OG M2 2016

[Court_S]

Looks grand OP.

The OG M2 is my personal choice; I hate the comp wheels and don’t like the noise the S55 makes because it’s that, just noise. I do prefer the comp colours though and the seats.

These are very much on my radar but price shave remained stubbornly strong since covid. I wish I’d chopped my M140i in for one back then…I don’t miss my M140i. Cracking engine and gearbox but rubbish chassis.

[Nik Gnashers]

Thanks for the replies and discussion chaps, been interesting reading.

I'm also not a fan of the M2C wheels, so will probably get mine refurbed.
Not sure I'd call the M140i chassis 'rubbish', it's still a good handling car, it's just that there are so many VERY good handling hatchbacks around, from Honda, Audi, Mercedes, etc, that it seems like the M140i is poor, when in fact, if those other cars didn't exist, the M140i would be pretty good in reality.
It's just a fair way behind a real M car, and so it should be really, it's meant to be a practical daily driver, and that is where it really shines.

[Court_S]

Nik Gnashers said:

Thanks for the replies and discussion chaps, been interesting reading.

I'm also not a fan of the M2C wheels, so will probably get mine refurbed.
Not sure I'd call the M140i chassis 'rubbish', it's still a good handling car, it's just that there are so many VERY good handling hatchbacks around, from Honda, Audi, Mercedes, etc, that it seems like the M140i is poor, when in fact, if those other cars didn't exist, the M140i would be pretty good in reality.
It's just a fair way behind a real M car, and so it should be really, it's meant to be a practical daily driver, and that is where it really shines.

I didn’t really rate mine, even on boring stuff the poor rear damping made itself known; on my commute there’s an expansion joint on a dual carriageway that it just didn’t know what to do with. My 130i was fine on it as is my current 335i. It’s also considerably smaller inside than a Golf, so when it started to frustrate me stuff like that became more of an issue.

On paper it looked like the perfect car balancing performance and running costs, but the reality for me was that it wasn’t what I’d hoped it was going to be. I think the M designation in the name is a bit disingenuous because I don’t think the M division had any input. I’m a BMW fanboy, but overall the M140i was a big disappointment.

[Nik Gnashers]

In case anyone was interested, my old M140i looked like this :

https://i.imgur.com/u5xcbxQ.jpg

Until the diesel spillage spinny incident, and it ended up here with this damages, which was enough to write it off :

https://i.imgur.com/whbsaTJ.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/SOtqJRN.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/yyxH0cU.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/30ERVDn.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/qwnkKtQ.jpg

Oh well, life goes on ......

[Nik Gnashers]

So today I had the first small issue with the car.
I gave it a wash, went for a drive, and after about an hour, I noticed loud crackling/popping coming from the left door speaker (HK system).
A bit of research and it seems the HK amplifier is on it's way out.
I also had read about water ingress from a vent in the rear left wheel arch, which can cause the amplifier to fail, and there was a splash guard fitted to later models to cover half the amp up so any water ran off and didn't get inside the amp.

Anyone else had this issue ?

[Deep Thought]

Nik Gnashers said:

So today I had the first small issue with the car.
I gave it a wash, went for a drive, and after about an hour, I noticed loud crackling/popping coming from the left door speaker (HK system).
A bit of research and it seems the HK amplifier is on it's way out.
I also had read about water ingress from a vent in the rear left wheel arch, which can cause the amplifier to fail, and there was a splash guard fitted to later models to cover half the amp up so any water ran off and didn't get inside the amp.

Anyone else had this issue ?

its quite a common issue.

If the cars under warranty then they should cover it, but otherwise its a matter of getting to the amp in the boot (LHS corner, video on Youtube on how to get to RE: trim out, where clips are etc). Once you can actually see it, its only on a couple of bolts and a connector. You should see a number on the LHS of the label on it - usually HSB 225. If you then search ebay you'll find one. I think i gave around £280-300 for mine second hand.

Its almost certainly that, but buy from an ebay seller that accepts returns in case it isnt.

[Kart16]

Nik Gnashers said:

First impressions .... the suspension (especially the damping) wow, considerably better. I know the OG M2 isn't the ultimate in handling and can be improved a lot, [/url]

Is it really true? I remember watching a video where the owner of Team Schirmer (forgot his name), got his brand new M2 back in 2016. He was driving around the Nürburgring and said that "this suspension is just perfect!" and he added that the car could handle much more power. That coming from a guy whose business is to heavily modify suspension for maximum performance at the track by installing Ohins dampers, extreme camber plates, etc.

Also, AFAIK, the M2 Competition has exactly the same suspension as the OG, even the part numbers are exactly the same.

[Nik Gnashers]

Deep Thought : Thank you for the info, I did a bit more research after posting and you seem to be bang on the money with a used amp.
The worry I have, is buying one with the same issue again. Also, I read a few forum posts elsewhere, and a couple of people had the same issue again after replacing the amp, a year or so later. I'm considering just removing the amp entirely as I don't play music while driving anyway, and it will not only get rid of the gongs, but also the stupid ASD (fake engine sound).

As for OG M2 handling, if it was that good, why do so many people who track them, change the suspension ?

[Deep Thought]

Nik Gnashers said:

Deep Thought : Thank you for the info, I did a bit more research after posting and you seem to be bang on the money with a used amp.
The worry I have, is buying one with the same issue again. Also, I read a few forum posts elsewhere, and a couple of people had the same issue again after replacing the amp, a year or so later. I'm considering just removing the amp entirely as I don't play music while driving anyway, and it will not only get rid of the gongs, but also the stupid ASD (fake engine sound).

As for OG M2 handling, if it was that good, why do so many people who track them, change the suspension ?

You can prevent future water ingress if it's a concern.

The ASD Amp sits on top of the HK Amp and is a separate unit. The effect can be coded out.

I wouldn't do away with the amp as the car looks for it as part of any software updates and they will fail if its not there.

I'd look at coding out the stuff you don't like via Carly or bimmercode.

[Court_S]

Deep Thought said:

You can prevent future water ingress if it's a concern.

The ASD Amp sits on top of the HK Amp and is a separate unit. The effect can be coded out.

I wouldn't do away with the amp as the car looks for it as part of any software updates and they will fail if its not there.

I'd look at coding out the stuff you don't like via Carly or bimmercode.

This.

I’d replace the amp, ideally from a well known breaker like Quarry Motors and look at preventing further water ingress.

[Deep Thought]

I think you'd also lose Bluetooth capabilty to use your phone in the car as everything goes through the amp.

[CG2020UK]

Nik Gnashers said:

As for OG M2 handling, if it was that good, why do so many people who track them, change the suspension ?

There certainly isn’t a lot of people improving the suspension on these cars. It’s not like the M-lites that were just rubbish suspension and it had to be done.

The vast majority of owners it is a set of lowering springs and spacers to just make the car look better (and handling worse). Plenty of posts on the M2 forum on Facebook of people always going back to stock as the car already seriously stiff (probably too stiff).

A few have gone full track day builds and done the Nitron kits but it’s serious money unless you are a track day junkie and certainly in the minority.

Like anything there is an after market where you can end up going down a rabbit hole chasing 0.2% of improvement. Especially the Americans they are nuts for it.

I’d highly recommend upgrading the pads and fluid and just taking the car on a track day to see what you think. You’ll understand the car way better and save yourself a ton of money on stuff you probably don’t need.

If you aren’t on it already the BMW M2 Owners group on Facebook is brilliant for advice and guidance.

Edited by CG2020UK on Saturday 16th December 23:27

[Kart16]

Nik Gnashers said:

As for OG M2 handling, if it was that good, why do so many people who ] track them, change the suspension ?

Because on track you will use stickier tyres, which in turn will allow & demand more camber, lower ride height, damping, etc.

[Nik Gnashers]

Thanks for the advice all.

I have contacted the dealership who sold me the car, as it's got 3 month warranty, see what they say. Hopefully get a new or used amp fitted.
I did a bit of research, and it seems jet washing is usually the cause of the water ingress.
I thought about blocking the vent, but would the amp get too hot, and also, I read the vent is so the boot can shut without causing air pressure issues, and on top of that, the aircon needs a vent to keep the temp stable, so maybe blocking it is a bad idea ?

I am a detailing nerd, and like to keep the wheel arches really mint, so I would hate to not be able to jetwash the arches, just because BMW decided to put a bloody vent in such a daft place.

As regards suspension, yes I won't be tracking mine, so it will remain standard, it's perfect for the road. I don't find it too stiff personally, it's about the same as my M140i with adaptive, when in sport+ .... except the M140i didn't feel as composed or as tight.
Over bumps it just settles instantly, where the M140i would sometimes pogo a bit.

[Nik Gnashers]

So coming up to 1 year of ownership of this brilliant car, I wanted to update. I guess for my own records, although if anyone else is interested that would also be great too.
I am keeping the car standard I think, although I have been tempted to have an upgraded intercooler fitted, and maybe a cheeky remap, more to address my annoyances with all modern cars, and have the stop/start coded to default to OFF. A slight power hike to 420bhp (ish) would be plenty.
Last month I had a big service done, as I always do when I get a new (used) car. The dealership I bought it from did an oil & filter service before I bought it, but having worked in the trade, I don't trust them to put a quality oil and filter in, so I had an oil & all filters with genuine parts done (OEM for the cabin filter), also a coolant flush and brake fluid change.
The garage doing the work (superb place, an independent in Lincoln), noticed oil leaking from the diff seals, apparently a common issue, so I had that done last week. It took two techs 6 hours to do, an absolute pig of a job, as the rear suspension has to come apart, prop disconnected, diff removed from the car etc.
They replaced a bush too, and the diff does seem a lot quieter, and generally the rear end does feel slightly tighter.
Would be interested to know if any other M2 owners have had this issue.
Next job is 4 new tyres (pilot supersports), and the wheels refurbished.
The only other things I am looking into, is a new genuine windscreen, as it has a couple of nasty chips in, and a small dent in the roof pulled out, which nobody else can even notice, but I knw it's there and I'm a bit ocd about my cars.
With that all done, the car will be absolutely mint, just how I like them to be.
Not sure I will ever buy another car, as this is my affordable dream, and unless I won the lottery or something, there isn't really anything else I'd rather drive in the same price range. And with me having a work van, the car will only get driven at weekends, think I have done just over 2000 miles in the past year, all Sunday Funday outings.
It's not as good as a daily driver, as my last car (M140i) was, the suspension is stiff, the gearbox isn't as smooth, and around town it just doesn't feel like it's that happy. But once on a nice twisty B road, everything starts to make sense, the suspension starts working properly, and it just eats the bumps and stays glued to the road, in a way my M140i with it's standard adaptive suspension never did.
I never realized the rear seats do actually fold down until a few weeks ago, as there are no levers on top of the seats like in my old car, but looking in the boot I discovered two handles there, so that has been a godsend, as I can lay my guitar, amp, mic stand etc down in the boot now, when I take it to play at nursing homes and open mics.
I still look back after I parked it up, and admire it's (in my opinion) beautifully perfect shape, I do absolutely love the thing.

[CG2020UK]

I moved mine on in June after 2years and 20k miles.

Honestly loved it and was fantastic.

My car was utterly faultless despite a good few trackdays. I do have a string suspicion that these cars like to be used. I did have an LCI 2018 model so any issues might have been resolved.

I switched my Pilot Supersports to Pilots Sport 4S and found it more predictable. Definitely better in cold temps before I put the winters on.

[Nik Gnashers]

Thank you for the reply.
I had PS4S on my M140i, great tyres indeed, but as my car only gets used for fundays, I do like the slightly better dry weather grip that supersports have. They are not as good in cold or wet weather though, absolutely agree, but I don't really drive enthusiastically in those conditions thankfully, as I have other transport for crappy weather :-)
I totally get the 'these cars like to be used' bit. The engine and DCT both seem a bit rough and clunky until fully warmed up, and then they really come alive.
If my budget was higher, I would probably have something else, maybe a Cayman GTS, but for £25k to £30k as a funday car, I honestly don't see anything else out there which I would prefer (just my own personal likes and requirements).
I do keep looking at Elise's though lol, although the best models/versions are still a bit more than my budget.

[Nik Gnashers]

I have taken my wheels in to have them refurbished, and 4 new Pilot Supersports fitted.
I considered a few other tyres, but as the car only gets used for fun at weekends, I decided the slightly better dry/warm weather performance of the supersports was the best option, over the PS4S which offers much better wet weather grip, but slightly less responsive feeling in warm/dry.
This means the car is sat for a few days, and I can't enjoy it this weekend, but has given me the chance to dress the wheel arches, so another little job done.



I cleaned the arches and suspension, calipers, then dressed the arch liners with Autoglym plastic and rubber stuff, which I have found to do a good job for the money.



Last couple of jobs to get the car how I want it, are a new windscreen, and a small dent in the roof sorted.

[Nik Gnashers]

Got the wheels back from refurbishing, top job as always from my local place.
Ceramic coated them in the living room, with GardX and they look great, be back on the car at the weekend.
The GardX C2 stuff does stink though, so that's another rollicking off the wife when she gets home from work.
Slowly getting there with my project of making the car mint though.
Looking forward to scrubbing the release agent off the new Pilot Supersport tyres on Sunday, fingers crossed for some dry weather !

[cerb4.5lee]

Hi Nik, who did you use to do your wheels please? if you don't mind me asking. I've got the same wheels as you, and mine are desperate for doing. Cheers.