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BMW M2 vs. GT350R

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It's too close to call? Anyone driven a new M2? I've ridden in the original version and it was nice. While the M2 might win in refinement I'm sure the R wins in the visceral experience department.

http://www.allfordmustangs.com/2017/01/03/quick-comparison-bmw-m2-vs-ford-mustang-shelby-gt350/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AllFordMustangs.com_weekly&utm_source=AllFordMustangs.com20170106

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I have driven both. 350R impressive all around and a comfortable street car even on terrible Northeast roads. M2 also impressive, smaller inside and out and very fun and fast. However, the BMW suspension and seats were hard as a rock. I am very tolerant of stiff suspensions but couldn’t bear it for long in the BMW. Soften that up and it’s perfect.


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I’m currently in Germany on a 3 year work assignment. I sold my Mustang back home and got a 2017 BMW M2. I use it as my daily and I’ve also hit Some pretty sweet circuits in it this year. Spa Francorchamps, Hockenheimring and of course Nürburgring Nordschleife.

The balance, nimbleness and handling of the M2 are better than my 14 GT was with full suspension, CAI and Tune and semi slicks. It also feels smaller and lighter, more eager to change direction, and that is niiice! Able the eLSD is magic. It sends more power to outside wheel on corner exit adding rotation out of corners. Understeer is not in its vocabulary.

But I miss the V8. It doesn’t pull as hard up top and it’s missing the raw, visceral experience of the V8. Also doesn’t sound as good as Voodoo or even Coyote.

If I could have this chassis with a V8 while maintaining same weight and 48 front /52 percent rear weight distribution... it would be the perfect car.

Here is a quick compare to GT350 which shows how capable the M2 is in the twistiest. And I like how they point out that is the straights were a hair longer the GT350 would be dominating instead.


Also here is a lap I did earlier this summer at the Green Hell.
 
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Hey Rick, no I have not had a chance yet. But so far my plan is to sell the M2 here before I leave and get either a 2021 GT350 or a 2019 C7 Grand Sport when I come back stateside. The whole Turbocharged Inline 6 experience has really showed me that I need a V8 in my life. This is what I miss the most.

I had springs, adjustable dampers, camber plates, sway bars and panhard bar on my 'Stang. It was very good and pulled over 1.2g at certain tracks with 275 wide semi-slics. I really enjoyed it. But the M2 is fantastic out of the box. I don't want to change the suspension becasue it feels soo good. I still have factory MPSS tires on it. Outside of track pads and Castrol SRF fluid i've touched nothing.

I think once I move on from it what I will miss is the way it wants to change direction and the feeling of lightness. It's so light on it's feet at 3411lbs.
 

TMSBOSS

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To Ricks point. I have had a Boss since 2011. I picked up a GT350R a few months ago (Thanks Bill).
Both are fun track cars. The 350 is just so far ahead on the Boss, its hard to compare apples to apples. The curb weight on my R was 3571 on the certificate of Origin. She may look like a real fat girl....but she can dance. LOL.
 
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JDee

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To Ricks point. I have had a Boss since 2011. I picked up a GT350R a few months ago (Thanks Bill).
Both are fun track cars. The 350 is just so far ahead on the Boss, its hard to compare apples to apples. The curb weight on my R was 3571 on the certificate of Origin. She may look like a real fat girl....but she can dance. LOL.

3571 makes it a lightweight compared to the GT500! Like what, 7-800 lbs difference or so? I'd take an R over a GT500 any day. I bought a base GT with only PP and Recaros as options to get the lightest car I could. Should have saved the money on the Recaros as they're heavy AF and are going out the window anyway.
 
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Really? I don't know, the M2 looks pretty damn good in my opinion. I've never been a fan of the S550 styling. The GT350 being the exception. But I think it looks a bit long and I never liked the slanted tail
 
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Yes, the BMW nose looks like a GReddy add on, that being said, those that own a Gt500 need to...………………..
……………...wait for it...……...………………...

PAINT THAT BUMPER BAR!!
 

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