[mjposner]

Title says it all....debate

[tbonez3858]

Lease an M235i convertible. By the time the lease is up the M2 convertible should be available and you wont have to pay the ADM...

[Cyberdemon]

Financially doesn't really make sense. Also, most of the M2 parts will most likely not be readily available for several more years. Most people who've done "M" clones on cars like the E9x M3 did it years after the car was available, parts had become available (or knocked off by 3rd parties) and started with a base car that was much cheaper from an accident or salvage.

I would either get an M235 and be happy with it (or use the extra money you planned on spending on an LSD, Dinan big turbo & tune, and some new wheels), just splurge now and buy an M4 Convertible (which have been out long enough to start finding used or CPO).

I'm not sure if the M2 convertible is actually confirmed...given the generally low sales of convertibles in general I'm not sure if they would sell enough to even bring it over.

[bimmerfile]

Originally Posted by mjposner

Title says it all....debate

Other than yelling "look at me", what would be the motivation to do that?

[Kiwi]

Originally Posted by bimmerfile

Other than yelling "look at me", what would be the motivation to do that?

This is where some believe we buy BMW's to tell people to look at me but it's not it's about the look I enjoy and the drive I enjoy.

M2 parts will be available as M2's will have accidents from day one.

If installing an M2 bumper makes the car look better to an owner then so be it. At least the mirrors don't need to be changed which was a disappointment the M2 does not have the latest looking M mirrors.

[bimmerfile]

Originally Posted by Kiwi

This is where some believe we buy BMW's to tell people to look at me but it's not it's about the look I enjoy and the drive I enjoy.

If installing an M2 bumper makes the car look better to an owner then so be it. At least the mirrors don't need to be changed which was a disappointment the M2 does not have the latest looking M mirrors.

I agree, but the OP was asking about using aftermarket parts to turn the 2er ragtop into a "M2 clone".
An M2 bumper would hardly make your 2er into an M2 clone.

[Cyberdemon]

Originally Posted by Kiwi

This is where some believe we buy BMW's to tell people to look at me but it's not it's about the look I enjoy and the drive I enjoy.

M2 parts will be available as M2's will have accidents from day one.

If installing an M2 bumper makes the car look better to an owner then so be it. At least the mirrors don't need to be changed which was a disappointment the M2 does not have the latest looking M mirrors.

That's not always true. A number of people who had early accidents in their 235i's waited weeks for replacement parts which were unavailable. When initial parts are all going to supply the early builds getting replacements becomes more difficult. Beyond just the bumper you need to make sure you can source all of the other bits (grilles, fasteners, reflectors, washer/PDC covers, etc) - and also the fact that you will need the M2 fenders for the bumper to line up. Obviously the rear fenders are not going to be available for a vert, so at that point you're going to have to let a body shop start hacking away.

It's a lot of surgery, the people who do these kinds of swaps are well aware of the work and know what they want with such conviction it would never be a question for them. Many people do it for the pure act of enjoying the build more than the result and will sell the cars shortly after it's done to move on to another project.

If you really want an M2 look, then just get an M235, I expect a few years from now the aftermarket will have knocked off the M2 bumpers and you can get them for half the price without any issues.

[AlpsRider]

The only M2 feature in my opinion that is really "worth it" is the flared fenders and bigger fatter tires which is not a cheap and easy upgrade to do.

[allthatisntnow]

How would M2 bumpers fit an F22 when the fenders aren't flared? Sounds like it would be an expensive mod to even get visually right. Probably cheaper buying an M2 and having a coachworks cut the roof off.

[doublevanosrc]

Originally Posted by mjposner

Title says it all....debate

Not worth the coin. Just get the real deal and enjoy driving it.

[Cloud IX]

Originally Posted by allthatisntnow

How would M2 bumpers fit an F22 when the fenders aren't flared? Sounds like it would be an expensive mod to even get visually right. Probably cheaper buying an M2 and having a coachworks cut the roof off.

I bet the front would just bolt on. You would have to go rear over fenders, unless you want to drop a ton of cash and do it right.

[Cyberdemon]

The rear would be a lot of custom work. Even the fuel door isn't the same shape. You'd likely need to buy a set of the standard rear fenders and then decide where to cut and blend the two together which is all custom work.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by doublevanosrc

Not worth the coin. Just get the real deal and enjoy driving it.

I'd be curious. Assuming the M2 is offered in convertible form (up for some debate) I'd have to think going Frankenstein on the 235 could end up costing more. Body work, wheels, etc. interior depending on how crazy you want to go. Ballpark guess I'd say $5k more to go all the way not counting performance mods, purely cosmetic.

[mjposner]

I need to clarify. I should have said performance clone not copying the looks. Tune, exhaust, wheels, coil overs, lsd, etc.

maybe an m2 badge Just kidding.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by mjposner

I need to clarify. I should have said performance clone not copying the looks. Tune, exhaust, wheels, coil overs, lsd, etc.

maybe an m2 badge Just kidding.

Still think you'd be bumping into M2 pricing if they actually make it. You're talking close to $10k right? Maybe a little less if you do the work yourself but still. LSD alone is what north of $3k installed? Wheels have to be $1500 to $2k. Exhaust another $2k?

M2 badge save the money and just knock the 35 off the end :

[irondog168]

To the OP, just get the M235i convertible, it's already plenty to drive and i can't even use it 100% since i only drive in city from work to home. occasionally speed up a bit to pass someone or go on freeway but it's a lot of power on a little car. you would be happy with it. M2......keep waiting for 3 more years and by the time car will be flying....lol

[mjposner]

To further clarify I now drive an M3 convertible and I know from driving the M235i it is not the same.

That said.....

1. Stage 3 DINANTRONICS™ Performance Tuner $2,499
2. Dinan® High Performance Dual Core Intercooler $925
3. F22 M235i Supersprint Performance Muffler (4x80mm Tips) $2,039.95
4. aFe Performance Package - Intake Kit + Scorcher $845.00
5. KW Coilover Kit - Variant 1 (V1) $1,659.99
6. BMW OEM LSD $2,895

$11k plus XX for install.

[Cyberdemon]

Originally Posted by mjposner

To further clarify I now drive an M3 convertible and I know from driving the M235i it is not the same.

That said.....

1. Stage 3 DINANTRONICS™ Performance Tuner $2,499
2. Dinan® High Performance Dual Core Intercooler $925
3. F22 M235i Supersprint Performance Muffler (4x80mm Tips) $2,039.95
4. aFe Performance Package - Intake Kit + Scorcher $845.00
5. KW Coilover Kit - Variant 1 (V1) $1,659.99
6. BMW OEM LSD $2,895

$11k plus XX for install.

If you are purely approaching it from the performance side and not the cosmetic approach:

-The LSD you could get port installed to save some money.
-Dinan is expecting to release their big turbo kit with the stage 3 in the near future, that would probably be a more worthy investment upfront than the intake and exhaust.

Suspension upgrades depend more on if you're unhappy with how the car handles from the factory.

I guess the way you phrased the question is really "Should I do performance mods to my M235i" which is a more easily answered "yes" question than "Should I turn my car into a M2 clone" which implies lots of cosmetic investments "people won't know it's not an M2".

[AlpsRider]

Originally Posted by mjposner

To further clarify I now drive an M3 convertible and I know from driving the M235i it is not the same.

That said.....

1. Stage 3 DINANTRONICS™ Performance Tuner $2,499
2. Dinan® High Performance Dual Core Intercooler $925
3. F22 M235i Supersprint Performance Muffler (4x80mm Tips) $2,039.95
4. aFe Performance Package - Intake Kit + Scorcher $845.00
5. KW Coilover Kit - Variant 1 (V1) $1,659.99
6. BMW OEM LSD $2,895

$11k plus XX for install.

That all sounds good, but one of the weak points of the M235 is the amount of rubber on the road, your mods do not address that. More power is going only going to emphasize that weak spot.

[BEM-S4]

If there is indeed no M2 convertible, if have to think there are better options out there in the, what, $65-70k range that this would run.

[mjposner]

I priced a fully loaded convertible with LSD and I come in at $60,350. There is nothing else out there at that price new I would consider, but used gets intriguing. 2013-2015 Jaguar F type, M6, M4, S5.....

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by mjposner

I priced a fully loaded convertible with LSD and I come in at $60,350. There is nothing else out there at that price new I would consider, but used gets intriguing. 2013-2015 Jaguar F type, M6, M4, S5.....

Does that include all the stuff you want to to it though? Aren't you well over $70 all in?