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      04-10-2021, 10:46 AM   #45
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Originally Posted by DistantTea View Post
I want something special. Either great luxury, great performance or great looks. I seem to keep buying the "best all-around" which means it's mediocre in all of those corners of the special-triangle.

And I still hate my steering with a passion. I don't know guys... I think I might just be done with it.
Similar story here with a 2015 M235i. My first BMW. Best car I had ever owned. Loved it to pieces. Until the 2016 M2 came out. I had M2 envy bad after that and never got over it. I wanted those fender flares and bulges. I wanted an LSD (and yes, like XutvJet said, I could have added it later, but it still wouldn't have been an M2). Mine was just as nice as it ever was, but to me it was no longer special with the existence of the M2.

In 2018, I had to part ways with the 235. But it didn't seem worth it to upgrade to a 2018 M2 for $25K, when I basically already had about 90% of the performance. So I went in a different direction and got the Camaro 2SS 1LE. Satisfied the performance need for sure with 455/455 hp/torque, 6-speed manual, magnetic shocks, dual mode exhaust, 285/305 staggered R-compound tires - all stock. It also seemed very special indeed and drew all kinds of attention from the looks and the sound.

But now, like the OP, I have learned I really did like the 2 series - I just had the wrong one - and now have an M2C on order. That will fix the ergonomic issues with the Camaro and I won't be losing much of the performance or features either (except for the beloved HUD - why doesn't the M2 have one?!)
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      04-10-2021, 09:30 PM   #46
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Originally Posted by wjones14 View Post
But now, like the OP, I have learned I really did like the 2 series - I just had the wrong one - and now have an M2C on order. That will fix the ergonomic issues with the Camaro and I won't be losing much of the performance or features either (except for the beloved HUD - why doesn't the M2 have one?!)
I know exactly how you feel here. My dealer called and said they had a build slot for an M2C and I got really excited because I just wanted to order what I wanted from the factory. Dealers here tend to order M2s with $15k in carbon fiber add-ons for some reason. I ended up passing on the slot because I think it will be fun to build my car up a little and it will be faster than an M2C (until I have to turn I guess).
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      04-15-2021, 01:47 PM   #47
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STI versus BMW's

IMO the STI is better on paper than as a daily driver. We had one of the first new STI's back around 2009 and it was overwhelming in its steering and handling. Plenty of power but not so much fun to drive. Have they fixed those problems since, I don't know. Felt very plasticky too. Sold it and bought a 3 year old 335i which was a much better driver. We tend to keep cars for 2 to 3 years (stupid I know) so after the 335i moved on to a S4 manual. Now we have a 435i GC which is an amazing car and just yesterday picked up a 2018 240i coupe. So love the B58, didn't find exactly what I wanted but closes enough. Have my 2014 X1 to sell now as well as our extra car, a 2010 Mini.

But I digress. I'm just so excited to drive my new car. Off I go on the windy road out to Pt Reyes Station, not too far north of the GG Bridge. Weeeee!!!
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      04-15-2021, 02:06 PM   #48
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Quote:
Originally Posted by moya7 View Post
Off I go on the windy road out to Pt Reyes Station
Via Sir Francis Drake Blvd or Hwy 1?
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      04-15-2021, 06:22 PM   #49
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Smile 240i

SFD of course as I live in Lagunitas! The drive through the redwoods is awesome as long as you don't get stuck behind someone else. Had some good open road today so I was able to really punch it.

I just picked her up yesterday and her cute little self is sitting in my garage calling my name. Its starting to look like a used car lot at the top of our little road, I need to sell a couple cars now.
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      04-15-2021, 06:33 PM   #50
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Originally Posted by moya7 View Post
SFD of course as I live in Lagunitas!
Yes...FTW, on both counts...so stop bragging, already!
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      04-17-2021, 03:51 AM   #51
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OK, now I need suggestions on what I need to do to get a more "rumbly" engine sound. One of the things I like better about the M2, and why I haven't gone electric.
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      04-17-2021, 06:23 AM   #52
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Enjoyed the thread. Interesting perspectives all. My two cents.....I owned 5 Porsche Caymans-08 Cayman S, 2012 Cayman R, 2014 Cayman, 2016 Cayman 2019 Cayman. I loved driving these cars but I needed to get something that had a bigger storage capacity and back seat. I went with a 2018 330i. I did a few changes but never warmed to the car. I just last week was able to get a CPO 2018 M240i. While not my Caymans, I am thus far extremely happy to be back in a car that accelerates, brakes, and handles well and can carry occassional passengers and luggage et al. Only planned changes are M Performance Exhaust (put a Dinan on the 330i and the Caymans had the Sport Exhaust w/valves......).
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      04-22-2021, 02:08 PM   #53
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I lied. It's being traded in.

I can't live with this steering and it cannot be fixed.
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      04-22-2021, 02:35 PM   #54
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Traded in for what?
No, there is no real way to fix the steering, but I am curious as to what vehicle is out there whose steering is so much better that it is worth the cost.
Or maybe there is no price that can be put on good steering.
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      04-22-2021, 02:53 PM   #55
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      04-22-2021, 02:55 PM   #56
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Quote:
Originally Posted by moya7 View Post
OK, now I need suggestions on what I need to do to get a more "rumbly" engine sound. One of the things I like better about the M2, and why I haven't gone electric.
A dual resonator delete did wonders for my car's sound without adding drone.
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      04-22-2021, 03:17 PM   #57
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Quote:
Originally Posted by morphomeman View Post
Traded in for what?
No, there is no real way to fix the steering, but I am curious as to what vehicle is out there whose steering is so much better that it is worth the cost.
Or maybe there is no price that can be put on good steering.
To be clear I believe there to be an actual problem with my electric steering rack that is not indictive of all M240s. I have a deadspot at zero that is about two inches of travel, a hard start after that of resistance and then a harder spot where the heavy resistance of sport and sport+ start. Been to two dealers for a total of three times about it and they tell me its normal and they cannot reproduce... even though it's like that all the time and is extra pronounced in Sport+. Whatever.

Maybe an M2C. Maybe a Cayman. Maybe a miata and a lot of track time... who knows. I have a couple months to make up my mind.
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      04-22-2021, 06:08 PM   #58
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DistantTea View Post
I lied. It's being traded in.

I can't live with this steering and it cannot be fixed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DistantTea View Post
Maybe an M2C. Maybe a Cayman. Maybe a miata and a lot of track time... who knows. I have a couple months to make up my mind.
Remembering your issues with steering from the get-go, I'm not surprised you've chosen to throw in the towel. I think it's the smart thing to do.

Best of luck as you move forward; please share your replacement with us!

P.S. As a former track rat, I recommend highly the Miata with lots of track time route. Driving a handling track like Mid-O in a Miata looks like heaven to me. In my M240i with all my track-oriented mods...not nearly so much. As always, just my 2¢.
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      04-22-2021, 07:27 PM   #59
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DistantTea View Post
To be clear I believe there to be an actual problem with my electric steering rack that is not indictive of all M240s. I have a deadspot at zero that is about two inches of travel, a hard start after that of resistance and then a harder spot where the heavy resistance of sport and sport+ start. Been to two dealers for a total of three times about it and they tell me its normal and they cannot reproduce... even though it's like that all the time and is extra pronounced in Sport+. Whatever.
Did you have the alignment checked?

The M2 lower control arm mod is reputed to fix this problem. While that won't fit on your AWD, it seems to me that the only thing that mod does which could affect the dead spot on centre is increase the (negative) camber 1/2 degree. (The bushing might be stiffer as well, but that should improve only transient response.)

It appears from reading many threads on steering that the dead spot varies from car to car. My own experience - my RWD has about half the size of dead spot as yours, whereas the AWD I test drove had none at all. The issue is probably variations in the steering rack, as you suggest, but the other possibility is that cars with the dead spot have camber set near the positive limit of the range.
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      04-23-2021, 08:05 AM   #60
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Originally Posted by albertw View Post
Did you have the alignment checked?

The M2 lower control arm mod is reputed to fix this problem. While that won't fit on your AWD, it seems to me that the only thing that mod does which could affect the dead spot on centre is increase the (negative) camber 1/2 degree. (The bushing might be stiffer as well, but that should improve only transient response.)

It appears from reading many threads on steering that the dead spot varies from car to car. My own experience - my RWD has about half the size of dead spot as yours, whereas the AWD I test drove had none at all. The issue is probably variations in the steering rack, as you suggest, but the other possibility is that cars with the dead spot have camber set near the positive limit of the range.
I did find LCAs by another company that fit but this is 100% for sure the electric rack. The alignment was checked first. I drove a RWD car that didn't have the issue but I also drove an xdrive as a loaner that felt different... not great but different. I spend a lot of time on the highway and constantly juggling the wheel just got too old.
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      04-23-2021, 08:13 AM   #61
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dradernh View Post
P.S. As a former track rat, I recommend highly the Miata with lots of track time route. Driving a handling track like Mid-O in a Miata looks like heaven to me. In my M240i with all my track-oriented mods...not nearly so much. As always, just my 2¢.
Mid-Ohio lapping days is exactly why I'm considering a Miata! I could run it once a month and bring that joy into my life for so cheap and still have a car to take into the mountains for a short trip. It's a serious consideration as a second car.
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      04-23-2021, 02:01 PM   #62
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DistantTea View Post
To be clear I believe there to be an actual problem with my electric steering rack that is not indictive of all M240s. I have a deadspot at zero that is about two inches of travel, a hard start after that of resistance and then a harder spot where the heavy resistance of sport and sport+ start. Been to two dealers for a total of three times about it and they tell me its normal and they cannot reproduce... even though it's like that all the time and is extra pronounced in Sport+. Whatever.
This makes me think the cap on the steering rack gear is too tight. If the plate is too tight, it makes the steering tight, dead, and wonky, just as you're describing.

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1603926
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      04-28-2021, 08:41 PM   #63
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This thread is ironic for me as I'm back to this site after being gone for about a year. Last spring at this time, I sold my 1 year old M240 AT AWD vert because I was worried about losing my job and having the economy tank and decided I didn't want a car payment anymore. Our family of 3 drivers actually was down to 1 car for a month, because we weren't going anywhere at the time. I loved my car but really missed the manual transmission and had doubts about the AWD. Also had it in black and I can't stand a dirty car. It was a real point of frustration for me.

After it was apparent, I wasn't losing my job, I decided to buy a Miata for the remainder of the summer. What I enjoy most about the Miata is the manual transmission and the feeling of being in a go-cart. After that, the car has become slightly blah to me. I really wish there was something reasonable I could do to make it faster. People talk about the handling but I have more opportunity on my drives to use acceleration than I do to use handling potential.

We've finally had a couple of nice days in Michigan to put the top down and enjoy the Miata. But even so, it's just not doing it for me. To the point that I went and drove a used Boxster earlier this week. The base Boxster really didn't add much over the Miata. It just felt slightly bigger and much heavier. I would definitely have to get into an "S" if I was going that route.

So now I've snuck back to "2addicts" to lurk around and see if I might see that perfect M240 vert with a MT, RWD and LSD in gray, blue or orange. (Sorry I don't remember the proper color names anymore.) We'll see what happens...
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      04-29-2021, 07:04 AM   #64
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The M240i xDrive is officially gone. The support vehicle (and new DD), a Forester Sport, is in the garage letting it's ceramic coating cure.

Now I'll start shopping for the right fun car. I'm still swaying towards the miata simply because I want to get as much race time in as possible this year. Other than the BRZ/86 I don't know of any other RWD manual car that I could track as much as the miata with such a small amount of modifications. If I do it right I can pounce around in CS autocross as well.

But until then... DUDES, the stereo in the forester is so good.
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      04-29-2021, 01:14 PM   #65
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For the maximum amount of track time vs dollars spent, a Miata is an excellent choice and the best choice. The aftermarket is limitless. I work on my two friends Flying Miata turboed Miata NBs all the time. So as long as you can past the fact these are cheap cars and when you modify them, any civility they have in stock form goes out the window, then it is a good choice.

I was dead set on getting either an NC or ND Miata (with the latest motor). I'm now likely going to get a 2003-2004 C5 Z06. It's basically a Miata on steroids and easy to work on as well. I'll keep the M235 as my daily.
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      04-29-2021, 11:36 PM   #66
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Quote:
Originally Posted by XutvJet View Post
I'm now likely going to get a 2003-2004 C5 Z06. It's basically a Miata on steroids and easy to work on as well.
Although the C5 Z06 can be a great track car, there are a number of weak points that need to be addressed for harder track use. My son and I did some mods on his car, taking it to 395whp with a high lift cam (needs new rocker arms too if this is done), lower diff ratio and a strengthened transmission. The diff and transmission would normally hit critical oil temperatures after 15mins of hard lapping and needed coolers added. The stock brakes with upgraded pads lines and fluid also only lasted about the same time after adding cooling ducts and really needed an upgraded brake setup such as from AP.

We also upgraded the clutch to an LS6 unit, the stock one was weak and we found the original clutch had likely exploded, due to a hole in the bell housing that we had to weld up, the service records had shown it being replaced at about 40,000km.

In terms of working on the car, it was easier to remove the body to do the driveline upgrades, as there are generally clearance and accessibility issues otherwise.
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