Best BMW M2 Competition Mods: 2019-2021 Buyer's Guide

The best BMW M2 Competition mods turn an already brilliant chassis into one of the most rewarding driver's cars money can buy. The 2019-2021 M2 Competition (F87) runs the S55 3.0L twin-turbo inline-six — the same detuned M3/M4 engine — making 405 hp and 406 lb-ft, while the 2020-2021 M2 CS pushes that to 444 hp. That factory foundation responds beautifully to bolt-ons, and at our Tampa, FL shop the M2 Competition is one of the most-built platforms that rolls through our doors. This guide ranks the six upgrades we recommend first, with real specs, honest trade-offs, and current pricing.

Why the BMW M2 Competition Is the Ultimate Bolt-On Platform

The BMW M2 Competition is a short-wheelbase, rear-drive coupe built around the S55 twin-turbo six, and that combination is exactly why it responds so well to modifications. When BMW dropped the S55 into the F87 chassis for 2019, it replaced the earlier N55-powered M2 and gave enthusiasts a factory 405 hp with 406 lb-ft of torque available from just 2,350 rpm. The engine is famously under-stressed from the factory, so it has real headroom for airflow, cooling, and tuning gains before you ever open the block.

Just as important, the M2 Competition weighs roughly 3,600 lb and rides on a compact 106-inch wheelbase, so suspension and chassis upgrades pay off immediately. A set of adjustable coilovers or a pair of spherical control arms transforms turn-in in a way you feel on the first corner. The takeaway: this car rewards a balanced build — airflow, sound, cooling, and chassis — rather than chasing horsepower alone.

How We Ranked These M2 Competition Upgrades

We ranked these parts the same way we advise customers on the phone in Tampa: by the size of the improvement per dollar, the quality of the brand's engineering, and how well each part fits a real street-and-track M2 Competition build. Every product below is confirmed to fit the 2019-2021 M2 Competition (and where noted, the 2020-2021 M2 CS), is in stock at NLP Performance, and comes from a brand we install regularly. We prioritized parts that deliver a distinct, measurable benefit — sound, airflow, damping control, cooling capacity, alignment adjustability, or stopping power — over cosmetic add-ons.

The 6 Best Bolt-On Upgrades for the BMW M2 Competition

1. Akrapovic Slip-On Line Titanium Exhaust — Best Overall

The Akrapovic Slip-On Line is the exhaust that defines an M2 Competition build. Hand-welded from titanium and finished with genuine carbon fiber tips, it replaces the heavy cast OEM rear section and trims meaningful weight at the very back of the car, right where you want it gone. Akrapovic's own testing shows a modest bump of a few horsepower and torque from the freer-flowing mufflers, but the real reward is the transformation in sound: the S55 gains a deep, race-bred bark on start-up and a hard-edged rasp near the 7,000 rpm limiter, without droning on the highway. Because it is a slip-on, it uses the factory tips' mounting points and installs in an afternoon with hand tools — no tune, no check-engine light. It is the highest-impact single upgrade most M2 Competition owners make.

2. KW Variant 3 Coilover Kit — Best Suspension Upgrade

The KW Variant 3 is the coilover we install most on M2 Competitions, because it gives you independently adjustable rebound and compression damping on top of continuously adjustable ride height. That means you can dial in a compliant street setup during the week and add low-speed compression for a track weekend without buying two suspensions. KW builds the V3 on stainless-steel "inox-line" struts for corrosion resistance and backs the kit with TUV type approval, so the ride-height range is tested and street-legal. Expect a lowering range of roughly 0.8-1.6 in up front and 0.6-1.4 in at the rear, which drops the fender gap, lowers the center of gravity, and sharpens turn-in dramatically over the factory adaptive dampers.

3. aFe Momentum GT Pro Dry S Intake — Best Airflow Upgrade

The S55 twin-turbo lives and dies by airflow, and the aFe Momentum GT feeds it with a pair of large, one-piece sealed carbon fiber housings and Pro Dry S synthetic filters. The sealed design pulls cooler air and keeps hot underhood air out, which is exactly what a turbo motor wants. aFe's published testing on the S55 shows gains of up to roughly +21 hp and +26 lb-ft at the wheels, and just as noticeable is the added turbo whoosh and sharper throttle response. The carbon housings also dress up the engine bay far better than the factory airbox. One caveat: this intake is not CARB-exempt, so it cannot be shipped to California and is intended for off-road or competition use in emissions-controlled states.

4. SPL Parts Front Lower Control Arms — Best Chassis Upgrade

If coilovers are the big handling upgrade, SPL Parts front lower control arms are the detail upgrade that makes them shine. These forged arms swap the factory rubber bushings for motorsport-grade spherical bearings and add front caster and camber adjustment the stock arms simply do not offer. That lets you correct alignment after lowering, add negative camber for grip, and eliminate the deflection that dulls steering feel. On a track-driven M2 Competition, the difference in turn-in precision and tire wear is immediate, and because the bearings are rebuildable, these are a lifetime part. This is the upgrade experienced owners wish they had done at the same time as their coilovers.

5. CSF Engine Oil Cooler — Best Cooling Upgrade

Heat is the enemy of the S55, and the stock oil cooler runs out of capacity quickly on a hot track day. CSF's direct-fit engine oil cooler is a larger, more efficient core that the company rates at around a 30% increase in cooling efficiency over stock, and it ships with an integrated rock guard to protect the fins from road debris. Cooler oil means the car holds power lap after lap instead of pulling timing when temps climb, and it protects the engine's long-term health. If you run your M2 Competition at HPDE events or autocross in Florida heat, this is one of the smartest sub-$600 investments you can make.

6. EBC RP-1 Race Front Brake Pads — Best Track Braking Upgrade

Add power and grip and you will eventually overwhelm the factory brake pads on track, which is where the EBC RP-1 race compound comes in. RP-1 is a full race pad engineered for high and consistent friction at elevated temperatures, so it resists the fade that turns the pedal soft after a few hard laps. It is designed to work with the M2 Competition's stock rotors and calipers, making it a cost-effective way to add serious stopping power without a big-brake kit. Because it is a dedicated race compound, plan to keep a set of street pads for daily driving — RP-1 performs best once it is up to temperature.

BMW M2 Competition Upgrades Compared

Here is how the six upgrades stack up side by side. Prices are current at NLP Performance and every part is confirmed to fit the 2019-2021 M2 Competition.

Building Your M2 Competition: Where to Start

If you are building an M2 Competition from stock, we recommend a staged approach. Start with the Akrapovic Slip-On Line for sound and weight, then add the aFe Momentum GT intake to wake up the S55's airflow. From there, move to the chassis: KW V3 coilovers and SPL control arms together give you a fully adjustable, planted platform that is transformed on a canyon road or track. Finally, add the CSF oil cooler and EBC RP-1 pads before your first serious track day so the car can take the abuse.

Owners chasing bigger power numbers should add a piggyback tuner or power module — a plug-and-play unit like the aFe SCORCHER module advertises gains of up to roughly +47 hp and +55 lb-ft on the S55 by optimizing boost and fueling. Combined with the intake and exhaust above, a well-sorted M2 Competition can comfortably clear 450 wheel horsepower while staying reliable, which is remarkable for a car that starts at 405 hp from the factory. Not sure where to begin? Our team in Tampa builds these cars every week — reach out and we will help you spec a stage that matches your goals and budget.