When you wished 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 price, 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 manner 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 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 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. Nevertheless, as technically spectacular, well-priced, and simple to drive rapidly because the M2 is, a handful of hurdles maintain 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 remains to be MIA. And chances are high that we received’t get one, as spy pictures have lately showcased the German carmaker testing what’s rumored to be an upcoming M2 CS. This additionally signifies that it’s not going that we’ll see a non-CS BMW M2 outfitted with all-wheel drive, which isn’t essentially a nasty factor when you think about that this is among the final vehicles nonetheless in manufacturing that provides the basic BMW M formulation: a straight-six up entrance, a guide 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 provide a guide transmission choice, 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 certain you’re effectively conscious, two-thirds of that checklist has Bavarian roots.
Choosing the guide transmission has its professionals and cons. On the constructive aspect, M2’s outfitted with clutch pedals weigh 53 fewer kilos than these optioned with ZF’s wonderful eight-speed computerized. Nevertheless, whereas this automobile’s 473-hp output is identical throughout each variants, the automatic-equipped automobile develops 37 further pound-feet of torque at 443 lb-ft versus the stick automobile’s 406 lb-ft determine.
That mentioned, the guide develops that peak determine as much as 6,130 rpm whereas the automated drops off after 5,620 rpm, effectively earlier than this automobile’s 7,200-rpm redline. BMW deliberately differentiates the M2’s state of tune to higher align together with your chosen gearbox, a essential revision given the auto’s shorter gear ratios and two further speeds. No matter transmission, the BMW M2 tops out at an electronically restricted 155-mph high velocity, or 177 mph, when outfitted with the M Driver’s Package deal.
When you drive each variants of this automobile back-to-back, it’ll take one flat-out dash to appreciate how a lot faster the automated automobile feels in the true world. Its 3.9-second 0-60 mph time might solely be 0.2 seconds faster than the guide automobile’s 4.1-second time, however the computerized’s added torque pays vital dividends at decrease RPMs and mid-range shove. Nevertheless, for those who expertise the manual-equipped automobile 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 guide transmissions through the years; not all of this chatter is constructive. 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 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 had been product of rubber items.
There are ergonomic points, too. My tester options the $9,900 Carbon Package deal, which will get you BMW’s supportive carbon-backed bucket seats. A part of what makes them nice is simply how low you’re capable of modify them, contributing to a correct sports activities automobile driving place. Nevertheless, if that is your most well-liked approach to sit, you may discover your elbow touching this automobile’s middle armrest between shifts. All through my week, I may elevate the seat, compromising an in any other case excellent seating place, or angle my elbow upwards whereas shifting rapidly. 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 best way 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 effectively M’s engineers can dial in a automobile 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 parts by constructing them from aluminum. M Compound brakes are your solely stopping choice with six-piston calipers up entrance and a single floating caliper within the rear.
Whereas the M3 and M4’s carbon ceramics aren’t obtainable whilst an non-obligatory further, 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.
Outfitted 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 partly to BMW’s finely calibrated traction settings. These help you dial within the precise quantity of rear-end slip you’re comfy 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 below 400 lb greater than a manual-equipped 3,417-lb F87 M2. It’s solely once 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.
At the same time as 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 in opposition to 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 wonderful, incorporating simply the correct amount 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 observe 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 might be adjusted independently of your powertrain, braking, and traction settings. But, in essentially the most aggressive Sport Plus mode, it feels comically fast whereas selecting up a good bit of synthetic weight. It’s an identical story to its throttle response, which turns into unnaturally aware 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 fully devoid of suggestions. It received’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 middle. Because of this, you’re left to guess once you’re about to exceed front-end traction, an particularly difficult activity contemplating simply how quiet these aforementioned Michelins are whilst you push them.
Whereas the G87 BMW M2 is undoubtedly a quick efficiency automobile that punches effectively above its weight on a again street, its excessive isolation ranges and uncommunicative inputs restrict how effectively it interprets its super 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 obtainable on demand and its well-isolated cabin now working in your favor, it simply doubles as a grand tourer. It even rides effectively, 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. Just like the pre-LCI mannequin, most of this automobile’s important controls, similar to its A/C settings, have frustratingly migrated to its touchscreen. Concurrently, iDrive’s phone-like app structure 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 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 wonderful and at the moment are obtainable in new coloration mixtures.
The BMW M2 acquired greater than its fair proportion of criticisms for its styling, some fired by yours really, however its design has began to develop on me during the last two years. A part of it comes all the way down to familiarity, however seeing this automobile in vibrant colours, similar to this Java Inexperienced Metallic, makes a major distinction. For 2025, it’s obtainable 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 totally 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 finest is offered as customary, which means that if this automobile’s carbon bits aren’t essential, you possibly can 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 automobile 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 journey.
Nevertheless, as fast because the entry-level M is, a degree of connectedness is lacking. You’ll know what I imply for those who’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 automobiles to supply the basic BMW M formulation, but it surely’s just a few updates away from being the all-out driver’s automobile it might be.
