Review - BMW M2

As the cheapest bonafide member of BMW’s M performance division, the M2 comes packed with a heap of track-inspired hardware and an agile short wheelbase platform atop BMW’s typically-high levels of quality. 

Ahead of the arrival of a brand-new generation of BMW M2, let's see how the current generation M2 Competition stacks up on paper against its rivals in the premium compact sports car market. 

Starting Price: $102,900

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BMW M2 (COMPETITION) Specifications

For more details and other variants, check BMW M2 car page.

How Much Does It Cost?

The current F87-generation BMW M2 Competition is priced at $102,900 for the manual variant, while the M2 Competition with an automatic transmission is priced at $109,900. 

Keep in mind that these prices are subject to change, and do not include on-road costs. 

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Using OnlineAuto’s car purchasing service, take advantage of the expertise of one of our car specialists to assist you in finding the best value model for you. 

What Features Does the BMW M2 Competition Have?

The BMW M2 Competition range comes riding on 19-inch M sport alloys, and is fitted with M Sport brakes, an adaptive M suspension system, active M differential and exhaust, adaptive LED headlights, M sport seats, keyless entry & start, heated front seats, Dakota leather & alcantara upholstery, cruise control, a reversing camera with parking sensors, as well as an 8.8-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto that is paired with a Harman Kardon sound system. 

Range Features:

• 19-inch M Sport alloys

• M Sport suspension 

• M Sport brakes

• Active M differential

• M Sport exhaust system 

• LED headlights 

• M Sport seats 

• Dakota leather/alcantara upholstery 

• Keyless entry & start 

• Reversing camera with parking sensors 

• Cruise control 

• Heated front seats 

• 8.8-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto 

• Harman Kardon sound system 

BMW M2 Competition Colours

The BMW M2 Competition range is available in a choice of Alpine White, Sunset Orange, Long Beach Blue, Hockenheim Silver and Black Sapphire. 

Is it Fun to Drive?

With the M2, BMW has taken the short wheelbase platform from the standard 2 Series and pulled out every trick in the book to make it the ultimate driving machine. 

The recipe starts with a twin-turbocharged version of its inline-six-cylinder engine that produces a massive 302kW of power and monstrous 550Nm of torque which is thrown at the rear wheels via your choice of a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic or six-speed manual. 

The power on offer in the M2 is immense, and translates to a rapid 0-100km/h run of just 4.2 seconds in the automatic variant. 

To handle all that power, BMW has fitted the M2 with a heap of upgraded hardware, including a track-ready suspension system, hardcore brake package, limited-slip differential for the rear wheels and a sports exhaust system for that fire-breathing engine. 

The end result is nothing short of mind-blowing, with the M2 offering performance levels akin to a street-legal racer, rather than a traditional sports car. The front axle offers the driver a heap of response through the wheel with a sporty steering ratio, while the grip levels are barely believable. 

What makes the M2 more impressive is just how approachable and user-friendly the package is for a short-wheelbase sports car, and is truly one of the most rewarding driver’s cars on the road. 

Speaking of which, on the road, the M2 is happy to tone things back and behave more like a typical BMW around town and on the work commute, with one exception. The upgraded suspension system is great on the track but less than desirable if you’re driving on any rough country B-roads. 

Overall, though, the tradeoff is well worth the firm ride quality, and as a complete package, the M2 Competition is a fabulous car. 

Is it Practical and Spacious?

While the typical breed of sports car falls short when it comes to space and practicality, the M2 is actually a pretty impressive package that can indeed double as a family car for short drives. 

Sharing its platform from the standard 2 Series means there’s no major tradeoffs in terms of space and practicality, other than the addition of some sports seats and a handful of M division upgrades. 

Up front, the driver is greeted with a focused cockpit that features a set of sports seats and a fully-adjustable driving position, while the typical BMW dashboard, infotainment system and central tunnel have been retained.

This means that the M2 feels familiar, and features practical touches like useable storage options for smartphones and loose items. 

Move to the rear of the cabin and things do get a little bit more cramped, but on the whole, the fact that the M2 even receives two compact seats in the rear of the cabin is an instant win for those looking for a serious sports car that can also tick the family-friendly box. 

The rear of the cabin even features a pair of ISOFIX anchors for those looking to accommodate a child seat or two, and with a boot volume standing at 390L, the M2 is actually one of the most practical sports cars you’ll find on the market.

Is it Safe?

The BMW M2 Competition is yet to receive an official ANCAP safety rating, however, the car on which it is based, the BMW 2 Series has been awarded a four-star ANCAP safety rating. 

The M2 Competition’s safety equipment list includes autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warnings, front, front-side and curtain airbags inside the cabin, driver attention monitoring and a reversing camera with both rear and front-facing sensors. 

Is it Fuel Efficient?

The M2 Competition’s inline-six engine has been tuned in the name of performance and fun, rather than fuel economy in mind. 

As a result, the M2 Competition returns a combined cycle figure of 10L/100km, making it a relatively thirsty little engine. Keep in mind that these are claimed figures that can be improved upon, however, any throttle-heavy driving will result in fuel economy rising above that 10L/100km mark. 

Our Verdict: Is the BMW M2 Competition Worth it?

There’s no way to summarise the M2 Competition other than an outstanding performance vehicle that is both approachable and rewarding for inexperienced and professional drivers alike. 

There are few cars that can match the BMW M2’s performance, agility and sheer fun on the track, and even fewer that offer the same level of practicality in a sports car package, making the M2 Competition one incredibly special driving machine. 

The only thing to keep in mind is that the current F87-generation M2 is set to be replaced, so you can either be patient and wait for the next-gen M2, or if you’re a fan of the current package, get in quick before it’s gone. 

On that note, if you’re in the market for a new car, you can get a free quote and see how much OnlineAuto can save you on your next car, or call us on 1300 719 925 

Five Specs You Need to Know

1. Three-year, unlimited KM warranty 

2. Twin-turbo inline-six produces 302kW/550Nm; 0-100km/h in 4.2 seconds 

3. Automatic and manual transmissions available

4. Rear-wheel drive with a limited-slip differential  

5. F87-generation M2 is set to be replaced soon 

Pros

• Immensely impressive engine performance 
• Sharp and agile handling with insane grip levels 
• User-friendly driving nature at high speeds 
• Surprisingly practical with useable rear seats and 390L boot 

Cons

• Performance handling translates to a firm ride quality 
• Limited three-year warranty 
• Small fuel tank 

OnlineAuto Rating: 9/10

BMW M2 Competition Rivals: