twin-SCROLL turbo, but it's not as strongly built, and it was available in the later 135 and 335 of the time.
bruh he said it so confidently too 😂 so wrong
Correct All N54 are twin turbo.
No 435i though, it was still the 3 series coupe e92.
And only 2nd gen Z4 got the n54. 1st gen were all NA.
Also surprisingly, the F01 7 series got it.
fact: N55 is (was) far more reliable then N54
@@maciejpniewski7996 not far more. Definitely more though.
The trouble with the countless M2 vs. Cayman comparisons is that every journo reaches for the 6-cylinder Cayman. But even the "lowly" GTS is 50% more expensive than the M2. For any sort of price parity you'd have to stick with the ultra-base 718 Cayman with the 4-cylinder, which is still a few grand more than the M2. Has anyone bothered to do an M2 vs. base Cayman comparison?
Agree this is a bad comparison. The price point of a gt4 is ina different world compared to the m2. I think the gt4 is better to compare with the lotus emira rather than the m2.
M2 would better be compared to possibly a Supra or amg a45s
Cayman GTS 4.0 and BMW M2 both in decent spec are about the same price here. On the other hand the driving experience in the Cayman would easily justify double the price of the M2. Even base Caymans have way better driving dynamics as the M2. New M2 might be a great GT, but not a great sportscar.
@@sirka6233 You said "about the same price" in this comparison, but didn't Ollie himself say in the video that the Porsche GT4 he's driving is more than $10k increase in price over the BMW M2? That's a big difference for the majority of buyers who are people who will be getting this as their one and only car. I just think it's stupid to start a review by admitting that there is a spec of one car that is much closer in price to the opponent, but instead of using that spec they are using a much more expensive one because [basically] they want us to believe that _thousands_ of dollars in options and a different powertrain won't affect their impression of the car at all... *_WHAT?!_*
TL;DR - The video should just end after the opening where he admits that there is a much closer priced Porsche available that would make the comparison much more fair, believable, and helpful.
Yeah 50 to 100% more expensive. I guess in theory someone may be cross shopping the two but really they're not the same market segment at all.
Porsche = sports car first with luxury trimmings
BMW= luxury car (with more concessions for practicality) with sports performance
Porsche the car Bmw drivers buy when they can afford it
Dare i say, that is one beautiful GT4! 😍
Damn, he was so confident that 1M wasn’t a twin turbo. 😂 oh well, rest of the review was good.
The 1M did have a twin (2)turbo(s) N54 engine not the twin scroll single turbo your presenter mentioned. @TopGear
Really dig all three, but the M2 has gotten too big and heavy. Glad that manuals still exist!
The fact that you can't get a manual 2-series aside from the M2 is a sharp stick in the eye to any Bimmerphile. Pick up a previous generation M2 with a manual while you still can!
I don't see the need to choose the current gen M2 over the M4. The dimension is so off as the entry class of sports coupe compared to M4. It grows too big compared to its predecessors, the previous M2 and 1M
Excellent 👍👍👍
M2: "Everything feels big in here"......(note: test driver is 5 foot 3 inches, and 65Kg)
M2 looks plastic. Better here than in the Hyundai/primer blue that most reviews have used I admit, but it still looks like a semi melted lego car. 1M looks gorgeous, as does the porka. The last M2 was quite the looker too, but it appears to be BMWs aim these days to ruin any good styling work they have done in the past.
That M2 looks absolutely sad standing between 2 stunning cars
The GT4 is a 35+ year old design and the BMW 1M has DTM-like modified look to it to a 25yo design. Its not really fair I'd say, but that said I would not get the M2.
Right? Looks like shite lol.
Way to make everything worse BMW 😂
Really? The 1M looks awful - really dated. The GT4 is beautiful (not this colour though), I'll give it that, though the interior is very dated as well. The Cayman series isn't currently worth it for their interior, in my opinion. The new M2 looks very aggressive. Much better than the older F87 M2.
Yeah, the new M2 needs to come down about 2" also.
I never did like the 1M's headlights, even when it was a new car. The rest of it, though, it pretty pleasing visually.
I watched a red BMW Z4 35is follow me the other day and that little car foot print looked so good….. it’s such an under rated car next to the 1M
1M forever!
How can the 1M still look so damn good in 2023 👀
Because all new Beemers are so damn ugly 🤷♂️
@@igorbrezovic 🤣
It doesn't! Looks dated!
@@mauricetoussaint7283 Looking dated is the biggest compliment you can give it when you look at the current gen of any BMW imo. 😅
But to each their own, no point in arguing over taste. 🤷♂
Still prefer the 1M, and it'll hold its value the best too
Absolutely bang-on
S58 platform will hold value better
@@currycel470 If it were engine performance that determined a car's long term value then no cars would ever hold their value.
@@currycel470 The 1M has already won - If you actually own one, it was worth more than you paid from the very first day you drove it, and keeps going up.
No S58 has done that. Look at the price of X3M and X4M and cry (if you bought new),
That Gt4 seems absolutely beautiful, powerful. 🎉🎉🎉
So the mid-engined, two seater sports car is the best sports car of the group...Thanks, I certainly didn't see that one coming.
Shock
And a gt4 is stupid expensive lol. I mean the bmw is overpriced too but compared to the Porsche it's a steal
@@RYTF5 porsche are actually bargains in their respective markets. GT4 can whoop far more expensive cars for excitement and engagement.
BMW isnt in same league as Porsche though everything is nicer and better on porsche
@@ogstinky7305 Well yeah, that's my point. It's a pointless comparison.
I think you’ll find the 1M is twin turbo as it’s based on the N54. It has a small turbo which hands over to a larger turbo. Awesome review love that BMW has continued the 1M/M2 philosophy
Nope, sorry mate. It’s a standard twin turbo. One doing the front three cylinders, and one doing the back three. Same size as each other.
@@mdifficult3675 OK! Thanks for clarifying!
@@dylanblandYou were a lot more accurate than Top Gear! 😂
N54 uses parallel turbos. Not sequential.
seriously the lines on the cayman/boxter twins ever since the 981 series came out are just beautiful. they say the F type is beautiful, and it is, but this stands shoulder to shoulder imo.
Trying to correct people with wrong information..facepalm @Topgear. The 1M with N54 is 100% TWIN TURBO. The first generation M2 with N55 is SINGLE TURBO. Disappointing review.
Just heard 'there is more room in the back' - sadly not, I am getting one (manual, no carbon seats) but whereas the M2 Comp is comfortable for adults in the back that is not the case with the new model due to significantly reduced headroom. This reduces the practicality advantages of the M2 over Caymans. I was comfortable and happy with the driving position and setup in a manual demo.
The 1M power was always under quoted from the factory as well (so as not to step on the toes of the M3). Our 1M, completely stock, put out 340whp on a reputable dyno (w/15% loss that's 400hp). I'm confident that they all far exceeded the quoted power.
Mine was bang on the money when dyno'd, so don't make that assumption that they were all like that.
Mine makes 670hp. Now that's fun
If you want the real deal “M” experience…do what I did. 2004 E46 M3 manual. Full refresh and fettle, with lots left over for track days and maintenance.
Nice to see cars with 3 pedals. What lovely roads for being engaged with the driving. You just don’t get that with an automatic. One of my great joys in life when visiting Europe is getting a rental with a stick. Even a little estate (station wagon) is fun when you’re on a small road in the countryside.
1 M next too the M2 . Is so much better looking 👀 (1M) wow !!!!
Without even watching, i would take that 1M any day of the week! Even the licence plate on it is perfection! 😁👌
Not sure how you can compare it to a GT4. The M2 starts at 62k and with every option is 75k. The GT4 starts at 105k, and can go up to over 130k… not even in the same class.
Bunch of errors here too. The 1M is twin turbo. The G87 M2 also has significantly LESS room in the back seats than previous gen, not more.
HAHAHAH... TOP GEAR for yah! '1M Not Twin Turbo' ....lololol
8:15 the great thing about these new sport seats is being able to see when you've lost your phone down the pit of doom but still not being able to get it out as the bolsters are too stiff.
This guy explains everything so well ! Enjoyed this a lot
Definatly coming round to the looks, arches are almost e30 m3 box like, almost if you squint
Ive got 2 issues from this guy!
Pretty sure the 1m is actually a twin turbo n54 engine not twin scroll n55.
...and the fake gear changes in the Porsche doesn't count because nobody is going to shift gears back n fourth consecutively without changing speed as you have illustrated in an over exaggerated fasion in this video. That was a fail.
The Porsche is however the drivers car I'm sure though, even though I have a bmw. I can't afford one so that's the other issue lol.
Lol yall know I came to the comments when he said that one part.
1M was actually twin-turbocharged. Other than that, new M2 for me.
Incorrect @16:00. N54 is twin turbo
Even a cayman gts is not close to being comparable with the G87 it’s 15k more at least. The Porsche manual is the best as you would expect it to be but it costs a lot more on every angle.
It would have to be the 1m every time. Might be a good video to do from the 1m along with all the series of base M2’s up to the latest one to see how each fairs against each other
I am sure that the manual gearbox in M models will survive longer than the normal dashboard, it seems to me that we are doomed to complicated tablets full of unnecessary information.
I've got a 1M and it still brings a smile to my face and a crowd at the dealership.
It's sad to see what its descendants have devolved into.
Yeah , its a shame winning the EVO car of the year 🫨 how the 1M compare to the NA grandfather E30 M3 or the E46 M3? Each generation has its audience.
@@FogAndLimehaahah dream well my friend with your M lite .its a good car , i respect it but its not a real M without a proper engine. An experiment made by M to see if there is audience for such a compact car ! And thanks god they did ! The 1M was a cheap immitation of the E46 M3 , without a real M engine ofc.
@@FogAndLime if that makes u feeling better , yes !
Agree with this new M2, but last gen M2 CS is the best M car of all time imo! M2CS is just a spectacular looking car as well!
@@FogAndLime 1M is better because of the better steering, but worse everything else lmao! Whatever you say!😂
What a fun comp. You guys get me.
I’ve been debating whether the M2 or GTS 4.0 should replace my current F87 M2 as a weekend car. Thank you for helping me to make that decision.
I have the GTS, you won’t regret it 😊
Save your money and keep the f87 👌 miss mine🥲
GTS all the way !
Get the GTS and a nice exhaust, if you don't need the extra space for the weekend
Beside the mistake on the 1m engine its a great Video and i found myself agreeing with most of his thoughts. The weight of the new 2 is just insane, i thought my m2c is heavy. This is just too much. Plus the interior is to much playstation like and removes a lot of that driving machine feeling of the older Ms. Sure bmw must keep up with other brands/interior gimmicks. But they went star trek all the way. I drove an e36 before so i must say i cant relate to other comments seeing a 36 design language in that new one. Again. Great Video.
Yeah, don´t see that either. With how squared it is and the bolt on looking wheel arches on the side it is to me clearly more going for the E30 look.
Just not nearly as well executed as the E30 imo. And weighing almost as much as two E30 surely doesn´t help it either...
Gimme the 1M any day of the week, in terms of both looks wise and driving experience.
The more and more I see that M2... the more I like the front.
Strange that the long gear ratio of the M2 was not mentioned. Of course, not as long as the GT4's, but quite long to consider the auto a better option.
He said that pretty much everything is 3rd gear while driving it tho. 😉
Yeah it's somebody currently looking for a daily 1 series I'm looking for an N55 one made after 2010.
Because I really love the 1-series m I know for a fact that has an N54 in it.
Of the three that's the one I'd pick.
Name of song on the transition to the 1M ? Please 🙏🏾 14:40
I love BMW but the M2 can only be a heated up coupe. It's also too large now because of the M4 platform, the previous M2 was much better. The Cayman is much more expensive because it's a mid engined sports car from inception and you get what you pay for in that sense. The M2 then is always onto a loser in any comparison. Other cars in this category are fairer comparisons such as the A110 S or Lotus Emira. The 1M is something special because that is a car BMW built for fun with a bunch of stuff pulled out the parts bin mashed together. It worked perfectly.
You only have to look at the new M2 and it's a no. But then sit in one, as I have and the issues highlighted in this video are immediately apparent. I could never get comfortable in it and frankly, didn't like the interior layout either. Quality was good though. I currently drive a Cayman 718 GTS and was considering the M2, but nope. No even close to my car in so many ways and anyway, I don't manuals anymore, just can't see the point.
The 20-second ad every 6 minutes really adds to the immersion 🤩
If i had to get a BMW I think i would just get a nice E46 or E9x M3 at this point in my life and just maintain it
Oh my gosh, how beautiful the GT4 is😍 Xspecially next to the Beemers
You forgot the Lotus Emira in this comparison. BTW I hope the manual transmition stays alive for the M2 CSL
Haha N54 is twin turbo charged!! Call yourself an enthusiast!! Oh dear TopGear 🤦♂️🤣🤣
Awesome video guys.. well done everywhere!
I’d still take the 1M… unless we’re talking about the GT4RS.
What’s the price difference between the GT4 and M2?
See video @ 13:43. GT4 starts at 82k. M2 starts at 65k.
@@p.patrickcamba2514 thank you sir.
As tested the Porsche is likely 35K more - You could get the M2 and a Ducati and a Vacheron Constantin for the price of the Porsche
Despite the lack of a manual option, I’d take an Alpine A110 over all of them. Porsche and BMW have all become too fat, and the long gearing on Cayman’s saps some of the fun too. Lightness has become far too underrated in the sports car segment.
I have an Alpine a110 as my daily and her driving dynamics are insane
Absolutely agree on the weight comment and i would also agree on the Alpine, as it is everything a BMW M used to be with being RWD and lightweight.
It even looks absolutely gorgeous! But with all that it just is the biggest shame ever that Renault dropped the ball so incredible hard by not offering a manual imo...
That would´ve been the absolute no-brainer modern day sports-coupe to buy like the GR86 is now...
@@Schmitzelhaus i have one and I agree the dual clutch it has is nice but a manual would be awesome
What countries are the M3 manual being released?
Where is this road?
I imagine you fiddle around with those sticks and dinosaurs run up and down with the cogs underneath.
The M2 is missing a body color painted front lip
Is it me or did they edit the video to take out the incorrect reference to the N54 not being twin turbo? If so, kudos to Top Gear for fixing this.
Ugh if gt4 had a proper 2nd gear which ended at around 60mph it would be perfect. Even though it has almost enough torque to lug its way through 2nd it just feels wrong.
A short ratio diff would be great. 45/65/95/120 etc would transform the car and be so much more fun to drive
I know several people who have M2 love it but pay 1200 a month. 😂 that's funny
0:21 Wow! He's in an M2 and can barely see over the steering wheel. He is tiny.
8:05 Sir! It's because you're itty bitty! Raise that seat. There's a foot of air above your head. You're WAY too low.
Great video. Thanks!
I love the M cars but i agree regarding the size of the interiors/steering wheel. What were they thinking?! Unless you're 6ft 5 with massive hands its just ridiculous, way, WAY too big and chunky.
Anyone else feel like they’ve just watched a child’s car show!
How did the bbc manage to do this to one of the all time great to shows
You'd still have the M1 though out of these three. However, I think a Cayman GTS would sway me more than the GT4.
Don’t get why the M2 is getting compared to the GT4, or even a GTS 4.0. The GT4 is twice the price of an M2, and the GTS 4.0 is about 60% more. If I had the cash I’d def take either of the Porsche’s, but jeez you get a lot of sports car for your money with the M2
@@Legotechs a new 718 GT4 the same price as a new M2? Really? Where?
As of the 14th of August 2023 in South Africa, Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 is priced at R2076000.00 and BMW M2 Coupe at R1503975.00 base prices. I think the two cars are in different market segments.
Thanks for the advise with regards to the seats in combination with the manual, but you are 5ft tall
It's not that I don't like new cars - it's just that I feel much better when I'm driving much older cars .......
where are these roads in the UK?
Jeremy, Richard, or James would've known the correct turbo config on the 1M
Indeed. Embarrassing.
The 1M and M2 OG are just special cars full of character and personality. The new M2 is a big step forward in terms of performance but it’s now just a mini M4 and lacks personality.
Anyone know the roads on this video?
14:35. Where is that? Incredible.
I prefer the old shape m2 not that new 1 ..love the porsche colour and we al love 1m 😊
Man, 70k pound for a M2 is crazy to me
Sure but it's made in Mexico
9:00 the 2 series not based on the 4 series becuase the 2 series gran coupe is fed, the f87 was based on the 4 series and the first 1 series was based on the 3 series.
Nothing wrong with what he said. You're thinking of the wrong 1 series; he's talking about the F40, not the 1M's lineage.
The screens in the BMW look horrific, especially compared with the (much older) Porsche interior which has the gauges so well integrated.
0:31 "at least they've chosen to put it in something EXCIting"
HAVE YOU SEEN ITS FRONT???
I'm gonna say something controversial - i wanted to own a manual at some stage and also a golf gti at some stage, so a couple of years ago i bought a manual golf R. Heres the bit - manuals aren't that fun and the DSGs/autos of today are significantly better and even more fun. I am now looking to buy an M2 and am faced with manual or DSG. and right now i am leaning toward the DSG
i have a gt86 and a fiesta st mk8.5. Automatic clutch is better, faster and easier....but nothing can be more connected and enjoyable than a good stick, a good car and good roads....no need also for so much engine power. I had an M3 e46 and for me the gt86 is more fun, more easy to handle and better on the road. every corner can be a little drift and the rain is something that make me smile....because it has the right power for the road
N54 is 100% a TWIN TURBO engine
The XM, M3/M4 and the M2 are all just too weird to justify their price tags. The in-line 6 and V8 power plant engines are wonderful.
Perfect! 1M Fan.
Comparing 2 cars that start at 20 grand apart, one is a 4 seat coupe and the other is a 2 seater sports car………yeah that seems like a good match!
What are the road numbers??
Ah...the 1M.
Where is that bridge @14:39?
Too bad about this new M2 it looks like the move to a FWD 1 series forced BMW to use the M4 platform. Now I understand. And the whole issue with the clutch travel is perplexing.
I really like the long gear ratio and that's what appeals to me extremely about the GT4. The nervous shifting of today's short-ratio transmissions is simply annoying.
This car review format starts to get really outdated. This is why I like to watch japanese reviews where the car is driven on the track and you get see the performance/feedback of the car. This is also why I like Chris Harris as he uses the same recipe.
Good video as always. but hard to take seating position advice as a 6ft guy from this presenter. Just have to drive them and choose for yourself I guess.
The audio in this video is reminiscent of early 90s offerings, not the good stuff.
Anyone know which parts of Wales are featured here?
Watching this video, and they have ads for Formula E...hahaha, good one.