Review: 2019 M2 Competition
Practical yet insane and undeniably German.
By Thomas Annett
What even is an M2 Competition?
Well, I’m glad you asked, the M2 already has a special place in every motorists’ heart and when it was announced that the M2 would have a competition model every petrol head for obvious reasons got very excited. For those who don’t know, the competition badge has always been a way for BMW to fix and fine tune the mistakes of the launch car but, this year it was different, very different. The BMW always felt like a baby M car and not a proper M car to most petrol heads. I feel in this model BMW set out to change that and oh boy they did. They not only gave this car the competition rehall fixing the mistakes of the previous, adding a body kit and M seats they took it to a whole new level. Fitting the M3/M4 engine (and that beautiful carbon fibre strut), the ‘Active M Differential’ and M dynamic mode (basically a controllable drift button). This upgrade makes this feel like a brand-new car and I’ve never been happier with an upgrade.
What’s it like to drive?
Ever since I was old enough to love cars, I have always rated cars on how much they make me uncontrollably and unknowingly smile, in fact the only way you realise that a car has this effect on you is after you stop and can’t help but feel the pain in your jaw from smiling so much. This car definitely goes on that list. Sliding this car coming out of an intersection or around a corner or using what I like to call mobile launch control (back to that in a minute) make me smile and laugh as much as bearable.
Back to that mobile launch control one of my top 3 features of this car (even though its on most M cars). Ever just wanted to launch the hell out of your car but don’t want to have to stop? Ever wanted to show off your new car to your friends? Ever wanted to ensue the biggest smile ever on your face? Well worry no more for BMW is just as insane. If you push the throttle down to the kick down and pull the left paddle shifter the car instantly clicks into the lowest gear possible and gives you lift off like Apollo VII. Then you run through the gear for as long as you can or until your passenger yells at you to stop. It’s so much fun and gives you the capacity put a smile on any bad day or lose your licence very quickly which ever comes first…
This car no longer feels like a buff 2-series but a mini M3 and that is by no means a bad thing. This engine will slide and rev all day long which for a long time has been the M3’s party piece. It’s a car that will just make you want to drive it all day long dropping gears and losing traction and trust me you’ll never have so much fun. It’s a car that you’re not afraid to drive hard, it just feels so controllable (when you’re the driver) and you just feel you can drive it hard all day long with no crashes to report. It’s a car that makes you want to drive it hard and is straining at the leash and yet when you put it into comfort mode it feels civilised and comfortable even with non-adjustable suspension.
Any draw backs?
Unfortunately, all cars come with draw backs and the M2C is no exception but thankfully these are nothing that would really stop you from buying the car, their just inconvenient.
The first thing we start with is CarPlay. While I do love CarPlay and use it constantly BMW for some reason thought that this would be a great place to make some money requiring you to buy a subscription for CarPlay which is very annoying but still worth it in my opinion.
The second thing we have to complain about is the backseats. Yes, surprisingly the backseats in a coupe aren’t amazing. I know right, shock! But definitely liveable, although I would like some more leg room for journeys under an hour if you don’t take breaks, they are not uncomfortable. You can easily do a road trip if you stop to stretch once in a while. Trust me after living with a 911 for a week with 2 other people these backseats feel like a Rolls Royce. The only other problem I have with the backseats are that they have no grip handles which is very annoying for a car that you throw around twisty mountain roads. Nothing to hold onto while going 100km/h through a national park is not fun and makes you feel very sick if you’re not used to it. Also, no roof handles in the front are annoying.
Thirdly, in the EU right before this car came out, they introduced new emissions regulations which made BMW have to scramble for a solution for this car before they could release it. They found a solution and I’m not happy. They had to put a filter in the exhaust which makes it sound much much worse than those sold in other places that don’t require it. Shows how bad it is that they wanted to keep the other one where they could. But this can also be fixed but not for free. Thankfully the saviours at Akrapovic thought this was unacceptable and designed a new legal exhaust with no filter that sounds MUCH better. So, if you do have the filter I highly recommend checking that out.
And that’s about all I have to complain about. Only four small complaints aren’t bad. Also, this car gives you the capacity to lose your licence very quickly so be careful. Ok now five small complaints but that’s it.
What if I have a family?
Well if you have a family, you’re in luck. The previously mentioned rear seats are fine for kids and still fine for teens and even adults. I’m 6 ft and I’m fine sitting in the back. The seats are leather so ready for any spills that come with kids, the boot is large enough for 2 pieces of luggage and 4 boxes of wine. Trust me, I know. Or with out the wine you could probably fit 4 medium sized suitcases or 5 depending on how good your Tetris skills are. At this point your probably pretty convinced but you’re just wondering “will my wife let me buy it?” Well sir, that’s a whole different ball game and you’re on your own there. All I have to say to you is good luck.
Verdict:
The M2C is a brilliantly balanced type destroyer that will ensure a smile that will make your jaw ache. It’s not perfect but ready for a family if it must and is always there as a friend and pal to make you smile on your worst days and ensure every track day is one of your best. It’s ready for anything you throw at it and that’s why I believe it’s the perfect M car. Practice yet insane and undeniably German.
Score: 9/10
2023 BMW M2 review VIDEO: Track test
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