BMW M2 (G87): What Modders Should Know
The smallest M car pairs the S58 straight-six with rear-wheel drive and a manual option.
The G87 M2 uses the twin-turbo S58 straight-six, now rated at 473 hp, driving the rear wheels through a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic.
The G87 M2 is the entry point to BMW M, but it borrows the serious hardware from its bigger siblings.
The engine and drivetrain
The M2 runs the S58, a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged inline-six shared with the M3 and M4. For the 2025 model year output rose to 473 hp. Torque is 442 lb-ft with the eight-speed automatic and 406 lb-ft with the six-speed manual. Drive is rear-wheel only, and the manual keeps a real clutch pedal in the range.
Why tuners rate it
The S58 is one of the most tuner-friendly modern engines, with strong internals and a large aftermarket built around the M3 and M4. Because the platform is shared, software, intakes and downpipes are widely available and well proven. That parts-bin overlap means the M2 benefits from development done on higher-powered M cars.
First mods worth planning
A calibration alone unlocks meaningful gains from the S58, and intake and charge-cooling upgrades support it. Keep the catalytic converters and emissions system in place, since a de-cat is not road-legal in most markets, and any tune should stay emissions-compliant. Declare changes to your insurer, as an M2 already sits in a high insurance bracket.
What to plan for
With this much torque, tyres, the clutch on manual cars and driveline components take the strain first. Sustained track use loads the cooling system, so monitor temperatures before adding boost. Modifying a car under warranty carries risk, so weigh the warranty and insurance impact against the gains before committing.
The conditions that matter
- ✓The S58 responds strongly to a tune and shares a mature M3 and M4 aftermarket.
- !A de-cat is not road-legal in most markets; keep the emissions system intact.
- !Declare modifications to your insurer and check the warranty impact.
Sources
General guidance, not legal advice. Specifications and road-legality vary by market and change over time; confirm with the manufacturer, your insurer and local regulations before modifying.