It’s hard to deny that BMW has really managed to build some range into its lineup of adrenaline-boosting M cars. For every standard model, it seems that there’s a spiky CS B-side, or an unhinged CSL, or a subtly uprated Competition model. The almost Taco Bell-like ability to pull several variants out of the same core ingredients is impressive, and this run isn’t over yet. Just look at the M2, because for the second-generation model’s third year of production, BMW’s offering it with a whole lot more traction.
If you were to, say, line a standard M2 up on an airport runway against an Audi RS3, you’d find the BMW to be somewhat traction-limited off the mark. Alright, very traction-limited, especially in surprisingly explosive CS form. Botch the launch, and you’d be seeing nothing but Audi taillights. In the real world, this isn’t much of a problem, but BMW’s gone and rectified it anyway by chucking 132 pounds of all-wheel-drive hardware at the problem.
Granted, the all-wheel-drive M2 is kneecapped in the weirdest way. In the M3 and M4, ticking the box for all-wheel drive also rings up a 523-horsepower state of tune. However, ticking the same xDrive box in the M2 just means it makes the same 473 horsepower as the standard rear-wheel-drive model while removing the option of a six-speed manual. That’s a 50-horsepower deficit over its bigger brother, but it likely won’t matter to the tube-and-an-email squad. Even in bone-stock spec, the M2 xDrive promises a zero-to-60 mph time of 3.6 seconds, three tenths quicker than a rear-wheel-drive M2 and quick enough to make a lot of fast metal sweat. Plus, have you ever seen the size of a German horse? If history’s any indication, that quoted figure may be on the conservative side.
Granted, if you do want to have a bit of slidey fun, the M2’s new optional all-wheel-drive system features the same trick as all-wheel-drive M3s, M4s, M5s, and M8s: a rear-wheel-drive-only mode. Which brings us to the weird part of this whole thing: The M2 was always supposed to handle like a puppy on a linoleum floor, sliding and wriggling about through every change in direction. It was a little too juvenile to be so buttoned-down, so why give it all-wheel drive? I reckon it might be because the M4 is a bit big.
The original two-door M3 was properly compact, a pint-sized terror unleashed on the touring car circuit. Two generations into the two-door’s M4 name change, however, and it’s larger in every single dimension than the E31 8 Series of the early ’90s. You know, the conspicuously large grand tourer with available V12 power. It’s also nigh-on the same length as a 6 Series from the mid-2000s, and brushes up close to the two-ton mark in all-wheel-drive guise. Hell, it’s only two-tenths of an inch shorter than an early-2010s Volvo XC90. The current M4 is a big car, full-stop. That leaves room for the M2 to expand.
Is it the right direction for the M2? I’m not so sure. It will almost certainly be fantastic in winter, but there’s not much reason to celebrate a car getting heavier. Sure, the updated transfer case control unit is probably brilliant, and the new-to-the-model shade of Boustan Blue looks fabulous, but I can’t help but worry about what this means for the future of BMW’s smallest M car. In an age of all-wheel-drive automatic everything, the standard car being none of those things is a point of identity. Read into that what you may.
So, if you want a quick, all-wheel-drive, automatic-only coupe that’s about the size of an E90 M3, the new M2 xDrive is probably just what you’re looking for. It’ll enter production soon in Mexico, and with all-wheel-drive carrying about the same premium here as it does on the M3 Competition, you’re looking at a sticker price of $74,950 including freight. Even if the prospect of an all-wheel-drive M2 doesn’t tickle your fancy, the M2 xDrive is still worth keeping an eye on. Depending on take rates, it could shape the future of BMW’s smallest M model.
Top graphic image: BMW
The real question is; how long until there’s an M1 as a the new ‘small M-car’ for journalists to gush how it harks back to the original lightweight M3?
At this point the new M3 will be the size of a 7-Series, and the M5 will take up two parking spaces and will require specially reinforced roads, although it will still lap the Nürburgring 0.7 seconds faster than the previous model at merely twice the price.
Of course, BMW are a bit stuck at that point unless they release a 1⁄2 Series.
Coming soon,
YO DAWG, I heard you think the M2 got too heavy – so imma put a hybrid battery in it.
A manufacturer took a small fun car and then took away the third pedal and made it heavier?
I don’t believe it! This is an outrage!
I’m taking my (damn near) six figure compact car budget somewhere else.
That’s exactly what this generation of 2 series needed: Another 200 pounds.
I still don’t like the dash of this and other new BMWs. Just cheese. And the nose/body kit on this M2 look almost like an aftermarket kit that was designed by a CalArts student not at the top of their class, then professionally installed. The greenhouse shows that there’s an actually pretty car underneath all that dreck. Shame that we can’t see the rest of it.
Also… I’m torn… AWD will provide bettery numbers, but RWD seems so integral to what these cars once were. It might be better to have slightly less impressive numbers and try to retain the character of RWD ultra-performance intact.
Yes.
Just as the current two ton four door sedan honors the origins of the M3.
I don’t see the problem. My G87 is RWD and manual because those things matter to me. But more choice is a good thing, especially given how good BMW’s AWD system is on these M cars.
This is basically a fancy WRX. Except way better looking. What’s not to like?
Not a fan of this blue – BMW has wonderful blues but this one doesn’t do it for me.
I have a feeling that the take rate on this is going to be pretty low. I’ve never gotten in my M2 and thought “you know what this thing needs? More weight, more complexity, and more traction”.
In an area that gets more snow than I care for…I would take this.
This is actually the nicest-looking BMW I’ve seen in a long time. It’s got two doors, like a performance car should, and the grille isn’t hideous, (Which is a great compliment considering it’s a BMW)
Too bad you can’t get with a manual transmission.
The M2 has always been and still is available in RWD with a manual.
Good to know.
Apparently I missed the line, “…ticking the same xDrive box in the M2 just means it makes the same 473 horsepower as the standard rear-wheel-drive model while removing the option of a six-speed manual.”
Thanks for clarifying.
Add 50 lbs for the automatic and it’s 180+ lbs more than the correct-spec M2. Having spent a good amount of time in an M4 xDrive Competition both on street and on track, but felt like a modernized German Nissan GT-R. Big, fast, technically impressive, but lacking in feedback and driver engagement.
No button having, overweight piece of… The modern BMW is a total pain in the ass to operate.
It is smooth! It is fast! Hell, it even looks okay. But after using one, I cannot fathom having it as a daily driver. Bring the buttons back and it would be manageable. Bring back the buttons and drop 500lbs, it would be a delight.
Is there some sort of cosmic Law of Automotive Evolution that states that every car shall become heavier and more complicated as time passes? (Or is this just the BMW Law of Automotive Evolution?)
I agree with those who are saying that the AWD M3 ought to cover the people who want four driven wheels in an M car, but you have to think that BMW is pretty sure they’ll sell these M2s.
The M3 is almost $20k more, if you don’t need the extra space this thing is a bargain.
Yeah, maybe that’s the hook.
As they’re still selling the rwd and also 6mt versions, I don’t care if they have an awd version for those who want it.
The more the merrier.
Personally, I chose rwd + 6mt for my upcoming M3 CS order. No shade on those who preferred automatic or awd versions.
Congrats on actually getting one!
I’m curious… do you plan to track the car? What was your justification for the CS 6MT over a base M3 6MT, aside from “more is more” or exclusivity/collectibility?
I had an order for a 27 6mt already in the system and was able to swap it. I don’t really care about collectability because i won’t sell it, but the CS is available in the color I wanted (green) and I really like the extra CS goodies. One of my favorite street cars was an F80CS and it was almost perfect, except for the lack of 6mt.
I’m sure it’ll see some track use, but the heavy track use is reserved for a ‘gtmore’ m4 gts and a ‘gtmore’ m4 gt4. They’re both going to WGI tonight!
For the track I’m happy with dct/auto, but for the street I really really want 6MT and this is the last time to get an M3 like that. Next gen will be ev and ice-auto only
When this joins the stable, there will be two manual M3s. The other is a 2013 Montecarlo blue e92 zcp with cloth seats, no nav, bought new back in the day, currently with a dinan stroker in it. A dinosaur, but awesome. That one was heavily tracked before retiring.
Now I’m wondering if we don’t possibly know each other from the BMW world… I like the way you think!
You might enjoy this piece I wrote for the old site…
https://www.jalopnik.com/when-lightweighting-goes-too-far-1834280856/
I remember reading the article! It was good.
I’m sure we know each other in passing. Probably from AER, DEs or something.
Edit: yup, 2019, AER race. You were car 92, we were 724
My parking neighbor traded his MT smurf blue one for a AT darker blue one. In my area I can see where shifting constantly in traffic might become a bit of a drag for a daily driver.
And that’s the thing, I have my preferences but if someone wants auto or xdrive, well good for them! As long as i can still choose my preferred option, I’m happy they have the choice
imo, its so they can sell more in the northeast to people who are buying a badge and cross shopping mercs and audis.
Correct, there is a lot of money to be made in the northeast corridor and everything AWD sold here in New England that is also for sale elsewhere as FWD or RWD only is rarely, if ever, stocked on the lot – people expect the AWD variant for everything. The foreign national students who populate the northeast and bring along the family money, those are the intended targets.
There are plenty of M2s around me in the northeast. Almost none of them are used as year-round transportation.
If you have $100k for a small impractical vehicle, you probably have a garage space to let it rest during the winter and money for a winter car / daily.
M3s seem to be year-round drivers. M2s seem to be owned mostly as fair weather toys.
The indicators are already optional on BMWs when turning, so why not wheels too?
Not sure how to feel about it?! Grounded to the ground natch.
How do you say in German “I’m stretching to make the lease payments on the cheapest BMW with an ‘M’ on it but I don’t want RWD because it has to be my daily driver and I can’t be bothered to get snow tires”? Don’t they have like one of those single long words for that?
“Ich bin doof.”
Surprisingly short, actually.
So fatty fat fat M2 needs another 132 pounds and more numb steering?!
Don’t forget about the 50 lbs for the automatic…
Fourplay is the name of a delightful smooth jazz quartet from the 90’s-2000s
Since I know this, I realize I am absolutely not the target market for this over-engineered GrandAm.
But even over-engineered GrandAms do not need AWD – particularly those sold south of the Mason/Dixon line
This car is a non-event for me. Surely just a step more in the direction the market is moving, so expected.
Also in terms of squeezing variants from sporty nameplates, nobody beats Porsche.
Same argument as Toyota adding an auto to the GRC. Options are good. If AWD or autos aren’t your cup of tea, nobody’s forcing you to buy one in that configuration (yet).
Yet being the key word here.
Unless you are buying from inventory, as most of the US does.
Dealers can’t sell a manual to someone who can’t drive it. They CAN convince someone looking for a manual to buy the automatic they have on the lot.
Because of that, the dealers will order autos. It’s really the same reason we don’t have hatchbacks in the US. Dealers order the lowest common denominator car, and then use their sales figures (obviously skewed to what they stocked on the lot) to validate their preconceptions.
I haven’t driven a G87 but I do like them. That being said, they’re already quite portly in rear wheel drive guise. I get that Ze Germans are fully convinced they could engineer their way into making a neutron star feel fleet footed, but this will clock in at about 4,000 pounds. I’m sure it’ll be fast as all get out in a straight line, but I can’t help but feel like it’s going to be a less enjoyable car dynamically.
I’m of the mindset that if you need all wheel drive and/or a semblance of practicality in your M car an M3 should do nicely. But what do I know, I’m a doofus on the internet and my finances don’t have me in a position to acquire either. Also…if you must have all wheel drive the M240i is already there, it’s cheaper, it’s faster than a RWD M2 if you care about that sort of thing, and it’s rated for 26 MPG combined which is absurd for an engine that puts out nearly 400 horsepower.
I’m kinda with Thomas to be honest, I’m not sure that I see the point of an AWD M2 unless you’re purely chasing numbers…and that’s no way to go through life as an enthusiast.
EDIT: it weighs 3,988 pounds. Woof…
I agree with you 100%.
Unfortunately, the large majority of buyers of these types of cars are not car enthusiasts in the way you and me understand them.
Hence this “M2 Quattro” makes perfect sense.
You are correct, the vast majority of M, AMG, etc. cars are bought by social media “influencers”/clout chasers, young nepo babies, tech robber barons, etc. They don’t care about anything other than numbers on paper, and since this is the fastest M2 that’ll be more than enough.
Which brand new performance cars are typically bought by those who are pure of heart?
Not singling you out here, because the feeling seems widespread that no one who buys anything new that’s expensive or fast is a “true enthusiast”. Just something I find curious, in that in this telling, “bros” or other less desirables seem to be buying up everything at the expense of the long-suffering enthusiast.
I actually think this is an issue that’s unique to BMWs and other German stuff gets dragged in as well. I’m not sure how familiar you are with what’s going on in my neck of the woods, but there’s a revolting social media fad called “swimming” in which detestable bros are weaving in and out of traffic with reckless abandon and getting tons of views on social media.
M cars are the weapon of choice and they’re ridden hard and put away wet. If you do a search for M cars in the NYC area in particular like half of them will have rebuilt titles or serious accidents in their history because so many are wrecked in the name of clout chasing. There are a bunch of videos and articles about it out there if you’d like to dig deeper, but these do seem to attract a uniquely nefarious audience that’s acquiring wealth through uniquely nefarious means. M cars are also quite popular among the crowd that thinks it’s a good idea to buy your teenager a six figure car as a sweet sixteen gift.
Some dipshit teenager here in the DMV caused a huge accident during rush hour by going 120 in a 55 in their new M3 that daddy bought them. That being said, I think your question is valid though and I agree with you that it’s a widespread attitude that I definitely contribute to. I’m not necessarily sure that I have an immediate answer, but naturally a Blackwing or IS500 are what comes to mind in this price range because it’s a real “if you know you know” type of situation.
Sorry. What?
I am speechless.
Every thread with you, the Blackwings. And every thread, my heart breaks, because still I yearn, my desire as yet unrequited.
Stupid parades of tech layoffs. I get close to affording (just wait a second, it’s coming) it, then I’m out of a job and grateful I didn’t do something as dumb as finance a car I couldn’t actually afford.
Appreciate the thoughtful response.
I can see the reasoning behind drawing a distinction between buying a car oneself vs being given it by a parent. I tend to be of the mind that if someone buys a fun car with their own earnings, they’re an enthusiast regardless of what it cost or whether someone else might consider them a “bro”.
That said, I live in a rural flyover state, and weaving through traffic for views or “takeovers” or what have you are not really a thing. Nor are people affluent enough to buy $75,000 cars for their kids. I might feel differently if that was my world.
I don’t think I would, but thanks lol.
Buying a $75,000 for a kid is unthinkable in my world where I drive a $7500 car. My kids will be lucky to get a $750 car.
New York seems like a whole different world.
I can theoretically imagine a world where I’m rich enough to buy something new and fairly nice for my kids to drive, but there’s no possible world where a brand new performance car is the first thing they drive. That’s just asking for trouble.
Hah, yea I would never give my kids a performance anything either, the kids in high school that got a “free car” treated it badly and sometimes wrecked it. Now imagine that in a real performance car and not a Chevy Impala.
Only way I could even consider that is by hitting the lottery. Right now they are getting thrift store clothes for the foreseeable future.
Twas an enlightening conversation, as always. Anyway despite my answer I probably shouldn’t make assumptions about the sort of people buying these. I remember being at a Cars and Coffee just a few days after these hit dealerships and having a conversation with a guy who bought one of the first ones in the area…and he was very much a normal dude who happened to have a nice car.
I would suggest a Porsche Cayman as well. Those with more money than driving ability are drawn to the 911 since it is the statement Porsche, but those who just want to drive an excellent sports car and can fit a two seater in their lives would know the Cayman.
Most ‘swimmers’ are doing it in stolen M cars.
I feel like the M2 does generally land with an enthusiast.
M3s are far more available, and a regular 3xx is just a badge swap away from M glory for the insecure.
An RS3 is around 400lb lighter than this M2X and sounds better too…
I actually think this can be a really good enthusiast choice, if you’re after certain things.
The AWD and auto combination would easily shave a couple seconds off the lap time of my RWD manual at my local racetrack. If that’s what you’re after, this will be a missile.
Purity and engagement vs. outright performance. Both are valid “enthusiast” purchases and I’m glad BMW gives us the option.
For the first time, in quite some time I Can say I don’t hate the look of this ting, and the blue is pleasant enough. Might put this on my list of used cars to consider in ten years 😀
BMW has a funny way of making controversial designs age better than anticipated – I still dislike the 4 series buck tooth grills, but somehow they’ve grown on me over the years.
Yeah, one of the M cars now represents the tasteful/restrained side of BMW styling. What a world!
I love the fender flares.
What in the everloving Bavarian wurst is “the tube-and-an-email squad”??
My dating strategy during COVID.
Cold Air Intake and tune via email I believe. It’s a fun turn of phrase for sure.
Bless you for this knowledge sharing
Downpipe and tune. X3 M240’s and X4 M240’s are the newest tuner rage, they’re getting 600 – 900+ to the wheels with the inline 3.0’s. Cheap HP.
I know it’s just a visual flourish for the top shot, but please don’t give the Germans any more bad ideas about things that could be illuminated than they’ve already got.