01-23-2022, 08:52 PM | #1 |
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New England "Dual Duty" M2C Build Journal
Featured on BIMMERPOST.com I'm starting a build journal to consolidate notes to reflect my many projects to make my 2019 M2 Competition truly my own. This car gets me to work (even through the Winter) and allows me to chase down (or point by!) those in the Advanced run group in DE's. My journal focus is more on maintenance, function and comfort rather than appearance. That said, I do have an attention to detail and prioritize modifications that have practical value add. I learned a lot from building my Dakar E46 M3 into a very fun and durable car, so I'll carry the learnings forward! Here's my weekend toy, the outgoing M3 (ready for buyer pickup) and the newly received M2 Competition... |
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01-23-2022, 09:30 PM | #2 |
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Stealth Hitch Install
I use my daily driver to carry lawn debris to the local compost site. And with a second, different trailer I take tools, fuel and track tires to the tracks along the East Coast. So the first modification is to turn it into a little "work truck."
I chose Stealth hitch because of the reputation of being...well... 'stealth' while being securely locked in place to prevent noise while under load. Costly, but worth it. I used the regular 2 series package from etrailer.com. Instructions were great. Just needed to cut the heat shield and diffuser quite a bit and also figure out what wiring I needed for the PWM interface. I picked up all signals from the right side rear light area and mounted the PWM in the bottom of that area where I routed the wires in from the outside via an unused OE grommet. The area inside of the green tape was needed so I would have ample space to get my hand underneath to turn the locking knob without rubbing on the cut materials and shedding blood. The car is happy and my trailers' lighting was too. The cutting is invisible when behind the car. The increased torque over the E46M made hauling things effortless. So I'm very happy with outcome. Last edited by ndyvidual; 01-23-2022 at 09:46 PM.. |
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01-25-2022, 07:11 AM | #3 |
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Following this thread. I explored the idea of trading my 19 M2C in for a Tacoma (I miss having a truck, it's useful when you have a house) but I just couldn't do it. Was offered a very fair trade in value too.
I think the F87 will be one of my forever cars, so I'd be interested in adding a roof rack or stealth hitch as well. I currently only have coupes, so more practicality would be welcomed. Keep the pictures coming!
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01-26-2022, 05:45 PM | #4 |
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Trailer Hitch In Action
So here's a typical weekend after doing lawn work....
I picked up a washer/dryer, refrigerator and a snow thrower with my E46 M3. This car will see the same duties as needed. Last edited by ndyvidual; 01-26-2022 at 07:04 PM.. |
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01-26-2022, 06:18 PM | #5 |
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Radar Locator Install
My Gen 1 Valentine One serves me very well in my Porsche. The Gen 2 design revision fits well with the M2's cluster design, so I added this for added protection. I don't want to require a phone to operate my car so this was essential for my travels across state lines. In my region, we are heavy KA, light laser until we're approaching Canada.
I use SmallRig SLR camera hardware for such 'articulating' applications because of its vast customizing options and very low cost. I bonded a ball mount to the windshield, added a pivot piece and a locking hot shoe with its mating component bonded to the radar locator. I'm very happy with the outcome and it's been very easy to connect/disconnect... and can quick release it to swap it out for another display. More on that later in 2022. And more about what else will be mounted here later. Last edited by ndyvidual; 01-26-2022 at 08:50 PM.. |
01-26-2022, 08:49 PM | #6 |
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With the critical, yet practical daily duties out of the way, I started preparing for track duties for next season- earlier than normal given the workforce and supply constraints in place.
I needed a better fitting and safer seat. So I ordered some matching leather and thread and sent it all to Cobra in England. In parallel, I ordered a lot of BK and Schroth hardware. Thanks to HMS Motorsport for coordinating my sub-project. Several months later, I got it all back and did this. Simple, complementing the interior and comfortable both on the street and track. For those whose hips can fit it...they've been well received! I did replace the bottom [butt] cushion from the, as-supplied, thinner foam to 45lb conventional cushion so I don't sink to the fiberglas shell and onto the lumber air line. Overall, I'm very happy with them again (it's my second set- another modification I carried over from the E46 M). Take note of my "M color" zip tie choice! Last edited by ndyvidual; 01-29-2022 at 01:56 PM.. |
01-28-2022, 08:06 PM | #7 |
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Half Cage Install
With the seats in hand, I could have my New Hampshire cage builder build to the negotiated requests. We used the M2 CS rear cage section as a reference and made tweaks for my particular needs:
I got the car back, re-installed the removed interior pieces and then installed the harnesses, split collars and roll bar pads (all not shown). With this, all of my needs are met. |
01-29-2022, 02:32 PM | #8 |
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My mod philosophy is in this order:
I don't add power to cars (never say never though, right?); for fear of impacting reliability since I drive long distances to tracks. With the seats/coding/cage/harness and race pads ready, I did a few track events to get a feel for the car at speed before I just start throwing parts for maximizing grip without know what I'm addressing. Quick takeaway: I made a really good choice coming from the E46 M3. VIR with the PCA chapter was really great as always. Area of improvement: I noticed that the rear is nervous under threshold braking though. I stumbled across a thread on this exact topic and daap113 offered a verified solution to this. I had the coding session during this Winter, so I haven't had a chance to try the changes (braking settings, GTS diff and steering) safely, but I'll looking forward to more confidence in braking zones after long straights. So I have my race wheels waiting in the garage and double adjustable suspension has been ordered. Once I've got these in place in a few months, I'll then move to step 3. Last edited by ndyvidual; 02-07-2022 at 08:31 PM.. Reason: Typo. More of them. |
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01-29-2022, 02:52 PM | #9 |
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Misc. Projects
So while waiting for parts, I wanted to tackle some smaller projects:
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02-04-2022, 09:24 AM | #10 | ||
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Drives: F80 M3
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02-04-2022, 09:53 AM | #12 |
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Love the seats! Nice job
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Past: '08 Infiniti G37S, '87 Porsche 944 Turbo, '13 328i, '15 M235i, '15 F80 M3, '16 M235i, '15 335i, '17 X5 xDrive35i @whoismorggan |
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02-04-2022, 10:16 AM | #13 | |
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OP, love the updates and how you use the car. Keep the updates coming!
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02-04-2022, 10:35 AM | #14 |
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Drives: 2019 M2 Competition
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This is no biggie. I'm turning my m2 competition into a taco truck.
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02-04-2022, 11:57 AM | #15 |
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Thanks for sharing this!
Cayman, E46 M3, M2C is pretty much my dream perfect weekend toy garage. I wouldn't want to sell any one of those, so I admire your ability to move on from the E46 and this journal is a perfect demonstration of "use them, don't just look at them". 👍 |
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02-04-2022, 02:14 PM | #16 |
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This is awesome more pictures please! Ie: Show the trailer hooked up and the hitch area itself, more interior shots etc.
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02-04-2022, 02:43 PM | #17 |
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I'm lost, did I see your m2 towing a trailer?!?
I did Not scroll down your whole post, it's like catchup on a hotdog, sure you could but you shouldn't tow with a bimmer coupe I'm a fellow mass hole, borrow one of my trucks when your needing something from Home Depot, please unhook the trailer from one of the best M cars made in a long time, my eyes are bleeding Edit: other mods roll cage etc look great |
02-04-2022, 07:09 PM | #18 |
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Bravo. Interestingly, I see a lot of Vette guys pull a tire trailer to the track.
One of my favorite quirks and features of my F80 is that it can fit up to 6 tires, although that's with a harness bar, not a cage. Your paddock set up is the tits btw. |
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02-04-2022, 09:58 PM | #19 |
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Oil Cooler Protection
While changing the oil, I noticed this big piece of plastic was doing a poor job in protecting my oil cooler. So I got new panel from Turner. Sturdier sure, but I didn't like how it offered only 'a little more' protection... why design it with similar gaping holes in it???
But using some scrap metal and my trusty grinder, I could make something more functional. So after some cutting, drilling and thread lock, I feel a bit better to combat the street debris found on the highways up here. |
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02-04-2022, 10:25 PM | #20 |
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Winter In New England
After last week's storm (25 inches!), I had to dig the car out. It's a trooper in the snow (Alpin 4A's on OEM sizes), but the x drive is almost invincible by comparison. In true four season fashion, I still safely get through the snow in the M.
Oh and the tread tracks in the driveway are from my snow thrower, not me driving around in circles, hahaha... |
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02-04-2022, 10:40 PM | #21 |
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Brake Fluid Flush
I make up a lot of little tools to get my jobs done. Using some recycling and some fuel line I had laying around, this makes flushing through these big calipers easy and efficient. The tea container has a wide bottle so it doesn't tip over so easy when you're working with the bleed valves.
I used a liter of Castrol SRF. I plan to flush yearly. The brakes felt good on the track (other than the braking force variation I mentioned in an earlier post). |
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02-05-2022, 07:30 AM | #22 | ||||||
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Thanks. I learn they were one of my more effective mods from the yellow car so it was an expensive no-brainer to do over, haha. Last edited by ndyvidual; 02-05-2022 at 07:41 AM.. |
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