BMW’s M2 Coupe was a beautifully-balanced M-car when introduced in 2016. The M2 Competition which replaced it has a different character, and here we list the Top 10 differences.
The BMW M2 Coupe was launched here in April 2016 and was immediately lauded as one of the most driver-friendly of all the M Division vehicles. The M2 Coupe felt so well-balanced, with just the right amount of power for its short chassis, and quick steering to enable natural, intuitive correction of any power slides that might develop. (Here’s everything you need to know about the BMW M2)
The M2 Coupe was agile and quick. It came with a 0-100 km/h time of 4.3 seconds which was extremely rapid at the time. Top speed was limited to 250 km/h, but a special-order M Driver’s Package raised that to 270 km/h.
Then came the M2 Competition
The M2 Competition arrived here in September 2018, and this surprisingly extensive re-development of the M2 Coupe raised the bar even more. It had a number of visual changes, including a new grille and front-end design with bigger air ducting. New wheels were part of the kit, but most importantly was the fitment of an all-new straight-six 3,0-litre turbocharged engine which was a variation of the same engine as used in the M3/M4. It was discontinued in 2021. But let’s get back to the model in question (see below).
Was the Competition version an improvement?
Did BMW improve the M2 Coupe with its raft of changes? Those focused on power increases and shaving tenths of a second of 0-100 km/h times would say “yes”, while others felt that the original M2 Coupe was a better-balanced machine. The writer is amongst those that found the M2 Competition too highly strung in normal street use, and preferred the 2016 edition of the M2 Coupe. I found the Competition too skittish under certain road conditions, where the tarmac surface was less than perfect.
Interestingly, the M2 Competition replaced the M2 Coupe. So if you feel you might prefer the original more benign M2 package, you will have to find a good used one. AutoTrader currently has 42 examples of New and Used BMW M2 models listed for sale.
To key you into the differences between the M2 Coupe and the M2 Competition we have compiled a point-form list of the major differences.
Top 10 differences between used M2 Coupe and M2 Competition
1. Engines. The M2 Coupe used a straight-six turbocharged 3.0-litre engine developing 272 kW and 465 Nm of torque. The M2 Competition uses a different 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six, developing 302 kW and up to 550 Nm of torque on over-boost.
2. The M2 Coupe has a quite conservative interior with M highlights, such as sports steering wheel, sports seats and special M blue stitching. The M2 Competition has more extrovert carbon-fibre details on the dashboard and console.
3. The M2 Competition has a new instrument cluster, with a re-styled black background.
4. The M2 Coupe has 19-inch wheels in a 10-spoke design, two spokes paired in a sequence of five. The M2 Competition has forged 19-inch wheels with a more racy cross-spoke spoke pattern in black or silver.
5. The M2 Competition has bigger brake discs with grey-painted callipers. The M2 Coupe has smaller discs with red-painted callipers.
6. The M2 Competition has a bigger, gloss-black-finished kidney-grille, compared to the M2 Coupe’s slightly more conservatively-styled grille. The Competition’s bumper section features larger inlets for extra engine cooling.
7. The engine compartment of the M2 Competition is identified by a special carbon-fibre chassis brace encircling the front part of the engine.
8. The M2 Competition has a stiffer suspension set-up with a re-calibrated rear axle location and other changes.
9. Despite a power increase of some 30 kW, the 0-100 km/h time is only marginally quicker on the M2 Competition: 4,3 seconds for the M2 Coupe, versus 4,2 seconds for the M2 Competition. The M2 Coupe’s top speed is 270 km/h with the Special M Driver’s Package, the M2 Competition’s top speed is 280 km/h, when ordered with the M Driver’s Package.
10. The M2 Competition has “Competition” badging on the boot lid and on the door-sill embellishers.
The new, 2023 M2 Coupé will arrive in SA soon!
*The new BMW M2 Coupe should be launching anytime in SA now, and BMW has also confirmed an indicative price tag of R1 503 795 – see below!
Watch this space as we’ll be attending the local launch.
Keyword: Used BMW M2 Coupe vs new M2 Competition: Top 10 differences