BMW M2 – ride and handling
The M2’s boisterous character is familiar from its predecessors, but its weight does bring some limitations
The M2 feels alert, responsive on the road, its elbows-out, four-square exterior stance percolates through in the car’s movements, but it’s refined and well-mannered too. It’s an easy car to acclimatise to: driving position, visibility, interior ergonomics, software slickness all feel bang-on from the get-go.
As with its predecessor, there’s a fair bit of tyre roar but it’s no deal breaker. The ride, on the other hand, is really rather smooth in Comfort mode, but perhaps a touch too wallowy. The firmer Sport and firmest Sport+ settings keep the body movements in better check without sacrificing ride comfort.
Like its bigger brothers, it has a great front end and changes direction keenly (gut feel says even more keenly than the longer, heavier M3/M4) but never feels nervous. It’s a good communicator and you’re always in tune with what the rear tyres are up to via the messages through the chassis and the controls.
As was the case for the previous M2, BMW expects only ten per cent of UK customers to pick the manual gearbox. We’d say it’s worth being among that ten per cent; the manual does give that little extra degree of involvement, although it’s worth noting that right-hand drive M2s have a slightly compromised offset pedal box. When you’re not in the mood for footwork, the nicely calibrated automatic rev-matching software is very slick. But the auto is far from a poor relation, and in certain circumstances is a swifter and equally satisfying drive.
The speed-sensitive, variable-ratio power steering isn’t standout-special in terms of feel and feedback, but it’s direct without feeling nervous, and well insulated from kickback and corruption without feeling numb. It feels painstakingly well calibrated, particularly in its response just off-centre. This is in contrast to the M2’s ultimate levels of composure and control when throwing it down a bucking, undulating B-road, where its weight comes to the fore and it can feel a little disjointed at high levels of commitment.
Michelin Cup 2 tyres are available as an option in place of the Pilot Sport 4 S but ceramic brakes aren’t (the standard stoppers lack initial bite and are grabby when deeper into the pedal). Perhaps the latter may be saved for the as-yet-unconfirmed but strongly rumoured CS version. Meanwhile, the cooking M2 is strong source material to work with.
