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2018 BMW M2

Starting at $55,495

10/10 C/D RATING
Specs
2018 bmw m2
Brad Fick|Car and Driver
10/10 C/D RATING

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  • Highs Powerful engine, thrilling driving experience, sporty styling.
  • Lows Lackluster interior, short on storage space, suspension might be a bit stiff for some drivers.
  • Verdict The 2018 BMW M2 is a real driver's car with a strong engine, sport suspension, and excellent handling, although the interior is a bit of a letdown.

Overview

The M2 is a two-door thrill ride that reaffirms BMW’s ability to build the Ultimate Driving Machine. Based on the beloved 2 Series, this rear-drive coupe has a wide-body appearance and high-performance upgrades. Its turbocharged inline-six teams up with a clairvoyant chassis that rewards time spent on the racetrack, but the M2’s stiff suspension can be abusive on regular roads. Those seeking a precision instrument for high-speed shenanigans, however, should skedaddle to the nearest BMW dealership and sign the papers for this amazing M car.

What's New for 2018?

The M2 receives minor revisions inside and out for 2018. The redesigned head- and taillights switch to standard LED projectors. The cabin updates include a refreshed dashboard, a revised gauge cluster, and small tweaks to the center-console cupholders and window switches. The infotainment system upgrades to the latest BMW iDrive 6.0 interface—now with touchscreen functionality and improved voice recognition. A new Black Shadow Edition is equipped with carbon-fiber exterior accents, special 19-inch wheels, and Black Sapphire metallic paint.

Pricing

Original MSRP:

  • M2 Coupe: $55,495

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

While BMW has strayed from its driver-first philosophy, it continues to build brilliant engines, such as the M2’s snorty turbocharged mill. (BMW does stand for Bavarian Motor Works, after all.) The M2’s powerful inline-six has been fortified with internal components from the 425-hp BMW M4 and tweaked to make 365 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. That combination reaches the rear wheels via a standard six-speed manual transmission or an optional seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Harsh ride aside, the M2 is a phenomenal driver’s car. Namby-pamby drivers who complain will find solace in the softer BMW M240i. The M2 sticks to the road as if it were welded there; it posted 1.00 g on our 300-foot skidpad wearing 19-inch rolling stock wrapped in Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires. Instead of the adaptive dampers available on most rivals, the BMW uses conventional passive shocks tuned the old-fashioned way. That, plus rear drive, a wider track, and a stiffer structure than in the standard 2 Series imbues the coupe’s chassis with reflexive responses. Unfortunately, the electrically assisted power steering spoils some of the fun. Its effort increases in the higher drive modes.

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Fuel Economy

EPA fuel economy testing and reporting procedures have changed over time. For the latest and most accurate fuel economy numbers on current and older vehicles, we use the U.S. Department of Energy's fueleconomy.gov website. Under the heading "Find & Compare Cars" click on the "Compare Side-by-Side" tool to find the EPA ratings for the make, model, and year you're interested in.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

We noted an increasing number of squeaks and rattles within the interior during our first 25,000 miles with the M2. That, combined with the drab plastics and the not really comfortable, not really supportive front seats, diminished our opinion of the cabin. It’s also only available in one color scheme: black with blue contrast stitching. We do like the driver’s seating position and the logical layout. One standout standard feature is its heated, power-adjustable front buckets; a heated steering wheel is the lone option. The M2 is a four-seater, but for extended travel, it is best suited to two passengers, their luggage, and a handful of sundries. While few compact sports models are ideal travel companions, the BMW held fewer carry-ons than most rivals and suffered from a particularly small center-console storage bin.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The M2’s standard iDrive infotainment system works through an 8.8-inch touchscreen that has a clean interface and above-average response times. Although Android Auto is unavailable, Apple CarPlay is an affordable option. The M2’s infotainment screen is canted toward the driver atop the dash, which preserves peripheral vision and avoids fingerprints (it is not a touchscreen). The layered menus are deep and well designed, but they’re cumbersome to navigate while moving. Along with anticipated standard features such as Bluetooth and voice recognition, the Bimmer has a premium Harman/Kardon stereo and a one-year subscription to SiriusXM radio. The M2 also has dual USB ports and three 12-volt outlets positioned throughout. The 4G LTE mobile hotspot and wireless smartphone charging are included with the Executive package.

Safety Features and Crash Test Ratings

For more information about the BMW M2’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.

Warranty

Some older vehicles are still eligible for coverage under a manufacturer's Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program. For more information visit our guide to every manufacturer's CPO program.

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