BMW · 2023–present · track setup

M2 G87

The G87 M2 puts the M3/M4 drivetrain in a shorter car, with a manual still on offer. It is quick and stable, but it is heavy for its size, and out of the box it understeers and runs out of brake cooling. Fix the brakes, add front camber and control rear toe, and it becomes a very capable track car.
Engine
3.0 L twin-turbo inline-six (S58)
Power
453 hp (2023–24), 473 hp (2025+)
Weight
≈3,815–3,890 lb
Layout
Front-engine
Drive
RWD
Side view of a BMW M2 (G87)IllustrationPerformance planner ↓

These are starting points gathered from the sources listed at the bottom, not a guarantee. Cars, tires and parts vary: have a reputable alignment shop set your car, check factory specs for road use, and change one thing at a time.

01On track

Strengths
  • +S58 power in a shorter wheelbase than the M3/M4
  • +Manual or automatic, rear-wheel drive
  • +Shares suspension parts with the G80/G82, so the aftermarket is deep
  • +Responds well to a proper track alignment
Watch out for
  • −Heavy for its size: brake dive, rear squat and fast consumable wear
  • −Front-end understeer at high speed and poor rear traction out of slow corners
  • −Stock camber tops out around -2°, and factory toe adjustment runs out quickly
  • −Limited steering feel

02Alignment

Where to start the alignment.

Alignment · starting points
VIEWED FROM BEHIND · CAMBER EXAGGERATED ×3-3.0°FRONT L-3.0°FRONT R-2.2°REAR L-2.2°REAR R
FrontRear
Camber-2.8° to -3.3°-2.0° to -2.4°
Toe0 to about 1 mm outAbout 2 mm in

Published G87 track builds: -3.3° front, 1 mm toe-out, -2.1° rear and 2 mm rear toe-in on 19x11" wheels with 305/30-19 tires; -2.8° front and -2.4° rear on 295/30-19; and -3.1° front with -2.1° rear on another car. Apex lists about -3° minimum for its widest 19x11" square fitments. This needs camber plates (most give up to about -3° to -3.5°) and adjustable rear toe arms. Too aggressive for daily driving because of inside-shoulder wear.

Sources [4,5,7,8]

03Tires & brakes

Tires and brakes

  • 200TW endurance
    • Bridgestone Potenza RE-71RS
    • Yokohama Advan A052
    • Falken Azenis RT660+
    • BFGoodrich g-Force Rival S 1.5
    Square 295/30-19 or 305/30-19 on 19x11" wheels (track builds)

    Picks are from the 2025 Tire Rack 200TW track test; check which come in 19" track sizes. AUTOID ran Yokohama AD09 max-performance tires as a dual-duty choice. Record cold and hot pressures after each session and adjust from there.

    Sources [4,5,11]
Brake pads

Dedicated track pads such as Endless ME20 (150–800°C, track only) on the iron M Compound brakes; AUTOID used EBC Blue Stuff on a dual-duty build. Endless pads do not fit carbon-ceramic cars. Run matched compounds front and rear.

Brake fluid

A normal-viscosity, high-boiling fluid such as Castrol SRF (518°F wet) or Motul RBF 600 (about 400°F wet).

Braided lines and two-piece floating discs help with heat. Add brake ducting. [5,9,10]

04Known issues on track

Fix these before they find you.

  • Brake fade

    AUTOID found the stock brakes fade under track use and fitted floating discs, track pads, braided lines and better fluid. The G80 M3 shows the same weakness. Treat pads, fluid and ducting as must-do items before the first event. [5]

  • Rear alignment hardware

    The factory eccentric bolt cannot set track camber and toe at the same time, and stock toe adjustment is easily exceeded once camber is added. Adjustable rear toe arms solve it. [5,6]

  • Bushing deflection

    The factory rubber bushings deflect under braking and cornering. Uniball or firmer bushings tighten up the response once the basics are done. [3,5]

05Modification roadmap

In the order that pays off.

  1. 0
    Safety & reliability first

    Safety and reliability first

    • Track pads, high-boiling fluid, braided lines and ductsThe stock brakes fade on track.
    • Pre-event inspection of wheels, tires and fluidsA heavy car wears consumables fast.
    • Seats and harnesses only with proper roll protectionNever fit harnesses without a roll bar or cage.
  2. 1
    Tires & alignment

    Alignment

    • Front camber platesThe stock -2° limit is not enough for track tires.
    • Adjustable rear toe armsSet rear camber and toe independently.
    • Square wheels and 200TW tiresLets you rotate tires and balances grip front to rear.
  3. 2
    Suspension & brakes

    Suspension

    • CoiloversControls dive and squat better than the stock adaptive dampers.
    • Rear camber arms and uniball bushingsTrack rear camber and less deflection.
  4. 3
    Power & aero

    Power last

    • TuneEasy power, but more speed means more brake and tire wear. Do it last.

06Performance planner

What each upgrade is worth on this car.

Pick upgrades and see the estimated lap-time change on a reference circuit, how much margin your brakes and engine have late in a session, and which changes buy durability rather than speed.

Performance planner · M2 G87Model estimate
Tires
Brake pads
Brake fluid
Brake cooling
Brakes
Alignment
Suspension
Differential
Weight
Power
Cooling
Oil system
Aero
1:48.27stock 1:48.27−0.0%

Reference circuit (fictional, 3.5 km). Late lap includes brake fade and heat derating once the system runs out of margin.

T1T2T3T4T5T6T7T8SPEED · your plan vs stock · top 133 mph
Brake fade marginFades
Engine heat marginHolds
Oil starvation riskLow
Tire life (relative)100%
Sensitivity · each upgrade alone vs stock (late lap)
  • R-compound tires−6.98%load ↑
  • 200TW endurance tires−3.11%load ↑
  • Race pads−2.15%durability ↑
  • Big brake kit−2.13%durability ↑
  • Street/track pads−1.91%durability ↑
  • High-temp fluid−1.39%durability ↑
  • Brake cooling ducts−1.39%durability ↑
  • Track alignment−0.96%
  • Splitter + wing−0.83%
  • Coilovers + sway bars−0.80%
  • Limited-slip differential−0.63%load ↑
  • Lighter wheels + seat−0.10%
  • Oil cooler + radiator±0durability ↑
  • Oil system (baffles / accumulator)±0
  • Intake, exhaust, tune±0load ↑
This car’s roadmap below starts with: Track pads, high-boiling fluid, braided lines and ducts · Pre-event inspection of wheels, tires and fluids · Seats and harnesses only with proper roll protection · Front camber plates

Estimates from a simplified point-mass lap simulation of M2 G87 (3,816 lb, 453 hp) on a fictional circuit, with generic effects for each upgrade category. Good for comparing options on the same car, not for predicting your lap time. Real results depend on the driver, the exact parts, the track and the conditions. Durability starts lower on this car because of its known issues: brake fade.

Free printable setup sheet →

Sources

Last reviewed 2026-10-18. Summaries are TRACK’s own wording; follow the links for the original detail. Product and brand names belong to their owners.

  1. [1]2024 BMW M2 Specs, Features & OptionsKelley Blue Book · accessed 2026-10
  2. [2]2025 BMW M2 Specs, Features & OptionsKelley Blue Book · accessed 2026-10
  3. [3]Best Suspension Upgrades for BMW G87 M2: Road & Track GuideSuspension Secrets · accessed 2026-10
  4. [4]BMW G8X Alignment & Camber Guide: G87 M2, G80 M3 & G82 M4Nineteen72 Performance · accessed 2026-10
  5. [5]Preparing our G87 M2 for the TrackAUTOID · accessed 2026-10
  6. [6]BimmerWorld Race Rear Adjustable Toe Arms - F8X / G8XBimmerWorld · accessed 2026-10
  7. [7]MCS Front Camber Plates - G87 M2, G80 M3, G82 M4BimmerWorld · accessed 2026-10
  8. [8]Verus Engineering Front Camber Plates - G8X M2 M3 M4BimmerWorld · accessed 2026-10
  9. [9]Endless ME20 Rear Brake Pads - BMW G80/G81 M3, G82/G83 M4, G87 M2R44 Performance · accessed 2026-10
  10. [10]Brake FluidBimmerWorld · accessed 2026-10
  11. [11]2025 Tire Rack Extreme Performance Track Tyre Test (summary of Tire Rack data)Tyre Reviews · accessed 2026-10
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