Things To Know BEFORE Modifying Your BMW M2 Suspension

I've had the Bilstein suspension on my BMW M2 for a few months and I thought it was time I shed some light on my thoughts. I run through some things to think about before modifying your suspension and if you should bother in the first place.
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Thanks, Sam
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[@sammooresphoto]

Of the car you currently drive is there something you would change? If so how would you go about it?

[@leokaravasili9649]

Im thinking ohlines r&t for my m2 just because of the magical damping characteristics, up the spring rate slightly and ive been told it still rides softer over bumps but is more levelled in the twistys

[@sammooresphoto]

@@leokaravasili9649 I've always heard good things about ohlins. I think for most people it's the ride control that's important, not getting bounced around too much which i imagine that setup would do well.

[@kevinetz5]

M140i needs an exhaust (akrapovic) and suspension for improved damping, stock one is too bouncy and pretty awful body control ( kw v3)

[@bakeralec2377]

You all prolly dont care but does someone know of a method to get back into an instagram account? I was dumb lost my account password. I appreciate any tips you can offer me!

[@camdynzaid24]

@Baker Alec instablaster ;)

[@MrVara411]

This is the most insightful video I've watched about a suspension change. You've really helped me with my decision.

[@akerr911]

Great video, have the same feeling with my e46 m3 round London. Been looking at a similar set up and trying to decide what to do! Conclusion, older car fresh top mounts and dampers will feel better than old warn out set up and keeping oem removes all the hassle. Looking forward to seeing what’s next 👍

[@BaldHorsePower.]

I've been considering coilovers but, I think you've just convinced me to stick with the standard suspension until I decide to track it. Thanks 🙂

[@allanreardon]

I have to agree. My rear shock broke on my MX 5 so changed to another brand. Had that for about a year and it just didn't suit the car. Then had a custom one done by a well known suspension place here in Oz. I initially wanted a set up for mountain roads and it was spot on. After a while I used the car more for daily driving so that setup wasn't ideal. Yes, I was able to adjust just like yours but that was more trouble than it was worth as the dials were on top of the suspension, which was behind a panel in the boot for the rears. A friend of mine went to the same company as I did so the first thing I told him was to spend the extra and get the electronically adjustable version. He's super happy with them. Lesson learnt.

[@sammooresphoto]

I really need to go visit a suspension company and see what the latest tech is nowadays. I imagine you can get suspension that adjusts via an app now? Would be super useful to be able to adapt.

[@allanreardon]

@@sammooresphoto there has to be. If not, there's a business idea.

[@anthonyk11]

Nice video, very informative! Did you run over a small Volkswagen at 5:25?

[@adonicolon8901]

Where do you get the music for the beginning of your videos

[@peterc9806]

What phone holder are you using? Great videos!

[@dacianmuntean]

You should try Intrax 1k2 , is amazing

[@neilbenton2759]

hi sam, my 2018 m2 is having eibach pro kit springs fitted next week just to bring the ride height down a touch hopefully it wont ruin the already lumpy ride , sorry your selling yours though mate .

[@autobahn_bcn]

I'm doing exactly the same next month to my m2c. Is your car riding better compared to the stock springs? Thks a lot.

[@mrmarrow8918]

Hi Sam - overall, it sounds like oem is best, certainly cheapest and least hassle/effort!

[@sammooresphoto]

For me I'd keep OEM, costs too much for not a massive improvement.

[@DC5dotty]

AST’s on my LCI and I love them.

[@peterwood2633]

Thinking about AST for my 2016 M2, worth the money? It's my DD is it softer down the street at under 40mph? Would you do it again?

[@DC5dotty]

@@peterwood2633 yep !

[@Richard-jo2lr]

I have currently changed my m2 susp. to a full coil overs and what I have noticed is that on wet roads the car is everywhere and it scares the sh*t out of me it wasn’t like that with the stock suspension the car isn’t that low basically on stock hight, I first thought it was my tyres so I have changed all 4 to pilot 4s but still same issue any ideas of what could be wrong with it.

[@sammooresphoto]

Has the car had a proper setup/alignment etc? Possibly your rear is too stiff. Not really my specialty I’m afraid.

[@Richard-jo2lr]

Sam Moores thanks for the reply I just got it properly set up camber adjustments Cornering wheel alignment and balancing and it now drives awesome 😎

[@sammooresphoto]

@@Richard-jo2lr perfect

[@nathanwabre]

Dinan suspension kit actually softens the suspension because the OEM setup is stupidly roughly

[@petes283]

Softer with this car is not the way to go. It's good that you're thinking about changing it to something more comfy. I've installed MPS on my M2 LCI (M Performance Suspension = rebranded KW v3 with spring rates set by BMW) so i can keep my warranty intact and it costs relatively low (ca. 2.5k pounds with installation). I've put it into street settings for now - the car is night and day. Slight oversteer on hard braking helps turnin, front is rock solid when the tyres warm up, better control at medium to high speeds, better aesthetics, improved overall frontend grip level feeling. One of the better improvements for the car IMHO apart from brake pads, SS lines and fluid.

[@sammooresphoto]

Interesting, I knew that that was potentially a good option. Good to hear from someone that has done it. I drove a car from litchfield that had an ast setup. Slow speed the car was still hard work but down a bumpy road it was sooo much better.

[@petes283]

@@sammooresphoto Yeah I did it also because I didn't like how the back-end was bunny hopping sometimes on stock. Now it's perfect. I expected much rougher ride after the swap and I'm very pleased with the overall compliance even during slow stuff.

[@paulc562]

@@petes283 How are you getting on with the M Perf Coilovers after 4months ownership. I'd like to lower my 2018 lci approx 20mm so started looking into the Eibach lowering springs. However; after looking into it more and more it seems that after a short while changing just the springs may have a detrimental effect on the shocks and if not installed properly may cause premature wear of other components. My main reason initially for the Eibachs was they offer roughly a 20% stiffer spring rate whereas the M Perf Coilers are approx 40%. Obviously there is always going to be a compromise with any set up as a car will always perform differently at different speeds but I'd like the car to feel a little more settled when turning in and with a little less roll at the back. Also a bit concerned about the springs being 40% stiffer as around my way the road are absolutely appalling and won't be getting any better anytime soon. Any help and/or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks; Paul

[@petes283]

​@@paulc562 Hi there. Ride quality is overall better, just at low speeds with bumps you can feel them as the car is more rigid and transfers them (but thanks to this you have also more planted feel of the car and better dynamics). It helped especially on the rear as it was hopping a bit over bumps in corners, now it's stable and I forgot about the issue. I've read the same about springs and that made me go MPS route and I don't regret it at all, car is much more versatile now - you can hoon with the rear or drive with a momentum on track and be precise, use throttle mid corner to steer or trail brake to get more rotation before cornering. This car is overall a compromise but a good one I have to say. I have max camber front -1,8 and rear at -1,4 + minimal toe front and slightly more at the back (but still minimal) to help rear stability. This results in neutral behaviour which I can modify with steering, brakes and gas accordingly. MPS have street setup that feel almost like stock in terms of comfort apart when driving very slow. I'd go that route again, no regrets :)

[@paulc562]

@@petes283 Thanks for the reply Pete; all the info I can glean at the moment is most useful. Regards, Paul

[@leshkin]

I had the B16 iRC system on my S3 that allowed some adjustability on the fly, which was amazing for road an occasional track. For frequent track use, I'd say that the manual PSS10 kit like yours makes more sense. My stock M2C could also take part in the comparison with Joe :)

[@sammooresphoto]

I'd love to try out an S3 or RS3 with adjustable suspension, see if you can make them rotate better.

[@leshkin]

@@sammooresphoto My was the 2009, 8P model pushing 420+bhp with hybrid turbo, big brakes and uprated suspension before the M2C. Different platform to the current gen. While my setup was very effective at removing much of the understeer, the fact that it was an AWD car with wonky weight distribution, it still had a tendency to understeer if you're on the accelerator too early out of a corner. Heavy trail braking deep into a corner did help to turn the front in really well with my config and once you're setup for exit it would grip like crazy. Could never keep good corner speed with it unlike the M2C... Probably just the meat bag in the driver's seat that was the problem )

[@sammooresphoto]

Awesome, yes I think the weight distribution and awd are always going to mess it up. For me going from RS3 to M2 was so much about having fun rather than going fast. I really don't drive that fast on the road anymore but being able to play with the car makes it all the better. Saying that I'm probably about to go back to an audi for daily use...

[@leshkin]

@@sammooresphoto Absolutely, Audi makes a very good daily and in any weather. Much more so than a M2... I went from S3 to M2C in search of fun above all else, it's just that much more engaging at slower speeds. I'm lucky enough not to need it as a daily, so suits my use perfectly, while still has 4 seats and a reasonable boot for those occasions when I need to take the family with me. So what next? Current gen RS3? I've heard good things )

[@neilbenton2759]

let us know when you need to sell the bilsteins please sam .

[@sammooresphoto]

Sure ting

[@m2kev789]

Good video Sam - my conclusion from this is there is no perfect answer - BMW engineers will have had to make compromises in development of the car so mine will be remaining stock until or unless worn out - then would look at the options 😀👍

[@JoseAndre10S]

How does it do when you drive over a speed hump

[@sammooresphoto]

Slow down a bit and all good

[@hcooC]

Should have bought an F80 M3 Mate!! :D

[@sammooresphoto]

maybe I should haha, at the time I massively preferred the engine and size of the M2

[@hotdognobun]

M2 better