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BMW M2 G87Stage 1 to Stage 4 tuning guide

The G87 M2 uses the same S58 twin-turbo six as the M3 and M4 in a smaller car. European tuners claim about 560 to 600 PS from software alone, and most flash tunes need the engine computer unlocked on a bench first. The limits are the gearbox software, the manual gearbox's clutch and, on European cars, the particulate filter.

Years
2023–
Engine
3.0 S58 twin-turbo inline-six
Gearbox
8-speed ZF automatic / 6-speed manual
Stock power (US)
453 hp (2023–24) / 473 hp (2025+)
Light blue BMW M2 G87 with its bonnet open at a car meet

Power by stage

Stage 1 and 2 are tuners' published figures for the M2, mostly in PS and shown here in hp (≈). Stage 3 and 4 are wheel horsepower (whp), which reads lower than engine power: turbo makers' claims and a community build range. Real results depend on fuel, weather and the individual car.

Stock453 hp
Stage 1≈552–592 hp Stage 2≈621–718 hp Stage 3790–959 whp Stage 4900–1,000+ whp

Names with an arrow go straight to that part's product page for this car. Names in a dashed outline are other brands that make the part; exact links for them are being added.

1

Software only

≈+100 to +140 hp

A new file for the engine computer, or a piggyback box that sits beside it. Flash tunes from bootmod3, MHD and CarBahn need the engine computer unlocked on a bench first; the Burger JB4 piggyback doesn't. Several tuners publish figures for the S58 engine in general, usually measured on the M3, M4 or X3 M, so the M2-specific figures below are the ones to compare.

Typical cost: $595–$899 (bootmod3, CarBahn, JB4); MHD licence €499; G-Power €2,495 fitted; AC Schnitzer €5,990.List prices, Sept 2026, before shipping, import tax and fitting.

Stage 1 tunes compared

TuneFuelClaimed powerClaimed torqueNotes
AC Schnitzer Performance Upgrade98 RON560 PS650–700 Nm700 Nm on cars from 08/2024 (480 PS), 650 Nm before; 36-month warranty; not for EU7 (01DG) cars
dÄHLer Stage 1—560 PS720 NmWLTP / Euro 6d tested; EU and Swiss homologated
G-Power GP-600—600 PS750 NmAlso listed for the M2 CS
CarBahn Stage 1100 US (race fuel)677 hp (calculated)612 lb-ftCarBahn measured 554 hp stock on its dyno; optional factory-matching warranty
MHD Stage 191–93 US / 95–98 RONup to 560–650 hpup to 700–730 NmS58 engine figures, not M2-specific; needs a bench unlock
bootmod3 OTS91–93 US+13% to +20%+26% to +30%Table published for the X3 M / X4 M with the same engine; needs a bench unlock
Burger JB4Pump fuel+80 whp+100 lb-ft (wheel)Piggyback box, no ECU unlock; 5-year warranty on the device

Recommended with Stage 1

  • Engine computer (DME) bench unlock flash tunes bootmod3MHDCarBahn

    Needed before bootmod3, MHD or CarBahn can flash the car. MHD says flashing back to stock removes the unlock again.

  • Gearbox (TCU) tune automatic xHPMHD

    The 8-speed automatic's software limits torque until it's tuned; MHD offers a custom TCU limiter removal.

Before you buyCheck your build date: cars from August 2024 have 480 PS (473 hp US) and, with the automatic, 600 Nm, and some tuners use different files for them. The M2 with M xDrive (2026) has a new pre-chamber engine, so don't assume existing tunes fit it. In Israel only 95 and 98 octane are sold, so ignore the race-fuel and ethanol figures.
2

Downpipes, intake and exhaust

≈+168 to +265 hp

Stage 2 adds catalysed downpipes, an intake and usually an exhaust, with a file written for them. dÄHLer claims 630 PS with its carbon intake and Manhart 728 PS for its MH2 700 II package. From here the gearbox matters more: Manhart lists a gearbox strengthening option with its Stage 2.

Typical cost: the same MHD licence (€499); Fabspeed catted downpipes $3,626.List prices, Sept 2026, before shipping, import tax and fitting.

Stage 2 packages compared

PackageFuelClaimed powerClaimed torqueNotes
dÄHLer Stage 2—630 PS750 NmCarbon air intake; EU homologated
Manhart MH2 700 II—728 PS900 NmCarbon intake and flap exhaust; the road-legal version uses a downpipe with a 200-cell HJS catalyst
MHD Stage 293 US / 98 RONup to 680 hpup to 760 NmS58 engine figures for cars with full bolt-ons, not M2-specific
Fabspeed catted downpipe—+20 whp at 6,500 rpm+23 lb-ft at 3,200 rpm200-cell HJS catalyst

Parts list

  • Catalysed downpipes required Fabspeed catted downpipes (G87)Manhart

    The biggest hardware change at Stage 2. Choose a catalysed version and a file written for it.

  • Intake recommended dÄHLerManhart

    Part of the dÄHLer and Manhart Stage 2 packages.

  • Exhaust optional Manhart

    Mostly sound; check that it's approved for road use where you live.

  • Gearbox tune or strengthening recommended xHPMHDManhart

    More torque means the gearbox software, and on manual cars the clutch, need attention.

Before you buyCatless downpipes and particulate-filter deletes are sold for export or track use only and fail inspection. Keep the original parts, and choose EU-homologated parts if you're in Europe.
3

Upgraded turbos and fuel

790–959 whp

Stage 3 replaces the turbos. CTS Turbo claims 790 to 959 wheel horsepower for its Stage 2+ turbos on the S58, and says custom tuning, fuel and charge-cooler upgrades are required. The stock fuel system limits full E85, so big builds add port injection. These figures are measured at the wheels, so they read lower than engine power.

Typical cost: turbos $3,900–$7,495 (CTS, Vargas, Pure).List prices, Sept 2026, before shipping, import tax and fitting.

Turbo upgrades compared

TurbosFuelClaimed powerClaimed torqueNotes
CTS Turbo Stage 2+E-blends790–959 whpup to 727 lb-ft (wheel)Needs a custom bootmod3 tune, fuel and charge-cooler upgrades
Pure Turbos Stage 2—supports 1,000+ whp—Retailer listing includes the G87 M2
Vargas VTT GC / GC+—up to 800 / 950 whp—Listed for the M3/M4 and X3 M/X4 M; check M2 fitment with Vargas

Parts list

  • Upgraded turbos required CTS Turbo Stage 2+ (S58)Pure TurbosVargas

    Sold as a pair with a file written for them.

  • Fuel system upgrade and port injection required Specified by your tuner

    MHD calls its E85 files fuel-system limited; the fastest stock-turbo cars run port injection.

  • Charge-cooler upgrade required CSF

    CTS Turbo lists charge-air cooling as a requirement for its turbos.

  • Gearbox tune and clutch packs required xHPDodson (clutch packs)

    AutoLab puts the stock 8-speed's clutch packs at about 700–750 wheel horsepower.

Before you buyBudget for the full package: turbos, fuel system, cooling, gearbox work and a custom tune. The biggest figures need ethanol blends, which aren't sold at Israeli filling stations.
4

Built engine

900–1,000+ whp

AutoLab says rod bending becomes a real concern at around 750 wheel horsepower, so the biggest S58 builds use forged rods and pistons, a big single turbo, port injection and a built gearbox. These are community build ranges, not product claims.

Parts list

  • Forged rods and pistons required Your engine builder's choice

    The factory rods are the first internal weak point at this power.

  • Big single turbo and fuel system required Pure Turbos

    With port injection or an auxiliary fuel system for ethanol.

  • Built gearbox and driveline required Dodson (clutch packs)

    Gearbox, differential, axles and rear tyres all have to cope with the power.

Before you buyStage 4 is an engine build, not a bolt-on. Choose one shop to build, tune and stand behind the whole package.

Questions to ask the shop

  1. Is my car the early 460 PS version or the 480 PS version from August 2024, and is my engine software supported? Who does the bench unlock?
  2. Is the file made and tested on an M2, or is it an M3/M4 file?
  3. Does it include a gearbox (TCU) file, and how will you protect the automatic's clutch packs?
  4. On a manual car, how much torque will the stock clutch hold, and which clutch do you recommend?
  5. Will the catalysts and particulate filter stay, and will the car pass inspection? Are the parts homologated?
  6. What happens to the BMW warranty and dealer software updates, and can you flash it back to stock?