BMW M2 - what do I need to know?

[Todd Bonzalez]

Is there still an M-sport fabric available on these like there was on older M cars does anyone know? It's kind of a shame everything is seemingly leather now. My favourite E46 M3 interior was the cloth but it was so, so rarely spec'd.

[5er]

I loved that interior too on the '46.

Are electric seats an "essential" on the M2? They usually offer quite a bit more in degrees of adjustment but the trade off is a slightly higher seat as a result. The LCI at SRK Specialist Cars has manual seats, but it has HK.

The one I viewed this morning had electric seats and seemed to offer a good range of adjustment but I thought I could have perhaps done with being sat a little lower.

Anyone here got manual seats and find them ok or otherwise?


Edit, and whilst I think about it, which sits lower - electric or manual? I read something here on PH from 2016 about the electric seats actually going lower than the manual ones?

Edited by 5er on Thursday 17th January 18:47

[Smuler]

5er said:

I loved that interior too on the '46.

Are electric seats an "essential" on the M2? They usually offer quite a bit more in degrees of adjustment but the trade off is a slightly higher seat as a result. The LCI at SRK Specialist Cars has manual seats, but it has HK.

The one I viewed this morning had electric seats and seemed to offer a good range of adjustment but I thought I could have perhaps done with being sat a little lower.

Anyone here got manual seats and find them ok or otherwise?


Edit, and whilst I think about it, which sits lower - electric or manual? I read something here on PH from 2016 about the electric seats actually going lower than the manual ones?

Edited by 5er on Thursday 17th January 18:47

Official BMW response quoted here , post from OP on 8 January. Manual lower but nothing much in it.

https://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/threads/m2-competit...

In my humble opinion , I like electric to make adjustments on move. I have a bad back. Otherwise it’s the same seat.
Bear in mind , lumbar support not standard on M2 if that’s a disadvantage. Something else I like.
If the manual seats are okay , and without lumbar,? seems more choice and much better chance to get HK.

[msi200]

I have manual seats with lumbar support. Tried the electric ones and there was a noticeable difference - the manual seats go lower. Mine is LHD if it matters...

Edited by msi200 on Thursday 17th January 20:36

[5er]

Thanks chaps.

I'd like electric adjustability but not at the expense of sitting nice and low.

[AW10]

I would offer you need to try both seats and see which one you like best and/or if you do sit appreciably higher. I have a sunroof and leccy seats in my pre LCI M2 and have no headroom issues - there are some cars I simply can't drive because my head touches the roof. Latest gen MX5 is an example.

[LBT123456]

Steve Rance said:

I’ve been of the mind set for some time that the smart money is to buy an M2 and upgrade the suspension to Create something very special. I’m about to ‘put my money where my mouth is’. I’m now looking to complete the upgrades during the winter. Suspension will be mono balled where possible and either Nitron or KW club sport suspension fitted. Probably an Alcon calliper/floating disc upgrade also. The standard front callipers are probably good enough but the consumables with the Alcon kit will last longer and be cost effective. Its also lighter and will also stand up to more heat abuse than the standard kit. Engine will remain untouched. There is an obsession with power from these cars but the little M2 really doesn’t need it. No exterior modifications, no spoilers, splitters or blacked out grills and no exhaust upgrades. If it doesn’t enhance the driving experience it won’t be fitted. The only visual clues will be a lower rise hight and probably a little more rake.

I’m pretty sure that the upgrades will create a car that will be quite special. Will report back

I'd be really interested to hear how you get on with this, I've got an M2 and the only thing I'd look at upgrading is the suspension. A build thread and/or review of whichever suspension you go for would be much appreciated!

[TuonoPants]

LBT123456 said:

Steve Rance said:

I’ve been of the mind set for some time that the smart money is to buy an M2 and upgrade the suspension to Create something very special. I’m about to ‘put my money where my mouth is’. I’m now looking to complete the upgrades during the winter. Suspension will be mono balled where possible and either Nitron or KW club sport suspension fitted. Probably an Alcon calliper/floating disc upgrade also. The standard front callipers are probably good enough but the consumables with the Alcon kit will last longer and be cost effective. Its also lighter and will also stand up to more heat abuse than the standard kit. Engine will remain untouched. There is an obsession with power from these cars but the little M2 really doesn’t need it. No exterior modifications, no spoilers, splitters or blacked out grills and no exhaust upgrades. If it doesn’t enhance the driving experience it won’t be fitted. The only visual clues will be a lower rise hight and probably a little more rake.

I’m pretty sure that the upgrades will create a car that will be quite special. Will report back

I'd be really interested to hear how you get on with this, I've got an M2 and the only thing I'd look at upgrading is the suspension. A build thread and/or review of whichever suspension you go for would be much appreciated!

+1

[5er]

Just put a deposit down on a nice spec LCI manual in LBB.

Who are we all using for insurance? I'm only doing low miles, 36yrs old, got loads of NCD, decent area etc. Just run a comparison site quote and I'm getting £570 as the cheapest via Swinton, which seems a lot. My 2011 E90 M3 cost me nearly half that 18 months ago.

[GX337]

I’m using ByMiles for my m2, ideal for low mileage users, you will at least half that quote.

[5er]

GX337 said:

I’m using ByMiles for my m2, ideal for low mileage users, you will at least half that quote.

I did a "quick quote" type thing with By Miles on their site (not sure if it was you who I'd seen recommend it on another thread) and it came back at almost £700.

Do I need to do a full, proper quote with them to get an accurate figure?

[GX337]

I’m paying £188 plus 4p per mile

[5er]

GX337 said:

I’m paying £188 plus 4p per mile

Did you run a quick quote first and was it different to your final quote?

[GX337]

My online quote was the same , your mileage must be more than 6k a year

[5er]

GX337 said:

My online quote was the same , your mileage must be more than 6k a year

Nope, 5k. Anyway, I'll stop cluttering this thread up with my insurance requirements. Thanks tho.

[Steve Rance]

I’m popping over to Ross sport to drive their M2 development car soon. I’m keen to try the suspension and brake set up. Petty much what I had in mind. I’ll report back

[mudy]

I have an April 16 manual with leccy seats and no height problems plus I’m 6ft 6. However, for driver engagement reasons it could sit a little lower in my opinion.
Absolutely epic car however and the noise! 4K air intake howl is very addictive. HK stereo very good too.

[MOBB]

I gave mine a proper wash the other day (alpine white) and fitted Autoid M mirrors

God I love this car, looks stunning imo and we keep saying it.............the noise the noise!!!!

[Nuisance]

MOBB said:

I gave mine a proper wash the other day (alpine white) and fitted Autoid M mirrors

God I love this car, looks stunning imo and we keep saying it.............the noise the noise!!!!

Been thinking of getting a pair of the AutoID mirrors. Are they decent quality? I might go for the carbon ones.

[MOBB]

Nuisance said:

MOBB said:

I gave mine a proper wash the other day (alpine white) and fitted Autoid M mirrors

God I love this car, looks stunning imo and we keep saying it.............the noise the noise!!!!

Been thinking of getting a pair of the AutoID mirrors. Are they decent quality? I might go for the carbon ones.

They are better than I thought they would be - probably 90% of OEM quality

Fitting is tricky as its like herding cats keeping all the bits in the right place to start screwing together - very easy to go slightly wrong leading to fitment issues - Autoid quoted me £40 to fit them, if I was closer I would have taken them up on it.