The BMW M2 is widely regarded as the spiritual successor to the original M3, a compact, rear-drive, turbo-six coupe that delivers a raw and exhilarating drive. This 2016 example wears the coveted Long Beach Blue Metallic and pairs the desirable six-speed manual with the Executive Package. It sits on Cars and Bids at $2,222 with six days to go.
Cars & Bids
What it’s worth right now
The first-generation M2 has firmed up in value as enthusiasts recognize it as a modern classic. According to Cars.com and current listings, the nationwide average for a 2016 M2 is close to $22,700, but that spans higher-mileage automatics, and clean manual examples in desirable colors trade higher, generally from close to $27,000 into the mid $30,000s.
Fair value for a clean manual example like this sits close to $27,000 to $36,000, most likely close to $30,000 to $33,000, with the desirable manual, color, and specification supporting the figure and the notes below tempering it. At $2,222 with six days remaining and a reserve, the bidding should climb into that range.
Cars & Bids
Condition and details
The car is a desirable, meticulously kept example. Finished in Long Beach Blue Metallic over black, it runs the N55 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six, rated at 365 horsepower in stock form, through the six-speed manual to the rear wheels, with the Executive Package, an M Performance exhaust, and carbon fiber trim. The seller is a McPherson-College-trained restorer who reports climate-controlled storage, full-body paint protection film, and fresh 2024-date tires.
Cars & Bids
A few points deserve attention. The Carfax notes a February 2022 “damage reported” entry without detail, and the seller reports investigating it thoroughly, finding no evidence of body or structural repair or paintwork, with the servicing dealers holding no collision record, and believes it was most likely a road-hazard incident that led to a wheel replacement, though this is unconfirmed.
Cars & Bids
Verify it with a paint meter and inspection, noting the full-body film can affect readings. The modifications are mild and reversible, a Dinan Stage 1 tune (which Dinan backs at 30 horsepower) and a charge pipe, though the tune may affect emissions in some states. There is a loan to pay off before the title transfers, and the seller reports two oil changes over 26,000 miles of ownership, so confirm the maintenance suits the N55.
Cars & Bids
The offer
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Make | BMW |
| Model | M2 |
| Year | 2016 |
| Mileage | 55,700 miles |
| Engine | N55 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six |
| Power | 365 hp and 343 lb.ft of torque stock, though the tune may raise output |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual |
| Drive type | Rear-wheel drive |
| Exterior color | Long Beach Blue Metallic |
| Interior color | Black |
| Current bid | $2,222, with six days left |
Interested in this 2016 BMW M2? View the listing here.
What makes the M2 unique
The M2 arrived in 2016 as the smallest and most affordable car in BMW’s M lineup, and it quickly became a critical darling by channeling the spirit of the classic, compact M cars of the past. Where BMW’s larger M models had grown heavy and complex, the M2 kept things focused, with a stout turbocharged inline-six, rear-wheel drive, a proper mechanical connection, and dimensions small enough to make it genuinely playful on a back road. Enthusiasts consistently describe it as the M car that most recaptures the raw, communicative feel of the beloved E30 and E46 M3, which is high praise indeed.
Cars & Bids
That combination of accessible size, real performance, and an available six-speed manual is exactly what has made the first-generation M2 so beloved and, increasingly, collectible. In the coveted Long Beach Blue, a signature M2 color, this example has the specification enthusiasts seek out, and values for clean manual cars have proven resilient as the model earns its modern-classic status.
My take
This is a desirable M2 in the right configuration, and the seller’s background as a professional restorer inspires confidence in how it has been cared for. The manual, the Long Beach Blue paint, and the Executive Package are exactly what buyers want, and the mild, reversible modifications add a little without spoiling the car. The Carfax entry is the one thing to resolve, though the seller’s transparent investigation is reassuring.
Fair value sits close to $27,000 to $36,000, most likely close to $30,000 to $33,000, reflecting the desirable specification against the Carfax note and the modifications. Before bidding, verify the paint and the damage entry with an independent inspection, sort the loan payoff securely, and confirm the maintenance history. Handle that, and this is a raw, engaging, and increasingly collectible modern M car in a standout color.
Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only. We are not a dealership or broker. All vehicle specifications, pricing, and availability are subject to change without notice. We are not responsible for typographical errors, omissions, or the accuracy of the provided information. Please verify all details directly with the seller.
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About the author
Kyle Edward
Editor-in-Chief, Autoblog