[DadVibes]

Big Update (5/10/23): The M2C has been parted out and replaced with an M2CS. Progress on the new car begins on page 2.


…
Nothing special. Just a place to put various pics/updates, following along my M2C ownership journey.

When I first brought her home in January, 2022 w/8k miles on the ODO.

[DadVibes]

First up was the small stuff.

• Red M1/M2 buttons
• Coded full screen Apple Carplay, along with a few other creature comforts
• Frameless Mirror retrofit w/working US Homelink buttons
• 35% ceramic tint

[DadVibes]

Next came the big upgrades.

• Ohlins R&T Coilovers
• Ground Control Camber Plates
• Apex EC-7 19x9.5 (et28) & 19x10.5 (et45) wheels
• PS4S in 265/30 and 295/30

The car handles and feels incredible now. I finally understand the hype of a proper coilover setup. The previous owner had Swift springs installed and it was a bit too low/firm for my liking. I have the new setup sitting ~10mm higher in front and 5mm higher in the rear, with the dampers set to 14 (front) / 16 (rear) clicks for a compliant and comfortable ride.

[DadVibes]

I was able to get out for a long mountain cruise with a buddy in his GT4. It was such a great way to spend a kid-free Saturday morning.

At his suggestion, we swapped cars for a good portion of the drive. It was a blast to try something completely different. The GT4 handles unquestionably well and sounds fantastic. But I must admit, I found that I prefer the overall characteristics and comfort of the M2.

Though, driving his car did convince me that an upgrade to the Ultimate Clutch Pedal is definitely needed. I placed an order for one this morning.

[W///]

Lovely car. I'm currently on a business trip in Germany and these pics are really making me miss my car. Very cool mods that add just that much more aggressiveness to the car.

[DadVibes]

Originally Posted by W///

Lovely car. I'm currently on a business trip in Germany and these pics are really making me miss my car. Very cool mods that add just that much more aggressiveness to the car.

Thank you! I am very pleased with how the car looks and drives with the current configuration. The only other mod planned for this year is the new clutch pedal.

When it's tucked away for the snowy months, I may take on the Autosolutions SSK and potentially a resonator delete to beaf up the OEM exhaust note, a bit. Until then, I'm just looking forward to getting it out and enjoying it.

Anyway, I hope you can get back home and to driving your car soon!

[dtmurf]

Originally Posted by DadVibes

Next came the big upgrades.

• Ohlins R&T Coilovers
• Ground Control Camber Plates
• Apex EC-7 19x9.5 (et28) & 19x10.5 (et45) wheels
• PS4S in 265/30 and 295/30

The car handles and feels incredible now. I finally understand the hype of a proper coilover setup. The previous owner had Swift springs installed and it was a bit too low/firm for my liking. I have the new setup sitting ~10mm higher in front and 5mm higher in the rear, with the dampers set to 14 (front) / 16 (rear) clicks for a compliant and comfortable ride.

Car looks sweet and great pics. Wondering if you are getting any rubbing from the wider tires and what your actual ride height is?

[DadVibes]

Originally Posted by dtmurf

Car looks sweet and great pics. Wondering if you are getting any rubbing from the wider tires and what your actual ride height is?

Thanks!

The only rubbing issue I've encountered was actually minor rubbing of the inside of the front tires on the Ohlins spring perches. This wasn't an issue with the spring perches on the OEM struts. Regardless, 5mm spacers solved the issue without creating any additional rubbing, elsewhere.

My ride height is 595mm/604mm (F/R). the 295's I have on the rear are 9mm taller than the 265's on the front, so the setup results in a perfect tire to fender gap, front and rear.

[DadVibes]

When the light is just right.

[DadVibes]

An unexpectedly light workday led to what will likely be the last twisty mountain road adventure of the year. I missed the fall leaf color change by about a week. But it was still an epic drive. Especially after stumbling into a flock of 911's and joining their route.

[DadVibes]

A couple new additions/changes as she goes into hibernation for the winter.

• Suvneer GTS Hood
• CS Hood Struts to better suit the significantly reduced weight
• OEM wheels reinstalled, preventing my PS4S's from getting flat spots

I'm absolutely thrilled with how the hood turned out. Quality/fitment is spot on and the body shop did a fantastic job with the paint. I'm taking the painter's advice and letting the paint cure while the car is stored for the next ~4 months. I'll have it PPFed in the Spring.

Upcoming winter mods:

• Active Autowerke EL Midpipe + AA valved axleback (ordered)
• DME unlock w/BM3 tune
• Ultimate Clutch Pedal (if it ever shows up )

[Humdizzle]

suvneer hood looks great! and a reasonable price too.

what did you use for the rear reflectors?

[DadVibes]

Originally Posted by Humdizzle

suvneer hood looks great! and a reasonable price too.

what did you use for the rear reflectors?

Thanks! With parts, paint and PPF, it ended up being ~$2500, all in. Not bad at all, especially considering how excellent the fitment /quality is.

The rear reflectors are complete replacements. The previous owner did those, so I don't have an exact answer. But from what I can tell, they are the ACEXXON inserts:
https://autocouturemotoring.com/prod...mb-gloss-black

[aatlas]

hood looks great! beautiful build, stoked to see it continue

[DadVibes]

Originally Posted by aatlas

hood looks great! beautiful build, stoked to see it continue

Thanks!

JD_M2D2 and I took advantage of mike@x-ph.com's Cyber Monday sale and ordered the same Active Autowerke Midpipe/Axleback exhaust setups (one resonated, one not). Assuming all our parts arrive by Friday, we're going to spend the weekend using JD's lift to knock out both installs.

I'll definitely get some pics of the festivities.

[JD_M2D2]

Harvey is ready to help

[inTgr8r]

Originally Posted by DadVibes

Thanks!

JD_M2D2 and I took advantage of mike@x-ph.com's Cyber Monday sale and ordered the same Active Autowerke Midpipe/Axleback exhaust setups (one resonated, one not). Assuming all our parts arrive by Friday, we're going to spend the weekend using JD's lift to knock out both installs.

I'll definitely get some pics of the festivities.

The car is coming along nicely, great choice of mods.

It will be interesting to hear your comparison of the two exhausts.

[DadVibes]

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

The car is coming along nicely, great choice of mods.

It will be interesting to hear your comparison of the two exhausts.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by JD_M2D2

Harvey is ready to help

But does he fetch beers?

inTgr8r brings up a good point…

We should get some good side-by-side and drive by videos of the two exhaust variations, to help others make the decision we’ve been struggling with.

[DadVibes]

Active Autowerke EL midpipe w/resonated connecting pipes and valved axleback installed.

After a bit of a fiasco with the tips provided with the AA axleback, I ended up with some very nice CF tips from mike@x-ph.com. I'll reserve my final thoughts on the new sound for when the snow clears and I can get out for some proper driving. However, initial impressions from my short drive home are very positive. The OEM exhaust rasp is gone and the overall sound is certainly more crisp and throaty.

inTgr8r - Apologies. Due to time constraints, we failed to get some good side by side videos during the install process of both exhausts. However, I will say that this video (YouTube Link) highlights the sound of the new setup better than I would have been able to. And it’s ultimately the video that convinced me to purchase this setup.

[///393]

JD your shop is incredible. Impeccable taste all around sir.

Same goes for the OP. Lookin sharp and you’re right about how upgraded suspension transforms the car.

[DadVibes]

Finally got a "bench" unlock and custom tune, without having to actually ship the DME out. My God... this thing absolutely rips now.
shoutout to the tuner, Enabled for making this happen!

I've also decided that I need gold wheels. I'm thinking the Apex VS-5RS in "Motorsport Gold" are going to be just the ticket.

[rogeroger]

DadVibes Beautiful pics! Question regarding your Ohlins and apex rims fitment. Did you need spacers up front for clearance?