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G87 M2 Project Car
Follow along as we build a new G87 M2 from an already impressive street car into a seriously awesome track-day car.
We bought a car… And we started to track our car… And now we want to go faster! It's a familiar story and one that we are all too happy to engage in (plus it puts a roof over our heads). With our G87 M2 project car we are aiming for in-between build. A car that eclipses the boutique builds in speed and performance but stops short of our no-holds-barred GTMore project. How far can we go while always being a socket set away from stock? Follow along as we explore the possibilities and capabilities of the G87 (and G80/G82) platform.
By the way, a lot of this build will also apply to F8X owners. The platforms are very similar and our approach will fit nicely with a lot of F8X owners looking to have a more-capable track car.
Video: Intro
Hot Wheels: TA55 Forged 19" Wheels for G87, G80, G82
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The TA55 is our latest forged wheel design for M2/M3/M4. Our forged wheel line utilizes the most advanced wheel design and manufacturing techniques available in the world. This is one of the few forged wheels manufactured with an astonishing 10,000 ton press starting with T6061 aluminum. Our wheels are then shot-peened and heat-treated. This produces a wheel that is extremely strong and resilient. Additional machining and innovation is done to optimize weight without subtracting strength. Our wheels undergo FEA analysis, testing under VIA, JWL, and SAE standards, and real-world abuse both on and off the track.
The TA55 wheel employs a visually striking “5 by 5” star-spoke design. It's a slim 5-spoke overlaid another broader 5-spoke design. To reach the extremely low offsets of the G8X the wheel center has a pronounced concave inset with dramatically curved spokes. Additional material has been added to the inner rim lip to enhance rigidity for use with super low profile tires and the thrashing typical of pounding curbs on a racetrack, or daily street obstacles.
Upgrade: MCS G8X 3-Way Adjustable Coilovers
What coil overs should we install on our G87? Or G82 or G80? What is the best coilover kit for the G8X? When we take on a new project and acquire a new test car we're faced with the same questions and internal debate as our customers. We also work within a budget. Ultimately, it depends on what our intended use is, how long are we keeping it, and what the project goals are likely to be (even when undefined at the start). And some consideration for the budget. BUT we only want to buy coilovers once. Not two or three times as the project evolves. That means spending more money upfront to get to the suspension we ultimately want.
Motion Control Suspension (MCS) has a path to upgrade their dampers as your project evolves. A single-adjustable 1-way non-remote damper can be built into a 3-way remote quite easily since most of the internals of a 1-way damper are the same. A 2-way non-remote is different and cannot be upgraded. But we don't want to buy two suspensions as our project evolves so we plan to spend a more upfront and get the coilover kit that will stay with the car for all of its iterations - the MCS 3-way Remote.
This is a triple-adjustable damper set - independent adjustments for high-speed compression, low-speed compression, and rebound. It's a fantastic tuning multi-tool that lets us make a lot of changes for the various products we're testing, including aero. The ultimate goal is to have 1-way, 2-way, or even 3-way remote coilover packages for our G8X customers that are based on actual track testing.
Want to know more about setting up a G87, G82, or G80 for the track? Have your own questions or debate on the coilovers we sell? Reach out to us via email, chat, or phone and we'll be happy to assist!
Video: G8X Mesh Screens for Front Grilles
Zunsport creates the best solution on the market for adding some much needed protection while also adding some cosmetic appeal as well if you ask us. For the G87 M2 Zunsport offers a full protection kit of 5 grilles + Oil cooler grille to fully protect the extremely expensive and fairly fragile coolers that have little to no protection from the factory. The install of all six grilles literally takes less than 10 mins and requires very basic tools. In those few minutes you are saving yourself from a rock, road debris, or tire marble at the track from ruining your day and leaving you with an avoidable and pricey cooler fix.
Links to More Info & Shop:
Video: G87 Carbon Front Lip, Rear Diffuser, Rain Light
Ahead of our car's SEMA debut we want to spice up the exterior a bit and still stay within the car's theme of a dual-purpose track/street car. So no aero that is too over the top but would instead enhance the car's lines and add to the style rather than overtake it. The perfect rationale for installing Suvneer carbon fiber front lip, rear lip spoiler, and rear carbon diffuser. And while we're at it, because safety is paramount, a Lifeline Rain Light (also because it fits perfectly in the Suvneer diffuser).
Titan7 TM-20 Wheels, Suvneer Carbon Aero, & Eisenmann Exhaust
Links to More Info & Shop:
Video: CSL-style Yellow DRLs (G87, G80, G82)
Transform the front of your G8X by changing out your daytime running light (DRL) LED boards to give them the yellow CSL style. A very quick and easy thing you can do to further personalize your G8X.
Links to More Info & Shop:
G8X Yellow DRLs
Video: 5x112 10mm Wheel Spacers
Our BimmerWorld 10mm Wheel Spacers are specifically designed to fit the segmented hubcentric lip on BMW G8X models - G87 M2, G80 M3, G82 M4, including xDrive cars. A 10mm was a tricky fit on the hub but we solved it by designing the spacer and lip as two pieces - the 10mm flat spacer and a NEW hubcentric lip that fits with the existing lip and locks in place between the tabs on the hub. This new lip has a surface area equal to the original so there won't be any interference or loss of surface area for your existing wheels.
Links to More Info & Shop:
Video: Baseline Lap Times at VIR
After a little bit of prep in the BimmerWorld shop we took our brand new G87 M2 to VIR for its first track day. And we are going about this project as systematic as possible, so the first day at the track was going to be setting a baseline lap time with it 100% stock. Stock power/tune, stock suspension, even stock brake pads and tires as delivered from the factory. From there we added a little bit of camber to the front with the help of Ground Control camber/caster plates and a set of PFC 331/332 brake pads. Everything else still 100% stock.
Links to More Info & Shop:
Video: CAN-based Data Vent Gauge for BMWs
We were pretty amazed at how powerful the CANchecked digital vent gauge was after installing it into our G87 M2 project car. Right before its first outing at the track we knew we wanted to be able to keep tabs on the car more in-depth than what the stock gauge cluster allows. With a fairly simple and straight-forward install you'll have full CAN data and more at your fingertips.
Links to More Info & Shop:
Video: Seats, Harnesses, and Bolt-In Rollbar in our G87
Our G87 M2 has been to the track already for a baseline and it was very apparent that the stock seats are not as good as a proper race seat for serious track use. Enter the brand new, OMP RT in carbon fiber with leather/alcantara accents. Along with the seats are a set of Lifeline USA Copse harnesses. Going one step farther we added a JP Marketing rollbar that we assisted in designing with safety being the most important aspect of course, but also not over-building a rollbar with additional tubing that just adds weight to an already very strong chassis. In the end, the massive weight savings from the OMP RT seats allowed us to add the rollbar and STILL lose weight overall from the car.
Links to More Info & Shop:
KMP Clubsport Steering Wheel for G87, G80, G82
We install a racing wheel with buttons into almost everything that goes on track. Why? Because it's a tool and it helps. There's nothing wrong with the stock wheel - until you're belted in the car and need to reach something out of reach. The G8X ergonomics are not as bad as in a F8X or E9X where the starter button feels like a mile away. But there is a lot that we want at our fingertips without having to take our hands off the wheel.
KMP offers a Pro-Line with real race buttons and a Clubsport wheel with many of the OE features front and center on the button panel. The wheel and buttons can be customized in a lot of ways. Our preferred layout includes: headlights, turn signals, M mode, horn, radio mode, pit lane limiter, and then navigation controls (+, -, and Set). The wheel can also be configured with shift lights. A pair of joystick controls at the bottom of the panel are also programmable.
The wheel includes a connection to the factory CAN-BUS wiring and your choice of steering column adapter (we went with a direct plug connection so no curly cable is visible). Spacers can also be added to improve the wheel position or clear other original equipment such as the turn signal or wiper stalks (there's a button available for that too).
This is a wheel that is functional and stylish. It's easy to use and gives us crucial features at our gloved fingertips. The stock wheel is a compromise in comparison.
Links to More Info & Shop:
Video: Alcon GT3 Brakes for G87, G80, G82
We worked hard along with Alcon to create this insane 390mm 6-piston front brake kit for the G8X chassis BMW. Using the same technology and monoblock caliper design that was used in GT3 racing we are confident this brake kit will be the absolute best front brake kit on the market for those that are serious about tracking their G80 / G82 / G87.
Links to More Info & Shop:
Video: Hoosier Tires M2 at SEMA
We were super-excited when Hoosier Tire asked us to be involved with the launch of their new dual-personality 200TW tire - the TrackAttack Pro. We used these in 2023 for the One Lap of America in our M4 GTMore project. And dozens of our TA55 forged wheels were used for the press launch event in California. And to cap things off on this exciting tire Hoosier wanted our G87 M2 project car in their booth for the 2024 SEMA Show. We're big fans of this tire and wanted to pay tribute to its double-life on street and track.
More from SEMA (click for larger):
April 2025 Test at VIR
May 2025 Test at VIR
September 2025 Test at Mid-Ohio
Related G87, G80, G82 Content:
Video: G8X Magnetic Paddle Shifter Upgrade
Video: G8X Front Monoball Bushing Upgrade
Video: G8X Double-Adjustable Coilovers
Video: F8X (& G8X) Rear Alignment Must-Know
Video: F8X (& G8X) Axle Angle Fix
Video: G8X Brake Cooling Deflectors
Video: G87 M2 Weight Reduction
Video: G87 M2 Dyno & Track Prep
TO BE CONTINUED....
There's more to come! Bookmark this page, or better yet, subscribe to our Email Newsletter now and we'll send you periodic updates on our BimmerWorld Project Car transformations.
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