Can the BMW M2 (F87) be outdone? Absolutely, and BMW M achieves just that with the new BMW M2 (G87). In fact, the new BMW M2 incorporates an even greater number of components from its larger counterparts, the BMW M3 and BMW M4, than the previous M2 (F87) did at the time.

This is especially exciting for us at the KW automotive Group, as we are currently the only suspension manufacturer to offer the complete range of height-adjustable springs and coilover suspension kits, including Clubsport suspensions with technical parts approval (TÜV certificate), for all current BMW M3 models, BMW M3 Touring (Wagon), BMW M4 models, and the BMW M4 CSL. In this blog post we will dive in to all the suspensions parts we now offer for the G87 – and more will come!

While Clubsport coilover suspensions are not available for the BMW M3 Touring (Wagon, G81) and the M4 Convertible (G83), our colleagues at BBS have introduced the first stylish alloy wheels for the M2 (G87).

We’ve fitted the BBS CI-R Unlimited flow-formed wheels in a White Gold finish in wheel concavity level 2. These wheels have a size of 20 x 10 inches in the front and 21 x 11 inches in the rear. They come equipped with a red rim protection ring, valve caps featuring a laser-engraved BBS logo, and red BBS 3D center caps.

Our colleagues at BBS of America and our friends from “The Daily Driven” recently installed BBS CI-R Unlimited wheels on the BMW M3 (G80), and their YouTube video shows what makes the BBS Unlimited system so special – because BBS Unlimited is much more than initially assumed.

BBS CI-R Unlimited Wheels – now available for immediate delivery for the BMW M2 (G87)

The lightweight BBS Unlimited Flow-Formed wheels are produced exclusively in Germany. Featuring a 5 x 117.5 bolt pattern, not only is the bolt pattern’s design preserved, but thanks to an advanced adapter system, the BBS Unlimited wheels can be fitted to any vehicle with a five-lug bolt pattern. For further details about the intricate manufacturing process and the BBS Unlimited system, you can visit the BBS Technology website.

The BBS Unlimited wheels are available in eight different colors and four concavity options. Additionally, there are numerous Unlimited accessories, such as rotating center caps, rim protection rings, and much more.

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Essentially, the latest iteration of the BMW M2 Coupe (G87) can be seen as a more refined version of the M4. When compared to the compact F87, this new coupe boasts a larger wheelbase, a 110-millimeter increase in length, and an additional 33 millimeters in width, surpassing the already muscular M2 predecessor. For enthusiasts of dynamic driving, the notion of torsional flex is virtually non-existent throughout the entire M2 body, thanks to a series of reinforcements and struts, a remarkable feat even for a production vehicle. The M2 displays a genuine enthusiasm for taking on corners, making it truly a car for petrolheads.

When examining the contemporary BMW 2 Series Coupes (G42), one cannot help but notice, that the M2 boasts a remarkable 60-millimeter increase in width. Such a deviation from its sibling models prompts speculation that this size may have been a necessary accommodation to house the axles of the BMW M4 (G82) within the M2’s frame. Furthermore, the muscular heart of the M2 lies beneath its hood in the form of a twin-turbocharged M straight-six engine, known as the S58B30T0. This powerhouse is a direct transplant from the current BMW M3 and M4 models, although, in the M2, it exhibits a slightly tamer performance profile compared to its larger counterparts. But not for long.

The first tuners like IND Distribution, Laptime Performance, Versus Performance, TPS Performance, TVW Car Design, and others are already in the process of transforming the G87 into a true corner-carving machine, just as they did with the F87.

While we currently provide Street Performance KW coilover suspension kits V1, V2, and V3 for the smaller BMW M240i and its brethren, we’ve taken a similar approach as we did with the BMW M2 (F87) in the past, by meticulously designing the perfect suspension solution from our full range of KW product categories to meet the specific needs of the current BMW M2 (G87).

Street Comfort, Street Performance, or Track Performance – everything you need for the BMW M2 (G87)

For many who simply want to lower their BMW M2 only a bit and have no interest in unleashing the full performance potential in driving dynamics and handling capabilities, our height-adjustable KW springs offer an intriguing upgrade.

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The package of height-adjustable springs (HAS), also known as adjustable lowering springs, comes with bespoke threaded sleeves that house the brackets for the OEM sensors and sway bar end links which are CNC machined from a single block of aluminum for maximum strength and to minimize unnecessary unspring weight. After removing the original components, these are attached to the front struts. Then, all that’s left to do is install the spring perch, KW spring specifically designed for this vehicle, dust cap, and elastomer spring (bump stop). With the height-adjustable springs from KW, you can transform your OEM strut into a “coilover suspension kit”.

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On the rear axle, which is familiar from the M3 and M4 models, the installation is even easier for certified KW installation partners. Here, the original stop elements are replaced with KW components on the damper. The original suspension spring is exchanged for our KW spring. During assembly, the stock spring perch remains in place, and at the top of the chassis, the KW threaded adjustment is installed.

As part of the parts approval, the height-adjustable springs for the BMW M2 allow for continuous lowering of 15 – 30 millimeters at the front axle and 5 – 20 millimeters at the rear axle.

Car enthusiasts who buy a BMW M3 or BMW M4 demand nothing less than exceptional driving dynamics. A similar level of fervor can be witnessed among BMW M2 enthusiasts. Within the M community, our Street Performance KW V3 and KW V4 coilover suspension kits hold strong appeal, along with the recently introduced KW Clubsport suspension kits featuring cutting-edge upside-down strut technology (inverted design) from our esteemed Track Performance range.

Already a classic in the KW suspension lineup: the KW V3

Our KW V3 coilover suspension kit combines the best of both worlds: driving dynamics and comfort at a compelling price-performance ratio. While many suspension manufacturers in the market focus solely on parallel damper tuning that adjusts both rebound and compression simultaneously from one knob on their street applications with adjustable dampers, we, on the other hand, take a more forward-thinking approach.

With the KW V3 dampers, the compression and rebound forces can be adjusted separately. Thus, everyone has the ability to fine-tune the damping for both compression stroke and rebound stroke independently to suit their own driving preferences optimally.

But the KW V3 coilover suspension kit can do much more, and that’s due to our valve setup within the dampers. The KW V3 is always built with a two-stage design: we utilize adjustable low-speed valves as well as non-adjustable high-speed valves.

Rebound damping has a significant impact on the connection of the chassis to the road and, above all, the handling. With 16 clicks, the low-speed rebound valve can be further closed or opened.

The preconfigured setup is always delivered in the “middle” setting. Unaffected by this is the high-speed rebound valve and the compression damping. We refer to this technology as “TVR-A or Twin-Valve-Rebound-Adjustable.”

With the ergonomically shaped adjustment wheels, the compression damping (twelve clicks) can be easily adjusted to fine-tune not only the steering response but also the pitching, rolling, and body movement during compression of the BMW M2. The baseline compression setting here is also preset to the “mid” position, and we refer to the valve technology as “TVC-A or Twin-Valve-Compression-Adjustable.”

For those who prefer a simpler explanation, you could look at it this way. Even though there are no electronics or sensors involved in the valve technology of our KW V3 coilover suspension, our KW dampers are quite clever. The suspension reacts with different intensities depending on what you’re doing behind the wheel of your BMW M2 through the mechanical interaction of the high-speed and low-speed valves in both the compression and rebound damping.

The dampers “understand” whether the increase in damping force is due to the compressing stroke during steering or cornering, or if it’s caused by driving over a road bump. For every adjustable KW coilover suspension kit, the pre-set setup is configured in our “Street Performance” dampers to be as firm as necessary while maintaining as much comfort as possible.

So why would someone need a KW V4 coilover suspension kit for the road?

Many people often believe that three-way adjustable suspensions would be complete overkill, and you wouldn’t get much use out of this “over-engineering” on the street. However, this is not at all the case. With a three-way adjustable damper, the compromise between ride comfort and on-road performance is even smaller.

This is also one of the reasons why, for instance, BMW M chose to use our three-way independently adjustable damper technology for the BMW M4 GTS, and why some other “sports cars” from various automakers are equipped either from the factory or as an option with our KW V4 technology, even though these vehicles are not race cars and have no intention of being so.

The technology we’ve developed, known as TVCLH-A (Twin Valve Compression Low Highspeed-Adjustable), allows for a certain degree of separate fine-tuning of slow and fast wheel acceleration inputs during compression (compression damping). This reduces the compromise for achieving perfect handling even further.

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In simpler terms: the high-speed setting is responsible for road conditions, while the low-speed setting is for the driver. Typical high-speed inputs include uneven asphalt surfaces or transverse joints, whereas low-speed inputs are usually related to steering and braking inputs.

With the KW V4 coilover suspension for the BMW M2, you can achieve greater body support by adjusting the low-speed compression damping setting (13 clicks) firmer, which reduces pitching and rolling further. Conversely, you can soften the high-speed compression damping setting (13 clicks), for instance, when navigating through winding roads like the “Zillertaler Höhenstraße” or the “Gaviapass” during a road trip in the Alps. Regardless of the separate low-speed and high-speed compression damping adjustments, the KW V4 also allows for low-speed rebound damping (16 clicks) adjustments to enhance the handling.

To some extent, the KW V4 coilover suspension allows you to drive sportively while simultaneously enhancing handling and body support, and even selectively improving ride comfort. Audi showcased the capabilities of such a suspension, despite its primarily designed for road use, in the current Audi RS4 Avant. This model offers the optional “Competition Plus” (click for more information) package, which includes a threeway-adjustable coilover suspension kit.

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Before we forget to mention, we are using our new valve setting with the KW V4 coilover suspension for the BMW M2 (G87). For this reason, the KW V4 for the M2 no longer has a compensating reservoir, and the clicks have also been modified.

Track Performance for Everyone: The KW V4 Clubsport and KW V5 Clubsport with Parts Certification

But it’s not just the KW V4 coilover suspension that features a new design; even in our KW Clubsport coilover systems available for the BMW M2 (G87), we utilize a completely new structure.

We have been closely collaborating with the BMW M Motorsport department for several years, and our participation in motorsport directly contributes to the advancement of our suspension systems for the independent aftermarket. There are no other coilover suspension systems with parts certification that come closer to the world of motorsport than our new KW V4 Clubsport and KW V5 Clubsport coilover suspension kits. Period.

For example, the new KW V4 Clubsport coilover suspension shares components with the official motorsport damper utilized in the BMW M4 GT4. The notable distinction lies in the fact that the Clubsport coilover suspension offers the flexibility to adjust three parameters for damper tuning, whereas GT4 regulations permit adjustments in only two parameters.

Due to regulations, GT4 racing cars are allowed to be adjusted in only two parameters, whereas the KW V4 Clubsport suspension, with its racing heritage, can be fine-tuned independently and individually in terms of damping characteristics, much like a KW V4 “Street Performance” coilover suspension, in high-speed compression, low-speed compression, and low-speed rebound.

However, we won’t delve into the damper tuning right now; you can find a few background stories on the KW automotive blog. What’s special about the new KW V4 Clubsport for the BMW M2 is that we are now paying much more attention to lateral forces.

In most modern vehicles, automotive manufacturers use MacPherson strut suspensions rather than double-wishbone suspensions. The MacPherson struts also serve the purpose of guiding the wheels. However, those who regularly drive their sports cars or track tools on racetracks know that during “sporty” operations, much greater forces come into play, and wear and tear on the car can be overwhelming.

As modern automobiles become faster and, regrettably, heavier, the forces involved in high-speed cornering maneuvers at circuits like Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, Circuit Paul Ricard, Fuji Speedway, Hockenheimring, Laguna Seca Raceway, Nordschleife, Sachsenring, or wherever your track day adventures take you, are significantly increased. To prevent a conventional MacPherson strut from becoming a limiting factor in your long-term track day enjoyment, we equip our new Clubsport suspensions for current vehicle models in an “upside-down configuration” (unique KW design of an inverted monotube).

What some “forum engineers” often refer to as the piston rod in upside-down suspensions is actually the cylinder tube that houses the actual damper. During compression, this cylinder tube enters the strut housing. In the case of an “inverted-monotube-design” MacPherson strut, you won’t see the piston rod at all. Compared to typical road suspensions, the internal components of the damper are also inverted.

What makes our KW V4 Clubsport coilover suspensions for the new BMW M2 (G87) so exceptional are our 40mm spherical bearing cartridges, just like the ones we use in motorsport applications. This construction method enables the Clubsport coilover suspension at the front axle to withstand even extreme lateral forces.

The damping forces at the front strut are generated by the working piston, as well as the low-speed and high-speed compression valves in the reservoir. To finely tune the setup for each track profile, there are a total of 16 clicks available for rebound damping, 13 clicks for high-speed compression damping, and 14 clicks for low-speed compression damping. Additionally, the position-independent reservoir allows for adjustment of the gas pressure volume.

An external compensation reservoir is not needed for the rear shock absorber, and the shock absorber is not constructed in an “upside-down” design here. The independently adjustable high-speed and low-speed compression valves are located on the side of the shock absorber.

As mentioned earlier, we indicated that with the new KW Clubsport generation, we are aligning even closer with our motorsport suspensions. Need proof? The spherical-bearing Clubsport top mounts are identical, one-to-one, to those we use in the BMW M4 GT4. When installed, they are secured to the stock body attachment points.

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While the KW V4 Clubsport is already a great option, there are track day enthusiasts who demand even more. It’s for this dedicated group that we’ve introduced the KW V5 Clubsport coilover suspension. Simply put, this suspension brings the current DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters) suspension technology into your car, specifically for the BMW M2 (G87) in this case.

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Just like in our KW V5 coilover suspension kit, we also use our solid piston technology in the KW V5 Clubsport coilover suspension kit and in our V5 Racing and V6 Racing applications.

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The BMW M4 GT3 race car employs double wishbone suspension arms, and this is one of the factors contributing to the compact design of the aluminum-constructed KW V6 Racing dampers.

The difference in our coilover suspension systems with solid piston design compared to well-known single-tube and twin-tube dampers is that the compression and rebound valves are no longer located directly in the working piston, and the working piston is no longer cross-flowed. They have been removed from the working chamber and are housed in a separate casing.

In the KW V5, the working piston is no longer cross-flowed but displaces the entire hydraulic or damper fluid towards the valves. However, this valve housing has nothing to do with a piggyback or external reservoir. The brilliance of dampers following the displacement principle lies in the fact that they can work with much higher forces through the hydraulic system of the shock absorber.

Depending on the configuration, our solid piston shocks can produce a broad spectrum of damping forces, ranging from 1,000 Newtons to 12,000 Newtons, with a piston rod speed of 0.5 meters per second. To put it simply, when you outfit your vehicle with a KW V5 Clubsport coilover suspension, your car and tires establish a direct, enhanced connection with the road, maximizing the tire contact patch.

One can hardly believe it themselves when they’ve just driven flat out through the sector “MUTKURVE” at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. For those who still can’t quite picture what we mean, we recommend simply watching the onboard YouTube video above. There, a BMW M3 (E36) equipped with a four-way adjustable KW V5 Racing coilover suspension completes the BTG in 7:11 minutes, with the engine power of the stripped-down M3 slightly enhanced only by an airbox modification.

Our new Clubsport coilover suspensions deliver plenty of high cornering speeds and are essentially only surpassed by our KW Racing Motorsport suspensions. However, we genuinely recommend the latter primarily to Nürburgring enthusiasts who spend almost every weekend fine-tuning their lap times in the Green Hell with purebred track tools.

For all those wondering whether they should opt for a KW Clubsport coilover suspension or go straight for a motorsport suspension for their track tool, there’s a simple answer. If your track tool is still quite close to stock – in other words, you still want to drive the M2 in everyday life, and haven’t replaced the doors, hood, or trunk lid with lightweight components – then both Clubsport suspensions from us are the ideal means to improve your lap times.

However, if your M2 transforms into a true lightweight athlete, incorporating a roll cage and stripping it down, then there’s no way around a KW Racing suspension. In this case, it’s best to get in touch with our sales colleagues, and provide your axle and wheel loads, tire information, and where you intend to drive. We’ll then customize a truly tailored racing suspension for you.

According to the parts certificate, regardless of whether you are retrofitting a KW V3 coilover suspension, KW V4 coilover suspension, KW V4 Clubsport, or KW V5 Clubsport coilover suspension, you can adjust the front axle’s lowering from 20 to 35 millimeters. According to the certificate, a lowering of 15 to 30 millimeters is possible at the drive axle.

In our online shop, you’ll find, for selected vehicles, not only Clubsport suspensions and well-known coilover suspensions but also one or the other racing suspension for your track days. However, if you’re not sure, you can always reach out to our KW authorized dealers or contact our colleagues from KW Sales.

Photos by KW, various (Versus Performance, TVW Car Design, IND Distribution, BMW)