Tuesday 14th November 2017

BMW M2 CS filmed at the 'ring

Run-out model may be revealed alongside M2 facelift

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BMW M2 'CS' spy shots have been circulating for awhile now, accompanied by speculation that the engine will be a twin-turbo straight six, borrowed from the M3/4 although detuned to 405hp so as not to tread on its bigger brother's toes.

A new video of the car testing brings us no closer to confirming that fact, although the smart money says around three tenths will have been shaved from 0-62mph time versus the standard car, and - as with other CS models - various body panels will be replaced with lighter composite ones which, alongside lightweight sports seats, ought to offer a modest weight saving.

Expect similar mechanical tweaks as seen in the BMW M3 CS including 'Active M-suspension' that should target the M2's stern damping over uneven back roads, alongside a specially tuned M Sport exhaust system. If the M3 CS is anything to go by, expect production to be limited to 1,200 units in the UK with the reveal coming either with or a little after the M2 facelift, which is due to go on sale next year.

 

[Photo: S.Baldauf/SB-Medien]

[GTEYE]

Expect also a pretty high price and the inevitable backlash of comments from PH...

So with BMW's currently rather creative pricing strategy it'll be £65-70k...

Edited by GTEYE on Tuesday 14th November 12:25

[wab172uk]

GTEYE said:

Expect also a pretty high price and the inevitable backlash of comments from PH...

Because we should all hope it's very expensive?

[Ninja59]

It really is getting silly, I do like some of these cars, but as said above the pricing strategy seems even more surreal.

Although to be fair BMW's pricing strategy is in many cases the source of hilarity these days considering the reality is usually vastly different and the car much cheaper than the list states (or to many it is £xxx with a deposit per month).

Still sort of have an odd liking for the M3 GTS/M4 GTS though...only if I had the dosh. But it would be difficult choosing between the V8 or straight 6 turbo.

[E65Ross]

Ninja59 said:

It really is getting silly, I do like some of these cars, but as said above the pricing strategy seems even more surreal.

Although to be fair BMW's pricing strategy is in many cases the source of hilarity these days considering the reality is usually vastly different and the car much cheaper than the list states (or to many it is £xxx with a deposit per month).

Still sort of have an odd liking for the M3 GTS/M4 GTS though...only if I had the dosh. But it would be difficult choosing between the V8 or straight 6 turbo.

The E46 M3csl cost £58k in 2003. By the inflation calculator, in 2016 that equated to over £84k.

I'm assuming it was silly pricing back then too, or is it just applicable to BMWs now?

[loudlashadjuster]

E65Ross said:

The E46 M3csl cost £58k in 2003. By the inflation calculator, in 2016 that equated to over £84k.

I'm assuming it was silly pricing back then too, or is it just applicable to BMWs now?

Yup, "silly" then too. People have always moaned about prices of cars. Fact is, good cars are as cheap or cheaper now than they've ever been.

Autocar's 1988 E30 M3 Evolution review lists an OTR price of £31k, equivalent to nearly £80k in 2017

[Ursicles]

Facelift on the M2?

Its just gone through an LCI hasnt it?

[WCZ]

E65Ross said:

The E46 M3csl cost £58k in 2003. By the inflation calculator, in 2016 that equated to over £84k.

I'm assuming it was silly pricing back then too, or is it just applicable to BMWs now?

the e46 csl was -110kg, +17bhp had a beautiful carbon airbox, had lots of nice touches and was +46bhp/tonne up on a standard car.

the m3cs is £86,000+ -10kg +10bhp... not exactly great value for money which ever way you look at it.

[Alex L]

and hopefully more than 3 colours to choose from.

[E65Ross]

WCZ said:

E65Ross said:

The E46 M3csl cost £58k in 2003. By the inflation calculator, in 2016 that equated to over £84k.

I'm assuming it was silly pricing back then too, or is it just applicable to BMWs now?

the e46 csl was -110kg, +17bhp had a beautiful carbon airbox, had lots of nice touches and was +46bhp/tonne up on a standard car.

the m3cs is £86,000+ -10kg +10bhp... not exactly great value for money which ever way you look at it.

The standard M3 cost 43k in 2001, so that's 65k by todays standard. Standard M3 now is under 59k....so by your logic, one could argue the standard E46 was over-priced then, no? And the standard M3 these days is a bargain, and the CS, whilst expensive, is actually about right....

[Julian Thompson]

if they can sell all the cars they make at the specified price then I’d suggest that makes the prices acceptable to the target market....

[AmosMoses]

Hope it’s got a nicer cabin than the M2, just a smattering of alcantara could improve that car!

[GroundEffect]

WCZ said:

E65Ross said:

The E46 M3csl cost £58k in 2003. By the inflation calculator, in 2016 that equated to over £84k.

I'm assuming it was silly pricing back then too, or is it just applicable to BMWs now?

the e46 csl was -110kg, +17bhp had a beautiful carbon airbox, had lots of nice touches and was +46bhp/tonne up on a standard car.

the m3cs is £86,000+ -10kg +10bhp... not exactly great value for money which ever way you look at it.

The M3 CS has lots of "nice touches" too. Carbon bonnet, carbon roof, carbon diffuser, carbon aero parts, lighter seats, light centre console...

And according to info I can find, it is 50kg lighter than the M3, not 10kg.

By the time you spec up an M3/M4 Competition Pack to DCT and the toys, you're at £70k so having a run-out special for £15k more isn't exactly the end of the world.

[Doddler]

I waited a year for the M2, no test drive, poor dealership, LCI released almost immediately and now a facelift. As for the CS, I was led by BMW UK that it would never be made. Still, I love the car and is a fantastic daily and is now great value!