BMW M2: A Manual-Equipped Sports Car That Delivers on UK Roads
If you’re a fan of manual sports cars, you’ll be glad to know that BMW’s latest M2 model comes with a manual gearbox. This feature is denied on any other current M car, making the M2 a unique and exciting option for driving enthusiasts. But is it worth the price tag? Let’s find out.
The original BMW M2 arrived in the UK in 2016 with a showroom sticker price of less than £45k. It outsold every other M car on the books during its lifecycle. However, the new second-gen M2 is more powerful, more mature, and more technical than its predecessor, which explains why it opens for business at a whisker under £65,000.
While this price may seem steep, it’s worth noting that a six-cylinder Porsche 718 Cayman GTS with three pedals and a stick costs north of £70k. So, if you’re looking for a manual sports car that won’t break the bank, the M2 is an excellent option.
Driving Experience
The M2’s chassis tuning is impressive, and BMW M has managed to mitigate the risk of losing its dynamic identity despite the car’s increased overall length and kerb weight. The car’s primary ride is taut and has plenty of bite when you dial up the new adaptive dampers. The M2’s handling vivacity is accessible, thanks to the M division’s special suspension, steering, and active diff tuning.
Compared to an M4 Coupé, the M2 has a shorter wheelbase and offers more sophisticated B-road body control. It wants to rotate and move around underneath you that little bit more than an M4 would – to take a second directional bite at a corner as you feed power to its rear axle. The straight six’s supply of torque, excellent response, and tuneful, rasping audible character make it a big draw in itself.
Manual Gearbox
The M2’s manual gearbox is a transformative factor that draws you into the driving experience both physically and mentally. It gets your brain going in thinking your way down the road ahead, where an auto might invite you to switch off. With the manual, you’re given supreme confidence over how much torque is going to hit that outside rear wheel – and precisely when.
The M2’s manual gearbox costs £454 on its own, but because it nudges the car’s CO2 emissions up slightly, you get clobbered for nearly £700 of extra first-year UK VED showroom tax. Even so, it’s worth the investment if you want to fully absorb the M2’s driving experience.
Conclusion
The BMW M2 is a unique and exciting option for driving enthusiasts looking for a manual sports car. While it may be pricey, it offers plenty more than old compact M cars used to, and in numerous ways. The M2 is an entry-level sports car with an evocative flavour of what has made BMW’s performance icons so special over the decades, as well as a greater helping of what’s exceptional about them today.
If you’re looking for a manual sports car that delivers on UK roads, the BMW M2 is definitely worth considering.
