Used 2020 BMW M2

The 2020 BMW M2 Competition and its blink-or-you’ll-miss-it 2020 M2 CS stablemate are high-performance versions of BMW’s excellent 2 Series coupe. This small number tells us all we need to know regarding where this car stands size-wise in relation to the rest of the BMW lineup. But that’s not a downside in a machine whose reason for existence is to be fast and nimble. Let someone else do the weekly shopping and the school runs in a larger runabout. Size and weight are the enemies of performance.

This subcompact coupe is BMW’s smallest new M car. And the most affordable. Since it doesn’t have to worry too much about rear-passenger space or practicality, it can also focus on being one of the most enjoyable drives to wear the renowned blue-and-white badge.

The Audi RS 3 comes close with 394 horsepower and a sport-tuned chassis. The new-for-2020 Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 brings 382 horsepower to the canyon roads or racetrack. But neither of those small sedans has the time-honored driver appeal of rear-wheel drive and a manual transmission.

This is why anyone buys a BMW M2 Competition. It’s one of the truly great high-performance coupes available. It has an intoxicating mix of power and poise, rush and reflex. A BMW 6-cylinder engine never fails to entertain, the car’s weight balance is close enough to a perfect 50:50, and a CFRP front-strut tower brace optimizes steering precision.

The zero-to-60-mph run in the M2 Competition is accomplished in around four seconds, and top speed is limited electronically to 155 mph. The standard 6-speed manual transmission is stellar and comes highly recommended.

A 7-speed dual-clutch automatic is also available, but it’s not as refined as the automatics offered in performance machines from Audi or Mercedes-Benz. On the track, however, this unit shines.

Off the track, where an M2 will spend most of its time, life is still more than bearable. The cabin is quiet when the engine is not at full throttle and the car can even be quite civilized on the highway.

Like any other 2 Series, the M2 offers seating for four, but the rear seats aren’t exactly adult-friendly. They’re best left for quick trips or emergencies. The front sport bucket seats are comfortable and supportive in all the right places at all the right times.

BMW’s iDrive controller includes clever upgrades like a GoPro app for capturing drives. Switches on the center console provide control of settings for the engine, steering and stability control. Selections can be stored for easy recall using the M1 and M2 buttons on the steering wheel.

The regular 2 Series uses the same platform, but the M2 is wider and slightly longer because of flared fenders on the sides and more complex aero parts at each end. The standard alloy wheels measure 19 inches, come with the option of a black finish, and wear performance tires.

Color choices include Long Beach Blue and Sunset Orange. Power-folding mirrors are also a nice touch. Optional carbon-fiber pieces include a front splitter and side panels.

M DRIVER’S PACKAGE
For $2,500, an M2 buyer can have a day’s high-performance tuition with a BMW driving instructor at one of the company’s South Carolina or California test tracks. An added bonus is the raising of the car’s electronic speed limiter from 155 to 168 mph.

M LAPTIMER APP
Free at Apple’s App Store and developed by BMW, the M Laptimer logs speed, steering angle, accelerator position, longitudinal and lateral acceleration, and fuel consumption. The information allows drivers to compare their performance against others, as well as share their most impressive laps via email or Facebook.

Naturally, the 2020 BMW M2 Competition comes with a lot of performance hardware to complement its gutsy engine, sport suspension and upgraded brakes. Like an Active M rear differential, track-worthy cooling and an oil system that works under hard cornering forces. That said, the M2 is still a German luxury car.

So it also has black Dakota leather upholstery, heated 14-way power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, rain-sensing wipers, LED headlights, front/rear parking sensors, forward-collision mitigation, lane-departure warning, and a universal garage remote.

The infotainment system consists of an 8.8-inch center screen, navigation with real-time traffic, 12-speaker/360-watt Harman Kardon premium system with AM/FM/HD/satellite radio, CD/MP3 player, USB port, and Bluetooth connectivity.

Also included is BMW’s Ultimate Service, which includes three years/36,000 miles of complimentary maintenance.

Buyers may choose the 7-speed dual-clutch automated transmission, the aforementioned M Driver’s package and a moonroof. An Executive Package is also worth considering. For $1,200, it brings wireless charging, Wi-Fi, heated steering wheel, automatic high beams and adaptive headlights that turn with the steering.

The M2 CS has most things as standard, but there are additional choices of carbon-ceramic brake discs for fade-free stopping power, a matte-gold finish for the alloy wheels, and Michelin Cup 2 high-performance tires.

One glaring omission from the options list is blind-spot monitoring.

Both versions of the 2020 M2 employ an all-aluminum, turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 engine. In the M2 Competition, it develops 405 horsepower and a meaty 406 lb-ft of torque. The M2 CS has 444 horsepower and the same amount of torque.

Rear-wheel drive is the sole configuration, using either a standard 6-speed manual transmission with rev-matching (blipping the throttle automatically to smooth out downshifts) or an optional 7-speed dual-clutch automated transmission.

An engine stop/start function helps save a little fuel while idling. Many drivers find these things too obtrusive on the restart, so there’s the ability to turn it off.

3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 (M2 Competition)
405 horsepower @ 5,230-7,000 rpm
406 lb-ft of torque @ 2,350-5,230 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/25 mpg (manual), 17/23 mpg (automatic)

3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 (M2 CS)
444 horsepower @ 6,250 rpm
406 lb-ft of torque @ 2,350-5,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: N/A