[E36toF87]

Originally Posted by CTSean

... I'll post the torx socket size when they show up and I figure it out if no one beats me to it...

Caliper Torx bolts (34106864424) are E18

I was going do my rotor replacement today until I realized I didn't order the rear rotor retaining screws. D'oh.

[dtmurf]

Removed my battery to that I could tidy up the wiring back there. Has anyone removed the battery? Quite heavy and you end up lifting it in an awkward position.

Anyone know what the black plastic piece circled in the pic is? I moved it to this location so that I could take a photo, it was just lying on the bottom where the battery had been.

[2020M2Competition]

Originally Posted by dtmurf

Removed my battery to that I could tidy up the wiring back there. Has anyone removed the battery? Quite heavy and you end up lifting it in an awkward position.

Anyone know what the black plastic piece circled in the pic is? I moved it to this location so that I could take a photo, it was just lying on the bottom where the battery had been.

Spacer for the battery

[VisualEcho]

I drove it...HARD.

Just what the doctor ordered.

More driving and more pix soon.

[StarMan]

Originally Posted by devo

Looks great... how does the Dinan exhaust sound?

Dinan muffler with Resonator delete pipe sounds fantastic. Minimal drone and, with the exception of a cold start, it's not obnoxiously loud. Pipes do hang a but low compared to other exhaust but doesn't bother me too much.

[SFM2C6MT]

Originally Posted by akkando

Took the M2 out to charge the battery

[IMG]

View post on imgur.com

[/IMG]

That looks like hwy 35 or 84

[dtmurf]

Originally Posted by 2020M2Competition

Spacer for the battery

I've spent a lot of time in the trunk and I never even noticed it lol...thanks!

[Hrothgar]

Originally Posted by RussM2

Just received my new shit knob from IND!!! Looks and feels good.

Nice! Mine is coming in this week along with the parking break and M Perf steering wheel and CF insert. Now, if only I had a car to install them on... But that's a long COVID-related story.

[RussM4]

Originally Posted by Hrothgar

Nice! Mine is coming in this week along with the parking break and M Perf steering wheel and CF insert. Now, if only I had a car to install them on... But that's a long COVID-related story.

Thats great! you will feel more engaged with the car. you will love it!
I will be getting the M Performance steering wheel and CF insert next. Don't tell me your car is stuck at the dealership?

[DanG]

Anyone else tired of just looking at their M2 sitting in the driveway? This stay in place order is starting to get to me.

[Elwood74]

Originally Posted by DanG

Anyone else tired of just looking at their M2 sitting in the driveway? This stay in place order is starting to get to me.

Yes. But at least it's REALLY shiny right now!

Things to pass the time:
SiShield
Black rear M2 emblem
Autotechnic carbon mirrors from IND
and now MPE on order.

Guess while we're all stuck at home we might as well play with our toys how we can!

[Hrothgar]

Originally Posted by RussM2

Thats great! you will feel more engaged with the car. you will love it!
I will be getting the M Performance steering wheel and CF insert next. Don't tell me your car is stuck at the dealership?

You mean this M Performance steering wheel?

Not stuck at the dealership. Stuck in Luxembourg! And I'm in Germany. Besides the borders being closed, the vehicle registration office is also closed!

[Nezil]

Finally received my CFRP brace, shipped from England. I was sure it was never going to arrive, and ended up ordering another one from Florida which is arriving tomorrow - Doh!

Anyway, fitted it last night and went for a drive, then spent an hour this morning wet sanding the scratches (P800, P1000, P3000, P5000), then polishing it to a nice shine (M105, M205):

The CFRP brace obviously brings some bling, but also improves the overall handling and comfort, even from only having the Aluminium brace fitted initially. I cannot understand why anyone would spend money on coil overs without doing this mod first, the difference in suspension feel is incredible.... Now I can see why people say that the M2C rides so much better.... It sure as hell does!

[Poochie]

Originally Posted by Nezil

Finally received my CFRP brace, shipped from England. I was sure it was never going to arrive, and ended up ordering another one from Florida which is arriving tomorrow - Doh!

Anyway, fitted it last night and went for a drive, then spent an hour this morning wet sanding the scratches (P800, P1000, P3000, P5000), then polishing it to a nice shine (M105, M205):

[img]https://i.ibb.co/XXCBhYG/DEBC2939-48...-F-1-102-o.jpg[/img]

[img]https://i.ibb.co/896Qvkr/2-F0192-AE-...-D-1-105-c.jpg[/img]

The CFRP brace obviously brings some bling, but also improves the overall handling and comfort, even from only having the Aluminium brace fitted initially. I cannot understand why anyone would spend money on coil overs without doing this mod first, the difference in suspension feel is incredible.... Now I can see why people say that the M2C rides so much better.... It sure as hell does!

Sorry, I'm just going off conjecture here but the M2 already has a strut brace minus the superficial bling. Anyone that ever had to change the last two spark plugs, all the way, deep, on side of the motor, where it meets the firewall, knows this because they have to remove the original bar, to allow access to coil packs.

I fail to see how the similar reinforcement on the M2C makes a discernible difference in handling, it's not like the original M2 is not already strapped up.

Of course I have nothing to back up this theory, other than common sense.

[dtmurf]

Originally Posted by Nezil

Finally received my CFRP brace, shipped from England. I was sure it was never going to arrive, and ended up ordering another one from Florida which is arriving tomorrow - Doh!

What are you going to do with the second one? I'm thinking your better half will not allow you to hang it on your living room wall so if you are interested in moving it on, I'm in the market. How did the one from England ship?

I'll sent a PM

[RussM4]

Originally Posted by Hrothgar

You mean this M Performance steering wheel?

Not stuck at the dealership. Stuck in Luxembourg! And I'm in Germany. Besides the borders being closed, the vehicle registration office is also closed!

haha yup that's the one!!! sorry to hear that! hopefully soon you will get it.

[PLF69]

Originally Posted by Poochie

Sorry, I'm just going off conjecture here but the M2 already has a strut brace minus the superficial bling. Anyone that ever had to change the last two spark plugs, all the way, deep, on side of the motor, where it meets the firewall, knows this because they have to remove the original bar, to allow access to coil packs.

I fail to see how the similar reinforcement on the M2C makes a discernible in handling, it's not like the original M2 is not already strapped up.

Of course I have nothing to back up this theory, other than common sense.

It's been tested many times to make a significant difference, I ordering an aftermarket one that goes straight between the 2 shock towers because I find the OEM price ridiculous.

[Nezil]

Originally Posted by Poochie

Sorry, I'm just going off conjecture here but the M2 already has a strut brace minus the superficial bling. Anyone that ever had to change the last two spark plugs, all the way, deep, on side of the motor, where it meets the firewall, knows this because they have to remove the original bar, to allow access to coil packs.

I fail to see how the similar reinforcement on the M2C makes a discernible difference in handling, it's not like the original M2 is not already strapped up.

Of course I have nothing to back up this theory, other than common sense.

I've changed my plugs before and it's not necessary to remove the original brace to do that, but that aside, the original brace is a V shape and mounts from one side of each strut top to the centre of the windshield.

The M2C / M3 / M4 brace mounts to three points on the top of each strut, the fenders, and the centre of the windshield, It's also a much stiffer piece than a V shaped piece of steel. The CFRP section then bolts from this to the front of the car.

While I was doing the retrofit I also added the stiffening rings around the strut tops that the M3 / M4 have but the M2C doesn't. This might be a waste of time, but while it was apart, I decided to do it; it certainly cannot hurt.

As for the discernible difference... almost every journalist commented on how the M2C rides better than the OG M2, but the suspension is absolutely identical. Admittedly the M2C is slightly heavier at the front, but not enough that it would make the car feel more composed and less bouncy. The answer is the Aluminium and CFRP brace, and countless other forum members that have done the retrofit will corroborate this.

I was actually considering selling my M2 before Covid, but after having done this retrofit and the sound deadening, I feel that the car is transformed. It's so much more comfortable when cruising. There are some things that still frustrate me but I'm hoping a custom tune will be able to improve those.

[Nezil]

Originally Posted by PLF69

It's been tested many times to make a significant difference, I ordering an aftermarket one that goes straight between the 2 shock towers because I find the OEM price ridiculous.

I can't argue that the OEM parts are expensive, but an aftermarket unit that goes only between the 2 shock towers may not get you the same benefits. It might, but I'd be surprised because of the additional bracing to the body (fenders and front panel) that the OEM one provides.

What you could do to keep the costs down is go only with the Aluminium section. This can be found for < $200 shipped on eBay. You probably need some other parts (fixing and trip) that will net out to a little over $500, plus installation if you're not doing it yourself. I ran this for about a month while I waiting for my CFRP part to arrive and whilst the CFRP improves things further, the Aluminium brace is what makes the biggest difference.

[GPGP]

Some piano black steering wheel trim

[akkando]

Originally Posted by Nezil

Finally received my CFRP brace, shipped from England. I was sure it was never going to arrive, and ended up ordering another one from Florida which is arriving tomorrow - Doh!

Anyway, fitted it last night and went for a drive, then spent an hour this morning wet sanding the scratches (P800, P1000, P3000, P5000), then polishing it to a nice shine (M105, M205):

The CFRP brace obviously brings some bling, but also improves the overall handling and comfort, even from only having the Aluminium brace fitted initially. I cannot understand why anyone would spend money on coil overs without doing this mod first, the difference in suspension feel is incredible.... Now I can see why people say that the M2C rides so much better.... It sure as hell does!

Some people have speculated the CF strut brace is just eye candy.

[nioh_lbbm2]

Originally Posted by Nezil

I can't argue that the OEM parts are expensive, but an aftermarket unit that goes only between the 2 shock towers may not get you the same benefits. It might, but I'd be surprised because of the additional bracing to the body (fenders and front panel) that the OEM one provides.

What you could do to keep the costs down is go only with the Aluminium section. This can be found for < $200 shipped on eBay. You probably need some other parts (fixing and trip) that will net out to a little over $500, plus installation if you're not doing it yourself. I ran this for about a month while I waiting for my CFRP part to arrive and whilst the CFRP improves things further, the Aluminium brace is what makes the biggest difference.

Can you link part numbers?