BMW M2
The last small M coupe with a stick.
38 reviewers · 119 videos · 53 press articles
Reviewers strongly agree on its performance, but split on handling and fun to drive.
across 38 reviewers
"This thing is so stable. It's so grippy. The communication is so spot-on."
Raitis Rides · ▶ 3:10"It was Brit's least favorite to drive. It was mine and it was Mark's. The reason for it is it almost feels like the the things that made this car great as a street vehicle... also makes it feel so dead inside."
Savagegeese · ▶ 36:13"This is a proper track weapon. But the great news IS YOU CAN DAILY DRIVE IT."
Raitis Rides · ▶ 3:32"it was definitely the most disconnected out of all three of these."
Savagegeese · ▶ 36:11"I've got my dampers in comfort mode. And it just It just rides like a normal car. This is not chattering my teeth out."
TopherDrives · ▶ 18:38"I don't think my grip strength can handle daily driving this. The steering wheel is another topic, but that's my rant is that the suspension is fine on this particular CS unit."
TheStraightPipes · ▶ 23:14"you could argue that the M2 is a bit of a bargain in the BMW world"
Zygrene · ▶ 10:04"is it 30% more car than a regular M2? Mm. I I have to say I don't think so, not unless you're a super BMW nerd."
TheSmokingTire · ▶ 17:32Performance
4.5/538 of 38 reviewersstrong consensus“It is incredible how this thing accelerates. Absolutely, positively incredible. You're not waiting for the boost to build up.”
positive · Raitis Rides · ▶ 3:21“The performance envelope here is enormous. There is just so much capability from this powertrain, from this chassis.”
positive · TheTopher · ▶ 13:12“This is the most powerful M2 M3 you can currently buy, cuz they don't make a CS version. And it absolutely rips.”
positive · TheStraightPipes · ▶ 18:24Handling
4.5/537 of 38 reviewerssplit“This thing is so stable. It's so grippy. The communication is so spot-on.”
positive · Raitis Rides · ▶ 3:10“The M adaptive dampers, which of course we have at all four corners, those have a CS specific tune on them.”
positive · TopherDrives · ▶ 15:56“It's a bit sharper on the steering as well. Of course, you have lighter wheels, which also helps.”
positive · AutoTopNL · ▶ 6:57Fun to drive
4.5/538 of 38 reviewerssplit“This is a proper track weapon. But the great news IS YOU CAN DAILY DRIVE IT.”
positive · Raitis Rides · ▶ 3:32“I feel like it's a little bit notchier than the rest. Say the M3 and M4 for example, and even the Z4 hand shelter. This is my favorite shifter, I believe, out of all of those.”
positive · TopherDrives · ▶ 23:55“This is one of the few cars on the road that is genuinely overpowered for its amount of traction, which I think is just entertaining, fun, exciting.”
positive · TheTopher · ▶ 13:36Daily drivability
3.5/537 of 38 reviewerssplit“I don't think my grip strength can handle daily driving this. The steering wheel is another topic, but that's my rant is that the suspension is fine on this particular CS unit.”
critical · TheStraightPipes · ▶ 23:14“I've got my dampers in comfort mode. And it just It just rides like a normal car. This is not chattering my teeth out.”
positive · TopherDrives · ▶ 18:38“It's a very good street car. It's the most usable car out of the bunch.”
positive · Savagegeese · ▶ 36:21Value
3.5/538 of 38 reviewerssplit“you could argue that the M2 is a bit of a bargain in the BMW world”
positive · Zygrene · ▶ 10:04“spec for spec, the M2 is actually less expensive and offers better value for money.”
positive · EMBA KUB MOTORING · ▶ 17:10“it is by far the cheapest vehicle of the three.”
positive · Petrolhead Podcasts · ▶ 5:08Hear it in the reviewer’s words
- Road & Track
How BMW's First Sebring Win Led to a Stellar New M2 CS
◆Worth itThe M2 CS is a brilliant, engaging sports car that stands as the soul of the M brand, despite minor flaws in steering feedback and infotainment.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts seeking a balanced, rear-wheel-drive sports car that rewards driver input.
- Watch out
- Light steering feedback · Frustrating infotainment system · Jerky low-speed transmission behavior · Progressive but soft brake pedal
Quotes worth your time - Car and Driver
A Small Getaway: 2026 BMW M2 CS Tested
◆Worth it, with caveatsThe M2 CS is a track-capable machine that brings immense performance to the street, though its lack of daily amenities and high price make it a specialized choice.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts prioritizing track-day performance and raw power over daily comfort.
- Watch out
- No manual transmission option · No cupholders or armrests · Expensive price point · Polarizing exterior design
Quotes worth your time - MotorTrend
2026 BMW M2 CS First Test: Sweetheart Becomes a Savage
◆Worth it, with caveatsThe M2 CS is a record-breaking track weapon that delivers incredible engagement, but its intensity makes it a less compelling choice for the road than the standard M2.
- Best for
- track enthusiasts who prioritize raw performance and engagement over daily comfort
- Watch out
- Unsettled body control on imperfect roads · Excessively thick steering wheel rim · Less comfortable than standard M2 · High price premium
Quotes worth your time - MotorTrend
2025 BMW M2 Yearlong Review Verdict: The Ultimate One Car Solution
◆BuyThe 2025 BMW M2 is a rare 'no-compromises' sports car that manages to be both a track-ready performer and a genuinely usable daily driver.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts who need a single vehicle that can handle both spirited driving and daily commuting duties.
- Watch out
- Limited front-cabin storage · Wireless charger tends to overheat phones · High-performance brake pads squeal when dirty
Quotes worth your time - Top Gear
BMW M2 CS Driving, Engines & Performance | Top Gear
◆Worth itThe M2 CS is a brilliant, highly engaging driver's car that successfully builds on the M2 Competition's strengths, despite some minor ergonomic quirks.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts looking for a highly capable, rear-drive sports car with a focus on chassis balance and track-day performance.
- Watch out
- Industrial engine sound · Frustrating default drive modes · Lack of steering feel · Noticeable turbo lag
1,217 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - Top Gear
BMW M2 Interior Layout & Technology | Top Gear
◆Worth it, with caveatsThe M2's interior is a significant step up in quality and space, but the reliance on complex, screen-based controls is a frustrating step backward in ergonomics.
- Best for
- Drivers who prioritize interior luxury and occasional rear-seat utility over simple, tactile controls.
- Watch out
- fiddly screen-based heater controls · unintuitive menu system · carbon bucket seats are difficult to enter/exit
441 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - Top Gear
Litchfield BMW M2 review: 420bhp modified coupe driven Reviews 2026 | Top Gear
◆Worth itThe Litchfield M2 is a highly rewarding performance car that fixes the factory model's suspension and engine character flaws, making it a top-tier choice for enthusiasts.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts who want a more compliant, sharper, and more vocal M2 for both road and track use.
- Watch out
- High cost of full upgrade kit · Some low-speed ride tension
886 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - Top Gear
First drive: the new BMW M2 Reviews 2025 | Top Gear
◆BuyThe M2 is a superb, highly engaging driver's car that offers a more communicative experience than its larger M-siblings.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts seeking a high-performance, communicative, and usable daily driver.
- Watch out
- 7000rpm rev limit feels low · Some turbo lag below 3000rpm · Firm suspension
1,279 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time