[Hapkin]

Ok had my first real drive with the CS. Also in my group were a 2020 M2C DCT, 2021 M2C 6 spd, a 2021 GT4 6spd and a 1964 911T dog leg (5?)speed. I will focus on the comparison between the three M2's.

Initial impressions:

Power. It's faster than my old 997.2 Targa 4S 911 6 spd by a lot. On boost this car is insane. Top end it just keeps pulling and pulling till Red line. Faster at the top end with CS but exactly the same as M2C at the low end. Probably the difference is best felt at the track. The Cup 2's out the power down better in the CS when warm.

Sound: Not as nice as my old 911 Boxer 6. More industrial. Sounds good above 5k though imho. The exhaust sounds a little different to the standard M2 comps. I like it. Not too loud. Significantly better than the M2C's. I thought but I am not sure that the M2C's had more burble tune programmed in. YMMV

Interior: CS is significantly more aggressive and nicer inside with the M4 seats, the carbon fiber, etc. The M2C has the center console storage and normal steering wheel and front trim without the Alcantara or glossy carbon of the CS though it does have the raw carbon.

Handling: Amazing in terms of front end mechanical traction/grip and immediate turn in. With DSC on it felt super confidence inspiring and I could push it hard pretty early on. Planted, almost no roll, squat, dive, penguin/pogo'ing with the CS. I then put MDM on and it was instantly much more alive, active and playful in the rear end. Much more resolved than the M2C's particularly with transitional stability. The M2C felt skittish at times on rougher tighter roads, less settled, less resolved. The C2S definitely rotated the rear better in turns and understeered less at the limit. Not sure why. We weren't going fast enough to attribute it to LSD tuning most of the time. MAYBE it was because of the Cup 2's vs Super Sports?

Steering: I love the steering feel. Way better than any BMW I have driven in the last 10 years. Noticeably better steering feel than M2C's due to the carbon fiber roof, way less unsprung mass, even with the thicker Alcantara steering wheel but I can definitely see why people have issues with the thickness of it. Not at all a deal breaker for me. I actually like it. YMMV.

Seating Position: Perfect for me. The CS seats bolster me perfectly, more aggressively than the stock M2C seats and my buddy's M3 special edition seats that came with his M2C. I actually found my 18 way 911 seating was too low since I have such a stumpy upper body. I like these CS seats better.

Suspension: Adaptive suspension is firm but not at all punishing. Perfect for what I am used to with the Olin's R&T coilovers on the Mini. Comfort mode works beautifully for all paved back roads. I was totally fine with Sport bit we have good paved roads in the mountains for the most part. on my roads, even Sport Plus were tolerable but not optimal for the road but probably perfect for the track.

Transmission: 6spd's were both more engaging, in both the M2CS and M2C vs the DCT although tbh, I didn't drive the DCT today, I did drive it in another M2C many times before purchasing the CS and it was great, well suited to the engine and defiantly the faster transmission for track times. Between the M2C and CS 6spd, the M2 CS was DEFINITELY NICER. Less notchy, very little if any shifter play when in gear, more slippery going into gear and therefore more confidence inspiring to shift hard and trust it will go into the right gear. Something about adding graphene to the synchros?

Brakes: Oh the brakes. Maybe my favorite thing about the CS . The Carbon ceramic brakes are absolutely unbelievable. Brake feel, perfect, clamping power perfect, modulation perfect. The benefits in steering and handling as well due to less unsprung mass. They look amazing, especially with the gold wheels.

Overall very glad I got the CS, it just feels like the car is more complete, more visceral, more rewarding, more special and higher end. It will definitely age better in terms of depreciation and resale value. But of course if you are not in a financial place to stretch to a CS, or don't plan on going to the track, definitely enjoy the absolute steal of a deal you get with the later year M2C's.

M2C...see what I did there.

[DanG]

Nice write up. Thanks for posting.

[CarJunkie]

I have also been pleasantly surprised when I have engaged MDM (haven't driven with traction control fully off yet). I use the PSS because I took delivery during the winter. The lower grip levels of the PSS allow you to play with throttle steer at the rear end at lower speeds which is great fun. The threshold for experiencing that would be much higher with the Cup2's. I am still debating whether the cup2's will go on the car or if I will switch to PS4S when the original tires wear out.

I love the fact that you can get the backend out a little bit with throttle mid corner while still having an electronic safety net. I don't see any reason to turn traction control fully off on the street because MDM let's me play as much as I would be comfortable playing anyway. At the track, it would still be full off for me.

[Jimjamz]

Originally Posted by CarJunkie

I have also been pleasantly surprised when I have engaged MDM (haven't driven with traction control fully off yet). I use the PSS because I took delivery during the winter. The lower grip levels of the PSS allow you to play with throttle steer at the rear end at lower speeds which is great fun. The threshold for experiencing that would be much higher with the Cup2's. I am still debating whether the cup2's will go on the car or if I will switch to PS4S when the original tires wear out.

I love the fact that you can get the backend out a little bit with throttle mid corner while still having an electronic safety net. I don't see any reason to turn traction control fully off on the street because Andy and Lexi play as much as I would be comfortable playing anyway. At the track, it would still be full off for me.

You've just summarised my favourite M mode. I switched to MDM on my default M1 setting 3-4 months ago and with the PSS' it makes for a playful 👍🏽 combination. You can get a little of the back out with a small stab of throttle but everything comes back into line fast.

[chris719]

The 6MT transmission is the exact same as in the M2C, original M2, F8x M3, and M4. Any difference you feel is probably unit to unit variation.

[mchart]

M2CS at least has the actual M shift knob. Is it weighted different from the garbage looking one on the M2C?

[ptgltw]

Originally Posted by chris719

The 6MT transmission is the exact same as in the M2C, original M2, F8x M3, and M4. Any difference you feel is probably unit to unit variation.

I too experienced a more pleasant shifter feel stock vs stock m2c and m2 cs. I guess I had the identical variation in units as did the OP. What are the odds?

[chris719]

Originally Posted by ptgltw

I too experienced a more pleasant shifter feel stock vs stock m2c and m2 cs. I guess I had the identical variation in units as did the OP. What are the odds?

Placebo, manufacturing dates, who knows, but they didn't change the transmission, that's for sure. The 6MT has no firmware of its own and is delivered by ZF as a sealed unit, P/N unchanged.

https://parts.bmwnorthwest.com/p/BMW...007858801.html

The transmission has had several part number changes over the years, usually due to supplier ECO.

23-00-7-858-801 is the remanufactured P/N and 23-00-7-858-800 is as new.

[chris719]

Originally Posted by mchart

M2CS at least has the actual M shift knob. Is it weighted different from the garbage looking one on the M2C?

It's the exact same knob... are you guys new here?

[mchart]

Originally Posted by chris719

It's the exact same knob... are you guys new here?

I had thought they were different.

Yes, i'm new to BMW's, you've done a great job of showcasing that stereotypical BMW owner attitude.

[chris719]

Originally Posted by mchart

I had thought they were different.

Yes, i'm new to BMW's, you've done a great job of showcasing that stereotypical BMW owner attitude.

Apologies for being snippy. Helps to do a quick search though before we claim there is a garbage-looking knob on the other models vs an "actual M shift knob".

[hlm2c]

Originally Posted by mchart

I had thought they were different.

Yes, i'm new to BMW's, you've done a great job of showcasing that stereotypical BMW owner attitude.

Lol this guy. Check your own attitude first with your misplaced snobbery and misinformation. Welcome to the club of M2 owners with "garbage looking shift knobs" just like the rest of us plebs ! With your attitude, you're going to fit right in with all the other BMW owners as well. Welcome!

[ptgltw]

Stock bmw manual shifter or DCT? I’m choosing DCT every time.

New m3/4 auto or stock bmw manual shifter? Now that’s a close one

DCT is clearly superior to both of those gearboxes

[Jimjamz]

Originally Posted by ptgltw

Stock bmw manual shifter or DCT? I'm choosing DCT every time.

New m3/4 auto or stock bmw manual shifter? Now that's a close one

DCT is clearly superior to both of those gearboxes

This is like rock, paper, scissors.

For me (note - not saying for anyone else):
A. DCT > Stock current BMW manual : so got DCT F87 CS
B. Stock current BMW manual > Z Auto : so will buy manual G87 CS

[smmmurf]

I had the pleasure of taking Hapkin's M2CS out for a few laps at Sonoma this past weekend back to back with my '20 M2C. Here are my impressions:

The EDC suspension on the M2CS is able to absorb mid corner bumps and apex curbs much better than the non-adjustable M2C suspension. The M2CS feels supple and progressive whereas the M2C feels springy and on edge. The CS digs into the pavement whereas the C struggles to take a set.

The power seems mostly similar between the cars below 5k RPM. I am told that it pulls harder to redline, but I was short shifting to respect the owner and did not have a chance to experience this.

The ceramic brakes are more consistent when cold and easier to modulate when warm than the steel brakes on the M2C. The steering is also more lively; this is likely due to the ~40 pound unsprung weight difference between the two cars.

Thanks for the opportunity to drive this wonderful car!

[BMWF87Melb]

Originally Posted by ptgltw

I too experienced a more pleasant shifter feel stock vs stock m2c and m2 cs. I guess I had the identical variation in units as did the OP. What are the odds?

Interesting! Would love to hear from more people that have spent time extended time with the og/m2c manual and the m2cs manual.

[Jimjamz]

An interesting lambo boss discussion on why older manuals in older cars are better than modern implementations in more powerful modern cars with their high tech suspension / engine setups.

"Today's manual transmissions aren't the pure, directly-connected driver's experience you think they are."

"In all the latest manual transmissions, there is a servo that reduces the load [of the clutch pedal]," he explains. "If we want to talk about the purist [experience], we must go back 20 years, not 10 years, because already these filters were in place."

https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-car...ions-are-dead/

[chris719]

Originally Posted by Jimjamz

An interesting lambo boss discussion on why older manuals in older cars are better than modern implementations in more powerful modern cars with their high tech suspension / engine setups.

"Today's manual transmissions aren't the pure, directly-connected driver's experience you think they are."

"In all the latest manual transmissions, there is a servo that reduces the load [of the clutch pedal]," he explains. "If we want to talk about the purist [experience], we must go back 20 years, not 10 years, because already these filters were in place."

https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-car...ions-are-dead/

This is some BS. It's like saying that steering hasn't been real since power steering came about.

Manuals aren't very compatible with such software controlled engine experiences, sure. They might be dead for Lamborghini, but clearly Porsche has no problems if there is demand.

[mchart]

Originally Posted by chris719

This is some BS. It's like saying that steering hasn't been real since power steering came about.

Manuals aren't very compatible with such software controlled engine experiences, sure. They might be dead for Lamborghini, but clearly Porsche has no problems if there is demand.

Yeah, he can make that excuse all he wants, but the US market in particular shows that people want/appreciate having a decent manual option. See BMW, Cadillac, etc.

What this idiot fails to recognize, is that some people aren't just chasing the stats/0-60 times. We want the mechanical engagement, even if that means the car is slower.

But lets be honest, Lamborghini has moved FAR away from being a manufacturer building cars for enthusiasts. They build cars for image, and stat chasers.

[fleetfoot]

Originally Posted by chris719

Placebo, manufacturing dates, who knows, but they didn't change the transmission, that's for sure. The 6MT has no firmware of its own and is delivered by ZF as a sealed unit, P/N unchanged.

https://parts.bmwnorthwest.com/p/BMW...007858801.html

The transmission has had several part number changes over the years, usually due to supplier ECO.

23-00-7-858-801 is the remanufactured P/N and 23-00-7-858-800 is as new.

I wonder if there might be a change in the shift lever or the shifter bushings. From reading AutoSolutions website, it sounds like the shifter bushing can have a big impact on shift feel. And I can tell you that the manual in my OG M2 feels much more clean/precise after installing the AutoSolutions SSK. So I wonder if they didn't something similar with the CS.

[chris719]

Originally Posted by fleetfoot

I wonder if there might be a change in the shift lever or the shifter bushings. From reading AutoSolutions website, it sounds like the shifter bushing can have a big impact on shift feel. And I can tell you that the manual in my OG M2 feels much more clean/precise after installing the AutoSolutions SSK. So I wonder if they didn't something similar with the CS.

Yeah, since RealOEM is gone it's much harder to dig. I wouldn't be surprised if there was a change in the linkage. The only thing that makes me wonder is usually that 2nd gear "blocking" feel isn't helped much with a SSK. I've driven 2 Z4Ms and mine had a considerably worse 1->2 shift (both low miles at the time), so I don't think it's crazy to assume it could vary from unit to unit.

[fleetfoot]

Originally Posted by Hapkin

Sound: Not as nice as my old 911 Boxer 6. More industrial. Sounds good above 5k though imho. The exhaust sounds a little different to the standard M2 comps. I like it. Not too loud. Significantly better than the M2C's. I thought but I am not sure that the M2C's had more burble tune programmed in. YMMV

I've been talking with ActiveAutowerke in preparation for flashing my OG M2, which I plan on tracking so consistent performance is important to me. AA found that the burbles were increasing exhaust temps on their track build, so they offer the option to remove burbles completely or under certain conditions. I wonder if the CS might have its burbles toned down for performance reasons too.