By now, most people in the industry have seen our G87 M2 finished in PTS Auratium Green, but far fewer know the story and compressed timeline behind this award-winning build. Our objective was to debut the project at the CSF Bimmer Invasion industry night in Los Angeles, just two days before the show. What often goes unnoticed is that the entire build was completed in only four weeks. Of that time, the car spent twelve days in paint, leaving the IND team just sixteen days to complete all installations, final detailing, and prep before the M2 was loaded onto the transporter bound for LA.
Even before taking delivery from BMW, the plan was always to repaint the car. The initial G87 M2 launch vehicles arrived in Zandvoort Blue, which is an excellent factory color, but as many already know, IND has a long-standing appreciation for BMW Individual finishes as well as rare Porsche PTS colors, especially historic greens.
This same G87 M2 originally debuted at Bimmer Invasion LA in 2023. While the car took home awards in its factory color, we knew much larger plans were developing behind the scenes. As with most projects, timing was critical. We also did not want the M2 sidelined for an extended period, as the G87 chassis was still new and we were actively testing and validating every component added to our catalog. Making sure new G87 M2 owners were not left guessing when selecting parts was a priority from day one.
Between product development, real-world testing, and supporting our manufacturing partners as new components came to market, the transformation had to be shelved until the timing aligned. The first phase of our G87 M2 was not meant to be overshadowed, especially given how many firsts this car represented. It completed the first independent dyno run on a G87 M2 in North America. It was the first G87 M2 in the world fitted with G82 M4 CSL front seats. It debuted the first Alpha-N G87 M2 aero kit in North America, the first Eisenmann exhaust outside of Germany, and the first Eventuri intake on a G87 M2 in North America.
Suspension development was another key focus. We began with the KW HAS kit, creating install guides and documenting ride height changes across different spacer configurations. From there, we moved to the KW V4 Clubsport 3-Way system. The adjustability of the V4s allowed us to explore more aggressive wheel fitments while dialing in camber and ride height. With the updated suspension, we became the first G87 M2 to run a 305 tire square setup front and rear.
That change coincided with the debut of the HRE 528M. The 528M holds a special place at IND, as many on our team currently own or have owned an E36 M3. The wheel design is a modern interpretation of the factory BMW DS2 Style 39, making it a natural pairing for the car. Given that we were already running a rear wing that paid homage to the E36 M3 era, the HREs completed the package perfectly.
Photos of our G87 M2 running KW V4 Clubsport 3-Way suspension with a 305 square setup on 19-inch HRE 528Ms.
Previous Posts in the G87 M2 Journey
For anyone who has not followed the full progression of this G87 M2, below are links to previous blog posts documenting the journey:
- IND’s Journey to Bimmer Invasion L.A. and the West Coast Road Trip Home
- IND’s Journey to Bimmer Invasion L.A. and the West Coast Road Trip Home (duplicate link)
- M-Pact Motorsport Festival: Best in Show Vendor
- Bimmer Invasion LA: IND’s G87 M2 Debut
- IND Auratium Green BMW G87 M2 Portfolio Build
- Auratium Sunrise: IND’s G87 M2
As interest in the G87 M2 continued to grow and we moved into 2025, the urge to tear the car down and begin the next phase returned. As is often the case, day-to-day operations and new projects pushed the build to the back burner once again. When the schedule finally cleared for paint work, we were left with just four weeks before the car had to be on the truck to Los Angeles.
Meeting that deadline required careful planning, long hours, and weekends, all while maintaining normal business operations. The team came together seamlessly, much like the car itself. Not only was the M2 completed in time for transport, it also went on to take Best in Show at Bimmer Invasion LA.
More recently, Keith had the opportunity to photograph the M2 in the Motive Archive studio. The full studio environment allowed us to highlight the finer details of the build, details that are often overlooked in passing.
Teardown Before Paint
Fresh Out of Paint
