£29k BMW M2 | Spotted
The highest mileage M2 on the classifieds can be had for hot hatch money
Unless they’ve come from a rental fleet on the Costa del Sol, cars with higher than average mileages aren’t necessarily the worn-out rattle boxes your average punter might believe them to be. Most PHers will know that regular care and maintenance rank far higher than keeping use to a minimum, and in some cases, a bigger number on the odometer can earn a car hero status. Take this BMW M2, for example, which has acquired 41,000 miles in just three years, making it not only the most-driven M2 on the classifieds but also of higher mileage than the average three-year-old UK car from any category.
All of those miles have been accumulated by one owner, though, suggesting that rather than being the village bicycle, this M2 has been lovingly appreciated by an enthusiast not interested in leaving a 370hp Bavarian parked up until a sunny Sunday. And who could blame them? The M2 is arguably the most charming car to come from BMW’s performance arm in this generation, mixing straight-six character with a compact (for 2019) package focussed on driver engagement.
Back when the M2 was new in 2016 we had little reason to highlight the car’s use of rear-wheel drive as, barring the 2 Series Active Tourer, this was the default layout of a BMW. But today, with xDrive spreading across the firm’s performance range like a traction-boosting virus, the M2 looks more thoroughbred than ever. Its two-door body, draped over front-engined, pure rear-drive organs could soon become an extinct formula. The M135i now has a front-biased version of xDrive, and even the next M3/M4 are going to use part-time all-wheel drive to keep up the fight with AMG and Audi Sport.
To some, labelling a sports car that weighs 1,570kg as traditional might seem a little far-fetched, but the M2 has always done a remarkable job of hiding its weight. Sure, the engine never quite feels let off the leash thanks to the mass, nor can the chassis hunker down like a Porsche Cayman’s. But as a fairly small-scale car – its wheelbase is 6mm shorter than the Honda Civic Type R’s – there’s a fluidity over uneven surfaces and sense of freedom to explore a road’s full width that’s not achievable in BMW’s bigger, heavier M cars. It’s a cliché to draw comparison between the M2 and original M3, but it’s a totally appropriate one. Hence many British M2’s remits as weekend toys and garage queens.
The extensive use of today’s Spotted, however, suggests its owner has put it into full time use, as does the fact it’s an auto. Yet as you’d expect for a car of this youth, it’s been serviced exclusively at main BMW dealerships and comes with the added bonus of a five-year service pack, so there’s little reason to doubt that such a lifestyle could be continued. Although we also suspect there’ll be some buyers eyeing the investment potential should they keep the miles down, particularly because this M2 is up for under £29k. It’s officially the cheapest M2 on PH’s classifieds, and cheaper than each of the hot hatches to feature in Matt’s recent group test. By anyone’s measure, that’s a lot of car for the money.
SPECIFICATION – BMW M2 DCT
Engine: 3.0-litre turbocharged straight six
Power (hp): 370@6,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 343@1,400-4,750rpm
MPG: 35.8
CO2: 185g/km
First registered: 2016
Recorded mileage: 41,000
Price new: £44,070
Yours for: £28,950
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Not practical enough...
My M2 was removed from my drive by some scallwags - have my own little one on the way so the TT has morphed into a Qashqai and will be joined by something like this or an E46.
Gutted I had to sell it.
I think these are somewhat overlooked due to the M2 Competition being "the car the M2 should have always been". I agree that the engine isn't quite "M" enough compared to other M cars but it is still a wonderful car. And sounds outrageous for a standard car.
TX.
If I was in the market, I’d save 10k, get an m240i, put an LSD on it and be done with it!
They seem practical enough - my 5 foot 11 son got in the back of one OK in the BMW showroom; I was pretty surprised.
I recall Henry Catchpole stating that the N55 was revvier and the S55 wasn't all that much better? Not typically what I've read in other reviews of the M2C.
Thoughts from anyone who's had both?
Cheers
If I was in the market, I’d save 10k, get an m240i, put an LSD on it and be done with it!
If I was in the market, I’d save 10k, get an m240i, put an LSD on it and be done with it!
The M2 was a bit quicker in a straight line, and the M240i probably matches it from what I've seen.
But they are VERY different cars to drive, the M2 just feels like a special car, the M235i did not comparatively.
But 1570 KGs, is crazy for a car of its size. From memory that is about 30 kgs heavier than my old E46 M3 ( before I stripped out the rear seats and trim etc etc ) Surely BMW could have made it lighter.
If I was in the market, I’d save 10k, get an m240i, put an LSD on it and be done with it!
The M2 was a bit quicker in a straight line, and the M240i probably matches it from what I've seen.
But they are VERY different cars to drive, the M2 just feels like a special car, the M235i did not comparatively.
I’m not discrediting the M2 as it is a good car but I’d rather buy a 68 plate M240i with 5k ish miles for 25 and keep the rest. If I was to go on track days or drive it hard, i’d spend the change on an LSD and suspension.
The M2C is a different story as it’s USP is the S55 engine and that itself is worth the extra.
Looking at the spotted M2, despite the criticism and lack of proper M seats and driver modes, they’ve held their value very well, 29k for a 2016 model is very good.
But 1570 KGs, is crazy for a car of its size. From memory that is about 30 kgs heavier than my old E46 M3 ( before I stripped out the rear seats and trim etc etc ) Surely BMW could have made it lighter.
But 1570 KGs, is crazy for a car of its size. From memory that is about 30 kgs heavier than my old E46 M3 ( before I stripped out the rear seats and trim etc etc ) Surely BMW could have made it lighter.
And I like you description of the colour of the one above, aqua-tintance
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