The BMW F87 M2 responds extremely well to a properly specified damper package, but Nitron NTR R1 and NTR R3 solve different setup problems. The right choice depends on how much independent adjustment you will genuinely use, whether the car retains a conventional divorced rear spring or moves to a true-rear layout, and how far the rest of the chassis has been developed.
This guide covers the original N55 M2 and the later M2 Competition separately, using the live Nitron products in our catalogue rather than treating every F87 as one suspension application.
Nitron R1 vs R3: the short version
| System | Adjustment | Best fit for |
|---|---|---|
| NTR R1 | Combined compression and rebound through one adjuster | Fast road, track days and owners who want high-end damping with a simpler setup workflow |
| NTR R3 | Independent rebound, low-speed compression and high-speed compression | Developed track cars and drivers or engineers who will use the additional tuning range methodically |
Nitron builds both systems around serviceable monotube dampers and application-specific spring/damper specifications. More adjustment is not automatically better: an R1 with the right springs and geometry is preferable to an R3 whose controls are never understood or used consistently.
Nitron NTR R1 for BMW M2 F87
The Nitron NTR R1 for the original BMW M2 F87 uses a single combined damping adjuster. Turning that control changes bump/compression and rebound together, which makes it easier to make repeatable setup changes between road and track.
The live F87 N55 product offers four configurations:
- Divorced / Fast Road
- Divorced / Track
- True Rear / Fast Road
- True Rear / Track
The “Fast Road” and “Track” options should be understood as different spring/damper specifications rather than simply soft versus hard. Tyre grip, vehicle weight, circuit frequency and road use all matter.
Divorced rear vs true-rear coilover
The standard BMW rear layout separates the spring from the damper. A divorced rear Nitron configuration retains that architecture. A true-rear conversion moves the spring onto the damper assembly, changing the way the suspension is packaged and loaded.
This is not a cosmetic option. A true-rear arrangement should be selected as part of a complete chassis plan, with appropriate installation, inspection and setup. For many road and mixed-use cars, retaining the divorced layout can be the more straightforward route. For a purpose-developed build, true rear can make sense when the whole rear suspension package has been considered.
Nitron NTR R3 for BMW M2 F87
The Nitron NTR R3 for BMW M2 F87 separates the main damping functions:
- Rebound
- Low-speed compression
- High-speed compression
Low-speed and high-speed refer to damper-shaft velocity, not road speed. Low-speed compression has a strong influence on body motions such as roll, pitch and weight transfer. High-speed compression becomes relevant during faster shaft events such as sharp surface changes and kerb strikes.
The R3 reservoir may be piggyback or remotely mounted depending on the application. Its extra control is valuable when the car already has a defined tyre, spring, alignment and circuit setup.
BMW M2 Competition: use the Competition-specific product
The S55-powered M2 Competition should not be treated as a search synonym for the original N55 F87 product. We list a dedicated Nitron NTR R1 M2 Competition kit and a dedicated Nitron NTR R3 M2 Competition kit.
The current M2 Competition R1 listing has a single live suspension variant, so we do not infer the same four option combinations shown on the N55 M2 page. If a specific spring specification or rear arrangement is required, confirm the current Nitron build before ordering.
Which Nitron kit suits a fast-road F87?
For a road car that also sees track days, R1 is usually the more straightforward place to start. Its combined adjustment gives meaningful control without creating three independent damping variables every time you want to make a change.
That does not mean every fast-road car needs the same spring specification. British road surfaces, tyre sidewall, wheel size, bushes and ride height can all change how the car feels. The correct build specification matters as much as the damper badge.
When does R3 make sense?
R3 becomes more compelling when the car is being developed methodically: higher-grip tyres, repeatable track use, measured alignment, known spring requirements and a driver or engineer who can make one change at a time and assess the result.
If you are not going to use independent low-speed compression, high-speed compression and rebound adjustment, the extra controls can add complexity without adding usable performance.
Geometry after fitting Nitron coilovers
A coilover install should be followed by a full geometry setup. Ride height changes suspension angles, while track-oriented tyres may justify more negative camber and different toe targets than a predominantly road-driven car.
Browse the BMW F87 M2 suspension collection for camber plates, arms and supporting hardware, or the dedicated Nitron F87 M2 / M2 Competition suspension collection to compare the Nitron products directly.
Nitron adjustable drop links can also be relevant after ride-height changes when anti-roll-bar geometry and preload need to be addressed.
R1 and R3 are both serviceable systems
One of the commercial reasons to buy a premium damper package is long-term support. Nitron describes R1 and R3 as custom-built, sprung and fully serviceable systems. That matters on cars expected to cover repeated track mileage because damper condition can be maintained rather than treating the suspension as a disposable sealed unit.
How we would approach the choice
Road and occasional track: begin with R1 and specify springs around the actual car.
Fast road and frequent track: R1 remains a strong choice; R3 becomes worthwhile if you have the setup knowledge or professional support to exploit it.
Developed circuit car: R3 offers the finer independent damping control needed when spring rates, tyres and geometry are already being tuned as a system.
True-rear conversion: make the decision around the complete rear suspension architecture, not because “true coilover” sounds more advanced.
Shop Nitron suspension for the BMW F87 M2
View all Nitron BMW F87 M2 suspension, browse the wider Nitron Racing range, or explore BMW F87 M2 suspension upgrades.
If you are choosing between specifications, the useful information is the car, tyre, current suspension, road/track split, rear layout and whether the geometry is already adjustable. That gives a far better starting point than choosing the most expensive damper.
