BMW M2 Ride Comfort ?

[Geneve]

Considering an M2 (thread elsewhere).

Reviews excellent, but not had the chance to drive one yet, so just wanted to get subjective opinions on ride comfort in general and road noise on motorways.

I would be using the M2 primarily in the UK. I'm accustomed to Porsche suspension which is mainly firm but very well dampened, so not too fidgety. However, depending on tyres Porsches do generate quite a bit of m'way road noise in the UK.

Hoping the M2 is reasonably refined and relaxed on most UK roads. But, what's the view?

[Andy OH]

Road noise is evident but not too intrusive. Personally I think the ride is well damped and isn't too fidgety but others may have a different opinion.

[gunner]

personally I find the ride a bit harder than I'd ideally have liked.Oddly I find my current car (manual) to be slightly worse than my previous DCT car having done 2k miles in both probably just my imagination of course.These things are all about personal taste of course but I'd have liked it a little less firm (in comfort mode at least)

[BenjiA]

Around the concrete part of the M25 (junction 9-13) I found the M2 utterly horrendous. Not many decent cars cope well there anyway, but if that was my regular route I could not cope. It was fine on the black stuff though, and amazing on an A road.

[MEC]

Can anyone comment on steering feel? We have an M240i Cab which I think has the same steering rack and ePAS system, though please correct me if I'm wrong.

The steering, in my opinion, just spoils the car. Absolutely no feeling and very false feeling, Logitech can do better!

Wife loves it though and other than the steering everything is else is fab.......

[homerdog]

As I commented on the other thread, the M2 can get a bit fidgety, but that's comparing it to Porsche, who, as you say, seem to work wonders, even with 20" wheels.

Anyway, it's only like it on some surfaces, certainly not all the time, so I wouldn't be overly concerned.

[IREvans]

Geneve said:

Considering an M2 (thread elsewhere).

Reviews excellent, but not had the chance to drive one yet, so just wanted to get subjective opinions on ride comfort in general and road noise on motorways.

I would be using the M2 primarily in the UK. I'm accustomed to Porsche suspension which is mainly firm but very well dampened, so not too fidgety. However, depending on tyres Porsches do generate quite a bit of m'way road noise in the UK.

Hoping the M2 is reasonably refined and relaxed on most UK roads. But, what's the view?

I had an M2 alongside a Golf Clubsport S, and 991.2 GTS.

The M2 was definitely the quietest of the 3 cars, with the least amount of road and tyre noise making it into the cabin. Ride comfort was very good. I like cars to be fairly stiffly sprung, but the M2 was a fraction too soft for my liking. I'd happily trade some comfort for a little more involvement.

Fantastic car

[Geneve]

Thanks, that's helpful, although the first time I've heard anyone describe the M2 as 'too soft'.
Still haven't been able to arrange a test drive, so the subjective opinions are very useful.

[King Eric]

Hey guys

I've an M2. It comfy compared to an M3 comp I had but the seats are a bit low rent.

I've installed Sakhir Orange M4 coupe electric seats and rears in. Retained heat, memory and all functions and airbags. Literally plug and play. It's transformed the car

[SimNugget]

Well I am not sure about that period interior or how it impacts the ride.

I find the M2 seats very good - the overall ride is firm but not overly harsh and there are some shocking roads near me. I do find myself avoiding potholes whereas the Macan can just smooth them out. It's sensitive to tyre pressures. The interior is a bit budget so you may get the odd squeak and rattle that you need to get the dealer to fix.

S

[Billy_Whizzzz]

MEC said:

Can anyone comment on steering feel? We have an M240i Cab which I think has the same steering rack and ePAS system, though please correct me if I'm wrong.

The steering, in my opinion, just spoils the car. Absolutely no feeling and very false feeling, Logitech can do better!

Wife loves it though and other than the steering everything is else is fab.......

M2 has M4 rack. M240i doesn't.

[Alpinestars]

MEC said:

Can anyone comment on steering feel? We have an M240i Cab which I think has the same steering rack and ePAS system, though please correct me if I'm wrong.

The steering, in my opinion, just spoils the car. Absolutely no feeling and very false feeling, Logitech can do better!

Wife loves it though and other than the steering everything is else is fab.......

This and the main subject of the thread pick up the worst point of the M2. Steering is epas and is terrible IMO, very artificial.

The damping is also pretty poor. There's a pogo type effect where the car never really settles - something that afflicts a lot of new cars. This point is picked up on some of the later reviews. The earlier ones eulogise about the car, and I can't help thinking that's to promote sales of magazines.

To OP, if you're used to a Porsche, the steering and suspension will be a big disappointment.

[Geneve]

Appreciate that, and yes the choice is currently between a newish M2 (yet to test drive) and a 2-3 year old 981 Cayman 'S' (NA flat-six).

[Alpinestars]

Geneve said:

Appreciate that, and yes the choice is currently between a newish M2 (yet to test drive) and a 2-3 year old 981 Cayman 'S' (NA flat-six).

I've not driven a 981, so don't know how good/bad the epas on that is. I've had a 991 GT3 and that was ok ish, not as good as a 997, but a lot better than the M2. I really think you need to drive the M2. Some people love them, but I couldn't live with the busy and chattery suspension and poor steering. Made for an annoying drive.

[homerdog]

Alpinestars said:

The damping is also pretty poor. There's a pogo type effect where the car never really settles

To OP, if you're used to a Porsche, the steering and suspension will be a big disappointment.

I agree about the pogo effect, although in my experience it doesn't occur very often, I've only noticed it a few times.

I don't agree about the steering and suspension being a big disappointment - most cars suffer in this respect when comparing them to a Porsche, but it's all relative.

[Alpinestars]

homerdog said:

Alpinestars said:

The damping is also pretty poor. There's a pogo type effect where the car never really settles

To OP, if you're used to a Porsche, the steering and suspension will be a big disappointment.

I agree about the pogo effect, although in my experience it doesn't occur very often, I've only noticed it a few times.

I don't agree about the steering and suspension being a big disappointment - most cars suffer in this respect when comparing them to a Porsche, but it's all relative.

Of course it's relative and there's an element of subjectivity. A lot of new cars suffer the same issues. However, compare marque to marque and I still think the M2 doesn't stack up too well. For example, the 1Ms suspension and especially steering are much better in my view.

[mikeyscott]

I’ve got a 135i equipped with Birds suspension and LSD. Looking at M2s at mo and do wonder if it’ll be worth the £25k spend.

[Wills2]

King Eric said:

Hey guys

I've an M2. It comfy compared to an M3 comp I had but the seats are a bit low rent.

I've installed Sakhir Orange M4 coupe electric seats and rears in. Retained heat, memory and all functions and airbags. Literally plug and play. It's transformed the car

That looks great (well not in the over saturated picture) but the other one above captures the colour of the seats well, I sat in a friends M2 on Sunday night the seats ruined it more than I thought so that upgrade is worth it.

[Superlightdaa]

mikeyscott said:

I’ve got a 135i equipped with Birds suspension and LSD. Looking at M2s at mo and do wonder if it’ll be worth the £25k spend.

Very interested in your opinion of the Birds set up, currently got a 135i with adaptive suspension and its just out of warranty so not sure whether to upgrade this and save my hard earned for a long sought after Caterham rather than go for the M2 comp that I'm waiting for/haggling over.

[mikeyscott]

Superlightdaa said:

mikeyscott said:

I’ve got a 135i equipped with Birds suspension and LSD. Looking at M2s at mo and do wonder if it’ll be worth the £25k spend.

Very interested in your opinion of the Birds set up, currently got a 135i with adaptive suspension and its just out of warranty so not sure whether to upgrade this and save my hard earned for a long sought after Caterham rather than go for the M2 comp that I'm waiting for/haggling over.

Really like my 135i except for it not being a DCT. If it was a DCT then I’d keep. Ride much improved and I test drove a M235i and didn’t rate it’s compliance. So would do same if I went for a M235i.

Been looking at M2 and M4, but not sure if I can stomach spending that much.