It’s been awhile since the BMW M2 Competition has been released. So we’ve already read, heard and seen quite a bit about it. Though, we’re not going to turn down watching another review of it, especially one from Carfection. In their latest car film, we get to see Henry Catchpole flogging the M2 Comp on some very twisty, very scenic roads.
Catchpole was a fan of the standard BMW M2, with its N55 3.0 liter turbocharged I6 engine. That car made 365 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. This new M2 Competition uses a detuned S55 engine, pulled from the BMW M4, and it makes 405 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. While it’s not much faster than the outgoing car and engine, as it’s actually a bit heavier, it’s the nicer driving car.
While BMW didn’t change too much from the outgoing M2, the M2 Competition does have some fine tuning to its suspension, subframes and steering. All of it adds up to a car that feels more sophisticated than the standard car. It feels more planted, more stable and more confidence-inspiring. While the old M2 could feel a bit bouncy and nervous, the M2 Competition feels more secure and, well, sophisticated.
Though, Catchpole actually doesn’t seem to think it needed much of an engine change. In fact, he prefers the sound of the old N55 engine better. While a lot of enthusiasts would agree, it must be said that the M2 Competition gets some emissions tweaks to its exhaust that makes it sound much worse. They can be removed to unlock the full sound, which is admittedly better. Still, the S55 has had its fair share of noise complaints over the years.
Overall, though, he seems to really like the M2 Competition and claims it to be a proper driver’s car, even more so than before.
