BMW M2 vs M3 – which is best?

These are the pinnacle of the brand's high-performance lineup – the fabled 'ultimate driving machines'. But which is right for you?

We'll compare the BMW M2 and BMW M3 here, looking at power, handling, practicality and value for money. Once you're done, check out a huge range of nearly new and used BMW cars for sale at Motorpoint.

BMW M2 vs M3 compared

Styling and design

As we'll discover later, the most obvious differences between the M2 and M3 are on the outside. The M2 is a strict two-door coupe, with a fairly traditional 'three-box' silhouette and a small pair of rear seats stuffed into the cabin. Meanwhile, the M3 is bigger with a choice of four-door saloon or five-door estate bodystyles.

In the past, BMW's M cars looked quite similar to their standard non-M counterparts. You might get a flared wheelarch there, a lip spoiler there but, on the whole, they could fly under the radar. However, these recent M cars do more to separate themselves from their lesser versions.

The M2 gets extra-muscular bodywork compared to the 2 Series Coupe, and its 'kidney' front grilles are boxed off to match the lower air intakes. Similarly, the M3 has some more visual heft over the standard 3 Series, with its kidney grilles enlarged to an almost comical degree. You'll probably already know which car you prefer the look of, but both are obviously much sportier than the cars they're based on.

Interior and practicality

We weren't joking when we said almost all the differences were on the outside. If you stepped blindfolded into each car then took a look at the dashboard, you probably wouldn't be able to tell which car you were sat in. The steering wheel, the centre console, the dashboard controls, the sweeping dual-screen infotainment system – it's all exactly the same.

On the one hand, that's a good thing. Everything feels solid and suitably premium as you'd hope from a BMW, and the flashes of red on the steering wheel and gear shifter remind you you're in an extra-sporty model. However, it might be a bit disappointing for drivers who shell out around £20,000 more for the M3 that it doesn't do more to elevate itself above the M2.

At least that extra cash buys a lot more cabin space. The M3 is a proper two-row car, with rear seats large enough for fairly tall adults to get comfortable, plus doors to access them. As a smaller, two-door car, the M2's rear seats are much smaller and will only just fit average adults at a pinch.

Size and dimensions

The most obvious difference between these two is the length, with the M3 being around 22cm longer than the M2. This extra length means you get much larger rear seats and rear doors to access them.

Compared to a lot of high-performance cars, the M2's 390-litre boot is pretty good and should be enough for most owners. However, the M3's 480-litre cargo area is bigger still, and you also have the option of the M3 Touring estate. This gets a long roof and a 500-litre cargo area, plus extra space above the parcel shelf for large objects.

Engines and performance

Fundamentally, these cars use mostly the same powertrain. You have the famed S58 3.0-litre turbo straight-six petrol engine delivering roughly 500hp to the road. At the time of writing, there's more variety in the M2 lineup, with a choice of manual or automatic gearboxes, and the option of all-wheel drive if you go for the latter.

Meanwhile, the M3 is now only available in Competition form, with 530hp, an automatic gearbox and all-wheel drive. Your choice simply boils down to the M3's saloon or estate bodystyles or, alternatively, you could consider the M4 coupe or convertible instead.

Performance from both the M2 and M3 is astonishing, and mashing your foot to the floor will violently pin you to your seat. You also get a sonorous wail to accompany your experience thanks to the thrilling S58 engine. Having driven both on track, we could sense that the M3 was just a little more ferocious at full throttle, though you'll be far past licence-losing speeds before the difference becomes obvious.

Driving

BMW has bestowed both the M2 and M3 with prodigious grip, acceleration and braking performance. We had the opportunity to drive both cars on a proper race track and they both felt equally at home attacking apexes and blasting down the straights.

However, if we split hairs, you can tell the M2 has a very slight edge in terms of handling. It feels just a fraction more willing to change direction at high speeds, and rotates more obviously as you start to apply the throttle out of a corner. Read our in-depth BMW M2 review.

The M3 is by no means a heavy, lumbering alternative. That said, it feels a touch more stable and planted than the M2, with a marginally less playful character if you throw it around. You might consider that extra composure to be a benefit, however, since the M3 is so ridiculously fast that you'll be clinging onto the steering wheel just to steady yourself.

Value for money

If all you want is the 'M car' experience, then the M2 is clearly the better-value choice. Since the M3 is now only offered in Competition spec, the M2 is around £20,000 cheaper. And, with virtually the same performance and fractionally sweeter handling, the M2 is probably the better pick for an enthusiast.

However, if you want an M car but need space for the family, only the M3 will cut it. You get proper rear-seat space and a boot that'll cope with a holiday's worth of luggage. Plus, the extra horsepower under the bonnet means the M3 takes the honours for outright pace.

Which is best?

There are more similarities than differences between the M2 and M3, with the main distinction being the bodystyle. This means your choice will mostly be guided by practical considerations like how many passengers you'll normally carry.

If you enjoy driving and rarely take rear passengers, we'd be tempted to stick with the rear-wheel-drive M2 and its manual gearbox option. Alternatively, the M3 with its all-wheel drive and automatic gearbox is a devastatingly fast daily driver.

Big savings on used BMWs

Shop used BMW M2 and used BMW M3 cars for sale at Motorpoint. If you want a speedy BMW but don't have the budget for a full M car, check out the BMW M240i or BMW M340i.