If you happen to needed to distill this assessment 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 payment, it’s a efficiency cut price. BMW may value 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 method above its weight.
BMW’s entry-level M automotive obtained main updates because it moved from its first F87 era to this second-gen G87 mannequin. It’s now sooner, 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 newest 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. Nevertheless, as technically spectacular, well-priced, and simple to drive shortly because the M2 is, a handful of hurdles preserve it from being the thrilling driver’s automotive it may very well be.
We’re now two years into the G87’s lifecycle, and a spicier Competitors mannequin continues to be MIA. And chances are high 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 implies 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 formulation: 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 brilliant $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 provide a handbook transmission possibility, whereas the Porsche Boxster and Cayman are as a consequence of finish manufacturing this 12 months. If shifting gears manually is extra your velocity, your choices at this value level will quickly develop into the Ford Mustang Darkish Horse, the Toyota Supra, and the BMW M2. And as I’m positive you’re properly conscious, two-thirds of that checklist has Bavarian roots.
Choosing the handbook transmission has its execs and cons. On the optimistic facet, M2’s geared up with clutch pedals weigh 53 fewer kilos than these optioned with ZF’s glorious eight-speed computerized. Nevertheless, whereas this automotive’s 473-hp output is identical throughout each variants, the automatic-equipped automotive develops 37 further pound-feet of torque at 443 lb-ft versus the stick automotive’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, properly earlier than this automotive’s 7,200-rpm redline. BMW deliberately differentiates the M2’s state of tune to higher align together with your chosen gearbox, a crucial 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.
If you happen to drive each variants of this automotive back-to-back, it’ll take one flat-out dash to appreciate how a lot faster the automated automotive feels in the true world. Its 3.9-second 0-60 mph time might solely be 0.2 seconds faster than the handbook automotive’s 4.1-second time, however the computerized’s added torque pays vital dividends at decrease RPMs and mid-range shove. Nevertheless, when you expertise the manual-equipped automotive in isolation, it’ll nonetheless really feel fast regardless of its tall gears due to its excessive energy output.
A lot has been mentioned about BMW’s handbook transmissions over time; not all of this chatter is optimistic. But, in an business through 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 automotive. The 1-2 shift is oddly clunky, even at gradual speeds, and it slots into gear with a disappointing vagueness at wide-open throttle, as if the linkage had 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 modify them, contributing to a correct sports activities automotive driving place. Nevertheless, if that is your most popular technique to sit, you may discover your elbow touching this automotive’s heart armrest between shifts. All through my week, I may 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 routinely 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 highway, the BMW M2 shows how properly M’s engineers can dial in a automotive to really feel cohesive, secure, 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-compulsory additional, you don’t want them exterior of a monitor surroundings. The BMW M2 delivers constant braking efficiency with a fast response from the pedal and the power 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 downside placing all of its energy down, thanks partially to BMW’s finely calibrated traction settings. These will let you dial within the actual quantity of rear-end slip you’re comfy with whereas letting you swing this automotive’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 highway. Flip it in, and also you’d be hard-pressed to guess that it weighs 3,814 kilos or simply beneath 400 lb greater than a manual-equipped 3,417-lb F87 M2. It’s solely whenever you push exhausting that this automotive’s weight makes itself recognized, 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 newest 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 highway efficiency, even when it comes at the price of weight and a barely much less edgy persona.
This automotive’s added refinement works towards it in just a few methods. Its cabin is extraordinarily well-isolated, which pays dividends on a each 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 glorious, incorporating simply the correct quantity of raspiness. It’s a major improve over the rough-sounding S55 within the previous-gen M2 Competitors. Nevertheless, you’ll battle to listen to it from behind the wheel, so BMW opted to pipe in a digitized be aware by way of this automotive’s audio system.
This isolation disconnects you from the M2’s world-beating efficiency, like this automotive’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 will 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 the same story to its throttle response, which turns into unnaturally conscious of the purpose of feeling like an on-off change.
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 choose up weight as you load up this automotive’s entrance tires nor present any highway floor data with the wheel on the high lifeless heart. In consequence, you’re left to guess whenever you’re about to exceed front-end traction, an particularly difficult job 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 automotive that punches properly above its weight on a again highway, its excessive isolation ranges and uncommunicative inputs restrict how properly it interprets its great velocity into thrills behind the wheel.
As a sporty two-door to commute in, nonetheless, 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 properly, because of a reasonably compliant suspension setup when set to Consolation mode.
This 2025 mannequin will get the newest 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 automotive’s very important controls, corresponding 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 glorious 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 glorious help whereas remaining completely comfy 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 glorious and at the moment are out there in new colour mixtures.
The BMW M2 obtained greater than its fair proportion 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 automotive in brilliant colours, corresponding to this Java Inexperienced Metallic, makes a major distinction. For 2025, it’s out there in new colours, together with seven metallic finishes, three stable 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. Nevertheless, as I realized throughout my drive of an automatic-equipped 2023 mannequin, the M2’s greatest is out there as customary, which means that if this automotive’s carbon bits aren’t essential, you’ll be able to have a car whose efficiency will rival that of a base Porsche 911 for nearly half the worth.
That’s the BMW M2’s biggest energy. For these searching for the quickest and most succesful sports activities automotive for the cash, nothing compares. Not even rivals from Audi or Mercedes-AMG can replicate the backroad expertise this M2 delivers. As a each day commuter, it’s unmatched because of its well-isolated cabin, well-appointed inside, and compliant experience.
Nevertheless, as fast because the entry-level M is, a degree of connectedness is lacking. You’ll know what I imply when you’ve skilled an M3 from the E92 or E46 generations and even the F87 M2 that got here earlier than it. This is perhaps one of many final autos to supply the traditional BMW M formulation, nevertheless it’s just a few updates away from being the all-out driver’s automotive it may very well be.
