1–5 October 2026 | Green Hell Days | Nürburgring Nordschleife | Nine laps in our BMW F87 M2 Competition
There are few places that test a car and its driver quite like the Nürburgring. We headed back to the Eifel for Green Hell Days, determined to enjoy the atmosphere, get some proper laps in and see how the Nineteen72 Performance M2 Competition performed with its latest setup. Five days, nine laps, plenty of lessons and some unforgettable cars later, we had a lot to talk about.
More than just the laps
One of my favourite parts of the trip was simply finding somewhere to sit and watch the cars go by. The autumn colours were brilliant and there was always something worth watching, whether it was a properly prepared M car or someone out enjoying their road car.
Back at the Green Hell
The Nürburgring is about much more than lap times. The journey through the Eifel, the car parks full of incredible machinery, the conversations with other enthusiasts and the sight of cars heading out onto the Nordschleife are all part of it. We were there from 1 to 5 October, using the trip to test our car in the environment it was built to enjoy.
Our M2 is a dual-purpose car. It needs to cover the miles to Germany comfortably, be enjoyable on the surrounding roads and still perform on circuit. That is the balance we have been chasing with the build.
Nine laps testing the M2 Competition
Over the visit, we completed nine laps. The Nordschleife's high-speed sections, compressions, crests and constant changes of direction provide a serious test of chassis balance and consistency. The M2's current hardware includes Nitron R1 suspension, Powerflex differential and transmission mounting upgrades, front control arm caster bushes, Bimecc stud hardware and a chassis-mounted splitter. The BMW 2NH braking setup is supported by brake cooling ducting, HEL braided lines and Motul RBF 660 fluid.
We wanted to understand the car as a complete package rather than simply collect a lap time. The biggest learning came from the tyres.
The Continental SportContact 7s were giving out
We ran Continental SportContact 7 (SC7) tyres. They are excellent high-performance road tyres, but repeated Nordschleife laps exposed their limits in this application. As the driving continued, it became clear that the tyres were the weak link in an otherwise promising setup. The car had more to give than the SC7s could consistently support under sustained track use.
That does not make them bad tyres. It means a fast road tyre and a tyre intended for repeated circuit work are not the same thing. A more track-focused option is now a priority before our next Nürburgring trip. We will also revisit the alignment and overall balance once the tyre change is made, so we can judge the improvement properly.
The E92 M3s were everywhere
One of the best things about this visit was the number of BMW E92 M3s. Some were relatively understated, while others were serious track builds with cages, big wings and purposeful setups. There is something special about the naturally aspirated V8 M3, especially when it is being used for exactly what it was designed to do.
It was brilliant to see how differently owners approach the same platform. The E92 remains a proper enthusiast's car and, even surrounded by newer machinery, it never felt out of place.
A sea of Porsche GT3 RSs, and a Volvo driven like a lunatic
It honestly felt like there was a Porsche 911 GT3 RS everywhere you looked. Every car park seemed to contain another one. They are incredible machines, and seeing so many specifications and track-focused details together was an attraction in itself.
But the most entertaining driving does not always come from the most expensive car. We also encountered a local driver in a Volvo who seemed to be driving it like an absolute lunatic. That is part of the magic of the Ring: alongside the GT cars and carefully prepared M cars, there is always something completely unexpected that steals the show.
A reminder of how quickly things can go wrong
Unfortunately, it wasn't all good news. There was an incident involving a Honda Civic and the wall at the Nürburgring, followed by a track closure. Seeing the track closed sign is never what anyone wants on a trip like this, particularly when you know somebody has had a bad day.
It's easy to get carried away with all the amazing cars and the atmosphere, but the Nordschleife demands respect. One mistake can be an expensive one, and incidents affect everyone waiting to get back out. We don't know the full circumstances of what happened, so I won't speculate. Hopefully everyone involved was okay.
Meeting Motor Milk at the Speedhouse
We also caught up with Motor Milk at their Speedhouse. It was great to spend time with people who share the same enthusiasm for cars, driving and the wider automotive community. For us, Nineteen72 Performance is not just about selling parts. It is about building relationships, putting products to use and being part of the scene. The Speedhouse visit was a highlight of the trip.
The atmosphere after the laps
Some of the best moments happened away from the track itself: wandering around the cars, taking in the Eifel scenery and returning to the Nürburgring sign after dark. That atmosphere is difficult to replicate anywhere else and is a big part of why we keep coming back.
What comes next for our M2?
We came to Green Hell Days to drive the car, test the setup and learn. Nine laps later, the direction is clear. The Continental SC7s are now the limiting factor for the level of track use we want. Our next priority is a tyre better suited to sustained circuit work, followed by further setup testing.
Between the E92 M3s, the sea of GT3 RSs, the local in the Volvo, the trip to Motor Milk's Speedhouse and nine laps of the Nordschleife, there was plenty to remember. The Civic incident was a sobering reminder that this place deserves respect. We'll be back, hopefully with a more suitable set of tyres on the M2.
Built to drive. Tested where it matters.
Explore our Nitron suspension, Powerflex upgrades and BMW Motorsport brake cooling guide.
