BMW M2 (G87) black clip: S58, manual vs automatic

BMW M2: mechanical breakdown

Black G87 M2, 15 seconds

The caption reads "Aggressive Beast Mode" and lists no parts, no work and no events. The clip is 15 s of a black G87 M2. Underneath it is the S58, a 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline-six rated at 453 hp, which gives the deeper, more muted note of a turbo six.

Manual or torque-converter automatic, no DCT

Two gearboxes are offered: a 6-speed manual and an 8-speed M Steptronic. The 8-speed is a torque-converter automatic, not a dual-clutch, so drive passes through a fluid coupling rather than a pair of clutches. The two also carry different torque ratings. After the 2025 update the automatic is rated at 600 Nm with 480 PS, while the manual stays at 550 Nm. The M2 CS goes further, at 523 hp and 650 Nm, and it is only sold with the automatic. The manual is the lower-torque route into the same S58.

Tunes, downpipes and exhausts for the S58

Software comes first. An ECU tune gives large power and torque gains from the S58 with no hardware, but it can affect warranty and adds load to the gearbox and driveline, which were specified for stock output. Downpipes make the exhaust louder and add more once combined with a tune; emissions and road-legality problems follow in many regions. A full aftermarket exhaust brings more volume than the stock system, which is partly masked by speaker-augmented cabin sound. The price is drone at cruise, plus the cost of the system.