Celebrating 4 years with my M2C

[smokey12]

Having read the GT4 -v- new M2 article, I thought It might be an appropriate moment to share my ever-increasing passion for my M2C.

Bought new in July, 2019 from BMW Park Lane, it's now covered 18K miles including a recent trip to this year's Le Mans 24 hours 100th anniversary. We took my mate's 12C as well and I'm delighted to report that the M2C received as much positive attention of as the 12C. Perfect on the lovely long, smooth French roads down from Roscoff, Laval to Le Mans.

I've "made it mine" - first off fitting a crank hub capture plate [not sure why Joe Achillies didn't spend a modest sum to provide a degree of protection before fitting coiler overs, roll cage etc.] Evolve breathers, Remus exhaust, BBS wheels, lowering springs, Forge charge cooler and a stage 1 remap by Celtic Tuning in Newquay and assorted other tweaks.

It's a keeper - barring unforeseen happenings [my E92 cabrio was destroyed by a lump of Cornish granite in the middle of my lane . I've been very fortunate having owned and enjoyed many nice cars and bikes but I'm still getting a big buzz from this little rocket.

[mikeN54]

Mine will be 5 in November, I bought it new too, from Coopers York over the phone, we took it to LM this year and just turned 18K on the way back from France Had a great rural run down from Cherbourg.

I've got Litchfield AST suspension, CH bolt capture, and just fitted Alcon discs when it was indoors for the winter, Cup2s and DS2500 pads too have made an incredible difference.

Decat and BM3 Stage 1 or 2 DIY depends on the mood...

Love it and can't think of anything to replace it with - I hope yours is a manual too

Edited by mikeN54 on Wednesday 21st June 14:50

[smokey12]

Yes, manual!
I'm contemplating some Alcon discs from Litchfield just to cover off any misgivings about the standard brakes with the additional power but I've had no concerns thus far.
Have still to see the new M2 in the flesh but am not expecting any great desire to go that way. At some point you have to take the view that what we have in these cars is an amazing, great value machine.....and according to a friend in the specialised motor trade, a bargain in terms of depreciation.

[smokey12]

Yes, manual!
I'm contemplating some Alcon discs from Litchfield just to cover off any misgivings about the standard brakes with the additional power but I've had no concerns thus far.
Have still to see the new M2 in the flesh but am not expecting any great desire to go that way. At some point you have to take the view that what we have in these cars is an amazing, great value machine.....and according to a friend in the specialised motor trade, a bargain in terms of depreciation.

[mikeN54]

Main reason to change the brakes was the factory discs were rusty as hell, all holes were cracked and they rumbled like a train from anything over 60mph.

The alcons and ds2500 pads are super smooth, quiet, great bite, and much more stopping force but progressive with it, easy to modulate. They get even stronger as they get hotter.... and look great

[JayK12]

Guys, why did no one tell me how good the M2 Competition was earlier!

Had a number for cars and I've now got a manual M2 Competition, Its a decent spec (Ohlins, Millway Camber Plates, RS29s, HEL Lines, 763 Frozen Gold Wheels, Remus OPF Back Race System, Litchfield Capture, Litchfield Stage 1 Map 530/520, on PS4S for road, and the final piece of the puzzle the CAE Ultra Shifter.

Honestly, I do not miss any other car the M2 is just mega and so useable too. I am upgrading the brake cooling, swapping out the drivers seat for something more huggy, and thats about it. I have a spare set of track wheels.

Its really great road car and can be used on track too. Love how it doesn't feel like 1600kg, and gives hot hatch vibes down a b-road, and you can feel the diff working overtime as your putting the power down on corner exit, so much front end on the car and you can feel it moving around under braking into a corner, its had a real playful feel too it. You can't just mash the throttle, you really have to be careful, but thats the fun bit.

I'm completely smitten buy it, wish I purchased one when they came out but I was monkey'ing around with Porsche 981 GTS and Radicals.

Downsides, brake cooling, or I the NH2 Big brake upgrade is needed, tyre roar, but it is what it is, fat steering wheel (I had the LED one but now have a Royal Steering Wheel Alcantara wheel which is going back to have some padding taken out so its thiner), crap front seats, and driving position too high in the OEM seats. All small things that I will do over the winter.

[smokey12]

I suspect, despite all the early plaudits when it was first released, many enthusiasts just didn't get to try it to discover what a joy it is.
I went for the manual seats, not motorised, a) to save some weight and b) the seats sit lower.
Brake upgrade is definitely the next expense but after that, I believe it's sorted

[FatManJim]

Awesome cars, I’ve had mine two years. Been fettled by Litchfield, it’s an absolute beast of a car. I have the new m3 CS on order but I’m not sure I can let the M2C go. I might just add a few more upgrades and keep it forever…. I absolutely love it.

[mikeN54]

smokey12 said:

I suspect, despite all the early plaudits when it was first released, many enthusiasts just didn't get to try it to discover what a joy it is.
I went for the manual seats, not motorised, a) to save some weight and b) the seats sit lower.
Brake upgrade is definitely the next expense but after that, I believe it's sorted

Manual seats are perfect, set and forget, no need to keep fiddling with them. And instant fold and slide to get rear seat access, no painstaking slow motorised operation.

I only specced heated steering wheel and seats, that's it, oh and split fold rear seat. And saved 2.5K opting for the free proper gearbox and free 3rd pedal!

[JayK12]

I have manual seats too, so much easier getting my little one in the back. However compared to my 330e M Sport, they still sit too high, and are not huggy enough around the legs, so I'll have to find a replacement, the Cobra Nogaro looks decent option, or the Recaro CS folding buckets.

[mikeN54]

JayK12 said:

I have manual seats too, so much easier getting my little one in the back. However compared to my 330e M Sport, they still sit too high, and are not huggy enough around the legs, so I'll have to find a replacement, the Cobra Nogaro looks decent option, or the Recaro CS folding buckets.

I love the seats, i'm 5'10" and can't have them right down low or I can't see over the dash , 1 or 2 notches up from lowest for me..

[BMWM2Black]

I have an OG manual, Stage 2 with lots of other mods. Apart from the fact that everything else is so expensive I really cant see what I could replace mine with that offers such a complete package.

I do have a daily driver so I am sure there are better and more modern choices for daily duties but as a toy I really cant see me changing it for some time to come.

[JayK12]

mikeN54 said:

JayK12 said:

I have manual seats too, so much easier getting my little one in the back. However compared to my 330e M Sport, they still sit too high, and are not huggy enough around the legs, so I'll have to find a replacement, the Cobra Nogaro looks decent option, or the Recaro CS folding buckets.

I love the seats, i'm 5'10" and can't have them right down low or I can't see over the dash , 1 or 2 notches up from lowest for me..

I'm 5'8, and i still find them too high at there lowest setting, deffo higher than my 330e which is annoying. Im quite small framed, alcantara centres would of stopped me sliding around a bit.

[HWW]

Had my 2016 M2 for just over 7 months and 6k miles now.

Also manual transmission with manual seats and standard audio. I guess this is about as lightweight from factory as you can get for an OG M2.

I've just had the suspension upgraded to Bilstein B16 coilovers and looking forward to a proper drive around Sussex this weekend to test them out.

Many more miles planned for this summer, with a trip down to the French Alps and Provence coming up too. It's a great do it all car.

Edited by HWW on Friday 23 June 12:18

[Mark B]

I have just bought my new to me OG M2 and also had a great trip to Le Mans. Having sold a highly modified Elise a few months earlier, the M2 was a great car for the trip, carried 3 people, plenty of luggage and enjoying the French back roads with ease.

[waremark]

smokey12 said:

Yes, manual!
I'm contemplating some Alcon discs from Litchfield just to cover off any misgivings about the standard brakes with the additional power but I've had no concerns thus far.
Have still to see the new M2 in the flesh but am not expecting any great desire to go that way. At some point you have to take the view that what we have in these cars is an amazing, great value machine.....and according to a friend in the specialised motor trade, a bargain in terms of depreciation.

In my manual M2C, now at 28k miles, I had Alcons on the front fitted by Litchfield and unfortunately they didn't last - after the next modest track day it was back to severe brake rumble and vibration. I now have EBC floating 2 piece rotors with DS 2500 pads fitted by Porschacare in Stevenage and they are good after quite a bit of hard driving. I was assured that they are good for track use but have avoided further track days cause being on I think the 4th set of front discs gets expensive!

I have a demo booked in a new manual M2 at Sytner Stevenage - delighted to find a manual demo at my local dealer. I will probably order one if I decide I can cope with the looks, I would really like to see several different colours in the metal before committing.

[waremark]

Surprised so many of you hate the standard seats - mine has factory electric memory seats, I'm about 6 foot and I quite like them. I agree that the slow way they move forward for access to the back is a pain, but I don't need to do that very often (though I have travelled in the back a couple of times and find it quite comfortable, a concern about the new M2 is that apparently there is less headroom in the back).

[JayK12]

waremark said:

smokey12 said:

Yes, manual!
I'm contemplating some Alcon discs from Litchfield just to cover off any misgivings about the standard brakes with the additional power but I've had no concerns thus far.
Have still to see the new M2 in the flesh but am not expecting any great desire to go that way. At some point you have to take the view that what we have in these cars is an amazing, great value machine.....and according to a friend in the specialised motor trade, a bargain in terms of depreciation.

In my manual M2C, now at 28k miles, I had Alcons on the front fitted by Litchfield and unfortunately they didn't last - after the next modest track day it was back to severe brake rumble and vibration. I now have EBC floating 2 piece rotors with DS 2500 pads fitted by Porschacare in Stevenage and they are good after quite a bit of hard driving. I was assured that they are good for track use but have avoided further track days cause being on I think the 4th set of front discs gets expensive!

I have a demo booked in a new manual M2 at Sytner Stevenage - delighted to find a manual demo at my local dealer. I will probably order one if I decide I can cope with the looks, I would really like to see several different colours in the metal before committing.

I have RS29s with OEM discs, braided lines and they still get very hot on the road. Cooling looks to be a major problem. I am going to remove the brake dust shields, i read after someone in Germany did some testing the calliper temps were circa 50 degress lower without the dust shield. Secondly is to get some air to the middle of the disc, just 3D printing some ducts and will get some pipe and a small dust shield modified with an inlet pointing to the middle of the disc. Hope to get this done in August. I think it will help loads.

Otherwise I am thinking of going AP Radical Kit for the front, as its a road kit the 5000R not having seals on the calliper piston means they are going to get alot of crap in them especially over the winter so thats a no go, even though ex BTCC discs are a £150 .

[JayK12]

waremark said:

Surprised so many of you hate the standard seats - mine has factory electric memory seats, I'm about 6 foot and I quite like them. I agree that the slow way they move forward for access to the back is a pain, but I don't need to do that very often (though I have travelled in the back a couple of times and find it quite comfortable, a concern about the new M2 is that apparently there is less headroom in the back).

I find there ok for pottering about but anything else they sit to high and just dont hold me in, although I am a small though. Going to test fit a Cobra Nogaro seat as that doesn't seem a full on aggressive bucket that you end up get pissed off with getting in and out of.

[Deep Thought]

waremark said:

Surprised so many of you hate the standard seats - mine has factory electric memory seats, I'm about 6 foot and I quite like them. I agree that the slow way they move forward for access to the back is a pain, but I don't need to do that very often (though I have travelled in the back a couple of times and find it quite comfortable, a concern about the new M2 is that apparently there is less headroom in the back).

+1

I'm quite pleased with mine to be honest. Like yours electric memory seats.

I had thoughts of buying M2C or M4C seats but i really dont think - for me - the car needs them. I've done long runs in mine and never had any comfort issues.