BMW M2 (2016 to 2021)

Key specifications
Image gallery
Media reviews
Auto Express
Auto Trader
Car Keys
Honest John
The Sunday Times
The Telegraph
Top Gear
What Car?
Safety rating
Eco rating
Reliability rating
Similar cars
Buy a used BMW M2
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Summary

The BMW M2 was a compact sports coupé and the entry-level model in the BMW ‘M’ division range, sitting below the larger M3 saloon and M4 coupé.

This is the original M2, which first arrived on UK roads in early 2016. This initial model was then replaced by the more powerful M2 Competition in 2018, before the range-topping M2 CS coupé joined the line-up in 2020. This range came to the end of its production cycle in 2021, and the brand-new second-generation M2 is set to arrive in 2023.

Described by Evo as “one of the most entertaining coupés money can buy”, the BMW M2 range received universal praise from the British motoring media during its time on sale – praised for retaining the practical sensibilities of the first-generation 2 Series Coupé it is based on, while offering the impressive pace and acceleration of an ‘M’ car.

“It’s probably the best sports coupé I have driven”, The Telegraph’s Andrew English explained, commending the M2 for its “thoroughly entertaining” driving dynamics and well-built interior.

That said, Carbuyer‘s Ben Custard pointed out that the M2’s interior was almost identical to the cabin design of the standard 2 Series, and thus concluded that the inside of the M2 is a bit bland by sports car standards as a result.

A few reviewers also noted the M2 is rather expensive, but as the cheapest model in the ‘M’ division family, Carwow‘s Mat Watson argued that the BMW is worth its high price tag. “The BMW M2 takes plenty of the M4’s high-tech components and squeezes them into a smaller yet still seriously rapid package to make one of the best driver’s cars you can buy.”

No longer on sale, the first-generation BMW M2 holds an outstanding Expert Rating of 87%, based on 16 reviews published by UK media sources.

M2 highlights

Serious pace and acceleration
More practical than the average sports car
Entertaining on the road
Comfortable and well-built interior
Attractive exterior styling

M2 lowlights

Expensive, base price and up
Interior is rather bland considering price
Manual gearbox could be smoother
Not very spacious in the rear

Key specifications

Body style: Coupé
Engines: petrol
Price when new: From £51,425 on-road

Launched: Spring 2016Last updated: Summer 2020
Replacement due: Spring 2023

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M2 CS

Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express

Model reviewed: M2 CompetitionScore: 8 / 10“The BMW M2 Competition is the entry point to high-performance BMW ownership, but some would argue it’s the best.”
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Auto Trader

Model reviewed: M2 CS“As soon as you get in the cockpit, you feel like you’re in a driver’s car. The driving position is perfect, the thick steering wheel gives a solid sense of ownership when driving, and the seats support you in a way that makes you feel fully integrated into the driving experience.”
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Autocar

Model reviewed: 2021Score: 9 / 10“As a flagship, the BMW M2 fits the billing.”
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Model reviewed: M2 CompetitionScore: 9 / 10“Vastly more composed and better-controlled on a challenging road than a regular M2, with a markedly improved power delivery, the M2 Competition is a huge leap forward for BMW M’s affordable coupé.”
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Car

Model reviewed: CompetitionScore: 10 / 10“The BMW M2 Competition is faster, sportier and purer.”
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Car Keys

Score: 9 / 10“With the rear-wheel drive setup combined with ample power, an excellent chassis and plenty of equipment, the M2 is more than deserving of your consideration.”
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Carbuyer

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7.8 / 10“The BMW M2 has all the virtues of the 2 Series coupe, but with added performance from a fantastic 3.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine and pumped-up looks.”
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Carwow

Score: 9 / 10“The BMW M2 is a hard-core version of the 2 Series but it’s still a very approachable sports car.”
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Evo

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 9 / 10“The last of its generation, the BMW M2 is a throwback to a golden age of small, rear-wheel-drive performance models from Munich.”
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Model reviewed: M2 CompetitionScore: 9 / 10“Competition upgrades unlock the latent potential of the BMW M2, making it one of the most entertaining coupes money can buy.”
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Model reviewed: M2 M PerformanceScore: 9 / 10“Despite a new, louder exhaust and adjustable suspension BMW’s smallest M-car retains its loveable character.”
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Honest John

Model reviewed: Score: 10 / 10“Blue touchpaper version of already quick M235i.”
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The Sunday Times

Model reviewed: Score: 8 / 10“Yes, it is as good as everyone says.” (Jeremy Clarkson)
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The Telegraph

Score: 10 / 10“The BMW M2 Competition is probably the best sports coupé I have driven”
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Top Gear

Model reviewed: M2 CompetitionScore: 9 / 10“It really does tick a whole lot of boxes. You know you want one.”
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What Car?

Model reviewed: CS 2021Score: 8 / 10“The BMW M2 CS feels greater than the sum of its parts – it’s a proper little road racer that works well both on road and track.”
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Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

No safety rating

The BMW 2 Series coupé family was not crash tested by Euro NCAP during its production life. Although it was based on the 1 Series hatchback, there were enough structural alterations to the 2 Series that it did not inherit the 1 Series rating.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

The BMW M2 was not lab tested by Green NCAP during its production life.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by

No reliability rating

As of October 2022, we don’t have enough reliability data on the BMW M2 to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the M2, we’ll publish the score here.