[theeclectic]

A driving test where the drivers are blinded to the model type would be the best way to find out if there were differences or not.

[Inuyasha]

I’ve own the OG M2 for 2 years and M2C for 6 months.
Everything people are saying about the differences are true. These differences are there even though part numbers are the same, suspension/steering wheel for example.

My friend who still has the OG M2 confirms the changes as well, back to back driven.... The struggle is real.

[VCP]

Little more weight with increased power will certainly change the feel, and sometimes for the better unless you are a pro racer.

[Germanauto]

Any difference to the steering tuning?

[hellrotm]

My local dealer still has two 2018's. The main difference you can feel between the two chassis wise, is the front end. The Competition feels stiffer up front, turn in is more direct and immediate. That is from the combo of the carbon strut brace and bulkhead bracing, along with the retuning of the electric steering. I guess there is a reason BMW fitted the M235iRacing with extra bracing up front.

[hellrotm]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

Any difference to the steering tuning?

Yes BMW retuned the electronic steering and rear diff.

[hellrotm]

Originally Posted by aerobat

Long thread and I'm not sure if this has been mentioned before.
I think main differences you will feel when driving M2 vs M2C back to back depends on:
a. Power and power delivery. M2C has a stronger engine.
b. Steering. Mechanically this is the same, but totally reprogrammed (to the better). This was one of the main criticts of M2 OG. I recommended reprogram to M2C which is fairly easy.
c. Electronic diff. This is also reprogrammed and will really change feel when driving spiritually.
d. M2C is more heavy in the nose which might be mistaken for added stability.

Forget things like:
a. Suspension. This is just the same.
b. Front brace. Looks nice, but M2 is already stiff. It might be noticeable on a track.
c. Steering wheel. I changed from standard to M Performance Wheel. It has a nice grip, but it will just not change character of the car;-)

The strutbrace and additional bulkhead bracing has to stiffen up the front of the Competition quite a bit. I am sure the retuned electronic steering was developed with it in mind. In the M235iRacing below, you can see the bracing exposed and all the additional mounting points on the chassis. Definitely not for show.

Carbon brace and aluminum bulkhead bracing in the M235iRacing.



Strutbrace/bracing out of the car.

[MPBK]

Originally Posted by Project_F87

Discontinuation of the old M2 made it redundant to keep stock of a previous revision of a part. So all parts that are with the same part number and shared with the M2C are now all new revised parts. This is how stuff works in the world of engineering.

That is so wrong.
Say you go to the BMW dealer parts counter and order an OEM replacement part for your M2's suspension, how will they know to give you the "old" or "new" suspension part if they have the same part #?

[DanteM2c]

I had a m2 2015 ( had an accident and sold) got a new one by 2016 , decat and stage 2 .
I got this new m2c i can say is different in every way. Its feel not upgraded but new.
And what i like the most is it feels dangerous .
Stage 1 will deliver 500 hp which i expect give me more adrenalin .
The M2c is what m2 should be at 2015 . Obviously bmw will killed the gigant flat shoe horrible m4 but why not. Large coupes are killing the feeling. . Even Porsche has killed the cayman and the 911 is getting bigger .
I keep my 437m ferric greys from my old m2 .

[Rupes]

Originally Posted by cooler2442

Most of the guys here don't believe when I posted that the M2C suspension feels better/corners nicer than the standard M2 since BMW didn't technically change any part #'s but he confirms since he has both and drives them back to back that "something" was done since there is a substantial difference;

I wonder if they added a strut brace and different engine causing the front to turn in/handle differently?

[Audio Fan]

For what it is worth, I've driven both at the at the PDC and felt that the M2C (at different driving schools) was significantly improved in engine and handling performance. The M2C also looks better to me inside and out to me. During the last M school, I heard two different instructors talk about how much improved the M2C was over the original. I think it is very noticeable. I really wasn't a fan of the original M2 engine, but the S55 is great. I will say that both are much more tail happy than an M3/4. Whether that is good or bad is in the mind of the driver. It is very playful and seemingly controllable, but I'm not an expert. I don't think you have to be an expert though to feel the differences. The M2C is the real deal.

[petehuse]

No one mentioned whether the same exact tires are on both models, and at the same pressure. Wouldnt that be more noticeable than 150 lbs?

[BlkSVT]

I can't believe I'm going to wade into this...

Up front, I don't work for BMW so no inside info here. I have been an engineer for more decades than I care to admit though, and "part improvement" roll-ins on the same part number happen All. The. Time.

Now I'll admit, if, theoretically, they intended that all M2Cs got the up-rev'd parts (whatever they may be), keeping the same part number wouldn't be the preferred method since they'd want to make sure old stock was depleted in the factory prior to starting build of the 2019. But, I see ECNs all the time that substitute compatible parts with new and improved specs under the same number

Quietly closing the door and running away

[silverds]

I can confirm @BlkSVT statement through my own experience. Most "manufacturers" we know are actually just assemblers. They don't manufacture all the components but rather purchase lot(s) of them in bulk from the component's manufacturer. Other manufactures can bid to offer the same spec'd part at a lower cost or failure rate and bam your AC Delco shocks are now made by Mitsubishi.

In some cases the aftermarket parts you'd buy at a premium are made by the very same manufacturer that sells parts in bulk to the assembly plant just with better aesthetics and retail packaging.

[Advevo]

I have owned 2016 m2 and have now M2C

I some area s like mentioned above the m2c is better.

But the weight is more also and i can feel it on track. I rather have the m2 with less weight.

M2c is about 1635 kg with a full tank. My x1 2.5i xdrive family car is lighter! That is insane! If i knew the m2c was that heavy i would had bought one.

[///M TOWN]

Originally Posted by Advevo

I have owned 2016 m2 and have now M2C

I some area s like mentioned above the m2c is better.

But the weight is more also and i can feel it on track. I rather have the m2 with less weight.

M2c is about 1635 kg with a full tank. My x1 2.5i xdrive family car is lighter! That is insane! If i knew the m2c was that heavy i would had bought one.

What tyres did your two M2's come with?

That's the first thing that came to mind regarding the difference people are feeling.

[silverds]

Carbonated water weighs less than tap water but at the end of a really hot day, tap water refreshes faster.

[Advevo]

Both m2 came with michelin pilot sport

[///M TOWN]

Originally Posted by Advevo

Both m2 came with michelin pilot sport

Interesting.

And the size remained the same.

[MPBK]

Originally Posted by RocketTR

I'm surprised that BMW didn't change any of the front suspension components with the M2C having a different (heavier) engine. That's assuming that the engine is in fact heavier. Wouldn't it make sense to at least have different spring rates up front?

Have you considered that the fact that the M2C is heavier and using the exact same suspension from the M2 (same part numbers) is exactly why it feels different (better or worse is a matter of opinion, but definitely different) to those who have driven them back to back? Not surprising at all.
I don't see why so much discussion about this topic.

[TonyL128]

Originally Posted by petehuse

No one mentioned whether the same exact tires are on both models, and at the same pressure. Wouldnt that be more noticeable than 150 lbs?

The tires on both the 2017 and 2019 were Michelin PSS. I ran 32psi front and 30psi rear (when hot) at Laguna Seca on both cars. The M2C had much better times through out each session (5-6 laps).

[///M TOWN]

The one component the M2C has vs the OGM2 is the front Carbon Strut brace.

Maybe it effectively keeps the car more planted.