You are well informed.
I am well aware BMW underrates their HP numbers. I regularly run 93 octane so my real HP number is probably somewhere between 420 and 440. In that thread in particular I was trying to make the point that Chargers and Challengers have these giant HP claims but have trouble keeping up with cars with significantly lower HP ratings. The point I wanted to make is those numbers don't mean as much as people think, but Dodge likes to capitalize on people's ignorance. Some of the German brands however, don't need to make these bold claims to get people to buy and love their cars. The enthusiasts (like you and me) later are pleasantly surprised to learn what their vehicles are capable of.
On that note- I'd just tell you to not rule out the M240i.. that thing is quite the beast and with mods it can beat a stock M2 for less $. If you don't want to mod and can shell out the cash then definitely get the M2. You can't go wrong either way
I’m aware you mentioned things are built for a purpose in that thread, and I couldn’t agree more, but..
It depends on which cars you’re comparing to those Dodges and what you’re doing with them exactly tho.. for example Scat Packs put out 485 at the crank and dyno anywhere from 430 to 440 at the wheel (leaving a tolerance for error at the dyno).. they also make their power down low in the curve torque wise because they are set up to run from a dig -and they out perform a lot of their contemporaries there (ie Mustangs Camaros)
However.. traction matters when it comes to drag racing and Scats come from the factory with 245’s on them.. too thin to get traction and use all that power. So if you’re just cruising websites kicking around for numbers (which you mentioned you do) then there’s going to be some debate there.
I own a purpose built factory drag car from Dodge (a 1320 Scat pack) it comes from the factory with drag radials, a trans brake, and some other goodies.. it will run into the mid 11’s all day with no work done to it. Plenty of proof of that too. Lining up next to a stock BMW M4 with my car is a drivers race -I know because I’ve done it. And keep in mind websites will tell you that the M4 runs low 12’s with a 0-60 at 3.8 (my car can do 0-60 anywhere from 3.6 to 3.8 stock).
Ive owned some classic muscle too (a 70 Chevelle SS most recently) the myths that people seem to believe nowadays put a smile on my face such as ‘a modern Honda Accord or Toyota Celica can outrun them..’ yeah no.. my Chevelle before I did work to it was stock with a 396 (with only headers added) and would walk by those cars like they were standing still.. 150 to 200 hp is only going to get you so far.. I don’t care how advanced your 8 speed trans is. Modern Honda’s are my daily drivers, and they’re slow.. I especially compared to the Muscle of yesterday.
I think the issue is most people rely too much on magazine and website numbers without having any real world experience. I’ve talked to Subaru guys that think they can run down a Scat because ‘it’s a land Yacht’ then they pull up next to someone like me and get gapped by a Walmart parking lot because their car has 200 less hp and isn’t set up to do what my car is set up to do.
Now if we’re talking modified everything is out the window and everything is on the table. You can make anything fast. Whoever has the deepest pockets and the most knowledge wins at that point. I’m simply talking about what you get from the factory. And the misconceptions about American cars are as distant as the horizon.
Lastly, the driver matters too (I don’t think anyone will argue this).
). Got a 2013 now. Enjoying the heck out of it. I think this might be the last one though because this car is no longer in production and it's getting difficult to find parts for it. 
