[DocB]

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

[jayg80]

I would rate it as firm but not stiff. I was really surprised to read C&D's latest long term test review that made it out to be extremely stiff. The quality of your roads is also part of the equation and with the roads I travel on in California I find the M2 to be perfectly acceptable as a DD.

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by DocB

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

Compared to my 1 series it's a peach to drive.

[pruettfan]

I think it is too stiff for those who have really crappy roads, in AZ we have good roads for the most part so its not much of an issue but Tucson roads are terrible so the only time it bothers me is when I have to spend a lot of time on those roads. Having said that I have driven a buddies 991 Porsche 911 the M2s ride isn't much firmer than his 911.

[jayg80]

Are there really any other cars $55k and below that perform as well as the M2 yet have a soft comfortable ride?

Seems like the price you pay for a track worthy car is a firm ride.

[akkando]

The road noise bothers me more than the ride.

[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.

[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.

[Aronis]

Originally Posted by akkando

The road noise bothers me more than the ride.

Step one. turn of the fake engine sound.
Step two. be happy now.

Mike

[zenmaster]

Originally Posted by akkando

The road noise bothers me more than the ride.

You should be able to put that 25lbs of insulation back in and it will sound like the 235i/240i's.

[SoCalRob]

I find it odd for C/D to call out the M2 for a "punishingly stiff ride". My M2 ride is no worse than that of the E46 and E36 M3s I used to own. Stiff, yes, but certainly not punishing. Maybe the C/D review staff has gone soft? -ir

[akkando]

Originally Posted by Aronis

Step one. turn of the fake engine sound.
Step two. be happy now.

Mike

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.

[atxsk8r]

1 person voted punishing so far, this person must work for car and driver

[Macphisto]

My passenger(s) find it difficult to text on their phones. LOL!

[JustChris]

DD here, I find the ride very sumptuous. Came from a Mini JCW on OEM coilovers and while it was a hoot...it was..a...biiittttt ..bounnncyyyy.

M2 is a great DD, no complaints from me

[Aronis]

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.

Interesting the M240 weighs more due to said insulation but it's performance is not that far off from the 'lighter' M2. So if you buy all the missing insulation your may end up very happy and not loose much!

I don't mind the road noise but certainly hear it. I was driving an A8L for a few years and that was quiet! My RS6 is also pretty quiet (unless I get on it and then its not FAKE noise but forced induction V8). But with the M2, I don't mind it.

Mike

[akkando]

Originally Posted by Aronis

Interesting the M240 weighs more due to said insulation but it's performance is not that far off from the 'lighter' M2. So if you buy all the missing insulation your may end up very happy and not loose much!

I don't mind the road noise but certainly hear it. I was driving an A8L for a few years and that was quiet! My RS6 is also pretty quiet (unless I get on it and then its not FAKE noise but forced induction V8). But with the M2, I don't mind it.

Mike

I don't mind hearing the engine. I just get annoyed by the tires on the road noise when I am listening to talk/podcasts. Continental tires are probably not helping either. It doesn't bother me if I am on back roads just having fun though.

[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.

[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.

[Duke Silver]

Tyre pressures can be a pretty major factor for harshness. I checked my pressures for the first time since taking delivery and they were around 42psi, which I believe is correct for a fully loaded car. Generally I only ever have two people in the car at the most, which means I run the recommended 35psi as per the door plaque (I actually run 36.5F, 36R)

In saying that the car is still quite firmly dampened, but still quite comfortable except for the larger bumps

[MerlinPurple]

Originally Posted by Duke Silver

Tyre pressures can be a pretty major factor for harshness. I checked my pressures for the first time since taking delivery and they were around 42psi, which I believe is correct for a fully loaded car. Generally I only ever have two people in the car at the most, which means I run the recommended 35psi as per the door plaque (I actually run 36.5F, 36R)

In saying that the car is still quite firmly dampened, but still quite comfortable except for the larger bumps

Yep... one of the reasons I'm eager to throw on a set of 513M's (18s) ... bigger tire sidewall = more cushion. To really pull it off though it would need a small drop with counteracts the whole point.

I find stock ride quality to be just under the threshold (livable).

Deep down I'd love to put on a set of Ohlins R/T with street friendly spring rates.

[geogerf]

I finally got the car last weekend and after reading all the reviews on it having a harsh ride, I prepared for a feel something like a go cart. It's not even that stiff - to me, it is actually soft (not as a bad thing) - where's the poll option for that?! Lol

My other car (Acura RSX) had KW coilovers and the ride was firm, like 30% more than the M2 - that setting was perfect for me. With that and the hydraulic steering, it felt more connected to the road.