There’s a moment — a fleeting second — when your left foot comes off the clutch, your right foot feathers the throttle, and the gearshift snicks into place with mechanical certainty. It’s not fast, seamless, or even that efficient. But it’s perfect. That’s the kind of moment that defines the G87 BMW M2. More than just another M car, this one marks the end of a lineage. It’s the last BMW M model that will be available with a manual transmission. And that makes it special. No — sacred.
In an era when dual-clutch and torque converter automatics dominate the performance car landscape, the manual gearbox has become an endangered species. Modern transmissions are faster, smoother, and smarter than any human could hope to be. But they’re also missing something: connection. That visceral, analog link between driver and machine. The G87 M2, in its most purist form, preserves that link — for now.
The Purity of Control
The new M2’s six-speed manual isn’t perfect. The throw is a touch long, and the clutch could be firmer. But none of that matters. What matters is that it’s there — a real manual, in a world increasingly devoid of them. It’s a declaration of intent: that driving should be about more than just numbers and 0-60 sprints. It should be an experience. An interaction.
The G87 rewards effort. Every heel-and-toe downshift is a small victory. Every perfectly timed upshift feels earned. It’s a rare treat in a performance car industry obsessed with lap times and launch control. And while the optional eight-speed automatic is competent, slick, and faster on paper, it lacks the character, the sense of involvement, that the manual brings in spades.
A Lineage of Legends
To understand why the G87 M2’s manual farewell hits so hard, you need to appreciate where it came from. The M2 lineage may be short compared to its M3 and M5 siblings, but its impact has been monumental. The original M2, the F87, launched in 2016 and was immediately hailed as a return to form for BMW M. It took the compact, rear-wheel-drive bones of the 2 Series and fused them with genuine M engineering — wider tracks, bespoke suspension, and a turbocharged inline-six engine. It was raw, responsive, and alive in your hands — a spiritual successor to the iconic E30 M3 and 1M Coupe that came before it.
What made the M2 so revered was its simplicity. It wasn’t the most powerful M car, nor the most expensive. But it was the most approachable — a car that distilled BMW’s driving philosophy into something compact, balanced, and utterly joyful. With each variant — from the original N55-powered M2, to the sharper, more aggressive M2 Competition, and finally the M2 CS — the formula was honed, but never compromised. Manual gearboxes remained an option throughout, reinforcing the M2’s role as the purist’s choice in the BMW lineup.
In an age of growing complexity and digital interference, the M2 became a cult hero because it held the line. It reminded us that great driving isn’t always about the lap time — it’s about how a car makes you feel. And that’s the legacy the G87 now carries forward — and, poignantly, concludes in manual form.
The Engine That Binds It All
At the heart of the G87 M2 lies the S58 3.0-litre bi-turbo straight-six — the same engine found in the M3 and M4, albeit slightly detuned. In this application, it delivers 460PS and 550Nm of torque exclusively to the rear wheels. It’s a mighty powerplant: urgent, flexible, and sonorous when pushed. It doesn’t have the raw edge of BMW’s older naturally aspirated units, but what it lacks in theatricality, it makes up for in sheer thrust.
The torque curve is meaty and usable, allowing the M2 to surge forward from almost any speed. And with the raised top speed limiter (a factory option), this particular UK model can stretch its legs all the way to 180mph. On Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres, traction is abundant, but not absolute — the M2 will still play when provoked. It’s a car that invites you to explore its limits, not shy away from them.
Driving Dynamics: Modern Meets Classic
The G87 M2 may be heavier than its predecessor, the beloved F87, but it’s also more planted and confident. The added mechanical grip is immediately noticeable. Where the old car could be a bit twitchy on the limit, the new one is more composed — less intimidating, more precise. This gives the G87 a dual personality: capable grand tourer one moment, rear-drive hooligan the next.
Its chassis tuning is sublime, striking a fine balance between agility and stability. The steering is fast and direct, and although it doesn’t drip with feedback like some older M cars, it communicates enough to keep you in the loop. The brake pedal is firm, the body control impressive, and the overall driving experience borders on intoxicating when you’re fully engaged with the manual gearbox.
This is a car that wants to be driven. Hard. On the right road, with the windows down and the revs up, the G87 M2 transcends specs and stats. It becomes a feeling.
Divisive by Design
But let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the styling. The G87 is not a universally loved object. In fact, it’s one of the most divisive BMW designs in recent memory. Gone are the elegant lines of the F87. In their place: boxy arches, a squared-off front end, and chunky proportions that make the M2 look almost cartoonish from some angles.
And yet, there’s something compelling about it. This particular example, gleaming in Toronto Red paint (a striking, shimmering crimson) amplifies the M2’s aggressive stance, and the wide hips and squared haunches speak to the car’s performance potential. It’s not conventionally beautiful, but it has presence — and like many of BMW’s more controversial designs, it may just age into icon status. Remember the E60 5 Series? Once mocked, now admired. The same fate could await the G87… possibly.
Visually, this particular M2 is the full-fat experience. Carbon-fibre roof and interior inlays, 50th anniversary M badges — the works. The carbon-backed bucket seats are wrapped in a tactile mix of leather and alcantara and finished with the signature M tricolour detailing and a bespoke stitch pattern. They’re snug, supportive, and utterly gorgeous.
Inside the Future
Step inside the G87 and the blend of tradition and technology continues. The biggest change? BMW’s iDrive 8 infotainment system. The new curved display is modern and slick, replacing the physical climate controls with a fully digital interface. It’s a contentious shift for some, but in practice, it works well — responsive, logically laid out, and visually sharp.
Material quality is excellent throughout. This M2 feels solid, premium, and every bit the baby M car it claims to be. Crucially, despite the tech-heavy interface, the essentials of driving haven’t been compromised. You still get a proper gearlever. You still get a handbrake (albeit electronic). And you still get a driving position that’s spot-on for spirited motoring.
The End of an Era
In many ways, the G87 BMW M2 is a contradiction. It’s bigger, heavier, and more complex than any M2 before it. It’s tech-laden, digitally connected, and aggressively styled. And yet, at its core, it’s a car that celebrates the analog — that seeks to preserve the simple, tactile joy of changing gears yourself.
It is, unmistakably, the end of something. When BMW confirms that future M cars will no longer offer a manual option, the G87 M2 becomes more than just a fast coupe. It becomes a symbol. A time capsule of a driving era that is rapidly fading into memory.
Yes, faster, more efficient cars will follow. But they will not feel like this. They will not ask you to work for your speed. They will not give you the satisfaction of a perfectly executed downshift on a twisty B-road.
So if you’ve ever loved driving for its own sake — not just for the speed, but for the sensation — the G87 M2 deserves your attention. It is flawed. It is controversial. It is also brilliant.
And it may just be the last of its kind. To see a video about this stunning BMW M2 click here:
If you’ve got an M2 and are thinking of selling, give Automotive Addiction a call. We are looking for immaculate enthusiast owned examples of BMW’s M2 for our sales stock and offer top prices for the best cars in pristine condition with meticulous ownership histories. To see what we could offer for your car, contact us on
01952 780477 or head over to the website at www.automotiveaddiction.co.uk
