A Week With The BMW M2 Competition
BMW Handed Me The Keys To The New M2 Competition For A Week... What A Car!
When the opportunity to live with the new BMW M2 comp for a week came up I made sure to make the most of it. The New M2 competition is a car I have always loved from the moment it was released. BMW took what was an already incredible base of the old M2 and added their competition magic dust to turn this short wheel base performance car into an absolute weapon. I picked the car up from BMW HQ. A recent piston heads Sunday service was held there so some of you will be familiar with the location. Upon entry I took a walk to the security desk to pick up the keys and on display were some stunning BMW’s parked out front let alone the mini museum located inside HQ. On display was the M3 CS, New 2019 Z4, M5 competition and of course the BMW M2 comp.
Soaking the views after a spirited drive
One of the things that I instantly fell in love with was the colour, the Hockenheim silver, a new colour for the M2 competition instantly tells you it’s a special car. Under the bonnet is that powerhouse S55 engine producing 410bhp from the twin turbo 6 cylinder block. A more aggressive front end, more shadow cosmetics including a one piece kidney grill and proper M performance mirrors makes the M2C look stunning.
One of the things that was playing on my mind was getting hold of this car slap bang in the middle of winter where road surfaces are greasy, rain is unpredictable and how much of a handful the car would be when driven hard. I quickly discovered how rigid the chassis is and that you can throw this car around yet it remains compliant. The multi function traction control allows for you to push the car hard whilst keeping it in a straight line (most of the time) even in these challenging road conditions. A lot of the stability comes from the carbon strut brace coupled with the 10j thick wheels provides a good base for a very fun car.
Double Trouble
After a few days of driving the car and getting used to the performance and behaviour I met up with my friend Joe (Joe Achilles) and we went for a spirited drive out in the countryside of Oxfordshire. Not only were we lucky with the weather but we also had two M2 competitions, a Manual and DCT which naturally translated into a comparison video which will be live on our YouTube channels soon.
Exploring the Oxford countryside in such a fun car put a huge smile on my face. I remember owning two E46 M3’s and the smile that those rear wheel drive M cars bring to your face is priceless. As a petrol head I really enjoy driving, as we all do. But what I really enjoy is driving and having fun, not having a car that does everything for you, a requirement for some driver correction when you get over excited with the throttle. The M2C definitely delivered on that front. The MDM traction control setting is so good. It allows for a bit of slip when you put your foot down but not enough to scare the living daylight out of you are require some serious over steer correction. The car was so compliant around the undulating roads out in the countryside . Driving Joe’s manual car made me feel so connected to the driving experience, a similar feeling I got from the 1m coupe.
Manual vs DCT
The 1m coupe was such a pure car, an incredible piece of engineering that put the driving experience so high up the list that nothing else really mattered. The M2 competition does the same thing in my opinion.
Over the 7 days I had the car I used it for everything. I drove it hard, I drove it to work, it was used for the weekly shopping and it ticked every box with ease. The interior has been improved against the M2 of old. The addition of the M division Dakota leather bucket seats enhances the comfort experience but also holds you tightly in position when you get a dose of lead foot syndrome. Modernised dials add a more luxury feel to the interior and as an overall package, well lets say BMW got this car very right!
All good things come to an end they say, and so was the case with my week in the M2. I got back in the car for one last drive to drop it back to HQ. Upon arrival I did the usual “I love this car” stare as I locked it for the last time before heading inside to reluctantly hand the keys back.
The M2 competition is a serious drivers car. So much so that I really want one… maybe in a few years... who knows.
Here is the first of a few videos to go live on my YouTube channel. I hope you enjoy.
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Comments (9)
Good stuff man. I always felt like the 'stock' M2 was lacking a bit of the special-ness that you got with the 1M. The Competition seems to have brought it back!
Completely agree 🙌
dat licence plate (if you speak Russian)!!!
The BMW M2 Competition
The M2 Competion
The M2 Comp
The M2C
The
jk great job
I absolutely love the m2. Such a beauty.
Agree man 🙌
Between this and the M4.. what would you recommend!?
Personally I would have this. Shorter wheel base, prefer the look and also this S55 engine has been pegged back. So the M2C with a tune will be 👏👏👏
Ah nice! Cheers