The M2 is the smallest M-car in the BMW range and as such has many of the features you’d expect from the larger M4 two-door sports coupe but in a smaller package. Consequently it is the entry point in the performance-minded BMW M line-up and focuses on delivering fine handling thanks to a powerful engine and tuned chassis – all wrapped up in a small coupe body. It’s an affordable way into the world of BMW M motoring, but be aware there are many talented hot hatchbacks on the market that are just as powerful and quick as the BMW M2, but cost considerably less.
Compared to the dramatic exterior that shouts performance (especially in the M2’s unique Long Beach Blue metallic), the interior is a bit of a letdown. For the most part, the standard 2 Series Coupe’s dashboard has been carried over – so it’s well screwed together and is very similar to many of BMW’s other interiors; it’s modern but not particularly daring.
For the M2, there’s some carbon-look trim, leather sport seats and grey dials while tech like Bluetooth, cruise control and parking sensors are added. The driver’s seat has plenty of adjustment meaning it’s simple to get a great driving position, and there’s a small, but reasonably priced options list, which includes heated seats for £295 and a reversing camera for £330.
Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment
The M2 has BMW’s iDrive infotainment system as standard. In a few areas it’s a little clunky to use, but for the most part the system is leaps and bounds ahead of the competition.
There’s a crisp screen that sits on top of the dash and, as with all BMWs, DAB comes as standard. For the M2 sat-nav with real-time traffic updates is thrown in too.
The iDrive is made all the more easy to use on the move thanks to the rotary controller on the centre console with helpful shortcut buttons. The stereo system is of decent quality but this can be upgraded to an advanced version for £295 or to a Harman Kardon system for £600. Access to the internet can be had for £95 and online entertainment (BMW’s version of Spotify) is £160.
Take a quick look at an M2 in a more sober colour like black and it may look like a nicely-specced 2 Series Coupe, but it’s an awful lot more than that.
The BMW M2 faces stiff competition from brand new four-wheel drive mega-hatches and some more traditional two-wheel drive sports cars. The M2 sits in the latter category with its drive being sent to the rear wheels. It means the car is a little more old-school in concept and that will appeal to hardcore drivers. This is evident in the way you can adjust the line the M2 takes round corners with the accelerator.
With some 365bhp and a pair of fat rear tyres, you can make some lurid tail slides too. It’s a far cry from the M4 Coupe and old 1 Series M Coupe which really kept you on your toes – the M2 is never scary and stays predictable on the limits of its handling thanks to plenty of grip from the rear tyres and a beautifully balanced chassis.
The car is excellent in Comfort mode where you get the lighter settings for the steering and suspension that allow you to cover ground quickly and smoothly. The ride is very good for this type of car and compared to the M2’s competitors, but it could be too hard for some people used to less performance-focused machinery.
Turn to Sport mode and the M2 gets sharper and Sport+ gives a little ‘slip’ to the rear wheels to allow some hooligan antics before the electronics intervene to help you out.
The M2 comes as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox and it’s generally precise to use, although it can be a little heavy and rubbery at times. Splash out an extra £2,640 and you’ll get an excellent eight-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox which comes with wheel-mounted paddle shifters and launch control.
Engines
There’s only one engine in the M2 but it’s a good one. Under the bonnet lies one of BMW’s sonorous 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six units. It pushes out 365bhp and 500Nm of torque that means the M2 will rocket from zero to 62mph in just 4.8 seconds and onto a top speed of a limited 155mph.
BMW finished in a very respectable 15th in the 2016 Driver Power survey, beating the likes of VW and Audi, while its dealers finished a very average 25th. Don’t think that because it’s a highly-strung M-car, the M2 will be fragile and likely to break as M-badged cars have old have proven to be strong.
There’s eight airbags as standard but extra kit is optional – items like adaptive headlights, BMW’s Driving Assistant (that autonomous tweaks the steering if you cross lanes on the motorway), speed limit display and high beam assist are all on the options list.
Warranty
Unlike some its rival car makers, BMW offers a three-year unlimited mileage warranty with the M2 which is very good. There are a number of packs to upgrade this should you wish to keep your M2 as a collector’s item, but the standard warranty is good.
Servicing
Like many BMW products, the M2’s servicing schedule is variable and depends on how many miles you rack up. The car will let you know when it’s time to head to the dealer.
The M2 is reasonably spacious for a small coupe. Generally it’s roomy up front and can carry four adults thanks to decent room in the back. The boot is large too, making the M2 a practical family car should it need to be, although you will have to spend extra for folding rear seats.
Size
It may be a coupe but the M2 is more matched to hatchbacks for size. It’s just a little longer than a Ford Focus RS or an Audi RS3, and that small increase in length means there’s longer wheelbase too, freeing up passenger space.
Leg room, head room and passenger space
Up front there is plenty of room with good visibility out over the bonnet and to the sides. It’s a little difficult to get into the rear with the low roof line and seats that don’t move far enough forwards, but once in the back adults will have plenty of space. There’s only room for two in the back, though, not three.
Boot
Looking at the small M2, you’d think there wouldn’t be much room in the boot, but you’d be wrong. While hot hatchbacks are more practical and have more useable boots, the M2’s isn’t bad, weighing-in with 390 litres. That’s more than a Focus RS and Audi RS3, both of which are hatches. However, if you want to fold the rear seats down you will have to spend another £175 for the 40:20:40 folding seat option.
BMW’s excellent 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six gets 35.8mpg on the combined cycle in automatic form but we managed 25.1mpg on our extensive test drive. While that sounds a little disappointing, it is broadly the same as you’d expect from the Ford Focus RS and the Audi RS3 mega hot hatchbacks – two cars that are very close to the M2 in performance and useability.
For company car drivers, the M2 falls in the 34 per cent Benefit in Kind bracket due to a 185g/km CO2 emissions figure (7spd DCT car) and a high list price (from over £44,000). The annual tax liability at the standard rate comes to £3,149 a year while higher rate tax payers will have to pay £6,298 a year. The Audi RS3 sits in the same category as the M2 but is a little cheaper at the standard and higher rate, and other super hot hatches like the Ford Focus RS are considerably cheaper to run for company car drivers.
Our experts have calculated over the course of 12 months and 20,000 miles, the M2 would cost £3,920 in fuel.
Insurance groups and depreciation
The M2 sits in insurance group 42 – two higher than a Focus RS or Audi RS3. As an example, that would equate to £943 (an AA insurance quote based on a 42-year old living in Banbury, Oxon, with three penalty points) a year. Our experts have also calculated the M2 would hold onto 47 per cent of its value after three years/30,000 miles which would mean the M2 would be worth a little over £21,000.