Used BMW M2 Competition for sale: everything you need to know

The BMW M2 Competition is a compact, high-performance coupe in the classic BMW mould. It has a thrilling engine and suspension tuned to deliver maximum capability even at track-day speeds. It looks muscular and exciting, too. 

It’s a great car and a sure-fire future collectable. If you want something a little different to a Porsche 718 Cayman or Alpine A110, not to mention an Audi TT RS, it’s still worth checking out. 

Should you buy a BMW M2 Competition? 

The BMW M2 Competition is a thrilling car to drive. It’s a classic, almost old-school performance car. They won’t be making them like this for much longer, so it’s best to get in there while you can and secure your ‘forever’ petrol car. 

It’s not just in terms of driving thrills that it excites, though. It looks fantastic as well. The previous-generation BMW 2 Series Coupe has been expertly pumped up, with oh-so-muscular bulging wheelarches, extra-large wheels and a styling kit that screams potency. 

The front bumper barely exists, so wide-ranging is all the sculpting to improve airflow to the engine and brakes (and help channel air past the front wheels via ‘air curtains’, to improve the car’s aerodynamics). There’s a prominent diffuser at the rear, plus a boot lid spoiler and, of course, the quad BMW M exhaust tailpipes. 

You clamber into deep, hip-hugging bucket seats, grip a perfectly-sized sports steering wheel and face an interior delectably made over in the BMW M way, from M colours on the seatbelts to distinctive ‘M1’ and ‘M2’ buttons on the steering wheel. These call up pre-programmed settings for the engine, suspension and gearshift. 

It’s all brilliantly exciting before you’ve even pressed the bright red starter button to fire up the rorty, potent 3.0-litre straight-six engine. This is taken from the larger BMW M3 and M4, and it guarantees fireworks in a car of this size. Yes, that size means it isn’t the most practical car for four people – rear-seat space is scant – but it’s ideal for two. The boot isn’t a bad size, either. 

The fact that the BMW M2 Competition is also a sure-fire collector’s item, a modern classic in the making, further adds to its appeal. This is a car for true enthusiasts, one that isn’t the cheapest to buy, but which is a savvy investment for the longer term. If you can afford to buy a BMW M2 Competition, just do it. You won’t be disappointed.

A BMW M2 Competition not for you? We've got 1000s of used cars for sale to suit all budgets and needs.

What's the best used BMW M Competition model to buy?

When it was launched, the M2 had all the ingredients to make it a great new addition to BMW's iconic 'M-car' line-up - with rear-wheel drive, two-doors and a manual gearbox option. However, the six-cylinder engine was not as special as the powertrain in its bigger brothers, the M3 and M4 - with one turbo and a modest 370PS.

That changed in 2018 with the arrival of the M2 Competition. This car features the same twin-turbo engine from the M3 and now produced 411PS. It felt a lot more exciting to drive, and it's the M2 we would pick.

Choosing between the manual and semi-automatic DCT is harder. Purists will enjoy the added interaction of having a clutch pedal, but it's not the nicest shift, and the dual-clutch M2 is more civilised and cheaper to run.

Used BMW M2 Competition fuel economy and performance

The BMW M2 Competition uses a 411PS 3.0-litre straight-six turbocharged engine, paired either with a six-speed manual or seven-speed M DCT dual-clutch automatic transmission. 

Those looking to buy a BMW M2 Competition who want even more bragging rights should consider finding one with the M Driver’s package. This raises the top speed limiter from 155mph to 174mph. 

• BMW M2 Competition 3.0-litre turbo petrol: The engine is a slightly detuned version of the straight-six powerplant fitted to the BMW M3 and M4. Zero to 62mph takes 4.4 seconds and average economy of up to 28.5mpg is claimed, while CO2 emissions start from 225g/km. 
• BMW M2 Competition 3.0-litre turbo petrol with M DCT: The engine is identical, but the more efficient seven-speed M DCT dual-clutch automatic transmission cuts the 0-62mph time to 4.2 seconds. Fuel economy slightly improves as well, to 29.1mpg. CO2 emissions start from 220g/km. 

The BMW M2 has always used the same straight-six twin-turbo engine taken from the BMW M3. It started out with a 370PS output, for 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds, but the arrival of the BMW M2 Competition in 2018 cut this to 4.4 seconds, or 4.2 seconds with the M DCT automatic transmission. 

What used BMW M2 Competition trim levels are available?

The BMW M2 Competition is a car that was, in time, replaced by a performance version of the new BMW 2 Series Coupe. This M2 Competition is available as just a single model variant. 

• The BMW M2 Competition is the only trim level available. It has a very comprehensive M-themed specification, with bespoke M styling features outside and in, plus a good haul of equipment. It could also be ordered with luxuries such as a Harman Kardon premium audio system.

Used BMW M2 Competition dimensions and boot size

The BMW M2 Competition’s exterior dimensions are: 

• Length: 4,461mm
• Width: 1,984mm (including door mirrors)
• Height: 1,410mm
• Ground clearance: 116mm

The BMW M2 Competition’s boot space is:

• 390 litres

Used BMW M2 Competition road tax

It will come as no surprise to those considering the BMW M2 Competition that it cost a good chunk more than £40,000 when new. As a consequence, anyone buying one now will have to pay the standard £180 road tax fee plus a further £390 applied to cars that had original prices north of that £40,000 mark. The bright spot here is the extra charge only lasts until the car is five-years old.

How much is it to insure a BMW M2 Competition? 

The BMW M2 Competition is a highly desirable car with scorching performance, so it should come as no surprise that it’s expensive to insure. Both the manual version and M DCT automatic have a heady group 47 (out of 50) insurance rating, placing the M2 among the most expensive BMWs to insure. 

Read our full BMW M2 Competition review