BMW M2

BMW M2: which version to buy and why

If the question is which BMW M2 to buy, the data split the catalogue into two generations of Coupe, with a restyling inside 1 generation.

If the question is which BMW M2 to buy, the data split the catalogue into two generations of Coupe, with a restyling inside 1 generation. Buy 2 generation M2 CS 3.0 AT (530 hp) if the goal is the shortest 0–100 km/h time in the catalogue (3.8 s) and the highest peak power; buy 1 generation, restyling M2 3.0 DCT (450 hp) if the goal is the lightest 450 hp car and a 4.0 s 0–100 with a 280 km/h top speed; buy 1 generation M2 3.0 MT (370 hp) if the goal is the lowest kerb weight in the whole line (1495 kg). Do not treat M235i 2.0 AT xDrive or M235i xDrive as equivalent to the six-cylinder M2: both are 306 hp, 1998 cm³, 4 cylinders Inline, AWD. Production in the data runs from 2015-10-01; 2 generation has no stop date.

Generations (what actually changes between them)

1 generation (2015-10-01 to 2018-01-31), Coupe, 2 versions: M2 3.0 DCT (370 hp) and M2 3.0 MT (370 hp). Both use 2979 cm³ Gasoline, 6 cylinders Inline, Turbo, Front, longitudinal, Direct injection (direct), compression 10.2, bore × stroke 84 × 89.6, fuel 98, ground clearance 123 mm, tank 52 L, wheels 245/35 R19 and 265/35 R19, gross weight 2010 kg. The DCT is 7-speed Robotic, 4.3 s to 100 km/h; the MT is 6-speed Manual, 4.5 s. Both are RWD, 250 km/h, 272 kW at 6500 rpm, 465 Nm from 1400–5560 rpm.

The 1 generation, restyling (2017-05-01 to 2021-01-31) stays Coupe and keeps the 370 hp pair, but fuel becomes 95, clearance falls 5 mm to 118 mm, and five extra versions appear: M2 3.0 MT (450 hp), M2 3.0 DCT (450 hp), M2 Competition MT, M2 Competition DCT, and M235i 2.0 AT xDrive. Overlap with the pre-restyle window is 2017-05-01 to 2018-01-31; the same 370 hp names are not the same car on fuel and ride height.

2 generation (from 2019-10-01, stop not measured), Coupe, 6 versions. Displacement moves from 2979 to 2993 cm³ (+14 cm³), compression from 10.2 to 9.3, stroke from 89.6 to 90 mm, and peak outputs become 460, 480, and 530 hp on the six-cylinder cars. Gearbox on the two-pedal six-cylinder cars is 8-speed Automatic, not 7-speed Robotic. Kerb weight on the 460/480 hp cars is 1705–1725 kg versus 1495–1650 kg in 1 generation. Wheels become 275/35 R19 and 285/30 R20. Ground clearance is not measured. M235i xDrive sits in this generation with a 42 L tank (10 L smaller than the 52 L six-cylinder tanks).

Engine specs: name collisions and specific output

Same name, different power — do not mix them:

Power per litre (hp ÷ litres from the given cm³): M2 CS 3.0 AT 177.1 hp/L; M2 3.0 AT (480 hp) and M2 3.0 MT (480 hp) 160.4 hp/L; M2 3.0 AT (460 hp) and M2 3.0 MT (460 hp) 153.7 hp/L; M235i 2.0 AT xDrive and M235i xDrive 153.2 hp/L; restyle M2 3.0 DCT (450 hp) and M2 3.0 MT (450 hp) 151.1 hp/L; M2 Competition MT / M2 Competition DCT 137.6 hp/L; all 370 hp 2979 cm³ cars 124.2 hp/L. The four-cylinder cars match the 460 hp six-cylinder cars on specific output; they do not match them on displacement, cylinder count, or drive.

Torque: M2 CS 3.0 AT is the only 650 Nm car (+100 Nm versus every 550 Nm six-cylinder, +185 Nm versus 370 hp, +192 Nm versus 306 hp). M2 Competition MT and M2 Competition DCT have the highest torque in 1 generation at 560 Nm — 10 Nm above the 450 hp restyle cars and 95 Nm above the 370 hp cars. Peak power rpm: 370 hp at 6500; Competition 5230–7000; 450/460/480/530 hp at 6250; M235i 2.0 AT xDrive 5000–6250; M235i xDrive 5000.

Valves per cylinder are 4 on every version. Engine position is Front, longitudinal on every version. Compression 10.2 on all 2979 cm³ cars; 9.3 on all 2993 cm³ cars; not measured on both 1998 cm³ cars.

Performance, mpg, and horsepower vs weight

0–100 km/h ranking (all measured): M2 CS 3.0 AT 3.8 s; restyle M2 3.0 DCT (450 hp) 4.0 s; 2 generation M2 3.0 AT (480 hp) 4.0 s; 2 generation M2 3.0 AT (460 hp) 4.1 s; restyle M2 3.0 MT (450 hp) 4.2 s; M2 Competition DCT 4.2 s; 2 generation M2 3.0 MT (480 hp) 4.2 s; 1 generation M2 3.0 DCT and restyle M2 3.0 DCT (370 hp) 4.3 s; 2 generation M2 3.0 MT (460 hp) 4.3 s; M2 Competition MT 4.4 s; 1 generation M2 3.0 MT and restyle M2 3.0 MT (370 hp) 4.5 s; M235i 2.0 AT xDrive and M235i xDrive 4.8 s. The CS is 0.2 s quicker than the next pair and 1.0 s quicker than the 306 hp cars.

Top speed: only M2 CS 3.0 AT is 302 km/h. 280 km/h appears on restyle M2 3.0 MT (450 hp), restyle M2 3.0 DCT (450 hp), and M2 Competition DCT. Every other measured top speed is 250 km/h, including M2 Competition MT (30 km/h below its DCT twin at the same 410 hp) and every 2 generation non-CS six-cylinder car (30 km/h below the restyle 450 hp DCT/MT).

Combined consumption, where measured (L/100 km): restyle M2 3.0 DCT (370 hp) and 1 generation M2 3.0 DCT 7.9; restyle M2 3.0 MT (370 hp) and 1 generation M2 3.0 MT 8.5; restyle M2 3.0 DCT (450 hp) 9.6; 2 generation M2 3.0 MT (460 hp), M2 3.0 AT (460 hp), M2 3.0 AT (480 hp), and M2 CS 3.0 AT 9.6; M2 Competition MT 9.8; 2 generation M2 3.0 MT (480 hp) 10.2; restyle M2 3.0 MT (450 hp) 10.4. Combined is not measured for M2 Competition DCT, M235i 2.0 AT xDrive, and M235i xDrive. City/highway: 1 generation and restyle 370 hp DCT 10.5 / 6.4; 370 hp MT 11.6 / 6.7; restyle 450 hp DCT 12.6 / 7.8; Competition MT 13.2 / 7.8; restyle 450 hp MT 14.9 / 7.8. City and highway are not measured for all 2 generation versions, Competition DCT, and both M235i names. CO2: lowest measured is 185 g/km on both 370 hp DCT cars; restyle 450 hp MT is 238 g/km (highest). M235i xDrive CO2 is not measured. Eco class Euro 6 on every version except M235i xDrive (not measured).

Kerb weight per horsepower (kg/hp): M2 CS 3.0 AT 1700/530 = 3.21; restyle M2 3.0 MT (450 hp) 1550/450 = 3.44; restyle M2 3.0 DCT (450 hp) 1575/450 = 3.50; 2 generation M2 3.0 MT (480 hp) 1705/480 = 3.55; 2 generation M2 3.0 AT (480 hp) 1725/480 = 3.59; 2 generation 460 hp cars 1725/460 = 3.75; M2 Competition MT 1625/410 = 3.96; M2 Competition DCT 1650/410 = 4.02; 1 generation M2 3.0 MT 1495/370 = 4.04; both 370 hp DCT cars 1520/370 = 4.11; M235i 2.0 AT xDrive 1570/306 = 5.13. M235i xDrive kerb weight is not measured, so kg/hp is not measured.

Dimensions, weight, tank, wheels

Kerb weight span is 1495 kg (1 generation M2 3.0 MT and restyle M2 3.0 MT 370 hp) to 1725 kg (2 generation M2 3.0 MT 460 hp, M2 3.0 AT 460 hp, M2 3.0 AT 480 hp): +230 kg. M2 CS 3.0 AT at 1700 kg is 25 kg below those 1725 kg cars and 5 kg below 2 generation M2 3.0 MT (480 hp) at 1705 kg. M2 Competition DCT is the heaviest 1 generation car at 1650 kg. Gross weight: 2010 kg on every 1 generation six-cylinder including restyle; 2105 kg on M235i 2.0 AT xDrive (+95 kg); 2155 kg on 2 generation 460/480 hp cars (+145 kg vs 2010); 2125 kg on M2 CS 3.0 AT. M235i xDrive kerb and gross are not measured.

Ground clearance: 123 mm on 1 generation, 118 mm on restyle six-cylinder cars (−5 mm), not measured on M235i 2.0 AT xDrive and every 2 generation version. Tank: 52 L on every six-cylinder; 50 L on M235i 2.0 AT xDrive; 42 L on M235i xDrive. Wheels: 245/35 R19 and 265/35 R19 on 1 generation and restyle six-cylinder cars (M2 Competition DCT lists 265/35 R19 and 245/35 R19); 275/35 R19 and 285/30 R20 on 2 generation six-cylinder cars. Wheels not measured on both M235i names.

Chassis labels that do not differentiate versions: front and rear Independent, spring; front Ventilated disc; rear Disc ventilated.

Which version to choose

Need the current catalogue peak. M2 CS 3.0 AT (2 generation): 530 hp, 389 kW, 650 Nm, 3.8 s, 302 km/h, 177.1 hp/L, 3.21 kg/hp, 1700 kg, 9.6 L/100 km combined, 226 g/km CO2, 52 L, Automatic 8, RWD. Versus M2 3.0 AT (480 hp) that is +50 hp, +100 Nm, −0.2 s, +52 km/h, −25 kg kerb, −30 kg gross, same 9.6 combined. Versus restyle M2 3.0 DCT (450 hp): +80 hp, +100 Nm, −0.2 s, +22 km/h, but +125 kg kerb. City and highway consumption and clearance are not measured on the CS.

Need 4.0 s without moving to 2 generation. Restyle M2 3.0 DCT (450 hp): 450 hp / 331 kW / 550 Nm, 4.0 s, 280 km/h, 1575 kg, 9.6 combined, 12.6 city, 7.8 highway, 219 g/km. That matches the 2 generation M2 3.0 AT (480 hp) on 0–100 and beats it on top speed (280 vs 250) and kerb weight (1575 vs 1725, −150 kg). It loses 30 hp and 14 cm³ displacement.

Need a six-speed Manual and maximum restyle power. Restyle M2 3.0 MT (450 hp): same 450/550 engine as the 450 hp DCT, 4.2 s (0.2 s slower), 280 km/h (same), 1550 kg (25 kg lighter than the 450 hp DCT), 10.4 combined (0.8 L/100 km more), 14.9 city (highest measured city figure), 238 g/km (highest CO2). Versus 2 generation M2 3.0 MT (480 hp): −30 hp, same 550 Nm, same 4.2 s, +30 km/h top speed, −155 kg (1550 vs 1705).

Need Competition, not the 450 hp restyle. M2 Competition DCT: 410 hp, 560 Nm (10 Nm more than 450 hp restyle), 4.2 s, 280 km/h, 1650 kg, combined/city/highway not measured, 210 g/km (9 g/km below the 450 hp DCT). M2 Competition MT: same 410/560, 4.4 s, 250 km/h (30 km/h less than the Competition DCT), 1625 kg, 9.8 combined, 13.2 city, 228 g/km. Competition is +40 hp and +95 Nm versus the 370 hp cars, and −40 hp versus the 450 hp restyle cars. Specific output sits between them (137.6 vs 124.2 vs 151.1 hp/L). Weight is the penalty: Competition MT is 130 kg heavier than restyle 370 hp MT (1625 vs 1495).

Need the lightest M2, or 2015–2018 only. 1 generation M2 3.0 MT (370 hp): 1495 kg, 4.5 s, 250 km/h, 8.5 combined, 11.6 city, 6.7 highway, 199 g/km, fuel 98, clearance 123 mm. 1 generation M2 3.0 DCT (370 hp): +25 kg, −0.2 s (4.3 s), 7.9 combined (lowest measured with the restyle 370 hp DCT), 185 g/km (lowest CO2). Restyle 370 hp twins keep the same hp, Nm, 0–100, consumption and CO2, but switch to fuel 95 and 118 mm clearance. Do not pick a restyle 370 hp car expecting 123 mm or 98.

Need AWD or a 1998 cm³ four-cylinder. Only two cars: restyle M235i 2.0 AT xDrive (from 2019-01-01 to 2021-01-31) and 2 generation M235i xDrive (from 2019-10-01, stop not measured). Both 306 hp / 225 kW / 458 Nm, 4 Inline, Turbo, Automatic 8, AWD, 4.8 s, 250 km/h. The restyle car: 1570 kg, 2105 kg gross, 50 L, 219 g/km, Euro 6; city, highway, combined, clearance, wheels, compression not measured. M235i xDrive: 42 L tank; kerb, gross, CO2, eco class, clearance, wheels, combined, city, highway, compression all not measured. Versus the weakest six-cylinder (370 hp MT): −64 hp, −7 Nm, +0.3 s, same 250 km/h, AWD instead of RWD, 1998 vs 2979 cm³.

Need 2 generation but not CS. Four six-cylinder names, two power levels. M2 3.0 AT (480 hp): 4.0 s, 1725 kg, 9.6 combined. M2 3.0 MT (480 hp): 4.2 s, 1705 kg (−20 kg), 10.2 combined (+0.6). M2 3.0 AT (460 hp): 4.1 s, 1725 kg, 9.6 combined — 20 hp less than the 480 hp AT for +0.1 s, same weight and combined. M2 3.0 MT (460 hp): 4.3 s, 1725 kg, 9.6 combined. All four: 550 Nm, 250 km/h, 218 g/km, 52 L, 2993 cm³, clearance not measured, city/highway not measured. The 20 hp step from 460 to 480 is 0.1 s on the Automatic and 0.1 s on the Manual; it does not raise torque or top speed in the data.

What 2 generation does not buy versus restyle 450 hp. Peak power is higher (460–530 vs 450), displacement is 14 cm³ larger, and the CS adds 100 Nm and 302 km/h. It does not buy a higher non-CS top speed (250 vs 280), does not buy a lower kerb weight (1700–1725 vs 1550–1575 on the 450 hp cars), and does not buy measured clearance. Combined 9.6 on three of four non-CS six-cylinder 2 generation cars matches restyle M2 3.0 DCT (450 hp); M2 3.0 MT (480 hp) is thirstier at 10.2, still 0.2 below restyle M2 3.0 MT (450 hp) at 10.4.

Problems, reliability, engine codes, and sale prices are not in this dataset and are not measured here.