The Star: May 24, 2018

The Star Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi
Thursday May 24 2018 41
Motoring
Ross Kiddie
Blistering pace
from BMW M2
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I’VE LONG regarded
BMW’s M3 as the ultimate
sports sedan.
It’s always been on my
wish list, but at around
$160,000 I know it’s just a
dream to own one.
Regular readers will
know I’m a huge sport
sedan fan and I have many
fond memories of each M3
drive I’ve had.
Of course, M represents
a stable of cars M4, M5
and M6 are also popular
for those who want extra
performance from a BMW
purchase.
While those four models
are prohibitive for
my budget, there is one
M-series car which you
could describe as affordable
at $117k – the M2.
However, the M2 isn’t a
sports sedan, but it may
as well be. It’s a two-door
coupe concept, and for all
other reasons it is a performance
car true to the M
brand, and features all of
the ingredients that make
for blistering performance.
Under the bonnet sits a
turbocharged six-cylinder
engine of 2979cc. Its inline
design encapsulates all of
what has made the M3,
and others, sought after
performance models.
BMW rates it at 272kW
and 500Nm and it sits traditionally,
longitudinally
under the bonnet and
drives the rear wheels.
The power outputs are
dynamic, not only are
they high, but they are
also developed at usable
points of the rev band;
peak power comes in
at 6500rpm, but that is
almost met by an unfaltering
flow of torque
energy from 1400rpm to
5560rpm.
Add all those figures
together and you get the
speed indicative of M
models, a standstill to
100km/h time of 4.5sec
can be expected, and it will
force a highway overtake
of 3.8sec to make 120km/h
from 80km/h. BMW also
claims a 250km/h governed
top speed.
Not only is its pace
quick, the engine delivers
with a howl and a shriek
that is reminiscent and
characteristic of the inline
sixes BMW has carved out
a reputation for over the
years.
Inline engines develop a
lot of natural torque, and if
you add in the turbo boost
there’s no lag nor points
where the engine doesn’t
BMW M2: Affordable performance car at $117k.
want to deliver.
I took the evaluation
car through the twisty
pieces of road between the
two main river gorges –
Waimakariri and Rakaia
– as you force acceleration
from corner to corner the
M2 uses its mid-range
strength to provide a solid
feeling of exhilaration.
Power is delivered
through a seven-speed
dual clutch transmission.
Don’t let its name fool you,
it operates more like an
automatic than a manual,
there are only two foot
pedals.
• Price – BMW M2,
$117,050
• Dimensions –
Length, 4468mm;
width, 1854mm;
height, 1410mm
• Configuration – Sixcylinder,
rear-wheeldrive,
2979cc, 272kW,
500Nm, seven-speed
automatic.
• Performance –
0-100km/h, 4.3sec
• Fuel usage –
7.9l/100km
However, the point is it
is a quick-shifting gearbox
and it will change ratios at
the blink of an eye, there
are steering wheel-mounted
paddles or sequential
shifting through the main
lever, but even with a
hands-off approach, the
engine/gearbox management
systems are always
activated so that performance
on an open road
burst is the main priority.
Providing the grip are
beautiful 19in Michelin
Pilot performance tyres
(245/35 and 265/35) and
they have prodigious
grip. Traction control
obviously keeps grip well
maintained, but there is a
playfulness within the system
that offers a slight tailhappy
response if you use
vigorous throttle pressure
mid-corner.
It must be noted, too,
that the M2 has a trick rear
differential. Electronicallycontrolled,
it manages the
torque output to distribute
drive between the two rear
wheels so that the wheel
most likely to glean grip
will receive the appropriate
amount of power.
When it comes to slowing
down for the next
corner, there’s solid reassurance
from performance
brakes which have strong
pedal feel and retardation.
The mechanicals are
what you would expect
from BMW’s performance
arm, and they all combine
to provide a feisty drive
and one which is always
memorable.
However, it must also be
remembered that BMW
prides itself of luxury and
functionality. The wee M2
isn’t a big car at 4.5m, but
it equips itself well inside
with beautiful appointments
and a host of kit to
keep all occupants happy.
And while the evaluation
car was almost basic
spec, its $117,050 price
tag is most affordable. It
provides a bang-for-buck
experience, along with a
cabin which reeks of quality.
It’s sporty inside, but
once you are seated it
looks after the body with
amazing seats and a driving
position that oozes
comfort. Bearing in mind
that rear seat occupants
are limited to two, it’s a
bit of fiddle accessing that
area over the front seats.
That aside, it’s a small
price to pay for a true
performance champion.
It ticks all the boxes in
my list of desirable motor
cars. I am saving for an
M2, but it may take a few
years given that I’m about
to draw down on my pension.
2009 niSSan dualiS
2.0, auto, alloys, ABS, twin airbags.
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2007 MAzDA CX-7
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Car Stereo, Central Locking, Climate Control, Electric
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$18,995
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2006 MINI COOPER
$12,999 With OffER $10,999
Black body kit and wheel arches, 15" alloys,
features a 1.6 litre engine with 5 speed manual
trans, keyless entry, rear wiper, A/C, ABS, T/C and
airbags, will sell quickly!
Value Cars
2004 Audi Allroad 2.7 T QUATTRO
2.7 litre V6 turbo, auto, climate air, cruise,
heated leather seats, parking sensors, alloys.
123 SEAVIEW ROAD, NEW BRIGHTON | Phone: 388 9703
www.storermotors.co.nz
QUALITY TRADE-IN SPECIALS
$5,999
Inch Quality
European
2009 honda CiviC
1.8, auto, alloys, ABS, twin airbags.
$8,990
275 Colombo St, Christchurch.
Cnr Colombo & Milton Sts. Ph: 337 9629.
2017 FORD TERRITORY SZ2
‘Titanium’ 2.7 T.Diesel, 6 spd Tiptronic,
7x Leather Seats, Cruise, DVD Player, GPS
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$49,990
www.avoncityford.co.nz
2009 SuzukI SPLASh
1.2L, Auto, 51,870km, 5 Door, Air Cond, ABS Brakes,
Air Bag(s), Car Stereo, Central Locking, Electric
Mirrors, Electric Seats, Power Steering, Remote
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$11,995
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2011 TOYOTA fiELDER
$10,999 With OffER $8,999
Features a peppy 1.5 litre engine with automatic
trans, looks smart in black pearl with 15” alloys,
black interior, keyless entry, rear wiper, A/C, ABS
and airbags, great vehicle and great buying!
www.valuecarswarehouse.co.nz
Registration is for 6 months of $301
$8,999
2002 Audi Allroad 2.7 T QUATTRO
2.7 litre turbo, heated leather seats, all electrics,
cruise, alloys, tow bar, 131,500kms, new cambelt.
2006 Subaru foreSter
2.0 auto, alloys, ABS, twin airbags.
$10,990
Plus orC $300 Cash Price $11,290
2013 FORD MONDEO LX S/W
2.0 T.Diesel, 17” XR Style Alloys, Air Con,
CD Player, Tints, NZ New, ABS Brakes.
"Full Service History from Us"
$17,490
Cnr Main South & Epsom Rd
Sockburn, Christchurch
0800 655 551
2009 SuBARu LEgACy B4 AWD
2.5L, Auto, 54,153km, 4 Dr, 4WD, Air Cond, ABS, Air
Bag(s), Alloys, Car Stereo, Central Locking, Climate
Control, Electric Mirrors & Windows, Power Steering,
Remote Lock.
$14,995
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2008 TOYOTA PREvia
$10,999 With OffER $8,999
NZ new, 8 seater Previa, 2.4 litre engine with
tiptronic trans, twin sliding side doors, cruise
control, dual zone climate A/C, child seat anchor
points, driving lights, ABS and airbags.
32 Moorhouse Ave
Christchurch
03 366 7768
ToyoTa Hiace HigH Roof
10 SeaTeR
2.7 litre petrol, dual air conditioning,
factory 10 seater coach,
rear captain's seats.
NOW $25,990
68 WilliAMS 321 High StREEt, Street, KAiApoi Rangiora
- FREEpHoNE mbmotors@vodafone.co.nz
(03) 420 4207
1055 Main North 03 423 Rd, 3287 Chaney’s or 027 Cnr, 211 Belfast 1158
$5,990
1996 Land Rover Discovery 3.9 V8
1 NZ Owner, roof racks, very tidy, tow bar,
low kms, very tidy, be quick for ski season.
541 Moorhouse Ave
Christchurch
Ph 03 3799529 or 0274366076