BMW M3 (E90) vs S650

[Dave2013M3]

I had an AWD with launch and "only" 300hp. Launch was vicious and it would run my GT very close if not beat it to 100kmh. After that it would be eating dust.
But, who can realistically use launch on public roads? It's noisy and attracts the wrong kind of attention, and will cancel launch if held too long.
I'd really like car reviews to also do acceleration from idle, it'd really be interesting to see what's quick and what's not so quick under those conditions.

That was one of the reasons I sold the Mustang, here in Commiefornia they will pull you over for modified exhaust and hit you with a fixit ticket. The M2 is kind of stealth like. Just whoosh!!!

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[sl8anic]

Shhh! Don't make the pool of nice used 6 speed Bimmers even smaller than it already is!

That was one of the reasons I sold the Mustang, here in Commiefornia they will pull you over for modified exhaust and hit you with a fixit ticket. The M2 is kind of stealth like. Just whoosh!!!

 

[dualpoint]

One of the reasons I went with the M2 is because of the $$$ difference. My S650 came in right at $60K, I bought the M2, granted there is no options on it for $63K. Remember the M2 comes with almost all the goodies standard anyway. Also I lease my vehicles and the payment on the M2 was actually $100 per month cheaper. My car is almost 2 yrs. old now and the buyout is right at $50K, I can sell it for $61K. The S650 Mustang isn't holding its value very well.

You did well - and leasing sure avoids the maintenance headaches - since BMW covers all the scheduled maintenance for that period. For me - using 2026 dollars - I was looking at an extra $20K for the M2.

 

[LouG]

That was one of the reasons I sold the Mustang, here in Commiefornia they will pull you over for modified exhaust and hit you with a fixit ticket. The M2 is kind of stealth like. Just whoosh!!!

That's tough. Our cops ignore noise because all the usual suspects put a stock exhaust on, get a certificate of compliance from a testing station, then put the straight pipes back on and most of our cops are too lazy to question the certificates authenticity.
Our house sounds like it's near an F1 grid when the boi racers are out on the nearby highway.

 

[Dave2013M3]

You did well - and leasing sure avoids the maintenance headaches - since BMW covers all the scheduled maintenance for that period. For me - using 2026 dollars - I was looking at an extra $20K for the M2.

That is a highly optioned M2. Did it have the Carbon package with the buckets and roof?

 

[dualpoint]

That is a highly optioned M2. Did it have the Carbon package with the buckets and roof?

The price was $73K - did not have the carbon package - but had multiple smaller options like heads-up display, optional paint and a few other similar. It started at $66K with no options.

 

[dualpoint]

That was one of the reasons I sold the Mustang, here in Commiefornia they will pull you over for modified exhaust and hit you with a fixit ticket. The M2 is kind of stealth like. Just whoosh!!!

So I have been driving many BMWs for many years - and I have to say that I am very much liking the s650. For me, its a daily driver, similar use as my M3 (early years) - and there is a lot going for this latest Mustang. Put the active exhaust in quite mode, and you could avoid the Commiefornia issues?

 

[Dave2013M3]

The price was $73K - did not have the carbon package - but had multiple smaller options like heads-up display, optional paint and a few other similar. It started at $66K with no options.

Was it a minimally equipped S650GT? My S650 stickered at $60k. 2024 GT Premium,PP, Active exhuast, Magnaride, premium trim, red calipers, it was a manual. Only $3k less than the M2 which pretty much comes with all this standard.

For 2025/6 the S650 leases pretty good. If I got out of my G87 I would have no qualms getting into an S650.

 

[135Hoser]

I had a n54 135i, a lack of LSD really hampered that car. The 6MT in it was really nice.
I also had a e36 m3 euro spec. Car was a dream to drive except in winter, but I've gotten better at driving since then. No TC and no cup holders. What a different time.
had a F10 m5. It wasn't great in winter. Very comfy though.
Had a f82 m4. Also not great in winter, had a lot of problems with traction and it would intervene hard.
s650 rattles and squeaks. Doesn't feel like its worth what Ford charges, even if the cars are cheaper in Canada. Motor hasn't died yet, Killed a cat though. Transmission is nice, much nicer than the DCT in the m5 and m4. Build and paint quality are trash. Infotainment system designed by morons. Ongoing bugs that aren't addressed. At best the dark horse is a 50k car. not 72. I don't even have front parking sensors or dimming side mirrors. However I really like the exhaust in it and have little desire to adjust it, besides maybe a double x/h pipe.

At least I was able to modify the car in a way that makes it interesting while retaining something resembling a warranty.

 

[dualpoint]

Was it a minimally equipped S650GT? My S650 stickered at $60k. 2024 GT Premium,PP, Active exhuast, Magnaride, premium trim, red calipers, it was a manual. Only $3k less than the M2 which pretty much comes with all this standard.

For 2025/6 the S650 leases pretty good. If I got out of my G87 I would have no qualms getting into an S650.

Yes - mine is the premium with active exhaust and the 401(?) option package came in right under $53K with some haggling. The expensive performance package and magnetic shocks would have pushed it over 60k. The M2 fell into the same bucket as the Dark Horse for me - paying some capabilities I would never use?

 

[dualpoint]

That's tough. Our cops ignore noise because all the usual suspects put a stock exhaust on, get a certificate of compliance from a testing station, then put the straight pipes back on and most of our cops are too lazy to question the certificates authenticity.
Our house sounds like it's near an F1 grid when the boi racers are out on the nearby highway.

I hate to admit it - but I paid extra for the active exhaust for the quite mode - so I could stay on speaking terms with my neighbors ... The quite start mode was the first thing i setup on the car.

 

[Junkyard Dog]

I hate to admit it - but I paid extra for the active exhaust for the quite mode - so I could stay on speaking terms with my neighbors ... The quite start mode was the first thing i setup on the car.

And it isn't all that quiet on cold start.

 

[LouG]

And it isn't all that quiet on cold start.

No, but mine's quieter than the two other noisy sods in the street.

 

[AZ_Ryan]

says the guy with the almost 4000 lb "boat" of a car.

Bro. A Dodge Challenger guy throwing shades about weight is the most hypocritical thing ever. At least the Mustang doesn't come with dual anchors.

 

[Rocket Man]

Bro. A Dodge Challenger guy throwing shades about weight is the most hypocritical thing ever. At least the Mustang doesn't come with dual anchors.

Dude, try to keep up. #1 I wasn't replying to you. #2 I never said I drove a lightweight car. #3 you as well are drving an almost 4000 pound "boat" of a car. Go bother someone else.

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