[Montaver]

If you want to add steering feel get a set of bimmerworld monoball thrust arm bushings.

How do you feel it compares to the Supra? Both the Supra and G87 are cars I’m considering buying at the moment, it wil be 90pc track.

[abrandonment]

Originally Posted by JABCAT

I'm curious for those that think the steering is numb or the vehicle is not engaging to drive, what are you expecting it to feel like? We're talking street driving correct, not track driving

The M2 feels like driving a sim. A car has output from the road, track or street and in every car I've owned before you feel that output, and the act of driving is you responding with your own input.

The M2 (in comfort) feels to me like the output from the road has been captured, processed and artificially recreated before being delivered to me as the driver.

That is the best way I can describe it.

[JABCAT]

Originally Posted by xtougher

I resonate with this some (although I can't relate because I don't have a 1 of 3 car!).

I do agree and feel that the cars I have driven have felt different from each other. And I have preferences as well.

But I don't see myself thinking the G87's steering is "terrible" or completely absent of feel.

Also, I'm personally not looking for a go kart level of steering feel, since I'm daily driving this for a while.

I think it's fine, and in fact, feels better than my previous car (340i).

My most recent DD before the M2 was a '22 330e MSport. I purchased it having not driven a new BMW in probably 20 years. Drove the 330e 31k mi in 17 months & thought it was a great car. My wife picked up the X3MC last August & I couldn't let her be the only one with a 500 hp DD, so started looking at gently used M3/4s. She actually sent me a pic of a new M2 in the showroom when she was looking at the X3. I didn't initially like it, but started looking at more pics online. Saw it had the same performance as the 3/4 for much less $$ & brand new.

Found one in the color & spec I wanted about 50 mi away & purchased it without having driven it. Figured if it was as good as my 330e but with more power I'd be happy. Obviously it completely surpasses the 330e in every category & I'm very happy with my decision all around. As long as it stays reliable, I'll keep it around & it'll go to my son when he graduates college in a few years (he gets the Z when I'm dust )

[JABCAT]

Originally Posted by abrandonment

The M2 feels like driving a sim. A car has output from the road, track or street and in every car I've owned before you feel that output, and the act of driving is you responding with your own input.

The M2 (in comfort) feels to me like the output from the road has been captured, processed and artificially recreated before being delivered to me as the driver.

That is the best way I can describe it.

I guess I understand that. The only time I drive in comfort is the last two miles of my commute because the roads are like driving through a mine field. Even then, the only setting that is on comfort is chasis which helps absorb the rough road. The rest of the time it's in sport which I feel provides plenty of feedback.

[abrandonment]

I have to stop opining on all of it until this weekend when I get back to the car for more than a dozen miles of seat time.

Have you spent time in a Porsche? For me, they feel like the road outputs are passed directly from pavement to your brain, no processing, no filtered recreation.. raw feeling without being harsh.

[iifymbro]

Originally Posted by abrandonment

The M2 feels like driving a sim. A car has output from the road, track or street and in every car I've owned before you feel that output, and the act of driving is you responding with your own input.

The M2 (in comfort) feels to me like the output from the road has been captured, processed and artificially recreated before being delivered to me as the driver.

That is the best way I can describe it.

definitely don't use comfort mode, think I used it twice in my m340i cause the steering was so light and numb. Setup a sport individual/M individual mode with a combo of settings that feel good and just flip it into that mode on startup every time.

Good every day combo in BMWs is usually steering in sportiest setting (or one back from 'most sporty' if it's way too heavy), suspension in comfort, engine/throttle one back from 'most sporty' cause it's too high strung early in the pedal travel, gearbox in the middle so it's not lazy but also not acting like you're on a track every time you brake/accelerate lol

[DrewNewM2]

I switch back and forth between the g87 and my modified 450 whp 2020 STi and the hydraulic steering, short shifter, short gearing, stiff sway bars and coilovers make the STi feel way more connected than the M2, especially around town. STi has more lag on aftermarket single turbo but when shit hits, it’s hard. M2 definitely has more of an isolated feeling, very quiet, long shifter throws, excellent ride quality, high potential S58 and will shine at triple digits on big tracks, autobahn. I had intended to sell the STi when the M2 came but hard to get rid of and I like them both for what they are. M2 is not numb, it’s just high tech and really refined. I feel the manual transmission helps . I have a manual Bronco as well so engagement is important to me. Save the manuals!

[JABCAT]

Originally Posted by abrandonment

I have to stop opining on all of it until this weekend when I get back to the car for more than a dozen miles of seat time.

Have you spent time in a Porsche? For me, they feel like the road outputs are passed directly from pavement to your brain, no processing, no filtered recreation.. raw feeling without being harsh.

I have, and my Z06 is very Porsche-like. It's 3200 lb, carbon fiber body components (fenders, top) hard top, manual, no real insulation from road noise, and is set up for track use. It has magnetic ride adjustable suspension which I've had re-programmed by the great Jim Mero (look him up if unfamiliar) to be more aggressive in its sport mode.

So that being said, while the g87 isn't to the level of my Z06, I still don't find it "numb" or not engaging/devoid of feedback. We have to keep in mind that current vehicles, regardless of what they are, have a lot more "stuff" in them than previous generations. They have different systems that inherently disconnect the driver from the car. All these drive "modes" are programmed software, whether we like it or not.

I love the relative simplicity and rawness of my Z06 without all the comfort & "safety" features of the M2, but I would never daily my Z06. I took it on a 1,500 mi round trip last summer & while very exciting to drive and very engaging, I was beat up after each leg (750 mi) of the trip. I drive my M2 500 mi round trip every weekend, and it's a great drive. I'm not exhausted like I am from the constant driver inputs needed in my Z06. The M2, imo, combines the power, handling, driver experience with comfort better than much out there.

[JMcLellan]

Originally Posted by abrandonment

I have to stop opining on all of it until this weekend when I get back to the car for more than a dozen miles of seat time.

Have you spent time in a Porsche? For me, they feel like the road outputs are passed directly from pavement to your brain, no processing, no filtered recreation.. raw feeling without being harsh.

I know what you mean. I was able to drive a GT3 RS on a track a couple years ago in Vegas and the feeling of driving that car was insane. Nothing else I have ever driven comes close to comparing to it. I'm heading back to that track in May and planning to try out a GT2 RS. I will forever be ruined.

[DSTR]

Originally Posted by JMcLellan

I know what you mean. I was able to drive a GT3 RS on a track a couple years ago in Vegas and the feeling of driving that car was insane. Nothing else I have ever driven comes close to comparing to it. I'm heading back to that track in May and planning to try out a GT2 RS. I will forever be ruined.

GT3/RS and 2RS are what we all want in a car - until we hit traffic and need comfort lol. For performance driving they are the standard. Ruining is a good idea. We live once, so LIVE! Sounds fun!

[Good 4 2 reasons]

Originally Posted by abrandonment

I have to stop opining on all of it until this weekend when I get back to the car for more than a dozen miles of seat time.

Have you spent time in a Porsche? For me, they feel like the road outputs are passed directly from pavement to your brain, no processing, no filtered recreation.. raw feeling without being harsh.

I test drove a Cayman and can absolutely agree with this sentiment. I got tired of hunting for a lightly used one that didn't have 5 owners at 30k miles, swirl marks all over the paint, and a few options I actually cared about (manual, sport chrono, and PASM).

Buying a new 718 is a joke. The options pricing is absurd. My local dealer wanted 18% over MSRP in added options to get an April allocation for a 718 Cayman S. I know you don't buy a 718 for the infotainment experience, but the age of the infotainment is pitiful considering a "well optioned" 718 S can easily climb to 100k.

If I could get a new 718 base for 65k without the games, I would have gone with one for the pure driving experience, because it really drives and handles like an extension of the driver. The shopping experience (new and used), turned me away from ultimately buying one.

This would have been a once or twice a week driving car, I daily my X5 diesel to work and back. I will be happy with M2, one of the last gasser manual sports cars with modern conveniences, and a full 4 year warranty.

[BroDoze]

I’ve had cars (STIs, 135s etc) I’ve modified to the point where I could barely stand them for more than 15-30 minutes at a time in traffic and crappy roads and long drives. I told myself I wouldn’t do that again. I think it’s a trade off like everything. In my 20s I was all about it. In my 40s, I need a little comfort, lol. Which I realize sacrifices some raw go-kartness.

[toprarnen]

Originally Posted by BroDoze

...I need a little comfort, lol. Which I realize sacrifices some raw go-kartness.

I used to live near a really nice outdoor karting track that scratched that truly "raw" itch. Getting back into my car ('06 IS350) after a 30-lap race was a relief!

[abrandonment]

I guess my earlier points was that there are cars that don't exist on the extreme end (street legal go-karts) that haven't lost the connected-to-the-surface-beneath-you feel.

None of them (I know of) check the boxes I need checked but there are shades of gray, trade-offs, etc. I'm hopeful that tinkering with settings, or remapping may get me closer to what I am missing with the M2 because other than the artificial steering feel it checks just about every box.

[toprarnen]

Originally Posted by abrandonment

I'm hopeful that tinkering with settings, or remapping may get me closer to what I am missing with the M2 because other than the artificial steering feel it checks just about every box.

Same, but additionally with shifter feel and clutch feel too.

Type R or Porsche shifter/clutch feel and steering, everything else M2. Sounds like the perfect car to me.

So I'm looking at the typical clutch improvements (clutch stop, potentially clutch replacement), steering (software update for CSL if reversible, dinan tension strut ball joint replacement if that doesn't solve it), and maybe an SSK if it comes to it. Saying all this, I'll probably just put in the clutch stop and drive it stock for a while. $70k is a lot to pay for a car before doing all these things to it.

[ghaffari46]

I always drive it in sport. I think they put efficient settings there to meet regulations .
Efficient settings is not for people in this forum!

[xtougher]

Originally Posted by BroDoze

I’ve had cars (STIs, 135s etc) I’ve modified to the point where I could barely stand them for more than 15-30 minutes at a time in traffic and crappy roads and long drives. I told myself I wouldn’t do that again. I think it’s a trade off like everything. In my 20s I was all about it. In my 40s, I need a little comfort, lol. Which I realize sacrifices some raw go-kartness.

I'm sure your kidneys thank you!

My body definitely doesn't feel the way it used to. (I guess you can take that comment a lot of different directions. LOL)

Originally Posted by toprarnen

I used to live near a really nice outdoor karting track that scratched that truly "raw" itch. Getting back into my car ('06 IS350) after a 30-lap race was a relief!

30-lap race?? That sounds fun to try!

[toprarnen]

Originally Posted by xtougher

30-lap race?? That sounds fun to try!

They call it their "Iron man". Laps average around 1:06 per. My body was DONE after that race lol

[Mr. Hankey]

Originally Posted by wj100

My previous cars were Supra, Giulia QV, F82 M4 and E90 M3.

wj - curious your thoughts of the M2 to the F82? Based on a test drive I found the M2 not as rowdy as the F8X down low, less torquey and seems they went for more linear acceleration making it feel more like an NA engine.

Also what wheels are those and color? Do you have a side picture of your car? Trying to decide on a titanium/anthracite color vs Black for BG and yours is the first car I've seen on what looks like a satin titanium.

[xtougher]

Originally Posted by toprarnen

They call it their "Iron man". Laps average around 1:06 per. My body was DONE after that race lol

Yeah, I'm fairly certain I would not be able to complete the race! LOL

[Can’tWait]

Originally Posted by DrewNewM2

I switch back and forth between the g87 and my modified 450 whp 2020 STi and the hydraulic steering, short shifter, short gearing, stiff sway bars and coilovers make the STi feel way more connected than the M2, especially around town. STi has more lag on aftermarket single turbo but when shit hits, it’s hard. M2 definitely has more of an isolated feeling, very quiet, long shifter throws, excellent ride quality, high potential S58 and will shine at triple digits on big tracks, autobahn. I had intended to sell the STi when the M2 came but hard to get rid of and I like them both for what they are. M2 is not numb, it’s just high tech and really refined. I feel the manual transmission helps . I have a manual Bronco as well so engagement is important to me. Save the manuals!

I too have a fully built 16 STi and originally wanted a manual M2 ,but didn’t want to wait almost a year for an allocation . I settled for a 24 auto M2 , I can always row gears in the STi if the M2 gets boring

[wj100]

Originally Posted by Mr. Hankey

wj - curious your thoughts of the M2 to the F82? Based on a test drive I found the M2 not as rowdy as the F8X down low, less torquey and seems they went for more linear acceleration making it feel more like an NA engine.

Also what wheels are those and color? Do you have a side picture of your car? Trying to decide on a titanium/anthracite color vs Black for BG and yours is the first car I've seen on what looks like a satin titanium.

Mr. Hankey,

Your thoughts on the G87 vs. F82 are spot on. While I appreciate the NA-like characteristics of the S58, to me, for everyday driving on public roads, it's more difficult to extract excitement from the G87 vs. the F82. There was a certain frenetic-ness that just made the F82 more exciting around town. You really have to wind out the G87 to get to the fun zone and that's difficult to do on a regular basis without losing your license.

As far as the wheel go, they are from Bspk wheels in Gunmetal. Here's the pic per your request.