BMW F87 M2 Competition - From Standard to Full Show Build

BMW F87 M2 Competition - From Standard to Full Show Build

At Aero Elite we have the privilege of working on some incredible vehicles, with unique modification requests from time to time, but every now and then a car becomes something of a flagship build.

Jack's BMW F87 M2 Competition has evolved over several years through a series of carefully chosen modifications, combining performance upgrades, custom wheels, air suspension and a sea of carbon fibre parts.

What started as a completely original BMW M2 has gradually transformed into a show quality build, and we are proud to play a (large) part in that journey.

Below we take a look at the different stages of the build and the upgrades that brought the car to where it is today.

BMW F87 M2 Competition show car build before and after by Aero Elite

Stage 1: AirLift Performance Suspension

In October 2022, quite literally a week after Jack had purchased the car, he dropped it straight down to us, still in our previous premises. The build began with the installation of an Airlift Performance air suspension kit. At the time, this was to be the first ever M2 Competition on bags in the UK.

Air suspension allows the owner to:

  • Adjust ride height instantly from standard height, to completely on the floor.

  • Achieve an aggressive stance when parked

  • Maintain practicality for driving

At Aero Elite we regularly install AirLift Performance suspension systems for customers wanting the perfect balance between show stance and drivability.

BMW F87 M2 Competition with AirLift suspension installed by Aero Elite
Black BMW F87 M2 Competition aired out on AirLift Performance

Browse our massive range of Air Suspension Kits

Throwback to our previous workshop!

Stage 2: BBS Wheel Rebuild & Correction

The next step involved correcting a previous wheel refurbishment carried out elsewhere that unfortunately did not meet expectations. BBS LM are known for their motorsport like engravings and markings surrounding the PCD area which usually feature the BBS and JWL logo, and the spec of the wheel. 

Unfortunately the previous wheel refurbishment company sand blasted the LM faces which should be avoided at all costs due to these intricate details being lost by the harsh media. Acid dipping is the correct procedure to strip the previous finish. We managed to restore most of the stamps and logos by using a pick and dremel.

We also found the faces were not torqued to correct spec. Precision work like this is essential when dealing with high end multipiece wheels, where incorrect assembly can cause both cosmetic and structural issues.

Wheel Refurbishment & Rebuilding Services

As you can see, we managed to re-emphasise the logos and stampings.

Stage 3: Carbon Aero Styling

January 2023 saw the addition of the car’s first carbon fibre aero components, including:

  • CT Carbon Front splitter

  • CT Carbon Rear diffuser

  • CT Carbon Side skirts

  • CT Carbon Rear boot spoiler

Browse our CT Carbon product offering

Stage 4: Full Vehicle Wrap

In March 2023 the M2 received a striking orange wrap by our friends at GangstaWrap, dramatically changing the character of the vehicle and highlighting the aggressive body lines of the F87 chassis.

Custom wraps allow owners to experiment with bold colours without committing to permanent paint changes.

Stage 5: Carbon Front Wings & Interior Upgrades

April and May 2023 brought a number of upgrades that improved both the driving experience and interior aesthetic, including:

  • Half cage installation

  • Carbon front wings

  • Carbon & suede steering wheel

It was our first time supply & fitting these dry carbon vented front wings on an F87 M2, what we anticipated to be a major job, turned out to be a relatively straight forward like for like swap with incredible fitment quality which required absolutely minimal adjustments. 

Stage 6: Further Carbon Fibre Enhancements

The evolution of the build continued throughout 2023 and into 2024 with additional carbon upgrades including:

  • Carbon bootlid

  • Replacement carbon side skirts

  • Front bumper canards

Both the bootlid and the front canards were tricky to get perfect upgrades.

The carbon fibre bootlid, once in it's final position on the hinges, required some adjustment of the rear lights to ensure good panel gaps.

The front bumper canards required full front bumper removal in order to access the inside of the application area. A mixture of adhesive and physical fixings were used to secure the canards in their final location (which took a fair amount of time to finalise). The most challenging part with canards is to achieve perfect symetry which we achieve by creating a mirrored stencil.

Stage 7: Turning BBS LM into Three Piece Wheels

In March 2024 the original 2 piece BBS wheels were completely re-imagined.

The wheels were converted into a deeper dish 3 piece configuration and refinished in full mirror chrome, dramatically transforming the stance and presence of the car.

Multi-piece wheels allow for:

  • Custom offset and fitment

  • Deeper lips

BBS LM only have a small amount of physical fixings, as their original construction is 2 piece. The size of the wheel being 19" and the car being very powerful, we had to add strength, there are usually three options to ensure full strength is given:

  • Thread the back of the faces between every through hole and bolt face from behind to add double the hardware.

  • Machine lips to take an M6 countersunk allen key bolt between every through hole to add double the hardware.

  • Weld the lip and barrel together to technically return the wheel to it's original construction where the face is bolted to 1 piece.

Wheel Refurbishment & Rebuilding Services

Stage 8: ADRO Carbon Wing & Rewrap

April to August 2024 saw the installation of an ADRO rear wing, giving the rear of the car an unmistakable motorsport aesthetic. The M2 then went over to GangstaWrap to have the orange wrap removed and replaced with a deep purple. We also refinished the cage in white to suit the new exterior colour.

Stage 9: Custom Wheels by Aero Elite & Zento

In November 2024 we concluded that the BBS LM we built earlier in the year would not be suitable for salty UK winter roads. Therefore the M2 moved onto a set of our very own Aero Elite x 7Twenty Style 57 collab wheels, giving the car a fresh new stance setup. For the first time, the car was on 18's and laid arch on lip, also referred to as 'outlip'.

Later, in June 2025, when the sun was back out, the build stepped even further with a full custom designed set of Zento Ryzen in 2 piece, designed specifically for the vehicle. We chose a brushed tinted face centre to compliment the carbon, with a mirror polished lip and black hardware.

Aero Elite x 7Twenty Style 57:

Zento Ryzen 2 piece:

7Twenty Wheels
Zento Wheels

Stage 10: Brake Caliper Refinishing

The most recent upgrade came in August 2025, where we refinished the brake calipers to complement the latest wheel setup and wrap.

The OEM blue M caliper colour was actually quite offensive in contrast to the dark purple, so we suggested to refinish these in gloss white to which Jack agreed. Brake caliper refinishing is one of the most impactful finishing touches on a high end build.

At Aero Elite we offer professional brake caliper refinishing and colour customisation, allowing customers to choose from factory colours or completely bespoke finishes.

Brake Caliper Refinishing Service

A Build That Continues to Evolve

Jack's BMW F87 M2 Competition is a perfect example of how a build can evolve over time and that a project is never truly 'finished'.

From suspension and wheels to carbon fibre and calipers, every stage has helped shape the car into the standout machine it is today.

We look forward to seeing how this build develops further in the future - the next set of Zento custom wheels is already in planning!

Thinking of Modifying Your BMW?

If you're planning to modify your own BMW, whether it’s custom wheels, suspension upgrades or brake caliper refinishing, our team at Aero Elite is always happy to help.

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