[akkando]

Originally Posted by DocB

My main concern has always been about the ride quality of the M2 as I read many posts stating that the ride quality was too firm. I?ve had the vehicle for a week and I am surprised how good the quality of the ride is. It is no more harsh than my 435 GC on sport mode. Those that complain must have some pretty crappy roads.

I think most of the complaints originated as part of a "journalists" con list.

[chief1richard]

Originally Posted by rich8566

Truth be told - the ride absolutely stinks on poor roads. I live in NY where they think it is ok to leave numerous frost heaves in the pavement for years along a 15 mile stretch of I 684. However, on smooth pavement and on the racetrack the car is a joy.

i just came back to from a three day trip to Hudson Valley N.Y., and I agree your roads are bad. Many frost heaves on secondary roads.

[JB330Ci]

Originally Posted by rich8566

Truth be told - the ride absolutely stinks on poor roads. ... However, on smooth pavement and on the racetrack the car is a joy.

This is what I prefer instead of smooth ride on poor roads and floating on smooth pavements.

[vim16v]

Originally Posted by johnnydad

I'm nearly 4000km up and have done a variety of journeys, a fair bit on poor urban or chopped up/uneven b-roads.

I'm pleasantly surprised coming from an M135i with Adaptive. Certainly the M2 transmits more shock across ridges but it manages to be just on the right side of harsh while providing decent feedback. Secondary ride (aside from that extra feedback issue) is actually better, the car feeling more settled and at least as supple but with more efficient control. Likewise while the primary ride is taughter - settling each movement more quickly and thus feeling like it is being tugged down more forcibly after each deflection - it barely ever goes light or floats, and actually is more comfortable over humps and across dips as it doesn't have that secondary movement. Likewise lateral rocking on irregularly-cambered roads is minimal. The greatest downside is the rear-end's low-speed (25-50km/h) choppiness over uneven cement road joins. Not terrible but if you've had a long day and are stuck behind a Camry doing 40km/h it does annoy.

All that said, and even though it is distinctly better than non-M stock BMWs, the fine control of the damping doesn't match the quality of Porsche, Renaultsport, Koni etc. There's that slight sense that with superior shocks the springing could be made a touch more supple without losing any grip or handling. Still, for a pret-a-porter 1500kg, powerful RWD 4-seater it is very good.

I 2nd this being based in Sydney. Coming from a Mk6 Golf R and Porsche Macan with 21" the ride is firm but not unbearable. M2 actually rides better than the R but the Porsche engineers got the suspension right on the Macan. That was smooth and even on stiff sport mode with little body roll. In saying that I bought the M2 knowing it's not a GT car. I did a Mountain circuit on weekend and noticed the firmness, but the trade off was the shear precision turn in and go-kart like handling. Very liveable as DD even on some of Sydney sub standard roads. I ride a Ducati so I know road quality or lack of..

[look585]

Compared the Corvette C7 I had before this, it's comfy.

It's firm but completely livable.

[Karmic Man]

It's not firm. The 1M rides harder and I daily it. GT4 is harder on sports
setting but if not on sports setting u can DD it. Problem with the GT4 is the low front clearance and the super long gearing which zaps a lot of the driving pleasure out on public roads.

[Corinne]

Originally Posted by pruettfan

To me its all about the road conditions you drive on. If you live in an area with crappy roads than you are likely to not be real happy with the ride. If you live in an area with well maintained roads than the M2 will be fine for just about anyone.

True. Perhaps that explains why the Germans are well known for preferring firm suspension... their roads are all perfect. It doesn't explain why the French like soft suspension coz their roads are not all that bad really. If you read any review by motoring journalists in France they always complain about two things:
Supension too hard
Trunk too small
Maybe they're all over-fed softies with fat asses ?

[devo]

I don't think the ride is firm enough. The only reason I am not going to BMW's coil suspension immediately is I hope to get a CS allocation. Otherwise, suspension and exhaust would be done asap. Off topic but the exhaust is too quiet and without depth.

If I did vote, I'd vote 'just right' given the choices; although 'too soft' should be one.

FTR, I am not knocking the car. It is a well balanced and fun, especially given the price point. I am really enjoying mine.

[mbrunner]

Had to choose just right. I don't think the car is firm enough honestly but I think most people that have issue with the ride is because the car feels under dampened (or over sprung)

[importriders]

It’s all relative. I daily drove a Miata with race coilovers for many years and have yet to ride in a stock car that was stiffer, the Miatas short wheelbase didn’t help either.

I was a bit worried that the M2 suspension would be too stiff for daily driving from all the reviews and comments on this board. In my opinion it is firm as it should be and actually pleasant.

I do not understand the comments of it being too stiff. I guess compared to an Oldsmobile.

[boostm3]

My 135i msport with the run flats was way worse!! Not even close.

[seis-speed]

I voted just right. I would prefer a sports oriented car to be too stiff vs too soft. I would be fine with a little more stiffness, TBH.

Frankly, I am surprised that this comes up? I know that when I bought my F80 people were complaining about the suspension being too stiff, it is not at all, then the same thing with the F87. I think it as a poster stated above - it is just press people nit-picking the car.

[ORIGIN M.]

Nothing can be worse than the first Gen 1 series on run-flats

M2 is a well done car even for a Daily Driver.

[ModestV8]

Originally Posted by seis-speed

I voted just right. I would prefer a sports oriented car to be too stiff vs too soft. I would be fine with a little more stiffness, TBH.

I totally agree. Maybe I'm more towards the "extreme" end. I find the M2's ride...comfortable

[rich8566]

Originally Posted by hogger453

Compared the Corvette C7 I had before this, it's comfy.

It's firm but completely livable.

Originally Posted by hogger453

Compared the Corvette C7 I had before this, it's comfy.

It's firm but completely livable.

Try living in NY. You'll have a different opinion then.

[rich8566]

Originally Posted by Corinne

True. Perhaps that explains why the Germans are well known for preferring firm suspension... their roads are all perfect. It doesn't explain why the French like soft suspension coz their roads are not all that bad really. If you read any review by motoring journalists in France they always complain about two things:
Supension too hard
Trunk too small
Maybe they're all over-fed softies with fat asses ?

Originally Posted by hogger453

Compared the Corvette C7 I had before this, it's comfy.

It's firm but completely livable.

Corinne - right on with the comment regarding perfect German roads!![IMG][/IMG]

[rich8566]

Originally Posted by mbrunner

Had to choose just right. I don't think the car is firm enough honestly but I think most people that have issue with the ride is because the car feels under dampened (or over sprung)

Originally Posted by hogger453

Compared the Corvette C7 I had before this, it's comfy.

It's firm but completely livable.

I think you are right.

[GregoryK]

Originally Posted by akkando

ASD is off and it's going to stay off.

I think I am going to try the insulation in the door though because it's cheap. If I don't like it I will pull it out.

Akkando. Did you ever insulate your doors and install that seal to stop the road noise?

[akkando]

Originally Posted by GregoryK

Akkando. Did you ever insulate your doors and install that seal to stop the road noise?

No sorry I forgot!

[ohioplayrs]

Are you in California? You really think the ride is soft? I drove a 2018 in San Rafael and I compare it to rails and precision more so than rough or stiff. But to me soft means it rides like an old Cadillac Fleetwood.

[TIMCURNOW71]

Hi

I only noticed the ride when I have other people in the car then I wish I had something a bit more comfort based. But on my own I love it just the way it is.