The 2023 BMW M2 Is Best Suited For 1 Type of Driver
Do you like to drink raw eggs mixed with protein powder in the morning? Do you like pumping iron at the gym and driving home at full speed without using your turn signals? If so, the 2023 BMW M2 could be for you. Joke aside, the M2 is a raucous and rowdy street car with high-strung performance characteristics, and after driving it for a few days, I’m convinced it’s good for one type of driver.
The 2023 BMW M2 can make a pseudo-racecar driver out of you
After spending some time in the 2023 BMW M2, I wish the German automaker had given me driving gloves to complete the experience. The thick leather-wrapped steering wheel feels nice in my hands, but the heart-pumping driving thrills make my palms a little sweaty every time I slink my semi-skinny frame into the carbon-fiber race buckets.
That driving thrill I speak of mainly comes from the twin-turbocharged inline-6 engine sitting under the hood. It generates a whopping 453 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, which is far more potent than the 230i on which the M2 is based. That model only puts out 255 hp, which is suitable for commuting around town in a more civilized manner.
The M2, on the other hand, is suited for those that want to feel like Sonic the Hedgehog in super speed mode as they make their way to the grocery store. Even with all of the car’s settings (engine, suspension, and exhaust) set to comfort mode, the M2 still feels like it woke up and drank a pot of coffee – and a few raw eggs.
The exhaust burbles as the engine revs freely at the high rpm range. The eight-speed automatic transmission – don’t worry, a manual transmission is available – holds the gear steady in case you need to punch the car around a corner. Overall, the experience makes you feel like a racecar driving even when you’re only going 40 mph – which feels slow. If you like that kind of thing, the M2 is a great car for you.
The BMW M2 is decently practical
If you like the 2023 BMW M2’s racecar feel but are worried about its lack of practicality, I understand. The good news is that the M2 does have a rear seat. However, it’s best suited for car seats and children younger than 10 years old. The seating area is small, and if you have to cram an adult back there, it’s possible – but they may not like you after a 10-minute ride.
The cargo area measures 13.8 cubic feet, which is a little larger than the Supra’s trunk that I tested a month ago (10 cubic feet). In that case, the M2 should be good for a weekend trip as it can fit a couple of carry-on suitcases and other types of bags with ease. I wouldn’t be surprised if you could fit a golf bag or two back there – the rear seatbacks also fold down for more space.
How much does the BMW M2 cost?
If all of this performance and practicality sounds like it could suit your daily (or weekend) lifestyle, the BMW M2 could be right for you. It starts at $62,200, but my fully kitted tester, which came with an adaptive suspension, the Carbon package, and the Shadowline package crossed the price line at $76,845 (including the $995 destination charge).
That’s over twice as much as the base 2023 BMW 230i coupe, which is far more practical and civilized. But why get one of those to putt around in when you can drive around in a caffeinated hedgehog? The choice is clear, if you like racing, the 2023 BMW M2 is for you.
