BMW M2 G87

The S58 engine oil cooler is mounted horizontally beneath the front radiators, protected only by a thin plastic undertray. The original tube-and-fin core is easily punctured by stones or debris kicked up from the road. A damaged oil cooler leaks engine oil rapidly, which can cause catastrophic engine damage if not caught immediately. BMW's plastic guard has been criticized for being inadequate, and a large aftermarket industry exists for metal skid plates (€150-300) and upgraded oil coolers (€500-700). OEM replacement of the oil cooler including parts and labor runs €1,200-1,800 at a specialist, or up to €2,500 at a BMW dealer. Many owners consider fitting an aftermarket guard or upgraded cooler a worthwhile preventive measure early in ownership.

The S58 uses direct injection only, meaning no fuel washes over the intake valves during normal operation. Oil vapors from the crankcase ventilation system deposit carbon on the valve stems and ports, gradually restricting airflow and causing rough idle, reduced power, and occasional misfires. This is inherent to all direct-injection engines. Walnut shell blasting is the standard cleaning method, typically needed every 60,000-80,000 km depending on driving style. Short trips and gentle urban driving accelerate the buildup. Independent BMW specialists charge €800-1,000 for the procedure, while BMW dealers charge €1,200-1,500. Regular spirited driving at higher RPM helps slow the accumulation but cannot prevent it entirely.

The S58 uses an electric water pump that BMW specialists recommend replacing preventively around 80,000-100,000 km. The pump's plastic impeller can crack or deform under prolonged thermal stress, and the motor bearings can seize. Symptoms include fluctuating coolant temperature, a coolant warning light, and a whining noise from the front of the engine. If the pump fails completely while driving, the engine can overheat within minutes, potentially warping the cylinder head. The S58 also has an auxiliary turbo coolant pump that can fail separately. Replacement costs €1,200-1,800 at a specialist including parts and labor. Many owners choose to replace the pump proactively around 80,000 km to avoid being stranded.

The S58 uses a Y-shaped plastic charge pipe connecting both turbochargers to the throttle body. Under sustained high-boost conditions, the plastic weakens from repeated heat cycling and can develop hairline cracks that open under boost. Symptoms include a sudden loss of power, a hissing sound from the engine bay, and a check engine light with boost leak codes. While tuned cars are at higher risk, stock cars can experience this failure over time, particularly after 60,000+ km. The OEM charge pipe replacement at BMW costs approximately €800-1,500. Many owners preemptively upgrade to an aftermarket aluminum charge pipe (€300-500) which eliminates the issue entirely. If only the charge pipe fails without secondary turbo damage, repair costs remain manageable.

The G87 M2 uses BMW's iDrive 8 system, which is affected by the same software instability seen across all iDrive 8 BMWs. Symptoms include the screen going completely black during driving, Bluetooth devices being forgotten, Apple CarPlay dropping out, and the audio cutting out mid-playback. The most common fix is holding the volume knob for 30-60 seconds to force a system reboot. BMW has released multiple software updates that improve stability, and updating to the latest firmware typically resolves most issues. A dealer software update costs €150-200 if out of warranty. While annoying, this issue does not affect the car's mechanical function or safety systems.

Manual-equipped G87 M2 owners report an inconsistent clutch engagement point and a rubbery pedal feel, particularly when starting from standstill. The root cause has been traced to the plastic clutch master cylinder and a small magnet that activates the pedal position switch. Some owners report noticeable improvement after clutch pedal assembly adjustments or replacement of the master cylinder. Aftermarket solutions from companies like Clutch Masters address these issues with upgraded components. The clutch pedal fix itself typically costs €200-400, but if the clutch master cylinder needs full replacement, costs can reach €600-800 at a specialist. This is primarily a comfort and drivability issue rather than a reliability concern.

The G87 M2 uses BMW's Adaptive M Suspension as standard, with electronically controlled dampers that adjust firmness in real time. These dampers contain magnetorheological or electronically controlled fluid that can leak over time, particularly on cars used regularly on track or driven aggressively over rough roads. Symptoms include uneven ride quality, a 'Chassis Function Restricted' warning on the iDrive screen, and the system defaulting to its firmest setting. A single damper replacement costs approximately €800-1,200 per corner at an independent specialist, though track-driven cars may need multiple dampers replaced. For street-driven G87 M2s within the first 80,000 km, this failure is uncommon.