More often than not, when a manufacturer comes out with a special version of an already performance-oriented car, the delta between it and the standard car it is based on is minimal. But when it came to the BMW M2 CS, that could not be further from the truth. When the BMW M2 first went on sale in 2015, it was quickly crowned the BMW to have for the true driving enthusiast- a small, nimble car with a powerful engine and great manual gearbox, it was the full production version of the beloved 1M and in many ways, the spiritual successor to the E30 M3. The standard M2 was then followed up by the M2 Competition which, thanks to a new engine, added some power and a significantly stiffer suspension. Although faster by many metrics, the general consensus was that it was not nearly as well-rounded as the base car. Then, as production of the M2 was nearing its end in 2019, BMW unveiled the final version, known as the M2 CS. Although it was the most track-focused version, many of the complaints levied against the M2 Competition vanished as the CS was more holistically developed into what many people consider the best BMW M car of the last decade. In 2020, the car went on to prove that by winning the title of EVO Magazine’s Car of The Year, beating out competition like the McLaren 765LT and Lamborghini Huracan EVO.
This 2020 BMW M2 CS is an excellent example, presented in Hockenheim Silver over a black leather and Alcantara interior. Showing just 5,339 miles, this car is in very good condition throughout and has been equipped with full frontal paint protection film, as well as additional PPF near the trunk and front of the rocker panels. The M2 CS has numerous features on the exterior that separate it from the more pedestrian versions of the car- chief of which is the extensive use of carbon fiber, found on the front and rear splitters, mirror caps, rear lip spoiler, and roof panel. A more aggressive hood and unique matte gold split-spoke wheels round out the look and make for a car that is notably special, without being too ostentatious.
The interior is not massively changed from the M2 Competition but extensive use of Alcantara is on display everywhere, which is punctuated by red stitching throughout the cabin. A unique “CS” logo is displayed prominently on the dashboard trim, also stitched in red, and the M-Performance seats feature the classic tri-color M-Stripes to harken back to the seats in the E36 M3. BMW used a number of ingenious tricks to save some weight on the M2 CS- the carbon fiber transmission tunnel shaves 6 pounds off the standard car and the removal of the center armrest and rear air conditioning vents, cuts that number even more.
Powering the M2 CS is a pumped-up version of the S55 twin-turbocharged Inline-6 found in the M2 Competition. The CS, benefits from the addition of the ECU out of an M4 Competition, meaning power is up from 405 to 444 but with a more dynamic power curve, meant to amplify driving enjoyment rather than widely available power everywhere in the rev-range. Offered with either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DCT gearbox, the M2 CS is best enjoyed with the 3-pedal option found in this car which maximizes driver involvement and has a pleasant shift feel. Under the hood, a large carbon fiber brace gives the car extra chassis rigidity and looks absolutely stunning.
BMW stated that they would only build 2,200 examples of the M2 CS worldwide and since they first went on sale, prices quickly stabilized at over the original MSRP. Thanks to this example’s low miles, manual gearbox, and wonderful color combination, it would be a great example to drive and enjoy, which will likely prove a good long-term hold you can still have fun with. With the new generation M2’s polarizing styling and lukewarm initial reviews, it is safe to say that the M2 CS is well on its way to modern classic status and will forever be looked back on as a high point for BMW.
