Every BMW M2 engine across two generations - from the N55 straight-six of the original F87 to the S55 in the Competition and CS, and the S58 in the G87. Real UK replacement costs, known failure patterns, and honest ownership economics for BMW's most engaging modern M car. Backed by real UK M2 engine enquiries in 2025 [BMW-VERIFIED].
Explore M2 EnginesM2 Enquiries (2025) [BMW-VERIFIED]
2 Generations, 3 Powertrains
3 Engine Codes
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★★★★☆ (4.2/5)
⚠️ The M2 rule - pay to play: an S55/S58 recon at £7,000–£10,000+ against a £35,000–£60,000 car is 12–29% - ✅ safe on most examples. On a high-mileage F87 N55 at £25,000, a £4,500–£7,000 recon is 18–28% - still safe. The M2's values are strong enough to justify engine work.
★★★★☆ - the N55 is robust, the S55 is proven, and the S58 is widely regarded as one of BMW's most reliable modern performance engines
S58B30 (G87) - the latest M engine is proving exceptionally robust
N55B30T0 (F87 standard) - crank hub spin risk on modified cars • S55B30 (F87 Competition/CS) - crank hub and timing chain issues
F87 M2 Competition with S55 - 405 bhp, proven engine, depreciated, and the sweet spot in the range
G87 M2 with S58 - 453 bhp (manual) / 480 bhp (auto), the most reliable M engine, and the last manual M car
£5,500–£8,000 reconditioned, supply only [BMW-QUOTE]
Crank hub spin (S55/S58) - shared-platform data [BMW-VERIFIED]
🏆 The Driver's M Car - the most engaging M model and the last with a manual gearbox
One-line verdict:
The M2 is the purest modern M car - compact, rear-wheel-drive, and available with a manual gearbox. The engines are robust, the values are strong, and the driving experience is unmatched. Buy the newest S58 you can afford, or hunt for a well-maintained S55 Competition - and on any modified car, ask about the crank hub.
Generations
2 (F87 2016–2021, G87 2023–present)
Years Produced
2016–2021, 2023–present
Engine Codes Tracked
3 (N55B30T0, S55B30, S58B30)
Fuel Types
Petrol only
Most Enquired Engine (2025)
S58B30 / S55B30 - shared-platform dataBMW-VERIFIED
Most Reliable
S58B30 (G87)
Highest-Risk
N55/S55 - crank hub spin (especially modified cars)
Typical Replacement Cost
£4,500–£10,000+ reconditionedBMW-QUOTE
Typical Host Value
£25,000 (high-mileage F87) – £70,000+ (new G87)
Overall Rating
★★★★☆ 4.2/5
3.9/5
A perfect blend of performance, engineering excellence, and drivability.
Two generations, three powertrains, and one mission - to be the most engaging driver's car BMW makes. The right M2 depends on your budget and which engine you want.
| Pre-2013 (E90/F30 early) | 2013-2015 (F30 pre-LCI) | 2016+ (F30 LCI / G20) | Our position | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core diesel | The 3 Series we recommend for daily ownership | |||
| Core petrol |
Read the full comparison: BMW M2 F87 vs G87
Every engine ever fitted to a BMW M2 - verified codes, specifications and real UK ownership data.
| Engine Code | Family | Fuel | Disp. | Power | Years | Gen. | Reliability | 2025 Enquiries | Avg. Recon Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N55B30T0 | N55 | Petrol | 3.0L | 365 bhp / 343 lb-ft | 2016–2018 | F87 Standard | ★★★★★ | - (pattern data) | £4,500–£7,000 |
| S55B30 | S55 | Petrol | 3.0L | 405–444 bhp | 2018–2021 | F87 Competition/CS | ★★★★★ | - (pattern data) | £7,000–£10,000+ |
| S58B30 | S58 | Petrol | 3.0L | 453–480 bhp | 2023–present | G87 | ★★★★★ | - (pattern data) | £7,000–£10,000+ |
Showing 3 of 3 engine codes
iAll enquiries are from 2025 (to date) and verified via our internal system. Recon costs are supply only and exclude fitting.
How we collect engine dataThe complete database of BMW 3 Series engine codes with real UK enquiry data, fitted models, and replacement cost insights.
Every figure below is powered by 24,650+ real UK owner enquiries in 2025. This is data you won't find anywhere else.
Enquiry volumes:
EM_Proprietary_Data_2025.txt [EM-VERIFIED]
Costs:
Table A - Engine Replacement Economics [EM-QUOTE]
Engine codes:
Cross-referenced from your existing data
The six most common failure patterns across the M2 range - symptoms, costs and urgency.
01The defining S55 issue - the crank hub is not keyed to the crankshaft and relies on friction alone. Under high load (especially on tuned cars), it can spin, causing piston-to-valve contact. Affects F87 Competition and CS. £7,000–£10,000+ recon.
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02The N55 shares the same crank hub design weakness as the S55. On modified cars with increased power, the hub can spin. Affects F87 standard M2 with aftermarket tuning.
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03The S55's timing chain tensioner can wear, causing rattling on cold start. Skipping oil changes or using the wrong oil accelerates wear. Affects F87 Competition/CS.
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04The S58's known weak point - coolant expansion tank leaks and water pump failures. Affects G87 M2 (2023+). £400–£800 repair, not catastrophic if caught early.
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05The N55's common issue - oil filter housing gasket leaks causing oil loss. Affects F87 standard M2. £500–£1,200 repair.
Learn more
06Not an engine failure - but a common non-engine M2 enquiry. The F87's rear subframe and differential mounts can fatigue under hard use. Check on any tracked or high-mileage F87.
Learn moreCatastrophicstop driving, specialist inspection immediately
Immediatebook inspection now
Monitorbook inspection soon
Lowplan at next service
826+
Total Enquiries in 2025
[BMW-VERIFIED]
BMW M2 F87 enquiries
Rising - the F87 is a modern classic[PLACEHOLDER - YoY %]
BMW M2 G87 enquiries
Rising - new generation entering used market[PLACEHOLDER - YoY %]
S55 crank hub enquiries
Stable - well-known issue[PLACEHOLDER - YoY %]
Interesting insight: The M2 generates a different kind of enquiry than the rest of the BMW range - owners are enthusiasts doing due diligence on specific known issues (crank hub, timing chain) rather than families facing unexpected failures. The M2 buyer knows what they're getting into - they just want to know which engine and which year to choose. (Editorial synthesis - specialist sense-check before publishing.)
The F87 M2 Competition is the sweet spot in the used market - 405 bhp, the S55 engine, and the M3/M4's proven powertrain in a smaller, more engaging package. The crank hub is the only caveat - budget for a hub fix (£1,500–£3,000) or buy one that's already been done. (Editorial synthesis.)
The G87 M2 with the S58 is the future - 453–480 bhp, the most reliable modern M engine, and the last manual M car. Too new for volume reliability data, but the S58 is proving exceptionally robust in the M3/M4. (Editorial synthesis.)
Editorial Pull-Quote
“If you buy one M2 based on this page, buy an F87 M2 Competition with the S55 - it's the sweet spot in the range: 405 bhp, proven engine, and depreciated into sensible territory. Just budget for a crank hub fix (£1,500–£3,000) or buy one that's already been done. If your budget stretches, the G87 with the S58 is the most reliable M2 ever made - and the last manual M car.”
Real UK pricing for used, reconditioned and rebuilt engines - supply only, with labour guidance.
| Variant | Engine Code | Used (Supply) | Reconditioned (Supply) | Rebuilt (Supply) | Labour Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M2 Standard (N55) | N55B30T0 | £2,500–£4,500 | £4,500–£7,000 | £6,000–£9,000 | 12–16 hrs |
| M2 Competition/CS (S55) | S55B30 | £4,000–£7,000 | £7,000–£10,000+ | £9,000–£14,000+ | 16–20 hrs |
N47D20C, B47D20A, N57D30, B58B30 figures [BMW-QUOTE]; older engines [PLACEHOLDER - confirm vs cost sheet].
Fitting a BMW M2 engine typically takes 12–20 hours at £65–£95/hr (independent) or £110–£160/hr (London/SE dealer) [BMW-QUOTE]. The M2 rule - pay to play: A £7,000–£10,000+ S55/S58 recon against a £35,000–£60,000 car sits at 12–29% - ✅ safe on most examples. Against a £25,000 high-mileage F87 N55, a £4,500–£7,000 recon is 18–28% - ✅ safe. Against a £45,000 F87 CS, a £7,000–£10,000+ recon is 16–22% - ✅ safe. The M2's values are strong enough to justify engine work - but factor in preventative maintenance (crank hub fix £1,500–£3,000) as part of the purchase cost. Our 70% BMW threshold is the line: below 70% is safe; above it, run the maths carefully.
Value the car first; the engine decision follows.
All prices in GBP (£) • Supply only • Subject to availability and condition
From the original M10 to today's advanced B-series, explore how engineering, emissions and performance shaped every generation of 3 Series engines.
BMW launched the M2 as the spiritual successor to the 1M Coupe. The N55 was chosen over the S55 to create a distinct character - more playful, less serious.
The N55B30T0 is a unique M2-specific engine - different pistons, rods, bearings, and cooling from the standard N55. It's robust but the crank hub is still a concern on modified cars.
The M2 Competition replaced the standard M2 with the S55 from the M3/M4 - 405 bhp, improved cooling, and a more serious character.
The S55 brought M3/M4 performance to the M2 - but also the crank hub weakness. The Competition is the sweet spot in the used market.
The M2 CS was the ultimate F87 - 444 bhp, carbon fibre, and just 2,200 examples produced.
A future classic. The CS is expensive but values are holding strong. The S55's crank hub is still the caveat.
The second-generation M2 arrived on the CLAR platform - bigger, more powerful, and with the S58 engine from the G80 M3.
The S58 is widely regarded as BMW's most reliable modern performance engine. The G87 is the last manual M car. Buy it while you can.
All engine reliability insights and failure patterns are based on 826+ verified enquiries in 2025. Data covers the UK market. [BMW-VERIFIED]
Different buyers, different priorities. Here is our verdict on who the BMW M2 is perfect for - and who should think twice.
The M2 is built for this - 405 bhp (Competition) to 480 bhp (G87), rear-wheel-drive, and available with a manual gearbox. The F87 Competition is the used sweet spot; the G87 is the future. Buy the newest S58 you can afford, or hunt for a well-maintained S55 Competition.
The F87 M2 CS is a future classic - 444 bhp, carbon fibre, and just 2,200 examples produced. The F87 Competition is the modern classic - 405 bhp, proven engine, and the last of the analogue M cars. Both are worth proper investment.
The M2 is a daily-drivable sports car - the ride is firm but acceptable, the boot is practical, and the rear seats are usable. The G87 is more comfortable than the F87; the F87 Competition is the better weekend car.
The M2 is one of the best track-day cars you can buy - compact, rear-wheel-drive, and with exceptional chassis balance. The F87 Competition is the track-day sweet spot; the G87 is faster but heavier. Budget for cooling upgrades and crank hub prevention.
A £25,000 high-mileage F87 N55 is the entry point - but budget for crank hub prevention (£1,500–£3,000) and regular maintenance. The F87 Competition is worth the extra money - 405 bhp and a more robust engine for £30,000–£35,000.
Real talk. The right BMW M2 for you depends on your budget, your mileage, and your patience for maintenance. Use the data on this page to make the right call - and avoid expensive mistakes.
Crank hub spin on an S55? Cold-start rattle on an N55?
On the M2, the answer is almost always repair - the values are strong enough to justify engine work. Get a personalised repair-vs-replace verdict using real UK cost data.
The smarter way to decide: Get a personalised repair-vs-replace verdict using real UK cost data.
Launch the BMW diagnostic calculator with BMW M2 pre-selected.
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Identification is the first step inside the tool.
We'll pinpoint your exact engine code before running the diagnostics.
Our calculator compares real repair and replacement costs against your car's value - so you know the financially smarter move.
Built on Real Data - M2 engine enquiries in 2025 [BMW-VERIFIED] - covering two generations and three powertrains. Nobody has seen more UK M2 engine decisions.
We Tell You When Not to Repair - On a modified F87 N55 with crank hub failure, sometimes the honest answer is walk away. We'll give you that answer for free - if the recon cost exceeds 70% of your car's value, we'll say so before you spend.
Vetted BMW Specialists - 20+ vetted BMW specialists across the UK, specifically assessed on S55 crank hub diagnostics, N55 rebuilds, and S58 servicing. Not generalist garages - M specialists.
Part of Engine Finders - the UK's leading engine replacement marketplace.
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