The 2023 BMW M2 | And why manual should be your only option
The long-awaited successor to the first generation M2 is here. And whilst it has received some criticism even before the first models have rolled from the production line, it’s a surprising car.
So let’s first go back to where it all started because you’ll find the current M2 comes from the same ethos as its grandfather. Back in 2010, only just after the big financial crisis, engineers at BMW M realized that the E92 had become quite a large car with a similar price tag. They wanted to build a car more in line with the older M models. Those were not only smaller in size, but also cheaper to buy so it could attract a broader and younger target group.
You know where we’re going with this so if you want to read more on the origins of the 1M, I’ll leave a link here.
The 1M was born out of the parts bin of the then E92 M3. A parts bin that worked out pretty well as the car is still praised highly today (okay, I know we’re biased but I promise you we’re not the only ones still praising it). Due to its success, BMW decided to bring the M2 to the masses in the previous generation.
Now back to the present, the current 2 Series resides on a shortened chassis of the 3 Series. The M2 also uses the same drivetrain, wheels,… as the current G82 M4. So it’s basically still borrowing parts out of the bin from its bigger brother to create something special. More on that in a bit.
“Now how does it drive?”
I’d like to talk about the elephant in the room first and it’s probably the biggest criticism of the M2: the design and whether it’s a true BMW or not.
The rear is very wide and squared. Particularly the 3/4 rear view is very well designed. The signature Hoffmeister kink is there, the centered quad exhaust, and so are the bulging hips every M car should have to distinguish itself enough from the base model.
If we’re moving to the front we can definitely see where the 3 series chassis wasn’t shortened as it features a muscle car-like long bonnet. However we’re missing a signature moniker of the car on the sides of the front fenders behind the wheel. The front of the car is the most subjective part and the general consensus in the office is that either the front bumper protrudes too much or other elements haven’t been moved forward enough.
The parking sensor could’ve received a bit more love and be integrated better into the bumper.
Could it be a bit more refined? Yes, but it still captures that BMW M look.
“Are you going to tell us how it drives?”
I’ll come to that in a moment but first, we need to talk about the interior. Major steps have been made inside the cabin of the new 2 series as we’ve highlighted earlier. The M2 brings more sporty seats to the table which hold you a lot better in place than in previous generations, while not compromising comfort over longer stints. Optionally there are also the carbon buckets as found in the M4, although those can be a bit pricey.
The M2 also gets the same thick wheel you’ll find in the M3/M4. BMW sure likes their steering wheels to be thick and this one is as thick as we’ll allow them to make it. A bit thinner wouldn’t hurt.
The M buttons on the steering wheel aren’t as customizable as what Mercedes offers in their AMG range but instead offer 2 memory functions for your favorite settings which’ll leave you toggling a lot less and instead lets you focus on the actual driving. Which brings us to the most important part.
“Will you now tell us how it drives?”
Okay yes, we’ve gotten onto the most important part of the BMW M2: the way it drives.
The M2 formula is still taken from page 1 in the petrolhead. The engine is in the front, and the drive goes to the rear. The engine is the well-known 3.0L straight-six S58 borrowed from the M4 providing 460 horsepower and 550 Nm of torque. And as any straight-six from BMW: it’s a silky smooth engine with a lot of power. Plenty enough for the public roads.
But this particular M2 is fitted with a manual transmission and that does change things up quite a bit. Where the automatic dumps all its torque down low and the curve stays flat all the way through the rev range, the manual M2 engine is calibrated to build up torque as you progress through the rev range. It feels a lot more naturally aspirated. And this actually gives it a bigger sense of speed compared to the automatic. I’m not saying the automatic is bad but it takes you to driver’s license losing speeds too quickly without giving you the feel of how fast you’re actually going. The manual still is no slouch and it can pick up speed like a madman but the actual sense of speed is a lot better with that wiggly stick in the middle, plus you have so much more control over the car and what you’re doing with it. The pedals are a bit on the farther side to do heel and toe downshifting but the shift assistant will happily assist you if you can’t bridge the 2 pedals.
The steering feel has become quite detached over the last few years and unfortunately, the M2 also suffers from that phenomenon. Its steering is still very fast and precise. The potential from the chassis is amazing, there’s so much grip on offer. The front bites really hard into corners and the rear is very happy to follow along. However, give it a bit of encouragement and it’ll as happily wag its tail like a puppy when you come home. It’s amazingly capable but does suffer from being a modern car and feeling a bit numb and disconnected on inputs. Even then, it’s still miles ahead of its competitors though.
But if there’s one thing that really annoyed me on the M2, it must be the M Active Sound being pumped into the cabin. It’s trying too hard, gets annoying real quick and from the backseat, it sounds extremely fake. The engine itself has a great purr on itself. It might not be as loud as the previous generation but it still sounds very good and doesn’t need any fake repetitive sounds being pushed through the speakers.
“So it’s good?”
Oh, it’s very good. The M2 really is in a very niche segment where its competitors offer both more room and 4-wheel drive. It makes deciding which one to buy a bit more difficult but considering the M2 starts at 76.100 € and when specced out similarly it is cheaper than the alternatives that feature fewer cylinders and only artificial gimmicks to emulate that rear-wheel-drive character that makes the M2 so fun and dynamic. Plus this is the only one that actually offers a manual transmission as an option. I still think it’s wrong to make it an option you have to spend money on over the automatic but it’s one that fundamentally enhances the driving experience of this car. The manual M2 is the best small sports car that you can buy at this moment and it’s more than worth every euro extra over the automatic.
