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With the F87 M2 suspension upgrades covered in this guide, your BMW will understeer less, generate more mid-corner grip, and put its power down more effectively. Braking stability and steering feedback will also be greatly improved.
In this M2 suspension upgrades guide, we’ll detail the F87’s handling weaknesses and reveal which suspension upgrades are most effective at fixing them. We’ll also explain which Suspension Secrets handling packages are best suited for fast road and track driving.
Model Overview
The BMW F87 M2 Coupe arrived in 2015 and remained in production until 2018, when it was replaced by the sharper M2 Competition. The original ‘OG’ car uses a 370hp/465Nm 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six engine, giving it a 0-62mph time of 4.3 seconds when fitted with the optional seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.
Underneath, the M2 uses a double-joint spring strut front axle and five-link rear axle, with plenty of aluminium hardware carried over from the larger M3 and M4. It also came with fixed M suspension, an Active M Differential and electro-mechanical M Servotronic steering. Standard wheels were 19-inch items, measuring 9J at the front and 10J at the rear, with 245/35ZR19 and 265/35ZR19 tyres respectively.
Launched in 2018, the M2 Competition brought the S55 twin-turbo straight-six from the M3 and M4, lifting output to 410hp and 550Nm. The limited-run M2 CS followed in 2020 with 450hp, Adaptive M suspension, carbon fibre bodywork, revised aerodynamics, forged 19-inch wheels and optional carbon ceramic brakes.
M2 Handling Issues
The F82 M2 suspension provides safe handling on the road to accommodate a range of driving abilities. This setup means significant handling potential and driver engagement goes untapped.
Common complaints:
- Steering low on feedback
- Mid-corner understeer
- No front camber adjustment
- Limited rear camber adjustment
- Rubber bushings causing instability
However, handling can be dramatically improved with a range of bolt-on Suspension Secrets upgrades that require no changes to bodywork.
Common Handling Problems (And How to Fix Them)
The F87 M2's suspension settings are applied to deliver understeer at the limit. While safe, this compromises driver confidence and engagement.
The most effective fixes are:
1. Increasing front camber to reduce understeer
2. Improving rear toe control to enhance traction
3. Lowering the centre of gravity to reduce pitch and roll
4. Correcting geometry with a professional alignment
Together, these upgrades completely transform how the M2 responds to steering, braking and throttle inputs.
Suspension Geometry & Alignment Setup (Top Tip)
A full suspension geometry alignment is essential after installing new suspension parts.
By correctly adjusting camber, toe, and caster (where available), alignment ensures you maximise grip, stability, and tyre life.
Benefits of Professional M2 Geometry Setup
- Sharper steering response
- Increased cornering grip
- Improved rear traction
- Enhanced braking stability
A professional alignment is the single most cost-effective handling upgrade you can make.
Essential Suspension Upgrades for BMW F87 M2
These are the best suspension upgrades for the BMW F87 M2, offering the greatest performance gains per pound. They also form the foundation of all Suspension Secrets handling packages.
Lowering Springs
Aftermarket lowering springs are a superb first suspension mod for the F87 M2.
Benefits:
- Lowered centre of gravity
- Less brake dive and acceleration squat
- Reduced body roll
- Improved aesthetics and wheelarch fitment
Lowering springs are typically stiffer than OEM springs, which actually improves refinement by reducing BMW’s characteristic suspension crashiness.
They also introduce a positive rake angle (lower front ride height than rear), which:
- Improves braking stability
- Enhances turn-in response
Adjustable Camber & Caster Plates
A lack of factory camber adjustment is the primary cause of the F87 M2's understeer.
Adjustable camber plates allow additional negative camber to be dialled in, significantly improving front-end grip and steering feel.
Why Camber Plates Matter on the F87 M2
- Reduce understeer
- Sharpen turn-in
- Increase steering feedback
- Improve tyre wear on track
Suspension Secrets Adjustable Camber & Caster Plates also increase caster angle, providing dynamic camber gain as steering lock is applied. High-performance Rodobal bearings improve damper response, while toothed adjustment slots prevent settings from slipping under hard use.
These camber plates work perfectly with standard dampers, lowering springs, or coilovers.
Adjustable Rear Toe Arms
With the F87 M2's main front suspension issue addressed, attention must turn to the rear axle.
During extensive road and track testing, we identified rear toe instability as the main cause of traction loss and rear-end nervousness on corner exit.
Suspension Secrets Adjustable Rear Toe Arms offer:
- Greater adjustment range than OEM arms
- Independent optimisation of camber and toe
- Solid mounting to eliminate flex under load
Unlike the rubber‑bushed factory arms, our solid-mounted toe arms maintain consistent geometry during acceleration and high-speed cornering.
Suspension Packages Explained
If you’re ready to take handling to the next level, Suspension Secrets offers a range of complete M2 suspension packages for road and track use.
CS+ Handling Pack 1 (Fast Road)
Designed to fix the F87 M2’s biggest handling weaknesses, the CS+ Handling Pack delivers exceptional value.
Includes:
- Adjustable Camber & Caster Plates
- Adjustable Rear Toe Arms
This package provides more camber and caster adjustment than BMW’s own CS/CSL upgrades, significantly reducing understeer while improving rear stability.
Best for: Fast road and occasional track use
Handling Pack 2 (Clubsport)
Handling Pack 2 is a comprehensive Fast Road/Track solution with optional coilovers or lowering springs.
Includes:
- Adjustable Camber & Caster Plates
- Front & Rear Drop Links
- Adjustable Rear Toe Arms (with lockout kit)
- Solid Front Control Arm Bushes
- Choice of 1.5/2-way Coilovers
- Eibach Anti-Roll Bars
Best for: Enthusiast road drivers and fast road/track combination
Handling Pack 3 (Track)
Designed for drivers seeking maximum adjustability with minimal NVH increase, Handling Pack 3 focuses heavily on rear traction and precision.
Includes:
-
Choice of 3-way Coilovers
- Eibach Anti-Roll Bars
- Adjustable Rear Toe Arms
- Adjustable Rear Camber Arms
- Adjustable Rear Traction Arms
- Off-centre Caster Control Arm Bushes
- Solid Rear Control Arm Bushes
- Front And Rear Drop Links
Best for: Regular track driving
Full Kinematics Kit
Manufactured exclusively by Suspension Secrets, this package is the ultimate solution for serious F87 M2 track builds.
Includes:
- Adjustable Rear Toe Arms
- Adjustable Rear Camber Arms
- Adjustable Rear Traction Arms
- Solid Rear Control Arm Bushes
- Solid Front Offset Caster Bushes
Best for: Dedicated track cars and competition use
BMW F87 M2 Suspension FAQ
What are the main handling weaknesses of the F87 M2?
The BMW F87 M2 are set up to understeer at the limit for safety. This results in reduced front-end grip, limited camber adjustment, muted steering feedback, and rear-end instability under hard acceleration.
What is the most effective upgrade to reduce understeer?
Increasing front negative camber with adjustable camber and caster plates is the most effective fix. It improves mid-corner grip, sharpens turn-in response, and significantly enhances steering feel.
Why are adjustable rear toe arms important?
The factory rubber-bushed rear toe arms allow unwanted movement under load. Upgrading to solid, adjustable rear toe arms improves traction, stabilises the rear axle on corner exit, and makes power delivery more predictable.
Do lowering springs improve handling or just aesthetics?
Lowering springs do far more than improve appearance. By reducing the centre of gravity and introducing a slight positive rake, they improve braking stability, reduce body roll, and enhance front-end response.
Is a professional geometry alignment really necessary?
Yes. A professional suspension geometry setup ensures camber, toe, and caster are optimised after installing new parts. It is the most cost-effective way to maximise grip, stability, steering precision, and tyre life.
Tested and developed by Suspension Secrets through extensive road and track evaluation, these BMW F87 M2 suspension upgrades unlock a new level of handling performance.