[GFEA]

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Im going to avoid talking about the build at all here since I already have a build page and am working on it non-stop. I want to simply touch on the spirit of driving that this car re-sparked inside me, and much much more.

About 13 months ago I purchased my M2 with the goal of turning it into a track car and living out my childhood dreams. Since that time I've put 15k miles on it, spent all of my money on it, and been to 9 HPDE track days at 5 different tracks, 1 autocross event, 2 half mile drag racing events, 1 1000 foot drag racing event, several canyon runs and a few parking lot meet ups.

I've never owned a car that made me smile every time I unlocked it, sat in the drivers seat, and started it up until this M2. Once I got this thing on track all I wanted to do was drive better, go faster, and make the car greater; it's nearly an obsession and "non-car" people just think I've gone crazy. (Maybe I have)

It took a few track days to get comfortable with the car and the setting as a whole, but once I broke through barrier a much deeper connection with a car started to occur from driving it at or near the limit.

Modifying the car has been both a nightmare and incredibly successful I'll admit. With a lot of help I made some really good choices but, like anything there's a few things I'd do different next time but that's life. It's a never ending pit but namely tire cost is already starting to catch up with me. With that, I regret none of the modifications or the money I've spent and I can't wait to keep pushing this car forward towards the goal of Global Time Attack.

Despite doing this for the thrills, I had no idea that a consequence of doing this build was going to be making so many new friends in this process. From the people I now track regularly with, the Bimmer challenge folks, the people around the shops, and even the people on Instagram who I've never met; it's been a damn pleasure making all of these new friends.

I had absolutely no idea I'd meet so many people along the way that were so willing to help share things that were "secrets" back in my karting days.

Needless to say, this car has been much more than a car. To say it's just the "ultimate driving machine" quite frankly wouldn't do it justice at all. It's been a lifeline, a toy, a money pit, a childhood dream and an experience; but most of all it's been the key to open the door to a community that I never knew I even wanted.

Going down this build rabbit hole as been one of the highlights of my life and I can't wait to see where it takes me next. 2022 is already shaping up to be better than 2021 with some cool partnerships in the way so stay tuned!

Thank you BMW for making this car, and thank you for letting me live my childhood dreams.

If you want to follow the build feel free to check out @333m2c or my build page!

[BarrettDB]

Nice post. My M2c is a smile machine as well. Might run into you at a track or meet as I’m in SoCA, too.

[GFEA]

Originally Posted by BarrettDB

Nice post. My M2c is a smile machine as well. Might run into you at a track or meet as I'm in SoCA, too.

See you out there!

[SexyRoger]

Very nice.

Can you tell us what you did to eliminate the understeer on the high speed, high G sweepers?

[ssabripo]

Yep!! I agree whole heartedly... I've been thru several M cars, including the e46 M3, my individual e90 M3 V8, the gray F80 M3, and all of them where awesome and made me happy.... but NONE like the M2C.

This car is just perfect for me. The size, the speed/power/handling balance, the chassis, the way it feels, and the way it tracks at Homestead and PBIR, it always puts a smile in my face every single time I sit on it.

[ChiTownM]

I like what OP highlights besides the car itself …. The connections and friendships that you forge attending diverse events. It seems that the M2 fits into so many different categories, not just tracking or C&C ….

I also agree on the negative - money-pit. I also owned and currently own a couple of M cars and the M tax, as well as the i8 tax, is real unfortunately. The fun factor make more than up for it, so I have been telling myself for 20 years

[GFEA]

Originally Posted by SexyRoger

Very nice.

Can you tell us what you did to eliminate the understeer on the high speed, high G sweepers?

I mean it's still there just much better than before lol. Trail braking has been the biggest help and throttle control.

[white2abbit]

Originally Posted by GFEA

Modifying the car has been both a nightmare and incredibly successful I'll admit. With a lot of help I made some really good choices but, like anything there's a few things I'd do different next time but that's life.

What have been your favourite mods? Things you'd do differently next time?

[GFEA]

Originally Posted by white2abbit

What have been your favourite mods? Things you'd do differently next time?

Favorites: The mcs coilovers, swift springs, schirmer kinematics and spl arms + the ap kit in the front. Plus the recaro racing seats.

If I was starting over I woulda got he ap kit much earlier and avoided the 19"
Wheel struggle all together.


Manly I fucked the order of operations. I'm focusing on weight reduction now when I coulda done this all much sooner.

Despite loving the engine mods and exhaust I would do all of that last next time.

[white2abbit]

Originally Posted by GFEA

The mcs coilovers, swift springs, schirmer kinematics and spl arms + the ap kit in the front. Plus the recaro racing seats.

If I was starting over I woulda got he ap kit much earlier and avoided the 19"
Wheel struggle all together.


Manly I fucked the order of operations. I'm focusing on weight reduction now when I coulda done this all much sooner.

Despite loving the engine mods and exhaust I would do all of that last next time.

Good to know, thank you!

I haven't done too much on my car (besides a bunch of M-Perf CF bits, 763M and an Akra slip-on)...it's my daily driver but I do occasionally take it to the track (especially on road trips). I have a GT4 for most serious tracks, so I'm trying not to go too hardcore with the M...

Would you say your suspension setup is overkill in that case? Any thoughts on just doing a KW 3-way and calling it a day? Or would your setup make the car feel drastically different in every day driving too?

[coldsoup]

Curious on the MCS coils as well. Mainly longevity and reliability.
TIA

[GFEA]

Originally Posted by white2abbit

Good to know, thank you!

I haven't done too much on my car (besides a bunch of M-Perf CF bits, 763M and an Akra slip-on)...it's my daily driver but I do occasionally take it to the track (especially on road trips). I have a GT4 for most serious tracks, so I'm trying not to go too hardcore with the M...

Would you say your suspension setup is overkill in that case? Any thoughts on just doing a KW 3-way and calling it a day? Or would your setup make the car feel drastically different in every day driving too?

My car is way overkill on the street my daily commute sucks lol. It's a dream on the track though

[white2abbit]

Originally Posted by GFEA

My car is way overkill on the street my daily commute sucks lol. It's a dream on the track though

Haha noted!

[IcewaterPete]

Cool story! It got me smiling just reading it. Great tips to. Thanks!

[mfarrzhp]

Congrats. BMW nailed the M2. Glad you are running it like it should be, and making it better (for the track).