Shining our hubcaps
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The BMW M3 used to be the entry point into full BMW Motorsport performance, but that changed when the M2 arrived in 2016. There was obviously a latent market for a more compact M car as the M2 has been hugely successful for BMW, and that means a huge choice for used buyers too.
An all-new M2 was launched in 2023 but we’re concentrating on the earlier car here, primarily in Competition form, which itself is available in large numbers on the used market. Read on to find out more about the muscular sports coupe, and why it’s a great performance car buy.
It’s probably fair to say that the BMW M2 is one of the most appealing driver’s cars of recent years. How could you not be tempted by its pumped-up, almost retro three-box styling like BMWs of old, plus a powerful turbocharged inline six engine, rear-wheel drive, and the option of either a manual or DCT gearbox? Buyers seem to agree, since the M2 is easily one of the brand’s most successful performance cars.
It’s a thrilling car to drive. Early, pre-Competition M2s could be a bit of a handful sometimes but the M2 Competition refined things without losing out on the excitement factor, and the expensive (more than £70,000 new) M2 CS is one of the M-car greats. All have notably rear-wheel drive handling, weighty and accurate steering, and make a fantastic sound from that six-cylinder engine.
Interior space is probably best described as a two-plus-two, as the rear seats feel a little tight, but the M2 is still more practical than many of its rivals, with a proper boot and ultimately having space for more than just two people. There’s a great driving position too and since the M2 is relatively compact, it’s not intimidating to drive in town or down narrow B-roads.
Competition in this class is pretty diverse, and the cars you might consider instead of an M2 all have their own unique flavour - from the ultra lightweight mid-engined Alpine A110, to the well-balanced Porsche Cayman (at its best in six-cylinder GTS 4.0 form), to the five-cylinder, all-wheel drive Audi TT RS, to the BMW-based Toyota Supra.
If you’ve got the budget, then the ultimate form of the BMW M2 has to be the M2 CS, with its more powerful engine, lightweight forged wheels, and carbonfibre detailing wherever you look. But realistically the thrills are almost as great from the M2 Competition, and once you’ve settled on that, the only real choice is between the manual or DCT gearboxes. The DCT is quicker and really lets you fire home the gears, while the manual may appeal more to drivers who crave interaction over outright performance.
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The BMW M2 Competition’s exterior dimensions are:
The BMW M2 Competition’s boot space is:
All post-2017 M2s cost more than £40,000 brand new, and all are therefore subject to the full whack of the normal VED rate for petrol cars plus a surcharge - for a £600 annual bill. This persists for the five years following the first, CO2-based year, so M2s will only drop to a lower rate from their seventh year of registration onwards. As the M2 debuted in 2016 though, some will have CO2-based tax - though these will cost £415 at current rates, so still not cheap.
A premium badge, huge performance and a reputation for being driven hard all contribute to high insurance groups for the M2, with both manual and DCT models being in group 47 out of 50, and the M2 CS topping the scale with a group 50 rating. Most equivalent performance cars have similar insurance group ratings though, so the M2 shouldn’t cost you much more than its rivals to insure.
£57,290
£32,950
£50,396
£35,990
£49,995
£33,995
£59,990
What is the most popular colour for BMW M2 ?
What is the most popular gearbox for BMW M2 ?
What is the most popular fuel type for BMW M2 ?
What is the most popular engine for BMW M2 ?
What is the average mileage for BMW M2 ?
16200
How many BMW M2 cars are available for sale?
40
