M2 suspension

M2 suspension

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Discussion

hooch500

Original Poster:

70 posts

62 months

Monday 20th March 2023
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About to buy an OG 2017 M2. Pick it up at the end of the month. For the hard chargers among you I’m after a good fast road set up, I know from experience BMW sport suspension leaves a lot to be desired.

Decent compliance is important given some of my local roads are not exactly billiard smooth. Probably going with CL pads - standard pads WILL fade badly ( another BMW failing ).

I won’t be tracking it. As an ex racer I’m done with going around in circles and I’m lucky to be close to some great roads, relatively deserted.

Ohlins, PSS16 etc ? Any thoughts based on experience appreciated.

It’s been a while since I’ve posted in PH !

nickfrog

21,941 posts

224 months

Monday 20th March 2023
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Sorry can't help on suspension. My friend got the official BMW suspension on his which is a KW as this doesn't void the warranty, including extended.

It is fully adjustable so might be a solution for you.

I used DS1.11 pads for track use but I suspect the OE uprated pads that come as std on the M2 (they are GG rated from memory) are surprisingly difficult to cook on the open road (but perhaps you'll manage!). That BMW reputation is not justified anymore IME since they use those Brembo 4 pots.

bumskins

1,928 posts

22 months

Tuesday 21st March 2023
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nickfrog said:
I used DS1.11 pads for track use but I suspect the OE uprated pads that come as std on the M2 (they are GG rated from memory) are surprisingly difficult to cook on the open road (but perhaps you'll manage!). That BMW reputation is not justified anymore IME since they use those Brembo 4 pots.
I had the opportunity to try a standard 'OG' M2 along the road from Hawes to Ribblehead Viaduct and back. Despite hardly having any 'BIG' stops to concern the brakes on that stretch of road, the car had added another 1.5-2 inches of travel to the brake pedal before the return journey was complete. Of course there's no telling if this particular car had been owned by some tightwad who couldn't afford to maintain it properly, and as such the brakes or brake fluid were past their best, but it made me smile as it reminded me of an E36 M3 Evo and how BMW always liked to put crap brakes on M cars hehe

hooch500

Original Poster:

70 posts

62 months

Tuesday 21st March 2023
quotequote all
Hi, thanks for replying. I had cursory look at the BMW option, I’d like to know what your friend thinks of it. Is there any adjustment?

I will see how it is as standard, but given the shocks are basic B4’s and have a reputation of being set too stiff on this car, I’m not expecting miracles. The pads I’ve ordered as my route involves some big hills which are a real brake killer.

hooch500

Original Poster:

70 posts

62 months

Tuesday 21st March 2023
quotequote all
bumskins said:
I had the opportunity to try a standard 'OG' M2 along the road from Hawes to Ribblehead Viaduct and back. Despite hardly having any 'BIG' stops to concern the brakes on that stretch of road, the car had added another 1.5-2 inches of travel to the brake pedal before the return journey was complete. Of course there's no telling if this particular car had been owned by some tightwad who couldn't afford to maintain it properly, and as such the brakes or brake fluid were past their best, but it made me smile as it reminded me of an E36 M3 Evo and how BMW always liked to put crap brakes on M cars hehe
That was my experience with an m140 tbh. I’m hoping the M2 is a more enjoyable steer though that B48 can haul…

hooch500

Original Poster:

70 posts

62 months

Tuesday 21st March 2023
quotequote all
nickfrog said:
Sorry can't help on suspension. My friend got the official BMW suspension on his which is a KW as this doesn't void the warranty, including extended.

It is fully adjustable so might be a solution for you.

I used DS1.11 pads for track use but I suspect the OE uprated pads that come as std on the M2 (they are GG rated from memory) are surprisingly difficult to cook on the open road (but perhaps you'll manage!). That BMW reputation is not justified anymore IME since they use those Brembo 4 pots.
You’ve answered my question regarding adjustability apologies.

BMWM2Black

3,038 posts

225 months

Tuesday 21st March 2023
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I have an OG and yes the ride can by very choppy as standard which provides very edgy handling. Loads of info on the M2 owners facebook page but a very popular upgrade is the BMW M Sport or Bilstein coilovers. Lots of people have used Swift Performance in Aylesbury (they have worked on Joe Achillies M2 Comp) or Suspension Secrets.

I will be getting some coilovers for mine at some point. I have gone stage 2 and just upgraded the brakes so the suspension will complete all the modifications.

hooch500

Original Poster:

70 posts

62 months

Tuesday 21st March 2023
quotequote all
I had a 964RS many moons ago before they became collectors cars, that had a ride somewhere between a church pew and a skateboard but I’m a bit older now so a bit more compliance would be good. I’ll have a look on that forum thanks.

SaintsPaul

687 posts

174 months

Tuesday 21st March 2023
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If I decide to keep my comp I will probably go down the Litchfield route for suspension. They have a very good reputation for suspension on these cars.

hooch500

Original Poster:

70 posts

62 months

Tuesday 21st March 2023
quotequote all
Strangely enough just be looking on their site. Reasonable prices to be fair. I assume the kits would have some recommendations for set up.

Milmae

3 posts

20 months

Thursday 23rd March 2023
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Have been to Litchfield a couple of times, amazing place they can guide you in the right direction.

BSSBMW

568 posts

120 months

Thursday 23rd March 2023
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Having fitted all kinds of different suspension set ups to F8x M2/3/4 including various different springs such as Eibach, H&R, MSS etc to spring and damper combos such as Bilstein B8's Bilstein Damptronics and coilovers such as KW variant 3, BMW M performance (by KW), Öhlins R&T, intrax etc etc I would say the M performance (by KW) or Öhlins R&T and the nicest for a road car that sees occasional track use.

I run the öhlins on my own F82 M4.

hooch500

Original Poster:

70 posts

62 months

Friday 24th March 2023
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Thanks for reply. I’m leaning towards the BMW option. Presumably a K3 kit with custom valving.

ftypical

457 posts

125 months

Sunday 26th March 2023
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V3 with different colour spring perches and BMW springs. So Compression and Rebound damping adjustment, plus you can fiddle with the ride height/corner weighting.

Edited by ftypical on Sunday 26th March 21:35

ftypical

457 posts

125 months

Sunday 26th March 2023
quotequote all
bumskins said:
I had the opportunity to try a standard 'OG' M2 along the road from Hawes to Ribblehead Viaduct and back. Despite hardly having any 'BIG' stops to concern the brakes on that stretch of road, the car had added another 1.5-2 inches of travel to the brake pedal before the return journey was complete. Of course there's no telling if this particular car had been owned by some tightwad who couldn't afford to maintain it properly, and as such the brakes or brake fluid were past their best, but it made me smile as it reminded me of an E36 M3 Evo and how BMW always liked to put crap brakes on M cars hehe
Probably the fluid.

But, BMW do uprated pads for the Brembo brakes on the M2. Parts numbers are 34112284765 (front), and 34212284766 (rear).

Plus, it's possible to retrofit either the full CCB brakes, or the version that uses the same size callipers with steel disks.

HTH. smile

BMWM2Black

3,038 posts

225 months

Monday 27th March 2023
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Just replaced the original discs and pads on mine with OEM discs and Endless pads. Also installed braided lines and decent fluid and the difference is night and day.


hooch500

Original Poster:

70 posts

62 months

Tuesday 28th March 2023
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After looking at various forums I've decided to try some MSS springs for now and see how it is. I'm unlikely to do any track days, been there, done that to death so its fast road use and it would seem a reasonable compromise. Endless pads look a good option on the brake front.

ubbs

659 posts

224 months

Wednesday 29th March 2023
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hooch500 said:
After looking at various forums I've decided to try some MSS springs for now and see how it is. I'm unlikely to do any track days, been there, done that to death so its fast road use and it would seem a reasonable compromise. Endless pads look a good option on the brake front.
There was some for sale on the M2 owners page on Facebook.
ubbs

hooch500

Original Poster:

70 posts

62 months

Wednesday 29th March 2023
quotequote all
ubbs said:
There was some for sale on the M2 owners page on Facebook.
ubbs
Hi yes I’m picking them up after I collect car.

NIgt3

619 posts

181 months

Wednesday 29th March 2023
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For what you describe, personally I think the best suspension would be a Ohlins R&T, not too expensive, really well built, easy to adjust and very compliant on the road!