MCARMARKET

BMW F87 M2

The spiritual successor to the E46 M3: compact, rear-drive, manual available and small enough to use all of it on a real road.

BMW F87 M2 — 2016–2018

The original F87 M2 used the N55 single-turbo six with M-specific pistons, oil supply and cooling. It is not the most powerful M car, and it is comfortably one of the most enjoyable, because the proportions are right.

M3 suspension components, an active differential and a short wheelbase give it a playfulness the bigger cars have lost. The manual gearbox is the enthusiast's choice; the DCT is faster and equally satisfying.

It is also the most affordable modern M car with genuine collector potential, especially in manual form with low mileage.

Year by year

  • 2016–2017

    N55 launch cars at 365 hp. Manual or 7-speed DCT. Long Beach Blue is the signature colour.

  • 2018

    Final N55 year before the Competition. M Performance parts widely fitted from new.

The good and the bad

Positives

  • +Compact dimensions and excellent chassis balance
  • +Manual gearbox available and worth having
  • +N55 is the most reliable of the modern turbo sixes
  • +M3-derived suspension and active differential
  • +Cheapest genuine entry into modern M ownership

Negatives

  • −N55 is less tunable than the S55 that replaced it
  • −Interior is functional rather than special
  • −Ride is firm on the standard suspension
  • −Rear seats are nominal
  • −Competition models overshadow it on paper

Known faults and what they cost

  • Charge pipe failure$300–$600

    Plastic pipe cracks under boost; aluminium replacement is routine.

  • Oil filter housing gasket leaks$500–$900

    Common N55 ageing item; check for oil residue.

  • Water pump and thermostat$900–$1,400

    Electric water pump is a wear item around 70–90k miles.

  • Intake valve carbon buildup$400–$700

    Direct injection means walnut blasting is periodic maintenance.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist

  • 01Check for charge pipe replacement and any boost-related codes
  • 02Inspect for oil leaks around the filter housing and valve cover
  • 03On DCT cars, verify fluid service and test low-speed engagement
  • 04Look for track use: brake wear, tire wear pattern, undertray damage
  • 05Verify M Performance parts are genuine and correctly fitted
  • 06Scan for stored codes even if no warning lights are present

Modifications for longevity

  • Aluminium charge pipe

    Cheap preventive fix for a known failure.

  • Water pump and thermostat

    Replace around 70–90k miles rather than waiting for failure.

  • Walnut blasting

    Every 60–80k miles restores throttle response.

  • DCT and differential fluid

    40k and 30k miles respectively.

  • Oil every 7,500 miles

    Shorten from the factory interval for hard-driven cars.

Modifications for performance

  1. 01Tires and alignment

    The chassis is the strength; good rubber unlocks it.

  2. 02Stage 1 tune

    410–430 hp on stock hardware with excellent driveability.

  3. 03Downpipe and intake

    440–460 hp with a better exhaust note.

  4. 04S55 or big-turbo builds

    Possible but expensive; most owners are better served by an M2 Competition.

What they are worth

Manual cars in Long Beach Blue lead the N55 market. Low-mileage unmodified cars have stopped depreciating and are beginning to firm up.

The N55 M2 is often cheaper than an equivalent Competition, and for road driving the difference is smaller than the spec sheet suggests.

Owner discussion

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