M2 OG Manual - Any must have options?

[Gibbo205]

Hi there

Currently looking for an M2 OG manual and wondered if there are any must have options please and what to look out for?

Are LED lights an option and if so are they much better than Xenons?

Also how is base stereo compared to HK option?

Any other must haves and known issues?

[kef9]

I think probably heated seats and HK audio.

For me personally though the sunroof is a massive bonus and is probably my favourite. I know people moan about the weight and track helmets but it lifts the whole interior and also means I get to hear the exhaust in all weather conditions. As the car didn’t come with a carbon roof it’s a no brainer for me.

FYI my manual OG has:
Sunroof
MPE
Heated steering wheel (great in winter)
Heated seats
Power fold mirrors
Sun protection glass
HK audio

This was the as good as possible the perfect spec for me. The reversing camera is the only option which would have been nice. Not bothered about speed limit display and memory seats. The car is rare in this spec.

Edited by kef9 on Monday 7th August 19:05

[BMWM2Black]

I have an manual Pre LCI OG

I have the adaptive lights, they are nice and bright but the adaptive feature is rubbish and the main beam stays on when cars approach.

I also have a camera but its a small car so not really needed IMO. I also have electric seats but I am the only driver and I think you sit higher than the manual seats so nice to have but pointless really.

The HK is OK but still not the best (Check that if the amp has been replaced because it is a common issue).

Power fold mirrors would be nice and car play is a must but this can be added.

[Gibbo205]

BMWM2Black said:

I have an manual Pre LCI OG

I have the adaptive lights, they are nice and bright but the adaptive feature is rubbish and the main beam stays on when cars approach.

I also have a camera but its a small car so not really needed IMO. I also have electric seats but I am the only driver and I think you sit higher than the manual seats so nice to have but pointless really.

The HK is OK but still not the best (Check that if the amp has been replaced because it is a common issue).

Power fold mirrors would be nice and car play is a must but this can be added.

Thank you, I done a deal this weekend on one, not too sure on the exact options but it had things I really wanted which was manual heated seats, xenons and its got genuine competition wheels which I prefer.

Regarding car play how do I add this please?

[BMWM2Black]

Gibbo205 said:

Thank you, I done a deal this weekend on one, not too sure on the exact options but it had things I really wanted which was manual heated seats, xenons and its got genuine competition wheels which I prefer.

Regarding car play how do I add this please?

Congrats on the purchase. Mine is now stage 2 with a sports Cat & MPE. I have also installed coilovers and upgraded the brakes, they are so good and amazing value for money.

There are lots of people who will code it for you but Defined are one of the better ones. Factory car play was not full screen (like mine) but defined should be able to give you full screen too.

https://definedcoding.co.uk/products/essential-cod...

[Gibbo205]

BMWM2Black said:

Congrats on the purchase. Mine is now stage 2 with a sports Cat & MPE. I have also installed coilovers and upgraded the brakes, they are so good and amazing value for money.

There are lots of people who will code it for you but Defined are one of the better ones. Factory car play was not full screen (like mine) but defined should be able to give you full screen too.

https://definedcoding.co.uk/products/essential-cod...

Thank you, though bit far for me to travel, any recommendations for Midlands / Northwest please?

[BMWM2Black]

Gibbo205 said:

Thank you, though bit far for me to travel, any recommendations for Midlands / Northwest please?

Im not sure TBH, if you are not already join the facebook group, its very useful and friendly (most of the time).

I have a feeling you could do it remotely but you would need the correct cable to connect your laptop to the OBD.

They are useful to have anyway, esp if you want to tune the car or change certain features with Bimmercode.

[Gibbo205]

I’ve got laptop yep, what software do I need to download and which cable to buy please if you know?

[BMWM2Black]

Try Zedcoding, they are in Birmingham. You will probably need a WiFi antenna too but I am sure they will advise

https://www.instagram.com/zedcoding/?fbclid=IwAR1z...

[hooch500]

Worthwhile replacing standard suspension with the M performance adjustable kit. Really makes a big difference together with a geo reducing toe in front and rear.

[JayK12]

Gibbo205 said:

I’ve got laptop yep, what software do I need to download and which cable to buy please if you know?

Message me mate, I got a guy who is super helpful and a fair bit cheaper, he is coding my seat out as I fit a bucket for the driver.

Deffo join the FB page, M2 Owners UK, a wealth of knowledge on there. Congrats on the M2, fun cars, love my fettled comp over alot of cars i have had.

I agree with the above, M Performance coilovers basically KW V2 are really good! I have them on no as my Ohlins have gone for a service and they are so compliant on the road! Not sure if i am keeping the Ohlins or the M Performance ones now lol!

[survivalist]

For me it would be:

HK Audio
Heated Seats
Electric Memory Seats

The main purpose of the last 2 would be so I could install M4 front seats - so much nicer than the generic 2-series ones fitted to the OG M2.

[hooch500]

JayK12 said:

Message me mate, I got a guy who is super helpful and a fair bit cheaper, he is coding my seat out as I fit a bucket for the driver.

Deffo join the FB page, M2 Owners UK, a wealth of knowledge on there. Congrats on the M2, fun cars, love my fettled comp over alot of cars i have had.

I agree with the above, M Performance coilovers basically KW V2 are really good! I have them on no as my Ohlins have gone for a service and they are so compliant on the road! Not sure if i am keeping the Ohlins or the M Performance ones now lol!

The M Performance coilovers are closer to the V3 being adjustable for bump and rebound. Huge upgrade though for proper drivers. Slammed M2’s drive like crap on the road. But let’s be honest most buy them for the image and festoon them with fake carbon.

[Gibbo205]

I had KW Clubsports on my E46 M3 track car and can echo they were superb but also extremely compliant on a B road as well.

If I really gel with the M2 I for sure will be considering some mods and would happily throw a set of Mperf or V3’s on.

[hooch500]

I must admit when I first got the M2 I wasn’t a fan. It’s certainly quick, but on standard suspension it’s a handful on challenging roads, bouncing and running out of ideas. The standard geo gives too much under steer in typical BMW factory fashion.

The coilovers transform it. Where before it would crash into undulations, buck and weave and beat you up it now copes with everything much more calmly. It’s also more connective and much calmer at high speed. Together with zero toe at front and half the standard toe at rear it’s now the car it should have been. The caveat is that the suspension isn’t slammed and toward the soft side on bump and rebound settings. As an added bonus it’s a much more pleasant daily except for excessive tyre roar on our stty roads.

[survivalist]

For me it would be:

HK Audio
Heated Seats
Electric Memory Seats

The main purpose of the last 2 would be so I could install M4 front seats - so much nicer than the generic 2-series ones fitted to the OG M2.

[JayK12]

hooch500 said:

JayK12 said:

Message me mate, I got a guy who is super helpful and a fair bit cheaper, he is coding my seat out as I fit a bucket for the driver.

Deffo join the FB page, M2 Owners UK, a wealth of knowledge on there. Congrats on the M2, fun cars, love my fettled comp over alot of cars i have had.

I agree with the above, M Performance coilovers basically KW V2 are really good! I have them on no as my Ohlins have gone for a service and they are so compliant on the road! Not sure if i am keeping the Ohlins or the M Performance ones now lol!

The M Performance coilovers are closer to the V3 being adjustable for bump and rebound. Huge upgrade though for proper drivers. Slammed M2’s drive like crap on the road. But let’s be honest most buy them for the image and festoon them with fake carbon.

I've been trying to dial in the M Perf coils and as its my b road bashing fun car, but i do try and use it as much as possible (I don't commute) i found I need to run almost track settings to get the car to feel how i want, its surprisingly still very compliant. I have have 4 clicks of bump left until its fully stiff, and the front spring rate or damper is too soft imo. I am going to try full stiff and see how it is, if i start to do some track days I think he M Perfs will be too soft. Perfect for the road almost though. Might get softer spring for the rear of the Ohlins and run them as i used to in the middle of bump/rebound so they have much more movement to go firmer or softer.

[JayK12]

hooch500 said:

I must admit when I first got the M2 I wasn’t a fan. It’s certainly quick, but on standard suspension it’s a handful on challenging roads, bouncing and running out of ideas. The standard geo gives too much under steer in typical BMW factory fashion.

The coilovers transform it. Where before it would crash into undulations, buck and weave and beat you up it now copes with everything much more calmly. It’s also more connective and much calmer at high speed. Together with zero toe at front and half the standard toe at rear it’s now the car it should have been. The caveat is that the suspension isn’t slammed and toward the soft side on bump and rebound settings. As an added bonus it’s a much more pleasant daily except for excessive tyre roar on our stty roads.

I agree, but dont like it with soft bump / rebound on M Perf Coilovers, car does not feel sharp, agile, responsive or reactive to me, for info I am running Bump 4 F&R and Rebound 7 F and 10 R. once fettled they are a mega car. Mines a Comp as I prefer the engine characteristics but now fettled i absolutely love it, its an absolute animal. My spec below, nota lot done but what a transformation.

Ohlins R&T (Currently M Pef)
Millway Street Top Mount (-2.4 Front / -1.8 rear / small toe out front)
HEL Lines
RBF660
Pagid RS29 Front / Rear
Litchfield Map 530hp/520lbft
Cobra Nogaro Bucket Seat
Alcantara Wheel
CAE Ultra Shifter
BMS Clutch Stop
M Performance 763M Wheels in FG
10mm Spacer all round
255/275 PS4S

I have a mid pipe to go on and some slightly larger OEM style exhaust tips, then need a quick retune. I look my Remus Race OPF back off as I wasn't much of a fan of the noise so mid pipe going on with OEM back box.

I do have some SL01 wheels with cup2s but i think I'll sell and get 18s for track work should i get time to track.

Other than that its just alot of fun, much prefer it to my Cayman GTS 981 Manual which it replaced. Its just alot more fun.

Edited by JayK12 on Tuesday 22 August 09:45

[Gibbo205]

Hi there

Got the M2 OG Manual now, so far so good. Really love driving the car.
In Sport+ I am still finding MDM mode still a little too interfering and I am not brave enough to go full DSC OFF on the road.

Will the GTS software update for steering, differential and MDM relax the MDM mode a bit more please?


Also I am interested in improving the sound track both the exhaust and audio system. Car is on the stock exhaust, is there like a simple mod like a mid-pipe or silence removal one can do, I don't want it outrageous loud and I don't want to do anything that would require a tune, so no changing cats etc.

My car has basic Audio, the headunit is Harmon Kardon but the car does not have the HK upgrade, so no tweeters in the doors. To improve the sound and volume was are the basic upgrades one can try please, I'd rather go basic steps rather than throw a crazy full sound system at the car.

[JayK12]

Gibbo205 said:

Hi there

Got the M2 OG Manual now, so far so good. Really love driving the car.
In Sport+ I am still finding MDM mode still a little too interfering and I am not brave enough to go full DSC OFF on the road.

Will the GTS software update for steering, differential and MDM relax the MDM mode a bit more please?


Also I am interested in improving the sound track both the exhaust and audio system. Car is on the stock exhaust, is there like a simple mod like a mid-pipe or silence removal one can do, I don't want it outrageous loud and I don't want to do anything that would require a tune, so no changing cats etc.

My car has basic Audio, the headunit is Harmon Kardon but the car does not have the HK upgrade, so no tweeters in the doors. To improve the sound and volume was are the basic upgrades one can try please, I'd rather go basic steps rather than throw a crazy full sound system at the car.

Turn DSC off and give it a try, honestly if you just control your right foot and don't mash it everywhere you'll be fine. Good suspension setup will help loads, its probably the best mod along with some adjustable top mounts. I may sell my m performance coilovers (KW) when my Ohlins are back if I swap back so if your interested I'll can let you know.

Another thing is the CAE Ultra Shifter, oh its so so good! If your ever near Shropshire let me know, can take you out in it.

Not sure on the others as I have a comp with HK.