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      10-18-2020, 08:03 PM   #1
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GarageMadness | Build & Ownership Thread *Update: UCP and AS SSK 7.22.21**

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After years of owning other platforms I decided to pull the trigger on my first M car and my first BMW. I've always thought a small and nimble M would be my first BMW experience - enter M2 Competition. I have so many friends and family that either own or have owned M cars so I guess I'm a bit late to the the party, but better late than never.

I'm coming from JDM platforms - big surprise I currently have several vehicles including a off road truck being modified for overlanding. The two most relevant to this thread would be my Honda S2000s, one being a limited edition CR. So purchasing the M2C was a step up in performance while preserving some of the visceral and connected driving experience of an S2000 - which is arguably a well built performance car and still relevant in the performance car category to this day.

Enough background and to the good stuff. I ordered my '21 M2C in July in Arizona. I deliberated on colors briefly but once I saw the Sunset Orange Metallic in person, I knew this was the color. I'm a fan of all their color offerings, but I just don't see Sunset Orange Metallic in Arizona or Northern California which makes it a bit rare. The buying experience was easy and BMW dealer ordered my car to specification without any hick ups. I took delivery the end of September and asked them to keep the protective wrap on so I could drive it over for PPF the following week. They were kind enough accommodate all my asks. I even had the opportunity to gas the car up at the dealership. it was a fun ride home with my two-tone temporary look. I got lots of thumbs up and smiles on the way which always makes a new owner feel good.

Prior to the purchase I've had a lot of time to research and lurk around on forums. So I have good idea on how I want to make mine a bit unique without taking away from the looks and performance inherent in its stock form. I look forward to learning from others in this community and sharing my build as it progresses along with my experience owning and driving the car. I've been fairly involved in local and regional forums and clubs with S2000s some years back. It's fun to re-engage years later into my passion for performance cars. I will share some pics, vids, and reviews. Rather than posting multiple threads, I always find a build thread is a better way to share. It may also inspire others to share their builds and experience. My personal build experience will center around the following.

(1) ways to personalize with interior and exterior changes,
(2) protect the paint as best as possible,
(3) drive it in stock form including 1-2 HPDE events for the next 6 months,
(4) discern where I can sharpen specific performance characteristics (suspension, camber/alignment, brakes, etc.),
(5) install selective parts to help achieve that purpose,
(6) and most importantly - stop spending money I don't need to on a well built car from factory


I've made the mistake to modify cars too quickly in the past, so I'm going to enjoy this one with some restraint while having fun at the same time. I also bought the M2C knowing I wouldn't have to alter the car with major power or structural modifications as it will serve as my daily for at least the next year or so. Special thanks to my friend Jason aka 'j0oftheworld' who was persistent and provided the influence I needed to buy another car and lighten my bank account. Plus he got me a great deal on mine.

Delivery: Sept 26, 2020
Specs: SO M2C Manual, Exec Pkg, Blk 788 wheels

2020 Modifications:
Oct 6 - Muzerna one stage polish prep for PPF *installed*
Oct 7 - XPel Ultimate Plus - full front and high impact areas around the car *installed*
Oct 8 - IND front reflector delete *installed*
Oct 8 - IND body color painted side bar/marker *installed*
Oct 9 - Autotecknic CF front splash guards *installed*
Oct 9 - Optimum Gloss Ceramic Coating *installed*
Oct 20 - Apex EC7 wheels delivered
Oct 23 - IND parts: MP pedals, MP shift knob, M mode red buttons, interior trim tools, ACEXXON front bumper protector purchase
Oct 24 - M Performance shift knob *installed* - REVIEW https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...9&postcount=41
Nov 27 - M Performance CF steering wheel trim, M Performance floor mats gifted
Nov 28 - M Performance floor mats *installed* - REVIEW https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...6&postcount=73
Dec 1 - AutoSolutions short shifter kit purchase
Dec 2 - Rogue Engineering transmission mounts purchase
Dec 2 - MotorSport Hardware 78mm conversion studs purchase
Dec 13 - OEM parts: Hazard road triangle, door moldings, extra oil bag *installed* - https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...2&postcount=76
Dec 27 - IND red M buttons *installed* - https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...4&postcount=79

2021 Modifications:
Apr 2 - Rogue Engineering transmission mounts *installed* - REVIEW https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...1767722&page=5
Jun 10 - 2242 Mile Road Trip - REVIEW https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...1&postcount=94
July 22 - Ultimate Clutch Pedal and AutoSolutions Short Shifter *installed* - REVIEW https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...8&postcount=96
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Last edited by GarageMadness; 07-23-2021 at 01:11 AM.. Reason: Update Build and links
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      10-18-2020, 08:44 PM   #2
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Congratulations and welcome! Thanks for supporting "Save the Manuals"!

Arizona owner here as well (Tucson).
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      10-18-2020, 09:18 PM   #3
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Congratulations. Love the SO M2C.
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      10-18-2020, 09:23 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KevinM View Post
Congratulations and welcome! Thanks for supporting "Save the Manuals"!

Arizona owner here as well (Tucson).
I know DCT is all the rage but I'm a heel toe guy. Seems like Tucson has quite a few owners. Is the road up Kitt Peak still choppy? I love driving up Mt. Lemon.

Thanks for reading my thread.
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      10-18-2020, 09:25 PM   #5
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Congratulations. Love the SO M2C.
It's a beautiful color and I grow to like it even more each day. Thanks for the kind words.
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      10-18-2020, 10:11 PM   #6
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Congratulations! sunset orange really pops
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      10-18-2020, 10:23 PM   #7
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Congrats! That color should be called "Fire Orange" 'cause it's smoking..

Maybe I suggest some M Performance pedals, I'm also partial to the Dinan's offering:
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      10-18-2020, 10:41 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Poochie View Post
Congrats! That color should be called "Fire Orange" 'cause it's smoking..

Maybe I suggest some M Performance pedals, I'm also partial to the Dinan's offering:
The M pedals are on the list already. Dinan ones looks good but don't really balance out the factory dead pedal.
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      10-18-2020, 10:43 PM   #9
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Congratulations! sunset orange really pops
Thank you.
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      10-18-2020, 10:51 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GarageMaddness View Post
Thank you.
Something else cool to note is I took delivery of mine on Sept 25th and got yours a day later
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      10-18-2020, 11:25 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GarageMaddness View Post
I'm coming from JDM platforms - big surprise I currently have several vehicles including a off road truck being modified for overlanding. The two most relevant to this thread would be my Honda S2000s, one being a limited edition CR. So purchasing the M2C was a step up in performance while preserving some of the visceral and connected driving experience of an S2000 - which is arguably a well built performance car and still relevant in the performance car category to this day.
Congrats on the new car, SO is my favorite color even though I ended up with HS. Getting the car prepped and protected from the start is a great move - I waited 6+ months and I regret not getting it done immediately. And welcome from another truck driving, S2000 owner
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      10-18-2020, 11:56 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by redgs4 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by GarageMaddness View Post
I'm coming from JDM platforms - big surprise I currently have several vehicles including a off road truck being modified for overlanding. The two most relevant to this thread would be my Honda S2000s, one being a limited edition CR. So purchasing the M2C was a step up in performance while preserving some of the visceral and connected driving experience of an S2000 - which is arguably a well built performance car and still relevant in the performance car category to this day.
Congrats on the new car, SO is my favorite color even though I ended up with HS. Getting the car prepped and protected from the start is a great move - I waited 6+ months and I regret not getting it done immediately. And welcome from another truck driving, S2000 owner
That's cool. Having a variety is now important to me given my interests other than cars. do you have build thread or pics of your M2C? What are your initial thoughts on it vs the S?
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      10-19-2020, 01:41 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GarageMaddness View Post
That's cool. Having a variety is now important to me given my interests other than cars. do you have build thread or pics of your M2C? What are your initial thoughts on it vs the S?
I'm laughing at myself given your comments on build threads... I don't have one but there are random posts and pics across these forums . Some recent pics here -
https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1756925
The M2C and the S2000 have completely opposite personalities. The former is a brute force torque monster that easily pushes one into being a hooligan but can be driven Q-car like under the radar (with the appropriate color, sorry SO). Shifting is a bit wonky but higher gear pulls are amazing. The limits of this car far exceed my skills. Driving feedback is significantly less but not unexpected. My lightly modded Rio Yellow MY06 S2000 looks like an instant ticket but it's limits are so much easier to enjoy while still being mostly legal. Shifting is crisp and the clutch engagement is light, vtec has been lowered to 4200 and all the fun is shifted left up to the 8500 RPM redline. Top down driving is is amazing - the connection to the road (sounds, wind, feel through the suspension) is almost religious.

I confess that I purchased the M2C as a mature replacement to my S2000 but I've been having second thoughts. I have a feeling if I sell it will be the one that got away.
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      10-19-2020, 07:12 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GarageMaddness View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Poochie View Post
Congrats! That color should be called "Fire Orange" 'cause it's smoking..

Maybe I suggest some M Performance pedals, I'm also partial to the Dinan's offering:
The M pedals are on the list already. Dinan ones looks good but don't really balance out the factory dead pedal.
Skip the M pedals and go with Pedalhaus, IMO. much better pedals for the money.

http://www.pedalhaus.com/f30.html
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      10-19-2020, 07:17 AM   #15
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Congrats on the new car! Be safe and enjoy
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      10-19-2020, 09:28 AM   #16
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Congrats on the new beast! It has been a while since I have been down to Tucson... I think highway 191 is calling my name, along with my new toy! Maybe I will see you around!
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      10-19-2020, 12:09 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by redgs4 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by GarageMaddness View Post
That's cool. Having a variety is now important to me given my interests other than cars. do you have build thread or pics of your M2C? What are your initial thoughts on it vs the S?
I'm laughing at myself given your comments on build threads... I don't have one but there are random posts and pics across these forums . Some recent pics here -
https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1756925
The M2C and the S2000 have completely opposite personalities. The former is a brute force torque monster that easily pushes one into being a hooligan but can be driven Q-car like under the radar (with the appropriate color, sorry SO). Shifting is a bit wonky but higher gear pulls are amazing. The limits of this car far exceed my skills. Driving feedback is significantly less but not unexpected. My lightly modded Rio Yellow MY06 S2000 looks like an instant ticket but it's limits are so much easier to enjoy while still being mostly legal. Shifting is crisp and the clutch engagement is light, vtec has been lowered to 4200 and all the fun is shifted left up to the 8500 RPM redline. Top down driving is is amazing - the connection to the road (sounds, wind, feel through the suspension) is almost religious.

I confess that I purchased the M2C as a mature replacement to my S2000 but I've been having second thoughts. I have a feeling if I sell it will be the one that got away.
Keep the S2000. I agree with much of what you've said. I been thinking also about selling but I did something interesting the other day which changed my mind - I drove them back to back. After getting out the M and into my S I realized what the M is missing. Somewhat difficult to replicate the connected feeling you get in the S within the M but maybe over time things would change. Nevertheless, I decided to keep my 06 GPW for now. However do I really need 2 of them???
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      10-19-2020, 12:13 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by detroitm2 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by GarageMaddness View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Poochie View Post
Congrats! That color should be called "Fire Orange" 'cause it's smoking..

Maybe I suggest some M Performance pedals, I'm also partial to the Dinan's offering:
The M pedals are on the list already. Dinan ones looks good but don't really balance out the factory dead pedal.
Skip the M pedals and go with Pedalhaus, IMO. much better pedals for the money.

http://www.pedalhaus.com/f30.html
Thanks for link. They look quality but I'm not diggin the design pattern. Do you have install pics on your car?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sarg33 View Post
Congrats on the new car! Be safe and enjoy
Thanks. I appreciate it. Be safe and ticket free
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      10-19-2020, 12:16 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GregInNewMexico View Post
Congrats on the new beast! It has been a while since I have been down to Tucson... I think highway 191 is calling my name, along with my new toy! Maybe I will see you around!
I love that highway. Drove it back from Texas in my S2000. it was awesome. NM has some good roads and lots of Casino land. Maybe if there's interest I can organize a trip in the AZ mountain near Greer. Epic roads that bounce in and out of NM.
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      10-19-2020, 12:38 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GarageMaddness View Post
I love that highway. Drove it back from Texas in my S2000. it was awesome. NM has some good roads and lots of Casino land. Maybe if there's interest I can organize a trip in the AZ mountain near Greer. Epic roads that bounce in and out of NM.
I would be IN on that trip!
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      10-19-2020, 12:38 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GarageMaddness View Post
Thanks for link. They look quality but I'm not diggin the design pattern. Do you have install pics on your car?


Thanks. I appreciate it. Be safe and ticket free
Sure, heres a pic when I first installed them, (pardon the dirt!)
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      10-19-2020, 04:16 PM   #22
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Quote:
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GarageMaddness View Post
Thanks for link. They look quality but I'm not diggin the design pattern. Do you have install pics on your car?


Thanks. I appreciate it. Be safe and ticket free
Sure, heres a pic when I first installed them, (pardon the dirt!)
I like the M on the dead pedal. Thanks for sharing.
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