In short
- BMW launched the original UK M2 in April 2016 with 370 hp, 465 Nm and manual or seven-speed M DCT transmission.
- The 2018 M2 Competition introduced a 410 hp twin-turbo engine, 550 Nm and visible front, mirror and exhaust changes.
- The 2020 M2 CS added 450 hp, carbon body panels, adaptive suspension and further model-specific hardware.
- The live print uses Jonathan’s signed original 2016 M2 specification, not Competition or CS figures.
The F87 code narrows the family. It does not finish the identity. BMW changed the engine, cooling, chassis and visible details for Competition, then moved further again for CS. A buying file needs to name which one it describes on every page.
How do you identify an F87 BMW M2 correctly?
Match the 17-character VIN, V5C, BMW build record and physical car, then establish original M2, M2 Competition or M2 CS, build date and manual or M DCT transmission. Use BMW’s VIN-linked manual and recall tools rather than deciding from one badge or registration year.
The F87 code covers more than one performance specification. Replacement grilles, mirrors, wheels, exhausts and badges are common enough that visual clues should support the build record, not overrule it.
Check that engine, transmission, brakes, seats, body panels and option codes form a coherent factory or documented modified car. A seller calling every F87 a “Competition shape” removes information you need for parts, value and the print.
What changed between the original M2, Competition and CS?
BMW launched the original M2 with a 370 hp single-turbo straight six and 465 Nm, plus 35 Nm overboost. The 2018 Competition used a 410 hp twin-turbo engine with 550 Nm and revised chassis and body details. The 2020 CS raised output to 450 hp and added carbon panels and adaptive suspension.
| Model | BMW output | Factory distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Original M2 | 370 hp, 465 Nm plus overboost | Six-speed manual or optional seven-speed M DCT |
| M2 Competition | 410 hp, 550 Nm | Twin-turbo engine, revised front, mirrors, exhaust and chassis |
| M2 CS | 450 hp, 550 Nm | Carbon bonnet and roof, adaptive suspension, CS wheels and brakes |
BMW’s figures use hp and 0 to 62 mph. Jonathan’s poster uses bhp and 0 to 60 mph, so numbers should retain their units. The original 370 metric-horsepower rating is represented as 365 bhp in the live print.
The Competition is not a trim pack added to the original engine. BMW called it a complete reworking and identified changes to powertrain, steering, braking, exhaust, suspension and exterior. The CS is another defined factory model, not a carbon-accessory bundle.
Which service, recall and repair history matters?
Build a chronology from BMW’s electronic service record, dated invoices, MOT history, recall and campaign status, ownership account, tyres, brake work, body repairs and modifications. Mileage and dates should agree, while gaps or repeated defects create questions for the current inspection.
The official MOT history shows recorded test outcomes, mileages and defects for its available period. It cannot authenticate grade, show every service or prove how an advisory was repaired.
Enter the VIN in BMW UK’s recall checker. BMW says the VIN is needed and that authorised partners carry out recall work without charge. Confirm completion against the individual record.
Track running-in service and later maintenance through actual entries and invoices without inventing a universal verdict from one missing stamp. A BMW specialist can interpret what the build date, use and service system require for that car.
Body work should have photographs and invoices where possible. Ask about wheel, suspension and underside impacts, track use and replacement safety components. Track use is not itself a diagnosis; unexplained repair evidence is the problem to resolve.
How should the F87 engine and cooling systems be inspected?
See the car genuinely cold, check fluids before starting, scan BMW control systems and observe startup, idle, warm operation, oil and coolant temperature, charging, smoke, leaks, noises and restart. Identify the correct original, Competition or CS engine and every fitted intake, exhaust, fuelling or software change.
A cleared dashboard is not the same as a clean diagnostic history. Read current, stored and shadow information with suitable BMW equipment, then interpret it against symptoms and work records rather than replacing parts from code text alone.
Inspect radiators, coolers, pipes, fans, guards and the underside for impact and leakage. Cooling layouts differ across versions, especially after the Competition rework. Do not use an original M2 parts list to price a Competition repair.
A remap or claimed output needs the tuner, software version, hardware, fuel requirement and dated test conditions. Confirm insurer disclosure. A rolling-road graph describes one test and does not certify long-term mechanical condition.
Never open a hot cooling system. If oil, coolant, smoke, noise or temperature behaviour is abnormal, keep the cause unresolved until a qualified diagnosis establishes it.
How should the manual, M DCT and active differential be checked?
Identify the factory transmission, inspect its service and repair record, then use every relevant mode through safe cold and warm operation. Check clutch engagement or M DCT behaviour, selection, mounts, differential operation, warning systems, vibration and driveline noise with BMW-capable diagnostics.
The six-speed manual and seven-speed dual-clutch routes need different questions. Do not diagnose a normal control strategy from an unfamiliar short drive, and do not dismiss harshness or warnings as character without evidence.
BMW’s original launch states 4.5 seconds to 62 mph for the manual and 4.3 for M DCT. Those transmission-specific figures illustrate why an advert must name the gearbox before quoting performance.
Check tyres as a complete set: exact size, load and speed rating, model, age, tread, pressure and damage. Mixed wear or unsuitable combinations can affect steering and differential behaviour without proving a fault in the differential itself.
Listen through low-speed manoeuvres, steady driving, safe acceleration and overrun. A noise can travel through the structure, so mounts, wheel bearings, brakes and tyres remain possible until inspected.
What should you inspect in the chassis, brakes and body?
Inspect the correct brakes, wheels, steering and suspension for wear, damage, non-standard parts and alignment evidence, then examine the shell, panel fit, underside, jacking areas, glass and cabin. Competition and CS hardware must be identified rather than inferred from paint or an M badge.
Measure friction materials and inspect discs and calipers using the correct procedure. Optional or upgraded brakes change parts and replacement cost. A coloured caliper is not enough to authenticate the system.
Check wheels inside and out, then look for repairs and tyre contact. Suspension height, spacers and alignment settings should be documented and physically safe through steering and suspension travel.
The Competition has visible double-arm mirrors and revised front treatment. The CS adds carbon bonnet and roof construction plus its own aero and wheels. Check part labels and build data because replicas and retrofits can resemble factory equipment.
Use safe lift access for the underside. Never work under a car supported only by its emergency jack. Record corrosion, leaks, damaged covers, repair seams and impact before negotiating.
How should condition change the M2 buying decision?
Separate immediate safety work, scheduled maintenance, diagnostics, tyres, brakes, body repair and optional upgrades, then obtain version-specific quotes. Confirm insurance and modification terms before purchase. A cheaper car is not cheaper until unknown work and future resale evidence are included.
Originality can affect value, but it does not make a neglected part serviceable. Conversely, a documented modification is not automatically harmful. Judge compatibility, execution, calibration and whether the original parts are included.
Check who can maintain the exact engine, M DCT, differential and electronics locally. Specialist access is part of ownership planning. So are tyre availability, secure storage and intended track use.
This guide does not recommend a market price. Build date, grade, gearbox, options, history, repair quality and current condition can outweigh a broad advertised average.
Which F87 BMW M2 does the live print represent?
The live print uses Jonathan’s original F87 M2 front and signed 2016 block: 365 bhp, 465 Nm, 1,495 kg DIN, 4.5 seconds to 60 mph and 155 mph. It offers body-coloured or dark mirror caps. It does not carry Competition or CS output.
- Engine
- 3.0 L turbo inline 6
- Power
- 365 bhp
- Torque
- 465 Nm
- Weight
- 1495 kg DIN
- 0 to 60
- 4.5 sec
- Top speed
- 155 mph
Jonathan approved the drawing across the full 2016 to 2021 run after the Competition differences were put to him. His reason was direct customer evidence: he has sold these and customers accepted the front. That artwork decision does not turn 365 bhp into the Competition’s output.
Open the F87 M2 builder when that signed block suits the car. Use the custom route when a Competition or CS owner requires the distinct front and exact factory figures to be represented.
Which sources and limits support this M2 guide?
BMW UK’s 2016 M2, 2018 M2 Competition and 2019 M2 CS releases establish their engines, outputs, transmissions and factory distinctions. BMW’s VIN services support model-specific manuals and recalls. GOV.UK supplies MOT and recall context. Jonathan’s signed file controls the live print.
Read BMW UK’s original M2, M2 Competition and M2 CS releases. They were reviewed 9 August 2026.
This guide cannot authenticate, diagnose or value one car. Use the VIN, current data and an independent BMW M specialist for the individual purchase.
Questions people actually ask
- What should I check before buying a BMW M2 F87?
- Confirm the VIN and whether it is an original M2, Competition or CS, then review BMW service, MOT, recall and repair records. Arrange a cold diagnostic inspection, manual or M DCT road test, differential and chassis assessment, lift inspection and a check of brakes, tyres, body work and modifications.
- How is the original BMW M2 different from the M2 Competition?
- BMW’s UK records quote 370 hp and 465 Nm for the original car, then 410 hp and 550 Nm for the 2018 Competition. The Competition also gained a different twin-turbo engine, revised front spoiler and grille, double-arm mirrors, exhaust, brakes, steering and chassis changes. Confirm the VIN.
- Is every 2020 F87 BMW M2 a Competition or CS?
- No. Registration year alone cannot establish grade, and the CS was a limited model positioned above the Competition. Use the VIN-linked BMW build record, engine, body panels, suspension, brakes, wheels and original documentation. Badges and later parts can be changed.
- Does the live BMW M2 print show the Competition model?
- No. The live print uses Jonathan’s original F87 M2 drawing and signed 2016 specification: 365 bhp, 465 Nm, 1,495 kg DIN, 4.5 seconds to 60 mph and 155 mph. Jonathan approved its wider year range, but the figures must not be described as Competition or CS output.
Written by Jonathan in Derby. Last updated .