BMW M2 Competition (F87)

BMW’s 48 cars in the Dream Car Garage catalogue create a broad view of what the marque brings to a 600-car collection, but the M2 Competition occupies a particularly defined space. It is one of just 11 turbocharged inline-6 cars in the catalogue, and one of only 23 cars pairing an inline-6 with rear-wheel drive. That combination is the detail that separates its contribution from simply adding another BMW to the garage.

Its place in the wider catalogue is one of focused balance rather than chasing the highest numbers. The M2 Competition ranks 415th of 600 for power, placing it within the top 69% with 404 bhp, while its 0-100 km/h time of 4.2 seconds is faster than 254 cars in the catalogue. Its 250 km/h top speed ranks 414th. These positions show a sports car that sits firmly in the performance conversation without being defined only by outright figures.

The specification explains why. The fixed-head 2+2 coupé body style houses a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-6 producing 404 bhp and 550 Nm, with rear-wheel drive delivering the layout found in only a small part of the catalogue. For collectors building from 600 choices, that mechanical pairing is the key attraction. It represents a particular recipe within BMW’s catalogue presence, rather than a simple extension of the same idea.

The M2 Competition also sits in a clear ownership category. With a used price of £42,000, it ranks 475th of 600 by price, meaning it is more expensive than 125 cars in the catalogue. At £104 per bhp, it places its performance in a measurable relationship with its cost. The car’s German origin adds another marker to a catalogue where 197 cars come from Germany, while BMW’s own history stretches back to a manufacturer founded in 1916.

For the collector who wants a BMW that brings a rear-wheel-drive turbocharged inline-6 formula into a garage of 600 possibilities, the M2 Competition offers a distinct role. It suits someone building a collection around mechanical character and specific configurations, choosing a car whose appeal comes from how its ingredients combine rather than from simply occupying the highest ranks on a chart. It is the kind of choice that gives a garage a carefully selected centre of focus.