2019 BMW M2 Competition: The new E46? - One Take

As cars get bigger, the compact and angry BMW M2 stood out as a playful car whose connection to BMW's driving roots were easily felt. The 2019 M2 Competition has a new engine, brakes, and a stiffer chassis. As we take a fan's personal car for a sprint, we talk about how it compares to the past generations of M3, and whether or not it is the purest of BMW's driving machines.
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[@danieltackett4089]

As a former E46 M3 owner (11 years) and current M2 owner, I agree that the M2 resurrects the spirit of my former favorite M car. One important correction: you CAN blip the throttle yourself in ANY mode. I'd also heard that all of the nannies had to be disabled to defeat the auto-blip. But on a muscle-memory downshift early in my ownership, I discovered that I could match revs myself in Comfort (or any) mode. BMW brilliantly built in a brief delay in the auto rev match. A skillful driver can beat the delay with heel-and-toe, so the auto feature doesn't kick in. This way, the driver can decide shift by shift whether to blip it himself or let auto rev matching do the work. It's a fantastic solution; you don't have to push a button and decide in advance to have it operating or not, you just decide with each downshift. M2 manual owners, TRY IT! You'll love your M2 even more.

[@hlf_coder6272]

Damn that’s good to know. I just ordered one and totally wasn’t aware of that. I thought you had to disable everything Thanks for the info and enjoy the new ride!

[@JayKay2505]

I always think it sounds in economic Mode (without ASD) at higher RPMs like the m3 E46 ? Do you agree?

[@louispadron3255]

I like my M2C auto blip - 4/5 of my other BmWz are Manuals and it’s nice to have this feature - maybe I’m the odd one out... maybe it’s cuz I have so many other cars to heel toe on

[@KareemKayy]

that's so funny, i test drove the car a couple days ago and i learbed this within 5 mins of driving it, it's really dope, love this car i'm gna pickup a 2018 just becuz it's a bit cheaper and i'm also getting 6 speed!

[@iantownsend500]

Definitely best M car on sale

[@MichaelLesesne]

How's your mother?

[@JWsGarage]

I don’t catch a lot of episodes but watching this morning i got to point out your road manners for other pedestrians, workers, bicyclist, etc are spot on. People seem to forget especially in the revived HP War that you can speed without being that guy! Drive fast but do it with class. T.D.D.

[@TheSmokingTire]

Triple digits daily What not Share the road! Cyclists up here don’t have a bike line and they can’t be fixed with painless dent repair. ZK

[@bradcomis1066]

TheSmokingTire As a cyclist who is also a car enthusiast I REALLY appreciate the respect that you and Matt have for other road users. We’re all out in the mountains just trying to have fun on our vehicles with wheels. 👍🏼

[@thomasarlotta4828]

"your whippin it mannn" LOL so accurate

[@realchrisga]

Thoroughly enjoyed this video. I think Zack is doing great filling in for Matt. Ignore the hate and keep it up!

[@S58985]

Shout out to Ghengis Kahn for the M2C to review

[@JoeAchilles1]

Manual - Legend!

[@AKFenomeno9]

Gobind! Hella cool guy! I met him on track a while ago.

[@brunov.7411]

Zach, keep up the good work. Unfortunately the internet can be brutal sometimes, but you cant please everyone.

[@Zackary_]

I loved seeing a new route for these videos, the different roads definitely made the video feel more refreshing. Great video!

[@AarmOZ84]

The fact that this car comes with a 6 speed manual as the baseline transmission gives me faith in humanity.

[@saucyp123]

Zack is really in his element with this car. Awesome review. Gobind is super chill, too!

[@maxnix346]

Like, totally, man.

[@swanblake]

I really wish there were more RWD sedans this size to choose from. I miss smaller cars. Awesome car and an amazingly well done review. Wished it would have cutaway to a video of his wheels when he was talking about them. Love that this guy went with a manual transmission on this.

[@wowsers5846]

Your best yet Zack. Fast fluid driving and presenting. Well done

[@Eji66]

I love these. It’s BMW ethos. Small and powerful. It’s not a big car like everyone wants. It’s the car people actually want to drive rather than than cruise on a daily basis. This does both very well.

[@oversteer6771]

And why is this only for the m2? Even the old seven series used to be decently proportioned. I mean the current m3 is bigger than the e34 and e39 were I’m pretty sure 👎🏼

[@maxnix346]

@@oversteer6771 And it seems to drive better than those earlier paragons of sports sedans.

[@TheDschuller90]

Awesome car. Great review and the owner seems really chill. Congrats on the new ride.

[@Demonoid1990]

Hmm this car has certainly caught my attention. I've kinda been thinking of picking up something sporty and fun to drive. I've always driven trucks, and work vehicles. I was thinking of getting a Ford Raptor down the road, but then I thought do I really want another truck.. I already have a truck. Maybe its time for something smaller and faster. Living here in Oregon we have no lack of twisty, scenic mountain roads and coastal roads. Something like the M2 would be a blast when I'm not working. Working as a long haul trucker and I'm pretty familiar with the road, perhaps it's time to experience it differently. The price isn't bad for what it offers, and since it shares an engine with the M3 and M4, getting parts shouldn't be too difficult. That and I can re-learn manual in a car, as it's slightly different in a diesel big rig. Nice to see BMW still offers manual transmission in their cars, better grab one before they go extinct.

[@giannski]

Keep up the quality reviews man. Dope M2.

[@2fast2nick]

That is a great car. So much fun. I rented the non competition version in Germany this year and fell in love with it.

[@blapblapism]

Awesome video zack. You can tell your passionate about BMW’s

[@billigrisan9506]

Don't listen to the haters, Zack. You're killin it with these reviews!

[@biggboysouth]

nah he's boring.

[@jomaha9227]

Matt's disdain for the one take's really started to come through in the later episodes. Zack is a lot more fresh to it and his excitement shows. I also find Zack's interactions to be more comfortable, sometimes Matt felt a little pushy talking over people all the time.

[@SuperbMoves]

but the E46 looks way better, this car doesn't even look fast

[@chamade166]

Zack is better they just need to stop reviewing foreign cars and stick to American brands. Not wastinn money on a small and weak eurotincan.

[@maxnix346]

No, I think Zach has a measured presence. I think he will be better than Matt the more he speaks plainly. I must say it amuses me how all these kids leave traction control engaged while driving on perfectly dry roads. But then when we did not have any nannies, one paid much closer attention to the limits which were always approached very gingerly.

[@thomasb114]

Zack is good at this. Enjoy his One Takes

[@MrWhitePerson]

"you're whippin it man" *nervous laughter* lmao, best m car no doubt

[@ryanschmid7940]

M2 > M4. Easy. An M3 is sort of it's own thing since it's got the sedan practicality thing. Also the M2 and M3 both have badass fender flares...which is important.

[@ajtam05]

Through which canyon(s) do you guys typically shoot these vids? Thanks and keep up the good work!

[@longbowdt]

one of my favorite One Take videos. thank you!

[@chadpeabody5545]

Good review! What wing does he have in there?

[@Mikey-ug7nj]

Nice video Zack! Hopefully the M2 and RS3 stick around for a while! Riight now, i prefer the M2 but i haven't driven either...

[@Kittievr]

Really liked zach's footage of his bmw sliding

[@shittywheelies7403]

Another great vid Zack

[@JacanaProductions]

Top speed it 172MPH! It sounds nice too. Drove it on the Autobahn near the factory in Leipzig. This was a top speed test run with my pal from BMW.

[@jc944t]

It's the purest BMW M car for sure. Great car and review!

[@natedetailscars]

Zack loves the Strongman Competitions. And because I grew up watching them too, I always know who he's talking about.

[@nathanwabre]

Love the « whipping » and the BMW geek conversation hahaha so great cheers 😊😎😎

[@doug186]

Great guest 👍🏼 Fantastic ride.

[@SuperHoneyOil]

My guess is the sign are double sided, however I have no clue actually! Have a good day everyone.

[@Fee.1]

Zach I actually have wanted to buy a bunch of the original Black TST logo shirts, but some sort of promo/sale/volume discount would really help, as I seem to recall the nice quality shirts being a bit pricey (I know I’m poor don’t judge) but love them

[@hugoscho]

great review

[@luiscouto6543]

I’ve driven manuals every day and only manual and I don’t heal toe so I like rev match on my m6 a lot ... it’s actually sad it turns off at full competition mode

[@CPUspeed]

It seems like it was designed for a certain muffler and at the last minute they change it to make it euro 5 compliant

[@DSJVNdsjnvf4356]

Wait what’s wrong with a sunroof again? Cause I like it but are there drawbacks?

[@joebrady9575]

Zack’s killin it, I’m getting one!!

[@yodismet]

Excited for mine but I'm opting for dual clutch - hate welcome. Replacing my '14 M235i that has been a joy but I want more; don't we all?

[@deaftoned450]

Nice work Zach.

[@blueridge8992]

I'd seriously consider one of these for my next car but I've promised myself that I'm factoring in dealer support into my next new car purchase after I had some some awful experiences lately. After a few hours of research online and reading horror stories from M4 owners I just can't give my money to a company like BMW that treats their customers SO freakin bad. It's a real shame because this car really checks all the boxes but luckily there's plenty of other options on the market these days.

[@ramonjimenez7271]

Does this really have a 3600lb curb weight? If so thats heavy as shit for such as small car and did you feel it driving in the canyons?

[@TheSmokingTire]

Ramon Jimenez Feels lighter. I was surprised when I saw the spec. Ordering the manual and putting in some light buckets would be nice. But yes, modern cars continue to weigh too much. It’s the price of trying to have it all. ZK

[@akkando]

@@TheSmokingTire a good place to save weight on m2c is wheels and brakes. Also would be unsprung weight.

[@davecabansay8965]

New cars nowadays feel way lighter than what it may seem on paper. Drove a SS 1LE recently and wow it does not feel like a 3800lb car at all. My assumption is modern technology like eLSD, magneride, improved tires, etc really hides the weight of newer cars. We are living in the golden age of cars in my opinion

[@WindyCity1992]

@@davecabansay8965 My brother had a 2014 1LE They don't feel heavy. Its crazy

[@NDEEZMiata]

Plum_Crazy 1992 agreed. It’s crazy how modern cars masks weight. I went from a BRZ to a 19 1SS 1LE and the only time you feel the weight is when braking. (The brakes are crazy strong but you still feel it) Through corners and such, it just feels solid

[@chair6180]

Where does it stand compare to the Z4 M Coupe?

[@acalthu]

i didn't use to watch your videos before, but you certainly push a car harder than Matt.

[@AFUSKH]

Great review! This or a used older M2 for ~15-20 grand less?

[@kunamutas8941]

I think i'm gonna go for the older one, they are a steal now

[@Sir.VicsMasher]

0:38 Thank you for not saying [and turning it up to 11] TST's professionalism shows vs every other automotive KZbinr.

[@jonathanwright2680]

Is that an M performance spoiler or aftermarket? Maybe you said it and I just missed it.

[@TheSmokingTire]

Jonathan Wright Aftermarket

[@neoblackcyptron]

Is that mount lemon Arizona Tucson ? Where this video was taken

[@mccali2519]

HP?

[@DDMSteveB]

So Zack does this mean you got the E46 back on the road and working?

[@TheSmokingTire]

DDMSteveB It does! Runs better than ever. Drifting tomorrow. ZK

[@johnmears162]

I think your great zack! Great job

[@paulvicks1336]

The 1M comes closest to the analog feel of my e46 M3

[@millll111lllI]

What color is Zach's M3? Topaz Blue?

[@sabretechv2]

I thought the turbos were the exact same size.... not small turbo / big turbo

[@JonathanTyas]

They are, 2 identical turbos, each serving 3 cylinders. Spoils the 6 cylinder sound a bit, but spool up quicker.

[@slaWterCH]

It's a shame that most sports cars are now soo big. Glad to see that there are still a few exceptions.

[@TheBucketOfTruth]

I love how these look but 3600 lbs and that rev match you can turn off without disabling all driver aids is pretty disappointing. Maybe not as fun but the good looking M3 for similar weight is gonna be a lot more practical. Not the same type of car but the Cayman seems a more appealing prospect. PS: Well timed/edited long outro on the vid.

[@dogeislove.dogeislife.811]

Thought M2 was considered the new e30 m3? Non ZCP e46 m3's steering ratio felt so vague.

[@v1_rotate638]

I’m pretty content with my m235i for a third the price and potential to make the same power super easily... although the M2CS is absolutely on my “buy certified pre owned in 3 years” list

[@marcgabrieI]

Holtzy_Vref exactly my plan. Love my m235i. I was thinking about getting the m2 comp, but leaning more towards the m3 or m4 just because of raw power.

[@n55Rob]

Love my 135i n55 with a dct….but I definitely want a M2C in manual

[@DZoom28]

+1 for the pink exhaust, its gonna need some black spots to match

[@orosieOG]

Umm...the S55 does not have a smaller and larger turbo (8:34). They are identical size turbochargers.

[@Fee.1]

Zach do you have a channel?

[@ObsessedGarage]

I was recently considering getting a new M2. I love the experience of ordering and building a new car, but putting the S55 fart machine is precisely the reason why I went backwards and bought an E92 M3. That engine is like selling your soul for somewhat linear power in a turbo engine, but it completely ruins the M3/4 and now M2.

[@r129r16pfl]

Agree, e92m3 is way more special, especially after hard core weight reduction, square R18 + R comps, etc.

[@jjohnson1604]

Obsessed Garage have you considered a gt350r?

[@justprayaboutit]

@@jjohnson1604 He owned one

[@windnsea03]

I thought so too until I drove one. We did the same move 2015 M3 to GT350 (I still have the latter). But the S55 in this car is tuned very differently, it throttles the boost which makes you need to rev it up and sounds much better than my 2015 M3 did, I like it quite a bit. Mine is identical to this guy's model.

[@PICKLEINMOUTH]

It's the sound. S55 sounds fuckin cheeks. An S65 with an Akrapovic exhaust? Absolute bliss.

[@BIMMERHEAD]

This is what the BMW M2 should have been from the beginning! i love it😍

[@MatthewGaither]

Hard to tell with KZbin compression and different mic setups but this seems to sound better than the "old" M2 and certainly better than the M3 and M4. That alone is reason to get a little more excited about this car versus its predecessor and some of the other M cars.

[@SenszR]

Why do we ask this question every time a new 2 series comes out?

[@SavageBunny1]

I don't like silver colors but this color in person is stunning.

[@WelcomeToTheMadness]

“What a great car...” Alright, so will you replace the 46 with one. Sometimes the new girl comes with a bigger a** and more hips, hence some extra weight.

[@ryanhard5273]

You gonna buy it for him?

[@willywillywillywillywilly]

Yeeeeaaaaahhhh I think the funds situation might be the primary factor in his not having this car already, bro.

[@TheSmokingTire]

I’d have to make a lot more money to replace my E46 with the M2. Ive invested in the E46 to make it withstand some abuse, and I would rather spend the massive price difference on track days, tires, parts, and driving school. ZK

[@ArgueWithTheMajority]

@@TheSmokingTire Love the approach and the E46 M3

[@6lemans10]

Car hypergamy!😏😀😃😄🤣😂

[@Airbag1010674]

Is this stock exhaust?

[@matthewcoleman8267]

Is that boot spoiler standard in the US? My MC2 in the UK doesn’t have it.

[@TheSmokingTire]

Matthew Coleman Aftermarket

[@eyesurgeon69]

A little late to the game here, but just bought a M2C, had a E36 and E46 M3 back in the day, and I agree that the M2 is the natural successor to those cars and frankly the current M4 should not even exist, this should be the current M3.

[@N0TThatCrazy]

E92 M3 Comp. package w/ 6-speed OR M2 Competition package? Why?

[@DuBstep115]

Just a normal M3. Because with the money you save on that you can buy aftermarket exhaust, suspension and wheels. It will still be cheaper than M3 comp and better.Why? because NA V8 and e92 chassis is THE BEST looking BMW of 20xx.

[@goons123flofy]

Great work! Even better that that Farrah guy.

[@liljon454502]

If he doesn't take that protective blue film off the door sills and dead pedal soon, it will harden/stain and never come off

[@TheMdenny]

Zach add more donut cut scenes of the e46 m3! or give us a one take on your car

[@BPawn6]

I am freaking sold! ...need a house with a garage first, oh, but it's-a-comin'!

[@SL9SH]

Good review, just a comment on the concept of “Twin turbo” as the word implies, means two same size turbos divided on equal number banks in this case 3-3, big turbo and small turbo like you said, is sequential or bi-turbo, that was used in cars like the supra or the GTR with th RBs, where the small turbo would work on low rpm’s and then the large one would take over on higher rpms, I have no modern example of any car using a system like that today, Volvo and VW did something similar with “twin charging” in the fact that they used a super charger on the low band and a turbo in the higher.

[@FishFind3000]

SL9SH bmw is twin scroll so same turbo with variable veins so faster spin up and plenty of power.

[@kunamutas8941]

The RB's twin turbo's were not sequential, they were equal sized and worked together, the supra had 2 equal turbos but one would stop working at 4k, the rx7 had sequential where as one turbo would start low in the rev range and then a second equal turbo would start spooling and both would work till redline.

[@SL9SH]

FishFind3000 no, twin scroll has nothing to do with VTG, twin scrolll just means more efficient ducting towards the exhaust turbine wheel, considering exhaust pulses for better spool, Porsche with its VTG technology does have variable sizing turbine wheels. I quote directly from BMWBLOG on whats twin scroll “Twin-scroll turbo system design addresses many of the shortcomings of single-scroll turbo systems by separating those cylinders whose exhaust gas pulses interfere with each other. Similar in concept to pairing cylinders on race headers for normally aspirated engines, twin-scroll design pairs cylinders to one side of the turbine inlet such that the kinetic energy from the exhaust gases is recovered more efficiently by the turbine.”

[@SL9SH]

Kunamutas you gave me a good lesson mate! I had to google of course to verify and indeed, 2JZ had two same size turbos (CT20s)but worked sequentially, (good info in here if someone wants to keep reading www.turbosupras.com/pages/pages/specifications/JZA80/jza80.htm), couldn’t confirm on the RBs but I suppose it’s like you said so that would make it as my N54 or the S55 for that matter, and I have even less knowledge on rotaries.

[@MTreddevil12]

Biturbo is also same size turbos not sequential fyi. The Chiron uses sequential turbos also.

[@mitchellsteindler]

Sweet looking car. Hopefully the next gen 2 series is closer to 3k lbs. Given than new civics are well under 3k, I don't see why an expensive german car couldn't be also.

[@scottleech9571]

I think my 328 XI 6 speed Wagon with the M sport package is the perfect car !!

[@paghal11]

Gobind ji, twaddi gaddi bari vadya first class ah ! Tanu pasand hai ?

[@bimmerman9839]

This car would be kooler if it wasn't so heavy and complex! Too many coolers and gadgets to fix. No space in engine compartment. I def prefer the e36 sizing over e46 m3! I own both. Thanks, that was a nice test drive!

[@G50_GT3M3CSLM2C]

Great review...The first thing I do is turn TC off. Its not a sports car with nannies on...

[@stubbk3]

At £50k plus sadly i wont ever be driving one of these but it does seem to be the logical next car from the E46

[@A-GoldenBar]

2018 m2 or 2019 m2 comp?

[@5abivt]

I know Gobindh cruising listening to Moosawala 🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@jryalls]

Great video Zach. Ignore the hate.

[@BigHeadClan]

I always laugh when I see "Exectuive Package" on BMWs most of it is simply standard features with other competitors. That said a stripper 2-series is really the best way to have the car, cut out all the technology you can minus heated seats and enjoy.

[@ProjectAutomotiveWideo]

Mariusz Pudzianowski, from Poland* :) Great video and great car. I have driven an M2C with DCT. Pure pleasure. But definately seems better with manual!

[@MarkIrmina]

Project Automotive Mariusz Pudzianowski. Gdyby ten filmik byl nakrecony w Polsce, miałby wieksza ogladalnosc, na wspomnienie Twojego nazwiska. Ale w stanach wszyscy myśla ze jestes z Rosji. Smutne I zabawne za tym samym razem

[@08turboSS]

And keep a hand on the shifter at all times.

[@dennygamble4520]

Zack, Which car would you own between this ,1M or first M2?

[@ant337]

Great video. I don't miss Matt at all.

[@Fee.1]

Zach please do a Z4M and compare it to a refreshed Z4 S-Drive35isLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

[@barrymcockener4336]

I love a good pearl paint job

[@bazejwianecki9054]

Mariusz Pudzianowski is from Poland.

[@08turboSS]

I just wish BMW would get the ipad off the dash like Audi makes it retract into the dash. This does sound better/beefier than the M3/4 though. Props for that.

[@Affalterbach1967]

Why do they call you the Smoking Tire ? 2:21

[@andyhui01]

What happened to the other guy?