Your M2 Competition experience so far....

[FocusRS3]

cowboyengineer said:

Drive both. I would never own a non comp m2. For me the suspension changes make the comp much much better

Good post .

I’ve got an LCI and have looked long at the comp esp with prices circa 40k now so have considered the switch.

I don’t find the suspension on the LCI too bad especially for the road so I’m interested to hear your comparative thoughts?

Breaks on the LCI are ok for daily use but I can tell they will be garbage on a track day.

Also I noticed Joe Achilles changed his suspension and brake pads on the comp so that stopped me in my tracks on a move to the comp from the LCI thinking it wouldn’t be beneficial to change.

The CS is not for me at that money but if I was going to the comp I’d want manual with the brake upgrade although maybe they wouldn’t last on track either ?

Plan would be to do a few track days a year

[cowboyengineer]

FocusRS3 said:

Good post .

I’ve got an LCI and have looked long at the comp esp with prices circa 40k now so have considered the switch.

I don’t find the suspension on the LCI too bad especially for the road so I’m interested to hear your comparative thoughts?

Breaks on the LCI are ok for daily use but I can tell they will be garbage on a track day.

Also I noticed Joe Achilles changed his suspension and brake pads on the comp so that stopped me in my tracks on a move to the comp from the LCI thinking it wouldn’t be beneficial to change.

The CS is not for me at that money but if I was going to the comp I’d want manual with the brake upgrade although maybe they wouldn’t last on track either ?

Plan would be to do a few track days a year

So it's difficult to describe. I found the M2 to run out of dampening for the mount of travel it had, so going down a bumpy road the back end of the car would buck up and it would rob you off your confidence.

The comp in this regard is much better, I haven't yet felt the bucking sensation so I'm much happier to press on, I still don't have as much confidence in it then my GT3 but thats in a different league.

Whilst I've driven the M2 I have not done serious milage in one so I'm basing this on my limited experience, but I never felt like I wanted to own as I didn't get on with it, but I have done circa 8k in my comp now and am liking it more and more.

Joe didn't change the dampers in his. just got lowering springs to reduce the ride height.

If I don't get an CS I'm swapping the suspension out to the ACS suspension as that is meant to be another step up.

In fact you can get the carbon body panels, ACS power upgrade, acs suspension and the wheels and cup two tires for about 15k and still keep your warranty

Edited by cowboyengineer on Wednesday 6th November 19:04

Edited by cowboyengineer on Wednesday 6th November 19:06

[thatsprettyshady]

I have Ohlins on my comp and the difference is certainly noticeable, much more compliant but can deal with the B road bumps with ease.

My experience of Adaptive on Z4 m340i and M4 is that you can never get the right trade off between comfort and control. Hope the CS does better in this regard.

[Steve Rance]

cowboyengineer said:

So it's difficult to describe. I found the M2 to run out of dampening for the mount of travel it had, so going down a bumpy road the back end of the car would buck up and it would rob you off your confidence.

The comp in this regard is much better, I haven't yet felt the bucking sensation so I'm much happier to press on, I still don't have as much confidence in it then my GT3 but thats in a different league.

Whilst I've driven the M2 I have not done serious milage in one so I'm basing this on my limited experience, but I never felt like I wanted to own as I didn't get on with it, but I have done circa 8k in my comp now and am liking it more and more.

Joe didn't change the dampers in his. just got lowering springs to reduce the ride height.

If I don't get an CS I'm swapping the suspension out to the ACS suspension as that is meant to be another step up.

In fact you can get the carbon body panels, ACS power upgrade, acs suspension and the wheels and cup two tires for about 15k and still keep your warranty

Edited by cowboyengineer on Wednesday 6th November 19:04

Edited by cowboyengineer on Wednesday 6th November 19:06

Just seen your post on another thread and understand the context now. The difference in the feel that you experienced was the solid bushing in the rear axle of the Comp. the damping variances are marginal. Both are not ideal. Once you dial yourself into it you can drive around it but it’s an easy and inexpensive fix for the earlier car which is 50kg lighter than the comp. that makes it a better starting point for to create something very special. The comp has a better engine but to be honest it’s power is not needed and to a greater extent will corrupt the balance of a relatively SWB road car. Perceptive to experience the difference between the cars though. Tick VG. Most press drivers don’t have a clue

[FocusRS3]

cowboyengineer said:

So it's difficult to describe. I found the M2 to run out of dampening for the mount of travel it had, so going down a bumpy road the back end of the car would buck up and it would rob you off your confidence.

The comp in this regard is much better, I haven't yet felt the bucking sensation so I'm much happier to press on, I still don't have as much confidence in it then my GT3 but thats in a different league.

Whilst I've driven the M2 I have not done serious milage in one so I'm basing this on my limited experience, but I never felt like I wanted to own as I didn't get on with it, but I have done circa 8k in my comp now and am liking it more and more.

Joe didn't change the dampers in his. just got lowering springs to reduce the ride height.

If I don't get an CS I'm swapping the suspension out to the ACS suspension as that is meant to be another step up.

In fact you can get the carbon body panels, ACS power upgrade, acs suspension and the wheels and cup two tires for about 15k and still keep your warranty

Edited by cowboyengineer on Wednesday 6th November 19:04

Edited by cowboyengineer on Wednesday 6th November 19:06

Tks got this .

Have had a few GT3’s and a GT4 and agreed they are different gravy out the box.

Am enjoying this M2 as it’s very different . Not as fast and anchored down but act that’s part of the fun in some respects.

Steve Rance- I’ve read a number of your previous posts especially on Porsche’s and enjoy reading them.

Forgetting engine upgrades for the minute . What should I get for my LCI in regards handling and braking . Both I feel need to be improved.

Tks

[Steve Rance]

Hi Focus

Thought I recognised you from the porsche forum. After being disapointed with the launch spec of the M2C I bought a manual M2 to modify to my own driving requirements. Mods that i'm looking it would tighten up the chassis and improve damping control. Initially the Fall line motorsport Solid rear upper control arms and front monoball conversion kits and a set of decent dampers. Torn between the KW clubsport and the Nitrons. Nitron are the better damper but the Clubsports are good value. I have them on my 964. Brakes i wouldnt change until youve tried different pad material. The standard pads are awful. Thrown on a set of Cup 2's and you will have a very good analogue car by modern standards.

Edited by Steve Rance on Thursday 7th November 14:48

[TuonoPants]

Steve Rance said:

Hi Focus

Thought I recognised you from the porsche forum. After being disapointed with the launch spec of the M2C I bought a manual M2 to modify to my own driving requirements. Mods that i'm looking it would tighten up the chassis and improve damping control. Initially the Fall line motorsport Solid rear upper control arms and front monoball conversion kits and a set of decent dampers. Torn between the KW clubsport and the Nitrons. Nitron are the better damper but the Clubsports are good value. I have them on my 964. Brakes i wouldnt change until youve tried different pad material. The standard pads are awful. Thrown on a set of Cup 2's and you will have a very good analogue car by modern standards.

Edited by Steve Rance on Thursday 7th November 14:48

Steve, I'd be really interested to know what you go for and the results.

I have an early M2 that I've decided to hang on to, I feel that upgrading a few parts will be far more cost effective than going to an M2C. I've done the intercooler and pipes plus a map which has sorted the power delivery so any additional spending will be on the suspension and brakes with a view to making it a better track car but still being usable every day. I'm not a particularly experienced or talented track driver but I do like things to feel right.

[cowboyengineer]

TuonoPants said:

Steve Rance said:

Hi Focus

Thought I recognised you from the porsche forum. After being disapointed with the launch spec of the M2C I bought a manual M2 to modify to my own driving requirements. Mods that i'm looking it would tighten up the chassis and improve damping control. Initially the Fall line motorsport Solid rear upper control arms and front monoball conversion kits and a set of decent dampers. Torn between the KW clubsport and the Nitrons. Nitron are the better damper but the Clubsports are good value. I have them on my 964. Brakes i wouldnt change until youve tried different pad material. The standard pads are awful. Thrown on a set of Cup 2's and you will have a very good analogue car by modern standards.

Edited by Steve Rance on Thursday 7th November 14:48

Steve, I'd be really interested to know what you go for and the results.

I have an early M2 that I've decided to hang on to, I feel that upgrading a few parts will be far more cost effective than going to an M2C. I've done the intercooler and pipes plus a map which has sorted the power delivery so any additional spending will be on the suspension and brakes with a view to making it a better track car but still being usable every day. I'm not a particularly experienced or talented track driver but I do like things to feel right.

This is very interesting. I’ve decided not to go for the Cs even though I’m pretty sure I’d get an allocation. For me I’d be looking at a cost 43k to change up and I’ve decided to add a mustang to the fleet instead.

So that leaves me with upgrading mine to improve it. I’ve got a manual comp, Steve, where do you find these parts, and what should I be looking at? I was going to go with the acs suspension but I’m open to the other options and have been talking to someone who has fitted bilstein shocks to his

[FocusRS3]

Steve Rance said:

Hi Focus

Thought I recognised you from the porsche forum. After being disapointed with the launch spec of the M2C I bought a manual M2 to modify to my own driving requirements. Mods that i'm looking it would tighten up the chassis and improve damping control. Initially the Fall line motorsport Solid rear upper control arms and front monoball conversion kits and a set of decent dampers. Torn between the KW clubsport and the Nitrons. Nitron are the better damper but the Clubsports are good value. I have them on my 964. Brakes i wouldnt change until youve tried different pad material. The standard pads are awful. Thrown on a set of Cup 2's and you will have a very good analogue car by modern standards.

Edited by Steve Rance on Thursday 7th November 14:48

Tks Steve.

The standard pads are indeed awful but i'm not sure i'll get the chance to try different sets of pads so your best recommendation for daily use plus some track days would do me? What do you think likely cost of the 3 upgrades would be as a ball park figure including labour as i wont be doing the work myself? Also where am i best getting the work carried out?
Tks again

PS. Is it just the pads i need to address or will the discs and calipers need replacing too? tks

Edited by FocusRS3 on Thursday 7th November 18:34

[Steve Rance]

I'd say that if you went with a high end damper, youd be looking at around £6k inc fitting along with the chassis upgrades. I'll probably fit pagid yellows but if you dont manage them properly they will squeal and irritate you when you are not on the track. The trick is to occasionally put in some big stops on a nice quiet stretch of road. I'll probably fit front brakes - 6 pot alcon or brembo with floating discs because I'll track my car so the consumable savings are worth the upgrade. Depends on how much you want to track. That pushes the cost up to over £10k - but you'd have a seriously good car at the end of it. Pace gains from chassis and brake upgrades are always more substantial that power.