When you’re shopping for a sports car, it’s tough to beat the performance and power available in BMW models. The M2 and M3 options pack an incredible punch, boasting stellar features that appeal to most buyers. Check out the differences between the M2 and M3 to help you decide which model is right for you.

Size

If you don’t need a lot of interior space, the M2 coupe is a good choice. This high-performance vehicle has two doors and sits low to the ground, giving it a more aggressive appearance. On the other hand, the M3 offers more room within the cabin and has four doors. The ride is also more comfortable, thanks to supportive seats and adaptive dampers. You could easily take the BMW M3 on a road trip with its spacious trunk and roomy back seat. If you were traveling with just one companion, you could take the M2 on a trip, but it would feel a bit tight with suitcases in the trunk.

Interior Features

Both models come equipped with plenty of upscale interior features to improve the ride. The M2 boasts leather upholstery, power-adjustable and heated sport front seats, an 8.8-inch central display screen with navigation, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system with satellite radio, a USB input, and BMW’s ConnectedDrive service for smartphone integration. Available options include a heated steering wheel and Apple CarPlay integration. With the M3, you’ll get the same 8.8-inch display screen, audio system, and navigation, along with the iDrive infotainment interface. Options include wireless device charging and a head-up display.

Safety 

The M2 and M3 come equipped with high-end safety features, and both are available with additional packages. With the M3, you can add the Driving Assistance package to get forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, low-speed automatic braking, and lane departure warning, along with a feature that shows the posted speed limit within the gauge cluster. Tack on the Executive package to get side-view and top-view parking cameras, an automated parking system, and adaptive headlights with automatic high beams.

Choose the M2 with the Executive package and you’ll get lane departure warning, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, and rear parking sensors.

Power and Performance

For sports car buyers, power and performance are often the main differentiators in various models. With the M2 comes a powerful 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine, which pumps out 343 pound-feet of torque and 365 horsepower. It works with a six-speed manual transmission as the standard feature, although a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic is available as an upgrade. Beneath the hood of the M3, you’ll find a more powerful 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six, which rates at 406 pound-feet of torque and 425 horsepower. It also has the same standard six-speed manual transmission with the available seven-speed dual clutch.

If you’re still not sure which model to choose, test drive both the M2 and the M3 to get a feel for the differences between them. Each sports car from BMW has its own unique offerings, making for a better driving experience.