BMW M2 F87 vs G87: Which One Should You Buy in 2026?

The BMW M2 is the smallest M car you can buy, the most engaging chassis BMW has built in the last decade, and — fairly or not — the M car most likely to be on every shortlist in 2026. There are two generations on the market right now: the F87 M2 (2016-2021) and the G87 M2 (2023+). They share a name and a positioning, but they are mechanically completely different cars. This guide compares them on every dimension that matters for an enthusiast buyer.

The 30-second answer

• Buy F87 M2 Competition (2018-2021) if: You want a lighter, more visceral driving experience, the lowest cost of entry, and you plan to modify aggressively.

• Buy G87 M2 (2023+) if: You want the latest tech, the most power, the most modern chassis, and you value comfort + daily livability alongside performance.

• Skip F87 M2 base (2016-2018): The N55 base M2 was a great car in 2016 but is outclassed by both the Comp and G87 in 2026.

Engine comparison

F87 M2 base (2016-2018) — N55

365 HP single-turbo straight-six. The N55 is a mature platform with cheap tuning, easy bolt-ons, and well-documented failure points. Stage 1 takes you to 420-430 wheel HP. The N55 is the same engine used in the F30 335i but with a more aggressive factory calibration. See our N55 tuning guide for the full Stage 1 to Stage 3 path.

F87 M2 Competition / CS (2018-2021) — S55

405-444 HP twin-turbo straight-six. The S55 is the same engine in the F80 M3 and F82 M4, detuned slightly for the M2 chassis. This is the M2 most enthusiasts want. Stage 1 hits 470-490 wheel HP. With Stage 2 bolt-ons + ethanol mix, the M2 Comp passes 600 wheel HP. See our S55 tuning guide.

G87 M2 (2023+) — S58

453 HP twin-turbo straight-six. The S58 is BMW's most modern M-car engine, shared with G80 M3 / G82 M4. Closed-deck block, factory port injection, larger turbos, more conservative factory tune. Stage 1 lands at 530-560 wheel HP, and the platform has built-in headroom for 700+ wheel HP on stock turbos. See our S58 tuning guide.

Chassis comparison

The F87 is lighter, smaller, and has a more direct steering feel. The G87 is bigger, more refined, and has substantially more modern electronics. On a track, the F87 still rotates better at lower speeds while the G87 has more grip and stability at high speed.

Transmission comparison

F87 M2 Comp

• 6-speed manual (most popular)
• 7-speed DCT (M-DCT, shared with F80 M3 / F82 M4)

G87 M2

• 6-speed manual
• 8-speed ZF automatic (replaces DCT — BMW killed DCT in 2021)

This is the most divisive G87 change. F87 owners love the M-DCT for its violent shift feel. G87 owners get an objectively faster transmission (the ZF8) but it shifts less aggressively in M-Sport mode by default. A TCU tune (where available) closes most of the gap, but it doesn't fully replicate DCT character.

Tuning ceiling comparison

F87 M2 Comp (S55) stock turbos

• Stage 1: 470-490 wheel HP
• Stage 2 bolt-ons: 560-600 wheel HP
• Stage 2+ port injection + E40: 620-680 wheel HP

G87 M2 (S58) stock turbos

• Stage 1: 530-560 wheel HP
• Stage 2 bolt-ons: 680-720 wheel HP
• Stage 2+ E40-E60 (factory PI): 750-820 wheel HP

G87 wins the tuning ceiling decisively. The S58 has roughly 100 wheel HP more headroom than the S55 at every stage, thanks to factory port injection and larger turbos.

Parts availability and cost

F87 M2 Comp

S55 platform parts have been on the market since 2014. The aftermarket is mature, prices have stabilized, and competition between brands keeps cost down. Downpipes, intakes, charge pipes, and tunes are all readily available.

G87 M2

S58 platform parts are newer (2020+ launch on G80 M3, 2023+ on G87 M2). The aftermarket is mature but pricier. Premium brands (CTS Turbo, BMS, MAD, ARM Motorsports, Akrapovic) all support G87 in 2026.

Daily driveability

F87 M2 Comp is a more focused car. Ride quality is firmer, road noise is louder, the interior is older. The G87 has better tech (iDrive 8.5, Live Cockpit Plus), more interior space, better seats, and a much quieter ride.

If you commute 30+ minutes each way, the G87 is the more livable car. If you mostly drive on weekends, the F87 has more soul.

Value (used market, 2026)

F87 M2 Comp is the value play in 2026. You get a real twin-turbo M car for $50-65K CAD with massive tuning headroom. The G87 is the more expensive option but has the better long-term tuning ceiling.

So which one should you buy?

If we had to pick one M2 for the enthusiast buyer in 2026, it would be the F87 M2 Competition for the value, and the G87 M2 if budget is no concern. Both are excellent cars. The F87 Comp is the more visceral driving experience and the cheaper entry into 600+ wheel HP territory. The G87 has more long-term ceiling and is the better daily driver.

What to look for when buying

F87 M2 Comp pre-purchase checklist

• S55 crankhub bolt update (BMW recall — verify your VIN at BMW dealer)
• Carbon buildup on intake valves (walnut blast every 60-80k miles)
• Oil filter housing gasket leak (cheap fix, but ignored = serpentine belt damage)
• DCT (if equipped) — verify fluid service history

G87 M2 pre-purchase checklist

• Verify S58 break-in oil consumption is normal (less than 1 quart per 1,000 miles past 5,000 miles)
• Check for early 2023-production OPF (gasoline particulate filter) issues
• Verify all software updates applied (2023 early production had several recall fixes)

Get parts for your M2

• BMW F87 M2 / M2 Comp parts catalog
• BMW G87 M2 parts catalog
• All BMW tuning options
• All downpipes

FAQ

Is the G87 M2 really 234 lbs heavier than the F87 M2?

Yes, the curb weight difference between F87 M2 Comp and G87 M2 is approximately 230 lbs. Most of it is the heavier chassis structure (G87 is essentially a shortened G80 M3 platform), bigger brakes, and modern electronics. The G87 still has a better power-to-weight ratio because the S58 makes 48 more HP from the factory.

Will F87 M2 Comp parts fit a G87 M2?

No. Different chassis, different engine, different exhaust routing. F87 and G87 are physically incompatible across virtually every bolt-on part.

Can the G87 M2 be tuned to outrun an F87 M2 CS?

Easily. Stage 1 alone on a G87 M2 (530-560 wheel HP) exceeds a stock F87 M2 CS (444 HP / ~430 wheel HP). With Stage 2 bolt-ons, the G87 hits 700+ wheel HP — well past anything the F87 platform offers on stock turbos.

Is the manual G87 M2 the same gearbox as the F87 M2 manual?

The 6-speed manuals are different units. The F87 M2 Comp manual is the same gearbox as the F80 M3 manual (carryover from E92 M3 era). The G87 M2 manual is a revised unit with different gear ratios, better refinement, and improved synchros. The G87 manual shifts noticeably better.

Where do I buy F87 or G87 M2 parts in Canada?

KORE SPEED is Vancouver's BMW M2 specialist. We stock both platforms in-stock across CTS Turbo, BMS, VRSF, MAD Engineering, ARM Motorsports, Akrapovic, and Brembo for same business day shipping across Canada. Browse F87 M2 parts or browse G87 M2 parts.