So I'm considering starting MM2, now that I've finished MM1 and taken a little break. I was wondering whether I should import my MM1 characters, or just start over. I'm worried that my MM1 characters will be a bit strong and make the second game less fun. The manual says that they're reduced back to level 7, so I won't have all my crazy spells, but my characters had some pretty high stats and nice equipment. What do you guys think? Is it more fun to just start over and build a badass party from scratch?
Also, does anyone know if a better scan of the MM2 world map can be found somewhere? The PDF that comes with the GOG pack is quite hard to read.

Personally I thought it was a fun thinking that the same guys were actually going from game to game, at least the first three.

If the stats that you rolled for the characters are pretty good, I'd go for keeping the same party. Keep in mind that rolling a new party will take some time to get good stat rolls.

Definitely import, just because you can.

As long as you're happy with your stats, I would import at Level 7. May as well get the jump with +6 Levels to start.
Its been 20 years since I played MM2, but if I remember right, even if you want to swap out a character or two for the Ninja or Barbarian (new classes in MM2), you can still import your characters & then create the new one(s). The Ninja and/or Barbarian would only be at Level 1, but his/her fellow party members would still be way up at Level 7. Just put the 1 or 2 new characters in the back of the party & let them earn easy XP while the others do the damage.
Forgot to address this Q. With random encounters here & there, you'll probably end up fighting (at Level 7) what you might otherwise run away from (at Level 1). So it'll balance itself out after playing for a little while.

Sounds like most people are in favor of importing. One more question though... my MM1 characters didn't have the absolute BEST equipment in the game, but their stuff was pretty good, to the point that I almost never came across anything better. If I import them to MM2 and they get to keep their stuff, will I actually be able to find some nicer things for them? I like getting new loot, and I'm worried that the game won't be as fun if my stuff is already close to the best.

You should be able to improve some, yes. Also there are more different items in MM2, as the +1, +2, etc. is stored separately from the weapon itself.

Don't worry, an imported party won't be too powerful. You'll find far better items and reach far higher levels quite early in the game.
You can avoid the level grinding with many reloads at the beginning of the game until you are strong enough to explore the world (gaining the first levels in MM2 works about the same as in MM1), but after about 10 percent of the game neither the imported XP, equipment nor stats will make a noteworthy difference.

Sounds good. Looks like it's time for my party to get back to adventuring again.

True, it is good to keep in mind that the game was designed to build on MM1.

Quickly resurrecting this thread, as I have finally gotten around to importing my MM1 characters and starting MM2. I just wanted to point out to future players that your characters get imported without any items, which combined with the fact that they're reset to level 7 (or 6 if you didn't finish the first game) makes them feel much more like a beginning party. You do come in with a reasonable amount of cash though so I was able to buy some half-decent starting equipment for everyone.
Also, the way the spells work in the second game, you don't automatically get all the spells when you gain levels. Some of them you have to buy. So while my sorcerer has access to spells up to level 4, some of the most useful ones are missing, so he's not really very useful yet.
In summation, if anyone is worried about MM2 being too easy if they import characters, it's not. I recommend importing. Also the second game has a lot of improvements over the first that look to be really fun; I'm looking forward to it.
Edit: Also just realized that any stats greater than 20 are reset to 20 when you import characters.