[MR.]

The Competition version of the highly successful baby M, the M2, is here. I was lucky enough to be given an initial taste of the vehicle.

By Marc Rutten

The world of powerful mid-size coupe’s is not one that is loaded with the finest examples of powerful and engaging driving machines. The amount of cars available to us petrolheads can be counted on a few fingers. Among the likes of the Porsche Cayman and the Chevrolet Camaro 1LE, there is not much else to choose that comes close to the subject of this story; the new M2 Competition, BMW’s smallest coupe with a M badge and a pretty unique offering in the market today.

As a future owner I might be slightly biased when it comes to a review, so I feel this story should be aimed differently. I opted for a really in-depth piece into what the car has to offer and where the brilliance and flaws lay. The main reason is that due to a minor mishap by the BMW M team on site at the press drive location I never got to drive the M-DCT drivetrain, the exact drivetrain that I have on order and which was the base for my base M2. It would have allowed for the best possible comparison, which I now had to annoyingly flush down the drain of ideas.

Instead I was handed a manual M2C on track for about six laps and a manual M2C on the road for about 10 seconds. A set up I simply do not like, and I will dive into why this is the case. For those who are looking for more in-depth information and specifications, I would like to guide you to my previous story. For now let’s bring out the balance, touch on the main highlights and see what makes the car shine and where BMW M should be ashamed of itself, but first let’s have a short look back at the history of the M2.

Read the complete story here: https://bit.ly/2K3ex93

Pro's
Improved handling and steering
Enhanced stability and stiffness at the front axle
Remodulated MDM based on the M3 CS / M4 CS
Lots of nice extras and upgrades on the option list
M-mirrors standard
Improved performance from the new engine

Con's
Chubby or simply too heavy across the board
Exhaust soundtrack too bland and plain
Weird colour choices for interior and exterior
Engine has lost its rawness and feels less responsive
OPF filter is a negative game changer for the automotive world

[VIERsr]

Ok so #1 modification: dp katless to remove OPF
Thanks for your review

[MR.]

Originally Posted by _RS4_

Ok so #1 modification: dp katless to remove OPF
Thanks for your review

Needed changes....

1. New suspension to lower the center of gravity
2. New lightweight wheels
3. New exhaust system
4. New down pipes
5. Re-tune to put some decent spirit in that thing
6. Add carbon fiber parts if you want

MR

[arquitecto]

Great review Marc! Shame about the weight but looking forward to seeing them in person here stateside without the opf

I am sure it’s only a matter of time until we see the new MDM coded to the OG M2

[M-Pilot]

Thanks for the review! I read the full version and have a quick question:

I noticed you mentioned the weight couple times. Is this a complaint of the "on paper" weight or did you really feel the extra weight? If latter, can you provide more details/examples (especially considering you also mentioned improved handling and stability)?

[dmboone25]

Thanks for the thoughts.

[KevM2]

Hmmmm... less raw and less responsive might be a dealbreaker for me...

[chris719]

Seems like the US version of the car will be a winner without OPF and better engine response.

[BishUK]

Thanks for review sir! First one in the world I've read, you beat all the mags!
It's a bit of a "hmmm" car then huh...defo not an instant upgrade from OG M2 with DP, FMIC, MPE etc...my current car is soooo responsive, turbo is always on, thing is eager all the time, just wants to go, go, go!
Have M2C on order for Sept delivery...I expected it to be a bit more day and night, sounds like the new emissions filter is strangling the S55, the way you've described the vibe from the engine doesn't sound like any S55 I've ever driven.
I have 763s, but wasn't keen to go through the whole modding palava again (dps, midpipe, coils, exhaust etc)...bar some carbon exterior bits I thought I'd just run stock this time around (as a stock S55 should be sweet!) - not in this case.

[MR.]

Originally Posted by cntzl

Thanks for the review! I read the full version and have a quick question:

I noticed you mentioned the weight couple times. Is this a complaint of the "on paper" weight or did you really feel the extra weight? If latter, can you provide more details/examples (especially considering you also mentioned improved handling and stability)?

You forget the weight as soon as you drive it. The other upgrades let you forget the issue of the extra weight. You are more annoyed by the absence of a decent soundtrack than the weight.

After parking the car and your initial M smile gliding away, the subject of weight drops back in your mind and your immediate thoughts are that a lighter car would have handled even better than this.

There is so much potential making this the ultimate M car of its era, but you feel that the marketing and sales department decided to push through their choices. As a true M fan, it is gonna hurt my wallet again and the sales departments have won.

MR

[Apachesmith]

The Telegraph newspaper in the U.K. has just released their review 5/5.... some inaccuracies but the journalist said best sports coupe he’s ever driven!

[M-Pilot]

Originally Posted by MR.

You forget the weight as soon as you drive it. The other upgrades let you forget the issue of the extra weight. You are more annoyed by the absence of a decent soundtrack than the weight.

After parking the car and your initial M smile gliding away, the subject of weight drops back in your mind and your immediate thoughts are that a lighter car would have handled even better than this.

There is so much potential making this the ultimate M car of its era, but you feel that the marketing and sales department decided to push through their choices. As a true M fan, it is gonna hurt my wallet again and the sales departments have won.

MR

All I wanted to hear, thank you!

[Ahmet85]

Originally Posted by Apachesmith

The Telegraph newspaper in the U.K. has just released their review 5/5.... some inaccuracies but the journalist said best sports coupe he’s ever driven!

Agreed. Everyone else's reviews are slightly different to this one. Seems a bit weird.

[devo]

Thank you for taking the time...

This review reads as though emotion has taken precedence over objectivity.

[MR.]

Originally Posted by chris719

Seems like the US version of the car will be a winner without OPF and better engine response.

If it has another tune!

Originally Posted by BishUK

Thanks for review sir! First one in the world I've read, you beat all the mags!
It's a bit of a "hmmm" car then huh...defo not an instant upgrade from OG M2 with DP, FMIC, MPE etc...my current car is soooo responsive, turbo is always on, thing is eager all the time, just wants to go, go, go!
Have M2C on order for Sept delivery...I expected it to be a bit more day and night, sounds like the new emissions filter is strangling the S55, the way you've described the vibe from the engine doesn't sound like any S55 I've ever driven.
I have 763s, but wasn't keen to go through the whole modding palava again (dps, midpipe, coils, exhaust etc)...bar some carbon exterior bits I thought I'd just run stock this time around (as a stock S55 should be sweet!) - not in this case.

It is a better package for tuning than the M2, but honestly I would not see a reason to sell your tuned M2 for this.

Just download the software from the M2C and put it in a M2. I would not be amazed that some tuner will make that work for you. In the end, it is the same steering rack and the same MDM/diff mode setting.

I suggested this idea to the chief engineer and he said; "Not possible". I said; "Give us a few weeks".

MR

[MR.]

Originally Posted by Apachesmith

The Telegraph newspaper in the U.K. has just released their review 5/5.... some inaccuracies but the journalist said best sports coupe he’s ever driven!

He clearly hasn't driven many sport coupe's then -> M3 CSL

Originally Posted by devo

Thank you for taking the time...

This review reads as though emotion has taken precedence over objectivity.

I bought one... and I am spending a shitload of cash on it in a few weeks. May I please share my thoughts as an ex-M2 owner :P Also it is not a review, but a story with an opinion. Like it or not, at least I am the one that touches on things others haven't.

MR

[Artemis]

The picture below: the M2 Competition (Hockenheim Silver) beats the original M2 (Long Beach Blue) in the speed department, due to added firepower and retuning.

But does it also bring more 'Freude am Fahren' to the driving table ? Or is it rather 'different' instead of 'better' ?

[MR.]

Originally Posted by Artemis

The picture below: the M2 Competition (Hockenheim Silver) beats the original M2 (Long Beach Blue) in the speed department, due to added firepower and retuning.

But does it also bring more 'Freude am Fahren' to the driving table ? Or is it rather 'different' instead of 'better' ?

Attachment 1870871

Definitely better, but "better" comes at a consequence.

MR

[devo]

Originally Posted by MR.

He clearly hasn't driven many sport coupe's then -> M3 CSL



I bought one... and I am spending a shitload of cash on it in a few weeks. May I please share my thoughts as an ex-M2 owner :P Also it is not a review, but a story with an opinion. Like it or not, at least I am the one that touches on things others haven't.

MR

I welcome opinions. Any of us "buyers" are spending a boat load, shitload, ton of effing money, on it, however, your opinions read as sour grapes. Your review touches on issues which are essentially irrelevant. Sorry, that is my opinion...

[hellrotm]

Not the first for Competition to have heavier wheels. The 1M and E9x M3ZCP got heavier wheels than the standard wheels. In fact the 359M are even heavier than the 788M. Not something new.

[MR.]

Originally Posted by devo

I welcome opinions. Any of us "buyers" are spending a boat load, shitload, ton of effing money, on it, however, your opinions read as sour grapes. Your review touches on issues which are essentially irrelevant. Sorry, that is my opinion...

I respect your opinion on that matter, and that is why I will always touch on the details. It gives people like you a choice to agree or disagree with it, and fuels our conversation. You will never see me write a first drive like any of the other stuff that has been released just now.

Originally Posted by hellrotm

Not the first for Competition to have heavier wheels. The 1M and E9x M3ZCP got heavier wheels than the standard wheels. In fact the 359M are even heavier than the 788M. Not something new.

It is good to see they stick to their heritage

MR

[BishUK]

Evo = 4.5 stars. Not a mention of the particle filter or additional weight, praises the eagerness of the engine (and oddly the soundtrack of the exhaust?!?) advises go for brake upgrade. All in all, awesome car.