BMW M2 Competition (F87)
Why 8.1: The S55 from the M3/M4 in the smallest, lightest M car body. 404 hp, six-speed manual available, and a power level that lets skilled drivers use all of it before traffic becomes a problem. Used values have found a floor that reflects genuine demand.
Layout
Natural habitat
Ride comfort
Market value
Median asking price, good condition · €52k (2018) → €52k (2026), trending down · illustrative data
The long version
BMW replaced the M2’s base engine with the full-fat S55 from the M3 and M4, and the result was the best M car of its generation by a margin enthusiast press rarely saw fit to understate. The F87 Competition with the manual gearbox is already being treated as a future classic by owners who refuse to sell, which is the cleanest possible data point: when manual M cars stop appearing in listings, the market is telling you something. Track attendance is high, annual mileage is high, and the resale market shows a car that has found its floor and is starting to drift back up. This is what a Smiles per Dollar car looks like when the dollar catches up with the smiles.