[blefevre]

I find it very controlled, but too stiff for a DD if the roads are bad. It gets really bouncy on certain roads. Not as bad as my Golf R was, but certainly not something I would DD my 20k miles a year on poor roads.

Then I go to a track day or AutoX and forget about caring about the ride quality in the M2...it's so good for the price I just smile at the fun I had and bounce along on the drive home

[bobert]

Originally Posted by Aloha Joe

I've got a 13' 370Z, wife has an 11' GTI and the M2 is the firmest of the 3. The M2 will be the new daily as I'll be selling the Z shortly. While it's the firmest, it's definitely not unbearable as a daily.

Good to know - I also have an '11 GTI and was curious how the M2 ride will compare to that. I have no doubt the M2 will ride better than my '99 Miata with the super-stiff suspension option.

By the way, saw your Z in a picture elsewhere - prob the best looking Z I've seen. Came close to buying one years ago.

[Spa2k]

I had a 2011 GTI too, and the ride was better in the GTI on bad roads than in the M2 (even in Comfort mode). However, in all other aspects of handling (response, compliance, lateral Gs, etc.) the M2 is better. Of course, the GTI has a greater tendency to understeer too.

[termigni]

I recently test drove GTI. DSG and MT with same exact trim but MT drove a lot smoother over the same bumps. very weird.

Anyhow from what I read, M2 is on the harsh side and I don't expect anything less. It is an M car and we pay M tax for a reason. If you want plush, get a non-M car or go get a Lexus. It's like a fat dude on a motorcycle decorated with thousands of dollars worth carbon fiber parts to shed 10lbs off the bike. I got a better idea; lose the belly.

[ryem3]

I think the M2 suffers in the way I've found most new BMWs, under sprung and over dampened. I had a golf R and the electronic suspension was vastly superior. It could offer a supple ride or a stiff one. The M2 suspension cuts costs without adjustability, so it's a sacrifice I can live with. But as someone else posted, going over the Tappan Zee bridge, the concrete expansion joints are totally brutal!

[M2Nebula]

Originally Posted by ryem3

I think the M2 suffers in the way I've found most new BMWs, under sprung and over dampened. I had a golf R and the electronic suspension was vastly superior. It could offer a supple ride or a stiff one. The M2 suspension cuts costs without adjustability, so it's a sacrifice I can live with. But as someone else posted, going over the Tappan Zee bridge, the concrete expansion joints are totally brutal!

Those are brutal in any car. Hopefully they will finish the new bridge soon, they are very close.

[termigni]

Originally Posted by M2Nebula

Those are brutal in any car. Hopefully they will finish the new bridge soon, they are very close.

yes I was just on Tappan Zee 2 weeks ago in my Toyota. they were brutal.

[thaalrasha]

Originally Posted by DocB

I will be moving out of a 435 GC with M-Adaptive suspension and all the talk about the M2's harsh ride is a bit concerning. However, there are many that seem to think the ride for a DD is just fine. The roads around where I live are pretty decent for the most part especially between my home and office. I will say however that being about to switch from Sport+ to Comfort mode is a nice feature that I may miss.

I moved out of an F30 LCI with adaptive dampers... I find the M2 is between Comfort and Sport settings on you adaptive dampers if that can give you an idea (like 70% toward sport). Adaptive dampers on sport were quite harsh and unusable on UK / irish roads, punishin even... But that was fine on smooth road like you find in France / Germany / Netherlands where it just made the car more agile...

[Aloha Joe]

Originally Posted by bobert

Good to know - I also have an '11 GTI and was curious how the M2 ride will compare to that. I have no doubt the M2 will ride better than my '99 Miata with the super-stiff suspension option.

By the way, saw your Z in a picture elsewhere - prob the best looking Z I've seen. Came close to buying one years ago.

Thanks bobert, The M2 is better than the Z in most categories. However the Z is good looking, has a raw mechanical feel to it, which makes it fun to drive. I'd keep it along with the M2, if I had another garage at home.

[kab_m2]

Originally Posted by johnnydad

I'm pleasantly surprised coming from an M135i with Adaptive.

Im in exactly the same position except I haven't taken delivery of my M2 yet.

Given I always drive my m135i in sport+, can I expect the M2 to be firmer or softer than that?

[mercedesc63]

Originally Posted by DocB

How would you rate the ride quality of your M2 particularly as a DD?

I'm really hoping the before the M2 ends production they add an EDC option

I have a 15' Golf Diesel and I'm going to have to say the ride quality is much better than that.

[XutvJet]

For those that previously had M235s, how's the M2 ride compare?

How does the M2 do during normal driving, specifically on sweeping turns with bumps, tramlining, and pavement cuts? Does it get darty and overall a bit busy? My M235 feels pretty good when driving in anger with the shocks in the stiffer setting, but it feels a bit flinty and darty during normal driving with the shocks either in comfort or sport. The rear shocks feel underdamped (either setting) and the front and rear axles occasionally at odds with one another.

[mercedesc63]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

For those that previously had M235s, how's the M2 ride compare?

How does the M2 do during normal driving, specifically on sweeping turns with bumps, tramlining, and pavement cuts? Does it get darty and overall a bit busy? My M235 feels pretty good when driving in anger with the shocks in the stiffer setting, but it feels a bit flinty and darty during normal driving with the shocks either in comfort or sport. The rear shocks feel underdamped (either setting) and the front and rear axles occasionally at odds with one another.

M235 has EDC... which is definitely better

[johnnydad]

Originally Posted by kab_m2

Im in exactly the same position except I haven't taken delivery of my M2 yet.

Given I always drive my m135i in sport+, can I expect the M2 to be firmer or softer than that?

Sorry, I didn't mention in my post, but I was comparing the M2 to the Sport/Sport+ adaptive setting. For me, there's 90% upsides but only 10% downsides in comparison. M2 is firmer, sure, but the quality of the springs and dampers is superior. I'm sure you'll love it!

Also I test drove a GTI when shopping. Lovely car the MkVII but I wasn't overly impressed but the ride - seemed crashier and bouncier than either BMW.

[johnnydad]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

For those that previously had M235s, how's the M2 ride compare?

How does the M2 do during normal driving, specifically on sweeping turns with bumps, tramlining, and pavement cuts? Does it get darty and overall a bit busy? My M235 feels pretty good when driving in anger with the shocks in the stiffer setting, but it feels a bit flinty and darty during normal driving with the shocks either in comfort or sport. The rear shocks feel underdamped (either setting) and the front and rear axles occasionally at odds with one another.

M2 rocks, bucks and tramlines LESS than my M135i. It's superior almost all the time and, happy as I was, I'd never go back to an M235/135/240i. I did post a more detailed reply on this issue above (P1).

[kab_m2]

Originally Posted by johnnydad

Sorry, I didn't mention in my post, but I was comparing the M2 to the Sport/Sport+ adaptive setting. For me, there's 90% upsides but only 10% downsides in comparison. M2 is firmer, sure, but the quality of the springs and dampers is superior. I'm sure you'll love it!

Also I test drove a GTI when shopping. Lovely car the MkVII but I wasn't overly impressed but the ride - seemed crashier and bouncier than either BMW.

Yeah no I got that. Mine has the same adaptive suspension.

So the M2 is firmer than sport+ ?
I would have thought it would be somewhere in between comfort and sport+.

I'm sure I'll be happy regardless

[termigni]

I just picked up my M2 yesterday. I was expecting it to be really harsh from what I read.

I disagree, I think it's just right. An M car should feel like this or stiffer.

[Spa2k]

I call the M2 stiff, but not harsh, except on a few of the very worst roads around here that would kill the ride in a Lexus. My MINI JCW with the nonadjustable sport suspension and runflats is harsh.

[AngryBaby]

This thread is over-thinking things. It's firm but not harsh. If local roads are fair or better you'll be just fine.

[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.

[Tag]

When you read "ride quality" and...

• Punishing
• Too firm for a DD
• Firm yet acceptable
• Just right

Almost seems NSFW.

[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.