Hi, I'm John Davis and this is MotorWeek !

Join us as we put the pedal down in the hot, new BMW M2 Coupe... ...before rolling into the garage for a touch-up on paint problems.... We'll get the details on what makes a "dirty" car title... Just in time to get down and dirty in the Ford F-150 Raptor R...

So, come drive with us, next!

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First, there was the wheel.

Then, the tire.

"We'll call it TireRack."

Forty years later, we're not slowing down.

JOHN: BMW's M3 performance car is legendary, but as it has grown over the years, there was room for a spunkier, more compact offshoot, which arrived for 2016 as the M2.

Well, now it's time for a 2nd generation of that well-loved pint-sized performer... let's hope the formula stays the same.

♪ ♪ If we're in agreement that the formula that made the original M2 such a hit was having a big powerhouse of an engine crammed into a tiny track-worthy chassis, essentially creating a 3/4-scale M4, then after a quick glance of the spec sheet, this 2023 BMW M2 is off to a good start.

As it appears an inline-6 turbo still lives under the M2's long hood using 3.0 liters of displacement to breathe 453 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of fury strictly onto its rear wheels at 7,200 RPM.

Yeah baby!

And does it through a standard 6-speed manual transmission, which we highly recommend; though the 8-speed automatic is so good, it's getting hard to make anything but a purest case for the manual.

So, for us, it was the manual all the way, with a trip to Mason Dixon Dragway to add some numbers of our own to the spec sheet.

This engine pulls like an ox on steroids and sounds killer too.

The clutch is light, but you don't need to do a whole lot of modulation.

Just dump it and go, as there's plenty enough grip in the 20 inch 285 rear tires to transfer the power into 60 miles per hour in 4.1 seconds.

Minimal turbo lag, consistent hard-hitting power, and a precise shifter with moderately short throws made quick work of the quarter, finishing in 12.6 seconds at 116 miles per hour.

Our test drivers actually used the words "bonkers" and "crazy" to describe braking performance, which I guess are fitting descriptors for stopping from 60 in just 88 feet, smoothly with zero nosedive.

Fun, but a true road course is necessary to get the full M2 experience, and for us it's the challenging turns of Virginia's Dominion Raceway.

Here, the M2 felt light, toss-able, playful, and agile without being darty.

Basically, just like the last M2, only with more power and tech.

A Head-Up display is included with Live Cockpit Pro, and it gave great info in such an easy-to-read manner that, for track work, we actually preferred it over glancing down at the gauges.

At the risk of stating the obvious, handling really is the biggest draw here, but we also still find ourselves asking BMW to somehow engineer more steering feel into the process.

But you don't have to be at track speeds to enjoy this M2.

On the street it's nimble and fun to drive too, with a firm suspension that falls way shy of being abusive.

It acts so much more compact than an M4, despite weighing only slightly less, and working with just 20 fewer ponies.

The M Carbon bucket seats were ideal for track work but remain plenty comfortable for everyday use.

The M2 definitely sits low to the ground, and can be difficult for some to get in and out of.

But, even with the expected cockpit nature of sporty BMWs, there's still adequate room for people of all sizes.

Up front that is, as the M2 is surely made for you and one friend to enjoy driving, and the cool places that fun roads tend to take you; as, the back seat is extremely tight and not practical for anyone except in a pinch.

"Well put together, but not extravagant" is how we'd describe the interior vibe; plenty of the latest tech like BMW's new curved screen approach, combining the 12.3 inch Live Cockpit Pro gauges in a single housing with the 14.9 inch infotainment screen, both with M-specific displays and graphics.

Outside, while the original was plenty aggressive looking, this M2 appears even more muscular, with exaggerated wheel arches and prominent side skirts.

It has grown a bit too; 4.0 inches longer, a little more than 1.0 inch wider, yet, it sets 3/10ths of an inch lower.

A carbon fiber roof is optional.

Government Fuel Economy Ratings with the manual are 16-City, 24-Highway, and 19-Combined.

We averaged a fine 22.5 miles per gallon of Premium.

That's an Energy Impact Score just barely below average; 15.7 barrels of yearly oil use, with 7.6 tons of CO2 emissions.

M2 pricing starts at $63,195; about 15-grand less than an M4 Coupe.

While, there does seem to be more fun rear-wheel-drive cars to choose from these days, than there has been in a long time, most are clearly aimed at the younger crowd.

The 2023 BMW M2 offers a high-powered alternative for more mature drivers who may have a little extra coin for something fun but need to stay well short of exotics.

The M3 and M4 may still be faster, but when it comes to having more fun behind the wheel, the M2 is the clear winner once again.

♪ ♪ Every year, roughly three times as many used cars are sold here as new ones.

The main reasons?

Well, they're more affordable and often the smarter choice.

But before you take a plunge into a "previously owned" vehicle, you'll want to make sure it has what's called a "clean title."

As Stephanie Hart explains, problems can pile up when you buy a used car, especially from an individual, with a title that's less than pristine.

♪ ♪ STEPHANIE HART: You really need to be cautious, if you're shopping for a used car online from a third-party like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace because in the end it could be hard to get a license plate.

But there are resources that can help you before you sign on that dotted line.

Beth Caro owns Auto Tag Connect in Annapolis, Maryland.

Her company is acts as an extension of the Maryland State Department of Motor Vehicles.

She says tons of people come into her office everyday with the same story: they bought a used car from a third party, never asked about its title beforehand, and come to find out, it has a salvage branded title which, more often than not, causes big, expensive problems for them.

BETH CARO: A salvage title is basically, when a vehicle has gone through a total loss accident and an auto insurance company has determined that vehicle a total loss.

And most states across the US that's determined at 60-to-100 percent.

STEPHANIE: A salvage title means, the automobile can't be driven, sold, or registered in its current condition, which makes getting insurance a big challenge.

BETH: They might not even be able to get approved to have an active insurance policy on that car with that branding.

So, it's really important to think about what you're going to be doing with that vehicle.

Are you going to be reselling it in a year?

Because that value on a salvage vehicle is significantly lower and sometimes may not even have a resale value.

STEPHANIE: By law, if you're buying a used vehicle that has been in an accident and has a salvage title, the third-party seller or the dealership must disclose that to you; but, that doesn't always happen, especially when dealing with private sellers.

So, what can you do to protect yourself?

CHRIS BROWN: There's a lot of things as a consumer, not being an expert, that you can look for on your own to see if a car has been in an accident.

All these stickers here are from the factory.

Usually, when a car has been in an accident these do not get replaced.

They'll replace the piece under it, but not these here.

The bolts here-to put things together-- if they're different and they don't match they're def- definitely was not done at the factory or a professional shop.

STEPHANIE: And consumers should always check the VIN plate... CHRIS: Yes.

They should always check the VIN plate and also make sure it aligns with their title.

In the VIN plate on most cars, if you look carefully, there's a hologram.

It can't be counterfeited with the hologram.

Make sure the VIN number is either riveted or there's no screws in it.

If someone's tampered with it there's going to be screws, it's not gonna look factory.

STEPHANIE: And consumers always want to check the door jamb for a matching VIN number.

CHRIS: Yes, and this VIN number should also match what is on the title and obviously what's up on the dashboard there.

STEPHANIE: Next, use that VIN number to run the vehicle's national car history report to find out, if their car you want to buy has a clean title.

The National Motor Vehicle Title Information is an association that oversees the DMVs and is a great resource.

So are title search firm, like CarFax.

A car's history report also reveals, if it's been in a flood.

If so, it's considered a salvage vehicle.

Caro recommends steering away from flood vehicles even if it seems like a good deal.

BETH: Let me tell you: that mold and mildew does not go away.

The electrical sans do not like that and what's going to happen is an electrical demon in your car.

STEPHANIE: In addition to looking over the car's history report to check for a clean title, it's smart to have a mechanic check out the vehicle to make sure it's 100 percent safe to drive.

JOHN: A good paint job can be a big selling point; maybe even the reason you buy the car in the first place.

But over time, it can start to wear.

Well, Dan Maffett shows us how to deal with some common paint problems in this week's "Your Drive."

♪ ♪ DAN MAFFETT: Paint correction is one of those things that intimidates most people, but if you know what to look for and you know what tools to use, it's really quite simple.

First thing, you want to do is assess your surface.

Make sure you know what kind of paint you're dealing with, and what kind of imperfections are in the paint.

Or, what kind of contaminants are on top.

First thing, I like to do is the fingernail test.

I like to find a scratch and dig my nail across it.

If your nail hangs on it, it can't be fixed with just buffing or any kind of chemicals.

The scratch is through the surface of the clearcoat and it's into the primer or even the basecoat.

So, once you find that, you gotten move on past that, but you can bring back the paint to a certain extent with something like this: a clay bar.

You can use a clay bar and a little bit of spray wax for lubricant, you can spray your surface and work this clay bar across the surface.

As you go across the surface, you're going to feel it get smoother and smoother, and anytime it snags, it's picking up contaminants.

It'll actually change the color to a nice brown.

That's how you know it's picking up all the contaminants that are in that paint.

Once, you've got that, you just clean it off and make it nice and smooth again, and with this surface that's kind of neglected for a while, so you want to go ahead and use a compound, something like this with a color-matching pad will allow you to put a nice buff across the surface, and it'll just level out.

It's a little aggressive... level out the top of that paint.

And then, you can clean that off and then go with a compound wax, that's made for a rotary buffer.

And what that does is activated it by heat and pressure, and speed.

So, with a buffer like this spinning at a certain RPM, it's going to activate that wax and smooth it across the surface.

How do you know you have enough pressure or speed?

Take an ordinary buffer like this, sharpie like this, and you do a line at twelve and six.

And, when you put those lines on there, when you have the proper speed, and you're looking down at it as it spins, that space should be about a quarter-inch apart.

You don't want any more or any less.

Once, you get the wax on, finish it out with a spray wax, wipe it down, and you're all done.

Have any questions or comments?

Hit us up here at MotorWeek .

JOHN: The open road is calling.

Well, let's answer with another QuickSpin!

♪ ♪ JESSICAR RAY: Last year marked the debut of Hyundai's all-electric IONIQ 5 crossover.

We found a lot to love with this uniquely-styled EV, and now for 2023 it's only getting better.

The best news is that all-wheel drive models see range increases from 256 to 266 miles.

That's from the same 77.4 kilowatt-hour battery.

For max range, that battery, with the standard rear-wheel-drive setup, is good for 303 miles.

For the record, Hyundai still offers a rear-wheel-drive model using a standard range 58.0 kilowatt-hour battery, reaching 220 miles of range.

All trims, baring said standard range model, see a big towing increase from 1,650 pounds to 2,300 pounds.

All IONIQ 5s now come with a battery heating system, previously available on all-wheel-drive models only.

And an all-new feature that's now model-standard is a battery preconditioning function, enabled when an EV fast-charging spot is programmed into the onboard nav.

For 2023, an entry-level SE Standard Range will start near $43,000 with delivery; stepping up to that bigger battery will start closer to $47,000; add $3,500 for all-wheel-drive.

Beyond the additions, the core components of what made the IONIQ 5, so impressive upon its debut are still present.

And with a performance-minded "N" variant on the horizon, we expect the good times to keep rolling.

GREG CARLOSS: Jeep has made a lot of improvements to its Compass compact crossover throughout its current generation, including a 2022 update that made it a bit more attractive inside and out.

And for 2023, Jeep turned its attention to the powertrain.

Now standard on all Compass models is a turbocharged 2.0 liter inline-4, generating 200 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque-- healthy increases from last year's 177 horsepower and 172 pound-feet, which came from a 2.4 liter I4.

This new 2.0 liter is paired to an 8-speed automatic, sending power to the now, standard all-wheel-drive system.

This year's powertrain updates stack up on last year's visual changes, like the updated front fascia, seven-slot grille, and wheel designs.

For 2023, the interior boasts a standard 10.1 inch Uconnect 5 infotainment system, available with navigation on certain trims.

Analog gauges are standard, but a 10 and a quarter inch digital unit is optional, again...trim dependent.

Our Latitude Lux packs heated leather-trimmed seats and a heated steering wheel.

Optional packaging included the panoramic sunroof and Alpine sound system.

The affordable 2023 Jeep Compass starts at $30,000 with delivery.

A Latitude Lux starts in the mid-30's, and climbing to the top for a High Altitude model will start closer to 40K.

The Jeep Compass really has found its way over the last generation.

We look forward to seeing what's next and bringing you more QuickSpins...soon!

JOHN: While, no one has ever questioned the off-road chops of the Ford F-150 Raptor, quite a few fans were not happy when the 2nd generation arrived with a turbo-6 under the hood instead of a V8.

Well, it's taken Ford until now to finally address that situation, and boy did they ever!

♪ ♪ While, the benefits of turbocharging are well-proven, for many truck fans, only a V8 will do.

Combine that conviction with the arrival of Ram's 702 horsepower TRX pickup, and for the last few years, some have viewed Ford's Raptor as more of a pretender than a contender.

Well, the 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R not only sets things right with a V8, but does it with a high-output supercharged powerplant packing 700 horsepower.

This overhead cam 5.2 liter V8 is mostly the same as the Shelby GT500's, but the supercharger was recalibrated and features a different pulley setup to optimize the low-end of its 640 pound-feet of torque.

Exhaust manifolds are upgraded, and oil system revised with deeper oil pan, plus, different cooler and filter setups.

Finally, air volume was increased by 66 percent with a much larger intake.

The complete driveline, including the 10-speed automatic transmission, has been upgraded to handle the increased power, featuring a different torque converter and whole new front axle.

In order to make best use of all of that, Ford has also upgraded the suspension with a retuning of the springs and active Fox Live Valve shocks, and made 37 inch tires standard with the R; providing 13.1 inches of ground clearance, about an inch over the standard Raptor.

Rear suspension is the same 5-link coil spring setup of other Raptors.

While, designed primarily with high-speed desert runs in mind, these updates certainly improve the experience on any surface that's not smoothly paved.

That was mostly mud in our case, and nothing we came across in our off-road course presented any real challenge to the R, which will probably be the case for every Raptor R that does indeed venture off pavement.

On pavement, it was impressively comfortable, and as maneuverable as any lesser F-150.

Now, just to set it apart from lesser Raptors, R's get a taller power dome on the hood, R badges, and blacked out bumpers, grille, and fender flares; plus, "desert-inspired" graphics that we could probably do without.

The dark theme is applied liberally inside as well, broken up with splashes of real carbon fiber and Code Orange R accents.

Ford has kept capability intact, as the 1,400 pound payload limit remains the same, but with a tow rating of 8,700 pounds, the R can even pull 500 pounds more, thanks to structural enhancements to the frame.

And it truly does haul, as we found out at our Mason Dixon test track... Where the Raptor R ripped off 0-60s of just 3.7 seconds, a tenth quicker than we saw in the TRX, and between the raucous exhaust note and supercharger whine, boy does this thing sound terrific.

That, more than anything, is indeed what the V6 Raptor was missing.

All that rubber digging into the pavement makes for an extremely aggressive launch, with a big time squat of the rear before it explodes off the line.

It quickly levels off and starts rapid fire shifting through gears as you glide through the quarter-mile in just 12.1 seconds.

But before we got there, we were clearly bumping up against some type of limiter, as power started falling just shy of tripping the lights at an indicated 113 miles per hour.

Whipping in and out of cone courses is not this rig's forte, so most buyers will be willing to accept the excessive body roll, heavy steering, and appreciable understeer.

Government Fuel Economy Ratings are a very low 10-City, 15-Highway, and 12-Combined.

We averaged just 12.4 miles per gallon of Regular.

Now, don't get us wrong here, we love all that power and the roaring chorus the Raptor R makes, and upping off-road chops is something we can all appreciate.

But at the end of the day, one must make a hard decision as to whether adding the R to the Raptor is worth it for the way most of us drive.

Standard Raptor pricing starts at $78,670; already not a small sum.

Then tack on another $30,575 to get to the Raptor R's base of $109,245.

Pickup trucks may have started out as simple tools to get jobs done, but they've become much more than that to many people.

They are now status symbols.

The 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R is indeed the closest thing you can get to owning an actual Trophy Truck, ready to conquer both Baja and Suburbia.

And, the fact that it's now singing in the key of V8, means all the world to the F-Series faithful.

Well, that's our show, I hope you enjoyed it.

Now, for more MotorWeek , including daily news updates, podcasts, and even complete episodes, cruise on over to PBS.ORG/MOTORWEEK.

And I hope you'll join us next time, when we'll plug into the Kia Niro Electric, then heat up some rubber in the Toyota GR Corolla.

Until then, I'm John Davis.

We'll see you right here on MotorWeek !

ANNOUNCER: To learn more about MotorWeek ... Television's original automotive magazine, visit... To order a DVD of this program, call... MotorWeek has been brought to you by... ANNOUNCER: For more than 30 years Lucas Oil products has helped people tackle mechanical problems in the automotive, marine, and industrial fields.

From our original four core products... Lucas Oil has developed over 400 custom products to help both professionals and do it yourselfers.

To learn more visit Lucasoil.com.

Lucas oil, keep that engine alive!

MotorWeek is proudly sponsored by Auto Value and Bumper To Bumper, featuring major brand auto and truck parts, and service from coast to coast.

Learn more at AutoValue.com and BumperToBumper.com.

TireRack.Com is proud to support MotorWeek .

First, there was the wheel.

Then, the tire.

"We'll call it Tire Rack."

Forty years later, we're not slowing down.

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