Vicki Butler-Henderson Drives the 480hp 2025 G87 BMW M2 – Pure Driver’s Car?

What Is the BMW M2?

The BMW M2 is the smallest car in BMW's M range, combining a compact two-door coupé body with a 3.0-litre straight-six closely related to the engine used in the larger M4. The G87 receives a mid-life update for 2025 with 20hp more power than the previous version, updated technology, new colours and detail changes. The M2 is manufactured at BMW Group Plant San Luis Potosí in Mexico.

The M2 is strictly a two-door coupé, so buyers who want back doors will need to look elsewhere in BMW's M range. At the time of the review, Vicki notes that a more track-focused M2 CS Competition Sport version is in the offing.

What makes the BMW M2 (G87) stand out:

• 480hp from a 3.0-litre M TwinPower Turbo straight-six, 20hp more than the previous version
• Six-speed manual gearbox available, with 550Nm versus 600Nm in the automatic
• Rear-wheel drive only, something Vicki particularly values as a driving enthusiast
• Chassis that Vicki describes as wanting to dance through corners, despite weighing just over 1,700kg
• Carbon bucket seats available as an option, combining strong support with a dramatic appearance
• 390 litres of boot space, slightly more than a Volkswagen Golf, with folding rear seats

What Does the BMW M2 Look Like?

The M2's horizontal kidney grille gives the front end a distinctive look, while a single circular light element within each headlight references BMW designs from the 1960s and 70s. Vicki finds the lower air intake section slightly fussy, but likes the overall stance, describing the wide, muscular shape as having a bulldog-style presence.

At the rear, the design remains busy, with a sporty diffuser and two pairs of black-finished exhaust tips. The double-spoke wheels can also be specified in silver, while the tested car wears the darker finish. BMW uses a staggered setup with 19-inch wheels at the front and 20-inch wheels at the rear.

How Does the BMW M2 Drive?

Performance and Power Delivery

The 3.0-litre straight-six is closely related to the engine used in the larger M4, producing 480hp and either 550Nm with the manual gearbox or 600Nm with the automatic. Improved throttle response makes the updated car 0.1 seconds quicker to 62mph than before, taking 4.2 seconds in manual form and 4.0 seconds with the automatic.

Handling and Chassis

The M2 wants to dance through corners, swinging its 1,705kg manual-gearbox weight around with a lightness that belies the car's mass. Vicki finds the steering quick, well weighted and appealingly light at low speeds, but would like more chatter from the front end through her hands. She says the Porsche 718 Cayman GTS has that particular quality nailed. Chassis feedback is stronger through the seat and feet, while the adaptive suspension also makes surprisingly light work of poor road surfaces and potholes.

Manual vs Automatic Transmission

The six-speed manual is Vicki's personal preference because it keeps her involved in the driving experience. The three-pedal layout is slightly offset in a driving position optimised for the automatic, but she finds the clutch light and springy and describes the gearbox itself as a joy to use. Vicki says choosing the manual adds £1,925, which also includes a higher CO₂ penalty. The automatic offers an additional 50Nm of torque and reaches 62mph 0.2 seconds sooner. BMW reckons around 90% of buyers will go for the automatic.

Is the BMW M2 Practical?

The M2 offers 390 litres of boot space, slightly more than a Volkswagen Golf, with folding rear seats providing additional load space for longer items. Rear-seat access requires some dexterity and space is limited once you are back there. Vicki, at 5ft 5½in, can only just fit behind a six-foot driver and notes that rear passengers do not even get an armrest. Even so, the boot and folding seats give the M2 useful everyday practicality for a focused two-door coupé.

What Is the BMW M2 Interior Like?

Steering Wheel:

The M-specific wheel is available in leather or Alcantara. A red marker at the 12 o'clock position indicates straight-ahead, a feature from high-performance motorsport that allows the driver to see immediately which direction the front wheels are pointing. Twin M buttons act as shortcuts to preferred settings for dampers, steering, engine mapping, brake pressure and traction control. The wheel is heated, though the dedicated button has been removed in the facelift; heating now activates through the main screen or voice command.

Technology:

The curved touchscreen runs BMW's operating system 8.5, responding quickly with excellent touch accuracy. A head-up display projects speed, navigation and key information directly into the forward field of view. The iDrive rotary controller is retained alongside the touchscreen, providing a physical alternative for those who prefer it. Real-time torque and power output meters appear on screen during acceleration.

Interior Trim:

M colour detailing appears throughout the cabin. BMW lists Dark Graphite matt as the standard trim, with Aluminium Rhombicle Anthracite, M Carbon Fibre and Fine Brushed Aluminium among the alternatives. Vicki chooses the carbon trim as her preference. The tested car also has the dramatic but comfortable M Carbon bucket seats, which Vicki says can be bought as a pair for just under £4,500.

What Wheels and Tyres Does the BMW M2 Have?

The M2 uses a staggered wheel setup, with 19-inch wheels at the front and 20-inch wheels at the rear.

The tested BMW M2 is fitted with Yokohama ADVAN Sport V107 tyres in these staggered sizes. Yokohama confirms the V107 was supplied as original equipment for the BMW M2, while Vicki notes that the star marking denotes its development in close collaboration with BMW. Yokohama says the tyre is designed to provide high levels of reactivity, precise steering and driving stability when cornering at high speed.

The Yokohama ADVAN Sport V107 is rated 4.6 out of 5 stars on DriverReviews.

Other BMW-approved replacement fitments include:

• Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 ★
• Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R ★
• Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S ★
• Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 ★
• Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 ★, winter

How Does the BMW M2 Compare to Rivals?

BMW M2 vs Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0

The Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 is one of the rivals Vicki specifically references when discussing steering feel. She says the Porsche has the front-end chatter she would like more of in the M2. The BMW counters with four seats, strong chassis feedback of its own and a choice of manual or automatic gearboxes, making the decision largely about which driving character you prefer.

BMW M2 vs BMW M4

The BMW M4 is the larger two-door coupé alternative in BMW's M range and uses a closely related version of the 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six. The M2 is the smaller, more compact choice, while the M4 offers a step up in size and performance. Buyers who specifically need rear doors will need to look elsewhere in the M range.

Is the BMW M2 Worth Buying?

The BMW M2 makes its strongest case for drivers who want a compact rear-wheel drive coupé with a proper six-speed manual gearbox still available. Vicki finds it fast, fun and surprisingly comfortable, with a chassis that communicates clearly through the seat and feet. The steering could offer more front-end chatter, but the M2 remains an involving driver's car with useful everyday practicality.

The case for the BMW M2 (G87):

• 480hp from a 3.0-litre straight-six, 20hp more than the previous version
• Six-speed manual gearbox keeps the driver fully involved
• Rear-wheel drive only on the reviewed 2025 car
• Chassis that Vicki says wants to dance through corners
• Adaptive suspension gives it surprising comfort over poor surfaces
• 390 litres of boot space with folding rear seats for useful daily practicality

Before you buy:

• The driving position is optimised for the automatic, leaving the manual's pedals slightly offset
• Vicki would like more front-end chatter through the steering
• Rear-seat access is awkward and space is limited once you are back there