For those who needed to distill this evaluate into being nothing greater than a prolonged report card, the 2025 BMW M2 would get straight As. For the $69,375 this two-door begins at, together with a $1,175 vacation spot price, it’s a efficiency discount. BMW would possibly worth it equally to the Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 S or the Audi RS 3, however the rear-drive M2 is worlds away from a real-world efficiency perspective, punching approach above its weight.
BMW’s entry-level M automobile acquired main updates because it moved from its first F87 era to this second-gen G87 mannequin. It’s now quicker, extra highly effective, and higher dealing with than its predecessor courtesy of componentry borrowed from the bigger M3 Sedan and M4 Coupe. But regardless of its improved athleticism, the M2 is now a much more approachable machine because of its barely extra relaxed persona.
For 2025, its turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six now produces 473 horsepower because of a 20-hp bump, will get the most recent iDrive 8.5-generation software program, and sports activities an expanded choices checklist, making it extra customizable. In the meantime, minor styling tweaks refine an exterior design, which, though polarizing at launch, has began to develop on me fairly a bit. Nonetheless, as technically spectacular, well-priced, and simple to drive shortly because the M2 is, a handful of hurdles hold it from being the thrilling driver’s automobile it might be.
We’re now two years into the G87’s lifecycle, and a spicier Competitors mannequin continues to be MIA. And likelihood is that we gained’t get one, as spy pictures have just lately showcased the German carmaker testing what’s rumored to be an upcoming M2 CS. This additionally signifies that it’s unlikely that we’ll see a non-CS BMW M2 geared up with all-wheel drive, which isn’t essentially a foul factor when you think about that this is among the final vehicles nonetheless in manufacturing that gives the traditional BMW M method: a straight-six up entrance, a handbook transmission within the center, and energy flowing to the rear wheels.
This instance I’ve been driving is completed in a vibrant $3,000 shade of Java Inexperienced Metallic, that includes an more and more elusive third pedal. It’s a dying breed as neither the aforementioned Audi nor Mercedes-AMG supply a handbook transmission possibility, whereas the Porsche Boxster and Cayman are resulting from finish manufacturing this yr. If shifting gears manually is extra your velocity, your choices at this worth level will quickly grow to be the Ford Mustang Darkish Horse, the Toyota Supra, and the BMW M2. And as I’m certain you’re nicely conscious, two-thirds of that checklist has Bavarian roots.
Choosing the handbook transmission has its execs and cons. On the optimistic aspect, M2’s geared up with clutch pedals weigh 53 fewer kilos than these optioned with ZF’s wonderful eight-speed computerized. Nonetheless, whereas this automobile’s 473-hp output is identical throughout each variants, the automatic-equipped automobile develops 37 extra pound-feet of torque at 443 lb-ft versus the stick automobile’s 406 lb-ft determine.
That mentioned, the handbook develops that peak determine as much as 6,130 rpm whereas the automated drops off after 5,620 rpm, nicely earlier than this automobile’s 7,200-rpm redline. BMW deliberately differentiates the M2’s state of tune to higher align along with your chosen gearbox, a obligatory revision given the auto’s shorter gear ratios and two additional speeds. No matter transmission, the BMW M2 tops out at an electronically restricted 155-mph high velocity, or 177 mph, when geared up with the M Driver’s Bundle.
For those who drive each variants of this automobile back-to-back, it’ll take one flat-out dash to understand how a lot faster the automated automobile feels in the actual world. Its 3.9-second 0-60 mph time could solely be 0.2 seconds faster than the handbook automobile’s 4.1-second time, however the computerized’s added torque pays important dividends at decrease RPMs and mid-range shove. Nonetheless, in case you expertise the manual-equipped automobile in isolation, it’ll nonetheless really feel speedy regardless of its tall gears due to its excessive energy output.
A lot has been mentioned about BMW’s handbook transmissions through the years; not all of this chatter is optimistic. But, in an business by which this gearbox configuration is more and more uncommon, I can’t assist however applaud the German carmaker for providing one. That mentioned, it lacks the sensation of directness you’d need whereas shifting your two-door sports activities automobile. The 1-2 shift is oddly clunky, even at sluggish speeds, and it slots into gear with a disappointing vagueness at wide-open throttle, as if the linkage have been made from rubber items.
There are ergonomic points, too. My tester options the $9,900 Carbon Bundle, which will get you BMW’s supportive carbon-backed bucket seats. A part of what makes them nice is simply how low you’re in a position to alter them, contributing to a correct sports activities automobile driving place. Nonetheless, if that is your most well-liked method to sit, you would possibly discover your elbow touching this automobile’s heart armrest between shifts. All through my week, I might increase the seat, compromising an in any other case excellent seating place, or angle my elbow upwards whereas shifting shortly. I selected the latter.
Fortunately, the BMW M2 options properly spaced pedals, making heel-and-toe downshifts a breeze. Just like the earlier F87 mannequin, the G87 will match your revs mechanically on the way in which down, however fortunately doesn’t require you to show off traction management to disable rev-matching like its predecessor.
On a winding again street, the BMW M2 shows how nicely M’s engineers can dial in a automobile to really feel cohesive, steady, and, above all else, quick. As customary, this two-door will get Adaptive M Suspension with double wishbones up entrance and a multi-link setup within the rear. The German carmaker pulls weight from these elements by constructing them from aluminum. M Compound brakes are your solely stopping possibility with six-piston calipers up entrance and a single floating caliper within the rear.
Whereas the M3 and M4’s carbon ceramics aren’t out there at the same time as an non-obligatory additional, you don’t want them exterior of a monitor setting. The BMW M2 delivers constant braking efficiency with a fast response from the pedal and the flexibility to modulate it effortlessly.
Geared up with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tires measuring 275/35 up entrance and 285/30 within the rear with a staggered 19 and 20-inch wheelset, this two-door has no drawback placing all of its energy down, thanks partly to BMW’s finely calibrated traction settings. These can help you dial within the actual quantity of rear-end slip you’re snug with whereas letting you swing this automobile’s rear finish on command with out placing it in a ditch.
The BMW M2’s grip ranges are equally astonishing, simply matching the efficiency of most sports activities vehicles on a twisty mountain street. Flip it in, and also you’d be hard-pressed to guess that it weighs 3,814 kilos or simply underneath 400 lb greater than a manual-equipped 3,417-lb F87 M2. It’s solely while you push exhausting that this automobile’s weight makes itself identified, and its entrance finish begs for a little bit of path braking to maintain up within the bends.
Whilst its rear finish begins to let go, it does so extra progressively than the spikey F87 M2, thanks partly to its longer wheelbase. Beneath its pores and skin, the most recent BMW M2 is primarily a shortened M4, with the pair sharing the identical wheel, tire setup, and monitor width. This new suspension geometry permits this two-door to leap in again street efficiency, even when it comes at the price of weight and a barely much less edgy persona.
This automobile’s added refinement works towards it in a couple of methods. Its cabin is extraordinarily well-isolated, which pays dividends on a day by day commute however muffles the sounds rising from its quad exhaust ideas. The S58 turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six that lives beneath the M2’s lengthy hood sounds wonderful, incorporating simply the correct amount of raspiness. It’s a big improve over the rough-sounding S55 within the previous-gen M2 Competitors. Nonetheless, you’ll wrestle to listen to it from behind the wheel, so BMW opted to pipe in a digitized notice by way of this automobile’s audio system.
This isolation disconnects you from the M2’s world-beating efficiency, like this automobile’s imprecise shifter. The steering manages to be worse nonetheless. Just like the M3 and M4, the BMW M2 incorporates an ultra-fast rack, which may be adjusted independently of your powertrain, braking, and traction settings. But, in probably the most aggressive Sport Plus mode, it feels comically fast whereas selecting up a good bit of synthetic weight. It’s an analogous story to its throttle response, which turns into unnaturally aware of the purpose of feeling like an on-off swap.
Whereas the M2’s electrical energy steering is exact and made considerably higher by dialing it again to the decrease Sport or Consolation settings, it’s utterly devoid of suggestions. It gained’t decide up weight as you load up this automobile’s entrance tires nor present any street floor data with the wheel on the high lifeless heart. Consequently, you’re left to guess while you’re about to exceed front-end traction, an particularly difficult activity contemplating simply how quiet these aforementioned Michelins are at the same time as you push them.
Whereas the G87 BMW M2 is undoubtedly a quick efficiency automobile that punches nicely above its weight on a again street, its excessive isolation ranges and uncommunicative inputs restrict how nicely it interprets its great velocity into thrills behind the wheel.
As a sporty two-door to commute in, nevertheless, the BMW M2 is virtually unmatched. With a lot efficiency out there on demand and its well-isolated cabin now working in your favor, it simply doubles as a grand tourer. It even rides nicely, because of a reasonably compliant suspension setup when set to Consolation mode.
This 2025 mannequin will get the most recent iDrive 8.5 software program with up to date graphics. It really works by way of a curved bezel incorporating a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch infotainment display screen. Just like the pre-LCI mannequin, most of this automobile’s very important controls, akin to its A/C settings, have frustratingly migrated to its touchscreen. Concurrently, iDrive’s phone-like app format makes navigating it on the transfer difficult.
The M2’s cabin sports activities wonderful supplies with my tester providing a pleasant mix of leather-based, carbon fiber, and Alcantara on its new flat-bottom steering wheel. Its carbon bucket seats present wonderful help whereas remaining completely snug for longer drives, so long as you don’t thoughts the protruding carbon fiber trim piece that separates your legs. That mentioned, the bottom M Sport seats are wonderful and are actually out there in new shade mixtures.
The BMW M2 acquired greater than its justifiable share of criticisms for its styling, some fired by yours really, however its design has began to develop on me over the past two years. A part of it comes all the way down to familiarity, however seeing this automobile in vibrant colours, akin to this Java Inexperienced Metallic, makes a big distinction. For 2025, it’s out there in new colours, together with seven metallic finishes, three strong colours, and 4 BMW Particular person hues. This two-door’s 930M-style wheels can be found in a gloss black, a two-tone end, or absolutely in silver.
Whereas the 2025 BMW M2 begins at $69,375, my well-optioned tester is available in at simply over $85,000. Nonetheless, as I discovered throughout my drive of an automatic-equipped 2023 mannequin, the M2’s greatest is out there as customary, that means that if this automobile’s carbon bits aren’t a must have, you may have a automobile whose efficiency will rival that of a base Porsche 911 for almost half the value.
That’s the BMW M2’s best energy. For these in search of the quickest and most succesful sports activities automobile for the cash, nothing compares. Not even rivals from Audi or Mercedes-AMG can replicate the backroad expertise this M2 delivers. As a day by day commuter, it’s unmatched because of its well-isolated cabin, well-appointed inside, and compliant journey.
Nonetheless, as fast because the entry-level M is, a stage of connectedness is lacking. You’ll know what I imply in case you’ve skilled an M3 from the E92 or E46 generations and even the F87 M2 that got here earlier than it. This is likely to be one of many final autos to supply the traditional BMW M method, however it’s a couple of updates away from being the all-out driver’s automobile it might be.
