Standard EquipmentTechnical SpecificationOptional ExtrasIndependent Review

Driver Convenience

  • Attentiveness assist
  • Automatic tailgate operation
  • BMW emergency call
  • BMW Online services
  • BMW remote services
  • BMW teleservices
  • Check control system
  • Cruise control with brake function
  • Door/boot open warning light
  • Forward collision warning
  • Lights on warning
  • Oil temperature gauge
  • On board computer
  • Outside temperature display
  • Personal Profile
  • Service interval indicator
  • Speed limiter
  • Stop/start button

Entertainment

  • Bluetooth audio streaming
  • BMW professional radio/CD/MP3
  • DAB Digital radio

Exterior Features

  • Body colour bumpers
  • Body colour door handles
  • Body colour door mirrors
  • Body colour roof mouldings
  • Chrome exhaust tailpipe
  • Chrome kidney grille with black vertical slats
  • Door mirror integrated indicators
  • Electric adjustable heated door mirrors
  • Electric front/rear windows with one touch/anti pinch
  • Follow me home headlights
  • Green tinted heat insulating glass
  • Heated windscreen washer jets
  • High beam assistant
  • LED daytime running lights
  • LED front fog lights
  • M aerodynamic body styling
  • Rain sensor including auto headlights activation
  • Rear wiper

Interior Features

  • 12V sockets in front centre console and passenger footwell
  • 2 individual fold flat 3rd row seats
  • 3 rear headrests
  • 3 spoke leather M multifunction sports steering wheel
  • 4 grab handles
  • 40/20/40 split folding rear seat
  • Anthracite headlining
  • Anthracite Velour floor mats
  • Dakota leather upholstery
  • Dual zone automatic air conditioning
  • Front armrest
  • Front head restraints
  • Front sports seats with electric side bolster adjustment
  • Front/rear armrests within door panels
  • Illuminated glovebox
  • Isofix front passenger and rear seat preparation
  • Luggage compartment lighting
  • M door sill finishers with M badging
  • Reach + rake adjustable steering column
  • Rear centre armrest
  • Sliding rear seats
  • Sunvisors
  • Underfloor stowage compartment
  • Welcome lighting

Packs

  • Extended lights package - 2 Series Gran Tourer
  • Extended storage pack - 2 Series Gran Tourer

Safety

  • 'Childproof' rear door locks
  • 3 point seatbelts on all seats
  • ABS
  • Brake assist
  • Collision mitigation braking system
  • Crash Sensor - activates hazard/interior lighting + unlocks doors
  • Driver/Front Passenger airbags
  • DSC+
  • Dynamic Traction Control - DTC
  • Front and rear curtain airbags
  • Front passenger airbag deactivation
  • Front seatbelt force limiters
  • Front seatbelt pretensioner
  • Front side airbags
  • Hill start assist
  • Seatbelt warning
  • Side impact protection
  • Tyre pressure monitoring system
  • Warning triangle and first aid kit

Security

  • Electronic immobiliser
  • Key integrated remote control central locking
  • Locking wheel bolts
  • Remote control Thatcham category 1 alarm

Technical

  • Drive Performance Control
  • Electronic differential lock

Wheels

  • 18" M Double spoke alloy wheels - style 486
  • Low rolling resistance tyres
  • Run flat tyres

Emissions

CO2 (g/km)

137

HC+NOx

Particles

Standard Euro Emissions

EURO 6

Engine and Drive Train

Camshaft

DOHC

Catalytic Convertor

1

CC

1499

Compression Ratio

11:0:1

Cylinder Layout

IN-LINE

Cylinders

3

Cylinders - Bore (mm)

82

Cylinders - Stroke (mm)

94.6

Engine Code

B38A15M1

Engine Layout

FRONT TRANSVERSE

Fuel Delivery

TWIN TURBO

Gears

6 SPEED

Number of Valves

12

Transmission

MANUAL

Fuel Consumption

EC Combined (mpg)

47.1

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies

1

EC Extra Urban (mpg)

54.3

EC Urban (mpg)

38.7

General

Badge Engine CC

1.5

Badge Power

140

Based On ID

Coin Description

i

Coin Series

M Sport

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07

15E

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %

NCAP Safety Assist %

Safety Concerns?

1

Special Edition

1

Special Order

1

Vehicle Homologation Class

M1

Performance

0 to 62 mph (secs)

9.5

Engine Power - BHP

140

Engine Power - KW

103

Engine Power - RPM

4500

Engine Torque - LBS.FT

162

Engine Torque - MKG

22.4

Engine Torque - NM

220

Engine Torque - RPM

1480

Top Speed

127

Tyres

Alloys?

1

Space Saver?

1

Tyre Size Front

225/45 R18

Tyre Size Rear

225/45 R18

Tyre Size Spare

RUN FLAT TYRES

Wheel Style

M DOUBLE SPOKE STYLE 486

Wheel Type

18" ALLOY

Vehicle Dimensions

Height

1612

Height (including roof rails)

Length

4556

Wheelbase

2780

Width

1800

Width (including mirrors)

2038

Weight and Capacities

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres)

51

Gross Vehicle Weight

2155

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down)

1820

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up)

560

Max. Loading Weight

690

Max. Roof Load

75

Max. Towing Weight - Braked

1500

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked

735

Minimum Kerbweight

1465

No. of Seats

7

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb

11.7

On The Road

Driver Convenience

Entertainment

Exterior Features

Interior Features

Packs

Paintwork

Security

Technical

Trim

Summary

BMW may make a little bit of history with the M2. A well built, rear-wheel drive four-seat coupe with a powerful, efficient engine and lightweight engineering makes a compelling case, even at £44,000. It features just enough luxury to merit the premium price, but is focused completely on its role and an ultra-involving performance car. It looks aggressive, is breathtakingly quick and handles like it belongs on a circuit. With online connectivity, a 'Smokey Burnout' feature and a specially tuned engine sound, driving the M2 will never be less than entertaining. While BMW are targeting a generation who may not remember the original M3, the ingredients that made that car such a hit back in the 80's are the same ingredients that should make the M2 sell well today. Whether or not it will ever be considered a classic only time will tell.

Background

The performance model that most stands out in BMW's history is the M3. In its original mid-1980s form, this car was fun, ferociously quick and relatively understated, while proving to be highly competitive on track. Over the years though, as this model line grew larger, safer, more refined and more expensive, it began to lose some of the character that made those early cars so special. When, in 2010, BMW's entry level model, the 1-series coupe, was given a light sprinkling of M enhancements, the company seemed to be on the verge of launching a worthy 'back to basics' successor to earlier M3s. That 1 series M Coupe was well received and this car, the M2, is its direct successor. In many ways, it's what an M3 really should be. Will it take its place in BMW's heritage?

Driving Experience

Putting a turbocharged 3.0-litre six cylinder engine into a small rear wheel drive coupe will always grab a driver's attention. The engine is basically the same as that used in the lesser 326bhp M235i model but the 370bhp tune here is bespoke to the M2 and delivers monumental performance, charging to 62mph in just 4.3 seconds (0.7s faster than the M235i). That challenges the Porsche 911. There's a choice of a six-speed manual gearbox or a seven-speed M DCT paddleshift auto. 'M,' essentially, stands for 'Motorsport', so the M2 has to be capable of performing on track and to enable that, some ruthless weight shedding has had to take place. Many steel components, particularly in the steering assembly and chassis, have been replaced with aluminium parts in an attempt to make the M2 much more responsive. Boy racers will be delighted to hear that there is even a 'Smokey Burnout' function when some gratuitous show-boating is required.

Design and Build

'M' could just as easily stand for 'Muscle' as the clean lines of the 2-series are here bulked up and pumped out to give the M2 the look of an athlete. The front end carries the low gaping front bumper and splitter assembly that immediately sets this model apart as an M car, while at the back four exhaust pipes give the game away if the distinctive M badges aren't enough. The M2 has a far more aggressive style than its predecessor the 1-series M Coupe, which reinforces how much more seriously BMW's M division have taken this project. You get the sense that this is a thoroughly well thought out car, thanks to the attention to detail that has been paid to the little things. Engineers have spent time making sure the M2 sounds like a high performance model, incorporating an electronically controlled exhaust flap that acts like the reed in a carefully tuned musical instrument to deliver the distinctive BMW engine note. Inside, there is even a knee-pad on the side of the centre console to keep you comfortable during quick changes of direction and 'M' logos litter the leather interior, should you need reminding that this is no ordinary 2-series.

Market and Model

The BMW M2 costs £44,000 which seems a lot when you consider that the M235i is just 0.7s slower to 62mph, has basically the same engine and costs around £9,000 less. Still, you could also argue that you're getting the same performance here as you would from a £75,000 Porsche 911 Carrera: it's all a question of perspective. You'd certainly need M2 money to get yourself a decently specified version of a uber-hot hatch like Audi's RS3 or the Mercedes-AMG A45. The M2 only comes in four colour choices (blue, black, white and grey) and comes with BMW's signature Xenon headlights as standard. Sat Nav is included along with BMW's 'Professional Media Package' which is, in essence, an enhanced infotainment system with the kinds of apps and travel related services you might find on your smart-phone. One app that stands out, is the M Laptimer, letting you benchmark your performance on track. These details remind you that this competent road car is also a pocket racer.

Cost of Ownership

BMW have found innovative engineering solutions to deliver outstanding performance while keeping a check on the fuel economy and emissions. By using four specially designed exhaust pipes to help the exhaust gas escape more easily and by clever positioning of the turbochargers inside the exhaust system, the engine is able to run more smoothly and efficiently. The manual version of the car returns 33.2mpg and emits 199g/km CO2 (about the same as an M235i),while the M DCT automatic is more frugal, returning 35.8mpg and emitting just 185g/km. That puts the automatic in a lower tax bracket, costing just £225 compared to the manual M2 at £265 per year. BMW offers a 12-year bodywork warranty, a three-year paint warranty and two years for parts and accessories, so new car buyers will have reasonable peace of mind. Servicing, as with any premium brand, will be expensive at main dealerships and approved body-shops, but BMW's reputation for quality means mechanical failures should be very rare. If the Munich maker has got its mix right, and it looks like it has, the M2 has the potential to remain a desirable car for a very long time, so residuals should be strong. The previous model, the 1-series M kept its value well.