BMW M2 Competition Akrapovic Exhaust Install Guide

Installing an Akrapovic exhaust on a BMW M2 Competition is the single most satisfying afternoon of wrenching you can spend on the F87 — the Slip-On Line (Titanium) bolts onto the factory mid-pipe, retains the OE catalytic converters, and transforms the S55 twin-turbo six from muted to menacing. This step-by-step guide walks through the complete slip-on install, the tools and torque you need, the real-world power and sound results, and how the Akrapovic compares to the Remus and aFe exhausts we also stock for the M2 at NLP Performance in Tampa, Florida.

What Is the Akrapovic Slip-On Line for the M2 Competition?

The Akrapovic Slip-On Line (Titanium) for the BMW M2 Competition/M2 CS (F87N) is a rear-section, cat-back-style exhaust that replaces the factory rear mufflers with lightweight titanium canisters and carbon fiber tailpipe tips. A "slip-on" swaps only the muffler section that slips onto the existing mid-pipe — it leaves the downpipes and catalytic converters in place, so it is one of the easiest and most emissions-friendly ways to unlock the S55's voice. The kit carries Akrapovic part number S-BM/T/3H and retails for $6,550.44.

Titanium is the headline. It is roughly 40% lighter than the stainless steel Akrapovic uses on its cheaper systems and dramatically lighter than the heavy OE rear silencer, so you drop meaningful unsprung-adjacent weight from the very back of the car where it matters for balance. Akrapovic finishes the system with hand-laid carbon fiber tips and includes the hardware to integrate with the M2's electronically controlled exhaust valve, so Comfort mode stays civil and Sport/Sport+ opens up.

BMW M2 Competition & M2 CS: The S55 Engine You Are Modding

Know your engine before you order a system. The 2019-2021 BMW M2 Competition uses the S55B30 3.0L twin-turbo inline-six borrowed from the F80 M3 and F82 M4, rated at 405 horsepower at 5,230-7,000 rpm and 406 lb-ft of torque from 2,350-5,230 rpm. The 2020-2021 M2 CS turns the same S55 up to 444 horsepower and hits 60 mph in as little as 3.8 seconds with the seven-speed DCT. Both cars weigh around 3,600 pounds.

This matters for exhaust shopping: the Akrapovic S-BM/T/3H, the Remus Race axle-back, and most "M2 Competition" listings are built for the S55-powered cars. The earlier 2016-2018 base M2 runs the single-turbo N55B30T0 (365 hp / 343 lb-ft, up to 369 lb-ft on overboost) and takes different part numbers — the aFe MACH Force-Xp cat-back below is the N55 fitment. Confirm your build year against the fitment tag before you buy, and if you are unsure, our Tampa team will match it to your VIN.

Tools and Parts You Need Before You Start

A slip-on install needs no welding and no cutting. Gather the following and you can knock it out in an afternoon:

• Floor jack and two rated jack stands (or a two-post lift) plus wheel chocks
• Metric socket set with ratchet — primarily 10mm, 13mm, and 15mm
• Torque wrench (for the mid-pipe clamp and hanger hardware)
• Penetrating oil (PB Blaster or equivalent) for the clamp and rubber isolators
• Silicone or rubber lubricant to ease the muffler hangers off their mounts
• T30 Torx driver and a small pry bar for the tip alignment
• Nitrile gloves and safety glasses — and a fully cooled exhaust

Budget one to two hours for a first-time DIY. Experienced hands run this job in about 45 minutes on a lift. The Akrapovic kit ships with its own clamp, gasket, and mounting hardware, so you should not need to source extra parts.

How to Install the Akrapovic Slip-On (Step-by-Step)

Work on a completely cold exhaust — titanium and your hands do not forgive a hot system. Here is the full sequence we follow in the shop.

Step 1: Raise and secure the rear of the car

Chock the front wheels, lift the rear, and set the car on rated jack stands (or put it on a lift). You need clear, safe access to the entire rear muffler section and both hanger points. Never work under a car supported only by a jack.

Step 2: Soak the clamp and hangers

Spray penetrating oil on the mid-pipe clamp bolt and on the rubber isolators that hold the OE muffler. Give it five to ten minutes to work. The rubber hangers are the part most likely to fight you, so hit them with silicone lube as well.

Step 3: Loosen the mid-pipe clamp

Locate the connection where the OE rear section meets the mid-pipe and back off the clamp with a 13mm socket. Do not fully remove it until the muffler is supported — the rear section is heavier than it looks.

Step 4: Support and drop the OE rear muffler

With a helper or a transmission jack holding the weight, work the OE muffler off its rubber hangers using the lube and a gentle twist. If the M2's exhaust flap actuator and wiring live on the OE section, disconnect them now and note the routing — you will transfer control to the Akrapovic per its instructions.

Step 5: Hang the Akrapovic titanium section

Lift the new titanium mufflers into place and seat the hanger rods into the factory isolators. The titanium unit is noticeably lighter than the OE muffler, which makes this a one-person lift once the hangers are lubed. Reconnect the exhaust flap actuator/wiring so the OE valve control carries over.

Step 6: Fit the clamp and gasket loosely

Slide the Akrapovic section onto the mid-pipe with the supplied clamp and gasket, but leave everything hand-tight. You want room to align the tips before you commit.

Step 7: Align the carbon tips in the diffuser

This is the step that separates a clean install from an amateur one. Adjust the section fore/aft and rotationally so the carbon fiber tips sit centered and even in the rear diffuser openings, with equal gap on both sides. Step back and eyeball it from directly behind the car.

Step 8: Torque, start, and re-check

Torque the mid-pipe clamp and hanger hardware to spec, lower the car, and start it. Listen for exhaust leaks and rattles, and confirm the flap opens in Sport/Sport+. After a full heat cycle, re-check the clamp torque and tip alignment — titanium settles slightly once it has been hot.

How Much Power and Sound Does It Add?

A slip-on is a sound-and-weight modification first and a power modification second. Because the Akrapovic Slip-On Line keeps the factory downpipes and catalytic converters, expect modest peak gains — typically a handful of horsepower and a little torque at the top of the S55's range. The transformation you will actually feel is the character: a deeper idle, a harder mid-range rasp, and aggressive overrun crackle in Sport+.

The titanium mufflers are the bigger story. Dropping several pounds off the rear of a 3,600-pound coupe trims rotational and rearward mass right where it helps chassis balance, and titanium tolerates the S55's exhaust temperatures better than stainless over the long haul. If you want the noise but want to stay comfortable on a Tampa highway commute, the retained OE flap keeps Comfort mode quiet.

M2 F87 Exhaust Options Compared

The Akrapovic is our top pick for the S55 cars, but it is not the only exhaust we stock for the F87 platform. Here is how the three most popular systems compare on type, material, fitment, and price so you can match the right one to your build and budget.

Remus Race Axle-Back (M2 Competition)

The Remus Race axle-back is the value pick for S55 M2 Competition owners who want an aggressive, motorsport-flavored tone without the titanium price tag. At $2,822.80 it is a stainless-steel rear section that installs the same bolt-on way as the Akrapovic and delivers a louder, rawer soundtrack.

aFe MACH Force-Xp Cat-Back (Base M2, N55)

Running a 2016-2018 base M2 with the N55 single-turbo? The aFe MACH Force-Xp is a full 3-inch to 2.5-inch 304 stainless cat-back with quad polished tips at $2,461.00. As a cat-back it replaces more of the system than a slip-on, so it opens up flow and volume noticeably on the N55 car.

Complementary M2 Competition Upgrades

An exhaust is the natural first mod, but the S55 M2 responds beautifully to a handful of supporting upgrades. Here are three we most often pair with the Akrapovic slip-on at our Tampa shop.

Ohlins Road & Track Coilovers

The Ohlins 16-20 M2/M3/M4 (F87/F8X) Road & Track coilover system at $3,500.00 is the suspension upgrade that transforms how the M2 turns in. It brings dual-flow-valve damping and ride-height adjustability while staying livable on the street — ideal if you take the car to track days.

Injen Evolution Intake and CSF Charge Cooler

To feed the S55, the Injen Evolution intake ($875.39, 15-20 M3/M4 3.0L) adds cold-air flow and induction growl, while the CSF top-mount charge-air cooler ($1,695.00, F8X) fights heat soak so the twin-turbo six holds boost and power on hot Florida days and repeat pulls. Together they make the exhaust upgrade feel even sharper.