BMW M2 G87 vs BMW M3 G80
“Same S58 twin-turbo straight-six, two different missions: the M2 is the compact, sharper, far cheaper one; the M3 is the more powerful, more practical, far pricier one.
The G87 M2 is the value-and-sharpness play — the shortest-wheelbase S58 car, reviewers' pick as the sharpest M2 yet, and the most usable everyday footprint, from around $63k. It gives up outright power and a proper back seat.
The G80 M3 brings the muscle and the practicality — up to 543 hp in the hottest CS, genuine four-door usability, and agility that belies its near-two-tonne mass — for roughly $110k.
Both still offer a manual. The decision is size, doors and budget more than pace: the tight cheap coupe, or the fast usable sedan.
you want the sharpest, most affordable way into the S58 — a compact coupe that's the easiest to live with day to day — and you don't need four doors or the top-tier power.
you want power and practicality together — 500-plus hp and a genuine back seat in a car that drives far smaller than it is — and the ~$110k doesn't faze you.
Buy the G87 M2 if budget and sharpness lead — it's roughly half the price, the tossable end of the S58 family, and the more usable size. Buy the G80 M3 if you need the doors and the muscle — more power, a real back seat, and agility that belies its mass — and you'll pay nearly double for it.
Reviewers barely separate them on handling or fun — both rate equally sharp and engaging, the M2 a touch more tossable, the M3 uncanny for its size. The real divide is mission: the M2 takes daily usability-for-size and value; the M3 takes outright power and four-door practicality. Choose the body and budget, not the stopwatch.
Performance
“It is incredible how this thing accelerates. Absolutely, positively incredible. You're not waiting for the boost to build up.”
“The performance envelope here is enormous. There is just so much capability from this powertrain, from this chassis.”
Handling
“there is an extra degree of lightness and nimleness of the M2 thanks to its shorter wheelbase and lower weight that made it more enjoyable to hustle around the corners”
Fun to drive
“There's a kind of an effervescence to the way this car handles compared to the M3 M4.”
“I think BMW is starting to go back into the right direction with their M cars making them a little bit more fizzy a little bit more visceral”
“I can't believe I'm saying this cuz I'm a manual die hard and I'm a rear wheel drive die hard but those two things this car doesn't have it has a ZF 8speed Auto and it has all-wheel drive and yet somehow I think this car makes more sense in this configuration”
Daily drivability
“the manual M2 I found to be really difficult to drive smoothly in any drive mode outside of efficient. The automatic, no issues there.”
“The M3 is by far the most practical choice and doesn't sacrifice any performance to the M4.”
“the M3, the four door sedan, is going to have the clear advantage here... having those two extra doors can be very helpful if you have a family”
