Faster than a Supra, easier to daily: the G87 BMW ...

Which G87-Chassis BMW M2 Performs Finest?

Don’t like selecting from a myriad of various packages and trim ranges for a automobile? Excellent news then, because the listing of choices and variants for the G87 is slim.

The massive query: six-speed handbook or eight-speed ZF 8HP computerized?

Positive, most traditionalists view the handbook as extra enjoyable, and it’ll prevent 53 kilos over the automated. “However,” Phil concedes, “automatics right now are crisp, exact and quick. For efficiency functions, you’re not going to have the ability to shift the automobile as quick as an computerized.”

Disagree with Phil? Don’t ship him hate mail; simply go for an M2 with the third pedal–it’s one of many few vehicles right now out there with a stick.

Of the few different choices, strongly take into account a carbon-fiber roof. It replaces the moonroof and can prevent a whopping 50 kilos, Phil says. A Carbon bundle for the M2 additionally consists of M Carbon seats and different carbon-fiber elaborations, however the roof is the biggie.

Notice that solely two mannequin years after its 2023 debut, the BMW M2 acquired a mid-cycle refresh in 2025. That refresh included an influence increase of 20 horses and 32 lb.-ft. of torque, however the torque improve solely got here with the automated.

Then, for 2026, the BMW M2 CS got here out. It had considerably extra energy (523 horsepower versus 453 for the unique), extra torque (479 lb.-ft versus 402) and 100 kilos lighter.

It additionally comes with a ducktail spoiler, sits about 0.2 inches decrease and has its personal performance-oriented adaptive damper programming. The CS solely comes with the automated. The MSRP distinction for the CS is simply shy of $30K.

Depreciation hasn’t hit the BMW M2 onerous, with 2023 vehicles nonetheless promoting within the low $60s. Due to that truth, BimmerWorld went with a brand new M2, as its MSRP begins at $69,000.

Your First BMW M2 Modifications to Make

Phil’s first mod? A mesh entrance grille insert. Efficiency-related? Probably not, however you need it for the safety provided.

“The entrance grille is principally large open,” Phil explains. “I had one man name not too long ago saying he had the automobile for a few weeks and wanted a brand new radiator. A rock had kicked up from a automobile in entrance of it and went proper via the radiator.”

The automobile is loads quick out of the field, however there are at all times areas to enhance. Let’s begin with autocross purposes first. (For those who go straight to trace days, skip to the subsequent part in your extremely really helpful first mod–brakes–after which return to this part.)

Begin by swapping in some camber plates: “Including camber plates will assist your front-end chunk and assist with tire put on,” he says. Inventory camber on the BMW M2 is restricted to about -1.6° to -1.8°, whereas camber plates will take that determine as much as -3.6°.

The following mod Phil extremely advises is changing the inventory entrance rubber management arm bushings with bearings–aka monoballs.

The inventory BMW M2 rubber bushings, being fairly compliant, enable the tires to skip throughout the highway floor below onerous braking, an issue exacerbated by ABS, BimmerWorld says. It’s a difficulty for all G8x-chassis vehicles, together with the M3 and M4, however one the bushing alternative solves.

After that, like with most vehicles, rethink your tires and wheels. Phil feels the inventory 19-inch entrance and 20-inch rear wheels work nicely, however a 19×11-inch sq. setup fitted with 305/30ZR19 tires works higher. Why? For one, you’ll lower your expenses on tires, with extra choices for 19-inch wheels and the power to rotate tires for higher put on. A sq. setup will even assist the steadiness of the BMW M2, lowering the understeer of a staggered setup.

In case you skipped forward, to suit that type of wheel-and-tire setup, you’ll want these camber plates. This may allow you to suit these dimension tires with out touching the bodywork.

Subsequent Steps for the BMW M2

Wish to go quicker than autocross and do a observe day? Phil extremely recommends beginning by beefing up your brake bundle earlier than doing the rest, together with the aforementioned camber plates, monoballs and sq. tire setup.

The OEM rotors and calipers needs to be high quality for BMW M2 homeowners. In any case, the M2 got here sporting six-piston calipers with 15-inch rotors up entrance and single-piston calipers with 14.6-inch rotors within the rear.

However Phil strongly advises swapping in some high-performance brake fluid and pads, equivalent to these from PFC, because the M2 isn’t any light-weight–the automated model of the automobile weighs 3867 kilos.

After that, do the camber plates, management arms with monoball bushings and a sq. tire setup for extra beneficial properties.

Different objects constructed for the highway somewhat than the observe: the shocks and is derived. Phil recommends a set of track-oriented coil-overs.

BimmerWorld makes use of an MCS bundle that, Phil says, retains the automobile very streetable however permits the suspension to assist “disguise a few of that weight.” The coil-overs additionally make the automobile really feel much less floaty and extra managed. The outcome? “You’ll have extra confidence to go quicker within the automobile,” he says.

“I’ll use VIR for instance,” Phil additional explains. “Driving the automobile in inventory trim, going over the uphill esses, it’s a must to be very affected person with the automobile. You need to let the automobile take a set because it’s transferring aspect to aspect via every of the corners there. When you get a [coil-over] suspension on there, the place you may deal with the curbing a little bit bit higher, you may hammer on it and roll via the esses with out having to attend for the automobile.”

Need much more suspension assist in your BMW M2? Swap in additional adjustable arms within the five-link rear so you may enhance your geometry and assist the automobile rotate round turns with out dropping grip.

Can the BMW M2 Shed Any Weight?

Wish to shed weight from the BMW M2? Good luck. There are not any magic bullets, Phil implies. You’ll lose a number of kilos right here and there, which provides up, however he reminds us that it’ll by no means be a sub-3000-pound automobile.

A set of aftermarket wheels will lower 10 to twenty kilos. A lithium battery will internet roughly 40 kilos. A light-weight brake system, 30 to 40 kilos. Gutting the automobile will even assist, however then you definately’re nearing devoted observe automobile territory, and the great thing about the M2 is that it makes a high quality avenue automobile, too.

BMW M2 Monitor Prep and Large Energy

We’re now on the pointy finish of the spectrum, however some beneficial properties are nonetheless available–particularly with aero and energy.

However first, let’s speak security. For those who’re heading on observe, strongly take into account a roll bar, correct seat and security harness. “It’s greater than security, too,” Phil reminds us. “It’s a efficiency benefit. If you add a bunch of grip, holding your self upright takes away out of your potential to drive quick.”

After putting in a brand new roll bar, seat and harness, BimmerWorld begins with aero because the M2 comes with loads of energy out of the field. (BimmerWorld’s automobile made 470 horsepower on the wheels, inventory, on a dyno.)

Whereas a entrance splitter and a rear wing improve grip, particularly at increased speeds, don’t low cost different aero measures. Hood vents scale back front-end carry and extract warmth from two turbos doing their magic. Fender vents scale back a high-pressure zone across the tires.

After getting all that grip via mechanical and aero means, take into account upping the ability. The automobile’s S58 engine is a tried-and-true platform that got here out in 2019.

“The engine is extremely sturdy, and the turbos are sized appropriately so you may flip up the ability fairly a bit with out having to improve the turbos or get contained in the engine,” Phil explains. “The catch is the ECU is locked.”

Nonetheless, you may get that ECU flashed by a tuner, and Phil says you may up the ability to 550 on the wheels, no downside.

BimmerWorld is trying to arrange its BMW M2 with port injection, explaining that the consumption manifold is about up for it however simply wants the holes drilled. Mixed with the ECU tuning and E85 gas, the M2 ought to make 600 to 700 horses on the wheels.

Sure, 600 to 700 horsepower. For a coupe with a useable again seat and trunk. Haul the household and groceries, and haul ass across the observe.