BMW G87 M2 — Best Upgrades and Parts Guide

The BMW G87 M2 is the most hotly anticipated M car in recent memory. When it arrived it delivered exactly what enthusiasts had been hoping for — the S58 engine from the G80 M3 and G82 M4 transplanted into the smallest, lightest body in BMW's current M lineup. The result is a car with a power-to-weight ratio that embarrasses cars costing significantly more, handling that rewards commitment and skill in a way the heavier M3 and M4 cannot fully replicate, and a visual presence that — particularly in the standard black exterior option — is immediately and unmistakably purposeful.

The G87 M2 is already one of the most popular cars in the current aftermarket scene. Its combination of accessible entry price relative to the G80 and G82, exceptional mechanical foundation, and compact proportions make it one of the most rewarding cars to build. This guide covers the best upgrades available for the G87 M2 and how to approach each one.

Why the G87 M2 Is Such a Good Platform to Build

The S58 engine in the G87 M2 is the same unit that powers the G80 M3 and G82 M4 — 503bhp in standard form, twin-turbocharged, and with a well-documented and thoroughly validated upgrade path. Everything that works on the S58 in the M3 and M4 works on the G87 M2. This means owners benefit from years of development work done on the more established platforms, applied to a smaller, lighter car.

The G87's compact dimensions mean that visual upgrades have a proportionally more dramatic effect than on larger cars. A front splitter on the G87 M2 transforms the car's presence more completely than the same upgrade on a G80 M3 — because the G87's proportions are tighter and more focused to begin with, and every visual change reads more clearly against that foundation.

Carbon Fiber Front Splitter

The G87 M2's front bumper is wide and aggressive — the large lower intake, the prominent M-specific bumper design, and the car's relatively short front overhang create a front end that already looks purposeful. A carbon fiber front splitter takes this further, extending the lower bumper line and adding genuine front downforce that is felt as well as seen on a car as light and responsive as the G87.

The G87 M2's front bumper is unique to this chassis — it is not shared with the G80 M3 or G82 M4 despite the mechanical similarities between these cars. Front splitter options must be verified specifically for G87 fitment. Parts listed generically for the S58 platform or BMW M cars without chassis-specific verification should be avoided — the G87's bumper geometry is specific enough that imprecise fitment will be immediately obvious.

For road use a moderate splitter extension sits naturally below the G87's bumper and creates a planted, aggressive front end appearance without compromising ground clearance on normal roads. For track use a more pronounced blade with carbon canards on either side completes the front aero package and adds meaningful downforce at track speeds.

Exhaust System Upgrades

The S58 in the G87 M2 shares its exhaust architecture with the G80 M3 and G82 M4 — twin turbochargers, factory downpipes with high-restriction catalysts, and a rear muffler that is deliberately muted by noise regulation requirements. The upgrade path is therefore identical to the larger M cars and equally well validated.

A valved cat-back exhaust system is the most popular starting point for G87 M2 exhaust upgrades. In closed mode it remains completely civilised for daily driving. In open mode the S58 in the G87 delivers the same hard-edged, turbocharged six-cylinder roar as in the larger M cars — but in a lighter, more focused car the acoustic experience feels more intense and more involving because every other sensory input is sharper.

High-flow sports cat downpipes combined with an ECU remap unlock the S58's performance potential on the G87 in exactly the same way as on the G80 and G82. Power gains of 80–120bhp over standard are achievable with a comprehensive tune, transforming the G87's already impressive straight-line performance into something genuinely extraordinary for a car of its size and weight.

The G87 M2's lighter weight means the power gains from a full S58 tune are felt more dramatically than in the heavier M3 and M4. A tuned G87 M2 with downpipes and a supporting remap is a genuinely rapid machine in a way that surprises even experienced performance car drivers.

Coilover Suspension

The G87 M2's factory suspension is well-sorted — BMW clearly spent significant development time on this car's chassis given how well it drives from the outset. But as with all factory setups, it is calibrated for a broad range of drivers and road conditions rather than optimised for the enthusiast who wants to extract everything the chassis is capable of.

A quality coilover kit on the G87 M2 sharpens the car's already excellent responses dramatically. The compact body means suspension changes have a more direct effect on overall handling character than on larger, heavier cars — the G87 rewards precise suspension tuning more directly than the G80 or G82.

A modest drop of 15–20mm with dampers set toward the sportier end of their range transforms the G87's stance and eliminates the factory body roll that is the most obvious limitation of the standard suspension setup. For track use a more aggressive setup with stiffer spring rates and additional negative camber extracts the full potential of the G87's exceptional chassis balance.

The G87 M2's suspension architecture is unique to this chassis — coilover kits must be verified for G87-specific fitment rather than assumed to be compatible based on S58 platform sharing with the G80 and G82.

Carbon Fiber Side Skirts and Rear Diffuser

The G87 M2's compact body means that side skirt extensions and a rear diffuser have a proportionally large visual impact compared to larger M cars. A carbon fiber side skirt set connects the front splitter and rear diffuser visually, creating a coherent lower body package that transforms the G87's already aggressive stance into something that looks genuinely track-bred.

The rear diffuser on the G87 M2 is one of the more rewarding carbon upgrades available for this car. The factory rear bumper's lower section is relatively plain given the aggression of the rest of the car — a carbon fiber diffuser replacement adds visual depth and a race-derived aesthetic that better reflects the S58's performance capability. Combined with a quality exhaust system the G87's rear end looks and sounds exactly as aggressive as the car's character deserves.

Carbon Fiber Boot Lid Spoiler

The G87 M2's roofline flows into a short, clean boot lid that is one of the car's most elegant angles. A carbon fiber boot lid spoiler adds aerodynamic punctuation to the rear profile — completing the visual package started by the front splitter and side skirts and giving the car a more purposeful three-quarter view from the rear.

Two styles work well on the G87 — a low-profile lip spoiler that follows the boot lid's trailing edge for a restrained, factory-plus appearance, and a more pronounced blade spoiler on carbon end plates for an overtly track-inspired aesthetic. Both are appropriate for the G87's character — the choice depends on how aggressive the overall build direction is intended to be.

Carbon Fiber Mirror Caps and Interior Trim

Carbon fiber mirror caps are among the most accessible and immediately satisfying upgrades on the G87 M2 — a direct OEM replacement that takes minutes to fit and transforms the car's exterior detailing. On the G87's more compact body the mirror caps are proportionally more prominent than on larger M cars, making this upgrade particularly impactful on this chassis.

Carbon fiber interior trim — dashboard inserts, centre console trim, gear selector surround, door card accents — brings the G87's cabin visual language closer to its performance specification. The G87's interior is well-finished from the factory but benefits significantly from carbon detailing that emphasises the car's focused, performance-oriented character.

Building the G87 M2 — The Right Approach

The G87 M2 rewards a systematic build approach more than almost any car in the current aftermarket scene. Because its factory setup is already so well resolved, the upgrades that make the biggest difference are those that sharpen specific aspects of its character — exhaust and tune for performance, coilovers for dynamics, carbon aero for visual presence — rather than correcting weaknesses.

The car's compact proportions mean that visual upgrades read more clearly and more dramatically than on larger cars. A complete carbon aero package on the G87 M2 — splitter, side skirts, diffuser, boot spoiler, mirror caps — transforms a already purposeful car into something that looks genuinely extraordinary. Combined with exhaust and performance upgrades the result is one of the most exciting builds in the current performance car scene at any price point.

All BMW G87 M2 parts at Velocity Car Parts are verified for chassis-specific fitment and backed by our fitment guarantee. Browse the full BMW G87 M2 collection and start building.